Tag: Ryan Hamilton

Ryan Hamilton and Bennett Wilson Poole

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Alex Fleuris

Ryan Hamilton “Haunted By The Holy Ghost”

Ryan Hamilton was a bit of a nervous wreck with the release of his latest album, based on his social media. Originally scheduled for March, it was a little late. He need not worry, as this release is amazing. Based on his experiences growing up in an extremely conservative religious household, Haunted By The Holy Ghost doesn’t pull any punches. Start with the opener “Asshole” a confession to all those one-night stands he bedded, but the title track is a perfect modern power pop song. It’s all about accepting religious guilt with a catchy sing-along chorus.

The positive vibes of “Overdose” and “Paper Planes” really deliver the hooks. Both songs boast catchy melodies that Ryan effortlessly puts out, all he needs is a “moment and a microphone.” With his songs, Ryan adds more of his personal anxieties about romance in the slow-burning “Broke My Heart, Fixed My Vision” and “Absence Of Love.” The sequence of songs tells a common story of regret for being that “Asshole,” but it’s not really redemption — it’s more “Yeah, Whatever.” It loses a little direction towards the end as “Sad Bastard Song” recognizes that bitterness stays with you long after a breakup. Overall this is a fantastic album, and hopefully, others will recognize this.  Makes my top ten for the 2023 list and is Highly Recommended.

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Alex Fleuris

Bennett Wilson Poole “I Saw A Star Behind Your Eyes, Don’t Let It Die Away”

The veteran rock trio of Robin Bennett (Dreaming Spires, St Etienne), Danny George Wilson (Grand Drive, Danny & The Champions Of The World), and Tony Poole (Starry Eyed & Laughing) are back. Where their debut record was very much like a Crosby Still Nash-styled, mellow California folk pop, this new album is even more hippy-dippy. The Byrdsian jangle is in full swing with the catchy “I Saw Love” with its solid three-part harmonies. Not unlike The Travel Wilburys, with an emphasis on late-era Beatles psychedelia.

These guys each take a verse on the George Harrison-like “Waiting for the Wave to Break,” and the smooth “I Want To Love You (But I Can’t Right Now)” is a soulful recall of glory days. Other highlights include “Ready To Serve,” and the gentle “Heart Songs.” While it meanders through the latter tracks, there is enough here to make this Highly Recommended.

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July Singles, EPs and Freebies: Any Version of Me, Dana Countryman, Eric Barao, Anatomy Class, The Valery Trails, Supercrush, Ryan Hamilton

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July is here and the AC is on full blast. This is why I like to check on new music from old friends. French artist Any Version of Me does his best Brian Wilson tribute with “Away,” perfect for the beach. If you’d like classic pop greatness, you have the talented Dana Countryman offering up a FREEBIE that you can’t miss; made of assorted selections from his catalog, and “Summer Sand” is another sweet Beach Boys-styled gem. It’s been a long time, but Eric Barao has a delicate ballad that just tugs at your heart; “Whoever You Are.” Aussie rockers Anatomy Class impressed me with its anthemic rich melody, fans of Lemonheads, Swervedriver, and Pixies will adore “Expo 88,” and another band from down under The Valery Trails celebrates the summer with “Jaisalmer,” a bouncy rocker stocked with guitars and horns. Seattle’s Supercrush seriously reminds me of Superdrag and other late 90’s power pop on its perfect EP Melody Maker. and finally, Ryan Hamilton is back and he tells you to write your troubles down, then fold your worries into “Paper Planes.” Hope it flies far!








Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts and Scott Lavene

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Ryan Hamilton And The Harlequin Ghosts

Ryan Hamilton And The Harlequin Ghosts “This is the Sound”

Ryan Hamilton has bounced around over the past few years as an artist, but he settled in Fort Worth, Texas. And he brings a rowdy party with his band The Harlequin Ghosts. Opening with a song about his whiskey drinkin’ pot smokin’ “Mamacita,” it sets the tone for the loud guitar anthems that follow. What Ryan continues to do is set forth a series of catchy sing-along choruses with heavy rock chords similar to Bowling For Soup, and the most infectious of the bunch “Get Down” takes no prisoners as it rocks away.

