Tag: Tom Baker & The Snakes

Timmy Sean and The Dirty Truckers

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Timmy Sean

Timmy Sean “Weeks”

In 2015 Timmy Sean was one a few artists with a goal of producing a song each week. Subscribers got the first crack at these, and after all was said and done, you have a massive 21 tracks. Sean moves around the pop and rock landscape, the most commercial tune of the bunch “Everything I Want” sounds like a top 40 hit, but I like the exuberant piano theme “Seventeen,” a look back at youth; “We never know the best times” he sings. Sean takes liberally from classic rock styles, and it enhances his songs. “One Dimensional Man” heads into ELO territory and both “Way Too Long” and “Gimme Everything” are like a Lenny Kravitz outtakes. You even get Elvis influence on “Baby, She’s Better Than You” and a Smokey Robinson doo wop on “Til You’ll Be Mine.”

And it’s not all power pop, “Western Rodeo” and “Hold It Strong” are ballads with country, and contemporary pop approaches. A few tracks were recorded at Abbey Road Studios (“Lately Lacey”) and these are musically dense arrangements. Its hard to find to fault with any of the music, Sean’s careful “singles” approach make each tune a pleasant surprise. If anything there is too much to absorb in a single listen. Overall a highly recommended double album. Plus the limited edition two CD version contains a bonus disc of covers (including 8 Beatles classics) through Bandcamp.

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The Dirty Truckers

The Dirty Truckers “Tiger Stripes” EP

I enjoyed the new Tom Baker and The Snakes album earlier this year, so I looked into his past and found a gem I missed. Tom was in a Boston band called The Dirty Truckers a few years back. As lead guitarist Baker growls through a half dozen songs starting with the barroom rocker “Stranger in Disguise,” but tone shifts slightly to the more refined “Human Contact.” This song is reminiscent of Lannie Flowers with its driving rhythm and catchy chorus.

Overall this band’s riff-centric approach is consistent with “Feedback” and “Arms Length” led by the dual guitar attack of Baker and John Brookhouse. It closes out the EP with a roots rocker “Just Run Away” which is closer to classic Wilco. If you enjoyed Baker’s new band, you will definitely like his old one.

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Tom Baker & The Snakes and Michael Slawter

powerpopaholic
Tom Baker and The Snakes

Tom Baker and The Snakes “Lookout Tower”

From the label that brought you The Bullet Proof Lovers, The Connection, and Watts – comes Tom Baker and The Snakes. Baker is a veteran of Boston’s garage rock club circuit, and he’s assembled a talented band with three guitarists that know how to shred to the rhythm. Fans of the above bands will know what to expect, as this is good ole rock and roll with guitar and attitude that takes its cues from The Stones, The Jam and The Replacements.

This is mainly a hard rock album, but some short catchy power pop is here too, like the opener “Gotta Find Her” and the memorable “Doll Eyes.” If you want heavier stuff, the band delivers in spades on “Make It Hurt” and “Bad Change” as Baker’s voice goes hoarse competing with those guitars. And “Needle In The Red” is another standout. This is music that deserves to be heard at high volume with a cold beer in your hand.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Michael Slawter

Michael Slawter “An Assassination of Someone You Knew”

A veteran of the North Carolina music scene, Slawter made this first solo LP with the help of producer Jamie Hoover (The Spongetones) in 2007. Thanks to our friends at Futureman Records, it’s back and you’ll hear all kinds of upbeat catchy themes here, notably the opening rocker “Count To 10” and it still sounds fresh. Slawter has mastered the melodic techniques and solid songwriting that shares the same musical DNA as REM, The Connells, The dB’s and Mitch Easter.

The first three tracks are just flawless pop with “Obvious” and “Hollywood Sunshine” sticking in your head long after the song ends. It shifts to more storytelling on the self-depreciating “Too Dumb For You,” and slice-of-life gem “Leave Her Alone.” The jangly “The Day Before You Left” is a perfect example of emotional balladry. There is a lot here to love and several bonus tracks are included. Enjoy it!

Bandcamp