This band has come a long way since 2016’s Make Me Over. Moving away from straight rock anthems, the band embraces modern alternative rock and experimental pop. The results are mixed, but exciting as well. The neo-prog opener “All Signs To Amsterdam” hums along to a very satisfying chorus, and all these tunes are densely packed with instrumentation.
Many highlights here; “Lost In Art,” “For An Eye,” and “Fraying Wire” are compelling modern pop — but you still have to deal with experiments like “System Generated Noise” or droning bores like “Another Club.” But more often this band does it right, like the Peter Gabriel feel of “Collapsed Cathothic.” This one is a grower, so check it out.
This Asbury Park, New Jersey trio makes the most accessible punk pop. The engaging, sweet vocals of Emily Bornemann are countered by the aggressive punk riffs of Justin Bornemann on guitar and Matt Hockenjos pounding percussion. Like a mix of Blondie and Letters to Cleo with a touch of The Pixies, the songs are short, poppy bursts of energy.
Highlights include the catchy “New Dress,” “Don’t Let Me Catch You,” “Spilled Coffee,” and “The Pilot.” But it’s not all speed and melody, as the band does the slow building drama of “Maladies” (Yeah, this one’s a lot more like The Pixies) and takes an acoustic breather with the ballad “Thin Ice.” No filler here, and highly recommended.
Dan Pavelich and Van Dyke Brown return with a decidedly more 80’s sound. The opener “Modern Girl” felt more like Katrina & The Waves, with Dan’s vocals over the frantic beat. The energy keeps up “With Tears” and it s a fun danceable party tune, and guest Andrea Perry delivers her ethereal vocal to “Natalie Would.”
However, Dan’s double-tracked, warbling vocals sound very over-processed throughout. When the music gets more psychedelic like on “View of You,” the vocals fit much better. If you can get past that issue you’ll find plenty of good songs, like the jangling “Goodbye Margot.” Definitely, music that deserves to be heard.
The Kelly Brothers; Brendan, (lead guitar) Sean (lead vocals/guitar) and Dominic (drums) plus friend Shaun Rhoades (bass) are the players that make up A Fragile Tomorrow. The band is poised on the bleeding edge of power pop and the opening single “Make Me Over” swirls with heavy riffs over a melodic chorus backed by harmonies and thickly textured rhythms. It’s the sound of a band that is restless and not going to play it safe. “Tie Me Up” is a mid-tempo soul searching drama and lead singer Sean Kelly does a great job here. You also hear a some beautiful subtleties in the tight harmonies of “One Of Two, Two of Three” and the sweet composition of “Tell Me How To Feel” make these tracks big highlights.
Various light psychedelic touches are in the lush ballad “In My Mind” with its 12 string strum and orchestral majesty; reminded me a bit of 10cc or ELO. You hear numerous influences from REM to Cheap Trick on the layered “Hit Parade” and “Can’t You Hear Me.” The final track “One Way Ticket” with guests Joan Baez and The Indigo Girls, is just mesmerizing as both a tribute and a re-make. This is a densely packed album that deserves multiple listens and its highly recommended.
Amazon
This is the first solo release of Marco Rea (The Wellgreen, Euros Childs, Linden). Born at the kitchen table in Cerasuolo, Italy the album has the melodic grace and simple production style that recall Paul McCartney’s first solo effort. After the shuffling instrumental of the title track, “Someone’s Picture” is a sweet piano melody that will stick in your head for days. “Time” is a like a Left Banke ballad with a gentle tempo and honest delivery; Marco even sounds a little like John Lennon in spots.
“Sunday” has a vaudeville piano, recorder solo and it is very much like a mid 60s novelty hit. The slowly building “To” is another winner, with its layered guitar melody, choral harmony and deep lyric; “One day you might look back, you might move on.” Not every song approaches that level of Beatlesque greatness, but “When You Fall Down” and “Try” both have that Ringo styled beat. Most of the tracks on the albums second half are quite somber, and some classical piano instrumentals slow the albums momentum. Still, the impressive songs here make this digital only release highly recommended.
A Fragile Tomorrow “Be Nice Be Careful”
What started as an alt. rock band with a few good songs on Tripping Over Nothing has moved decidedly to the more popper side of genre. That’s a good thing, as well as enlisting Mitch Easter (REM, Let’s Active, Sneakers) as co-producer. Leader Sean Kelly does a wonderful job on the opening track “Don’t Need Saving,” full of minor chords and chiming guitar strums.
The earnest melody of “Cooked Smiles and Greedy Hands” is a fine composition that echoes The Lemonheads or Toad The Wet Sprocket, with hooks and harmonies in all the right places and a guest vocal with Don Dixon. It loses a little momentum with the bland “Loyalty Lies,” but the steady jangle in “Blank Paper” helps make it an excellent tune about the songwriting process. Clearly the country influence is still here with “Intentions” and “My Home.” Another standout tune is “Kernersville” and doing the background harmonies are The Bangles (Vicki and Debbi Peterson), Susan Cowsill with Mitch Easter on guitar. “Three More Hours” is another fantastic song. With 14 tracks, there is a lot to like here, but it still sounds like a band in transition in spots. The band has been touring with many top-name headliners (Drivin’ and Cryin’, The Bangles and Matthew Sweet) so I expect great things from future AFT releases.
The Honest Mistakes “Sundowning” EP
After a good debut album, this Baltimore band fine tunes it’s sound. Near perfect opening on “Cry” with hand claps and solid riffs, the band has a much better command of melody than ever before. Vocalist Joylene Dalia effortlessly harmonizes on “The Leaves” and guitarist Chris Ehrichs ever present strum make it a casual breezy single, and then on “Put Those Things Away” the pounding percussion and angular rhythm take center stage. This is a highly recommended EP, fans of 10,000 Maniacs and Blake Babies will thoroughly enjoy this one too.
CD Baby | Amazon | Itunes