Tag: Mike Benign Compulsion

Mike Benign Compulsion and Andy Stone

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Mike Benign

Mike Benign Compulsion “Kid”

Milwaukee’s power pop combo The Mike Benign Compulsion return with a sweet (and harsh) look back at childhood. The band (Mike Benign, Joe Vent, Michael Koch and Paul Biemann) brings a solid melodic rock style to the opener “Gadfly” and gets very much like Elvis Costello meets XTC on the excellent title track “Kid.”

The dominant keyboard-guitar combo on “The Best Years of Our Lives” showcases Benign’s muscular melodies, but he can be a Bowie-like troubadour on the narrative “The Legendary Band (That’s Still Together),” which could be about The Stones or any oldies band cynically cashing out. The anthemic guitar opens “Goodbye, Kid Dreams” and continues the adult cynicism with rock and roll. Another strong album for Benign, who ends with the heartfelt lyrics of “If It All Falls Apart,” and once again makes this a highly recommended LP.

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Andy Stone

Andy Stone “Blender”

Stone is a talented indie musician with a love of the sixties and seventies pop, and Blender is similar to the recent solo work of Mimi Betinis. The charming opener “Catherine’s Acting” is a wink and nod to a girl escaping “the madness.”  Another great power pop single here is “Be That Girl,” with a smart hook in the chorus and cheery backing harmonies.

Stone also goes bolder on the rocker “What A Shame” and ambitious “430” but his vocal limitations are more audible here. Highlights include “Our Mutual Friends” and the Dylanesque closer “You Alone, My Universe,” its a lot of fun with plenty of double entendres. Give this one a look, and you won’t be sorry.

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The Mike Benign Compulsion and The Campbell Apartment

powerpopaholic

The Mike Benign Compulsion “Martha”
It wasn’t long ago we heard from Midweswtern musician Mike Benign. This new full-length album is a big leap forward for the Compulsion, mixed by the dB’s Chris Stamey. The driving harmonies on “Chemicals To Candy” is full of classic power pop chord shifts, and a great opener. “My Michelle” has a bit more jangle, almost like The Raspberries. A few real standouts are the bouncing beat and harmony filled chorus of “Valentines and Honeybees” and the Beatlesque “Sing It.” No filler here and plenty of other great tunes, like the Kinks inspired “American Dreaming and Drunk” and the Stamey influence is clear on the album’s latter half with “By The Way” and “I Won’t Let You Down.” The ballads are good too, so overall it’s a highly recommended LP and a great addition to your playlist.

 

The Campbell Apartment “In”
After the melodic indie-pop sounds of 2008’s Insomiac’s Almanac, the Campbell Apartment take a turn towards a harder rock sound courtesy of leader Ari Vais. Joined by Jody Porter (Fountains of Wayne) it resembles the late great Alex Chilton on the blistering opener “I Don’t Believe in Love (Anymore).” The cynical genius of “The See You Laters” explores the death of rock star dreams, as Ari’s vocal has a Lou Reed meets TMBG-styled cadence.

The album’s wall of guitar riffs recall the Replacements feel-good hooks on “Autumn,” and the more distortion fueled melody “Season In The Sun.” A few songs recall the early 80’s new wave, like the list of girls on “My Many Mini Obsessions” and the dissonance of “Plug-in Freak.” A few notable tracks, like “Gia Knows” recalls Weezer and “That’s All There Is” could fit comfortably on a Red Hot Chili Peppers LP. Some of the rhythm guitar acrobatics are colorful and the slow ballad “There Goes the Sun,” has some sweet horn arrangements. It’s a grower for sure, as Ari’s vocal takes a bit getting used to. Get “I Don’t Believe in Love (Anymore)” for free download to start you off!