Tag: The Above

Pretty Voices and The Above

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Pretty Voices “Jangular”

St. Petersberg’s Pretty Voices delivers a solid punk pop and the song “Scenius Genius” opens with a matter of fact introduction “So many bands, so many choices, take us home tonight because, we are the Pretty Voices!” The band reminds me a little of Adam Marsland’s band Cockeyed Ghost from the late nineties but with a garage rock aesthetic.

Guitarist Nick St. Hilaire’s sing-talk “Britney” and “Mean Song” are a catchy pop nuggets with a Ramones-like touch about girls who just won’t give up and are “f*ckin’ sad.” Also recommended is the love song to vinyl  “Crackle Pop,” and steady riffs on “El Camino.” It’s all done with an authenticity and quirkiness that brings to mind of the all American band jamming in a typical teen party during “House Party.” Definitely worth checking out.

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The Above

The Above “There is a Reason”

After 2 years Brooklyn’s best retro rock band is back. Following up the brilliant Waterbury Street, The Above have a solid six songs that fit squarely in the British Invasion era style, but most notably Ray Davies and The Kinks on the opener “Holding Back.” Next “There is A Reason” and “Say You’re Cool” expands the sound further to emulate Traffic, The Doors and The Byrds. Just check out those harmonies on “Just Can’t Forget About That Girl” and you’ll be a fan.

The band combines all these influences to give us something unique and familiar at the same time. The cool Rn’B style on “You Look Unwell” is highlighted by a blistering guitar performance. For fans of mod power pop and great songwriting this is essential and only available on Bandcamp. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp

Edward O’Connell and The Above

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Edward O’Connell “Vanishing Act”
Edward O’Connell was “Our Little Secret” back in 2010, and finally we get a follow up with similar results. A smart mix of influences: Tom Petty, Roger McGuinn, Bob Dylan, Warren Zevon and Elvis Costello. Now with a larger cast of supporting players (including P.Hux!) the sound is richer than before, and O’Connell hits his stride here. “My Dumb Luck” is an great opener, a contemporary guitar ear-worm that can live on “repeat.” Next, “Lonely Crowd” is a bit more subdued, but it sends a thoughtful message about his audience. “Every Precious Day” pumps up the jangle, making it a catchy single.

“What Have You Done?” is similar to Elvis Costello in structure, the chord and vocalization shifts makes it another highlight amongst many. “I’m The Man” is a country flavored song about a murderous wife. Like the debut, the musicianship is impeccable but its tough to keep the energy going (“Yesterday’s World”). Still, O’Connell manages to keep the sweetness on the slow tempo “Last To Leave” and put out a great finale “The End Of The Line.” Such effort does not get wasted, and it makes my top ten of 2014 best LP nominee list.

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The Above “Waterbury Street”
It’s hard to find a more period accurate retro-rock band than The Above. Even more than the debut album, the band’s technical skill has increased and with the sophomore LP “Waterbury Street” you’d swear this is a lost rock band circa 1966-68. Lead singer David Alan Horowitz is patterned after Ray Davies and the music is a combination of pop, rock and blues most closely associated with The Kinks, The Who, The Animals and The Creation.

What makes the band standout is also the exceptional songwriting. “Coming Around” and “Do You Have Healthy Mind?” are both hip shaking perfection and even the song “The Prisoner” relates to the era (all about the 1967 British TV show). “Goons” is another gem sounding like The Who’s early mod hits. The R&B stomp of “Dog Without A Bone” keeps the variety going, and the Rickenbacker jangle of “Ordinary Life” is infectious. I couldn’t find a dud or ounce of filler here. Highly Recommended for sure!

Bandcamp

Terry Anderson and The Above

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Terry Anderson & The Olympic Ass Kickin Team “More Smooth Jazz and Sweet Sweet Jams”
Terry and the OAK team are back. Terry Anderson is a rock and roller plain and simple, he strives to be the heir apparent to Rockpile and Tom Petty. In other words, perfect music to drink your beer and sing along to. “Too Much Information” opens things up like a Dave Edumunds classic. The take-it-easy rhythm on “Gambled and Lost” is a nice combo of Dylan and The Stones.

My favorites are the hook-filled “Ridin’ Around” with great lines like “My musics too loud, that’s the worst you could say/Just kicking it out after school all day” and “318” with it’s sweet harmonies making it a rootsy Beach Boys/Byrds hybrid.  Fans of Greg Pope will like the heavier “Time For You To Go.” Once again, each song shines without any filler. We never get a real ballad, but the tone and tempo vary enough where its not an issue. Highly recommended.

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The Above “The Above”
This Brooklyn four-piece combo create great rock, influenced by the sounds of British-era R&B – sure to please fans of The Creation, The Pretty Things and early Kinks. “What She Said” opens up with a hard driving rhythm and blistering lead guitar. “Bollywood Woman” gets a bit more mod, with farfisa organ and echoing vocals – it’s also a got a nice hook in the chorus. I have to give major props to David Horowitz superb guitar work here. Clean harmonies on “Walked Out On Me” and David’s vocal on “Don’t Believe in The Light” sounds just like Ray Davies. These are just a few highlights among many here. No filler, all killer cuts and highly addictive!

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