Bigfellas "Chubbed Up"

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San Diego’s Bigfellas are a local favorite and they have a smart way of blending pop and rootsy commentary along the lines of Ben Folds or Randy Newman. One of the many talents in the band, Charlie Recksieck writes some great piano driven music for the the mind as well as the soul. It opens with the SoCal pop of “California King” with a chorus that melts like butter and the biting lyrics of “vegetarians who love to shoot thier guns.” Then it shambles into a hard-luck story with “Dollar for Every Dime” that talks about Lotto addiction, and the banjo follows the piano lead along. The funniest/meanest song here is “I Wish That I Were Gay” which wraps itself in Gershwin’s “Rhadspody in Blue” and turns into the type of satire that Randy Newman used to do so well. It’s basically a rant about gay envy and how they “have cache” and it’s a hoot. The album goes off on left field with a “On The Green” with a disco beat, it’s hard to tell if it’s comedy or just bad rap. We’re back on track with “Johnny Get Out Of The Sky” and fine mid-tempo tune. “Wish You Knew” is a wonderful ballad about regret after someone has passed on. The guitar strum takes center stage in the very psyche-pop “4:20” that could’ve fallen off a Pillbugs album. Lots of impressive piano and guitar riffs are on the Folds-like “Adam & Eve & ted & Alice” and “Reinventing The Wheel” has a bit of the bar room jam feel. It’s good entry in the piano pop field and it makes me want to revisit the past album on CD Baby. Enjoy!

My Space | Amazon | CD Baby (“Clap!” album)

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Brown Line Fiasco "Superstar"

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That juicy polished power pop that I first heard on the last IPO compilation was Brown Line Fiasco and the group returns with a very catchy album called “Superstar.” Few would argue that the opener “Lovely Day” hasn’t got a touch of Pearl Jam with power chords and a  dominant bass line. The title track has melody and beat that compare with Ok Go and The Posies and will drive you to start air guitar theatrics right away. The power chords meet smooth harmonies on the song “Over Our Heads” and recall The Raspberries and Gin Blossoms, with a perfectly delivered vocal over swirling riffs. The very-Brit flavoured “Without Love” is a sweet single that is more overtly pop that anything else on the disc and approaches Wondermints territory. The rest of the album seems to test the genre waters a bit, by flirting with Utopia rock and synth (“You’re Not Alone”) and then early Bon Jovi melodic rock (“Should have told her”). “Heart Won’t Lie” is a good mid-tempo ballad that falls between the Cars and Lindsey Buckingham. It ends with with “Look of Amazement” that adds a bit of funk to the mix. Overall an excellent album that doesn’t play safe and refuses to be overtly derivative, and that’s worthy of more than a few spins on the ole ipod playlist.

Brown Line Fiasco’s Site | My Space | CD Baby

Big Life Desire "Dribs and Drabs"

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Keith Harbottle is the one man band behind Big Life Desire and even he knows what you think of him. He sings “I don’t have a good voice, I can’t hardly sing, still I can impress, it’s not supposed to make sense” (“Not Supposed To Make Sense”). Keith has a very British theatrical sound, similar to the Bonzo Dog Band or a sober Syd Barrett. The songs are well arranged and melodic, especially the latter-era ELO-styled opener “Full Of You” with synth keyboards leading the way. Some songs are inventive and “So Inclined” is a very Alan Parsons Project flavoured mid-tempo song. However, Harbottle’s polite voice lacks any kind of range and seems custom made for a novelty record. By the mid point of this album it got very distracting, although the ballads (“After All” and “So Say I”) are easier to take. My advice is to listen yourself and cherry pick the better songs here, as I’m sure this is not everyone’s cup of tea. You may disagree here, but this album is best heard in dribs and drabs. Listen to everything here on Harbottle’s music page

Big Life Desire Site | My Space | Your Love Is (single)

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The Bellfuries "Palmyra"

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Pulling together roots rock and pop has never been easy, but The Bellfuries do it with smart gusto. The opener “Welcome to the Club” has the right blend of guitar and rockabilly beat with catchy melody sure to please fans of Rockpile and Dave Edmunds. The merseybeat rythyms of “Sung by Someone Lonely” has a bit of Elvis Costello flavor as well as a little early Beatles, with really impressive guitar work. The simplicity and honesty of early rock and roll is the appeal on another standout “Give It Get It” complete with handclaps and flowing vocal harmonies over a great bassline. This melting of genres gives the album instant ipod appeal and the even the Hollies-light “Cheerleader” packs a strong pop punch. Another great song is “There could only be one you for me” with impressive chord and time signature changes that is comparable to Bleu and Mike Viola. Even lead vocalist, Joey Simeone sounds a little like Mike Viola on shuffling jangle of “This Love Ain’t So Bad.” “Big Surprises” also sounds a bit like Costello, but with more energy and force than the other tunes, and it never gets dull even at over 4 minutes. Other songs don’t reach these heights, but they come close. The ballad “The Only Ghost There is Me” is the only misstep here with violins and low organ, sounding like it belongs on a different album, with a tone closer to Gerry and The Pacemakers. “All My New Friends” fairs much better as a mid-tempo tune. But even this doesn’t take the shine off a brilliant album. The musicianship here is flawless and “Palmyra” sounds like both a cohesive album and a compilation of hit singles. No filler here and after a few more listens the hooks on these tunes draw you in all over again. If that doesn’t deserve a Top Ten nod, I don’t know what else does.

My Space | CD Baby

Listen to “Give it Get it”

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Richard Snow "Tuesday Music"

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If you remember we reviewed Richard Snows debut here. Now power pop fans can get excited again. Richard has the jangle of the Byrds, the harmonies of The Beach Boys and folk leanings of Paul Simon. Richard is best compared with Richard X. Heyman with his varied pop sound. Opening with the Beatlesque “Silent Girlfriend” it perfectly captures a moment in time. It’s a perfect single that would make even devout Spongetones fans take notice. “You’re My Number 1” continues the hit parade with a hook filled chorus. The Beach Boys styled arrangement on “You Said It” is packed with beautiful vocal harmonies and melodies. “Hard To Be Happy” is a sixties love note to Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark with echo and jangle. Another standout, “Lonesome Cowboy” opens as expected, as a guitar driven country rock track then it takes a funky reggae turn. It keeps the music from being predictable, and that’s what makes it a compelling track. “Expectations” is also does this by starting as heavy pysche-pop and ending up as a new age choral. The ballad “Days of Simplicity” talks about how each future generation will miss the simple music that shaped their lives as they grow older. The song is reminiscent of those classic Moody Blues ballads. A very satisfying experience and highly recommended.

Richard Snow’s Site | My Space | CD Baby | SideB Music

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