Tag: Evil Arrows

Steve Baskin and Evil Arrows

powerpopaholic
Steve Baskin

Steve Baskin “Dead Rock Star”

Atlanta-based veteran singer/songwriter Steve Baskin (The Cindy Wilson Band, The Hippycrickets, HugoAgogo) has a new solo LP. His unique mix of southern fried power pop reminds me of Matthew Sweet, John Mayer, and Brad Brooks.

It’s got a big bass guitar sound on the opener “Kissed Me Forever,” similar to Joe Walsh and it makes a great impression. “Single Thing About You (Cinchilla)” is another great song with a steady riff under each verse and a killer guitar solo. He shifts gears on “I’m Down” to the lovelorn singer songwriter, but we go back to rock on the dynamic title track. He’s a skilled balladeer on “Nobody Died Today” and bluegrass picker on “If I Died Today (I’d Still Be Young).” He even does a countrified cover of “Killer Queen.” Together its a pretty varied mix of styles that somehow works. Overall a superb showcase for his talent.
power pop

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Evil Arrows

Evil Arrows “5” EP

Bryan Scary continues his series of EPs as leader of The Evil Arrows. Like the other EPs in the collection its got Bryan’s unique musical style and pop flair. “Dance With Me Louie,” has a little boogie in its beat and the slow build of “Lordy Boxcar” to an echo filled chorus make them standouts here.

But unlike the past 4 EPs, there isn’t a big obvious rocker single. Bryan plays it more subtle here, and another treat is the low-key piano goodie “Sunday Mope.” It’s a sing-songy chorus that doesn’t leave your head. So if you’ve got the other EPs, this makes a fine addition. I recommended Evil Arrow virgins to start with EP 1.

power pop

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Tyson Leslie and Evil Arrows

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Tyson Leslie “Train Wrecks, Havoc & Heartbreak”
 Tyson Leslie has been a vibrant part of the Kansas City music scene for over twenty years, playing in various bands now steps out of the sideman role with his debut LP.

Leslie is a rarity, a guitar shredder who actually cares about melody. The Beach Boys used to sing simply about cars and girls, and on “Little Green Honda” he updates the formula and its a damn catchy single. “Crazy All Over You” is a semi-honkey tonk road song that displays Leslie talent for amazing licks. A smooth rock duet with Lyndsey Lou is next on “She Danced Under The Lights” and “Selective Amnesia” recalls Dave Edumnds and Rockpile.

Leslie also has amazing range, from catchy pop of “Suckerfish” to epic rock ballads like “Goodbye To The Rain.” More highlights include “Wasted Time” and the Beatlesque ender “The Last Words.” I couldn’t find any weak tracks, and with precise production values I have to add this to my top ten albums list this year. A real hidden gem.

Amazon | Bandcamp

 

Evil Arrows “2” EP
 As a follow up to January’s “1” EP Bryan Scary is back with an Evil Arrows sequel. Scary is a distinctive voice that is immediately accessible, a rich combination of glam rock and power pop.

“Gods of Light” is a mid-60’s Stones-style tune, but at the chorus it goes into a multi-tracked, dense production of “ba-ba-ba” vocals. “Last Living Doll” is a quick tempo gem lead by staccato guitar riffs and Bryan’s playful lyrics. “A New Age Holiday” has some inventive chord shifts and “Shadow Lovers” struts along like T.Rex and is the standout track on this “side”. Between the 2 EPs, you get one of the best albums this year.

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Evil Arrows and Steven Bakur

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Evil Arrows “EP 1”
With Evil Arrows, Bryan Scary has scaled back the stylistic excess that flowed freely with The Shedding Tears. But the catchy melodies are still there and the simpler compositions allow the listener to absorb the songs better.

The first track “Romancer” starts with a sparse guitar strum, then the signature sticky chorus starts up with great percussion and bass lines. “Silver Bird” is another ear worm with Bryan’s vaudevillian keyboard skills. “The Lovers” is a sweet combination of bouncy melody and somber guitar licks. Every track here shines and production is clean and straightforward. First on my list for best EP of 2014, and it bodes well for future Arrows releases.

Amazon


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Steven Bakur “Sooner Than Later”
Bakur is an adult contemporary pop musician with a polished sound, starting with “Sasha Says,” a jingle jangle pop tune with rock guitar riffs in the chorus that really come to life.”Comes & Goes” is very much like a Peter Cetera song with sweeping dramatic chords about a tragic female figure, “…her life’s so wrong.”

Bakur’s guitar opens up “So Shy,” with piano and orchestral accents driving the chorus and its another highlight. Vocally Steven does a good job, but occasionally a few tracks do feel like sketched ideas (“Sorry”) or treacle (“Mannequin”). The first half has the best music, sure to appeal to fans of Richard X. Heyman or Van Morrison. Give it a try.

CD Baby | Amazon

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