The Anderson Council’s most recent album, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, offers a refreshing dose of memorable songs. This New Jersey-based band transports listeners on a mesmerizing sonic journey by skillfully fusing elements of the 60s British Invasion, psychedelic rock, power pop, and a dash of contemporary indie flair.
Opening with the captivating track “Tarot Toronto,” The Anderson Council sets the tone for the album, immediately immersing us in their lyrical alliteration and nostalgia-infused sound. The band effortlessly channels influences while adding its own power pop twist. “Alone With You” boasts a sing-along chorus with layers of vocals and guitars, another potential hit. “Million Miles A Day” and “Times on the Thames” both feature pulsating rhythms and catchy chorus making them instant earworms that beg for repeated listens.
Overall the music doesn’t get as densely fuzzy as previous albums (Although “Sunday Afternoon” is an exception). But it also allows the melodies to rise to the forefront. Overall, one of the best albums this year. Yes, it’s high on my list and super highly recommended.
Dennis Schocket (Starbelly) goes solo on this new adult-oriented potpourri pop album. It starts with a welcoming confessional in the title track that warmly greets you with its easy strum, and guitar solo. The bittersweet melody of “More Than Anything” is a richly produced ballad with its wonderful slide guitar leading the way. “Please Don’t Let Me Down” is a Jeff Lynne-ish rocker that feels a bit off, and I’m not sure why.
The mid-tempo ballads suit him much better, “Suddenly June” and “She Loves The Sun” are both melodic and wonderfully composed. The album explores introspective themes in tracks like “Love Untold,” and “I Forgive It All.” The bouncy “Madam Chaparral” is a big standout track, about a possible denizen of “Penny Lane.” It’s unsurprising that the Beatles’ DNA follows through with the sweet “Take Your Time With Me.”
Overall the production and mixing are excellent. The songs are more of a mixed bag, but with more treats here than I expected. Highly Recommended.
John Lennonâs 80th Birthday would have been on October 9th, 2020. To celebrate, a number of artists have released tributes in his honor.
Each band is given a pair of tunes, and this first-class tribute starts with the premiere Beatlesque band The Weeklings. They add a Bo Diddley styled rhythm to this unique arrangement of The Beatles âThe Wordâ and flesh out the bare-bones Lennon demo âWhatâs The New Mary Jane?â NYC-based The Midnight Callers deliver some sweet harmonies on the acoustic âChild of Natureâ and bluesy lead guitar on âJealous Guy.â
The Grip Weeds are faithful to the spirit of “You Can’t Do That” and âStrawberry Fields Foreverâ and the depth of sound and crisp production are impressive. The Anderson Council’s Peter Horvath channels Lennon well on âI Found Outâ with its swirling psychedelic reverb. Johnathan Pushkar and The Gold Needles also deliver the goods. Richard Barone’s speeds up the tempo in the lone mashup of âRevolutionâ and âPower To The People.â It all works and is Highly Recommended.
Timmy Sean puts a modern spin on several classics with his new EP – It’s a FREE download. Enjoy!
Reno Bo has done Beatles tributes before, but this one is new! It’s a FREE download. Enjoy!
This latest âgreatest hitsâ collection is likely the best sounding mix you’ve ever heard and really does do justice to John’s compositions. Remixed by Paul Hicks (who did Imagine â The Ultimate Collection), all 36 tracks were selected by Yoko and son Sean to tell Johnâs post-Beatles story and illustrate his many moods. All gift-wrapped in numerous deluxe packages (the big one has a commemorative book, stickers, postcards, and extensive liner notes.)
Lennon’s searing indictment of self-serving politicians and “narrow-minded hypocritics” is even more relevant today than it was over forty years ago. The selection of songs includes his most popular work giving them new life for generations to come. Highly Recommended.
The Anderson Council jump into the melodic pool with both feet planted firmly into the XTC meets The Beatles section, from psychedelic guitar solos to smart anglophilic lyrics. The celebrated Peter Horvath continues to guarantee a splendid time for all, in fact, this could arguably be his best album ever. Opening literally with an explosion, it goes into the title track with a brilliant bass line melody and layered psyche-pop flourishes with shimmering chords. The slower tempo “Lord Cornellius Plum” is like the spiritual brother to Sgt. Pepper. The influences are all covered, another highlight “Camden Town” is a bit more early Beatlesque in approach with another sing-along chorus.
