Tag: Lane Steinberg

Lane Steinberg and It’s Karma It’s Cool

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Lane Steinberg

Lane Steinberg “Headspace”

Lane Steinberg(The Wind, 8×8) is back with his current Headspace. Steinberg is an excellent songwriter, and although this isn’t as dense as his 8×8 compositions, it’s just as infectious. Opening with the strong title track a sweet piano-bass combo with a creative guitar break, its influences are equal parts Rundgren and Nilsson. “Under Summer Skies” is an elegant lounge melody that layers its vocals on a bed of jazzy pop piano and strings. Another similar gem is “Lovesick Jones,” a tale of a self-destructive romantic, and a “kid that’s fully grown.”

A more Bacharachian shuffle is “The Best Part” with its subtle orchestral touches, and Lane has his quirkiness in overdrive on “Finally Next To You” and “Super Flumina Babylonius.” While he loses a little momentum after this, his last track “Antidote” is a bouncy, guitar gem that finishes this highly satisfying listen. Steinberg is a unique talent and one that deserves to be explored. Highly Recommended for sure.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

It's Karma It's Cool

It’s Karma It’s Cool “Thrift Store Troubadours”

UK band It’s Karma It’s Cool has evolved over the years. While the band’s point of view remains delightfully unique, the melodic elements are subdued in favor of densely layered psyche-pop fuzz and percussion. The opener “How Be You Be Blue?” has a lovely harmonic chorus, as the guitar echoing distortions contrast with the verses. Unfortunately, it becomes an issue on “Warmer Climes,” as the lead singer Jim Styring gets drowned out by the rhythm section.

Thankfully, the next few songs are better, “Old Bones” has a good guitar melody, and “Winter Coats” has guest Peter Holsapple(DBs) on Mandolin. The band leans more into progressive territory with “Broken Hearted Foundations” and “Vacations in a Taxi Cab.” My favorites here are “The Terms of Letting Go,” a novel way of grieving a lost love, and “Roll The Credits,” a paean to a supporting guitarist “in that power pop video.” Overall, I would’ve liked more musical hooks, but still a decent album, worth exploring. Check it out.

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Bird Streets and Lane Steinberg

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Bird Streets

Bird Streets “Bird Streets”

It’s been a long journey for New York songwriter John Brodeur. Since his 2000 debut Tiger Pop, he’s been collaborating, writing and performing for nearly two decades, and through it all maturing as a musician. John’s new project is called Bird Streets, and its a collaboration with the producer and multi-instrumentalist Jason Falkner (Jellyfish) that delivers satisfying results. Falkner has notably has brought out the best in his recent partnerships (R. Stevie Moore, Bent Von Looy) and this continues the trend.

The familiar, but fresh opener “Carry On” has got handclaps and guitar hooks, embracing the best of power pop with its layered melody. Falkner’s influence is really strong on the brilliant single “Betting on the Sun” as it mixes a jangling rhythm with its shimmering light chorus and dark lyric. “Spaceship” is a notable metaphor for the musician’s addictive life as Brodeur states “No way of stopping until life had passed me by.”

The bright “Thanks For Calling” is a great song of longing with a bouncy melody and a catchy bass line. “Heal” describes an abusive co-dependent relationship, with soaring harmonies. Most every track hits its mark, with only a few quiet moments. Overall this is easily Brodeur’s best album, and it continues Falkner’s winning track record. Highly recommended and makes my top ten list for 2018. Kudos once again to Omnivore Records for this one!

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Lane Steinberg “Lane Steinberg and His Magical Pony”

Lane Steinberg is a prolific musician often mixing experiments in melodies alongside mini pop symphonies. Sometimes it all comes together (like the brilliant 8×8 projects) and sometimes it doesn’t. This LP gathers many older singles and collaborations. Often I compare him to Todd Rundgren in approach, and the opener “You’re Not Connected To The Internet” has the catchy melody, and crashing percussion. Next, “Another Early Autumn” is a magical Brian Wilson styled composition that showcases Lane’s vocals and savvy production skills.

