As a lifelong ELO fan, it’s a wonderful thing that the 71-year-old, semi-retired Jeff Lynne is still churning out enjoyable music. Like 2015’s Alone in the Universe, this is Jeff’s solo as ELO again (although keyboardist Richard Tandy assists on one tune) and playing every instrument. And while it’s a solid outing, please do not compare it to the highs of the band from 30 years ago. But this version of ELO is like comfort food on a cold night, and we should all savor each note.
The title track is a little a simple melody that recalls those Beatlesque days, but it doesn’t really stick. “Help Yourself” is a bit better, with its layered chorus and Jeff’s timeless mantra “You never change/you just keep on being you/you’ve got to help yourself.” The next few tunes feel like Jeff’s coasting a bit. But “Losing You” is gorgeously composed, it’s slow tempo is reminiscent of “Strange Magic.” Then Jeff comes to life with the rocker “One More Time,” and with it a neat series of synth, piano and guitar breaks. The futuristic fast tempos of “Sci-Fi Woman” and “Time of Our Life” both boast solid verses, hooks and sound like outtakes from the Time album. I have no doubt that some will compare this to the fuller sound and production of the past and come away disappointed. But as a Jeff Lynne fan, it grows on you, like most everything he does. Highly Recommended.
Ryan Allen makes this a full band effort by removing his name from the headline, and the band is simply Extra Arms. It’s first-rate punk-pop that fans of Green Day or Superdrag will embrace quickly. The first few tunes are barely scraping a minute and a half each. “F.L.Y.” is a joyous middle age piss and vinegar rant that opens things up quickly. “Secret Friend” churns out the fuzz chords and its another winner that you can sing along to.
Extra Arms heavy and fast riffs layered with Allen’s rough vocal are what power pop bands can aspire to, “Comes In Waves” and “No Enemies” keep the driving guitars and pounding rhythm flowing. The thick bass slows the tempo on “Space Jam,” which buries its jangle under reverb and finishes with a sweet acoustic coda. “Up From Here” is another winner, with the biggest, catchiest hooks on the album (maybe this should’ve been the first track?). This slim 8 track LP has no filler and it’s highly recommended. Play it on a loop for the full effect!
KiDD is Glasgow musician Stuart Kidd, who’s also been part of The Wellgreen and Doctor Cosmo’s Tape Lab. He has emerged from his bedroom recording studio with a batch of lo-fi pop gems, including a children’s music album. If you enjoyed Harry Nilsson’s “The Point” or Ringo’s “Octopus’s Garden,” you’ll find KiDD a refreshing listen.
The instrumentation is sparse, but the melodies are tightly packed. The opener “Little Flower” has this sweet combo of jangling guitar and futuristic bubble popping sounds in the rhythm, as the harmonies flow along. The combination of pastoral and futuristic on “Cyan Seren” is a mellow gem that won me over right away. The album’s second half features several psychedelic textural pieces like “Callisto” and “Modified Radio Birdsong.” The psyche-pop of “Looking For The Way Out” is another trippy melody that sticks, but doesn’t linger too long. A very pleasant distraction and overall a great headphones album.
Bandcamp | Pretty Olivia Records
We get a nice gift (aka FREE download) from Ryan Allen and his Extra Arms. “The Boy Who Bounces Back” and “New Year’s Day” are two tracks that were recorded but left off of 2016’s Basement Punk. Great stuff!
A great year for music, and even though I’ll continue reviewing some of last year’s albums, the list is almost ready. We will also post David Bash’s best of List the following week. Stay tuned!
Formed last year, The New Trocaderos are a mini supergroup consisting of Geoffrey Palmer and Brad Marino of The Connection, and Kurt Baker. They released a few singles and an EP (or two) late in 2014. Well if you missed any of these hook-filled songs I’ve got some good news. Kook Kat Musik is distributing a compilation of these singles under the 6 song EP “Frenzy In The Hips.” The music is hard charging pop that’s rooted in the British Invasion and garage rock style. Each single is compelling, but my favorites are “Dream Girl, ” “The Kids” and “Luckiest Man in the World” which is only available on CD on this release! Fire this CD up for an instant rock and roll party. Highly Recommended.
Kool Kat Musik Exclusive
It’s great to hear Ryan again, his last album was nearly three years ago. After many listens, its clear that Ryan Allen bleeds rock & roll dreams. His energy and melodies are the very stuff power pop fans yearn for. “Should Be Me” is the first song, about his lack of radio play and the hopeful refrain of “one more day” to figure out how to “make it.” It’s a little like a mix of The Ramones and Richard X. Heyman. “Looking Forward to Looking Back” has Raspberries-like riffs and a catchy chorus making it an infectious rocker, “We are all born broken” starts the chorus that hits every note perfectly.
“Become a Disaster” is an anthem for disaffected young adults, building with massive harmonies and riffs like Weezer and a Fountains of Wayne styled narrative. Everything here rings true from the timeline affair of “Angela ’97” to the Big Star influenced “Not Hanging Out” to the quiet heartbreak of “Bonded By Blood,” about the difficulties of fatherhood. Ryan has blown me away here, and this easily makes my top ten album list for 2015.
Bandcamp | CD Baby