Tag: The Nines

The Nines and FaB

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The Nines

The Nines “Reflections”

Steve Eggers (aka The Nines) returns with his most wistful and solemn album to date. The Nines balladry has often compared to Jeff Lynne, David Gates, or Paul McCartney. Sung and played in his home studio with guitar and piano this album starts with a gem, “Don’t Believe in Destiny” a slow simple expression of sadness that swells to orchestral levels. Dealing with loneliness is the theme here and “Breathe in, Breathe out” contemplates the moment after trauma. Like a diary, the “Song For Red” asks for a fresh start, and the acoustic “Angeline” is a heartfelt folk song with a compelling dual vocal track.

Most of the songs after this are short sketches in under two minutes; the jealous lament at the bar in “I Almost Lost You” or the harpsichord “She Is Waiting” with some sweet harmonies. It would’ve been nice to flesh out some of these a bit more, but the melodic sketches do go in interesting directions like “Linda,” where it starts pretty standard and takes a wonderful detour into Harry Nilsson land. Worthy of repeat plays and highly recommended.

Apple Music


FaB

FaB “This Wicked Pantomime”

This is an interesting offering from Kool Kat Musik. UK bandmates Neil Fitzsimon and Bee Brogan from Pretty Blue Gun are joined by drummer Woody Woodmansey (David Bowie) and Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello) to create “FaB.” The style is hard to pin down, but the group has a wide range of influences from The Beatles, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Webb, Jacques Brel, The Smiths, and David Bowie.  

It takes a few spins to stick with you. Bee Brogan has a very distinct voice and on several tracks, it’s suits the material perfectly, like “Lost Love of the Pixie Girl” with a wonderfully catchy chorus. The bending bass line on “Desolate Angel” builds a sublime new wave ballad and the twisted adult nursery rhyme of “Elsie’s Last Stand” is another standout. The oft-kilter chords on “Seven Seconds of Summer” and the title track recall Martin Newell at his wistful best.

In several cases, the material is a little too ambitious for Bee’s vocal (“A Bullet for Cinderella,” “The Tears of Scarlet Murder”) but the songs are still fascinating. Overall, this is definitely a unique offering that deserves your attention. Check it out.

Kool Kat Musik

The Nines and Marcus Goodwin

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The Nines

The Nines “Shipwrecked (Eggers Songbook Vol 1)”

Steve Eggers (aka The Nines) continues to musically explore and follow his muse on this collection that references the mythology of 70’s California. The ear-worm simplicity of “Don’t Ever Lose Control” is a classic Nines confidence-boosting inner monologue. The Stevie Wonder styled clavinet on “Give to Get (Night Confusion)” has an easy-going groove. And you hear a definite lean towards Pretzel Logic-era Steely Dan on “Danielle (You Know it’s True)” and “Valley of No Return.”

“Making It Better” is another effortless pop gem that sticks hard and fast, and its one of the catchiest songs here.  The orchestral 70’s pop stands out, “Take The Chance” and “When You’re Ready” are also big highlights. While ballads are usually an area of Eggers strength, they fail to draw much emotion until the solemn “Old Refrain.” But there is so much good music here, and I can’t wait for Vol. 2! Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Marcus Goodwin

Marcus Goodwin “The Slow Age”

Marcus Goodwin was the guitarist for one of the greatest power pop bands in Australia, Ice Cream Hands. From the late ’90s until 2007 they were known for crisp guitar melodies and wonderous harmonies. And then the bandmates went their separate ways for the following decade. Now with the  20th anniversary of the Not Lame favorite Sweeter Than The Radio, the band got back in the studio to work on a new album. Goodwin originally released this solo LP in 2000, but it’s new to me.

We’ve covered bandmember Charles Jenkins before, but Goodwin’s solo sounds more like Ice Cream Hands. If you aren’t familiar, just think of an Aussie version of Squeeze meets Crowded House.”The Perfect Song” picks at that nostalgia scab and delivers a bittersweet gem for the ears. “Turn It Over” faces the fear of growing old, and “The Brain Wash” is a tight bass-led melody that just grooves along. The guitar roars on the too-short “She Hates Cars,” and “Old Man Parker” is another memorable gem (related to Mean Mr. Mustard, no doubt.) While not everything sticks, this is a welcome return and will appeal to fans far and wide. Check it out! Thanks, Scotty!

Pop Boomerang

The Nines and Dave Keegan

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The Nines

The Nines “Colour Radio (American Transistor)”

Steve Eggers (aka The Nines) is back in pop music mode. Joining Steve again is Bill Majoros (the Foreign Films) on guitar as they deliver a diverse selection of styles. Eggers style has always been influenced by ELO, and on “Crazy Little Girl” he almost copies the intro to “Do Ya” but goes in a heavier direction with a rougher vocal. It still has the catchy multi-tracked chorus, but sounds closer to The Move with Majoros fuzzy flourishes. Much more familiar is “Maybe If You Stayed”  with its sweet melody line and Steve sounding wistful as ever, even as he climbs into falsetto. And the lovely “For a Lifetime” is a piano lullaby reminiscent of Gershwin.

It’s everything Nines fans love, but Steve goes in different directions to keep things fresh. “On and On She Gets By” is a fun musical number about a girl, done with a barroom styled piano, harmonica, and a strutting synth line following a Randy Newmanesque lyric. Steve also goes funky with a Stevie Wonder-styled Moog Clavier and goes all in on “You Can Get More Than This” and  “Don’t Be Losing Your Game.” Not everything sticks, and there are amounts of so-so filler to keep the “radio” theme (like we never heard The Who’s “Sell Out”?) However there is more than enough to make this album highly recommended. Includes the holiday single “Believe In Christmas.”

