Tag: Nick Frater

Nick Frater and Brad Marino

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Nick Frater

Nick Frater “Oh Contraire!”

Nick Frater returns with ‘Oh Contraire’, a stunning power pop achievement that cements his place among the genre’s best. Although Frater has consistently produced memorable hooks and harmonies, his daring arrangements this time broaden his overall style. Many highlights here, the best being “I Know You Know I Know,” a memorable single with glam rock-inspired riffs and along with “One Minute” and “My Heart’s in Stereo,” it echoes Jeff Lynne’s signature production style. And when he wants to create a grand epic sound it’s no issue with “Songs For The One-Eyed City” loaded with descending guitar riffs, bells, echoing harmonies and a heavy rhythm section. Frater seamlessly blending his influences without losing his own distinct voice.

Another big highlight is “Dreaming of a Wonderland” which sounds like a lost 10cc single to me.  The mellow 1970s-inspired lounge pop of “Seraphim Called” and “Steal Away” are also refreshingly familiar, while the piano closer “Goodnight, Goodbye” is a McCartney-esque gem. Oh Contraire boasts a star-studded guest list, including Probyn Gregory, Michael Simmons, Cary Grace, and Texas power pop duo Lannie Flowers and Danny Wilkerson. Their contributions enhance an already great record, proving Frater’s ability to bring out the best in his collaborators. Without a note of filler, this one is a contender for my top ten of 2025. Highly Recommended.

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“Brad

Brad Marino “On The Brink”

Brad Marino’s latest release is a collection of 19 rarities, remixes, and unreleased tracks, carefully curated, remixed, and remastered. Known for his consistent output of high-energy rock, Marino unearthed a treasure trove of songs that showcase his signature blend of classic rock, and punk influences. ‘On The Brink’ leans more towards early rock and roll as a template, not that far from his old band The Connection.

If you’ve never heard Marino before, this is a great “instant” record collection. I love the re-made “Peggy Sue Got Married,” a shout out to Buddy Holly. Marino’s variety is on display too, from the mid tempo “Not Fooling Me” to the Ramones inspired “Hamburger U.” Included is the standout single duet “Over My Head” with Natalie Sweet. Overall a fun collection. Highly Recommended.

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Emperor Penguin and Nick Frater

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Emperor Penguin

Emperor Penguin “Gentlemen Thieves”

Emperor Penguin has successfully channeled a very anglophilic psychedelic pop style in Gentlemen Thieves. Following the template set in Sunday Carvery, they start out the door with the catchy “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?” It’s loaded with echo, reverb, dense melody, and lots of fuzzy energy. Lisa Mychols adds a whole new dimension to the band with her duet on the XTC-like “I Wouldn’t Put It Like That.”

Each song is a carefully constructed gem; “Silver Apples” is another dazzling example of this band’s talent, while “Driving Blind” brings the rocking riffs up front. “Sonnez Les Matines” opens with a few notes that recall Pink Floyd but quickly becomes a Middle Eastern dance track. The nursery rhyme-like “Pipistrelle” with its toy piano also sticks fast. One of the best songs here is “You Are My Atmosphere,” and Mychols adds her stamp to this one too. Almost everything here is great. My only issue is the album’s overly compressed mix. The melodies are so good, but sometimes they seem buried in white noise. I wish they gave it the Giles Martin treatment, but despite this, it’s highly recommended.

Kool Kat Musik


The Rebuttles

Nick Frater “Nick Frater presents The Rebutles 1967​-​1970”

A collection of original songs by Nick Frater, written in tribute to the pre-Fab Four, The Rutles. So it’s music written in the Beatlesque style, with just a touch of sarcastic wit. While Frater doesn’t quite measure up to Neil Innes when it comes to humor, musically, he’s spot on. “The Devil You Know” showcases duality, with John Lennon’s gloomy tendencies and a sunny McCartney-like bridge stuck in the middle because he had to “get back from the grave in 1966,” a reference to the “Paul is Dead” Beatle rumor. Fans of The Rutles and The Beatles will find Easter eggs like this scattered in the lyrics.

Some of these are genuinely fun, like “You’re A Good Egg,” a Magical Mystery breakfast without a hint of symbolism, and “One Lump or Two,” a bit of tea time for Lady Madonna. Unfortunately, they didn’t all stick with me, and once you can identify the song’s origins and intent, there isn’t much else to draw you back to listen again. Nonetheless, this comes highly recommended for Beatles fans, and you should definitely give the music a listen.

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Nick Frater and Bur

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Nick Frater

Nick Frater “Bivouac”

A “bivouac” is defined as a temporary shelter where one is prepared to do battle, and Nick Frater isn’t afraid to shake things up with a concept album about the downfall of post-industrial Britain under successive generations of Tory government. Nick lets his orchestral pop genie out of the bottle with several song suites.

