The Explorers Club and DC Cardwell

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The Explorers Club

The Explorers Club “The Explorers Club/To Sing And Be Born Again”

The Explorers Club is a band that specializes in harmonic retro-pop, and what started as a terrific Beach Boys sound-alike band with a flair for songwriting, has gradually shifted to include many more influences of the late ’60s and early ’70s. The band’s line-up has shifted through the years, but the one constant has been lead singer-songwriter, Jason Brewer. He’s also enlisted the talent of Los Angeles-based Emeen Zarookian (recently from Bebopalula.) Brewer explores his musical milieu like his own mixtape, and you can spot influences throughout each song.

Starting with “Ruby,” you’ll hear distinct echoes of the Turtles “Elenore,” and the horns on “Don’t Cry” clearly evoke Burt Bacharach. But it’s much more as these original songs are equally strong compositionally and the execution is flawless here. That includes those sparkling Wilsonesque harmonies, which can turn “Love So Fine” from an average song to a great one. “Mystery” brings The Righteous Brothers back to life as well. There are so many highlights including “One Drop of Rain,” “Dawn,” “Say You Will,” and “Dream World.” Almost every song hits that retro “sweet spot,” and it is sure to be on my top ten list at the end of this year.

The covers album To Sing And Be Born Again puts additional emphasis on how well this music would fit in that “AM Radio Gold” era. The two LPs fit perfectly together. Boyce and Hart’s “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight,” Danny Hutton’s “Roses and Rainbows,” Paul Revere and The Raiders “Kicks,” and the rest are expertly done.

Amazon



DC Cardwell

DC Cardwell “Crystal Set”

It’s been a long time, but DC Cardwell is back with a new album full of hooks and simple, direct lyrics. The album opens with the late ‘70s power-pop of “Friendly Fire” and its charming, almost tinny guitar riffs. But the songs gets richer (and better) with each song moving forward. “The Spirit Is Willing” has a great Beatlesque Rickenbacker riff, and the breezy “I Can’t Run Fast Enough” has a brilliant bassline and it’s one of the most memorable songs he’s ever done.

Another keeper is the politically-charged “Lies Are All You Speak,” calling truth to power in the best Nick Lowe tradition. Another terrific song in the Nick Lowe mold is “Just Try Me Out” as a pitch for the author of his new book. One of the most thought-provoking songs here is “Rock and Roll Isn’t With Us Anymore.” The simple acoustic strum brings to mind Ray Davies, as he opines on the changing times and how things “will burn away.” Another fine tune is an ode to his pet “Stay At Home With Your Cat.” Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Gary Olson and Ex-Norwegian

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Ward White

Gary Olson “Gary Olson”

Gary Olson is the frontman with the band Ladybug Transistor. His first solo album is full of lush arrangements and as it opens, “Navy Boats” recalls early ’70s AOR pop with its delicate horns and strings. “Giovanna Please” has a similar wistful presentation, and the flowing folk-pop of “Some Advice” keeps things moving along. The breezy “All Points North” makes the best use of the brass here, and its a standout track.

The songs do tend to blend together as the tone and tempo barely change much. A few moments like the guitar instrumental “Initials DC” break the pattern, and the chiming jangle of “A Dream For A Memory” and “The Old Twin” quicken the tempo a little, but the lack of hooks can be an issue with these songs. There is only so much that fine musicianship can accomplish here. Still, fans of The Pearlfishers and Belle & Sebastian will definitely enjoy this album. It’s music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon

Ex-Norwegian   Ex-Norwegian

Ex-Norwegian “Hue Spotting/Spotting Hues”

Ex Norwegian chugs along with their 10th studio album “Hue Spotting.” Like the cover design suggests, its a modern psyche-pop collection that utilizes synth beats, echoing guitars and Mellotron keys. Starting with “Fear Backwards” it’s driven by a solid rhythm and lead singer Roger Houdaille’s layered vocals. “Comfort Sands” incorporates these older influences (Farfisa organ, sitar) with modern guitar and bass structures to create something unique. “Bloody Parrots!” is another standout with its warbling vocal about an occult crime scene over an organ solo. It can stray into some quite trippy moments that bring to mind Pink Floyd, Spaceman 3, and The Resonars. But there are still great hooks here, as evidenced on both “Something” and the amusing gem “Post Post Malone.”

As a bonus, Roger also released “Spotting Hues,” an album that covers rare nuggets from the psychedelic era. Songs from The Nice, The End, West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, Billy Nicholls, and more. Many of these songs are so obscure, for most it will be like “brand new” material, making it a perfect companion album to the originals. Both are highly recommended.

Amazon (Hue Spotting) | Amazon (Spotting Hues)
Kool Kat Musik (Hue Spotting) | Kool Kat Musik (Spotting Hues)

Dan Israel and Ward White

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Dan Israel

Dan Israel “Social Distance Anxiety Disorder”

A follow up to last year’s Social Media Anxiety Disorder Minnesota musician Dan Israel continues to develop insightful rock that sticks in your head. It’s slow going on the weary “Wit’s End,” but it picks up quickly with the spirited “Bewildered,” which is like a Tom Petty – Bruce Springsteen hybrid. Even better is the power pop of “Bustin’ Out,” with its distinct organ lead it’s my favorite song on this short LP.

