It is a joy to hear Cliff Hillis and Dennis Schocket play for “fun” and deliver this amazing new EP. Every single song is a gem and deserves a space on your playlist. While summer is still here, check out the retro-fuzz of The Laissez Fairs, “Living in The Summer,” and the song “Idiot Proof.” Speaking of retro-sounding new artists, Jamie Turner has popped out another single “Hum Drum” that sounds like a lost Beatles single from 1968. The bedroom pop of Sorry Monks has been hit or miss for me, but he scores on “Young Man.” Scott Roberts reached out to me with his music, and I enjoyed the Big Star-like “After We Go.” Finally Shake Some Action! gives us another echoing single “Spend Your Days In The Sunshine.” Good advice for the remainder of August.
Kevin Robertson (Vapour Trails) has done it again with a decent album full of jangly power pop, opening with the Byrdsian “Ghosting” and bouncy “The Guilt Trip.” He neatly positions himself stylistically between CSN, Teenage Fanclub, and Big Star. Both songs are great openers on different ends of the pop-rock spectrum. Guest players include Scott Robertson, Nick Bertling, and Nick Frater.
Traditional country is also a large influence here, as “Windows of the Sun” shows. Still, the gentle twang on “Search for Replies” with Frater and Ahren Buchheister (steel pedal) is a great example of his subtle but catchy songcraft. Kevin’s 60s-inflected techniques don’t dominate the album entirely. But the album’s second half moves back towards the psyche pop of “Rain Again,” “Ode to Stephen,” and “Fortune Teller Lied.” Another gem here is “Long White Feathers,” with its magical bridge and “ba ba ba” harmonies to make it a standout. The production is warm and the mix is crisp-sounding (thanks, Nick!) You’d have to admit Kevin’s songs here are a step up from last year’s ‘Magic Spells Abound,’ which makes this album highly recommended.
Paul Kelly (BMX Bandits) has a lot of talent and lets it show on his latest Martial Arts LP. “Hold On Full Of Hope” has a jaunty guitar, and quirky piano melody, a mix of rock and roll with elements of musical theater and bedroom pop. The song dovetails directly into the similar sounding “Empty Out Here.”
Next, “The Attractions” boasts some terrific harmonies in a composition that brings to mind early ’80s Elvis Costello with its organ lead. “No Victory” is another great song with so many catchy details. The theatrical approach resembles Sparks on “Something in the Water.” The clever percussion also leads to a massive chorus on many slow building songs like “Working On My Eyes” and the ELO-esque gem “No Coming Down.” But nostalgic touches are mostly the window dressing, as Paul Kelly creates music in his own unique style and it deserves a much bigger audience. So many highlights it’s easy to see why this one is highly recommended.
What can I say, we have even more music to report on. The Eggmen Whoooooo! are a quirky band that gives us “Eggman Vs Hellboy” and some comic book nerds saw the video, and there was much rejoicing. I have to call out the best EP of August, The Junior League‘s ‘Nattering Nabobs’ – just listen to “Skinny Tie” and count the power pop references! Under the radar The Bye Bye Blackbirds have been releasing some singles, and judging by the strutting “The Girls Walk” they’ve lost not a single step. The Successful Failures also return with plenty of pop twang on the excellent “Costume Party.” Something new from Sweden, The While is a band consisting of power pop royalty with Fredrik Norberg(Popsicle) and Johan Bergqvist(The Genuine Fakes.) Finally some beautiful jangle pop from Spain courtesy of Young Scum with “Lighter Blue.” Enjoy!
California artist Tamar Berk is still emerging from the grief of personal loss. “Good Impression” is a great song out of the gate, with a late 90s pop feel and layered vocals all over the chorus. The heavier guitar of “That’s Not a Lie” is very much in the mold of Matthew Sweet and is another big highlight here. Berk’s songwriting has all this nuance, as she sarcastically states, “I didn’t know we’re keeping score.” The songs become more reflective on “Book of Change” and nostalgic on “Chicago,” very much in the mold of her previous album ‘Tiny Injuries’.
The shuffling melody of “I Don’t Mind” follows Tamar searching for answers to life’s problems, and the guitar solo here is a real treat. The frantic tempo of “You Trigger Me” is a perfect anthem for anxiety and panic attacks. Some ballads get overdramatic, but others, like “I’ll Come to the Rescue,” have a real poignant confessional touch. The closer “Comin’ Around To Me Again” starts very soft and slowly ends with an epic psyche-pop coda. Overall, it’s a great therapeutic album, and I highly recommend it.
Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Brian Ray has had several high-profile side gigs (Etta James, Paul McCartney), and his first solo effort, ‘Mondo Magneto’ was this blog’s very first review. Brian has moved off the power pop radar for the past 15 years, getting more toward his garage rock roots with The Bayonets, but this new album has him drifting back toward melodic rock.
As with all Brian Ray, the guitar melodies are front and center. Starting with the radio-friendly “When the Earth Was Round,” it’s a hook-filled cry of disappointment with the casual acceptance of conspiracy theories. “Got a New Thing” is another brilliant tune loaded with harmonies and a sticky riff. “Bad4U” is a tribute to all those memorable movie villains, and on “Pirate Radio,” he embraces his inner Brian May. He still incorporates blues rock into many songs, notably “Spell Breaker” with guest star Michael Des Barres. It can get a little self-indulgent, but after all this time, Brian deserves it. Highly Recommended.
August is here, and the heat continues. The Burkharts (from Buffalo, NY) strike California retro pop gold with “Always On The Run.” Another band I recently “found” is Stray Arcade, and I “Can’t Complain” about the music – but I want to hear more. Late Cambrian returns with a compelling pop-rock-prog confection that’s loaded with style. If you’re looking for funky pop freebies, we have Hubbell Benson, a New Jersey artist with serious chops. Listen to the pop with jazz flourishes on “Except for Him” and “Need Someone?” Strange Neighbors continues to impress with the single “Crush.” Finally, The Junipers retro-pop sunshine returns with “She Looked Up at the Stars.” Play this on a hot day, and you too can be cool.
