Dave Dill has given us a gift of some unreleased tracks from “Follow the Summer” sessions. Dave Dill’s music is available on Apple iTunes and CDbaby. Read my review of “Follow the Summer” here.
The Lost Levels "Never The First"
Here is a great new band that emerged from NRONE records in England. The Lost Levels are four lads with a rich sound, and the single “Never the First” tells the tragic tale of being dumped. They have an mini-EP out so far – and it’s wonderful, so I am hoping for a full length soon. I’ll update you on when these guys make it across the pond.
My Space | NRONE Records
Major label picks for August
Here are some Amazon.com mini-reviews of current major label releases that I’ve been listening to in the past month (click on an album cover on the widget to the right if you’d like to hear it).
The Black Hollies “Casting Shadows”
Put on the black light and smoke the hookah to this album. The Black Hollies retro psychedelic rock fits well with your rainbow quartz groups. Obsessively recreated itchy twanging guitars, vocal reverb and harmonies like The Zombies. Like a lost 60’s psyche classic.
P.J. O’Connell “Careful”
Fans of Tom Petty styled power pop will love this. Mixing Rockpile-like twang and muscle riffs with the country steel petal and piano touches it’s an excellent album. Don’t let this one fly under your radar. O’Connell writes great songs and even his voice sounds like Pettys mixed with Paul Westerberg. Not a single bad track either.
R.E.M. “Accelerate”
Not since “Monster” have we had this aggressive Michael Stipe. I guess this is the backlash of keyboard-heavy, adult-contemporary music of “Around The Sun.” This is a return to form for sure, the music is played with great gusto and other than the ballad “Until the Day is Done” you’ve got a great bunch of catchy rock here. And they don’t pander to today’s trends (unlike “Monster”) and play classic R.E.M. – my favorite track here is “Mr. Richards”
Ray Davies “Working Man’s Cafe”
The master songwriter at his usual best. Ray produces a great album with his unique perspective on things. Globalization is his target on the catchy “Vietnam Cowboys” but the best song here is his answer to his worshipping fans in “You’re Asking Me” (“Don’t take my advice… Get a life”). Also of note, the rockin’ riffs on “Hymn For A New Age” where he takes on religion.
Robyn “Robyn”
Not something I normally listen to, but the buzz on Robyn is loud and deserved. This hip hop pop queen is the heir apparent to Gwen Steffani. Listen to “Bum Like You” and try not to move, I dare you. This is where Janet Jackson should’ve gone by now.
Ron Sexsmith “Exit Strategy Of The Soul”
Sexsmith has such talent, that even this uplifting sermon will squarely inspire pop fans. Rooted in the sounds of Paul McCartney, Harry Nilsson, Paul Simon, from jazz to country to folk, this is his finest album since “Retriever.” Using more horns and piano than usual, listen to “One Last Round” for a good representation.
She & Him “Volume One”
Who knew cute actress Zooey Deschanel had these pipes? One ups Scarlett Johansson, by pairing with M.Ward and emulating those great pop icons with a great selection of songs. If you miss classic Linda Ronstadt and Rita Coolidge soft rock, don’t miss this loving tribute. Notable is the Dusty Springfield-like single “Why Do You Let Me stay Here?”
Frank Bango "The Sweet Songs of Decay"
What took so long? When you consider that Frank Bango’s “Fugitive Girls” has been on my list of greatest albums of all time, his latest “The Sweet Songs of Decay” is a long overdue summer classic. Often compared to Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe, Bango has earned plenty of fans over the years and has played with artists from Frank Black to Nancy Sinatra. The album is a series of finely textured, and gentle musing on mortality, starting with the ballad “You Always Begin By Saying Goodbye” just Frank and a lone guitar that recalls Big Star’s Chris Bell. Then the shimmering mid-tempo “Summerdress” has those swirling chords and harmonies that give you goose bumps. “Angela Eagleton” is another standout, lead by acoustic strumming and a few keyboards. The song cycle of a “children’s album for adults” begins with the ballad ““Bunny in a Bunny Suit” where Frank is “pretending to be myself again” – it then goes upbeat on “I Saw The Size Of The World” it’s a relaxing, laid-back melody with a kid friendly repeating chorus (“And the rain came down”). The sadness of the some songs like “She’ll Miss the Spider” recall Ray Davies english countryside. And the darker overtones here cannot be overlooked – the moral Bango leaves us with is that everything must be embraced and enjoyed to it’s fullest while we are here. An impressive album from a brilliant artist.
Frank Bango Website | My Space | CD Baby | itunes | Not Lame
Listen to “I Saw The Size Of the World”
Listen to “Worm was Wood”
Josh Fix "Free At Last"
This was one of those discs from last year that passed under the radar, but no more. San Francisco native Josh Fix is a true phenomenon with his debut album “Free At Last.” If you combine a host of 70’s rock icons like Queen, Billy Joel and Elton John and the majestic sweeping pop they are known for, you’ve got a good idea of Josh’s sound. The rousing opener “Don’t Call Me In The Morning” uses all these influences to perfect effect. The densely produced, rocking, accessible Elton-esque mid-tempo ballad “Jethro” uses amazing piano, unconventional chord changes and that multi-track chorus to great effect. And Josh does this all almost single-handed (except for Andy Korn’s drums). Like Jackdaw 4 last year, fans will appreciate the familiar sounds gift wrapped in new melodies.”Whiskey & Speed” and “Rock and Roll Slut” would feel at home on Queen’s “Day At The Races.” Some of the other songs lean more towards the piano based, “Burn it Down” and “Bad With Superbad” remind some listeners of Ben Folds for sure. The multi-choral, multi-instrumental flourishes of “The Water on My Brain” echo the sound of 10cc. The piano in “I Thought About it First” is a classic mid-tempo end of the album finale with some guitar thrown in. Some may dismiss the derivative nature of the sound but a good line emerges from the albums end, “Well, if everyone’s heard this before, what’s the point?” The point is it’s great power pop and like comfort food, it is mouth watering and a pleasure to consume.
