Tag: Simon Felton

The Nines and Simon Felton

powerpopaholic
The Nines

The Nines “Alejandro’s Visions”

A labor of love for Steve Eggers, with the help of Bill Majoros (the Foreign Films) this is a cinematic album that harkens back to the 1950s, from doo wop to the advent of rock and roll. Its like an audio movie musical with the cacophony of sounds opening up “Alejandro’s Visions,” and leads to the best Beach Boys meets The Platters song  you ever heard  in “I Have Found You.” The album concept is a familiar “boy-meets-girl” trope but its done both seamlessly and brilliantly.

“My Sweet Marie” brings to mind an early Buddy Holly concert, and then the charmed couple visit a amusement park in “Escape From A Small Town” with both rockabilly swagger and sweet harmonies throughout. Eggers heartfelt vocals are in peak form here, culminating in the a cappella “When Our Love Was In Bloom,” and his strongest dramatic statements “Operator (Coming Home To You)” and “And Suddenly” compare well with the best work Jeff Lynne (ELO) has ever done. Other songs recall old Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, but overall this was an album that was impossible to put down, and that’s enough to make it a welcome addition to my top ten albums list of 2016. 

CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik

Simon Felton

Simon Felton “Return To Easton Square”

Another collection of therapeutic/confessional songs from Simon Felton (Garfield’s Birthday) that range from sombre to silly. The catchy piano  of “Alibi” has interesting lyrical phrasing “I wanna be your glass of wine…” Simon still has a way with melody as demonstrated on the Donovan-like psychedelic “Goodbye (Again)” and ”It Must Be (A Nightmare).”

While some corny stuff finds its way in “Good Morning Britain” (which sounds like an update of “Act Naturally”) there are plenty of compelling songs here. More highlights include “I Would (If I Wanted To)” and “It’s Obvious.” Give this one a chance and add it to your playlist.

Bandcamp

Summer Children and Simon Felton

powerpopaholic
Summer Children

Summer Children “On The Go With Summer Children”

As the first major release from Adam Marsland’s Karma Frog label it highlights the versatility of his engineering and producing skills. The pairing of songstress Leslie Wenzell and guitarist Dan Akira is a good one. The Summer Children influences are mainly pop and country of the 70’s. Starting with the gem “Here I Go!” it’s both bouncy and catchy with a terrific guitar lead and some steel lap twang. The country pop style is more pronounced on “Poor Natalie” and “Who Ya Callin Trash?” Akira lets his inner Johnny Cash out for “Mighty Fast Car” and Wenzell channels Tammy Wynette on “The Bluest Heart.”

Another highlight is the harmonious “Summer Children,” which recalls The Free Design and The Association. My favorite here is the strong composition “Stand Beside Me” where Wenzell’s pipes resemble The 5th Dimension’s Marilyn McCoo. As you’ve guessed, the band touches a variety of genres and if you’re open to traditional Americana this is a fine debut.

Karma Frog Records | Amazon

Simon Felton

Simon Felton “Emotional Feedback”

Third release from Garfield’s Birthday frontman, explores a sad look back at a relationship. The mood is set with the wistful “Two Fine Lovers/A Warning,” and the piano melody “Sympathy No.4” is a sad sack theme in every sense, as “Safe Bet” picks up with the pace a bit with a hopeful harmony in the chorus of “tell me things are better than they sound” but even here he’s “a loser” and “dead end.”

Paul Williams early work tread similar somber ground and there are several songs that are real keepers, like “Throw It All Away” and “Coffee and Lies.” Both are beautifully descriptive vignettes and with a minimum of theatrical drama. While the honest self deprecation with a song or two is fine, its the main course here. If you are in that sort of mood, than this will fill the void nicely.

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