It’s really cool seeing Steve’s creative process. Like before, he plays the piano and gives us a song. This one’s called “Laura, Maybe She’s The One ” – Steve just finished a live set with MIke Viola at Joe’s Pub in NYC recently. Steve Eggers is working on new material for a digital only release in late 2008. A full Nines album is scheduled for Spring 2009.
Skoober "Say!"
This took me by complete surprise, a plain white album cover, reveals an amazing power pop album inside. Armed with a relentless work ethic, and a natural gift for crafting pop hooks, the upstate NY songwriting partnership of Tawni Bates and Andy Weaver quickly evolved into the power-pop/rock band Skoober in early 2006. Skoober got on the map by first composing the closing theme for Adam Waltermire’s Pop Garden Radio Show. The duo, supported by various other talented musicians during live shows, spent the majority of that year recording demos and honing their skills. Boy, did it pay off here. With a sound that effortlessly mixed classic pop hooks and a modern power pop sound SKooBER really delivers the goods on this debut. Tawni Bates vocals are clear and crisp, like a modern mix of both Marykate O’Neil and Natalie Merchant in places. The opening track “Now What Do We Do?” is a stunner, Weaver’s guitar is similar to Queen, Cheap Trick and Rooney in sound and slickness. It gets even louder in “Make A Liar Out Of Me” and Tawni’s full range vocal soars above the buzzing guitar riffs. “Second Chances” sounds like a lost Cheap Trick track (“Dream Police” era). The album’s triumph here is the Jellyfish-inspired title track,”Say!” with those mind bending chords, guitar accents and an inspiring vocal performance. The Beatlesque flute, and gentle tone for “Your Heart” downshifts from the power, to a pure pop delight. The album stays in sophisticated pop on “Pinch Me” with more concentration on Tawni’s beautiful voice. It includes two bonus tracks done with acoustic guitar. Right alongside Vibeke, this album exceeds expectations and is one of the best power pop albums I’ve heard with a female vocal. Super Recommended here! Already booked for IPO in Youngstown, OH on Nov.14
SKooBER Website (streaming tracks) | MySpace | CD Baby
The Strand "Another Season Pass"
Much like Doug Derek and The Hoax, The Strand is another band from the early 80’s that had some success on college radio, and decided to start a come back. But in this case, rather than dig out those old tracks, the band (James Garner, John Hubbell and Bill Lasley) all tuned up the instruments in 2007 and picked up right where they left off. Okay rather than that earlier example, these guys are closer to the band Buddy Love. Fans of early Jam, Paul Collins and Stiff-era Elvis Costello will feel at home with this nostalgic, “skinny-tie” guitar pop. The songs are well produced and sound crisp and clean, with the opener “Rising Tide” lead by great songwriting and guitar work (no cheap synths here!) is easily the best song here. “Why’d You Call” is a typical 80’s throwback track, and you can make a game of guessing which songs were written recently vs. penned almost 20 years ago. Another good song is “Along for the ride” with a steady drum driven melody and guitar accents. The older tunes are okay, but the newer sounding material is better, for example the ballad “Begin Again” has a great story and piano melody. A curiosity here is “Scared Streets 1” which takes a page from The Ramones and early punk. If you wanted a glittering curiosity from another era, give this one a shot.
My Space | CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik | Not Lame
The Jellybricks "Goodnight to Everyone"
The Jellybricks are power pop veterans and I welcome the fourth release with open ears. Produced by Saul Zonana and three years in the making, it doesn’t disappoint. Fans of IKE, Matthew Sweet and The Tories, who enjoy a heavier produced guitar sound will enjoy it for sure. “Ruin Us” is just an example of great shimmering melodic guitar pop. The Jellybricks’ maturing songwriting skills and musical prowess continue to impress with “Broken Record” and the opener “Eyes Wide” could easily be a radio-ready single if people gave them the chance. That said, compared to The Jellybricks earlier efforts, it may be a bit too slick in places (think Rooney) without being as memorable. But some tunes are just great standouts, like “Nobody Else” which almost sounds like a Squeeze-penned TV show theme song, and the band spreads the vocal performances around toward the albums end. These last few songs sound a bit scatter shot (like “Put it Down”), but the strong ender “Up To You” has enough strong energy to hit the mark and the wonderful ballad “Heartache Begins” with flowing harmonic chorus and slow drum beat bring the effort to a fitting fade out. Overall, no tracks here are poor and this has some excellent music that should not be missed.
Jellybricks’ Site | My Space | CD Baby | Emusic | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik
Todd Herfindal "Collective"
It took a while, but I finally got to Meadows frontman, Todd Herfindal and his solo release of songs called “Collective.” Rather than it be a collective of odds and ends from the last Meadows album, it stands on it’s own as straight ahead pop/rock album. The style doesn’t fall far from the Meadows tree however, the opener “Air I’m Breathing” has an slick pop sheen with a very catchy chorus that falls between Tom Petty-Counting Crows rock and a dash of Crowded House pop. It’s a great message too, “I won’t waste another day on little things that don’t mean nothing.” The slide guitar solo is welcome on “Finally Movin’ On” although it’s a bit predictable in approach in songwriting. The guitars flexible riffs make the song “Waiting on the Sun” sound great, and this one most resembles Counting Crows. “Won’t Look Back” is an excellent ballad about your best female friend. Another standout is “Forget It All Again” a classic modern rock track that will please fans of The Honeydogs. Not a bad track on the album. Even the sappy sentiment on “This is a love song” has so much earnest good cheer and emotion it makes up for “silly love songs” type of lyric. Overall, this is one of those very commercial power pop albums you can give your musically challenged friends, and they’ll enjoy the clean arrangements and Herfindal’s perfect rock and roll lead vocal. One of the most accessible and good-natured albums I’ve heard all year.
Todd’s Site | My Space | CD Baby | Emusic | Not Lame