Tag: Ken Stringfellow

November singles: Ken Stringfellow, Bleu, Vanilla, Dolour, The Boathouse, Captain Wilberforce

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The melodramatic Ken Stringfellow (Posies) is a soul searching single from his new album ‘Circuit Breaker.’ He screams that last chorus, as a man who can give no more to this art. Another power pop veteran Bleu has been releasing a few singles here and there, and I really liked the duet with Carly Paige on “Where the Colors Bleed.” After 33 songs, the massive collection of ‘Pish Posh’ by Vanilla is quite the feat; “Consider It Done” is the latest one — when does this end? Our friend Shane Tutmarc (aka Dolour) has a completely new version of the album ‘New Old Friends’ and even though “October 29th” has passed, its a ballad worth keeping close. This month we have 2 freebies.  The first is a clever bit of yacht rock “The Boathouse” by a mysterious group, so help me solve who this really is. Second is Captain Wilberforce with his angular guitar jangle about a certain election, called “the Installation” and repeat after the chorus, “We don’t care, We don’t care.” Well, at least you can enjoy the music.




Salt and Richard X. Heyman

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Salt

Salt “The Loneliness of Clouds”

This is a power pop supergroup that skipped under the radar, so you should check it out. Salt is a French-American band born in 2016 during sessions for a Game Theory tribute in Abbey Road Studios. The band was formed around Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, REM, Big Star), Anton Barbeau, and Stéphane Schück, all collaborators and friends of the late Scott Miller, despite never having met. Quickly joined by Fred Quentin and Benoit Lautridou they set about recording an album. Influences range from the Beatles to XTC, REM and Game Theory as it feels like progressive rock filtered through a pop lens.

The swirling guitar chords of “A Song For Jerome” are matched by Barbeau’s strong vocal presence, the instrumentation is highly layered as the chorus sticks with you. Another gem, “Plastic Future Plans” recalls ’80s pop rock, accented by Lautridou’s strong drumming and the angular guitar chords. “Blast With Happy Guru” has more of a Posies influence, with a touch of John Lennon. Some brilliant guitar work is highlighted on “Eastern Colors,” but as we continue forward the complex instrumentation supplants the melodies (“Shiny Leather Sun”) as things sound more like a psychedelic jam session.  Despite this, a majority of this album is catchy and worthy of the label: Highly Recommended.

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Nick Lowe

Richard X. Heyman “Pop Circles”

The venerable Richard X. Heyman delivers his newest solo LP, Pop Circles with an eye on the past, but a focus on the future. RXH is an exemplary solo artist who has been very productive over the past decade with both his solo work and The Doughboys. “Guess You Had To Be There” is an appreciation of pop’s past in the ’60s with richly composted strings (Thanks to Julia Kent and Chris Jenkins) and a steady bass line (Thanks to his wife, Nancy Leigh ).

The vintage jangling sounds throughout the album are well utilized to give his music a timeless quality and Richard’s vocals are strong and steady.  “Action Screams Louder Than Words,” has an urgency and conviction, along with a solid solo guitar break. The romantic mid-tempo songs are also a big highlight, “As Love Would Have It” and the piano-led “Marlena” stand with RXH’s best work.  Some of the more casual pop, like “A New Light” has echoes of Todd Rundgren and the harpsichord rolls and harmonies on “About Time” makes it a pure joy to listen to.  While not every song resonates as well, a majority of them do. Overall, this is a triumph. Highly Recommended.

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