Horvath dazzles with his period accuracy on “Mrs. Kirkby’s Refridgerator,” then the sounds get modern on the sobering “Amazing,” a biographical essay with buzzing guitars. The power-pop gems flow with the very cool “Santa Clara,” “Your Devices,” and “Grey Heavenly Lane” recalls Material Issue at times. The band pushes its way through the acid rock of “How Much Long” and “When I Fall,” but I feel it does much better with pure psychedelics of “Into The Clouds.” Overall a great album, with the added bonus of legend Peter Noone singing on a version of “Mrs. Kirkby’s Refridgerator,” and so it’s definitely highly recommended. In fact, it’s added to my “best of” list for 2019. Get it today!
The Galileo 7 is one of the best psyche-pop garage bands out there, and on their 6th album, they blast off at top speed. The best example is the opener “Everything is Everything Else” where Allan Crockfordâs lyrical compositions take a life of their own. Allan is joined by bassist Paul Moss, organist Viv Bonsels, and drummer Matthew âMoleâ Lambert. The band continues to mine the influences of that wonderful technicolor era of late 60’s pop for a new audience. The band’s energy and harmonies sparkle on the title track and also on the solid “Let Go.”
The songs were created and recorded quickly and according to Crockford; âI wanted everyone to sing at least one song on this album.”All the bandmates had a chance to take a lead vocal. In addition, there is a very positive vibe throughout. Lambert does his best Moon-like drum rolls on “Looking Up” and things mellow nicely with the bongo rhythm of “The Last Hours of Aldous Huxley.” However, the crown jewel here is the catchy crisp melody of “Crooked Smile.” Not a bad track or note of filler here, fans of The Creation, The Pretty Things and mod-era Who should check this out for sure. Highly Recommended.
The swirling infectious melodies from an American band with a distinct British “flavour,” this collection reminds us why The Anderson Councilâs power pop is some of the best ever recorded. The New Jersey band has been around since the late nineties and has a history of making great mid-sixties influenced pop singles. The band has evolved beyond those influences to its current indie pop brilliance, and its âgreatest hitsâ compilation has some new music produced by another NJ legend, Kurt Reil (The Grip Weeds.)
Opening with âSitting On A Cloud,â its got everything youâd want in a song; jangling Rickenbackers, harmonies, and a catchy chorus that’s easy to sing along with. This formula is used with “Girl On The Northern Line,â âPinkertonâs Assorted Colours,â and fans of The Beatles, mod-era Who, and The Jam will love it. Anderson Council singer-songwriter Peter Horvathâs tight melodic structures make these songs a joy to hear, especially the newer âMagical,â with its great minor chord changes. Then âNever Stop Being â67â and âGardening Manâ are great examples of the psychedelic pop genre. The bandâs sound starts to move beyond those influences on âFridayâs Girlâ where they come closer in approach to that other Jersey power pop band The Smithereens. If youâve missed the bands regular output over the years, then pick this one up and youâre all caught up – even the new songs blend right in. Super highly recommended.
Chrism Bolger is a talented New Jersey musician who did slip under my radar this spring, brought to my attention by Dennis Diken (Smithereens) who plays on the album.âEasierâ is terrific single with a Beatle-like riff similar to âLady Madonnaâ that goes into a sing along chorus. Next the bluesy sax and piano pay tribute to âBarbara Feldonâ the actress who played Agent â99â on the late â60s show Get Smart.
The title track is a slower acoustic ballad that slows some momentum, but the jangling âAtlantic City Expresswayâ is a fine song that lifts the mood. The album settles into a series of mid-tempo of pub rock tunes a bit like Tom Petty on the rockers âTear That Cabin Downâ and âWhatâs It Got To Do With Me?â Other highlights include âEverything,â âShe May Look My Wayâ and âShips. Its music that deserves to be heard.
