Tag: Tony Low
The Lunar Laugh and Tony Low
The Lunar Laugh “Goodnight Noises Everywhere”
The Lunar Laugh is an experienced pop band with mates Connor Anderson, Jared Lekites, Campbell Young and Jimmy Jackson back for their third album. The brilliant opening single by Lekites “Welcome To The World” is a showcase for the band’s eclectic brand of power pop. Drawing from classic pop influences and rich harmonies it moves in more varied directions as “Old New Kid In Town” bounces along. The ballads are more present and are more modern sounding, with “Another Casualty,” sounding like a lost Lindsey Buckingham classic.
“Tell Me Story” is another highlight here, with its shuffling country rhythm and catchy chorus. While the 80’s influences are felt on “Waiting For A Sign,” the power pop slide guitar comes back on the amazing “By The Light of The Living Room” and the sweet “Saying Goodbye” with its Brian Wilson meets Beatles ending. Overall a great album with brilliant moments. Highly Recommended.
Tony Low “TO New York”
Tony Low, a founding member of New York band The Cheepskates, now resides in Greensboro, North Carolina. But as his newest solo album reveals, he’s still got a New York state of mind.
However, we start with the jangling gem “Murder Beach,” which is actually about shootings that took place in Myrtle Beach, SC. Ironically even the locals started referring to their hometown by that name. “Hum of the Neighborhood” is a gentle story about living away from home. Another highlight “The Abomination” is a political rant with just a hint of sarcasm and dismay. Soul searching takes place on “The Plan,” as it follows looking for someone and some hope. Musically its got nice string flourishes and a spacey feel. The songs are filled with anxiety but “This Old World” ends on a positive note. A good LP that deserves to be heard.
Tony Low and The Cleaners From Venus
Tony Low “Rendezvousing”
Tony Low, a founding member of New York’s renowned garage-psychedelic pop band The Cheepskates, is back since his Tone-Wah EP from a few years ago. The simple sing along “Should’ve Known” and strummed “The Awful Dream” are good mid-tempo songs, and the well written “Pictures Of Your Son” has nice light fuzz guitar behind the melody. The best tune here is “Hey Now,” a 4 minute fully fleshed out jam that will please fans of late ’60s era bands.
Fans of jangle pop will enjoy the Rickenbacker led “You” and the funny dance number “Do The Mikey.” A few folk-psyche pop numbers aren’t as memorable (“Flicker”) and I felt that Tony’s vocals are a bit too light in the mix overall. But it’s still very good to hear Mr. Low making music.
The Cleaners From Venus “The Last Boy In The Locarno “
The Wild Man of Wivenhoe is back. English songwriter Martin Newell is one of the most prolific post-punk songwriters and he’s been releasing more material than ever before. His memories of the old girl groups is displayed on “The Crystals and Ronettes” with its Phil Spector styled approach. The lite ballad “Gorgeous Day” is a great example of how Martin makes a minimalist masterpiece.
Many of the tracks are reflections on his loves (“Pauline,” “You’re Looking Great”) and life (“English Pier”) all done economically, and similar in style to Ray Davies. The doo-wop nostalgia of “Eight O’ Clock Angel” is faithfully rendered as well as the pub atmosphere in “Victorian Doll.” Newell’s very English point of view fits this stroll down memory lane, and it’s definitely worth your attention.
The Electric Stars and Tony Low
The Electric Stars “Sonic Candy Soul”
Manchester glam/rock/psyche pop band The Electric Stars channels assorted vintage sounds, starting on “136” it’s “beautiful music for beautiful people” with thick riffs and vocalist Jason Edge playing the part of Ziggy Stardust. “Between The Streets and The Stars” creeps along until we get to the anthem chorus (love the “ohh la la” backing vocals). After the spartan “Alice Williams,” we get the groovy “I Want You” and its super cool riff (variation on Johnny Rivers “Secret Agent Man”) will surely win you over.
“Who’s Gonna Satisfy Me?” makes use of psychedelic effects effectively with excellent layering of guitars, hand claps and vocals. Edge’s dramatic voice carries the ballads “Slow Again” and “Bedtime Stories”fine, the arrangements sound like they came off the soundtrack to The Phantom of The Paradise. Once more we get perfect mix of Glam and Brit Rock on “Not Man Enough.” Highly Recommended and loads of fun.
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Tony Low “Tone-wah” EP
Tony Low formerly of the ’80’s power pop pioneers The Cheepskates, continues his solo journey with Tone-wah. “Smoke From Space” is a trippy opening on par with The Pillbugs, and it gets better from there. “The Secret” is a gem with a catchy chorus and some excellent guitar work.
“Bass Guitar” finds him “Freezing in his Beatle Boots,” trying to keep his spirits up playing in “My Father’s Place” where his music “was too flat.” Tony channels Ray Davies stylistically here and on dour “Won’t Somebody?” with a Celtic styled flourish at the songs end. Well done, Tony.