The Dahlmanns “s/t” EP
Made up of the husband/wife team of Andre and Line Cecile Dahlmann, from Oslo, Norway. Dahlmann is no stranger to the punk rock scene, as he’s spent plenty of time with The Yum Yums, Vibeke and The Trashcan Darlings (with Marky Ramone). Opening with the loving tribute “Dancing With Joey Ramone” it faithfully follows the Ramones signature punk pop riffs and beats. “I Want You Around” is an original based on this formula, and it’s quiet effective. After this is a cover of Lindsey Buckingham’s “Holiday Road” (we featured the original video a few days ago). The bouncy “Didn’t Tell The Man” has a wicked guitar solo at the break in between verses and that’s it. Overall a fun little EP to add to your collection, and I have heard a full length album is on it’s way by the end of the year.
The Len Price 3 “Pictures”
Picture perfect garage power pop that wears it’s classic influences like a thick coat of paint. The Len Price 3 always produced great music, but here the spirited jamming takes on tightness and authenticity not heard in your average retro-power pop band. Signed by ‘Little’ Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool label, “Pictures” is lead by big booming beats, Rickenbacker riffs and singer/guitarist Glenn Page’s solid compositions. “Keep Your Eyes On Me” is just one of many great songs here, with snappy hooks and soaring choruses all delivered with speed and earnest excitement. “I Don’t Believe You” and “The Girl Who Became A Machine” both have trappings of the mid 60’s favored by The Who, The Small Faces and The Kinks. The Davies-styled “Mr. Grey” is another classic working class drama full of cockney and trumpet flourishes (He likely lives next door to “Mr. Pleasant”). The punchy “You Tell Lies” are nearly a pop throwback to The Romantics and The Jam, with it’s relentless aggressive beat. Thankfully a slower paced song arrives at the albums end, as “Jack In The Greens” has that pastoral melancholy similar to Davies “Sunny Afternoon.” The album finishes at nearly 30 minutes with not a whiff of filler, it begs for repeat listens. Another top ten contender for 2010.
Love the Len Price 3 — definitely in my own top 10 for 2010. Wanted to point out that "Dancing w/Joey Ramone" was originally (and better)done by Amy Rigby in 2005:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3nfpxqesldfe