Jon Flynn “Cherry Cherry”
The second solo effort by Jon Flynn, half of the power pop group Diamond Hands, “Cherry Cherry” is a great listen. The ten songs that make up the album take the listener on an adventure of discovery from Jon’s move from Los Angeles to San Francisco. “Game You’re Playing” has a sparse electronic sound, and you’ll hear a bit of early Talking Heads meets Marc Bolan. The layered synths and simple guitar rhythm are accented by strings and still catchy. “Where to Start” has a bit more swagger, as he sings “change is a monster.”
Not everything works, but there are clear standouts like the psychedelic reverb of “Brush Your Hair,” and the dramatic seduction of “Creature” and “Great Man.” Jon’s persona on these dramatic moments also reminds me of Gaz Coombes (Supergrass) but many other tunes didn’t have that much of a hook. Despite this, Jon definitely sets himself apart from his former band stylistically and has a unique perspective on things. Check out this album that deserves to be heard.
The Half Cubes “Pop Treasures”
Is there a perfect covers album? By design, cover albums have a strike against them by not being originals. But Power Pop Hall-Of-Famers and Syracuse natives The Flashcubes may have found a loophole. Similar in approach to Big Stir Records label-mates Sparkle*Jets UK, they picked their favorite power pop records and recorded them with an eye on a new audience re-discovering these great songs. But what ‘Cubes vocalist-bassist Gary Frenay and drummer Tommy Allen have done is a labor of love that includes many of the original artists on these classics. They also enlisted Randy Klawon (The Choir) to get the correct guitar sound.
Great cover versions of classic songs by artists such as The Hollies, The Searchers, The Pursuit of Happiness, Cheap Trick, The Pernice Brothers, The Hudson Brothers, and more are available here. My faves include Eric Carmen’s “My Girl,” Phil Seymour’s “Precious To Me” and The Hudson Brothers “Spinning Wheel.” Hard to argue that this doesn’t belong on my 2024 top ten list. Super Highly Recommended!
