The new album “Diamond Hoo Ha Men” comes out very soon. Enjoy the video in the meantime…
Orba Squara, A Faulty Chromosome and Tessa
Orba Squara (or Mitch Davis) is a one man band whose song, “Perfect Timing (this morning)”, was on the iPhone commercial. I made a jolly reference to it here. His debut album”Sunshyness” isn’t power pop, but full of ambient organic sounds and gentle guitar. After a few listens, the sweet guitar sounds of “So Comfortable” and toy instruments of “Sunshine” are lots of fun. A good single here is “My Favorite Song” which goes perfectly as a B side to “Perfect Timing (this morning).” The vocals are understated and slightly warbley, kind of like a Tiny Tim for the 21st century. This is good easy going music and deserves a second listen.
My Space | Orba Squara.com | Itunes
A Faulty Chromosome is quirky enough to get you to pay attention to. They like to list New Order and My Bloody Valentine as influences, but I hear a distinct link to The Beta Band and Guided By Voices. This is not for everybody, but if you want to take a detour from your normal stuff, this is a rabbit hole you could fall into. Listen to the entire album streaming over here. Listen to “Anomie’s the enemy” and “Eyes Foreign eyes” – the rest of the it is for the fearless only.
My Space
Tessa Rae Newman “Spellbound” is something I don’t usually listen to, as it is contemporary pop. But Tessa has a great message, about all the pop star superficiality on “Barbie Doll Syndrome” and a pleasant voice. The studio craft is high here, and a highlights are “Spellbound” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade” with a good hook and the multi-tracking chorus fits just right. Sometimes it gets a bit too overproduced, but I’m not expecting the next LeAnn Rimes here. This is a good start for Tessa and if you’re looking for an alternative to Hilary Duff, give it a go.
Tessa’s Site | CD Baby
The Crayons "What’s Wrong With You?"
The Crayons are wondering “What’s Wrong With You?” – after all, you have here a really good power pop album with a gorgeous model on the cover, and you haven’t bought it yet? This second album from the Albany, NY group is produced by the Churchills, so the pedigree is in place and the music is tight pop rock tunes with an alternative edge. Opening with “God Hates Me” has a bit of Tonic meets Posies, a nice hook and ringing guitars to feed your ears. I have to say the the band’s website is of exceptional design and offers streaming tracks too. Mike Bolduc and Ron Haney blend the tight harmonies, dark lyrics and great musical craftsmanship together with ease. If you miss the Churchills or The Tories, The Crayons will fill your needs immediately. “Every Moment” flows along with handclaps and guitar bass beat that can’t be ignored. Even the ballads, like “Here and There” have that expansive rich quality that makes lyrics like “I’m alone/ but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you” feel sincere. The ballads like “By The Way” and “Maybe” reminds me a bit of the poppiest parts of Toad The Wet Sprocket’s hit singles. “Sliding” is also a highlight here, with perfect chorus and driving beat. No duds here. Just get this one if you missed it.
The Crayons Website | My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame
The Rollo Treadway "s/t"
Brooklyn, NY continues to churn out great bands, and The Rollo Treadway are a prime example. The entire album fills a story arc about the kidnapping of two children and the songs are told from different characters point of view. It’s all very clever, from the story to the band’s name (Buster Keaton’s character from “The Navigator”). The opener “Kidnapped” is a stunner – opening with a mix of Donovan, The Lilys and The Wondermints. “You Laugh, I Cry” has the hushed vocal stylings of Chad & Jeremy or The Association. The instrumentation is clean with just the right amount of guitar jangle, percussion and orchestration. “Dear Mr. Doe” and the remaining tracks sounds closer to the sunshine pop of Harpers Bizarre, perfectly done. The big organ’s sound in “Friday’s Child” build a swirling pysche-pop carousel. The baroque stylings of “Coast’s Clear” are almost too understated, and mesmerize you, like a sermon at the church of Brian Wilson, resembling Smile’s “Wonderful.” This continues through several songs, including “Charlie,” so light it floats like a cloud through your head. Some added heavy guitar of “She’s Got Me” and “Avenue X” bring back the psyche element, leading up to the Doors meets The Free Design of “The Children of Table 34.” Although nothing tops the great opening track, the A capella finale of “Time to Dream” is a beautiful ending that will make Beach Boys fans smile. Lovers of baroque pop, can’t miss this one. In fact, neither should anyone else.
Rolo Treadway Site | My Space | Kool Kat Musik | Not Lame
The Billie Burke Estate "Let Your Heart Break"
Seattle singer songwriter Andy Liotta (aka The Billie Burke Estate) has been fine tuning the art of piano pop for decades, and it comes out in here on “Let Your Heart Break.” Beginning with the opener “99 Liberty Lane,” it’s a sweet McCartney slice of sparse piano pop with manic lyric and energy. “I Want U” is a great throwback to the early 1970’s and Michael Brown’s Stories or Todd Rundgren’s early solo period. The awesome bridge and hook are powerful and draw you into the music deeper with each listen. “Everybody’s Gonna Die” has both optimism and pessimism in the same catchy song. “Perky Muscle Girl” has a lyric and harmonic acrobatics worthy of Andy Partridge, but seems to beg for a bigger production than just bass and organ. The richness of the songs continue to amaze throughout the album, “I Can Float” has a fullness in melody with synth touches that reminds me of Nik Kershaw. The ballads here have a theatrical quality, evidenced by “Dreams Come True” – you can almost picture the dancers moving to this in a full musical production. Another influence here you’ll spot is Billy Joel (“Goodbye” and “Skin”) and only on “Little Maisy” does the balladry get too maudlin. It also would’ve been nice to hear a few songs in more of a denser wall of sound, but this is a minor flaw – the song arrangements are flawless and production is superb here. I highly recommend this release.
Billie Burke Estate Site | My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame