Jeff Larson "Left of a Dream"

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Jeff Larson is a singer/songwriter who’s earlier albums flirted with Beach Boys gentle vocal harmonies and folk rock. As his albums continued to progress beyond the sound of California pop, Jeff has moved comfortably in the adult folk pop venue since 2002. His supporting players are the reliable, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (of America) and Jeffrey Foskett (of Brian Wilson’s band) and they all supply subtle backing vocals. If you’ve enjoyed Jeff’s recent albums, this is more reflective than the usual sun and strumming, but like a cool ocean breeze it’s just as refreshing. “Anywhere She Goes” is closer to America or an Eagles ballad than anything Wilsonesque. Shimmering guitars are all over this release, as evidenced by the beautiful “Ghosts of San Miguel” and the banjo pops up on the soothing “Red To Rust.” This is a mellow affair no doubt, and “Threat of Rain” resembles a Dan Fogelberg ballad. “California Rail” is another western styled tune (with harmonica on top of banjo) that makes for great road music and my favorite here. No real clunkers here, and some subjects get pretty deep here (“Child’s Play” about going through lies and drug addiction). Excellent folk pop, that inspires and amazes.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

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Only Makebelieve, Danna And The Changes

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Only Makbelieve “Message from a Mockingbird”
This Ohio duo (Samuel Atkinson and Wyatt Michael) have assembled a album with grand ambitions and some majestic pop tunes. The opener “Letters for the Dead” has a mix of guitars and progressive rock keyboards with a Celtic touch. The dense production will appeal to fans of “Seeds of Love”-era Tears for Fears or Split Enz. Highlights here include “Fly So High” with it’s smooth guitar work and heavenly harmonies and “Spending My Life” with ernest strum and soulful vocals. In the middle of this prog-folk rock – a stunner of a heavy rock song comes out, “Backstab” is a commercial radio-friendly anthem that has plenty of wicked guitar buzzsaw riffs. Another goodie here is the “Sunflower” which brings to mind early Julian Lennon, with lots of strings and horns as a sweet coda to the guitar melody. “Part Moon” is close to “Nonsuch” period XTC, with a combination of harmonies and rhythmic guitar. The tons of flourishing acoustic guitar work reminded me of Jeremy Morris solo work as well. It’s well worth your attention.
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Danna and The Changes “Constant Cacophony”
I’m not sure who Danna is, but he sure can play. This Melbourne band has a touch of early Chilli Peppers with a heavy dose of The Replacements on the frenzied opener “Baby Love.” It then launches into “Good Duet” one of the best songs on the album, with a Raspberries-like hook that sinks deep in your brain. Highlights include “He And She” a bouncy mid-tempo piano melody not unlike Mike Viola or Ben Folds. The Beach Boys meets CSNY sweetness of “He Was Irrelevant” is proof of the amazing talent here and it’s a brilliant song with heartfelt lyrics. The songwriting is top notch and most songs here have great instrumentation. A few tunes here overreach a bit too much “Rise and Shine” being one of them. Danna also channels Jeff Tweedy quite well on “Shake It Up” and “Are You Gonna Take Me Home” And even the ender “Station” is one of the best over four minute tune I’ve heard in a while. There are a lot of different musical styles here to sink your ears into, so yes this is highly recommended.
My Space | CD Baby

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The Mood "Synaesthesia" EP

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Wow! This is what I call “can’t miss” power pop. The Mood is a five-piece band that brings infectious melodies and dance beats. This EP is full of great catchy tunes for a sunny day. Starting with the bouncy “In the Forest” it resembles Death Cab for Cutie on viagra, or The Minders without all the twee stuff. Cousins Marco Argiro and Corinee Callen offer up bright vocal harmonies over thrashing drums and whirring guitars. The next gem is “Masquerade” and the best single on the EP here, with those great harmonic “Ooh la la” choruses and swift chord changes that are heaven and it all leads into the next song “Eskimo Scientist”. A perfect mix of power pop and modern indie pop, even the last track,”Outta Your Mind” crackles with energy like Ok Go’s “Here it Goes Again” . The entire six songs breeze by with their effortless jangle, oh why is this just an EP – well it’s got my vote for best power pop EP of 2008. Don’t miss it.

The Mood’s Site | My Space | CDBaby

Listen to “Masquerade”

Listen to “In the Forest”

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Pop Archeology Transmission "It Is What It Is"

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Pop Archeology Transmission is the work of two old friends from Portland, who come from radically different musical places. Paul Ellis is an accomplished Electronics musician and Kevin Bowen has played in jazz ensembles and punk bands. Both love classic 70’s pop and combine to give you a potpourri of adult oriented pop that touches many different influences, but if pressed I’d say it combines Alan Parsons Project, 10cc and Todd Rundgren. Opening with the light “She Blew It Like a Kiss” weaves lush acoustic guitars and understated vocals. A few songs seem overly precious, like “Emperor Reversed” and are missing those memorable hooks. But with a massive amount of music here (20 tracks) the duo produces a bunch of true pop gems. The baroque Todd-styled “Everyone Lies” is a wonderful song, that drifts along on a snare beat. A series of cool breezy mid-tempo songs like “Beautiful Mistake” and “Night is Falling” resembles Eric Matthews in vocal style. The best track on the disc for me is “So Much” with a sugary sweet chorus and light strumming. Some tunes are obviously experimental pop, (“Love 4 Security”) but the song structures and instrumentation are solid – this isn’t improv. Some ballads are achingly beautiful, like “My Recurring Dream” will please Parsons fans for sure. Overall, it’s smart pop music for fans who want some substance with their guitar licks.

My Space | CD Baby | Kool Kat

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The Parade "Sunshine Girl: The Complete Recordings"

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The Parade were Murray MacLeod (also a member of The Roger Nichols Trio/Small Circle of Friends), Jerry Riopelle (Phil Spector protégé and former Philles staff producer), and Smokey Roberds (songwriter and actor). Originally signed to A&M Records, and recorded with session legends including drummer Hal Blaine, bassist Carol Kaye and saxophonist Steve Douglas, “Sunshine Girl” cracked the Billboard Top 20 in 1967, emerging as one of the first and most successful records to embody the summery, harmony-rich sound that would later be dubbed “Sunshine Pop”. Other than Curt Boettcher, and his groups Sagittarius and Millennium – The Parade was it. The Parade was very talented and highly commercial without being completely derivative. Most aspects of the Sunshine Pop era (1967-1968) live on in today’s power pop artists. I’ve owned a rare UK import CD of the first album, and here it’s been remastered and sounds even better. This new re-release includes a pile of bonus tracks. You can get this album at most retailers now (Not Lame and Itunes included).

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