In 2007, I found this cool video of The Peppermint Trolley Company, an obscure pop band that modeled itself after The Association. They never kept this original “Brady Bunch” theme, because they wanted to have girls sing “It’s the story of a lovely lady…” part. After a single album in 1968, they faded from memory. It’s a shame because they showed potential as a great sunshine pop band, if they emerged a year earlier it might have made a difference.
Dave Dee passed away.
Sixties British pop star Dave Dee has died aged 67 after a long battle with cancer. The former policeman was the lead singer with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich and enjoyed a string of chart hits including “The Legend of Xanadu,” “Bend It, and “Save Me.” Here is the video of “Bend it” – he was a cult fave of mine. The other hit here is Hold Tight which I posted two years ago. What an underrated band at the time, RIP Dave.
Alan Bernhoft "Beatlesque One"
And here I though The Rutles were back in town. No, it’s multi-talented singer-songwriter Alan Bernhoft with a collection of songs that really captures the feel and sound of The Beatles. From The Spongetones to The Beatnix to The Fore – people love Beatlesque power pop. It’s no surprise really that this style of power pop is one of my guilty pleasures. Alan does a great job with these songs, so they are not just an imitation or tribute band (like the Fab Faux). These are all original compositions with the spirit of 1964 starting off on “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby” and “Be Mr. Nice.” Some of these songs are from Bernhoft’s film, “Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney”. Marc Cushman, the film’s director & producer said “We couldn’t afford The Beatles’ music, so we got the next best thing- Alan Bernhoft.” The different eras are all covered well with hightlights on “Someday (’08 Mix)” with a bit of Sgt. Peppers style, and both “Sunshine Girl” and “Winter Ocean Mary Go Round” have a bit of a Mystery Tour flavor. Alan wrote all the words & music, sings, plays all the instruments and produced the recordings at his AIM Studios in Los Angeles. A few tracks here are way overproduced (“Every Girl I See”) with too much fuzz and reverb, but for the most part it’s all good. Fans of Beatlesque pop rejoice!
My Space | CD Baby
The Crowd Scene "With Complete Glossary For Squares"
This Virginia band agrees that music aint what it used to be. Guitarist/vocalist Grahame Davies takes a trip through inner space here with a very English style, if you can imagine The Brigadier or Neil Finn with a female vocal backup.The album is full of folky melancholy tunes, the only sign of upbeat life here is the brilliant “Edward Learjet” with an interlocking harmonic chorus and biting lyrics that recall last years’ Milton and the Devils Party. In fact, “I Wouldn’t Say I’m Sorry” shuffles along it’s exquisite pop moping and it leads to my favorite song here “Trick Photography” with references to The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. This is one of those albums that grows on you like moss. The jangle of “Craked Leather Seat” recalls John Lennon vividly and most of the songs here are highly appealing guitar ballads. Anne Rogers gets to shine as lead on “Which Way” – a Elvis Costello styled mid tempo song. I couldn’t find a bad track here, despite the somber tone much of the album takes – even the Big Star-like “Finish Line” – the more you hear it, the better it gets. An impressive sophomore release that deserves a late night listen.
My Space | CD Baby
Michael Carpenter & The Cuban Heels "New Dog Old Tricks"
Last month I mentioned Michael Carpenter and his new band, The Cuban Heels EP, “Give The Dog A Bone” and to add to the confusion, this is another EP with a bit more country sound called New Dog Old Tricks. Like a bit of Dylan or The Flying Burrito Brothers with Steel Pedal on the opener “The Ballad of Ambivalence” and “Some Days are Worse Than Others.” These are well written country songs with excellent musicianship all around. “Workin’ For A Livin” is a awesome country rocker, with sharp piano and guitar work. My favorite here is the Wilco-like “If You Ask Me” with a soaring vocal bridge. The tracks here are pure gold in a laid back manner and it includes between song banter with his studio mates. If this is the “new” direction Carpenter is taking, I will put on my ten-gallon hat and cheer him on. The hard copies are already sold out on Not Lame, so you’ll need to download instead for this.
Listen to “Oh No, Not You Again “