Michael Carpenter, The Pengwins and Jack Skuller

While I rarely highlight singles, a lot of them have reached my inbox lately.  I wanted to share and even though I didn’t “rate” them, they are most worthy of your attention:

Martin Carr

Michael Carpenter “Too Late/I’ve Been Lovin’ You”

A long-time favorite of this blog, Michael Carpenter has returned to the studio, and he’s taken a break from the covers and delivered some original compositions. “Too Late” is blues-rocker that has a strong pop melody and “I’ve Been Lovin’ You” is a dense guitar chorus that makes most Carpenter songs a joy to listen to.

Bandcamp

The Pengwins

The Pengwins “Vol.2”

The legacy of The Pengwins continues to drip out in exclusive box-set singles like last years “Vol.1: Naive/Life After High School”.  This year we have Vol.2 “If U Want 2/Look Around” and its a wonderful new combo. “If U Want 2” was newly recorded and is the real gem here, with echoes of The Shoes and The Beatles it was even recorded in Abbey Road studios.

Lannie Flowers sounds great as always, the second side “Look Around” was originally recorded in the late ’70s and has more of a Cheap Trick vibe. If you order direct from SpyderPop Records, you get a special cardboard box, 7″ single with a bonus CD of the songs, plus guitar picks, photos, and other goodies.

CD Baby

Jack Skuller

Jack Skuller “Can You See Me | Hard To Want”

Jack Skuller is a young modern musician called by some “the anti-Bieber,” or “a mini Jack White.” Skuller cites his influences as Little Walter, Buddy Holly and Elvis Costello. This year he was the recipient of the Holly Prize, an award made possible by the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Songmasters as a tribute to the legacy of Buddy Holly, a Hall of Fame inductee. One listen to the single, and I was impressed. Check it out.

Amazon Pre-order

Back to School Mini Reviews

This is a collection of unsigned talent that I got requests to review – so if you wanna be daring give these a try…

The Blind Sides “Circles” EP
Toronto musician Aron Harris really impressed me with this gem of an EP. The title track is similar to the piano pop of Ben Folds or The Hillary Step, it just leaps out of the speaker and grabs you. And the following tracks are pretty good, with a DIY power pop effort in “When I Look Back Now” and the alt. country of ” I Don’t Want To Let Love Get In The Way.” Lead singer Stephen Scarrow has a real gift for songwriting and composition and he knows how to really croon on “Waiting For Tomorrrow.” I can’t wait for a full release from this new talent.
Toxic Melons “Melon Jam” EP
A very DIY effort by Paul Fairbairn of Newcastle UK, Melon Jam takes it’s cue from Jellyfish, The Move and Stackridge. “The Dole” is an ambitious opener, with a Jellyfish styled chorus and harmonies. The song “You’ve Changed” is slow pop waltz full of neo-psychedelics that creates a Zappaesque atmosphere. The ender “Tomorrow” is another standout, but unfortunately the low budget production starts to show on the other tracks. Fairbairn has tons of potential here and I would love to hear more… can someone sign this man to a proper label please?
The Sharks “Stockwell Love” EP
Lead by Paul Harvey this London band as a number of free EPs and singles available on Bandcamp. If you are more into the loud side of pop, similar to Paul Collins. Harvey has very distinct vocal that warbles like Roy Orbison a bit, but with a nasal sound that takes a little getting used to. The songwriting here is very good, and the guitar work on several singles is very impressive. “Jimmy” has tons of power and “Stories” has a great hook. Truth be told this is a great FREE collection, and you should give these guys a listen.

Monday’s Mini Reviews

This is a collection of non-power pop stuff that I listened to last week, it’s pretty eclectic– from experimental to metal, if you wanna be daring give these a try…

Secret Message Machine “Orphanville”
Musician Michael Barrett has made a tour-de-force of lo-fi bedroom pop in the spirit of GBV, Zappa and Beck. Tons of diverse influences from mod and classic rock often with two contrasting rhythms and a melody sandwiched between them. Like an audio version of those old stereoscopic “Magic Eye” posters – when you stare (listen) at it long enough you’ll see a picture emerge. Nice trippy stuff on “Wilson Street” and “Drug Store Burns.” I’m not big on experimental DIY pop – but this one was worth diving into.

Worst Case Ontario “Smallcraft” EP
It turns out this NYC band which I kinda enjoyed has officially broken up. Led by Sam Weisberg on guitar it emulates the early nineties club scene a bit, with a fuzz guitar and distorted vocal covering a solid wall of sound on “The Complainer,” which seems to explain why the band imploded. This is basic shoegazer rock and if you’d like to get this one you’ll have to e-mail Sam himself on the band’s MySpace page.
Ben Montague “Overcome”
With so much “idol wannabe” crap out there it takes a bit more for a good pop vocalist to get noticed. I only heard a few songs from Ben Montague, but you can hear that pure talent and excellent pop songwriting on first listen. Like a mix of Seal and John Mayer, Ben’s golden tones will definitely charm you. The inspirational and infectious singles are all over this debut, like “Rainy Day,””Can’t Hold Me Down” and “Weight of Love.” My favorite is the Lenny Kravitz-like soul on “Yeah Yeah.” This may be the best straight pop debut of the year that you missed.

The New Czars”Doomsday Revolution”
So how hardcore metal can you go and still have a recognizable melodic sound? Lead by rock guitarist and producer Greg Hampton, and including the legendary Adrian Belew, the New Czars answers that question with plenty of shredding. The band bangs away not unlike Metallica on the opener “Keep On Goin'” with a thick baseline and Hampton’s wailing vocal. The compositions are melodic with progressive elements on some tracks. Overall a good hybrid that reins in some metal excess and focuses on quality musicianship and song craft. Fans of Joe Satriani or Queensrÿche will like this one too. Highlights include “Why Do You Have 2 Lie” and the fast paced “Confessions.”