Before I share the new interview news, I’d like you all to sign-up for those great popcasts by Ed James and James Deem. You can download them on their Charlotte Pop Fest page or through Itunes. Since I broke news of this a few months ago, they have amassed several good interviews with some of my favorite artists; Frank Royster, Leisure McCorkle, Jerry Chapman and more. Both Ed and James have a nice on air banter, even if they do act like total fan-boys with their guests. It’s free, what else do you want?
I also have posted an interview with Andy Goldberg of The Goldbergs whose new album “Under The Radar” was reviewed last week. Visit the artist interviews section or click on this direct link to The Goldbergs Interview
P. Hux hunkered down in L.A. studios with drummer Gordon Townsend and bassist Dan Rothchild, the same lineup that brought you “Purgatory Falls” and put together this “Monster” of an album. “Perfect” is the classic jangle opener, complete with cathcy choruses in the REM vein. P. Hux vocal multi-tracking on “Yet To Say” is snappy and filled with great energy and use both acoustic and electric guitars. “Wear My Ring” has a slow meaty electric guitar strum with a laid back chorus which is exactly what I look for in a P.Hux album and it stands out as a great single. The next song “Bones” is a slower, melodic song with gentle horns and strings that reveal itself to be the best song on the album. It reminds me of McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” in it’s epic balladry. “My Friend Hates Me” has some nice crunchy guitar before we get to a very Jason Falkner-like pop tune, complete with musical break and blistering solo that inspires air guitar moments. The rest of the album has a harder time meeting the quality of the first half, as a pleasant cover of The Beatles’ “I’m Looking Through You” seems extraneous, but “Better Than Good” has a wonderful melody and great guitar riffs that makes it an instant classic. The closing track “Everything’s Different Now” is a sweet John Lennon-like ballad with some great lyrics that lament the life changes after a baby’s arrival. True to the promo materials, these tracks are all “ear-tingling” and may be the best P. Hux album ever.
P. Hux Store | My Space | Kool Kat Musik | Not Lame
One of my favorite “oldies” groups and part of the original British invasion following in the Beatles wake. In fact, the first major hit, “Glad All Over”, knocked the Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand” off the No.1 spot in 1964. They are finally getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10. Unfortunately singer and keyboard player Mike Smith will not attend due to his death yesterday at age 64. These guys had tons of monster hits in the sixties: “Because”, “Catch Us If You Can”, “Bits and Pieces”, “I Like it Like That” and my favorite “Glad all Over.” R.I.P. Mike – thanks for the great music.
The Third Men are a tough and abrasive yet soft and cuddly band from Omaha, Nebraska. Fans of jangle-pop will feel warm fuzzies with “Boost.” Bassist Mike Tulis gathered the band together in 2004 and has produced a stellar effort this year. Lead singer Matt Rutledge has a distinct vocal cadence, similar to Bob Mould or Peter Holsapple. The album opens with the Pysch-rock “High” a song that has elements of MyracleBrah and bits of The Minus 5. The goofy humor in the lyrics of “Happy as Larry” along with rich keyboards and guitar rhythms is a real toe tapper here. The first half of the album has that mid 1980’s Chapel Hill, NC rich pop sound – “What A Day” even references the Miami Vice TV show in the lyric. Then the tone shifts to a perfect Who meets Jan & Dean in “G.A.S.” It’s a perfect mid 70’s era power rocker (more cowbell fellas). My favorite song here, “Come on Home” is a standout where the style and melodic hooks come together just right. It would be great to here more of this type of song. But instead, we venture into Van Halen meets Bob Mould of “Visigoths.” Still a good song though and it takes a turn toward the DB’s style of guitar playing. It gets really interesting with “Evelyn” a cool story song with a blistering guitar solo. The remaining songs mine this style and do a pretty good job with cool pop jangle throughout. “Pink Cheerleader” is another power pop song where the break allow more guitar virtuosity, and you gotta love the “Ooh, la, las” here. Fans of the above mentioned bands, Chris Stamey, Let’s Active, Mitch Easter will love this. So give it a listen.
The Third Men | My Space | Kool Kat Musik | Not Lame | I-tunes
Sometimes an artist will give the fans a freebie or two to keep their name at the top of your mind and get the word out. Bryan Scary’s website has free downloads for his new album too and it’s an excellent way for indie bands to help their PR efforts. The Salteens are a wonderful little pop group that has a few catchy singles, “Hallowed Ways” and “Sunnyside St.” you can download for FREE:
You can also be a true blue fan and sign up for two songs a month here.
