Category: Top Ten of 2015 Candidate

The New Trocaderos and Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms

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The New Trocaderos “Frenzy in The Hips” EP

Formed last year, The New Trocaderos are a mini supergroup consisting of Geoffrey Palmer and Brad Marino of The Connection, and Kurt Baker. They released a few singles and an EP (or two) late in 2014. Well if you missed any of these hook-filled songs I’ve got some good news. Kook Kat Musik is distributing a compilation of these singles under the 6 song EP “Frenzy In The Hips.” The music is hard charging pop that’s rooted in the British Invasion and garage rock style. Each single is compelling, but my favorites are “Dream Girl, ” “The Kids” and “Luckiest Man in the World” which is only available on CD on this release! Fire this CD up for an instant rock and roll party. Highly Recommended.
power pop

Kool Kat Musik Exclusive

Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms

Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms “Heart String Soul”

It’s great to hear Ryan again, his last album was nearly three years ago. After many listens, its clear that Ryan Allen bleeds rock & roll dreams. His energy and melodies are the very stuff power pop fans yearn for. “Should Be Me” is the first song, about his lack of radio play and the hopeful refrain of “one more day” to figure out how to “make it.” It’s a little like a mix of The Ramones and Richard X. Heyman. “Looking Forward to Looking Back” has Raspberries-like riffs and a catchy chorus making it an infectious rocker, “We are all born broken” starts the chorus that hits every note perfectly.

“Become a Disaster” is an anthem for disaffected young adults, building with massive harmonies and riffs like Weezer and a Fountains of Wayne styled narrative. Everything here rings true from the timeline affair of “Angela ’97” to the Big Star influenced “Not Hanging Out” to the quiet heartbreak of “Bonded By Blood,” about the difficulties of fatherhood. Ryan has blown me away here, and this easily makes my top ten album list for 2015.
power pop

Bandcamp | CD Baby

Late Cambrian and Gramercy Arms

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Late Cambrian

Late Cambrian “Golden Time”

Late Cambrian has changed its sound a bit more toward the club audience, the guitar riffs which dominated in Peach, take a backseat to the increased role of the keyboard. Starting with the angular riffs, and thumping bass guitar of “Throwing Shade,” its very similar to Field Music’s cerebral approach. But soon after we get the pop goodness of the “Golden Time,” a catchy gem that encourages dancing and head bopping. Its one of the best singles I’ve heard so far and a perfect mix of bass guitar/synth melody.

The synth leads “Illamasqua” and it highlights the vocal harmonies and solid drum work. “NOW” goes for a funkier production with the guitar playing a lead role here. Similarly, “DYBIL” an acronym for “do you believe in love” is a dance rock track with a spacey feel. Then “Montauk” is a welcome love song featuring Angie Hart telling her story, and the duet with John is excellent. The ending “Shiny Cars” is stately and a little long, but there is no filler here. John Wlaysewski’s voice and guitar have come a long way from Flying Machines. This is a band that’s on the cutting edge of rock and pop, ready for major fame – its early but makes my 2015 list.  Look out Maroon 5 and Franz Ferdinand, you’ve got a band who’s “Golden Time” has come.
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Bandcamp |  Amazon

Gramercy Arms

Gramercy Arms “The Seasons of Love”

Gramercy Arms is a NYC Collective masterminded by main songwriter/producer Dave Derby (Dambuilders/Lloyd Cole) with a massive guest list: Joan Wasser (Joan As Police Woman), Tanya Donelly (Belly, Throwing Muses), Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Kendall Meade (Sparklehorse), Claudia Gonson (Magnetic Fields), Doug Gillard (Guided By Voices), Erin Moran (A Girl Called Eddy), Renee LoBue (Elk City), Kay Hanley (Letters To Cleo).

The opener “Always In Love” is a sure fire hit that will brighten your day with sunny horn flourishes to highlight the optimistic melody. The more subdued “Beautiful Disguise” veers into ballad territory, the duet between Lloyd Cole and Joan Wasser plays the male/female insecurity card perfectly. “Winterlight” is another gem of optimism and its a hand clapping ready-made single. “The Night Is Your Only Friend” is another richly woven pop anthem. Fans of sophisticated pop rock like The Eels or The Sharp Things will love this album.  The horns and strings here set the music above the fray, and lead singer works effortlessly with other vocalists of different styles on “Novemberlong” and “The Seasons of Love.” Overall this is music that elicits authentic emotion, and you’ll be glad to revisit it and let it grow on you.
power pop

Amazon

Baby Scream and Bubble Gum Orchestra

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Baby Scream

Baby Scream “Fan, Fan, Fan”

Argentina’s power pop sensation Baby Scream is back. Juan Pablo Mazzola got together with his good friend Nick Schinder and recorded about 200 songs in a massive recording session, and they had enough material for great 2 LPs. This one and The Worst of Baby Scream, which collects demos, covers and other stray tracks. Fan, Fan, Fan songs fit together along a similar theme and each song dovetails into the next.

Juan Pablo’s Lennonesque vocals combined with his crunchy pop guitars and pissed off lyrics make a great combination here. “Everybody Sucks” is a solid angry rant followed by the slow burning “Back To Douche” and the rocking “Loner” are a perfect 3 punch combo of angst and regret. These songs all clock in under 3 minutes each (except “The Girl Next Next Door”). He paints a lonely picture on the dense “A Human Being On Mars” and the catchy riffs are all over the aptly named “Captain Hook” with a satisfying solo between the chorus. Even though it slows down a little midway through it still delivers greatness on the ballads “Haters Will Hate” and “Just For A While.” Juan Pablo has a biting sense of humor on “The Kitty Song” where he speaks in the voice of the biggest a-hole cat ever. The smart curation of these songs from the recording session make this my favorite Baby Scream album to date. It’s so good, it gets my first nomination for best album of 2015! Don’t miss this one.

Only on Bandcamp

power pop

Bubble Gum Orchestra

Bubble Gum Orchestra “Beyond Time”

Once again ELO super-fan Michael Laine Hildebrandt returns to give us a “sequel” to the ELO 1981 classic Time. Hildebrandt starts with familiar electronic synths leading to the main riff of “23rd Century Woman,” one of the highlights. But my favorite is “Trans Form Her” chock full of tech wordplay along a similar theme of loving a robot girl, which leads to the obvious “I’m in Love with a Robot.” “Earth Below Me” is a captivating electronic prog rock gem that soothes and inspires.

Michael is also getting much better at using the style for compositions, instead of merely imitating it. He still isn’t above some hero worship, as “ELO Forever” lists about 28 song titles in the lyrics. Still, this is a fun, enjoyable album with some very nice production work throughout the synth-guitar melodies. If you enjoy your rock with a space opera twist this will float your boat.

power pop

CD Baby | Amazon