Power Popaholic interviewed The Weeklings a few years ago, and now they’ve returned with a new album! Raspberry Park goes in a few different directions. There are still unique Beatles covers, but some new original sounds that recall other 60’s bands, and I dig through the origins of these songs.
Once again, I spoke with Glen Burtnik (Lefty Weekling) and Bob Burger (Zeek Weekling) about the album and how they have evolved with this new album.
With a medley of cover songs and some fantastic original compositions, the album Raspberry Park is a delightful journey. The fact that the band deviates from Beatlesque songs without drastically altering their sound is something I appreciate. Excellent tracks abound on this album, beginning with the passionate “Like We Used To Do,” with its catchy chorus. While sharing a bassline with “The Beat Goes On,” the infectious “Brian Jones” finds its melodic voice. Perhaps “All the Cash in the World” might serve as their theme song, expressing their lifelong passion for performing. Glen Burtnik (aka Lefty Weekling) and Bob Burger (Zeek Weekling) are in top songwriting form here; additional highlights include the poignant “Fall Down A Flight of Stairs” and the note-perfect rocker “None of Your Business.”
The unconventional arrangements of these cover versions make them stand out from the usual tributes: “She’s Leaving Home” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face.” The mashup “Mr. Soul Satisfaction” is catchy and fun; it combines The Monkees, Neil Young, and The Rolling Stones seamlessly. The transitional songs here sound like filler, but that could just be my ears being picky. The 20-second interlude of the Sgt. Pepper-ish “Raspberry Park” was too short; I would have preferred a longer rendition. This being said, the excellent music more than compensates. Highly Recommended.
Carmen Toth is a singer-songwriter from Toronto, and her musical influences are Stevie Nicks, Cyndi Lauper, Kate Bush, and I hear a little Susanna Hoffs, too. She has been making independent music since 2003, but Fix the World is my first experience, and she makes a great impression with the catchy opener “Pretty Dresses.” Toth does a good job with the next few songs, as standard indie pop tunes go.
Her unique, Nicks-like cadence works well on the angular riffs of “Struggling,” and there are some nice harmonies in the chorus. Her title track, “Fix the World,” shifts from an acoustic ballad in the verse and bounces into a pop chorus about material girls being too distracted to solve issues. Some good power pop tracks here include “Time Bomb Heart” and “My Ears Are Still Ringing.” The last song, “Looking Forward,” has a hopeful, optimistic chorus that’s sure to put a smile on your face. Overall, this is a good album that deserves to be heard.
So I let loose the flow of Christmas music again! We start with a re-release The Kut‘s Christmas Single “Waiting for Christmas,” while the reliable Kai Danzberg has two great singles; firstly the jingle-jangling “Making It Shine” and then the energetic “Could’ve Been You” featuring Andy Patchell (and it’s a FREEBIE!) Next, we deck the halls with Librarians With Hickeys and The Incurables, courtesy of Big Stir Records where you’ll find more goodies. Two more new singles are out; Ken Sharp‘s “Mr. Sun” seems to channel the late Davy Jones and Italy’s power-pop powerhouse Radio Days returns with “Mercy Baby” and “1998.” Both are impressive singles, and how could we forget Lefty, Rocky, Zeek and Smokestack (aka The Weeklings) with “Christmas Day” which has an Elvis Costello/Beatle vibe! Enjoy. We have 3 more weeks of last-minute reviews before our year-end countdown!
Leslie Bohem and David Kendrick of The Gleaming Spires
I have an educational interview with Leslie Bohem and David Kendrick of The Gleaming Spires. We discuss how the band became part of Spark and how their side-project Gleaming Spires came into being.
I have a short chat with Bob Burger of The Weeklings and then Glen Burtnik joins in halfway through. We discuss some obvious truths, and how the band formed, plus a little about the new live album “In Their Own Write.” Please forgive some of the technical difficulties, and see if you can find all the “easter eggs” about The Beatles in all their music.
