The German power pop band, The Sealevel’s new album “Beach from last Summer” is alot like a McDonald’s happy meal. It’s colorful and the first few bites are very satisfying, however ultimately it isn’t that filling and leaves you hungry for a proper meal. It’s not like The Sealevel haven’t done a good job, it’s just that much of the album’s promise isn’t realized. The opening title track is a wonderful Beach Boys meets Sloan DIY styled track completed with a catchy “Do Ron Ron” chorus guaranteed to make you smile. “Drank the Summer” gets even better as an excellent Fountains of Wayne styled lazy rocker with a great hook. Some of the other tracks are very understated and generic like “High and Magic” and “Moon Changes.” A very German point of view on “Lingering On” mentions that “The Berlin Wall never came down…” and has some pretty insightful lyrics. Some songs are very close in style to Teenage Fanclub, like “The Way with You”,”Our Way to Rome” and the excellent closer “That Bad.” These tracks have a wonderful jangle and are highly enjoyable. However other than the title track the Beach Boys flourishes are not anywhere else and the latter part of the album attempts to become more “commercial” and thus very unimpressive. So if you are expecting a sunshine pop album here you’ll be dissapointed. On the other hand the story of the album cover is pretty interesting.

The Sealevel Website | MySpace | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik

You either consider this a work of creative and technical prowess or blasphemy. Either way it’s fun to listen to. Thanks to Dawayne for finding this one.

If you are a big fan of seventies rock, then The Lonely H will draw you in with it’s thick guitar hooks and vocal harmonies that melt in your ears. Like Wolfmother mined the hunger for Led Zepplin, Lonely H grabs you with it’s own mix of Zepplin, Queen, Neil Young and Bad Company. The Lonely H are five longhaired baby-faced kids barely out of high school, yet their music is mature and aged well beyond their years. Even though you can spot a riff here and there from some songs, “Hair” has a sound that is unique. The iconic “Just Don’t Know” starts things off with Queen styled majesty. “Say your Prayers” has a bit of Thin Lizzy meets Yes and has a great vocal to boot. “The Drought” is a grand ballad with piano and crashing guitar chorus that is part Ziggy Stardust and Grand Funk Railroad. Another standout here is the title tune, and the beautiful harmonics and brass on “Captain.” And if you want a catchy tune that is a bit more aggressive “The Meal” with touches of more alternative guitar stylings and Zappa-like key changes. It is direct proof that Pete Townshend was correct when he cried “Long Live Rock!” all those years ago.

MySpace | Not Lame

Listen to “For Barbara”