The Crayons are wondering “What’s Wrong With You?” – after all, you have here a really good power pop album with a gorgeous model on the cover, and you haven’t bought it yet? This second album from the Albany, NY group is produced by the Churchills, so the pedigree is in place and the music is tight pop rock tunes with an alternative edge. Opening with “God Hates Me” has a bit of Tonic meets Posies, a nice hook and ringing guitars to feed your ears. I have to say the the band’s website is of exceptional design and offers streaming tracks too. Mike Bolduc and Ron Haney blend the tight harmonies, dark lyrics and great musical craftsmanship together with ease. If you miss the Churchills or The Tories, The Crayons will fill your needs immediately. “Every Moment” flows along with handclaps and guitar bass beat that can’t be ignored. Even the ballads, like “Here and There” have that expansive rich quality that makes lyrics like “I’m alone/ but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you” feel sincere. The ballads like “By The Way” and “Maybe” reminds me a bit of the poppiest parts of Toad The Wet Sprocket’s hit singles. “Sliding” is also a highlight here, with perfect chorus and driving beat. No duds here. Just get this one if you missed it.
Category: Top Ten of 2008 Candidate
Mike Viola "Lurch"
Mike Viola returns with a vengence! “Lurch” was a limited run of 1000 copies that I promoted a few weeks ago. After that sold out, Mike’s looking for a bigger distribution deal. Let’s start right off saying that Mike is in a class with Fountains of Wayne, Jackdaw4, Roger Manning Jr. and the cream of the genre. Opening with a piano tribute to Vic Mizzy’s “Addams Family theme” it turns into a catchy mid-tempo love song to his “Girly Worm.” The next tune “All Bent out of Shape” is classic example of a Candy Butchers track, with great lyrical plot and melodic gold. My favorite song here is “The Strawberry Blonde,” an amazing melding of hooks and uplifting multi-tracked harmonies, including a very Wilsonesque “Um-bop-ditty” layered vocal. The ballads “Dangerously Close” and “Snowman in Tompkins Park” are poignant and heart felt. Not a single dud on this release. Even a quick little ditty about an old address (“279 East 10th Street”) shines like a Paul Simon classic. The quality of this release rivals anything this out year and is his best since the acclaimed “Hang on Mike.” In fact stop reading now and listen to the goodies below for a taste of the album.
Listen to “So Much Better”
Here is an awesome link – nice clear footage of Adam Schlesinger and Mike Viola at the 2007 Tribeca ASCAP music lounge playing “That thing [they] do”.
The Lurch download was so popular, that Mike’s site had to be taken down for exceeding bandwidth. If you missed it. Please buy this album when it goes to full distribution.
Smash Palace "Everybody Comes and Goes"
Steven Butler and the rest of Smash Palace of New Jersey, have done a smashing job here. Inspired by the Beatles, Kinks and Tom Petty this album is pretty catchy and near perfect. It’s full of great musical composition, appealing vocals and crunchy Brit influenced guitars that are ever present throughout the album. The traditional computer-free approach suits them fine and this is the purest power pop disc I’ve heard all year. The melodic hooks will stick to your brain faster than peanut butter sticks to the roof of your mouth. “She” begins with the classic Monkees jangle intro and builds to an awesome chorus.”Didn’t Anyone Tell, You” has a bit of Split Enz meets The Grip Weeds. The great guitar work continues with “Dressed in Black” and “Is this a Dream?” is a dreamy mid-tempo love poem. “Just Like You” will drive the Tom Petty fans into a “Full Moon Fever” and “Hoping” follows that template with a Ray Davies’ like vocal narrative. “Caroline” strays into a somber blues study that could fit on an Allman Brothers record. A smooth cover of George Harrison’s “I Want To Tell You” rounds out this fantastic release. This makes my top ten 2008 early, I guess Wisely isn’t alone this month!
Wisely "Wisely"
Minneapolis native Willie Wisely has been a fixture on the power pop scene since the mid ninties and every release has been met with critical acclaim. This new self-titled album has an introspective tone and feel, as now a father Wisely looks at life with new eyes. Each song has a seriousness that soak through each of the melodies. “On My Way” opens with a smooth adult California-styled strumming nicely brought along by Wisely’s crisp vocals. The next track, “Cracked World View” is similar to an Elliot Smith pop tune without all the moping. But my favorite track here is “California” with amazing hooks and uplifting tone that has found a near-permanent home on the ole’ ipod. The track has energy and exuberance to spare. “Ella” is a good follow up, as a Paul Simon-like message to his wife on the joys of parenthood as he tells his wife “..the things that made us sad seem far away”. The feel good vibe continues with “Vanilla” (yes a song about the simple pleasures of ice cream) and this is a song that Ringo wishes he could record.”Through Any Window” is a joy of multi-tracked vocals and guitars, that remind you Paul McCartney has permeated the brain here. It impressed actress Jenna Fischer (The Office) so much she appears in the video. Every song is a light gem, and fans of Andrew Gold, Paul Simon or Sondre Lerche would love this album. I’m proud to list it as the best new release of 2008, so far.
Wisley site | MySpace | Itunes | Not Lame | Emusic
Listen to “Through Any Window”