Tag: The Embryos

The Pearlfishers and The Embryos

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The Pearlfishers

The Pearlfishers “Making Tapes for Girls”

Scottish multi-instrumentalist and vocalist David Scott has an unusual talent as a composer and arranger for making what is a labor of love appear easy. Since the 1990s, under the direction of Scott, The Pearlfishers have been releasing excellent adult pop music in the vein of Neil Diamond, Todd Rundgren, and Brian Wilson. ‘Making Tapes for Girls’, their most recent album, continues in the same contemplative vein as 2019’s ‘Love and Other Hopeless Things.’

The topic reflects David’s deep appreciation for melancholy and breakup music; as the title track explores his need to share his favorite music on cassette tape mixes for girls. “I didn’t know how to say the right thing/so I left it to Joni and Paul,” he says. It’s a beautiful, wistful melody that then leads into “Kisses on the Window,” a bittersweet breakup song, that tugs at those same feelings.

Another gem, “Put The Baby In The Milk,” boasts great chord shifts akin to Carole King, with a gorgeous chorus. Other songs here take a few spins to sink in, but they do make a positive impression. Check out “Hold Out for a Mystic” and “The Word Evangeline.” While not everything hits, David’s unique lyrical spin and meticulous song construction make these tunes special. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


The Embryos

The Embyros “Selling What You Want To Buy”

It’s only a few years from ‘National Absurdatory’ but this sounds like a new band to me. Tighter arrangements like the guitar rhythms and subtle spacey harmonies of “Fortunes” have replaced earlier loose, funky material. The power pop of “Frozen City” has a slight DIY feel, but it’s got some really sweet accents in the chorus, and then the style changes and it’s all ’90s Neo-Psychedelia with “Little Demon.” This is a great tune that has a vibe similar to early-era Dandy Warhols.

The band bounces around stylistically, but some songs stand out.  The ’80s-styled dance tunes “He’s A Hypocrite” and “Do The Donkey” are okay, but the band really shines on the melodic “Somehow She Knew” and the bass-lead melody “I’m a Man.” The moody jams “The Embyos Live” and the epic “Onandonandon,” which is over eight minutes long, serve as the album’s bookends. There are just enough gems here to earn “highly recommended” status.

Kool Kat Musik

Loveland Duren and The Embryos

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Real Sickies

Loveland Duren “Any Such Thing”

The collaboration between Memphis musicians Vicki Loveland and Van Duren has proven fruitful over the years, as they both are consummate professionals that play off each other beautifully. This new album is no exception, the opener “Tumbledown Hearts” is an A-list single that would win over the pop and country charts if given a chance. “Any Such Thing” is Loveland’s anti-fascist screed laced with strong rock instrumentation and blaring horns. This is soulful pop music for grown-ups.

While the styles are pop and country, the songs feel timeless when they click. “Funny Way of Showing It” has Loveland’s emotions on her sleeve when it comes to domestic abuse accompanied by orchestral strings. And Van Duren’s just as emotional on ‘Where are we going?” when it comes to a relationship in trouble. When the two collaborate, it’s pure magic; “Bridges I Had To Burn” is another winner that speaks to experience. Van Duren also manages a very timely statement on political discord with a strong melody on “Everyone is Out of Tune.” Not everything here is as memorable, but this 3rd LP by the duo is a good mix of songs that deserves to be heard.

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The Embryos

The Embryos “National Absurdatory”

Chicago band, The Embryos are back three years after their debut Open The Kimono, and their maturity is evident, “Morning Birds” is a sophisticated pop tune, but they shift their sound on the instrumental “The Funky Embryo” akin to Graham Central Station and “Rattlesnakes”  is a great synthesis influence from The Doors and The Byrds. It’s likely the best tune here, but they inject some power-pop-blues-rock with the great “Spend Tonight,” and it’s another high point.

The next several songs seem to channel The Stones, from “Catching Fire,” to the sleepy “You Can Be A Mystery.” The energy from earlier has mellowed quite a bit. The cryptic “Cosmic Wheel” and “Rolling Wheels” are both sweet stoner tunes with layered harmonies, psychedelic touches, and catchy bass lines. Overall a very good LP that grows on you with each repeat. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

EPs, freebies and singles: Un-Teens, Secret Friend, The Well Wishers, The Embryos and Any Version Of Me

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The Un-Teens are classic sounding power pop band with infectious hooks tipping their hat to early punk from Hamilton, Ontario.

Steven Fox’s band Secret Friend is back with a sweet single. Linus of Hollywood (guitars) and Roger Manning Jr. (keyboards) contribute!

Jeff Shelton is busy at work with both The Well Wishers and Trip Wires. “Feelin’ Fine” is a strong single paired with a cover of  Fleetwood Mac’s “Second Hand News.”
Chicago band The Embryos resemble Teenage Fanclub on the standout “Wasting All Your Time,” and the other tunes are good too! FREE Download!
French retro pop enthusiast Any Version of Me is back. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we have a way to download the music – but we can stream these tunes. “Thinking of The Days” has a very Lennon-Harrison vibe, and “Look What You’ve Done” is a hybrid of The Four Tops and The Hollies!