Tag: The Junior League

Steve Robinson and The Junior League

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““Steve

Steve Robinson “Window Seat”

If you enjoyed the pastoral prose and delicate compositions of Swallowing The Sun (2021) then Steve Robinson has another album you’ll enjoy. And Steve once again has friend Ed Woltil as co-pilot and special guest Dave Gregory (XTC) on a few songs.

Opening with “Unnecessary War,” its a serious anti-war mid-tempo tune with an excellent guitar break. The song shows you when there is no real introspection, the shouts of war can overwhelm. “Word to the Wise” boasts a pensive guitar rhythm, and similar low-key tone, but a big highlight is the very XTC-ish “King of Scatterbrain,” with its jaunty melody, and Steve sounding great with nice trumpet flourishes.  Another wonderful highlight is “Hesitation Blues,” with its chugging melody and very Beatlesque bassline. The mellow ballads “Room With a View” and “Treasure” are enjoyable too. Highly Recommended.


“The

The Junior League “Our Broadcast Day”

Joe Adragna (aka The Junior League) and friends, Scott McCaughey (the Minus Five) and Michael Giblin (Split Squad) follows up the excellent EP Nattering Nabobs with a cracking full length follow up. Joe is on a roll here, as he opens with the shimmering guitars of “Two Ways To Go” with its echoing verses, and a catchy “bop, bop, bop” in the chorus. “Let’s Hear it for the Dead” is another catchy mid-tempo tune with a wonderfully layered bass line, over a tambourine beat.

Many of the songs, such as “Everybody Knows” and “The Me and Them,” have a mellow country sound, with a focus on harmonies in the latter. Just about each song has enough variety to prevent predictability, as Joe delivers strong narratives that deserve repeat listens. Another interesting highlight is “1973 Nervous Breakdown,” an epic slow rocker about remembering chaos with a sense of  nostalgia. Highly Recommended.

Kool Kat Musik

The Junior League and The Raves

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The Junior League

The Junior League “Bridge and Tunnel”

Joe Adragna (The Junior League) is back with a thoughtful album that has a Long Island, New York theme. The catchy single “The Sunshine Saves Everyone” is a richly developed slice of sunshine pop akin to Allen Clapp (The Orange Peels). Assisted by Scott McCaughey (The Minus 5) and Michael Giblin (Parallax Project/The Split Squad) it’s got a heavily percussive style full of grand orchestral flourishes. While 9-11 is not mentioned directly, the trauma is felt under the surface of these songs.

The dour vignettes of life on “Library Bar” and “LIRR” speak about looking for something better.  The expansive sound of “54” and “Hart Island” recall the folk-rock of America, and a highlight here is the memorable “Andrea (You Can’t Fly).” The tone shifts for “Not My Time” which is like a lost Smokey Robinson & The Miracles track. Another standout is the quicker tempo of “Turn Off The Lights.” While this album isn’t that immediate, repeat listens reveal really inventive soundscapes. It’s definitely, music that deserves to be heard.

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The Speed of Sound

The Raves “Past Perfect Tense” (Remastered)

Based in Atlanta, Georgia  The Raves were one of those “lost” gems from the early eighties that did well locally, but never got the acclaim or signing of similar bands at the time like The Rubinoos, Shoes, or The Spongetones. By 1992 the band’s output was compiled in a limited edition Past Perfect Tense CD. This rarity boasted tight harmonies and jangling guitars in the classic tradition of The Raspberries.

Kool Kat Musik brings you a remastered version of this hard-to-find LP. Fans of traditional power pop will love this, as the energy is wilder than the Beatley haircuts on the cover. Lots of highlights from the angular riffs of “C’est La Vie” and Badfinger-like “Now You’ve Really Done It” to the bouncy rock of “Calling Your Name,” and many more. You still hear source tape limitations on some songs, but this is still a great document of The Raves talent. Highly Recommended for DIY power pop collectors.

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The Junior League, The Well Wishers and Dave Caruso

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Without a doubt, I missed a lot of good music in 2020. I will do my best to highlight some LPs and EPs that I didn’t review yet in the next few weeks. 

The Well Wishers

The Junior League “Fall Back”

Joe Adragna’s follow up to the summer excellence that was Summer of Lies. This album is much more laid back, with less anger but just as much anxiety as “Sad America” seems an appropriate theme for the sad state of our country. The style is more alt. country-pop, with Joe looking back on his journey with the soulful “Ladders,” and some great jangling hooks with “Leave Me Resigned.” Additional highlights include the cynical “Help It’s Strange,” “Through With Me,” and the Byrdisan title track. Highly Recommended!