We do get collaborations with Stevie R. Moore (“Franklin & First”) and David Grahame (“After Taxes”), among others. More highlights include the very Ray Davies-like “Everyone Thinks I’m Happy Now” and the breezy “Portofino.” Overall, a worthy addition to your playlist and it gives the novice listener a good primer to Lane’s musical milieu.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

8×8 and Baby Scream

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8x8

8×8 “Inflorescence”

This is the third 8X8 album from duo of Lane Steinberg (NYC, US) and Alex Khodchenko (Kiev, Ukraine). The two musicians have shown from the very beginning how to make excellent music through long distance collaboration. This effort is more of a mixed collection of styles ranging from bouncy pop gems like “My Summertime High” to acid-tripping psychedelic epics like “The Essence.”

The best 8×8 work clearly falls in that psych-pop middle with the brilliant “After All is Said and Done” with its swirling organs and guitar chimes, and “Bubbles” full of layered guitar rhythms and Lane’s rhyming lyric. The strong narrative piano on “No More Second Chance” and atmospheric “Some Surreal Idea” are more highlights on this album. Without a doubt, this is music that deserves to be heard. Highly Recommended.

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Baby Scream

Baby Scream “Life’s A Trap”

Once again Argentinian artist Juan Pablo Mazzola brings us his latest musical vision with producer Nick Schinder. Often compared to John Lennon due to his similar sounding timbre and subject matter, and the opener “Life’s Better When U R High” is no exception.

The simple guitar strums are supported by light strings on “The Ballad Of Music Biz” where Juan Pablo laments he’ll “never make the cover of Rolling Stone” and other assorted depressing musings. Thankfully the tempo swings up as the lyrics get bizarrely sweet on “Climbing Down” about the joys of fatherhood. The next several songs concentrate on the regrets of lost youth, very much in the spirit of Harry Nilsson. As he says on “Midnight Snack” it’s not the end, but “life is about beers and weed.” Chill out with this one.

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8×8 “Azalea’s Room”

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I have a real affection for Lane Steinberg and Alex Khodchenko’s band 8×8. The debut was one of my top ten last year, so I couldn’t wait to immerse myself in the newest album. And while the immediacy isn’t there, the duo still manages to take you on a fantastic musical journey.

After the subtle opening “Ice Wings,” we get the psychedelic title track full of fuzz guitar and eastern rhythmic beats.  Lane slowly reveals the melody in “Laws Of Attraction” in an orchestral flourish, like a combo of Alan Parsons and Jeff Lynne. Another standout is the narrative “I’m A Werewolf, Baby,” with its simple piano melody and shifting chords. Another fast paced gem is “The Tie In” with soaring harmony and I loved the song “Dr. Winkler’s Hands,” a rich tapestry of harpsichord and layered instrumentation.

It ends with a Dylan cover,”Tears of Rage” and it reminded me of Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” with its organ and gospel approach. What makes this LP great is a deliberate attention to each tone and verse, and it will grow on you quickly. Bravo Lane and Alex, we can’t wait for the next one!

Amazon | CD Baby

Grahame Steinberg and The 1840s

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Grahame Steinberg “Grahame Steinberg“
Wow. Who expected that Lane Steinberg and David Grahame grew up knowing each other? Lane finished the masterful 8×8 album early this year, and now this gem. For those of you who don’t know David Grahame, he’s a bit of a legend in power pop circles and this is his first collaboration with Lane.

The album has a series of great songs, starting with the “Big Blue Ocean” and its sweet hook filled melody. Next comes a series of girl songs, Lane’s “Carmen” paints a vivid portrait of a murdering couple, but only the guy seems haunted by guilt. “Denied Tonight” is one of the best ear worms this year, both men have love of the McCartney/Emmit Rhodes style and its magic really shows up here. “Girl’s Gone Deaf” and “Aquila” are bouncy up tempo songs similar to Squeeze, and other than few slow tunes in the middle most of them are sparsely arranged melodic gold. More highlights include “Crazy Maise” and “Italian Where It Hurts.” Essential listening that also makes my top ten.

The 1840s  “Pushing Squares Down Back to Size” EP
This Israeli power pop trio has a hard rock heart and singer/songwriter Avishai Efrat gives a solid performance on his debut. “Rainbow” is part Creedence-part Strokes and “Nobody Knows Me” has a brooding attitude and nice guitar work by Efrat and bassist Eviatar Oren. You’ll hear echos of Led Zepplin on “Sirens” and nothing else here really breaks the mold, but its solid rock and roll. Best of all, you can name your own price on Bandcamp.