The Wind "Harum-Scarum" FREE Album download

The Wind are a quartet from California. Together they’ve spent the last five years touring and writing their ever-unique, vocal harmony textured, sixties inspired rock music. Their sound has elements of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Queen with a healthy dose of modern indie-rock. Add to this it’s a double album chock full of grand sweeping melodies and quirky musical sketches.

One thing that struck me was the pristine production work so similar to Abbey Road – it’s as if Geoff Emerick was on the board himself. The contrast of whimsy and thematic grandeur covers the entire package, similar to a Klaatu, 10cc or Stackridge album. The flowing prog opener is not unlike ELP or Ambrosia on “Shellwhite” that takes a turn to “Hathor,” a bouncy melodic British flavoured tune. “Marvel Me” has a 70’s easy listening style with building chorus, but the next atmospheric gem here is the lovely “Oh Hadihu,” like Brian Wilson singing in Bread. The guitars assert themselves in the rhythm on “Lucy” with flawless harmonies on the chorus ” ohh, such a pretty pretty girl.” Then we hear a slow blues rock number “Come On” and a theatrical number “Unless, I’m A Liar.” The variety of styles here is very impressive.

Disc 2 continues with the 10cc-like “An Astral Dance And A Shared Dream,” but a few songs here (“Some Place,” “Yankee Brig”) seemed stretched out too long and don’t add anything new. Fortunately, a theatrical scene “I’ze Born a Rich Man” and an effective country rocker “27 Cent Blues” are added delights. The quirky “This Is The Modern World” is like 10cc doing Smile’s “Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow.” The remaining tracks are effective but don’t raise the bar any further. There are enough good tunes here to rate this is a excellent album, but with so many you’ll find yourself picking out favorites. A daring debut, and the band is so confident you’ll love it it’s offering disc one for FREE at http://www.thewind.us/share/

The Silver Liners, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart and Sklyer

The Silver Liners “s/t” EP
A terrific band just gets better here. Washington, D.C. based Silver Liners have merged the catchy pop of Maroon 5 with the guitar assault of Foo Fighters on their new self titled EP. Starting with the danceable rock of “Runnin’ Through My Head” the melody hooks you and keep you around for the brilliant riffs on “Hot Mess.” Every single track shines here, my favorites being “Without A Face” and the funky “Just Like The Rest” with a beat guaranteed to make you move. Highly recommended and  if you’re looking for the new vanguard of guitar based power pop – this is it. I can’t wait for the full length album as this is the best new EP I’ve heard this year.

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart  “Heart In Your Heartbreak” EP
Neatly described by Rolling Stone as a “Bell & Sebastian/Smashing Pumpkins collaboration.” This is an infectious slice of chunky power-pop with a great beat, sweeping synths and well-placed guitar jangle, it’s immediately obvious that the a production team has brought out the best in the band. Both songs on this short EP are great and would sit just fine next to Teenage Fanclub on your ipod. The band has been releasing material at a feverish pace so check out the earlier EPs and hear them evolve.

Skyler “Long Gone” EP
It’s rare that I look at a teen prodigy but Skyler is a better than most, and he’s got a little Beatle in him on the catchy opener “Hold My Hand.” Plus he knows loads about rock hooks on the arena ready “Any Stupid Thing” and the anthemic jangle of “It’s Just The Night” recalls DelAmitri melodies with Bon Jovi bombast. Each tune here boasts solid songwriting and strong production. A few countryfied miscues on “Stephanie” aside, it’s no surprise that this is Skyler’s fifth EP. He’s already a veteran musician and only a freshman at the Berklee College of Music, so this is your chance to hear a future star.

Ned Brower "Great To Say Hello"

Rooney drummer Ned Brower knew what he was doing when he hired Ducky Carlisle to record and Mike Viola to co-produce his debut. The mix of pop styles are spread all over the map here. It’s cool that Ned explores these areas and mines his favorite influences. He thrills on the starting track “Underneath Your Spell” with harmonies and handclaps weaved together. The guitar riffs lead you into “Hide Your Secrets Away” and the chorus hooks you instantly (it’s the best track here).

“The New Lonely Fool” has a T-Rex style to it’s beat and is the most Rooney-like of the tracks here. An easy listening 70’s pop feel to “Mine and Mine Alone” slows things down a bit, and then the warm “Father To Son” bounces along like an updated version of Sam Cooke’s “Wonderful World.” On “The Alleyway” Ned seems to channel Thin Lizzy lead by Warren Zevon. Considering Rooney bandmate Taylor Locke has two albums out, Brower should get started on the next one while we enjoy the variety his debut offers.

The Davenports "Why The Great Gallop?"

It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from Brooklyn’s The Davenports. But the new album finally arrives and it’s worth the wait. Lead by frontman Scott Klass he deftly filled the album with terrific hooks and clever lyrical stories, similar in style to Fountains of Wayne. The guitar heaviness of the past albums have given way to quirky character studies and great percussion. “Christopher Starts” has a generous helping of inner monologue and infectious beat. Lots of fast paced tunes are at the albums start, and they don’t seem to be related at first. By time I got to the handclaps and tambourine chorus in “Don’t Cry Mary” a story begins to emerge.

This is an excellent album, where every song advances the narrative point of view. Anxiety and paranoia are on display on “Something’s Gonna Get Us” with typewriter sound effects and “You Can’t Drink Anymore” has an impressive guitar lead. The crux of the album seems to be “Figure Me Out,” a strong piano melody with full strings backing Scott’s vocal. The confessional tone of the story is framed out by each song. For me it took a few listens to appreciate the details in each melodic track, not everything here is instantly sticky and the tempo on a few tunes are too similar. But there’s no filler here either, overall it’s not too early to add this to my “best of 2011” list.

Eric Crugnale and Miami Dan

Eric Crugnale “Carol Was Here”
Local Long Islander Eric Crugnale is a pleasant revelation on the scene, a long time session man with other excellent artists (Kevin Bents, Andrew Fortier) who set out solo. Eric’s smooth singer songwriter sound compares well to David Mead or Brian Estepa. The title track has bits of Brian Wilson and Burt Bacharach wrapped in the main melody and hooked me right away.

“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” is catchy and bouncy guitar pop of the first order, and another big highlight is “I’m So Glad” with it’s 70’s soft pop falsetto. “What We Deserve” is a grand orchestral pop number, with full strings and horns and “Never Thought” recalls Mike Viola’s blend of pop beat and earnest vocal treatment. The album has a few timid compositions, but most of the songs here are brilliant and it ends on the great Michael Carpenteresque “Old Enought To Know” Just add it belatedly to my 2010’s “top ten” pile.

Miami Dan and The Hayes Street Band “Star Of The Beach”
Miami Dan Yoe channels an East Coast Al Jardine perfectly on his opening title track, and the excellent backing harmonies by The Hayes Street Band prove an effective Beach Boys facsimile. Add to this a cadre of musicians including ex-BB David Marks, session favorite Probyn Gregory and you’ve got a winner. The musical themes are adult, but it’s all about the sand and surf on “No Fear.” A bouncy “Look East Again” is a joyful look back on memories of a young relationship. The beautiful piano ballad “Time To Move On” is a memorable duet with Katey Randall’s strong vocals.

The storytelling aspect here is great on “1944,” a bio of WWII veteran. Unfortunately it takes a hard right turn on “Age of Deception” and the politically charged “Take Back America” which are good songs but belong on a John Rich album. The last 5 tracks are remixes by Chris Hicks. I have to praise the craftsmanship and attention to detail in both the songwriting and extensive liner notes here as well. This is no doubt an effective adult pop album that deserves repeat listens.