Tag: Bill Lloyd

Remasters and Rarities: Jim Basnight, Bill Lloyd and The Keys

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Jim Basnight

Jim Basnight “Pop Top” (Remastered)

“Pop Top” was Jim Basnight’s first solo album, originally a cassette-only release in 1992, and his first CD album release in 1993.  The tracks came together while he was on tour with the Moberlys, and working with a variety of collaborators (including REM’s Peter Buck) deliver fine examples of the late ’80s and early ’90s pop-rock. “My Vision of You” is an effective jangling tune, with emotional verses and a solid chorus. “Asphalt Field” is a narrative pop-rock song that reminds me a bit of Midnight Oil, and the rollicking “Opportunity Knocks” has a wicked piano blues riff similar to The Rolling Stones, and it’s really catchy. With 18 tracks, this compilation hits a lot of different moods and styles.

Jim works his magic on most of these tracks; notables include “Blue Moon Heart,” “One Night Away,” “Hello Mary Jane,” “Evil Touch,” and “Restless Night.” Overall plenty of worthy tracks makes this highly recommended LP. This has never been released digitally for downloads or streams and has been long out of print, until now. Check it out!

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Bill Lloyd

Bill Lloyd “Feeling The Elephant” (Remastered)

Between 1983 and 1986 before he joined the country duo Foster and Lloyd, Bill Lloyd put together a series of power pop songs in the tradition of Dwight Twilley and released it as Feeling The Elephant in 1987. It was reissued in 1990, where it found its audience — but power pop fans can really appreciate the music with this newly remastered version of the album. The chiming guitars of the opener “This Very Second” are bright and hook-filled, and the Big Star-like crunch of “Nothing Comes Close” is timeless perfection. The big single here “Lisa Anne” is very much in the mold of Marshall Crenshaw and the jangling “It’ll Never Get Better Than This” is another gem here.

A few songs actually are dated by the period but still, sound fantastic like “I Wann Sit And Watch The Credits Roll” and the hard rock “All At Once You Are Unzipped.” Overall not a wasted note here and it holds up extremely well. If you ever wanted to find a place to start the deep dive into Bill Lloyd’s power pop this is the place. It should be an essential part of your music collection.

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The Keys

The Keys “Unlocked”

There are several “lost” power pop treasures of the 1980s, but The Keys are of particular importance. In the wake of the punk revolution in the UK, The Keys first album from 1981 is the definition of “a lost classic” of the power pop genre. Similar in approach to Elvis Costello and The Beat, the band was signed by A&M Records, and produced by upcoming star Joe Jackson, but despite the critical acclaim it only sold a few thousand copies, and it remains a find for rare record collectors and was never reissued on CD. The band dissolved in 1983 without a follow-up to the debut.

But in the year prior to the breakup, The Keys made some recordings in London between 1981 and 1983. These 12 tracks are now unearthed today and fit in perfectly with their first LP. The band has a slightly more muscular sound with “Crying Out For Love” and “Don’t Do That.” The recordings aren’t that high quality, but the talent remains impressive. Unlocked is a release of Rollin Records, but there seems to be only limited distribution, and I can’t find a place in the USA that has it. So just like the debut, it’s another mad dash to find it. But if you do it’s a worthy companion.

Rollin Records UK | Discogs

The Power Popaholic Interview: The Rubinoos

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The Rubinoos

It was great to meet Power Pop Hall of Famers The Rubinoos. I spoke with Jon Rubin and Tommy Dunbar and we discussed the new LP “The CBS Tapes,” working with Todd Rundgren in the 80s, Meeting Chuck Prophet, Al Chan’s health, and touring again. Officially the album comes out on June 25, and much merriment is made that I got an advanced copy!

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.

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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

The Power Popaholic Interview: Bill Lloyd

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Bill Lloyd

I’ve been a Bill Lloyd fan for years and met him at a Lannie Flower’s concert about 2 years ago. Bill has compiled an impressive array of power pop songs over the years and now they are all in one album. It’s called “A Selection of Power Pop 1985-2020” and we talk about what power pop is and even touch on his upcoming live shows.

Sunshine Boys and Bill Lloyd

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Sunshine Boys

Sunshine Boys “Work and Love”

Call it kismet or synchronicity, but the sweet combination of veteran Chicago musicians Freda Love Smith (Blake Babies, Mysteries of Life), Dag Juhlin (Poi Dog Pondering, The Slugs), and Jacqueline Schimmel (Big Hello, Justin Roberts) are tighter than ever and they have continued to develop as a band. The second full-length LP finds them with a more consistent and established style.

“I Was Already Gone” is a brilliant opener with the catchy hand-clapping chorus, and the jangling followup “Infinity Girl” is like REM meets Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices). Next, “Summertime Kids” and “The World Turning Around” have an infectious positive vibe that runs throughout the album, and the hooks are still prominent. Eventually, the songs become more introspective, like “No Showdown.” The insightful “Every Step” has Dag singing about coming to terms with his grown-up, moved out daughter, with its violins and acoustic guitar rhythms. Similarly, “Right Where You Need It” speaks to keeping things precious close to heart. The warmth of these songs continues, without any filler and it deserves multiple plays this summer. Highly Recommended.

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Bill Lloyd

Bill Lloyd “Don’t Kill the Messenger”

Bill Lloyd is a treasure with talent that doesn’t quit. Many artists have done “quarantined” albums recently, but Lloyd’s “Don’t Kill The Messenger” hits home with the facts we live in today, and “there’s nowhere safe inside a troubled mind.” This catchy title track is followed by “Undone,” a rocker with perceptive lyrics about “burning bridges” and a crunchy guitar solo.

“Etch-A-Sketch” takes an 80s new wave approach, with a simple percussion and angular guitar flourishes. Another highlight here is “The Girls of Sylvan Park” which is a jangling gem about mid-life dating. Another big highlight is “You Got Me,” a boogie guitar tune that’s pure passion about traditional rock & roll, like a lost Rockpile track. “Sorry, I Gotta Take This” is another great track that recalls Nick Lowe. “Baby’s In The Mood” and “I’ll Take It From Here” are workman-like efforts that are less memorable, however, there are no duds here and this album is still highly recommended.

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