New Singles: LMNOP, Geoff Palmer, Tommy Sistak, Jonny Polonsky, The Reflectors, Drew Beskin

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The one-man band LMNOP has a new album coming called whatNOP dONW7 on July 16, 2021. “The song ‘Nuclear Trust’ doesn’t have anything to do with anything nuclear, just liked the way those two words sounded together. The line “Now I’ve found I don’t know what I’ve found” kinda sums up where I’m at in 2021.” says LMNOP mastermind Stephen Fievet. I agree. Look for an LP review soon!

Geoff Palmer is back with a catchy punk answer to that query when you forget the name of that band. You know, the one that goes…

Canadian Tommy Sistak is back with a new retro-harmony-covered tune. Fans of The Beatles and Monkees will enjoy this comforting music.

Jonny Polonsky is back and he’s sounding much more like himself on this hook-filled single. He certainly has a pulse on the public’s anxiety with COVID. Favorite lyric; “To make me feel like Felix Unger – I have to set myself on fire”

Speaking of retro – The Reflectors are a brilliant 80s-90s styled power pop combo that rocks! Explore last year’s debut for more.

Finally, we have Late Night with Drew Vandenberg introing Drew Beskin singing “Going Alright For You” from his upcoming third full-length solo album, Problematic for the People. It’s a damn good power-pop tune with its crunchy riffs, handclaps, and a killer hook. Enjoy!

Great Tributes: Paul McCartney, Jimmy Campbell and Andy Gibb

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Ram On

Fernando Perdomo & Denny Seiwell “Ram On: 50th Anniversary Tribute To Paul & Linda Mccartney’s Ram”

For the 50th anniversary of Ram by Paul & Linda McCartney, producer and multi-instrumentalist Fernando Perdomo joined with Denny Seiwell, the original drummer with Paul McCartney & Wings, who performed on the original Ram to create this stellar tribute. Joined by more original Ram players like David Spinozza (guitar) and Marvin Stamm (flugelhorn) they included Davey Johnstone (Elton John Band,) Will Lee (The Fab Faux,) and a collection of stellar singers.

From the opener “Too Many People” featuring Dan Rothchild you get a faithful adaption, but with all the sonic details in keeping with a modern recording. Each track is meticulously produced, each note lovingly, accurately re-created. My faves include; Pat Sansone (Wilco) on “Ram On,” Bebopalula on “Uncle Albert-Admiral Halsey,” Timmy Sean on “Monkberry Moon Delight,” Rob Bonfiglio and Carnie Wilson on “Long Haired Lady.” But there is no weak link among any tracks. This is everything you want in a tribute. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Ex Norwegian and Friends

Ex Norwegian and Friends “Sing Jimmy Campbell”

You would be forgiven if you couldn’t recall Jimmy Campbell. A brilliant singer and songwriter for many Merseybeat bands; The Kirkbys, The 23rd Turnoff, and Rockin’ Horse, as well as solo material. Ex Norwegian and several other collaborators do a great job making Jimmy’s music less obscure. I was only familiar with The Rockin’ Horse, a great “lost” Beatlesque band, but the songs here speak for themselves.

Joe Kane (Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab) and Roger Houdaille (Ex-Norwegian) get the Rockin’ Horse single “Yes It Is” perfectly. Roger collaborates with a number of others and most of the tunes are not instantly recognizable (a good thing.) While not slavishly accurate to the originals, it makes for a great introduction to Jimmy’s songwriting genius. My faves include; Jim Camacho on “Don’t You Ever Think I Cry,” Edward Rogers on “You’ll Break My Heart In Two,” Mark Johnston on “Spending All My Money, and Arthur LaMonica on “Paris, You’re In Paris.” Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Ram On

Various Artists “Higher Than a Mountain: The Songs of Andy Gibb”

Curry Cuts is back with a new compilation, and as they often take the road less traveled, it leads us now to the lesser Bee Gee brother Andy Gibb. The late Andy Gibb was a rising star in 1977, rivaling his brothers with multiple top ten hits during that time. There are plenty of tributes to The Bee Gees, so this is a fresh look at Andy’s songwriting (with brother Barry’s help.) The tribute mostly removes the disco gloss from some of these songs, concentrating on the melodies.

The Pop 4 does a great job with the familiar “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water,” and the arrangements are tweaked just enough. Greg Pope keeps that great bassline for “I Just Want To Be Your Everything” and even though the falsetto is lacking, he effectively double-tracks the vocal. The most radicle interpretation is The Test Pressings which turn mellow “Why” into a Cheap Trick-styled arena rocker. In a few cases, it’s harder for artists to re-create those magic moments; Sparklejets cannot replace Olivia Newton-John on “I Can’t Help It.” However, most of these songs work fine and a few actually improve on the original, like The Armoires version of “Words and Music.” Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Rooftop Screamers and Bill Lloyd

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Rooftop Screamers

Rooftop Screamers “Next Level”

Musician/drummer Mike Collins (Throwback Suburbia) was very busy during the pandemic, as he’s written a lot of songs and set out to release them. He collaborated with a huge contingent of prominent guest artists, who provided the vocals to make Rooftop Screamers feel a little like a mixtape with a variety of pop, hard rock, etc.

