Love in October has released its debut EP and has a fairly good sound with a bit of a Green Day meets radio friendly Swedish pop. Recorded by producer Ed Rose (The Get Up Kids, Motion City Soundtrack) Love in October is a good alternative rock album with hard driving hooks and punk attitude. “Method To Madness” is a good example of this, with excellent clean production stylings. “1000 Miles from here” has a flavor of the Green Day ballad “Time of Your Life.” “Hollywood Horror” sounds a little too much like Phantom Planet and it would not suprise me to learn that the band sells it’s tunes to the soundtrack of the next big teen drama phenomenon. Is it too commercial? Well, you’ll have to be the judge of that – but it does make for good listening.
The Switches "Heart Turned to D.E.A.D"
The Switches are a new band that follows in the vein of Mika and Scissor Sisters, but decidedly less effeminate. In fact, “Lay down the Law” is an awesome song here that is catchier than Mika’s “Grace Kelly” and just as dancable. The energy is comparable with The Fratellis and there is plenty of Queen worship. Lead singer Matt Bishop tries his best to channel Freddy Mercury. The Switches have filled “Heart Tuned to D.E.A.D.” with lots of guitar, harmonies and lots of potential. Some songs here do the Queen tribute perfectly and “The Need to be Needed” is great example of this. And “Drama Queen” is a good single with plenty of swagger and it brings to mind Imperial Drag and The Makers. “Every Second Counts” manages to be a very good tune that evokes T-Rex in spots. “Step Kids in Love” is an excellent 10cc inspired song and one of my favorites here. The tunes are all pretty radio friendly and loaded with energy, although not every song is memorable. “Message from Yuz” has got plenty of great riffs and handclaps – but it didn’t have that much sticking power. “Coming down” is very by-the-numbers alt. rock and forgettable. Even the last tune, “Testify” has some great melodic riffs but insipid lyrics like “I’d like to see ya, I wouldn’t want to be ya” – I think ultimately alot of people will love this CD. Like a snickers bar, it’s very sweet and nutty and full of empty calories.
The Switches Website | MySpace | Amazon
Listen to “Drama Queen”
The Alice Rose "Phonographic Memory"
The Alice Rose from Austin, Texas has an uncanny ability to play amazingly catchy pop music. After being reviewed well by National Public Radio, local Texas media and other power pop blogs, I’ve finally gotten around to this one. The band’s sound is best defined to resemble the classic strummings of Squeeze and Crowded House. But the influences aren’t definitely not confined there. That’s why “Phonographic Memory” is such a great choice of title. Led by the talented JoDee Purkeypile, it is a major find and you should give these guys a spin on your ipod. “Lighten Up” has a McCartney meets Glen Tilbrook vibe – and would make an awesome single. “Love Me” is like an early Elton John classic. “Saints” is a perfect mid-tempo ballad with a chorus that has a rush of emotion that I haven’t heard in a long time and reminds me of classic Stevie Wonder. “Wisteria” is another great song here. A nice mix of arena soft rock guitar and melodic acrobatics that Jellyfish fans will fall in love with. I love the chord changes on this song and vocal performance – this is my favorite song on the album so far. “Stop” recalls early Wilco meets The Rembrandts and is an excellent tune as well. The production is clean and well done too. It is without a doubt, if you pick up this CD, you will not be sorry. Hear some of it on MySpace.
The Alice Rose Website | MySpace | CD Baby | Not lame
Black Tie Revue "Code Fun"
Pittsburgh, PA’s Black Tie Revue debut hit the streets and it is best described as legitimate sonic assault. The catchy “Code Fun” dares you to not enjoy yourself while you listen — it opens up with “Red Everywhere” and that’s full of heavy guitar and fast drums, not unlike Splitsville or Green Day’s early material. The best track however is the amazing “I’m so sure” a great summer punk anthem. It got the right amount of scorching riffs and profanity and I can’t stop listening to it and hitting that repeat button over and over. The group has been touring all over the country (CMJ, SXSW) and has been picking up new fans wherever the go. A local Pittsburgh newspaper declared BTR “most likely to succeed” less than two years after first playing together. “Code Fun” continues the addictive three-chord power-pop fest and I dare you to not shake your head in response to this one! “The Late Show” gradually increases the noise at the end of the track, like The Beatles’ “She so Heavy.” Every song here is hot with no filler, all killer tracks! The band’s history is one where “persistence” is a credo and it’s beginning to pay off. Get this one before your friends!
Listen to “Code Fun”
BTR Website | MySpace | Amazon | Not lame | Gearhead Records
Zuckerbaby has returned!
From sources on the Audities list, I wanted to spread the word that the Canadian power pop band Zuckerbaby is working on a new album. Listen to some of the new tracks on the MySpace page. Nearly 10 years after the group formed, landed a major recording deal, played stadiums across the country and then imploded after losing their record contract, Zuckerbaby is indeed back, and this time the band’s priorities have changed. “We’re just a bunch of guys who love to make music,” said guitarist Reed Shimozawa. “After all is said and done, and all that we’ve been through . . . the biggest thing we missed was creating something, and the feeling of giving birth to music that at least four people in the room think is great.” Read more about it here.
Also I’d like to give a shout out to some new blogs posted by Stuart Jones, a huge music fan with a group of music blogs.
Mr. Obscure – a blog with lots of rare tracks
Punk Powerpop – more tracks from ’77 to ’83
Rare and Elusive – more hard to find tracks
Super Seventies Sounds – take a wild guess what era these are from.
Enjoy!