“The Town of Opportunities” is the first suite, with five parts that fit neatly together and the catchy earworm “Hello Monday!” Some instrumental touches remind me of Pet Sounds, from the kettle drums of “Keep It Simple, Stupid” to the harmonies on “Heaven It Can Wait.”

The tempo and style shift on “Will It Be Enough,” the second multi-part song suite, ending on the ballad “Don’t Get Sentimental.” An 80s classic rock vibe is all over the impressive “Boom and Bust,” and then we are on to the next suite. Along the way, you get more great singles like “Step Into The Motorcar.” Like Glenn Tillbrook or Paul McCartney, Nick knows how to craft musical stories and give the entire album a comfortable flow. He’s also added a bevy of talent to the studio, like Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Beck/Jellyfish), Luke Smith (Ulysses), and Joe Kane (The Poppermost). Overall, highly recommended.

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Roger Joesph Manning, Jr.

“We Are Bur”

From the opening fuzz guitars on “(Bur Is) 10th Prestige Level 70,” it’s clear this Chicago band has late 90’s Elephant Six bands as their main influences here, notably The Minders. The band theme “We Are Bur” boasts gentle pop harmonies and a bouncy rhythm. “Baba Burry” has the Seinfeld reference (like the band logo) as lead singer Jeremy Kush notes “You’re Jerry to my Larry David” with frequent stops and a frantic tempo.

While the music is a pleasant diversion, some of the tunes aren’t all that memorable. “Helicopter Leaves” offers a nice melody with its easier pacing, and “Flesruoy Pleh” is a dream pop change of pace. The fuzz heads into GBV territory towards the end with “The Bur Are Sick.” Fans of this style will want to pick this one up; its music that deserves to be heard!

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Mid-July fireworks: Steve Conte, Andy Partridge, Scott Gagner, Nick Frater, The Goods, The Radio Field, Fallon Cush, Clone

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Steve Conte and Andy Partridge delivered a sweet firework last week, “Fourth of July” and it’s a terrific rocker (cool video too!) Speaking of duos, who can withstand the combined might of power poppers Scott Gagner & Nick Frater? Not me, as “Never Could See Any Other Way” recorded in Abby Road Studios, has that Beatlesque spirit in advance of Gagner’s upcoming album.


On to the EPs, and I was very impressed with a new band called The Goods. Self-produced in the band’s own studio in Oakland, CA, by Rob Good its awesome hooks and guitar riffs are what I look for. German band The Radio Field has a sweet jangle, and “ooh-la-la” backing vocals from Robert Stadlober. It’s been a few years since I’ve heard some new Fallon Cush, as “Grain of Salt” is a contemplative bit of roots pop. I love Glam, and Clone knows Glam with a solid female lead in Juniper Watters on “Queen.” A great freebie this month, as RumBar Records gives you some Swagger – a 35-track sampler of loud rock and roll. Cheers!





Nick Frater and Phil Thornalley

powerpopaholic
Nick Frater

Nick Frater “Aerodrome Motel”

Crydon, UK resident Nick Frater follows up his blockbuster Earworms album with a much lighter pop touch on Aerodrome Motel. Opening with the jaunty “The Pleasure is Mine,” it has a sweet melody that reminds me of Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) with its easy-going hook. A power pop crunch comes from “Love Heist” as it pulls out every lyrical police cliche “Calling all cars there’s a love heist happening to me!” But this single is a great earworm with a worthy mix of Elvis Costello-styled organ and guitar punch.

Frater has given us a chorus of upward scales on the Anglophilic “Aerodrome Motel” and lively horns on “Rough & Tumble” but not everything sticks. The lovelorn “No Hard Feelings” is missing the dramatic power needed in a chorus, and “Dancing With A Gertrude” feels like an old 1980s sitcom theme. Despite the misfires, there are plenty of tunes to enjoy, including Beatle-adjacent “Dear Modern Times.” Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik | Big Stir Records

Phil Thornalley

Phil Thornalley “Now That I Have Your Attention”

Phil Thornalley has moved beyond his Astral Drive projects and turned himself into a one-man Traveling Wilburys. “Maybe we should have called it the Traveling Phil-burys,” Thornalley jokes, “but I enjoyed the earlier ELO records, and the way they married a crummy beat combo with the grandeur of a full orchestra – it was over-the-top but infectiously musical..”

Taking musical cues from Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra), Phil is clearly having fun with the opener “Heaven in a Hash Pipe” with its blues riffs and orchestral flourishes. But Phil’s vocal is much closer to Tom Petty, especially on the follow-up “Hell Bent on Compromise,” with its strat guitar and layered harmonies. It comes together perfectly on “Fast Car” with a killer hook in the chorus, guaranteed to have you singing in a “traffic ja-a-a-am.” The song concepts are simple, and succeed with the catchy “High on Your Supply” and “Stand By Love” as they are also easy to sing along to. While a few tunes veer over into fan service too much, you’ll be having too much fun to notice when you hear the glam rock beat of “Solid Gold Sunshine.” Highly Recommended.

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