Tag: The Maureens

The Campbell Apartment and The Maureens

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The Campbell Apartment

The Campbell Apartment “Under The Influence Of Love”

San Francisco band The Campbell Apartment is back after a several-year break, and they try some new things here. The opener, “Sand and Glue,” is a solid indie punk track with a compelling chorus of “What I do,” with plenty of Kinks-like verses in between.

“Bay Area Robot Farm” is almost like a lost Bill Lloyd tune, but the band breaks out on “PATH Train of Least Resistance.” This is the type of pop song in which the band excels, with a touch of jangle and a descriptive lyric of a certain time and place. Then “Boys Like Driving” is another winner, playing with gender stereotypes, and it seems like it stepped out of last summer’s Barbie movie. “Fun In The Sun” is a perfect follow-up, with flowing harmonies everywhere. The “sublime” ballad “452 Square Feet” feels like an epic album closer. Overall, plenty of interesting and unpredictable songs round out this album. Highly Recommended.

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The Maureens

The Maureens “Everyone Smiles”

The Dutch band The Maureens are back with a new record. The harmonies and instrumentation are still reminiscent of the early Beatles, but this band has expanded their sound with the jangling opener “Stand Up!” The compositions are all originals; “Lost & Found” boasts a catchy rhythm, and “Sunday Driver” is an aching ballad with a great chorus.

“Fell in Love” recalls Sloan or The Posies with a lighter pop touch, and “Rainy Day” is another highlight, which sounds a bit like Teenage Fanclub, with a quiet opening then the harmonies crash in. Another great tune is “Only Child,” with its slow-building, rich composition. Not all the songs are as memorable, and my biggest issue with the album is that the style and cadence don’t vary much, and the lead guitar on most songs takes a back seat to the harmonies. Overall, this is a really beautiful album that deserves to be heard.

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The Maureens and The Beatpunkers

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The Maureens

The Maureens “Something In The Air”

The Maureens are from in Utrecht, the Netherlands with influences that recall The Beatles, The Byrds, Teenage Fanclub, and The Jayhawks. Over the years the band’s line-up has been thinned to a core four: Hendrik-Jan de Wolff (vocals/guitar), Wouter Zijlstra (vocals/bass guitar), Martijn Vink (guitar) and Stefan Broos (vocals/drums). Their songs are structured around blended harmonies and catchy melodies, and the Something in the Air album is their best one yet.

“4 AM” has a brilliant Rickenbacker jangling melody with a swelling chorus – a great standout. The tight harmonies on “20 Years for The Company” is like a mix of R.E.M. and Cast with its catchy folk chorus. The guitars get a little heavier on the ballad “She’s A Dreamer” and the easy-going “Can’t Stop” but the constant dual harmonies of Wolff and Zijlstra are what keeps things sweet. Another good comparison is The Spongetones — most songs are neat and short, with a only a few missteps. The jangling chords on the albums first half give way to rootsy acoustic ballads and some steel pedal guitar. “Trying To Reach You” and “Turn The Page” add guitar distortion to the compositions, and fans of The Grip Weeds will appreciate this. But despite all the retro techniques here, the music doesn’t dwell in nostalgia and sounds fresh and new. Highly Recommended without a doubt.

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Any Version Of Me

The Beatpunkers “Those Years Songs”

From sunny Spain, this trio formed in 2015 but longs for those skinny tie pop days when Paul Collins and The Jam ruled the airwaves. Lead singer Joseba “Joss” Aranburu explains “There are just three ingredients to define the Beatpunkers’ sound: a search for melody and vocal harmonies, power-pop guitars and a genuine garage-rock or even punk-rock drums all around.” It’s basic three-chord pop that starts out pretty straight  on the opener “Lonesome Heartbreaker.”

It moves into 80’s styled garage pop with “She’s The One” and “No Reverse.” It’s these efforts that will resonate with power pop fans and the strong riffs on “Little Judas,” are another early highlight. Other songs get a bit too generic; “Come On Over” and “Lady Moon” are perfectly constructed but fail to make an impression. However, the band’s worship at the Paul Collins alter is fulfilled with “Sometimes” and “Hey Misses.” The garage Merseybeat “Missing You” is a pleasant surprise, and there while there is no “punk,” there also no clunkers or fillers. Highly Recommended.

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The Maureens and New Electric Ride

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The Maureens “The Maureens”
If you love melodic ’60’s pop then catch this debut of The Maureens from Utrecht, Holland. The charming instrumental “Zuma Beach” opens things up, and the harmonies of “Brother” are just fantastic. Fans of The Hollies and Beach Boys should take notice, the subtle harp accompanies the guitar jangle on “Early June.” The hand-clapping, harpsichord and “la-la” chorus of “Captain’s Holiday” will remind plenty of listeners of The Cowsills. The simple vocals and guitar of “There Goes My Love” is an intimate campfire ballad that dazzles as well.

Each song chimes along with only short bits of filler (“Radio”). More highlights include “Freeway,” “Desert Song” and “Mary-Ann.” Overall this is an excellent example of using the vintage rock influences to make great new music. The Maureens are even offering you a free track here. Don’t miss the best debut this year!

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New Electric Ride “Ballon Age”
After starting life out as a pub-rock band from Northeast England the New Electric Ride decided to go into the time machine. They set the dials to “1968” and have been staying at Sgt. Pepper’s house ever since. After a classical instrumental intro, we are sucked into the psychedelic pop jam of “Here Comers The Bloom,” with a groovy bass lead that recalls Olivia Tremor Control. The wicked guitar lead on “Marquis De Sade” is another highlight, similar to King Crimson or Iron Butterfly.

“Bye Bye (Batin Rogue)” and “Bring What You Expect To Get” are very much in the style of The Move with some impressive vocal harmonies and densely layered instrumentation. And you’ll have a fun time playing “spot the psychedelic influence,” for example “In Chains” follows the muse of Spencer Davis Group. Fans of XTC alter-ego Dukes of The Stratosphere will also want to tune into this full immersion of 60’s psychedelic pop. Even Austin Powers would say “Yeah, baby! Yeah!”

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