El Goodo and Marshall Holland

El Goodo

El Goodo “Zombie”

Welsh pop band El Goodo (yes… named after the Big Star song, “Ballad Of El Goodo”) is back with a retro-styled album that definitely sounds familiar to grizzled music aficionados. Zombie contains many of the touchpoints of the late 60s era, with country/roots progressions and harmony-rich melodies.

The harmonies take over the opening ballad “Things Turn Around,” and “Home” is very much like a Mike Nesmith (Monkees) penned tune that bounces and jangles along. The vintage riffs of “I Can’t Leave” bring to mind the peak of The Beau Brummels. The country banjo, slide guitar twang, and harmonica keeps “Forever Casting Shadows” and “You Let Me Down” shuffling along despite the very dark lyrics. “The Grey Tower” is about being stuck at a job, working longs hours, and dreaming of getting home. It’s a solid narrative, and the wicked baseline brings to mind The Zombies. There is some lightness in the instrumental “Sounds Good To Me, Man” and the last song, “If The Coast Is Clear” is a bit like a Beatles-era Ringo song. Overall this is like a really good mixtape with some inventive techniques that prevent the songs from sounding too much like their influences.
Check it out.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Marshall Holland

Marshall Holland “Paper Airplane”

Marshall Holland returns after a 6-year break, and following his creative impulses, he created a response to the heartache of our current events. The catchy gem “When The Rain Comes” brings those classic pop sounds upfront (fans of The Left Banke will love it.) The acoustic “Hand Holds A Bird” brings an emotional resonance as a plea for love states “a ring on a finger speaks more than words.” The title track evokes the band America, as his double-tracked vocals float across the chorus. It’s brilliantly written, as well as the romantic harpsichord led “Look Into My Eyes.”

Looking at the pandemic through the sober “Waiting For That Peace & Love” contrasts with the guarded optimism of “Don’t Do It.” Elvis Costello is a significant influence on the pounding opener “Our Fate,” “She Buys A Dress” and the anti-Trump theme “Whatcha Gonna Do.” Some of these do require repeat listens, but they grow on you quickly. Marshall performs everything himself, and his musicianship is solid. Fans of Seth Swirsky, Ken Sharp, and Bread will soak this up. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Bart Davenport and Marshall Holland

Bart Davenport “Physical World”
Bart Davenport is one of those musicians that can take past influences and funnel it into brilliant original music. The opening track “Wearing the Changes” is part McCartney and part ’60s Motown. And he doesn’t stick in one era of the musical timeline, “F*ck Fame” is like the lost 80’s classic Spandau Ballet never released – this is damn catchy and will stay on my playlist a while.

Davenport’s vocal is of the silky smooth crooner variety, “Dust in The Circuits” is full of cool and soul in the way Morrisey used to be (before he became a bitter old fart). One of the best songs here is “Pamela,” an earworm with a boss nova beat, and “Every Little Step” is wonderful mix of Stevie Wonder and Glenn Tilbrook. A few tunes get a bit sleepy (“Girl Gotta Way”) but the great songs outnumber the so-so ones. Highly Recommended!

Amazon


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Marshall Holland “And The Etceteras”
Hailing from Salinas, California, musician Marshall Holland has an easy going casual style with a vintage pop touch – think The Zombies, Crowded House or The Cyrkle.  “Take Me” is a note perfect single with tight pop arrangement, and “At 65” compares well with Phil Angotti. One of the albums best is “Oh Please,” it has a touch of Gene Clark with a sweet Beatles-like chorus. After a few listens it just sticks with you. Holland’s slower moody tunes like “Goodbye September Days” are closer in style to Jeremy Messersmith.

I appreciated the tune “Radio Style,” which comments on sad state of contemporary radio; “blame the on the digital DJs” if you don’t hear what you want. I couldn’t find a real weak track, although the albums second half has a few instrumental fillers. Overall this is a textbook example of quality pop music. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp | Amazon