Tag: The Lemon Twigs

The Alarm and The Lemon Twigs

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The Anderson Council

The Alarm “Forwards”

The list of active veteran rock musicians still writing and performing is dwindling. That’s why we celebrate when they not only perform but continue to create new songs. Sadly this list is narrowed further when you include artists who still sound as good as they did in their prime. Mike Peters of The Alarm has not only survived the test of time but he’s boldly defied leukemia and cancer — and he’s become a legend, earning 16 Top 50 UK singles over the years. The new album Forwards was written while in the hospital during chemotherapy treatments, and vividly describes the persistence and will to continue.

Opening with the anthemic title track, “Forwards” shares a lot stylistically with former tourmates U2, full of ringing guitar rhythm as he sings “I’m living for today,”  and the heartfelt ballad “Love and Forgiveness” is a shout-out to those who’ve fallen on hard times. The next big anthem “Next” is another defiant melody as he shouts “I feel alright when I’m with you” to his audience. Other standouts include “Whatever” and “New Standards.” It’s not all great, as “10 X” is a 6-minute plus preachy session, and other tracks don’t really distinguish themselves and seem to blend together. However this will appeal to fans, and for those who haven’t heard Mike since the days of “68 Guns,” I ask “Where have you been?” Check it out.

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The Anderson Council

The Lemon Twigs “Everything Harmony”

Long Island-bred brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario have been raised on classic rock and pop, so it’s in their DNA. As the title suggests they take a much softer approach, and the opener “When Winter Comes Around” recalls prime John Denver or David Gates. Next, the duo confronts the difficult reality of who they are in contrast to how others see them in the song “In My Head,” with sweet harmonizing and a melodic structure similar to Todd Rundgren.

“Corner Of My Eye” is a delicate ballad vocally bringing to mind Art Garfunkel, and the guitars come out for the rare Big Star-like power pop of “What You Were Doing.” While the influences are clear, the boys make unique songs that are clearly Lemon Twigs classics. It is as light and carefree as music can be, yet it is also intricate and full of depth. There are enough stylistic differences to keep things unpredictable and the performances lift the music to a shimmering height when the brothers harmonize. Without a doubt, this is Highly Recommended.

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The Lemon Twigs and Juniper

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The Lemon Twigs

The Lemon Twigs “Songs for the General Public”

Brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario continue their quirky theatrical homage to the conceptual rock of the 70s. They seem to follow in the unconventional path laid out by Russell and Ron Mael (Sparks) with their own Lemon-y glam twist. But it’s unfortunate that they start out with “Hell On Wheels,” a bombastic Meatloaf styled epic belted out by a parody of Bob Dylan. We get it. Its all very tongue in cheek, but a little subtlety would go down better. They add so many influences and ideas into each track it can be disorienting. Like a Chinese dim sum menu, you will find plenty here to like and dislike.

Thankfully the brothers are very talented and can turn on the charm effortlessly. “Live In Favor Of Tomorrow” embraces a breezy melody that power pop audiophiles will love. The piano melody of “No One Holds You (Closer Than The One You Haven’t Met)” is a Billy Joel-Todd Rundgren hybrid that dazzles with its layered composition. The harmonies are equally amazing on “Somebody Loving You” boosting the deep synth melody. Highlights also include “The One” and “Only a Fool” with its prog-pop composition, loaded with minor chord shifts. There is just enough to make this album highly recommended, so check it out.

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Juniper

Juniper “Juniper”

Fifteen-year-old Juniper Shelley, daughter of singer-songwriter Michael Shelley is getting into the family business. Her self titled album displays both a modern teen POV and reverence of pop’s past. “I guess that my musical taste is a mashup of my family’s music and my friends’ music,” she says. “I really like the Beach Boys, the Zombies, and Fountains of Wayne, but I also love Taylor Swift.”

With a bevy of guest stars, from Marshall Crenshaw, Chris Geddes (Belle and Sebastian), to Dennis Diken (The Smithereens) and more contribute here, making Shelley’s modest vocal work shine. “Kids on My Corner” is a real pop gem, with its fast rhyming lyric and catchy percussion. All the songs are timeless girl subjects (a la Lesley Gore) with sweet melodies on “Best Kept Secret,” “Girls Just Want A Boy To Rest Their Head Upon” and the bouncy “Sticking With My Henry.” But it’s not all mush, and the playful set has some great songwriting in addition to the excellent musicianship. Like those early Beach Boys records, it’s bona fide innocence on full display. Highly Recommended.

