We start our November selection with the welcome return of Shake Some Action‘s “Break It Down,” it’s a slow-burning hook that sticks in your head quickly. The Thin Cherries are a Chicago band with a little more alt. rock feel, and the jangle band *repeat repeat gives a freebie that’s pretty cool with a nice beat. However, the best freebie of this month is the work of Orbis Max; as he collaborates with some of my favorite artists like Danny Wilkerson, Lannie Flowers, Ed Ryan, Lisa Mychols, and more. Adam Marsland has remixed and remastered his final album, The Owl and The Full Moon, and Beach Boys fans will want to soak that in. UK singer-songwriter John Myrtle has that retro-pop vibe with a great ballad “Get Her Off My Mind,” check out the entire LP for more. Kansas City’s Eggs on Mars serves up a smooth EP that boasts Midwestern charm and hooks, and Toronto’s Claude Kent (aka Clockwise) delivers an EP that reminds me of early Joe Jackson, full of sweet pop hooks.
Tag: adam marsland
Adam Marsland “The Owl and The Full Moon”
It’s been a long road for Adam Marsland from the days of punk pop favorite Cockeyed Ghost to his development as a solid session performer and music producer. After a the blue-eyed soul of “Contamination,” he makes the most of his experiences with The Beach Boys, with gentle harmonies throughout the album. The title track mixes that soulful approach with a classic rock melody. One of the best songs here ironically is “No One’s Ever Gonna Hear This Song.” It’s a ballad of anguish and frustration, and it builds layer after layer, and the harmonies are classic.
On his past with Cockeyed Ghost, he reelects “Do you remember the power pop days?” with the song “Power Pop Days.” It’s a cheery and bouncy melody of being “…choked By A skinny tie.” In fact this is the first mature Marsland album without any punk invective, and it suits him well. The baroque “I Wanna Be In Love” is composed like a Left Banke song, and “Happy Face” is another bouncy gem. The self reflection on “To Be Human” and “Song 11” is taken to grand heights with full orchestration similar to Brian Wilson. Highly Recommended.
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