V-Sparks and Goodman

V-Sparks

V-Sparks “New Sensation” EP

It has been a long time since this Chicago band has had some new music. The group is lead by Alan Lewis (Vocals, Keys) and Prescott Kagan (Vocals, Guitar) are joined by Zach Duran (Guitar), Sam Libretti(Bass),and Adam Long (Drums). What follows is a dizzying amount of rock n’ roll energy and pop smarts similar to The Strokes and Vampire Weekend. “Hey Love” is a hyper-catchy anthem similar to Locksley’s “The Whip.” But it’s no one-hit wonder, as each tune mines the best earworms of the past, as “New Sensation” slowly builds from synth beats and keys into a riff heavy gem similar to The Cars.

More impressive is the glam punk “Death of Star” with wild dramatic guitars, strings, and piano, bringing to mind Queen meeting Green Day. You’ll hear the T-Rex/Bowie strut in “Sebastian,” with Brian May guitars ringing along. It effortlessly blends the old and new without sounding like a cheap homage. Each song is a winner and my only beef is that it’s merely a 6-song EP. Get’s my first nod to the top ten EP list of 2017. Get this one!

Amazon

Goodman

Goodman “Vicissitudes”

NYC’s Michael Goodman is back after a year-long break with a new LP. The title is defined as “a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.” Despite the amateurish cover art,  “She Sez” is a deceptively brilliant opener that moves from dissonance to melodic rock quickly, with its fuzz guitars picking up the catchy chorus. But it’s also clear these are break-up songs, “Modern Girl” talks of “misdirected rage and sexual anxiety.”

Each song is well-structured, as Goodman has found his sound here on “Weathervane” a mix of anthemic melody and post-rock distortion. Lots of highlights here; “Hourglass,” the catchy bass backbeat and handclaps of “Hiccup” and the Velvet Underground meets Brit-pop gem “Love Alone.” Highly Recommended.

Amazon

V Sparks and Pluto The Ninth

V Sparks “Biscuits and Tea EP” and “Medium Rare”
Fans of Marc Bolan and Bowie will flip for this prime example of classic glam rock. This Chicago band is lead by Prescott Kagan (Vocals, Guitar) and joined by Keith Hosmer (Bass) and Adam Long (Drums).

Starting with strings and the backing “ooh la la” chorus, “On My Arm” starts off and the guitar assault begins. The EP is really good and a FREE download. This appetizer warmed me up to get the newer LP Medium Rare for only $3. If you ever wanted to hear more Ziggy Stardust with a side of The Dandy Warhols, this will do it for you. The vox led “Dreaming of Outerspace” is a really cool instrumental, mixing Queen and ELO. Some of these are just quick musical ideas, but it’s still all good.

Bandcamp only.


Pluto The Ninth “1,2,3 Chicken!” EP
Pluto The Ninth are the quirky duo of singer/songwriters Jonathan Wandag and Amalia Miller. Comparisons to Pomplamoose are inevitable here, as both bands have had some commercial success with sophisticated and catchy themes.

But Pluto the 9th are just starting to emerge on the radar, their self produced EP is a great little sampler – “Nightmare Girl” and “Dead Birds and Bees” will win over fans of Bryan Scary, Queen and Jackdaw4. “Oh How It Would Be” seems tailor-made for a ipod commercial featuring Ms. Miller’s sweet vocal over toy piano. The sunny “Born Again Friends” recall The Corner Laughers and the instrumental “Molly Mechanique” wouldn’t be out of place on the soundtrack to Martin Scorsese’s Hugo.