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The Lemon Twigs and Paul McCann

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The Lemon Twigs

The Lemon Twigs “Go To School”

Long Island-based brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario decided that a rock musical would make a good sophomore album. It’s a bold move with a really weird storyline; about a chimpanzee, Shane, who is raised by frustrated performers “Bill and Carol” as he comes to terms with the obstacles of life.

It starts with the bombastic “Never In My Arms, Always In My Heart” overstuffed with piano, guitars, choirs and chiming bells. You definitely hear Todd Rundgren’s influence (circa 1973) all over this album, and he actually adds himself into the narrative as “Bill.” Todd contributes his vocals at points in the story (“Never Know.”) The finely written “The Student Becomes The Teacher” and “Rock Dreams” are wonderfully realized themes that explain the story perfectly. Other tunes satisfy the ear like “Small Victories,” the sweet “Wondering Ways” and “Lonely” are all very heartfelt. Also impressive was “Queen of My School” which feels pulled off Big Star’s third album, with Big Star’s Jody Stephens as a guest drummer!

For all the greatness I hear, the entire production drags in the second half and the Broadway musical elements feel more like a forced indulgence as “Born Wrong/Heart Song” is a good example. This album succeeds in small doses, so I would take time and sit through repeat listens. As a whole it’s overwrought, but it does push the message well. And it does just enough for me to make it Highly Recommended.

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Paul McCann

Paul McCann “Here Comes The Rapture”

We met Paul a few years ago with his solo EP, but now he’s delivered a full-length LP. The Irish singer-songwriter plays all his own instruments and knows a good hook or two. He starts with a re-do of his older single “Keep The Devil Within,” and it remains a catchy gem, with its killer chorus. The follow-ups are also impressive with “Its Only A Fantasy” and “Miss Self Depreciating” hitting all the right buttons and hooks. The production here is thick and glossy which works for most of this style of power pop.

After that, it’s a mixed bag. Paul does well with twangy guitar licks and solos like on “The Magician,” but the ballads that follow aren’t as compelling. Fortunately, that doesn’t pull the album off the rails. The title track is a stadium-sized rocker, and the compelling “Charge” has multi-tracked vocals, an ELO-styled string accompaniment, and a wicked guitar break. The final track “Blinded By The Dark” was the most intriguing with some nice vocal work and acoustic rhythms. A strong album that deserves to be to be Highly Recommended.

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The Lemon Twigs and Joyce Manor

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The Lemon Twigs

The Lemon Twigs “Do Hollywood”

While Ronnie D’Addario’s kids are teens, they picked up their dad’s best music instincts on the Lemon Twigs big label debut. “I Wanna Prove To You” is a retro doo-wop mid-tempo ballad thats twisted around a slick production style similar to 10cc. It takes a few listens to appreciate all the melodic goodies contained within, like the next track “Those Days is Comin’ Soon,” filled with a complex blending of styles. If anything, this allows The Lemon Twigs to stand out against a homogenous indie rock field.

The precious vocals on “Haroomata” and “Baby, Baby” recall Nilsson but don’t stay boxed in any conventional structure, with frantic synth pop la-las bursting out from the slow tempo. “These Words” could be a lost Todd Rundgren tune, full of studio craft and bursting with harmony. “How Lucky Am I” is the most like a conventional love song, but its the unexpected twists in these songs that makes this album special, “Hi + Lo” being a perfect example. Very hard to categorize (on purpose) but it also reminded me of Frank Zappa and The Mothers “We’re In It For The Money,” amongst other timeless pop gems. Highly Recommended.

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Joyce Manor

Joyce Manor “Cody”

Joyce Manor is speaking to generation of young males (much the way Weezer did 20 years ago) with 2 minute slices of emotional angst. Opening with “Fake I.D.” which describes the thrill of meeting that smoking hot but superficial girl who asks “what do you think about Kanye West?” All done with a swagger and fuzz, very much like Superdrag as “Eighteen” rocks out a catchy credo “Find something to do, then do it,” but then ending with “I feel so old today.”

An acoustic duet about addiction “Do You Really Want to Not Get Better?” between lead vocalist and guitarist Barry Johnson and Phoebe Bridges provide a good break from the earlier anthems. “Make Me Dumb” leads with a loud minor-key riff and melodic chorus similar to early Rooney. But “Over Before It Began” and “Stairs” are the heart of this album, the latter a mid-tempo ballad about young adulthood “Yeah, I’m 26 and I still live with my parents.” Each song has a good hook and the band solidly connects with its audience. Highly Recommended.

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