This is Ivy League "This is Ivy League"

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More pop genius it seems comes from Brooklyn, New York this year than I can keep track of. The sweet indie pop/folk duo “This is Ivy League” are a perfect spring breeze, with a new easy going, soft pop album. Ryland Blackinton and Alex Suarez, gained a bit of fame as part of Cobra Starship (playing on the soundtrack for the forgettable movie “Snakes on a Plane”) and then they tried to revive the sound of the 60’s pop of “Ivy League” and took up part of the name. It opens with gentle guitar and harmonies of “The Richest Kids.” The song is an excellent single that weaves melodic jangle and wistful vocals, a lot like early Beau Brummels. Next, the sophisticated coffeehouse folk of “Viola”is just oozing cool all around (snaps, you latte sippin’ cats). With roots in the sound of Chad and Jeremy and the modern stylings of Belle and Sebastian, or Morissey the duo charm you with the bouncey pop of “London Bridges.” The classic “A Summer Chill” is my favorite track on the album, as it perfectly melds the classic and the modern. The duo’s vocal dynamic will remind casual listeners of the classic Simon & Garfunkel in the tune, “Til the Day.” The retro 60s english sound returns on “Visions of Tokyo,” that has the wonderful feeling of Gerry and The Pacemakers if updated for today. Like label mate Pelle Carlberg I reviewed last year, or Camera Obscura, “This is Ivy League” works even better. The music is filled with shimmering harmonies, slick guitar work and a punchy rhythm section that nicely usher in the spring. So far, the album is only available from 27 records.

My Space | 27 Records website

Listen to “London Bridges”

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The Malibus "Now"

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Beach Boys fans rejoice! Matt Tyson, a self taught indie artist, has a rare talent for reproducing classic Brian Wilson surf/beach sound flawlessly. The sound primarily sticks to earlier Beach Boys canon (pre-1966) and uses gorgeous harmonies, catchy melodys, with a driving and dynamic sound. The Malibus debuted last year with “Keep an Eye on The Malibus”. This new album is more of the same. A whopping 14 tracks will satisfy your surfin’ jones for this summer. Opening with the vocal delight “lullaby” it leads to our first big track “Marianne” with a chord structure similar to BB’s “She’s Not The Little Girl I Once Knew”, it includes the multi-layered vocals and horns that sound great. Next “Fun when the Weekend Comes” is a perfect companion to ” I Get Around” and just as cool to listen to. But thankfully, many songs sound very fresh, especially the wonderful “You Know What I Mean” which has a bit of a Wondermints feel. Another very original highlight is the heavenly “My Big Mouth” which would sound at home on the new Brent Cash album. The oddest tune on the album is “I Don’t Mind” a direct rip of The Who’s “Can’t Explain” sung with that west coast style. These songs all sound great, including the a capella “Til Summer Comes.” The album closer “A Little More Love” is an awesome mix of classic Supertramp and ELO, and I look forward to the next album already. The biggest complaint you can come up with here is a few songs are just a bit too derivative of BB songs. But that issue shouldn’t stop you from getting this wonderful album. If you are a fan of the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean and Bruce and Terry you can’t miss this.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

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The Brixton Riot "(There’s) Something in the Air"

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In an effort to have a few hours of fun with iMovie, I created this music video for the Brixton Riot. Using a pile of clips from the movie “The Shining” already on YouTube, I stitched it together. I really could’ve gone nuts adding tons of quick edits, but it works better with just a few scenes. I wish the video wasn’t so jerky, but overall not bad for my first attempt.

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Commercials with Power Pop hooks

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It’s no secret that commercials are to some extent the new radio. Ask artists that are featured on itunes or even zune’s commercials if they don’t help sell a few albums. Entire blogs have been written on how the advertising jingle and the TV theme song are a dying breed. But sometimes a pop artist with a knack gets some commercial work. Allen Clapp of the Orange Peels has completed a Target TV spot with a neat version of the Beatles’ “Hello Goodbye”

See the ad posted here on The Orange Peels website.

Nice. But in the end it was only Clapp’s vocals that made it in the spot. Listen to the original version of “Hello Goodbye”

Right now the hot new song (by whom, I do not know) is for Subway. The song has a really great indie pop hook. It’s totally viral and spreading all over YouTube. Not traditional ad music at all. But that’s the point I guess.

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The General Store "Mountain Rescue"

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It’s been a long time since we heard Tam Johnstone, aka The General Store. In 2002, the album “Local Honey” was a nice Brydsian slice of west coast pop. It took over four years to get to “Mountain Rescue” – but it sure as hell is worth the wait. The growth and maturity is evident in this new album and with help from a host of guest musicians it’s the most intricately crafted pop album I’ve heard all year. Starting out the gate with “Early Morning Fuzz,” it evokes “Harvest Era” Neil Young, The Byrds, Curt Boechetter and Elton John. The next track,”Come Around” really gets The Eagles, Buffalo Springfield, CSN&Y vibe perfect, as it could have fallen off of “Deja Vu.” The remaining tracks here start to allow Beach Boys influence to creep in. “Mountain Side” is the best Carl Wilson track he never made, with a slow slide guitar driving the melody and it’s simply gorgeous. A more overt Brian Wilson, Wondermints-type slow ballad, “Girls From The Mall” is similar in tone and approach to “The Warmth of The Sun.” The lyric here is the kicker, as the “bleak panorama of suicide” hovers over the scene. “Desert Weathered Highway” is another country flavored tune with catchy beat and it’s classic Eagles-styled pop. For you Beach Boys fans, “Nothing Can Come Between Us” is an opus that would fit perfectly on “Smile” and it will give you goosebumps on first listen.Every song here is a winner, as I could ramble about on and on about each one, but I’ll stop here. Easy pick for the Top Ten Album of 2008. Don’t miss it.

My Space | CD Baby | Itunes | Not Lame

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