Tag: The Junipers

The Junipers and Polite Company

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The Junipers “Imaginary Friends”

The Junipers, a band from Leicester, combine psychedelic pop, mid-1960s bubblegum music, and a touch of folk on their most recent album, Imaginary Friends. Starting with “The Swarthy Smith,” a piano-driven melody that veers into bouncy wordless guitar chorus full of “oohs” and “ahhs,” as the sweet “You’re My Sugar and Spice” echoes the Toytown era of pop. “She Looked Up At The Stars” is another gem led by the ever-present mellotron.

The short “Annie Almond” is beautiful example of psych-pop, similar to the singles on Euphonious Trolley EP and “Mary in the Rain” has a McCartney-styled bass line that will stick in your head. The folk-inspired mellow feel of “Red Song” sets it apart, while the groovy, carnival whimsy of “Monkey On My Back” has organ sounds recalling “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!” While not as immediate as I expected, after repeat plays you notice those subtle sonic details that are hidden just below the surface. Highly Recommended.

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“Polite

Polite Company “Please Go Wild”

Alan Gregg (The Mutton Birds, Marshmallow) is trying to make easy listening cool again. And he mostly succeeds on Please Go Wild. A bit like a cross between Cliff Hillis and Andrew Gold, the songs are from Gregg’s POV as he combines pop jangle and with witty lyrics.  It starts with “Circulation,” a catchy song about emerging from a self-imposed isolation. Next the piano driven gem “No Time Like Tomorrow” is the perfect theme for taking time to enjoy more life, and less busy work.

“Barefoot Billionaire” feels like a TV sitcom theme to a show I’d gladly watch, and “Buzz Me In” is another song with a chorus that will stick in your head for sure. Not all of it works, but most of it does. For quirky charm you can’t beat “Second Chance Charity Store,” a familiar suburban fixture with multiple meanings. There are more than enough great tunes here to make this one highly recommended.

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August singles: The Burkharts, Stray Arcade, Late Cambrian, Hubbell Benson, Strange Neighbors, The Junipers

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August is here, and the heat continues. The Burkharts (from Buffalo, NY) strike California retro pop gold with “Always On The Run.” Another band I recently “found” is Stray Arcade, and I “Can’t Complain” about the music – but I want to hear more. Late Cambrian returns with a compelling pop-rock-prog confection that’s loaded with style. If you’re looking for funky pop freebies, we have Hubbell Benson, a New Jersey artist with serious chops. Listen to the pop with jazz flourishes on “Except for Him” and “Need Someone?” Strange Neighbors continues to impress with the single “Crush.” Finally, The Junipers retro-pop sunshine returns with “She Looked Up at the Stars.” Play this on a hot day, and you too can be cool.




Late July: Wifey, The Junipers, The Glad Machine, Joy Buzzer, The Chesterfield Kings, Cherry Fez

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A lot is going on this month. The Brooklyn power pop band Wifey is one of the best-kept secret cool bands. They performed their new single “DiMaggio” at The Broadway (thanks to Steven Korn for the video). Bands that have been quiet for a while have new material, like The Junipers‘ “Annie Almond,” which sounds very much in the mold of the Euphonious Trolley EP, one of my favorite recordings from this band. Plus, after last year’s top-ten EP, The Glad Machine is back with a new single, “So High.” It’s a catchy gem that weaves guitars and harmonies together really well. Next, Joy Buzzer an up-and-coming band that was often seen at IPO last year, is back, with a rocking single “You’d Be Suprised.” And I’m not surprised — that they got signed by Wicked Cool Records. New Jersey veteran rockers The Chesterfield Kings also return with “Fly The Astral Plane,” a groovy throwback to the late 1960s. Finally, Cherry Fez is “Superexcited,” to deliver this new single, and I’m impressed with the combination of pensive vocals and frantic percussion – a great single all around. So much good music. So little time. Enjoy!





The Junipers and Maryjo Mattea

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The Junipers

The Junipers “Red Bouquet Fair”

Few bands understand the instrumental and melodic subtleties of late ‘60s baroque sunshine pop better than The Junipers. The band from Leicester, gives us their third album Red Bouquet Fair as it reminds the listener of Curt Boettcher, Harpers Bizarre and The Millennium. Opening with the light instrumental of the title track, then the piano lights up the ballad “Follow Loretta” and the gentle vocals of “Dig Me Up” include light psychedelic effects enhancing the catchy melody. This approach follows through on most of the music here, Mellotron, harmonies and spacey lyrics giving “Burning Pages” a dream-like soothing quality.

Some additional highlights include “Like A Merry Go Round” and the hushed harmonies of “Summer Queen” and “When the Bird Has Flown.” What is missing is the stronger guitar presence found on past albums. Still this is a highly recommended collection of music.

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The Junipers

Maryjo Mattea “Four Minute Symphonies”

MaryJo is a musician who deals in folk, pop, rock and punk genres, but always with a melodic touch to her songwriting. With this EP the Four Minute Symphonies showcase her strong vocals and understated electric guitar accompaniment in the title track.

“Rocket Science” is an obvious single, with a hummable chorus and strong guitar solo in the break. “We Were Here” is a frantic ’90s pop theme that would work well in a sitcom’s credits. Mattea’s piano torch songs are impressive, if a bit overly dramatic. I prefer the bouncy “Wish I May” which falls in the power pop category with its hand claps and harmonies. Give it a chance on your play list.

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Shake Some Action! and The Junipers

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Shake Some Action! “Full Fathom Five”
More than previous efforts, James Hall has remained consistent in his love of guitar oriented power pop. He’s touched on the Manchester sound in Fire and Ice and the garage elements in Sunny Days Ahead.

Now with Full Fathom Five, James continues with his 60’s Brit pop style. The unmistakable Rickenbacker 12 string jangle greets us on the opener “Lost In Space.” Without missing a beat the magic continues on “Nothing Can Stop Me Now.” “Soul On Fire” is a fantastic single with its goose bump inducing chorus, rivaling Supergrass or Oasis (at their peak). Even the mid tempo “Lost Without You” has great big hook, and no filler anywhere. The Merseybeat ” I Didn’t Know What To Say” is so good, it sounds like a lost track from those Liverpool lads. It also varies its sound enough to prevent falling into a rut, making each of those 14 tracks fly by. More than other albums, the vocals are better and the songwriting is rock solid. It’s a retro treat and a definite contender for best album in 2013.

Bandcamp | Soul on Fire single only

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The Junipers “Paint The Ground”
 The Junipers are a psychedelic pop group with a new line up following 2008’s Cut Your Key. Paint The Ground is one of the best sunshine folk pop LPs ever with sweet harmonies and shimmering guitars similar to Curt Boettcher and Millennium. “Willow and The Water Mill” is a song that paints a vivid picture of a summer day in the country.

The gentle “Phoebus Filled The Town” is a heartbreaking melody with a prog-folk sound that will remind many of Steve Hackett era Genesis.  Each song seamlessly blends into a perfect tapestry of mood, as in “Antler Season,” the ethereal chorus rides along an acoustic melody. The only issue is that these songs tend to be indistinguishable from each other. Using a full load of instruments from Mellotrons to Zithers, it perfectly evokes the sunshine pop era without blatantly ripping it off – a true musical treasure.

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