Tag: The Lunar Laugh

The Lunar Laugh and Duncan Reid

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When a band comes to an end, it’s always a sad day. The new records by these bands are rumored to be their last. It’s not always clear why a band breaks up, but at least we have the music to enjoy.

 

The Lunar Laugh

The Lunar Laugh “In The Black”

The Lunar Laugh is an indie rock group from Oklahoma City. Connor Anderson and Jared Lekites are the band’s co-leads, and Triston Lightner (bass), Levi Sherman (drums), and Campbell Young (singer/songwriter) round out the lineup. The band combines great power pop-influenced hooks with both modern and vintage pop and rock song structures.

Just listen to the first song, “Born Weird,” which is almost a mix of Barenaked Ladies and The Rembrandts, and it goes right into the great single “Allegiance,” with its Phil Collins-styled percussion. My favorite song here is “Fake It Till We Make It,” with its glam riffs and anthemic handclapping chorus. The midwestern style comes back in earnest with “Timeless Time” and the jangling “Stranger Than Oz.” The album’s second half is a little more varied stylistically, but some memorable cuts include “So So Long” and the alt-country “Picture Perfect,” with its sweet pedal steel guitar. The band’s maturity shines through each tune, and with no filler, it’s highly recommended.

Big Stir Records | Amazon

Duncan Reid and the Big Heads

Duncan Reid and the Big Heads “And It’s Goodbye From Him”

Duncan Reid, who played bass and sang in the 1970s UK punk band The Boys, has put together one of the most impressive power pop/punk rock discographies with Nick Hughes, Sophie Powers, and Karen Jones, who make up the Big Heads. And It’s Goodbye From Him is the fourth and final studio album by Duncan Reid and the Big Heads. Reid’s songs have a unique mix of heart, humor, and intelligence. This record is mostly about self-reflection, and the style is a combination of power pop and punk rock.

The opening track “Lost Again” has a more modern synth and guitar melody, but the heavier “Funaggedon Time” recalls the glory days of glam rock with a catchy riff that’s easy to love. “Just Try To Be Kind” is a great song that tells you to be kind because “all good things end.” The pandemic song “Can I Go Out Now, Please” is another super melody and a look back on that unique locked-up lifestyle. “Oh My My” is a reaction to pregnancy from the male POV, and it’s another highlight. Also, the goofy conspiracy theory-laden “Bill Gates (Finland is a Myth),” and “Singing with the Beach Boys,” a touching story about a divorced weekend dad making a special connection with his son, are great ways to end a great record and a legendary career. While this is his last album, Duncan Reid earns much respect here, and he’s got a full catalog on Bandcamp to enjoy. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

October Singles: Portable Radio, Golden Richards, The Lunar Laugh, The House of Jed, Deer Friends, Super Cassette

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October starts the busiest month, as music floods my inbox and doesn’t let up until Christmas. That’s okay. We start with the bouncy Sunshine pop “I Feel Like A Dog” by Portable Radio taken from the forthcoming LP Counting To Three. Gotta love those harmonies and cascading chords. A missed summer hit, Golden Richards rocks that ice cream truck with “Hey Mr. Softee,” and its power pop perfection. The Lunar Laugh has a new single “Born Weird,” with its cool song structure and a neat psyche-pop break. The House of Jed offers up an EP that deserves some attention, rock funk “Coming Off Pretty” and the danceable “Everybody Lies” are excellent.  Our freebie “Magic Fruit” from Deer Friends has a bit of glam guitar and honey-sweet hooks, it’s a keeper! Finally a sneak peek at Super Cassette‘s new album with the single “Continue?” which feels akin to Dowling Poole! Rich melodies that deserve to be heard!





The Lunar Laugh and Dana Countryman

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The Lunar Laugh

The Lunar Laugh “Nighthawks!”

Oklahoma duo Connon Anderson and Jared Lekites are The Lunar Laugh and they offer up a live concert album with a pair of studio tracks on Nighthawks! The band tends to cover the musical spectrum from power-pop to folk-rock, and country. Opening with the studio tracks “I Wanna Know” and the spawling “It’s Okay,” it showcases their smart melodies and stylistic range (especially on the latter.) From here the live concert begins. Starting with “On The Road” it’s an excellent song with palatable energy that draws the audience to clap along.

