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.
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.