Holmes (aka Roy Shakked) has the ability to write melodic songs full of humor and meaning. After a very good debut, we have a self titled sophomore effort which collects all the tracks from the Basement Tapes EP and adds a few more. The new material is mainly guitar based blues ballads and pop, that evoke a bleak picture. “Let Go” is a Steely Dan styled pop dirge where “two jobs and broken wife” weigh on Roy’s mind. This is very timely recession era music and it’s an album highlight. “Unsatisfied” channels a Paul Simon mid-tempo ballad with a gentle synth keyboard. “Hurts So Bad” and “Not With You” are painfully poignant and depressing ballads that make Elliot Smith sound cheerful. The excellent “So Many Of You” strays into the sunlight a bit more and it’s got a masterful hook in the chorus. The older songs fit nicely here, with the exception of the Devo-ish “Go Computer.” And it’s always fun to hear the Bush bashing “Not A Political Song.” The haunting cover of Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” round out the album. If you didn’t pick up Basement Tapes, this collection is worth the listening effort — it’s full of high quality musicianship and great timely songwriting.

My Space | Itunes | Holmes website

Fans of sunshine and baroque pop would do well to check out the latest album from Armstrong. Songs About The Weather is a sweet batch of light pop gems that will bring to mind Andrew Sandoval, William Pears, or The Pearlfishers. Opening with the light synths and gentle strum of “Break It In Two”lead singer Julian Pitt sets the albums pastoral tone. Next “Sunshine Feeling” has a Byrds/Beach Boys feel that makes for a perfect summer song. But there is definitely an undercurrent of sadness across the rest of the album. Starting with the break-up song “Perhaps It’s Time We Said Goodbye,” it’s a delicate song that looks back at love lost. Much of the remaining songs take this melancholy approach. And the lovely acoustic guitar work is an ever present backdrop to these dark songs like, “Picture of The Bay,” and “Rainfall” which reminds me of summer teen romance in a past memory. Thankfully a few up tempo songs are added, and “Summer Rain” and “Drowning in Self Belief” recall those Chad & Jeremy folk tinged pop classics. If you enjoy wistful ballads and sun-kissed melodies that are brimming with emotion you’ll want to listen to Armstrong.

My Space | Kool Kat Musik