Private Jets "Jet Sounds"

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Cleared for take-off. Classic Swedish power pop in the mold of The Merrymakers and Beagle for fans who have been missing it, The Private Jets have the sunny harmonies and sweet melodies with plenty of guitars and keyboards. The twin brothers Erik Westin and Per Westin have simplistic approach that can’t fail to hit the sweet spot with anyone who has a liking for power pop. Influences are clear here in the opener “I Wanna Be a Private Jet” – the bouncy beat resembles the Rubinoos. The follow up “Extraordinary Sensations” flirts with ELO and The Hudson Brothers, and “Speak Up, Speak Out” mines The Beagle sound perfectly. “Starshaped World” is a dead ringer for a Jellyfish composition (Should Roger Manning Jr. sue?). Some guitar riffs start to resemble Queen or Sweet, and the dual nature of “Fireman for A Day” and “Fire Academy” combines the poppiest side of The Move with Beach Boys chorals. Even “Hayfever” is a basic Beatlesque song that sounds lifted from a Spongetones album. It’s hard to find a bad song on the disc, although you could say these songs sound almost too familiar for the die hard fan looking for something new. And after a few listens, some tunes are missing that hook to bring the album into excellent territory. That said it’s an very good album and belongs in your collection without a doubt. “Jet Sounds” breaks the sunshine pop barrier. Listen to some tracks streaming here to hear for yourself.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

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The Lost Levels "Never The First"

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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

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Major label picks for August

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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?”

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Frank Bango "The Sweet Songs of Decay"

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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”

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