McPhersonGrant “Song”

McPhersonGrant

 

McPhersonGrant “Song”

The duo of Scott McPherson (Liar’s Club, Pop 4, Tiny Volcano) and Jamie Grant (Victory Hits, Pop Vultures) indulge in some of the sugariest pop confections with their new LP, Song. The team goes in multiple stylistic directions, and it’s likely the most diverse album I’ve heard this year. Notable guests include Dee Long and Terry Draper (Klaatu), Andrea Perry and more. The opener is especially fun, “Little Green Men” is full of effects, an alien synth line, and catchy guitar strums. Other guests include Zak Nilsson, and if you loved his dad Harry — this album will hit your sweet spot for sure. “Housekeeper” is a great pop gem that is a perfect marriage of Nilsson and McCartney’s styles. Zak also plays drums on the Nilsson-styled ballad “My Favorite Thing.”

In fact, if you are prone to be disappointed by Sir Paul’s newest music, this is the album that you’ll really want. The wonderful “Big Picture People” is like a lost Klaatu classic, and one of my favorites here. The duo get very creative with the quirky “Cheese” and the British music hall-styled “The Marvelous and Mysterious Adventures of Sir Ollie And His Ox.” And they do the guitar-heavy power pop on “It’s The Day,” before the Beach Boys harmonies are dusted off on “Let’s Drive To Summer.” Then, Clara Moir lends her angelic vocals to the very Burt Bacharach-styled “The Love Of Her Life.”

Yes, this is all pure love of rock nostalgia, and they describe their childhood in detail on the gem “Waiting For The Sunflowers,” lamenting “those times are gone, those days were golden… No, you can’t go rocking around like the clown you were in your twenties.” Not everything resonates as well, but overall you’ve got plenty of great catchy songs and it is definitely highly recommended.

Right now it only sold at mcphersongrant.com and tinyvolcano.rocks

Damp and Terry Draper

Damp “Damp”
Damp is the duo of Ryan Bredehoeft and Jerry Bennett. They are primarily a piano and guitar pop band from Oregon. Both “Time” and “What’s to Come from What Has Been” focus on baroque melodies and harmonies recalling Elliot Smith mixed with early Billy Joel. Two versions of “Ye Ol’ Bitch” are next, one with a rootsy Beck style and the other sung like a stage showtune. And both are pretty catchy.

Both “A Song” and “This Too Shall Pass” sound like demos and that’s an issue with a few of these songs – they sound like filler.  But sometimes the melodies are so good you can look past the lo-fi delivery like “I Love You” and  “Swimming Lessons.” They get too cute on the kazoo backed “I’m Thinking of You,” but at least they don’t take themselves too seriously. The gems here are worth seeking out.

CD Baby | Amazon

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Terry Draper “When The World Was Young”
Draper was part of the legendary band Klaatu, he’s made several solo LPs and this is his latest. Terry’s approach is now more romantic adult oriented pop music, and a slew of guests contribute here including Jamie Hoover, Ray Paul and Vinnie Zummo.

“All The King’s Men” is a pleasant pastoral song, and “(I’m So Happy To Be) Alive” and “Carry On” showcases Draper at his most Klaatu-like. “The Tea Horse Road” and “To Whom It May Concern” both have their moments, and the title track is a beautifully rendered epic ballad. Klaatu fans are sure to enjoy the highlights, and its only available through Terry’s website, so get’em while they last.

Exclusively on Terry Draper’s site