James Deem, true disciple of Jamie Hoover (Spongetones) and Ed James has released his debut album “jamesdeem.com” recently. The album starts out promising enough with the jangly “The Way She Loves Me.” This is a great tune and it’s followed by the excellent Spongetones-like “I could fall in Love” complete with an “Octopus Garden” styled guitar intro. “I’m not over you” is another song about love lost and my favorite on the album. It’s his enthusiastic performance that wins me over on “I hear your heart calling” – a Rubinoos styled pop song. James has a bit of experience playing Billy Joel covers, and it shows in “The Dream” – a piano ballad with a passing nod to Ben Folds or Fountains of Wayne. Deems’ guitar work is also not really a Merseybeat jangle style, but a bit of modern country as shown “On the Way to Paradise.” Fans of Walter Clevenger and Bill Lloyd will appreciate this approach. The second half of the album contains alot of slower ballads, also well done. I must say he also knows how to promote himself well. You can listen to the entire album from his site.

James Deem.com | CD Baby | Kool Kat | MySpace | Not Lame

Brian Bringelson, aka Paul Starling is a young songwriter/musician who grew up in the Conejo Valley, CA. His self produced debut album is “Ghost Waltz” and for a working demo, it’s pretty damn polished. Taking on a sixties folk rock sound, not unlike The Cyrkle, mixed with Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys, Starling weaves together a series of baroque summer pop songs perfect like a cool breeze on a hot July day. It begins with a haunting low-key “Visions of drowning” which reminds me alot of the Association. Next comes “Caroline” a terrific single with great harmonies and just the right hook. Other tunes are carefully orchestrated in the contemporary sixties pop style like “I guess you’re my ghost” and “You’re wrong again” take the light Elephant Six style similar to the Ladybug Transistor or Cloud Eleven. Both are very easy on the ear. Lots of other references here are easy to spot, “Instead” sounds like an updated Gerry and The Pacemakers ballad. Easily the catchiest tune on the album is “Hey Now Dana” an early Critters or Seekers vibe is present and it’s my favorite track here. After this the remaining tracks on the album’s second half aren’t as catchy, but the same romantic mood with exception of the bleak “Alerton Park” which sounds like a Moody Blues outtake. Right now you can only get this album from the Paul Starling website. Hello? Power Pop labels like Rainbow Quartz should sign this guy now!

Paul Starling Website | My Space

“Visions of Drowning” video

Fooling April is a band on the cusp of stardom. They’ve performed with top talent, like John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Dido, The Strokes, Nellie McKay, Hoobastank, Pat McGee Band, Fastball, Franz Ferdinand, Fountains of Wayne, The Flaming Lips, and more. After hearing their first album “Every Good Boy Does Fine” I can see why. Songs had that Steely Dan meets John Mayer sophisticated pop rock style (“C-4”) and the Ben Folds influenced piano pop as well (“Chuckie & The Bone”). Unfortunately, I am seeing an “adult pop” aspect of Fooling April on “In the Now”. The production of this new album is clean and sophisticated. “Ordinary” has a sterile hip soul beat with guitar and lead singer Brian Kenneth does a admirable job, but it falls flat for me. “The Way Back Down” is an excellent ballad that is inspiring and the best track on the album here and Brian’s singing dominates the album. Like Don Henley or Dave Matthews, he effortlessly tells a song’s story with world weary soulful weight. Most of the tunes are delivered in a gospel-style like “In the Now”. What is missing here is any sense of fun. It almost sounds like generic contemporary Christian Pop on “The Answer.” The album does however avoid overwrought Michael Bolton or American Idol comparisons – but subtle it isn’t. While competent and relaxing, it lacks the hooks that would make it essential listening. Only the track “2nd Chair” seems to have the combination of pop and fun that fans of the first album would expect. Not essential, but if you’re a fan get it. Others should start with the excellent “Every Good Boy Does Fine.”

Fooling April Website | CD Baby | Kool Kat | emusic | Not Lame