Brad Peterson is an indie-pop singer-songwriter from a wooded area near Lake Michigan north of Chicago. There, he built a little back-yard garden shed – where he writes and records his songs. He has shared stages with Jeff Buckley and Radiohead but stopped making music after a spinal injury left him unable to record or perform for several years. Now he’s come back with “The Ellipsis Album.” And it’s not a melancholy project, just check out the video – full review Monday!
Corin Ashley found some unreleased music from his first band Atlas Shrugged, and decided to share it with us! Very cool pop from 1993 that’s available for the first time!
UK mellow popsters Wilson have gone through some line-up changes. “Right Here” is the first Wilson recording made by the newly reconstituted band which now includes Marco Rossi. Enjoy!
Another unrelated Wilson, is Mikah Wilson. And he’s influenced by 60’s/70’s sunshine pop, with his high easy going vocal on “Sunshine Groove” fans of Free Design or The Mamas and The Papas will dig this single.
Corin Ashley is glad to be here, and we are glad to have him back. He was deep in the recording process when he suffered a stroke last year. Corin fought back to regain the ability to sing and play guitar again, and amazingly play on stage and finish this album in a single year.
There is something about “Little Crumbles” that reminds me of McCartney’s Back to The Egg. Like Macca at the time, its aggressive rock approach is a celebratory jam of rebirth. “Broken Biscuit #3” is a quick psyche-pop pastiche, then it launches into the gem “Wind Up Boy” with assistance from Tanya Donelly (The Breeders, Belly) which chugs along full of sweet strings and catchy couplets. The Beatle-isms are out in full flourish with “Edison’s Medicine” a not so distant cousin of “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.”
“Broken Biscuits #9” is the personal story of the struggles that left Corin “in tatters, scattered to the wind.” The combo of bouncy and bitterness on “In Appropriate Fashion” is straight out of the Elvis Costello playbook. Towards the end of the album, the songs are more elaborately constructed, “King Hollow” working quite well, while others seem to linger too long. The six-minute “Jellyfish” isn’t a tribute to the famous band (although there are a few musical cues) but the cruel fate that left him partially paralyzed. Overall a highly recommended album.
CD Baby
Ruby Free “Shades”
Lisa Cavaliere and singer-songwriter Rick Hromadka make up the duo of Ruby Free and they deliver an even better album on their sophomore effort Shades. They are aided by power pop veterans Joe Giddings (Star Collector), Jim Laspesa (Dave Davies, Susanah Hoffs), and Rick Gallego (Cloud Eleven).
“Take A Ride” is a rollicking road tune with the perfect mix of California attitude and a catchy chorus that makes this a great opener. “Walking Along” is fiendish hooky, like a Steve Miller Band classic that won’t leave your head. “Say Goodnight” and “Owe To The Man” are laid back gems that encourage repeat listens. Lisa also does a very capable solo cover of Karen Carpenter’s “Superstar” and Rick ruminates on the state of modern marriage in “Talk To Me.”
Shades allow both artists to shine together and on solo vocal leads. Styles vary enough from the country ballad “Billboards and Buses” to the Tom Pettyesque “It’s Not Your Dream.” Clearly, no duds here as it earns a spot as a nominee for my top ten for 2017 list. Highly Recommended.
I was lucky enough to speak with Corin Ashley about the the genesis of New Lion Terraces, one of the year’s best albums. This smart, lyrical pop was partially recorded at Abbey Road and its filled with sprinkles of psychedelia, power pop and acoustic instrumentation. Listen to our interview over here.
Recorded in Abbey Road Studios Corin’s follow up to Songs From The Brill Bedroom is a finely crafted pop gem full of meticulous compositions. With nods to McCartney, Badfinger and Emmit Rhodes, a splendid time is guaranteed for all. The simple keyboard notes of “Geez Louise” build to the sweet multi-tracked chorus. “Sgt. Sunshine” is the Beatlesque mid-tempo highlight with buzzing guitars and “la-la” English styled brilliance.
“Marianne” is very much like a Glen Tilbrook hit, and Ashley hits us with amazing key changes. The hooks in these first three tunes are so good, you can’t believe Corin can keep this up. But he can – the plaintive ballad “Badfinger Bridge” is a baroque gem, and even as Corin settles in, the warmth of each tune shines through. The homespun title track and “On The Ledge” charm you and “Malady” will just rock you. Honestly, this is the best album I’ve heard all year so far. Don’t wait – get it now.
