The Black Watch and Valley Lodge

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The Black Watch

The Black Watch “Weird Rooms”

With the help of his son Chandler, who traveled to Austin, TX to record ‘Weird Rooms‘ with producer/multi-instrumentalist Misha Bullock and his wife Sara, lead singer and lyricist John Andrew Fredrick—a writer and prolific songwriter—releases his twenty-third long-player from The Black Watch. In contrast to most bands these days, The Black Watch just gets better with each release.

It starts with “Myrmidon,” a swirling psyche pop gem with a jangling rhythm and thick descending baseline akin to “Dear Prudence” with choral backing. “Miles & Miles” also has a shimmering texture, that builds up a wall of sound with a dreamlike cadence. “Gobbledegook” and the title track “Weird Rooms” follow this with more 80s-styled guitar riffs, displaying a richly composed stream of consciousness. There are bits of “weird” interludes between some tracks, that serve to move us along the album, from one “room” to the next. “Fruit Stripe Gum” has a strong horn and drum-guitar combo that recalls an old western theme. Overall, it is a sensory experience that proves more intoxicating the longer you listen to it. Highly recommended.

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Valley Lodge

Valley Lodge “Shadows in Paradise”

Vally Lodge (Dave Hill, Phil Costello, Eddie Eyeball, and Rob Pfeiffer) continues to chug along, as one of the top power pop bands out of New York. The group draws inspiration from various sources, including Cheap Trick, Maroon 5, and Thin Lizzy. “Daylights” opens with a rousing guitar riff, it’s a catchy, silly song with lyrics like “I’m not your basketball, but I’ll bounce all over your head.” Next is “I Wrote a Song,” which also bounces along with Olive Hui (Late Cambrian) dancing in the video.

There are a few songs that have a rock vibe with funky electronic beats like “Secret Lover,” and “Dirty Dishes,” but power pop fans will eat up the brilliant “After School,” with its frantic guitar solo and “Hanging Around,” which starts almost like a Foo Fighters song, with a bass-heavy intro and settles into breezy “do-do-do” harmonies. In the end, ‘Shadows in Paradise’ is an enjoyable album with more than enough great songs to make this one highly recommended.

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Lenny Kravitz and Crowded House

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Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz “Blue Electric Light”

After a 35-year Grammy-filled career, Lenny Kravitz’s vintage-themed aesthetic has become an enduring style that remains appreciated over time. With his 12th studio album, Kravitz reaffirms his status as one of rock’s most versatile and enduring artists. Track one, “It’s Just Another Fine Day (In This Universe of Love),” has the mellow groove that sets the album’s overall mood. The Star Wars-themed “TK421” is a snappy electro-funk tune that recalls Prince, this style is also heard on the danceable “Bundle of Joy.” The organic soul of “Honey” follows, and his approach is as smooth as the title suggests. “Paralyzed” is a rare rocker, but the tempo remains slow and the lyrics are more self-reflective.

The album’s big radio-ready single, “Human,” has an 80s-styled synth and rhythm as he sings, “I came here to be alive, I’m here to be human.” At the album’s midpoint, the songs are less immediate, but we get another rocker, “Love is My Religion,” and a breezy love theme, “Spirit in My Heart.”  Overall, there is plenty here to make this highly recommended.

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Crowded House

Crowded House “Gravity Stairs”

Neil Finn and the band’s original bassist, Nick Seymour, continue to lead Crowded House with the assistance of Elroy and Liam, Neil’s sons. The starter, “Magic Piano,” is a soothing, harmony-laden track about receiving a “contact high” while making music. Each song glides and lingers on sonic details; “The Howl” feels like a big single, with its desire for connection, and it’s my favorite here.

Many songs are about getting older and wiser and understanding that you can’t control many things in this life. “All That I Can Ever Own,” is about this acceptance and another highlight. And just when you drift off to “Blurry Grass,” the band wakes you up with “I Can’t Keep Up With You.” You might fall asleep if you don’t sift through the album’s treasures; it has a distinct haze of daydreaming. But those gems make it music that deserves to be heard.

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More June EPs, singles, previews: Nick Lowe, Candy Whips, John Wlaysewski, Lisa Mychols, Golden Richards, dB’s

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Nick Lowe keeps on rockin’! With the help of his reliable bandmates Los Straitjackets on every track, Nick showcases his impeccable songwriting skills over a wide range of musical styles. Indoor Safari proves that Nick Lowe is just as influential as he was when he first entered the music industry fifty years ago. Next, Candy Whips brings a fusion of new wave and pulsating synth-pop while John Wlaysewski (Late Cambrian) adds his synth melodies, so check out “Doing Shit, Trying Not To Be Sad.” Power pop queen Lisa Mychols has been very active on social media lately, with new recordings from The Masticators! coming up. Check out her demo of “PopSound.” Golden Richards has a great single about an old-school rapper, “Doctor K” trying to impress a girl. Finally, I wanted to shout out about the new re-issue of the dB’s Stands for deciBels a classic power pop album that was way ahead of its time. The remastered sound is just amazingly well done. Enjoy!





Vegas With Randolph and Mark Bacino

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Vegas With Randolph

Vegas With Randolph “The Future Store”

It’s been over 5 years since Vegas With Randolph’s ‘Legs and Luggage’, came out, so it was time for a new album. John Ratts, Brock Harris, Dave Purol, and Eric Kern remain in fine form, blending melodic power pop with adult-oriented rock and roll. With 22 tracks, this is a massive effort. The opener, “What if?” is a fast-paced rocker that looks to the future.  But even better is the catchy gem “N.S.A.” about a relationship with “no strings attached.” Several other rockers here are winners; “A Pretty Good Run,” and “Don’t Stop for Love.”

Midway through is a 6-part hard rock medley, “Triple Play,” where the band’s persona shifts a bit to more prog-pop, akin to Kanasas or Journey here, and it’s good, although separating the tracks is disruptive. The “Days & Days” segment feels a bit forced here, but overall, the 9-minute suite is best enjoyed together (it’s an unbroken track as a bonus). Then it’s back to your regularly scheduled power pop program. More highlights include “Lake Paradise” and excellent “I’ll Be Waiting For You.” The band sounds like it’s having fun, there are plenty of great songs here with very few missteps. Overall, highly recommended.

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The Black Watch

Mark Bacino “Top of the World”

It’s been a long road for New York’s Mark Bacino. His debut LP, ‘Pop Job’ from 1998, was one of the albums that started my power pop obsession. His albums were infrequent, but always worth it. It’s been 14 years, and Mark has emerged once again, and his point of view on life is the focus of ‘Top of the World.’ With a mature perspective, his once bouncy pop optimism has given way to a weary, mindful acceptance of things.

The opener “Kaylee Hughes” has a fast, catchy tempo that gives it an energetic and fun feel. It’s a bluesy New Orleans jazz sound typical of artists like Dr. John. However, most of the album is in a mood like “Flop of the World,” with a tuba and piano melody, recalling Harry Nilsson’s “Think About Your Troubles.” The easy-going sad sack on “Why Does This Woman Love Me?” and “Shaky Hand” have a similar vibe. He makes some stabs at lifting the mood on the tin-pan alley pop of “I Like Wearing Clothes” and a spark of optimism on the excellent “Young Heart.” There is some instrumental filler, and “How the Story Ends” is like a lost Randy Neuman tune about health resignation, and how he “forgot cholesterol tasted so great.” Overall, it’s a good album with crisp production and a few memorable songs. If you’re looking for more of a power pop vibe, I’d visit earlier albums.

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