Kim Kline is a Texas singer/songwriter, who’s soul drifted to Rock n’ Roll rather than Nashville. It’s not easy breaking into such a male dominated field. Putting together a series of self-penned songs she put together a self-released album. Kim has been playing her material at the famous Viper room on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip and getting raving reviews. Her vocals remind me of Taylor Dane or Alannah Myles a little, but with a lot more attitude and finesse. When it comes to approach, I’d like to think of Kim as Avril Lavigne’s better looking older sister. The raw talent of her vocal performance comes out and grabs you by the throat. “Sick Reality” is a slick single if ever I heard one. My favorite song so far is “No Fool” – it’s got a great chorus and is just right in approach with a blistering guitar solo. “Hush Lullaby” is a combination of breathy seductive melody with heavy rock guitar goodness. Every song on her album has the same hard driving rock approach, except the ballad “Dreams”. The backing band does a great job keeping Kim’s vocals the focus of each song. Now, this isn’t traditional power pop, but once in a while a good indie artist needs a shout out! You can hear the entire album streaming on Kim’s site!
Duane Dolieslager "The Opposite of Optimist"
I finally got to listen to this wonderful CD. Dolieslager’s wry lyrics and tuneful songs are perfect for a rainy day here. Fans of Michael Penn and The Rembrandts will enjoy this album immensely. This is beautifully crafted pop with just the right amount of catchiness and quirkiness as evidenced in the mid-tempo song “Anchor,” which mix it’s melody with a bit of heartache. “Like Day and Night” is a high spirited romp, if you can imagine Elliot Smith as lead singer of the Monkees here. “Carousel” is a bit more reflective and follows a music box styled tempo. Even simpler is “Between the Pages” song about romantic yearning – with a nice steel pedal guitar adding emphasis here. “Nowhere in Record Setting Time” is a little vaudevillian-styled tune that Harry Nillson fans will respect. In fact, Duane’s songwriting style is not unlike Nillson, weaving emotions and descriptive pictures together seamlessly. Not every track is stellar (“Close to the Bottom” feels like filler here) but so much is so good it will find a favorite spot in your music collection and Duane is an artist that has an amazing debut and an excellent future.
The Holy Fields "s/t"
Here is a quick little gem that’s a “must get” for you lovers of heavy rockin’ power pop. The Holy Fields have nothing to do with boxing, but make a mean 5 song ep that contains some great guitars and harmonies. If you like Velvet Crush or Splitsville, this Canadian band will fit the bill. “She Knows” is a classic that is pretty typical of the genre. And every track here is worthy of your ipod. Enjoy this and get the EP at Not Lame, Emusic or itunes. Trust me on this — it’s an easy choice! I can’t wait for the full length CD!
Signal Hill Transmission "An Empty Space"
Signal Hill Transmission`s new CD “An Empty Space” is a highly polished slice of indie rock you’ll really enjoy. The album begins with an acoustic mid-tempo “Pipe Dream” that stresses a glorious melody that is sure to please Fountain of Wayne fans. Unlike other indie bands, they are not all one note, same sounding on each song, but display a wide range as evidenced by the next track “Alright” which displays some great guitar and rhythm with lyrics that stress “I wish I grew up in the 70s when free love and rock n’ roll meant something” And this, along with “Polyvinyl Acetate” is the album’s primary theme. “No More Riders for Free” is my favorite track on here because it starts slow and the guitar just builds with the song into a blistering solo near the end that would make Jeff Tweedy envious. The song “Cherry is a Girl” has chiming guitars and tumbling vocals played with clean harmonies like a great FOW track. Most of the songs are catchy and immediate and this album is as “sticky” to the ears as anything else, until things start to slow down on “On and Off” and the moody “95 North.” The title track “An Empty Space” has a bit of the Jayhawks or Wilco feel to it with a pounding drum, guitar strum and harmonica and is also an album highlight. Visit the Signal Hill Transmission site to hear the album streaming. It’s available all over the place!
The SHT Website | MySpace | CDBaby
The Wellingtons "For Friends In Far Away Places"
The Wellingtons are a fresh new power pop band from down under. This is the follow up to 2005’s brilliant Keeping Up with the Wellingtons which is also available on CD Baby. A lot like classic Tories, Jellyfish and Matthew Sweet this band knows what works and they do it exceptionally well. “Top Ten List” starts off with an infectious drumbeat and lightning quick melodies that sparkle. The group has great energy, usually reserved for a more spunky band like Green Day or Kelly’s Heels. Lead singer Zac Anthony recalls John Faye and Rivers Cuomo from Weezer in his vocal approach. “Girls in Magazines” and “Penny” are great examples of this. “Sight For Sore Eyes” is a another great tune with perfect riffs and harmonies all over it. “Singer in a cover band” has a Cheap Trick like riff and rocks the house down. “If we feel okay” is another Tories-like radio friendly potential hit single. On “The Nice One” we hear Kate Goldby join Zac with the vocals, and I feel she could have been used more on the album. Overall there is no filler on this album, although it plays the same style on all 12 tracks without a slower ballad breaking things up, it is a great summer album. Get your pop fix here and enjoy it.
The Wellingtons Website | MySpace | CDBaby