Loveland Duren and The Embryos
Loveland Duren “Any Such Thing”
The collaboration between Memphis musicians Vicki Loveland and Van Duren has proven fruitful over the years, as they both are consummate professionals that play off each other beautifully. This new album is no exception, the opener “Tumbledown Hearts” is an A-list single that would win over the pop and country charts if given a chance. “Any Such Thing” is Loveland’s anti-fascist screed laced with strong rock instrumentation and blaring horns. This is soulful pop music for grown-ups.
While the styles are pop and country, the songs feel timeless when they click. “Funny Way of Showing It” has Loveland’s emotions on her sleeve when it comes to domestic abuse accompanied by orchestral strings. And Van Duren’s just as emotional on ‘Where are we going?” when it comes to a relationship in trouble. When the two collaborate, it’s pure magic; “Bridges I Had To Burn” is another winner that speaks to experience. Van Duren also manages a very timely statement on political discord with a strong melody on “Everyone is Out of Tune.” Not everything here is as memorable, but this 3rd LP by the duo is a good mix of songs that deserves to be heard.
The Embryos “National Absurdatory”
Chicago band, The Embryos are back three years after their debut Open The Kimono, and their maturity is evident, “Morning Birds” is a sophisticated pop tune, but they shift their sound on the instrumental “The Funky Embryo” akin to Graham Central Station and “Rattlesnakes” is a great synthesis influence from The Doors and The Byrds. It’s likely the best tune here, but they inject some power-pop-blues-rock with the great “Spend Tonight,” and it’s another high point.
The next several songs seem to channel The Stones, from “Catching Fire,” to the sleepy “You Can Be A Mystery.” The energy from earlier has mellowed quite a bit. The cryptic “Cosmic Wheel” and “Rolling Wheels” are both sweet stoner tunes with layered harmonies, psychedelic touches, and catchy bass lines. Overall a very good LP that grows on you with each repeat. Highly Recommended.
Andy Bopp and Styx
Andy Bopp “AB”
Andy Bopp is a power-pop legend and guitarist from Baltimore Maryland. From Bastards of Melody to Myracle Brah, for over 25 years Bopp has carried the melodic rock flag and never waivered. On AB, he delivers a great variety of rock and power pop styles, as he falls neatly into a musical space somewhere between Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices) and Chris Stamey (the Db’s.)
Starting with “Ashes” it’s a definitive cry for immortality and “not letting go” unless he knows he’s been heard, with layered percussive rhythms over his guitar riffs. The echoing jangle of “I Am A Jetfighter” is another anthemic tune that rings true. Most of these tunes are accessible, short, and immediate; boiled down to a pure hook that begs to be repeated, like the 2-minute “Arlo and Joan.” It’s tough to keep calling out favorites because everything here works, like the fantastic “Abbie Karey,” which sounds like a lost Pete Ham (Badfinger) mid-tempo ballad. The second half rocks harder, “Bending All The Jets,” “EM543” and “Blood 66” are quick garage jams that soften you up for more methodical GBV-styled rockers like “Bicycle Parts” and “Think About You.” Overall not a weak track in the bunch and makes my top ten LP list for 2021. Highly Recommended!
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Styx “Crash of The Crown”
Let’s get this out of the way first, I know Styx is not power-pop, but they are a band that has earnestly been moving to update their prog art-rock sound for the past five years without losing their uniqueness. The Tommy Shaw/JY-fronted Styx is still dedicated to that sound but has managed to change things since 2017’s The Mission. Very few legacy rock bands have managed to do this successfully — but Styx has cracked that code. While old-time fans of Styx may balk at this effort, it adds several new musical influences to keep things fresh.
Starting with “The Fight of Our Lives” it establishes the classic Styx prog sound, with soaring guitar and harmonies all in under 2 minutes. “A Monster” continues the momentum, and “Reveries” has Lawrence Gowan’s vocal carry things, along with a wicked guitar break. The title track is where we shift into a new sound, as all three vocalists contribute here, and I hear echoes of Queen(!) mixed in. “Long Live The King” is another gem with this new sound. “Our Wonderful Lives” moves us slowly back into Styx land reminding me of “Sing For The Day” mixed with “Penny Lane.” Tommy Shaw and company do enough to establish their virtuosity, but the hooks are missing on some of these songs (“Sound The Alarm” and “Coming Out The Otherside.”) That said, this is a good direction for the band to go in, and fans will find plenty to enjoy here. Check it out.
October EPs: Bryan Estepa, Four By Four, The Small Breed, Kurt Baker, Drew Beskin and more
Great new music – Bryan Estepa teased us with the single “Back To The Middle” and now the entire EP is here, and it’s all killer, no filler – tasty bittersweet pop. The Pre-Amps of Madrid, Spain bring the bright pop with harmonies and horns on “Four By Four,” its classic Byrds/Beatles influences played to perfection. But if you really want to go retro, check out The Small Breed in the tradition of New Colony Six. Meanwhile, Kurt Baker is back from Spain and has been releasing a group of singles (which together make a great EP) that proves he hasn’t lost his power-pop chops. Drew Beskin released a terrific LP this past summer, and now he’s got some excellent Halloween singles too. Speaking of October, it leads to a great freebie – Rum Bar Records newest sampler. Like Halloween candy, it’s sweet, crunchy, and maybe has a razor blade hidden in it 😜 .
Oscar Lang and The Orange Peels
Oscar Lang “Chew The Scenery”
Young UK musical phenom Oscar Lang proved his long-awaited indie-rock debut was worth the anticipation. Heavily indebted to Brit-pop’s past, Lang excels at fuzzy hook-filled melodies with buzzing electronic flourishes. After an extended fanfare, it leads into the first single “21st Century Hobby,” focusing on the dark side of social media, and the catchy chorus is layered with guitar lines. Without missing a beat “I Could Swear” bounces along and it’s all very infectious.
“Stuck” then gets even denser and louder with a self-loathing akin to The Dandy Warhols, before it goes full-on dance Madchester funk like The Happy Mondays on “Yeah.” So far we’ve got track after track of energy and excellence until it pauses with the piano ballad “Write Me A Letter.” This demonstrates Oscar’s subtle talent and emotive pull, and as the album continues it feels more relaxed from “Are You Happy?” to “Quarter Past Nine.” As we run out of gas at the end, “Final Call” feels pulled from the Coldplay or Radiohead playbook. Overall, it’s an effective and strong debut that’s highly recommended.
The Orange Peels “Celebrate the Moments of Your Life”
With a title straight out of a commercial, Allen Clapp, Jill Pries, and Gabriel Coan continue to move the band beyond guitarist John Moremen’s influences. Clapp goes for a shimmering jazz-pop sound here, with a mix of arty psych-pop and electro-pop flourishes. Coan’s percussion takes the lead mostly, as Clapp drives the droning synths of “2×2” and the next several tracks meander along a theme of birds.
Clapp does get soulful on the piano ballad “Thank You” and the jangling bounce of “Whenever” is a standout for fans of the band’s classic sound. But this album is more experimental, and as far from power-pop as you can get. Clapp is a genius when it comes to atmospherics, and my favorite track here is the instrumental “Two Shores” — get some good headphones for this one. “The Ghost of You” and “Human” bring to mind Tears For Fears, and the loose, trippy “Mindego Hill” is a gem. The final section of this massive 17 track album is flower-themed as the music is more about ambiance and sonic environment than melody. The band has drifted in this direction since 2020, so it’s not a big shock. However, if you’re looking for those 3-minute earworms I’d visit their earlier works.