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The Well Wishers

The Well Wishers “Shelf Life”

Jeff Shelton is another artist who consistently delivers great jangling guitar with a distinct layer of fuzz, and the pandemic gave him additional time to record and make more music. You know what you’re getting; “We Grow Up” and “My Desire” delivers the goods with compelling melodies and riffs.  A few mid-tempo tunes have more of a roots-pop feel like “Secrets and Lies” and “Father of The Bride” about a dad coming to terms with giving away a daughter (“take it all in stride”).  He seems to be having fun with songs like “You Never Have To Sing A Lonely Song” and The Squeeze-like “Who Cries.” Listen to this, you will too. Highly Recommended!

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David Caruso

Dave Caruso “Radiophonic Supersonic”

Dave’s new album radiates a positive vibe all around and is ranked high on many year-end lists. “Little Miss Sunshine” is a bouncy melody that gives you hope with a big hook in the chorus. Dave got assists from production pros Brad Jones and Andy Reed and he’s never sounded better.  The vocals are measured, but the compositions are carefully constructed, like “The Drop.” It’s got a touch of XTC with a big dose of pop smoothness. “A Piece of The Action” is another highlight here. The styles vary across the album, but most of the songs are in the easy-listening category; the bossa nova “Atomic Smile” evokes a jazzy mood. Some songs are a bit lightweight, but enjoyable overall.

Kool Kat Musik

Happy Labor Day Singles and EPs! Erik Voeks, Brent Windler, Vista Blue, The Junior League, Ken Sharp, Lisa Mychols & Super 8

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Enjoy these fresh singles for the long weekend.

Erik Voeks has been one of my favorite DIY rockers for years, but this timely political gem is one of the best singles I’ve heard in a long time. His new band The Ghosters have bumped up his stock quite a lot here!

Brent Winder the singer/songwriter for “Sons of Great Dane” is back working on a new solo album, and this single “Around The Bend” is a richly arranged gem. It’s a FREEBIE that shouldn’t be missed.

The ever-present Vista Blue is back, saying goodbye to summer in a mashup of Ramones and Beach Boys glory. Speaking of the Beach Boys, are you a fan of Brian or Mike?

The Junior League (Joe Adragna) kicks major ass here with Scott the Hoople on this Monkees meets Dylan single “Summer of Flies.” Great summer tunes on this EP.

Ken Sharp gives us “Halyx Rising (Lora’s Song).” It is a Queen-like gem that dazzles with the effects and guitar riffs. Inspired by a new documentary, “Disneyland’s Forgotten Sci-Fi Rock Band.”

Lisa Mychols and Super 8 dropped some “bonus” session tracks from their latest album. These sessions are a glimpse into the recording process and “unplugs” these cool songs.

 

Redd Kross and The Junior League

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Redd Kross

Redd Kross “Beyond the Door”

One of the great power pop bands, Redd Kross is back with an eighth album, and they are truly timeless despite the seven-year wait since 2012’s Researching the Blues. The band has been around for 40 years (!) but now has updated its line-up; the McDonald brothers; Steve (bass) and Jeff (vocals) with drummer Dale Crover and guitarist Jason Shapiro. Just remember, the McDonalds started Redd Kross by opening for Black Flag at a middle school graduation party in 1981. And today the sound still rocks; harmonious rock and roll somewhere between Cheap Trick and The Jellyfish.

They open with “The Party” which grooves like a lost song off The Austin Powers Soundtrack, but it’s based on the theme to a 1968 Peter Sellers film. “Fighting” is where the brothers excel, with loud driving guitar riffs and a catchy chorus. The band delivers more gems with the Kinks-like psyche-pop of “Ice Cream (Strange and Passing)” and “Fantastico Roberto.” The party atmosphere continues with “The Party Underground” with swirling guitar solos. It’s tough to find a favorite here since every tune hits its mark. It ends with a cover of Sparks “When Do I Get To Sing “My Way” and it too is glorious. Highly Recommended, and an easy pick for the top ten list of power pop for 2019.

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Extra: Redd Kross is funding a documentary on the band. Check it out at www.reddkrossfilm.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl4BtWCgvT0&feature=youtu.be

The Junior League

The Junior League “Adventureland”

Joe Adragna is back and he continues to impress under the moniker of The Junior League. His latest LP Adventureland starts strong out the gate with “Heavy,” led by thick guitar riffs that carry you away, and thick synths of  Scott McCaughey (Minus 5) keep it coming on “Have Faith In Yourself.” The feel is very similar to The Posies, Tommy Stinson or Bob Mould.

It shifts into bubblegum rock territory with “Falling In Love,” and with Tammy Ealom’s backing vocals it bounces along like a lost Tom Petty rocker. Joe’s riffs are direct and there are plenty of melodic rocking gems here. “Queen of the Dead” is a standout that will stick in your head, and “Town in a Box” is almost Nirvana-like with its heavy-pounding chords. “Delete and Repeat” adds a sugary sweet chorus to the dense guitars. Overall the songs are short and sweet, but most of all they are meant to be played loud. Highly Recommended.

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