Eyelids “A Colossal Waste Of Light”
Eyelids is a super-group of sorts from Portland, OR, including members of Camper Van Beethoven, Guided By Voices, The Decemberists, and the Elliott Smith band. Produced by Peter Buck (REM) who also plays on the record, there are no slouches here as the ascending guitar riffs lead the way on the opener “Crawling Off Your Pages.” Vocalists John Moen and Chris Slusarenko split the duties here, and the songs are definitely designed for multiple listens to grow on you.
The songs gather a multitude of influences from REM’s jangle, The Smith’s rhythms, and Big Star’s poetic loneliness. This is a departure from the more psychedelic aspects of the band’s past work, but the coolness factor is upped. “That’s Not Real At All” is a spacious, slow groove that sticks, and “Only So Much” is a haunting mid-tempo rocker. The band hits its stride on “Runaway, Yeah” with overlapping guitar melodies across a wicked synth, and gets closer to REM on “Everything That I See You See Better” and the catchy “Pink Chair.” Each song has its own flavor, and like a good musical smorgasbord, it satisfies the senses without any filler. Highly Recommended.
Gary Ritchie “Potpourri Of Harmony”
Gary Ritchie has been recording great power pop for decades as an unabashed Beatles fanatic, and it shows through this extensive retrospective of his work. Ritchie skillfully delivers an upbeat and refreshing musical experience that fans of the Fab Four or The Spongetones will surely enjoy. Way too many highlights here, but I really liked “Alright,” “You,” “Carol Says,” and “Record Store.” Like the recent Ken Sharp collection, you’ll find an impressive collection of songs that effortlessly captures the spirit of the Beatles while still feeling fresh and contemporary.
This comprehensive collection includes his 5 solo albums, with added rarities, and at 40 tracks, it’s all the Gary Ritchie you will ever need. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just someone who appreciates good music, this album is a must-listen.