The style of Bob Dylan is clearly part of Dan’s vocal approach, and it’s best shown on “Don’t Think They’ll Say.” The self-conscious lyrics and solid hooks on “Little Bit Of Your Love” make it another winner. Next, “Something For Pain” is a rocker that recalls something Joe Walsh or NRBQ used to write. There are only nine tracks and not everything here sticks, but it shows that Dan has plenty of gas in the tank. A good companion album to last year’s LP, It’s definitely music that deserves to be heard.

Bandcamp


Ward White

Ward White “Leonard at the Audit”

Los Angeles based art-rocker Ward White is an acquired taste, but it’s a gourmet meal best enjoyed in deliberate sound bites. I’ve often compared his croon to a lighter version of David Bowie, but that’s just a starting point. Leonard at the Audit is easily his most ambitious work. The concept is something about Leonard Cohen’s 1960’s-era dalliance with Scientology. 

Starting with the industrial “Bubble & Squeak,” it describes a soul-crushing day at work, “another shift another accident” and the oppressive story is punctuated by those deep synth-bass notes, and it’s pure brilliance. “Ice Capades” is another winner with it’s jangling texture in the chorus, intricate baroque arrangement, and sweet guitar solo. “Edmund Fitzgerald Is a Wreck” is a near-perfect tune of the suffering protagonist who “didn’t need to be alone.” On”Try Me” it shows Ward at his most cynical and vocally dynamic. The lyrics are acidic poetry that paints the stories just right, reminding me of Warren Zevon. Take your time with this one, it’s definitely highly recommended.

Bandcamp

Freebies and EPs: The Turnback, Nick Lowe, Brad Marino, Brian Mello, You’re Among Friends, Nick Bertling, Portable Radio, The Amplifier Heads

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The Turnback had these three songs recently re-mastered by Grammy® Award-Winning mastering engineer Brian “Big Bass” Gardner (Foo Fighters, RUSH, Eminem, David Bowie, Cheap Trick). They are a FREE download and the band just asks for you to give a tip to the next essential worker you come in contact with (grocery clerk, fast-food worker, etc.). Now is the time we all need to be there for each other and PLAY IT FORWARD!

The masterful Nick Lowe returns with another EP, delivering pleasing pop gems in a timeless fashion.

Brad Marino (The Connection) is back in fine form with “False Alarm” and “At Night.” Guitar pop the way it should be, plus a cover of the Hoodoo Gurus classic, “What’s My Scene?” Get it at Kool Kat Musik

Brian Mello, the guitarist with The Morning Line, has a very unique EP out. It starts out like a spacey Western with “Landscape With Ruins” and stays kind of mellow until the riff-heavy gem “Adios.” A real grower here, so check it out.

You’re Among Friends, plays out like a fun jam in someone’s basement studio. Love the funk melody on “Once the Toothpaste is Out of the Tube.” More terrific casual rock, like “Just Keep Being Nice” make this a great FREE album to chill with.

Nick Bertling heads out to the audio twilight zone and gives us a personal work that seems to channel Todd Rundgren. Love those harmonies on “Perhaps” and the retro synth on “Mall Dreams ’87.” Another grower you need to live with.

Manchester UK pop band Portable Radio has a neat retro style and great harmonies. “Great In The Sun” and “Flight Home” remind me of the Cowsills.

JUST IN! Boston’s The Amplifier Heads are led by vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Sal Baglio (The Stompers). This is a real treat, as he channels mid-period XTC. Fans of similar bands (like The Sun Sawed In Half) will LOVE this.

Singles: The Cudas, Ryan Allen, Empty City Squares, Mike Daly, The James Rocket, The Starbems, Chris Church, Vanilla, Richard Turgeon

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A boatload of great new singles! Check these out… and some are FREE downloads!

This is some great power pop hero worship with strong riffs. The Cudas deserve kudos for this!

Fresh after working with Nick Puinti on his new LP, Ryan Allen gets to work on his own music for a cause. 100% of the proceeds for downloading these songs will go to the Black Lives Matter movement.

New Jersey band Empty City Squares describes a world that is spinning off its axis thanks to COVID-19. The band also has a single out exclusively with Big Stir Records called “Parmenides” which is quite good.

Mike Daly is releasing a somber song for these troubled times. A bit depressing, but “I guess this is my life now, I hope that it lasts.”

NY based The James Rocket does it all right; wearing a mask, washing your hands, social distancing, and getting freakin’ frustrated with the whole thing,

Japanese power-pop-punk band The Starbems are part Knack and part Ramones. This single kicks ass all over the place.
Frank Burns was a band in the mid-90s that existed just long enough to record two songs. North Carolina’s Chris Church was part of that effort and delivers these rare artifacts. But why name your band after the most annoying character from M.A.S.H.?

Jayson Jarmon from Vanilla has a knack for tasty power pop. I love both the catchy “Easy As Pi” and the Western-styled pop of “Easy.”


West coast rocker Richard Turgeon keeps cranking out material for his new upcoming LP.