Tag: Cheap Star

Lannie Flowers and Cheap Star

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Lannie Flowers

Lannie Flowers “Flavor Of The Month”

During the recording of Lannie’s masterful Home album, he would drop a free single each month through the Sypderpop website through 2019.  These finely produced demos were designed to lead us straight to Home and were much more power pop in style. Lannie had the entire COVID year to remix these songs to perfection. The hooks here are massive and make it the “missing” piece between Circles and Home.

Every song hits its mark, and the quality of songwriting isn’t a surprise either.”Don’t Make Me Wait” is a great opener, Lannie’s emotional ache comes through in the verses, and the harmony drenched chorus. The brazen psychedelic Beatle-isms are all over the Peppery “Lost In A Daydream” and “Good.” Next, “Summer Blue” has a smooth tempo suitable for the beach, and it’s an easy radio-friendly single.  “Where Did All The Fun Go” is a sweet tune about getting back to living for today, and the title track is just as infectious. Another standout is “Anything But Love,” which channels Lannie’s soulful vocal. Since each song was carefully curated as a single, there is no filler here. A quick and easy pick for 2022’s top ten. Very highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Cheap Cassettes

Cheap Star “Wish I Could See”

Power pop band Cheap Star boldly ups its game with its latest release. Lead singer Remi Vaissiere and drummer Brian Young (The Posies/Fountains Of Wayne) are joined by Jon Auer (The Posies) and a collection of superstar guests; Brendan Benson (The Raconteurs), Gary Louris (The Jayhawks), Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Jellyfish) and Mitch Easter. The sound overall is very much in the vein of The Posies, with potency and crisp production style. 

The production starts with the understated “Lifetime,” but quickly impresses with its dynamic indie-pop style on “Flower Girl.” Next, a transcendent “You Don’t Want To Change” is a nod to Louris and his style, while “Wish I Could See” is a catchy as hell rocker with fabulous harmonies thanks to Benson. Other highlights include “Holding On,” “Under The Synapse,” and the cool sadness of “What It’s Like.” Vaissiere and Auer’s vocals match well, and the collective musicianship is worth multiple listens. Highly Recommended.

Kool Kat Musik

Cheap Star and Bubble Gum Orchestra

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Cheap Star

Cheap Star “Songs For The Farrelly Brothers”

Although Cheap Star started as an offshoot of both Big Star and The Posies (produced by Ken Stringfellow and John Auer) with each release the band has forged its own distinct identity. Guitarist-lead singer Remi Vaissiere as mastered the hushed lead vocal with just enough harmonies to appeal to fans of Nada Surf and Teenage Fanclub.

“Memories” is a great starting track, as it layers the instrumentation and vocals describing a sad passage of time; “all the things you’ll never see again, one by one everyone disappears…” The shimmering rhythm of “Where Do I Live” is another soothing mid-tempo song, and at points that old Posies sound comes through on several tunes “What’s The Point”, “Stay Behind” and “The Other Side.” Without much contrast in the compositions, it can drag at points, but enough here stands out to keep things interesting  like the solid “Disaster” and the catchy closer “Into Your Arms,” with its distorted guitar solo. Another worthy release from this talented group.

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Bubble Gum Orchestra “Sticky Love Songs Vol.1 & Vol.2”

Short of Jeff Lynne, the best shot of hearing Electric Light Orchestra’s iconic sound is left to Michael Hildebrandt’s Bubble Gum Orchestra. “Sticky Love Songs Volume 1 & 2” is a double album that fills your ELO fix and allows BGO to branch out a bit more.

Each new album finds Hildebrandt’s technique improving, “You Called To Tell Me” opens similar to “Eldorado,” but delivers a very original tune with a catchy chorus. The orchestral arrangements get more sophisticated across the next several tracks, like “My World Blue.” The sunny “Peppermint Smile” has a terrific jangling middle 8 and “Hard Nights” has a driving dark chorus sandwiched between sunny verses.   With 20 tracks there is sure to be more than a few favorite songs here for the ELO fan.

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Cheap Star and Dream Boys

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Cheap Star “Rosetta Stone” EP
This musical link to both Big Star and The Posies is lead by French native Remi Vaissiere (vocals/guitars) and his super-star band: Brian Young (Fountains of Wayne) on drums, Jon Auer (Posies) on guitar, and Ken Stringfellow (Posies) on bass/keyboards/vocals.

This third EP is very much like the earlier efforts. The Gram Parsons cover “A Song For You” and country-styled “On The Other Side” are superb low key ballads that don’t draw too much attention, and the energy level pushes up with the catchy chorus of “Kelly Slayer.” The guitars start to crunch on “Live Without It” but are careful not to overwhelm the lead vocal. The instrumentation here is also excellent and nothing here feels like filler. While its very palatable and will please most fans, the music will not make you forget those early Posies hits either. The band dedicated this EP to the  memory of Scott Miller from the Loud Family and Game Theory. Amen.

CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

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Dream Boys “Dream Boys”
Dream Boys is an L.A. band with the right combination of West Coast indie attitude and 80’s jangle pop. Lead by Glasgow born Wallace Meek, his jangle-tastic approach also recalls Paisley Underground greats like The La’s, Three O’Clock and Dream Syndicate. The swirling chords are positively hypnotic on the catchy “Born Yesterday” and “Through and Through.”

Most of the songs here follow that rhythmic pattern, but the vocal harmonies are a highlight on “Holding Pattern” that bring to mind The Ocean Blue. No throwaway tracks here, and the quality of musicianship is consistently excellent. Some may find the lack of stylistic variety a little dull, but the Dream Boys really do craft a psychedelic experience that few bands can match. Highly recommended.

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