The solid performances of “Winsome” and “Living A Lie” soon expand to other tracks, like bass player Campbell Young’s “Alive,” Neil Diamond’s “Solitary Man,” and Death Cab For Cutie’s “Soul Meets Body.” While these are well received, they don’t fit the band’s identity as well as a “Mama’s Boy” and “Old New Kid In Town.” With 18 songs it would’ve been a little better to get a few more studio tracks instead of covers, but nevertheless, this album is a pleasant diversion and deserves to be heard.

Big Stir Records | Amazon


Dana Countryman

Dana Countryman “Pop Scrapbook”

Once again the prolific Dana Countryman is back. The unapologetic “One-man Brill Building” delivers a knockout pop punch where his meticulous production details enhance everything he does. The terrific “Mrs. Sunshine” is a collaboration with Klaatu’s Terry Draper and Scott McPherson. It sounds like a lost track from classic ’70s Klaatu mixed with ELO and Queen; it’s simply great (we need a whole album of this!) But Dana is never stuck to a single style or genre, and the classic hook of “My Little Caroline” follows in the Neil Sedaka tradition.

The breezy light jazz-pop of “City Life” and the bossa nova “Sunday Comes Along” is an idyllic slice-of-life guaranteed to lighten your mood. Dana also isn’t afraid to take chances, as the mini-musical “Record Store Employees” is a medley of melodies all dedicated to crappy customer service. It’s another winner here, and “Brand New Feeling” is a country ditty with a really nasal vocal. The shmaltz level remains high on the other songs, but nothing here is cringe-worthy (although “Butterflies” comes close). So if you love retro pop get this – it’s highly recommended.

Amazon

Ho ho holiday singles! The Weeklings, Johnathan Pushkar, Peggy Sue, The Lunar Laugh, The Popravinas, The JAC

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The holiday season is upon us, and the holiday singles are already here! The Popravinas of sunny California are looking for presents, while Joe Algeri, aka The JAC has reliably delivered a stocking stuffer every year. Peggy Sue is a vocalist from UK that I just found and liked – new LP is expected in February. All these singles are FREE downloads. And at the last minute, The Lunar Laugh share a festive moment recorded live at VZDs in Oklahoma City, OK.





The Weeklings celebrate the season with the original “Gonna Be Christmas”- Get the single on  Amazon


Johnathan Pushkar covers The Beach Boys “Little St. Nick” – Get the single on Amazon


More singles will be posted as we get closer to Chanukah and Christmas

The Lunar Laugh and Tony Low

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The Lunar Laugh

The Lunar Laugh “Goodnight Noises Everywhere”

The Lunar Laugh is an experienced pop band with mates Connor Anderson, Jared Lekites, Campbell Young and Jimmy Jackson back for their third album.  The brilliant opening single by Lekites “Welcome To The World” is a showcase for the band’s eclectic brand of power pop. Drawing from classic pop influences and rich harmonies it moves in more varied directions as “Old New Kid In Town” bounces along. The ballads are more present and are more modern sounding, with “Another Casualty,” sounding like a lost Lindsey Buckingham classic.

“Tell Me Story” is another highlight here, with its shuffling country rhythm and catchy chorus. While the 80’s influences are felt on “Waiting For A Sign,” the power pop slide guitar comes back on the amazing “By The Light of The Living Room” and the sweet “Saying Goodbye” with its Brian Wilson meets Beatles ending. Overall a great album with brilliant moments. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Nick Lowe

Tony Low “TO New York”

Tony Low, a founding member of New York band The Cheepskates, now resides in Greensboro, North Carolina. But as his newest solo album reveals, he’s still got a New York state of mind.

However, we start with the jangling gem “Murder Beach,” which is actually about shootings that took place in Myrtle Beach, SC. Ironically even the locals started referring to their hometown by that name. “Hum of the Neighborhood” is a gentle story about living away from home. Another highlight “The Abomination” is a political rant with just a hint of sarcasm and dismay. Soul searching takes place on “The Plan,” as it follows looking for someone and some hope. Musically its got nice string flourishes and a spacey feel. The songs are filled with anxiety but “This Old World” ends on a positive note. A good LP that deserves to be heard.

Bandcamp