Tag: Travel Lanes

The Overtures and Travel Lanes

powerpopaholic
The Overtures

The Overtures “Onceinaworld”

Move over Weeklings, you’ve got some competition.  The Overtures are the UK’s finest Sixties tribute act, performing for the likes of Sir Paul McCartney and Elton John at their private parties. With this debut, they put themselves on that map as more than a cover band in a big way. British invasion and Beatles influences are front and center here, but the songwriting and musicianship are what carry the day.

Starting with “Till Your Luck Runs Out” it’s got a chorus that sticks to your brain fast, full of Rickenbacker jangle and precision similar to The Spongetones. The title track is just as good, and they don’t stand still stylistically either. The “Don’t Wait Too Long” is a top-notch ballad and “Watching The Grass Grow” reminded me of the Idle Race a bit. Then “Find Out What You Mean to Me” has a wicked skiffle beat and a deadly hook. Every track hits the mark and this easily makes my top ten for 2020 list. Super Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Travel Lanes

Travel Lanes “On”

Philly band Travel Lanes is back, and it’s a lot of fun. Lead singer/songwriter Frank Brown has a wonderful sense of melody and style in all his music.  You’ll hear Rockpile (a la Dave Edmunds,) Tom Petty, and Elvis Costello as major influences here. Vocally he sounds a lot like Dan Isreal and at the starting point “True and Tried” is pretty inventive with unexpected key changes and layered guitar riffs.

Next, the honky-tonk “Answer My Prayers” has catchy pedal steel, and it sticks to your head fast. “Mr. Lux” is another fast-paced crowd-pleaser, then it settles into a comfortable “Routine,” with some odd synth breaks in that song. I found that the country slanted rockers like “Lover’s Lane” resonated with me a little more. With only eight songs it’s a short album however, the songs are high quality. Even the finale “Can’t Lose” is pretty compelling. No filler and highly recommended.

Amazon

Travel Lanes and The Bazillions

powerpopaholic
The Bellfuries

Travel Lanes “Let’s Begin To Start Again”

Its been a while since the last Travel Lanes album, and Frank Brown (Flight of Mavis, Buzz Zeemer) channels power pop influences like Cheap Trick and Elvis Costello on the opener “Class Trip” with its hook filled chorus and rumbling guitar chords. The follow up “In The World” is a jangle rock song about memories of the prettiest girl (in the world.) “No Go” is like an early U2 song, but played with simple rhythm and rich layered instrumentation.

The infectious “100th I Told You” has a quick tempo and quirky lyric like a Squeeze song and then the solid alt country “The Year” follows it, and Brown is at his best “when the wheels fell apart” on his year. The next few songs channels Tom Petty’s style from the catchy “TA” to the slower “Death,” where he tries to trick the Grim Reaper at his door with a very memorable opening line. The fuzzy guitar on “Cream Soda” is another treat and every track is solid. Brown has upped his game here and you should not miss it. Highly Recommended.

CD Baby

The Bazillions

The Bazillions “On the Bright Side”

On a rare occasion I find a “kids” pop album that will appeal to parents even more than they may expect. “Super Hero Rock Band” imagines a group of comic book heroes jamming together as a way to unwind, and Batman sounds like Johnny Marr. The song reminds me of a slower, calmer version of Weezer. The power pop on “Use A Contraction” may sound basic, but the arrangement is tight and harmonies sparkle here.

The guitar lead melody “My Teacher’s An Alien” is another gem with some great uncommon chord progressions. Like the classic Schoolhouse Rock series, some songs really do teach concepts, as “Personification,” “Q and U”and “Water Cycle” are catchy and more intelligent than typical dumbed-down kid music (I’m looking at you, Wiggles). The earnest “Bad Haircut” is a well written ballad about your first trip to the barber. Overall a fun and memorable pop LP that you can share with your kids.

Amazon

Lisa Mychols and Travel Lanes

powerpopaholic

Lisa Mychols “Above, Beyond & in Between”
If power pop ever crowned a queen, my vote goes to Lisa Mychols.  Originally “discovered” by The Wondermints, Darian Sahanaja and Nick Walusko who helped release her debut in 1991. She has since been in several bands (The Waking Hours, The Masticators and Nushu) and was usually the best part of them, incorporating her love of 60s and 70s classic pop.

Her latest Above, Beyond & in Between continues the tradition of superb power pop with instrumentalist Tom Richards. The bouncy “Heart Beats In Stereo” is a confident song of girl power, with Tom’s terrific guitar solo in the break. “Taken” has a catchy melody that reminds me of ELO’s “Turn To Stone,” but Lisa really knows how to update the sound of those classic 1960s girl groups. “Make Believe,” and “Summertime Dream” both fall into that category. “Foolin’ The World” has an irresistible rockin’ beat, and “She Lied” is an atmospheric theme that wouldn’t sound out of place in a James Bond title sequence. Each tune resonates, fans of other female power pop artists (The Bangles, Kelly Jones, etc.) will want to get this one. Easily one of the best albums this year with “the melodies that kick your ass in stereo.”

Travel Lanes “Hey, Hey, It’s Travel Lanes!” EP
This Philadephia band follows in the footsteps of Tom Petty and Elvis Costello, as evidenced by the energetic opening “Scared of Girls.” Led by Frank Brown (Flight of Mavis, Buzz Zeemer) he has a knack for melodic songcraft and intelligent songwriting. Even a deceptively simple tune like “Rainy Day” is compelling with its tropical rhythm. “Delinquent” is a very much in the Costello /Nick Lowe style and invites repeat listens. “Let You Down” adds a heavier Deep Purple-type of riff to close things out. Overall an excellent EP you need to hear.

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