We start with the fine “Buckle Up” sung by Tim Smith (Jellyfish) and it really soars during the chorus. The piano mid-tempo “Our Lucky Night” sung by Keith Slettedahl is a bit more Russian folk styled than I’m used to hearing from him, but it remains a good song. Ken Stringfellow (The Posies) nearly disappears into the rocker “One Wish” and “The Ladder” featuring Rob Daiker sounds like a lost hit from the 1980s.

Cy Curnin (The Fixx) does a great job with “Shifting Tides” and it’s a big highlight. Another winner “After The Fire” sung by Stephanie Schneiderman is a wonderful collaboration. Collins actually does a great job singing “Couldn’t Ask For More,” but it’s his only vocal performance here. I understand that bringing in big “name brand” musicians will often get your album press attention, but Collins’s songwriting is really good, and sometimes the singer doesn’t do the song justice. Overall a good album with some great highlights.

Amazon

Bill Lloyd

Bill Lloyd “A Selection of Power Pop 1985-2020”

This is a great primer to the uninitiated on the greatness of Bill Lloyd. Many songs go back to his solo recordings over the past 40 years, remastered and still sounding pretty fresh. From his debut Feeling the Elephant (1987) we start with “This Very Second,” “Nothing Comes Close,” and “Lisa Anne.” These songs established Lloyd as a power-pop force alongside Crowded House and The Smithereens at the time. The rising guitar leads continued with “The Man Who Knew Too Much” and the under-rated “Alright” which subconsciously seems to be a comment on his music (“it came out alright this time.”) from Set to Pop (1994).

His lighter pop ranges from the fun “Kissed Your Sister” to the easy-going gem “Better Left Alone,” he penned with Jamie Hoover (of The Spongetones.) The few tracks are remakes of “I Went Electric” and “Out of The Picture” which are much improved, with the latter tune evoking The Smithereens even more. “Mistakes Were Made” is another great song that delivers Lloyd’s philosophy with style. If this is the gateway drug to all things Lloyd, it’s a sweet start. Hopefully, a newbie will be encouraged to indulge in Bill’s past catalog. Great stuff that deserves to be heard and Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Bill Lloyd’s website

May EPs: The Martial Arts, Cliff Hillis, Dropkick, Old Town Crier, Joe Dilillo

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The quirky under-rated Martial Arts does what it does best. Brilliant modern pop in “Guilt By Association” and “Bethany” with memorable choruses, and “The Wild Humdrum” is a Sparks-like gem that is just too much fun. Cliff Hillis gathered his “Brunch Sessions” inspired by this past year of social distanced shows, and I just love the acoustic version of Nik Kershaw’s “Wouldn’t It Be Good.” So UK band Dropkick has been super busy this year, dropping a Greatest Hits LP, and releasing expanded editions of their first 2 LPs. A FREE sample of “Obvious” is here for you to pick up. Old Town Crier aka Jim Lough makes us an old-fashioned blues pop EP; “Don’t Go” is a keeper. Unsung heroes are what power pop celebrates, and we should celebrate long-time producer-engineer Joe Dilillo coming from behind the soundboard to the microphone with “Loser Girl,” a great ballad with help from the Lickerish Quartet. More details on Joe at 50thirdand3rd.

Brad Marino and Ramirez Exposure

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Brad Marino

Brad Marino “Looking For Trouble”

It took a few years for Brad to find his “groove” but he’s effectively taken the mantle of his old band The Connection, and made it his own. After a cautious debut, his former bandmate Geoff Palmer came out swinging with a louder, faster, punkier LP in 2019, Brad has effectively and literally “evened the score” with this album. Everything you ever loved about The Connection is on display and it’s got plenty of hooks, crushing riffs, and a variety of styles.

The bluesy guitar riffs open up “Even The Score” as Brad takes his “troubles in stride” and is “taking on the haters and trolls.” Even better is “Taillights Fade,” the catchy verse-chorus combo will stick in your head for days, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing along. Title track “Looking for Trouble” is another winner that has just the right amount of twang as it recalls The Georgia Satellites. Marino also doesn’t take himself too seriously as “Local Show” is a funny look at small venue shows (“which means nobody will go”) and I have personally heard that cheap nerd narrative in the last half of the song. The instrumental “Tripwire” is a nice tribute to guitar gods Duane Eddy and Dick Dale. Overall, there is not a false note here, every track rocks! This album is a contender for my top ten in 2021 for sure. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Ramirez Exposure

Ramirez Exposure “Exit Times”

Víctor Ramírez better known by his stage name Ramírez Exposure, is a Valencia, Spain- based, DIY pop singer/songwriter. Victor’s influences are rooted in the sixties, but he’s not a retro artist. Exit Times has plenty of hook-laden themes displayed throughout. His sound is somewhere between David Brookings and Secret Friend.

Victor’s double-tracked vocals are distinct on the richly detailed opener “Bridges and Roads.” Next, the title track layers two guitar rhythms and drums together as Victor imagines white sand beaches just beyond the Pandemic timeline, but the best track here is “The Rituals” a love song that bounces along to an infectious call-and-response chorus. Next, things mellow a bit as the next several tracks have a dream-like thematic quality, and “Dalingeria” is another standout here. The end single “Dysfunctional Girl” feels like a bonus track, with a sweet guitar riff to send us off. It’s a grower that demands repeat listens with headphones. Highly Recommended.

Amazon Singles: Dysfunctional Girl | Exit Times | The Rituals