Other tracks that keep the party going include “Bottoms Up,” “This Is The Sound” and “Far Cry.” But Ryan knows when to take his foot off the gas a little, and serenades on “Feels Like Falling In Love” and “All Fall Down.” Then “Girl vs. Monster” allows Ryan to explore a more country sound with some slide guitar. The music is both uplifting and heartfelt on “Let You Go,” where loving someone really means letting go. It gets emotional and introspective on the closer “Won’t Stop Now.” I could not find a bad track here, and overall it’s a fine example of modern power pop. Highly Recommended and makes my top ten nominee list for 2019.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Scott Lavene

Scott Lavene “Broke”

Essex UK musician Scott Lavene is very matter of fact in his debut LP Broke.  His spoken narrative style is comparable to Ian Drury, Lou Reed or David Byrne. On the opening track, “My Stereo”  has a slight country vibe, with conversation over a bassline that dovetails nicely into a sung chorus. “Apples And Pears” is a punk-like rant through modern life and the universal struggle of job, marriage, etc. In some ways, the non-narrative “Super Clean” is the highlight here – a little Bowiesque approach goes a long way with its bass lead.

While the melodies are okay, and some of the lyrical stories are funny,  the next few songs are really strung out. The spacey “Modern World” with its sullen strings or the slow funk on “Moonbeams” made this listener lose momentum. “Light Of The Moon” has some nice Keith Moon styled drumming in the intro before it settles into another conversation with Scott, doing his best “scratching out a living” with his band. Overall an interesting album that needs a few more melodies and less narration. But it’s still worth exploring, so check it out!

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Singles: Luke Potter, Ryan Hamilton, The Outryders and The Well Wishers

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https://youtu.be/5TMeG-yje2Y

Luke Potter has been on our radar for a while, this nice Halloween themed video displays “Ready or Not” an original that has plenty of funk, and a catchy chorus that sticks in your head.

Ryan Hamilton – this video of “Records and Needles” is a sweet tribute to rockers of the past. See how many classic LPs you can name being parodied here (it’s pretty easy). We reviewed Ryan’s debut “Hell Of A Day” earlier this year. Also check out the video for “Four Letter Verb.”



The Outryders make no apologies for the fact that they are happily stuck in the period of late 80s and early 90s melodic guitar based pop. The band is the duo of Joe Algeri (Jangle Band, The JAC, Britannicas, Jack & the Beanstalk, Summer Suns) and Paul Colombini (Roadstar, Cherrytones) and no tricks here, these singles are a FREE downloadable treat!



The Well Wishers (aka Jeff Shelton) delivers us an obscure cover of Abba’s “Suzy Hang Around” an album cut from their “Waterloo” LP. This is another goodie for your audio treat bag, being a FREE download.

Ryan Hamilton “Hell Of A Day”

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Ryan Hamilton “Hell Of A Day.”

Texas singer Ryan Hamilton(Smile Smile, People On Vacation) played the Austin’s SXSW Festival in 2010 and met up with Jaret Reddick (Bowling For Soup) and their friendship led to a lot of songwriting and finally a (self-funded) solo album. And it’s a rare thing that an artist can appeal across generations with a timeless power pop sound, but Ryan does it with flair similar to Wyatt Funderburk or Fountains of Wayne. Its also no surprise that this album was produced by Linus of Hollywood.

First, the sing-along chorus of “Be Kind Rewind” is apologetically sunny and bursts forth with horns in the chorus, every bit an anthem to empowerment because “we can do whatever we like.” But the real single follows, as “Karaoke With No Crowd” is an ultra-catchy gem that will leave you singing along and things continue to roll from there. The troubled boyfriend is the protagonist for most songs, as “Letter Verb” and “Respond To My Email” are defiant responses to rejection, as well as great melodies. Another rocking tune is the riff packed “Medicine” that pulls out all the stops and “Records and Needles” is a love letter to classic rock, mentioning luminaries like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and The Rolling Stones.

“Freak Flag” is a sequel of sorts to “Karaoke” where you need to celebrate your individuality, and forget the brainwashing of pop culture’s poisonous influence. Its not just that each song here is an ear-worm, but the message is important and really resonates after a few listens. Add to that a great cover of REO Speedwagon’s “Take It On The Run” and you’ve got an album that easily becomes a nominee to our 2015 top ten list.

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