Tag: cliff hillis

Cliff Hillis and The Bug Club

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Cliff Hillis

Cliff Hillis “Be The Now” EP

Cliff Hillis has been such a talented fixture across so many great bands (The Orchestra, Smash Palace, Starbelly) it’s easy to forget his excellent solo career spans over 20 years.  Be The Now is likely his most mature-sounding album, with songs that opine on hope and hopelessness. Starting with the pensive “Good Morning and Goodnight” its a cleverly chilled panic attack that sticks to your brain effortlessly.

Almost easy listening, but “Motel Parking Lot” is a brilliant slice-of-life theme that recalls Adam Schlesinger. “Wanna Feel Good” is a simple and economical tune that Cliff effortlessly pulls off. As with most Cliff Hillis, his approach means no filler, all killer. From the country “Spring Foreward” to the boosting “Oh, Dan Bern” with Dan Bern singing a verse about Cliff, it’s a fun highly enjoyable 8-song EP. Highly Recommended.

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The Bug Club

The Bug Club “Green Dream in F#”

This charming indie pop just bursts from the speakers. The Wales duo of Tilly and Sam sing about space, small-town life, love, and bad habits. These short goodies are under 2 minutes each and most of the tunes are catchy as hell. The opener “Only in Love” is a finely crafted earworm that speeds by with a grin. Sam gives us a dour Velvet Underground-on-speed approach to “The Six O’Clock News” and the next several tracks. “It’s Art” reminds me of the early new wave, and “Going Down” has a lovely baseline (even more Lou Reed-like).

Things are usually hit or miss with this many short songs, but the melodies are carefully composed, and the sharp humor keeps it moving. Very few fillers here, and “Love Letters From Jupiter” is another highlight. Plus the band has another added EP “Pure Particles” that has slightly longer songs. All this deserves to be heard and celebrated. This is a club I wouldn’t mind joining.

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February Singles and Freebies: The Rallies, Lisa Mychols, The Nobility, The Low Spirits, The Guts, Cliff Hillis

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The animated video is from The Dowling Poole, the track is taken from the album ‘Refuse’ which is available to buy on Bandcamp here. Really great singles this month and my faves so far; The Rallies kill it with “Must Be Love” a power pop classic in the making. The queen of power pop, Lisa Mychols also returns with The Masticators for an excellent freebie “Here’s A Boy” and Nashville band The Nobility‘s ballad “Poison Mind” recall The Bee Gees styled falsetto. If your tastes are more old-school, The Low Spirits deliver the freebie “Outta Sight” with its textbook ’66 Animals style, and Geoff Palmer’s side project The Guts has a punk pop gem with “O.F.S.C.” Finally our old friend Cliff Hillis has a sweet new EP out, but since this is a singles post, his new single is a catchy sing-along about the “coolest scuba diver we know.” He should tour kindergartens with this (is this how Raffi got started?).






October Singles: Andrew Stonehome, Ken Sharp, Cliff Hillis, The Webstirs, Gavin Eimerman, Not A Moment Too Soon, The Hi-End, Abbie Barrett, Kai Danzberg

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Lots of new October music here, and better than pumpkin latte for sure. There is so much music, that I’ll make a totally separate post for EPs. Andrew Stonehome is a songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Portland, Oregon and he delivers a perfect slice of power pop with “Heartbreaker.” The reliable Ken Sharp returns and he’s still got glam on the brain with “Hellcat,” and the great Cliff Hillis gives us a perfect driving song with “Just Drive” remember “it always sounds better when you sing along.” Chicago’s Webstirs are back with a new LP, and here is the opening single “For A Moment” and Gavin Eimerman shares a freebie about “Losing Ground” assisted by his dad bassist Herb Eimerman and friends. When he is not teaching African politics, Pierre Englebert makes music as Not a Moment too Soon and I think it should’ve been a more “R” rated song title, but it’ll do. The Hi-End rocks hard on the Stones-like call-to-arms “Actions Speaks Louder Than Words,” and Abbie Barrett is very much like Debbie Harry on the fantastic single “I Will Let You Know.” Finally, what’s better than Kai Danzberg teaming up with Roger Manning, Jr. (Jellyfish) for an ELO-like gem “Turn It Up,” a love letter to power pop radio and a cameo by DJ Michael McCartney Enjoy!


May EPs: The Martial Arts, Cliff Hillis, Dropkick, Old Town Crier, Joe Dilillo

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The quirky under-rated Martial Arts does what it does best. Brilliant modern pop in “Guilt By Association” and “Bethany” with memorable choruses, and “The Wild Humdrum” is a Sparks-like gem that is just too much fun. Cliff Hillis gathered his “Brunch Sessions” inspired by this past year of social distanced shows, and I just love the acoustic version of Nik Kershaw’s “Wouldn’t It Be Good.” So UK band Dropkick has been super busy this year, dropping a Greatest Hits LP, and releasing expanded editions of their first 2 LPs. A FREE sample of “Obvious” is here for you to pick up. Old Town Crier aka Jim Lough makes us an old-fashioned blues pop EP; “Don’t Go” is a keeper. Unsung heroes are what power pop celebrates, and we should celebrate long-time producer-engineer Joe Dilillo coming from behind the soundboard to the microphone with “Loser Girl,” a great ballad with help from the Lickerish Quartet. More details on Joe at 50thirdand3rd.

EPS: Cliff Hillis and Radio Days

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Cliff Hillis

Cliff Hillis “Life Gets Strange” EP

The dependable greatness of Cliff Hillis provides another look at the socially distanced life with his usual breezy melodic style. Written with Rhett Miller of Old 97’s, “Let’s Pretend” is a wonderful opener, with a solid buzzing rhythm guitar as Cliff imagines life as it was – and a desire to get close. Next, the title track is a more direct observation of how we’ve rearranged our lives, and the melody is very catchy and effortlessly sticks to your head.

“Good Problems” is a quieter recognition of gratitude and “Tired All The Time” is another melodic gem about COVID stress, but always keeping an eye out for “better days lie ahead.” The short format allows Hillis to only pick the cream of the crop, and even the bluesy ballads sound great. Highly Recommended!

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Radio Days

Radio Days “I Gotta Love” EP

Those dudes from Milan, Italy are back with a cool new single that has plenty of power, and a neat hook. Short and sweet, this 3 song EP also includes “Baby Blue” that in no way resembles Badfinger, but recalls a more traditional mid-tempo rock and roll, and “In The City” which has a sharp jangle akin to The Romantics. Highly Recommended!

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