The sound you hear is brothers Dominic and Robert Campanella (Brian Jonestown Massacre) with prominent twelves string Rickenbacker and rich melodies that are all over the Quarter After’s latest exercise in psychedelic revival. They are joined by a collection of LA musicians including power pop faves Ric Menck (Velvet Crush), Matthew Sweet, Eric Heywood (Son Volt), Probyn Gregory (Wondermints, Brian Wilson Band), and Matthew Sigley (Lovetones, Daytime Frequency). Most of all this is an album that will appeal to fans of Roger McGuinn and The Byrds in all their psychedelic glory. The sonic details in the opener “Sanctuary” set the tone and period-perfect effects take the listener back to 1968. Using the Byrds template is just the beginning for the Campanella brothers, as “She Revolves” swirls with dynamic melodies and CSN styled harmonies. “Counting The Score” has a bit of Graham Parsons country folk style. Another standout is “See How Good It Feels” with cavernous echoing chorus and guitar solo. It is a definite improvement in songwriting over the debut album, as almost everything works here. Some navel gazing songs can also go a long way toward boredom if you’re not too careful (“Winter Song”), but this album is essential listening if you are a fan of The Grip Weeds or The Pillbugs. Listen to the entire album here. Groovy, man.
Explorers Club Interview
Thanks to Phil Andrews at Palo Alto Pop Overthrow for this one.
I reviewed The Explorer’s Club back in May. More interviews coming soon!
Cartographer "Cartographer"
After a review of Dan Weir’s Town and Country, I was told Scott Gagner who was part of that band, had his own album. Hailing from Minnesota, Scott Gagner started his career as a drummer in a few California bands before he created his own entity. Cartographer is a fine example of good songwriting in the classic style of REM or Wilco, with a rich melodic sound. A big standout here is “I’m Not Following You” with it’s ringing guitars and perfect pop rhythms that will bounce around in your head for days. Layers of piano, moog synths and drums make “Love Triangle For Two” a pleasant mid tempo diversion. It gets more alt country with the ballad “Sound Rebounds” and “Waiting” have a Wilco meets Pearl Jam feel. “Suburban Girl” has nice energy, with guitar, synth melody and handclaps that make this song lots of fun. This album is too long to be considered an EP, but by the end feels like it needs more music (leave them wanting more I guess). I look forward to a follow up.
Cartographer ‘s Site | CD Baby | My Space
Lyme & Cybelle (aka Warren Zevon & Violet Santangelo)
I have a new batch of reviews this week, and hopefully a big surprise toward the end of the week. This weekend as I gathered some old CDs, I found a moldy old gem that I originally heard this on the “Nuggets” box set several years ago. After checking the web for information on this group I recently found out the identity of “Lyme” — the male half of Lyme & Cybelle was in fact Warren Zevon. This is a great mid 60’s pop track, shades of The Monkees “Last Train to Clarksville” with it’s own psyche-pop touches. Fans of Warren Zevon will have to listen very closely to detect any traces of that famous “Werewolves of London” voice. The record was actually a minor hit (Top 100, though it made into the Top 10 in some West Coast markets). They duo recorded a couple of 45s, though on some of the later ones Zevon is gone with Wayne Erwin taking his place. Thanks for the IronLeg blog for this tasty tidbit of trivia – and a cool obscure song!
Listen to “Follow Me”
Jim Boggia “Misadventures in Stereo”
Jim Boggia makes a welcome return with “Misadventures in Stereo” full of hooks and harmonies, with lush descriptive stories that beg repeat listens, in a similar way to Mike Viola. The album was planned as an LP with two distinct sides — the first five tunes focus on love, relationships, and other personal affairs, while the second half concerns itself with the bits and pieces of other people’s lives. The opener “Johnnie’s Going Down” is a catchy foot tapping single and the follow up “To and Fro” is more like Viola, with a variety of studio magic and sonic textures (like Spanish castanets). The song also features a steady beat and solid guitar riffs. Then the songs get slower and more bittersweet (“No Way Out” and “So”) about failed relationships, like a male Aimee Mann. The rockin’ “8 Track” is a Boggia classic with 70s styled guitars and shouted breaks – lots of fun to listen to. Fans of Emitt Rhodes will flip for “Listening to NRBQ” that includes a guitar solo from NRBQ’s Al Anderson on the fadeout. Then an excellent song about a geek getting even with the school bully (“Chalk One Up for Albert’s Side,” co-written with Beach Boys lyricist Tony Asher) It ends with the somber blues of “Three Weeks Shy” about a solider struggling to come to terms with the death of a young soldier who was due to be shipped home from Iraq in less than a month that feels a lot like a Black Crows ballad. Overall an excellent album that will feel at home in your power pop music collection.
Jim’s Web Site | My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik
Listen to “To and Fro”
Listen to “On Your Birthday”
Listen to “Listening To NRBQ”