Tag: Aaron Lee Tasjan

The Boys With Perpetual Nervousness and Aaron Lee Tasjan

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The Boys With Perpetual Nervousness

The Boys With Perpetual Nervousness “Songs From Another Life”

Andrew Taylor has been doubling his output since this past summer, not only with his main band Dropkick, but his side project with Gonzalo Marcos aka The Boys With Perpetual Nervousness. Like the highly-rated debut, this new BWPN album is a continuation of catchy jangle-filled themes. It’s loaded with sticky pop hooks akin to Teenage Fanclub.

Opening with “I Don’t Mind” is a great start with a strong flowing tempo that ends just as you get into a groove, but even better is the Byrdsian guitar signature in “Play (On My Mind).” Each song is a gem, but some of my favorites include the sweet look back on “Rose Tinted Glass,” “Summer,” and “Lethargy.” Although many of the songs share a similar tempo (my only pet peeve here) there is enough distinction to prevent them from blending together.  Highly Recommended and a contender for my top 10 in 2021 list.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Aaron Lee Tasjan

Aaron Lee Tasjan “Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!”

Nashville singer-songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan is hard to pin down, and he likes it that way. “Sunday Women” is a deceptively simple song, a phrase repeated over and over, like a daydream. Then “Computer of Love” establishes an easy-going feeling before it launches into the catchy chorus “My little avatar/I’ll never know who you really are” all about casual dating and friendships on the internet. Echoes of Tom Petty are on “Up All Night” and Tasjan’s guitar actually emulates the sound of synths on “Don’t Overthink It.”

“Another Lonely Day” and “Feminine Walk” in some ways remind me of Bleu McAuley, with its acoustic bounce, and a multi-harmonic vocal. The melodic qualities and songwriting are top-notch. “Now You Know” is a confessional that just draws you in with just a vocal and bass line. A superb album that’s very inviting, and reveals more with every listen. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

EP Reviews: Young Fresh Fellows, Aaron Lee Tasjan, The Cleaners from Venus, Jim Trainor, Fashion Bird Danger Danger

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Young Fresh Fellows are back with the ageless Scott McCaughey leading the way and it’s just as good as you expect. “This Time is Ours” has a rocking guitar rhythm and a catchy chorus. It gets progressively more punk as we move forward. YFF are still trippy with “Alone in a Bus.” Enjoy!

Aaron Lee Tasjan really nails on the opener “Fake Tattoo” a song that warms the heart. “My Bed’s A Mess” is another romantic pop gem, “What A War” has an acoustic folk catchiness with strings that soar. One of the best EPs of the year.

The Cleaners from Venus are back, (and its a FREEBIE) as the brilliant Martin Newell sings about timely subjects on “Statues” and the smokey “Golden Lion of the Sun” are the highlights here.

Idaho power popper Jim Trainor starts with a great Beatlesque melody on “The Only One” and the bouncy “Claire” is another keeper. The fast tempo “Grace & Beauty” keeps you moving. In fact, every song is good. Don’t miss this one.
OK, now we go for something more experimental called Fashion Bird Danger Danger. John Wlaysewski (Late Cambrian) and Matthew Milligan (Wheatus) come together for this oddly compelling pop. “City Island Shaman” is like they tossed Southern Culture On The Skids in a blender with Tears For Fears. I also liked the bleak “Part 5 of Fear” full of angular prog guitars.

Aaron Lee Tasjan and The Late Show

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Aaron Lee Tasjan

 

Aaron Lee Tasjan “Karma For Cheap”

Nashville singer-songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan, aka ALT is a bit of a musical chameleon. The personas and musical styles he plays aren’t static, although his primary focus is in the roots rock and country rock arena. Very much influenced by Tom Petty, George Harrison and Arlo Guthrie, and many others. So you could make a case that this is a lost Wilbury looking for an audience.

The opener “If Not Now When,” uses the riff from George’s “Wreck Of The Hesperus” and takes it in a better direction. A big highlight is “The Truth Is So Hard to Believe” with its Posies-like percussion, and swirling bass guitar riff. “The Rest Is Yet To Come,” is another winner with its easy rhythm and descending bass line. From there it settles into some longer Pettyesque mid-tempo tunes, and Aaron has a slight drawl and even a little vibrato when playing the Orbison-like “Strange Shadows.” The production is solid, with no filler even though only a few songs stick with you afterward. Fans of the artists above will like this one, and it will grow on you. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Thew Late Show

The Late Show “Sha La La”

This is The Late Show’s follow up to their critically acclaimed album Portable Pop, which was listed as #46 of the 200 most essential power pop albums in John Borack’s book “Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide.”

From the get-go, you will hear a band influenced by The Replacements on the opener “To Let It Go,” with its sharp guitar riffs. After 30+ years, these dudes still rock pretty well, with the slightly-psyche rock title track and the harmony-filled chorus of “Tears.” The bouncy “Hello Linda” and “A Better Chance To Take” both have that timeless power pop quality. While the majority of the songs are good, they don’t have the freshness of Portable Pop, which is a product of its time. Still, this is absolutely better than a lot of music out there, so check it out.


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John Borack Power Pop

John M. Borack’s Latest Book, Shake Some Action 2.0. is out!

Author John M. Borack’s upcoming book, Shake Some Action 2.0: An Updated Guide to the 200 Greatest Power Pop Albums, due in September from Not Lame Media, is an update of sorts to Borack’s now-out-of-print 2007 book, Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide.

The book is 414 pages of pure pop-inspired passion that even the most casual power pop fan will appreciate but a serious one will get totally geeked about. Newly written and/or expanded reviews of the outstanding power pop releases plus nearly 60 new entries included in the Top 200.

In addition, the book comes bundled with a 24-track CD collection from Borack’s power pop band Popdudes! The CD contains several rare and/or previously unreleased tracks.

Check it out here