CD Baby

Dave Keegan

Dave Keegan “Dave Keegan”

Englishman Dave Keegan is a former Elvis impersonator, almost became a Cambridge University teacher, and somehow dived into making this album at his home studio. But this doesn’t sound like a casual DIY setup. “Hello” is fuzz and reverb-drenched gem with Keegan’s crisp vocals, very much in the mould of The Posies.

Like many creative souls, he is simply compelled to make music, and sing about it on the very auto-biographical “Under Your Skin,” about “just a fan” knowing The Beatles “by heart / every note / every bar / every glorious part of their golden reign.” Next comes “Fizzbomb” leading with an infectious guitar riff, and the folksy English “Harbour City Blues.” Keegan’s vocal style is like Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) or Nick Lowe in spots. Another highlight is the bouncy “Get Me A Girl” with its optimistic breezy melody. The acoustic compositions dominate on the album’s second half, with the impressive “Out of Tune” as a great mood piece, but some of the slower tunes feel more like sketches here. Overall a fine debut from a talent I hope we hear more from in the future.

Amazon

The Nines and Simon Felton

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The Nines “Alejandro’s Visions”

A labor of love for Steve Eggers, with the help of Bill Majoros (the Foreign Films) this is a cinematic album that harkens back to the 1950s, from doo wop to the advent of rock and roll. Its like an audio movie musical with the cacophony of sounds opening up “Alejandro’s Visions,” and leads to the best Beach Boys meets The Platters song  you ever heard  in “I Have Found You.” The album concept is a familiar “boy-meets-girl” trope but its done both seamlessly and brilliantly.

“My Sweet Marie” brings to mind an early Buddy Holly concert, and then the charmed couple visit a amusement park in “Escape From A Small Town” with both rockabilly swagger and sweet harmonies throughout. Eggers heartfelt vocals are in peak form here, culminating in the a cappella “When Our Love Was In Bloom,” and his strongest dramatic statements “Operator (Coming Home To You)” and “And Suddenly” compare well with the best work Jeff Lynne (ELO) has ever done. Other songs recall old Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, but overall this was an album that was impossible to put down, and that’s enough to make it a welcome addition to my top ten albums list of 2016. 

CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik

Simon Felton

Simon Felton “Return To Easton Square”

Another collection of therapeutic/confessional songs from Simon Felton (Garfield’s Birthday) that range from sombre to silly. The catchy piano  of “Alibi” has interesting lyrical phrasing “I wanna be your glass of wine…” Simon still has a way with melody as demonstrated on the Donovan-like psychedelic “Goodbye (Again)” and ”It Must Be (A Nightmare).”

While some corny stuff finds its way in “Good Morning Britain” (which sounds like an update of “Act Naturally”) there are plenty of compelling songs here. More highlights include “I Would (If I Wanted To)” and “It’s Obvious.” Give this one a chance and add it to your playlist.

Bandcamp

Kurt Baker and The Nines

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Kurt Baker

Kurt Baker “Play It Cool”

Proving to be one of the most productive artists today Kurt Baker is like the Energizer bunny (going and going) quickly moving from his collaboration with The Connection on The New Trocaderos, and he’s back with his favorite producer Wyatt Funderburk on a new high energy album.

It all starts with “Sends Me To Mars” setting a manic pace; its written by Kip Brown (The Wild Hearts) and it fits the Kurt/Connection/Trocaderos style like a glove. “Enough’s Enough” is more straight Kurt Baker style, catchy as hell and deserves multiple repeat listens. The tempo is still speeding when we get to “I Got You” and “Just A Little Bit.” Kurt’s restlessness comes through on his party theme “Monday Night.” The NFL may want to buy this one (my tip, Kurt)!

“Can’t Say No” is like a marriage between Elvis Costello and Green Day, and finally we get a slower (mid-tempo) love song on “Talk Is Talk” with a wonderful Beatlesque chord progression. “Back For Good” has what I hear as a Funderburk-influenced love song with yearning lyrics and a magical middle eight. There are a few songs that tread the same ground, but overall this is another home run for Kurt. Makes my top ten list (was there any doubt?) for 2015.

Amazon

The Nines “Night Surfer and the Cassette Kids”

The Nines are back with a rougher, tougher sound and the keyboard is no longer up front. Steve Eggers is still at the core of this Toronto band with the help of Bill Majoros (the Foreign Films). “It’s All in the Head” opens with deep garage rock riffs, and siren effects creating a rough car chase theme. “Just Another Party” has echoes of early XTC, Adam Ant, B-52s and the ’80s dance rock movement, and its great fun. Steve’s melodic composition skill comes out on “Never Take You For Granted” with it’s killer hook in the chorus.

The best impression is with the driving riff attack on “Wasted,” my favorite here – and very much a power pop classic. The tone slows a bit on “Sweet Tangerine” but picks up with the infectious “She Knows It’s Free,” again with the guitar riff in charge here. “Cathy” is another gem that is the best XTC song you never heard. Attempts to go darker, like on “Jimmy’s Girl” set a mood with descending riffs or synths, but don’t compare as well to the earlier tracks. Fans of early ’80’s sound will love it and its definitely highly recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon