Tag: Dave Cope & the Sass

April March and Dave Cope & The Sass

powerpopaholic
April March

April March “In Cinerama”

April March (Elinor Blake) has done it all. A talented animator (Pee Wee’s Playhouse, Ren & Stimpy), she worked with tons of talented musicians from Ronnie Spector to Brian Wilson. Since her debut in 1996, she has touched nearly every genre of music from punk, jangle rock, and disco to psychedelia. April has worked with French songwriter-producer Bertrand Burgalat and is a huge fan of ’60s French pop.

Released as a vinyl-only in 2021, In Cinerama has April’s light unassuming vocal getting its real power when her overdubs create those powerful harmonies that are woven into each song. “Lift Off” is the first ray of sweet sunshine with harmonies and horns leading the way, overlapping each other. “Rolla Rolla” is a minimalist gem with Mehdi Zannad’s Caribbean-styled rhythm. “California Fall” is a slow tempo and layered melody that grows in complexity with a distinct harp and percussive backdrop. “Runaway” borrows a bit from those ’60s girl groups, and “Born” is another gorgeous track that reaches stellar heights. No filler here and highly recommended.

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Dave Cope and the Sass

Dave Cope and the Sass “Julee”

After Dave Cope and the Sass were spotted on my radar in 2019 with his self-titled release, he decided to dig into his archive of early tracks to set up his newest album Julee. Sass really sounds like a lost classic from the peak of the 60’s British Invasion; The Kinks, The Small Faces, and specifically Roy Wood and The Move.

The title track is uncanny and would’ve been a big hit in that era. The Lennonesque piano starts “Let Me In,” but his vocal cadence and chord shifts are all Jeff Lynne. The marching rock of “Topsy Turvy” is another standout, and “Lost With You” is a McCartney-meets-Ray Davies slice of heaven. The era slowly moves into the 1970s by the album’s mid-point with “I Got Your Letter” and “Moonraker” which reminded me of late-era Marc Bolan. While some of the ballads feel a bit overdramatic, there is no filler amongst its 11 tracks. It hits my nostalgia sweet spot just right. Highly Recommended, and it slips into my top ten of 2022.

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Dave Cope & the Sass and Eric Crugnale

powerpopaholic
Dave Cope and The Sass

Dave Cope and the Sass “Dave Cope and the Sass”

Philadelphia based Dave Cope and The Sass exemplifies the mid 70’s rock that personified classic power-pop (Big Star, The DB’s) mixed with the album rock of that era (BTO, Foghat, Steve Miller Band, Bad Company.) The band (Dave Cope, Ethan Rider, and Fred Berman) takes it’s time to grow on you, starting with “Seeing Things” and it begins with a Beach Boys hymn before strumming along to a George Harrison-like tune that sticks with each verse despite the 5 minutes + time. “My Way Out” blasts forth with a guitar attack and its a catchy gem that proves to you this band is special. Then its “Living in the Middle,” a brilliant single that just hooks you immediately. I was sold at this point.

There is not a single note of filler here, and several tracks will live on your playlist; “If Your Mama Only Knew” and “Josephine” will rock your socks off and “Dog Days” recalls The Beatles “Blackbird” with its gentle acoustic melody. The music is not only well written but played to perfection. Add this album for consideration to the top ten list in 2019. Highly Recommended and well deserved.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Eric Crugnale

Eric Crugnale “Time Kills”

Long Islander Eric Crugnale made a good impression with Carol Was Here a few years back.  So it’s a good time of the season to hear him again with producer Kevin Bents assisting. Crugnale is a singer-songwriter that plucks at the heartstrings, and on “Don’t Give Up” he lives up to that description. The song is a hopeful tune when “No one knows your name” during the holiday season. “Dreams and Memories” has a flowing chorus with a 70’s styled synth that adds bells and horns at its peak.

Next, the impressive “Turn Damn This Car Around” is a scenario set to music, with its colorful piano/guitar interplay reminding me of Ben Folds a little. Much of the music is set around failed relationships with a touch of R&B, good examples being “A Shoulder (To Cry On)” and “Love Won’t Change Your Mind.” Fans of the blue-eyed soul of Hall and Oats will enjoy “Wagon,” and “I Just Wanna Be Loved By You.” Eric is much more confident on Time Kills, as “It Must Be Love” boasts an uplifting theme with a group of Beatlesque horns adding a flourish. While a few tunes feel repetitive, there is enough here to rate this as highly recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby