The Webstirs “The Webstirs Re-Present Smirk”
After 15 years Chicago’s Webstirs have re-booted and remastered their debut album, with its cover spoof of Brian Wilson’s SMiLE, it comes closer to the DIY efforts of The Breetles. “You Can Hang Around” is great showcase for the band’s’s energetic pop style with its combo of fast riffs and harmonies. “Old Enough” and “I Turn Away” have melodic buzzing choruses and lyrical self determination that fans of Adam Marsland will appreciate.
Most of the tracks are great, even when a song seems mundane, like “Stone On The Ground” the hook filled chorus comes in to make it special. Lots of highlights here, the bouncy “It’s Over Now” and “Rent” are excellent examples. No filler here so if you’re looking for excellent power pop goodness, you can’t go wrong.
Sheri Miller “Winning Hand” EP
Acoustic musician and New Yorker Sheri Miller began her career co-writing with icons J.D. Souther (The Eagles), Jill Sobule and Shawn Mullins. Sheri’s highly melodic casual style serves her well on the catchy “Spoons.” Next, “Winning Hand” is a seductive mid-tempo love song that made me a fan right away with her twisting key shifts. “Satellite” is another gem with a Sheryl Crow vibe and beautiful multi-tracked chorus. The songwriting is also excellent and I hope a full length album is just around the corner. Highly recommended for sure.
