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.”
Tag: Vanilla
More August singles: DB Edmunds, It’s Karma It’s Cool, Natalie Sweet, Brad Marino, Crossword Smiles, Vanilla, Freya Josephine Hollick, Electric Lecture
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
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.
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.
EP and Singles Potpourri: Sandy McKnight, Beebe Gallini, Brad Marino, Vanilla, Jon Klages, Barton Hartshorn
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.
Goodman and Vanilla
Goodman “Goodman Versus The Nostalgia Machine”
NYC musician Michael Goodman has evolved over the years into a real power-pop powerhouse. And this is latest album has both an equal amount of hooks and attitude. The opening “Nostalgia Machine/Disappearing Act” features a churning guitar rhythm and a Kinks-Beatles styled mantra, about hiding within the cushions of past influences, but the guitar buzzes forward on “Raymond Burr” with plenty of energy. Similarly “Rachel K” has a swagger similar to Jeff Whalen (The Brothers Steve) and its hooks get you pretty easily.
Goodman excels with a gem describing the sudden end of a relationship “Gone In The Blink of An Eye” where “hey it sucks here/everyone’s stuck here.” “I Want To Spend The Day With You” and “Three Camellias” are short sweet love songs, with some nice minor chords and the latter boasts a great string break and harmonies. “You’re Doing It Wrong!” seems a perfect song for 2020 and is another big highlight among many. In fact, each song has a catchy melodic quality and the styles vary enough to keep you on your toes. Hard to believe, but this album is better than last year’s Era of Buckets. And this one will also make my top ten list. Super Highly Recommended!
Vanilla “Limerence”
Jayson Jarmon (Liar’s Club) and his band of friends are exploring his love of music with Limerence (defined as acute onset, unexpected, obsessive attachment) as he flys through several different musical styles with each track. The playful “Treefort” describing a childhood tryst with some improv jazz guitar at the end. “Sentimental” is a catchy little pop confection about his obsession and it brings us to the glammy “Velvet Rope,” fans of Sweet or Gary Glitter will enjoy this one.
The orchestral pop of “Haunted” has a Sinatra-like quality and the quirky “Easy as Pi” is a kids math song with an infectious bounce akin to Schoolhouse Rock. Because of the nature of the LP, it’s never predictable and mostly entertaining. Sometimes it falls flat or sounds forced (“The Call”) and I found the best tunes in the first half, but you can find a favorite anywhere – I really enjoyed “Let’s Start Over Again,” a McCartney-like ballad. Overall it’s fun and definitely worth checking out.
