Frank Ciampi "Big Top Woman"

powerpopaholic

Long Island native Frank Ciampi has played with fan favorite Mike Viola and written for The Click Five, and late last year came out with this solo gem “Big Top Woman.” Greatness has rubbed off on Ciampi as this is a wonderful piano based love letter to classic power pop fans. Like the Nines, Frank wears his influences like badges of honor. From the Ziggy Stardust meets Ringo Starr mix on the title track (“Big Top Woman”) to the Wondermints-styled “Waiting For Someone” the songs all have a wonderful sense of melody and hooks. The Beatlesque stamp is all over this entire album, with most songs evoking Sir Paul, like “The Miss Jenny” and “Oh Gloria.” Lets not forget the Beach Boys bliss-like singles “Anna” and “Anyway.” The production techniques are rooted in the 70’s, with touches that bring to mind Supertramp or Andrew Gold. A great example of this is “On The Road” with it’s awesome guitar solo and multi-tracked chorus, piano breaks, it’s an epic poem in every sense that lyrically ties together the other songs. Every track here is wonderful and even the closer “Along for The Ride” evokes the ghost of Big Star. The musicianship is flawless as well and I’m pissed I couldn’t add this to last years top ten. If you even like a little bit of the mentioned influences, this is a MUST buy disc.

Kool Kat Musik | My Space | Amie Street

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The Successful Failures "Ripe for the Burning"

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Review by Mike Z.

Able to change their sound up like powerpop chameleons, The Successful Failures mostly rely on western twang, so you know the harmonica and strong guitar are coming, but they are also not afraid to throw in the odd synthesizer or xylophone. “All I Can Take” is especially reminiscent of early Wilco, back when they rocked (remember that, anybody?).

“Ripe for the Burning” succeeds in producing one of those addictive moments when it’s a little difficult to discern when “All I Can Take” ends and “Bridges Over Delaware” begins. It is a memorable and effective transition, however. “Never Moving Out”’s lyrics border on the inane, but it rocks as hard as anything The Replacements ever did. So disregard the lyrics seemingly unfit for much else but something MTV would air midafternoon and seriously contemplate that you might just have a rod stuck up your ass if you can’t derive serious enjoyment from this one. “Except Together” should prove that this act is having a bona fide good time, and the best part is they don’t have to beat the listener over the head with it. That is, they don’t seem compelled to let you know that they have a sense of humor, and to this reviewer, that makes it all the more enjoyable. As far as the Successful Failures failures, the opening riffs of “Bigger Empty Things” is a direct lift from The Mountain Goats’ “This Year,” but gets more original later.  An unfortunate irony exists in that “Sun Makes Circles” hints that S.F. might be flirting with lyrical ambition, but the music is the weakest on the disc. The only other snarky thing I can say that this has got to be the best band with the worst name, but that is no backhanded compliment: this disc is a must listen.

The Successful Failures Web | My Space | Not Lame | CD Baby

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The Eisenhowers "1969" video

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Seeing that 2009 will be the fortieth anniversary of the moon landings, I present the video of The Eisenhowers “1969.” The song uses the story of an attempted seduction to question why the optimism generated by the space race of the sixties appears to have been lost in the early 21st century.

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Sean Ashby "Brass and Gold"

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Sean Ashby is one of Toronto’s most successful musicians, being a leading member for the band Jack Tripper and also as a long-time guitarist in Sarah McLachlan’s band. His new solo “Brass and Gold” is produced with help of Todd Fancey (member of The New Pornographers) and several others. The opening riff of “Dreamin” has the melodic riffs and guitar overdubs that remind one of Brian Ray playing the guitar with John Cougar Mellencamp doing the vocals. Stylistically, Sean jumps around from muscular rock of “This Machine” to gentle ballads (“Brass And Gold,” “Nova Girl”). But the big hooks here in “Star 98” and “Gone” are so thick, they beg to be played loud, with a cutting buzz saw sound like Heart’s “Barracuda”.  The song “Baby Yes” takes the same style down a notch. Not all the ballads work for me (“All I Need” tries to be Coldplay a bit too much) but when they hit the mark, with “Paper Tiger” it’s like the second coming of Mark Oliver Everett. The album finale “Come to Me” evokes a Lou Reed ballad and fades out. This is a strong eclectic debut that would be welcome in your collection.

Sean Ashby’s Site | My Space | Itunes

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