Tag: Vanilla

July Singles: The Worriers, Tamar Berk, Vanilla, Tommy Sistak, The Slip-Ons, Hurry

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It’s July! Trust Your Gut, the latest album by The Worriers (due in September) have this cool video for now. The band, led by lead singer Lauren Denitzio, has a highly approachable songwriting style full of folksy flourishes and driving guitars. Tamar Berk is back after her winning turn last year on Start At The End. She hasn’t missed a beat, and I look forward to more strong memorable melodies, as the preview shows. Vanilla also comes back with new music from the Pish Posh collection recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. Speaking of Abbey Road, local Beatlesque troubadour Tommy Sistak wants to “Take Me Along.” Next, Singer Brock Pytel (Canadian pop-punk band The Doughboys) and Brian Minato (Sarah McLachlan) are  SLIP~ons, and they bring GBV energy with them. Finally, I don’t know much about Philly power pop band Hurry, but they have nice harmonies – kinda like Teenage Fanclub and the album is due in August. Enjoy the fireworks!





October singles: Dolour, The Poppermost, Vanilla, Cold Expectations, Eric Barao, The Sobs

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Yeah, it’s time for hot new power pop singles! Dolour does a cover of one of the best Beach Boys singles of the Sunflower LP. Can’t miss those harmonies, but if your tastes run more to the Beatlesque side, then check out The Poppermost as they do it again with great skill. Vanilla continues with its 77 projects, and “Show Me A Sign” is a perfect amalgam of the mid-seventies pop influences, that reminds me of Pilot. Boston’s Cold Expectations does a solid job with the organ-heavy “Hey Compromise,” and Eric Barao is back with a magical lullaby full of flowing chord progressions and strings. The Sobs have this killer hook in the upcoming album, and I’ll whet your appetite with the opener “Air Guitar.”






More August singles: DB Edmunds, It’s Karma It’s Cool, Natalie Sweet, Brad Marino, Crossword Smiles, Vanilla, Freya Josephine Hollick, Electric Lecture

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No more weather-related puns. Just great new music. DB Edmunds is a welcome sight after all this time. As a member of power pop greats The Gladhands and The Stars Explode, he’s back with a solo effort that sounds excellent. UK band It’s Karma It’s Cool has a new single out with the help of Peter Holsapple(dB’s. R.E.M. and Hootie & The Blowfish). Another notable collaboration is Natalie Sweet and Brad Marino (The Connection), the first single has Sweet singing the rocker “Second Time.” And yet another pairing with Michigan indie pop veterans Tom Curless and Chip Saam combine to form Crossword Smiles, they sing “Parallel Lines” in advance of their new album. And power pop band Vanilla decides to go full disco for its upcoming ‘77′ album, with the teaser “Ka-Bang!” sung by Ava Adams. I randomly came across Freya Josephine Hollick, and her tune ‘Me & Mine’ is for all the misfits, the ousted, those who live on the fringes of society trying to make ends meet, and finally a video from an eclectic group called Electric Lecture. The band is the brainchild of Greg Ansin, Bronson Taalbi, and Anthony J Resta, and the band is influenced by XTC, Tom Petty, and Beck. Can’t wait to hear more from them!







Vanilla and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard

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Vanilla

Vanilla “Sideshow”

Jayson Jarmon, Sean Gaffney, Mark Simmons are back after a retro-pop diversion into 1966, with Sideshow. The opener “Sorry” is a bright hook-filled gem that bounces along with its rhyming verse.  The 90’s jangle of “Milkmen” is a fast tempo gem along the lines of  XTC circa Oranges and Lemons. The music is frequently poignant, “Best Days Gone” are a comment on the sad state of the music industry, where artists beg for listeners to “play me, pay me,” but “I Shall Be Re-Released” brings us some hope, as those great songs will never die.

Not everything is great, “It’s Drunk and I’m Raining” is a so-so novelty rocker along the lines of the Bonzo Dog Band. The band does much better with the lush pop of “Misery Loves Company,” and “The Truth Is Never True.” And there are more than enough gems here to make this a highly recommended pick. Definitely give it listen.

Amazon


Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard “Backhand Deals”

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard. Say it three times into a mirror and the ghost of Marc Bolan appears! Not really. But this cheeky band from Cardiff, Great Britain is a true joy to listen to.

The bubblegum glam opening “New Age Millennial Magic” is catchy and addictive, but the lyrics have a distinctly dark side if you pay attention. “Good Day” may sound like happy pop, but “if you believe in something/we’ll let you die for nothing.” It’s punk nihilism with a happy smiling face. And the sound recalls a glorious mix of T.Rex, Queen, and Supergrass.

Lead vocalist Tom Rees has great range, proving it with “Break Right In,” a bright charmer about a small ray of optimism in the face of adversity. He also does well with the ballad “Yourself,” and the bass-driven “You” gives advice to “look out for yourself.” Next “Feel the Change!” boasts a wicked piano, bass, guitar combo that sticks in your head. Overall, a highly recommended album.

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EP and Singles Potpourri: Sandy McKnight, Beebe Gallini, Brad Marino, Vanilla, Jon Klages, Barton Hartshorn

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Sandy McKnight‘s follow-up to last year’s San Fernando Beat EP continues his string of “shoulda-been” hit songs with Fernando Perdomo. If you’re looking for DIY rock and roll, look no further than Beebe Gallini and Brad Marino. Beebe’s got a rough garage sound, but it’s chock full of hooks, and Brad’s sound is vintage gold, similar to The Rolling Stones.  Going back in time further, Vanilla ’66 is an instrumental album for a 1960’s movie that never existed, retro pop fans can bask in the fluorescent glow of nostalgia. Will there be another Austin Powers movie? We got the soundtrack.

Jon Klages new single “1133 Ave. of the Americas (For Enoch Light),” is a subtle jazzy tribute to his grandfather, akin to Harry Nilsson in its brilliant simplicity and a great mood setter. UK artist Barton Hartshorn has a new single, “Listen For A Change,” and it recalls Prefab Sprout and early Style Council. Very nice.