Emperor Penguin and A Girl Called Eddy

Emperor Penguin

Emperor Penguin “Soak UpThe Gravy”

Last year I was introduced to Emperor Penguin with Walnut Fascia, a band that throws together the best of late 60s psyche-pop with power pop. The band is firing on all cylinders with Soak Up The Gravy. “Hello Picasso” is a dense, hook-filled gem with a great guitar lead as an opener. “Go Guitargonauts” has a Link Ray meets XTC feel, full of looping verses and effects.

The band is a lot more focused on melody, as “What’s Come Over Me,” “Hole In Your Soul” and “A Brand New Yesterday” are exceptional tunes that don’t sound like anyone else. The great chord shifts on “Memoria Magdalena” make it a classic and the lounge styled “Speedwell Blue,” is a duet with the “Queen of Power Pop” Lisa Mychols and it’s a sweet change of pace. It ends in trippy fashion with the swirling guitars of “Burning Man,” a densely produced psychedelic pastiche that does not disappoint. While not every song is a potential hit, there is more than enough here to recommend this as an early nominee for my top album list of 2020.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

A Girl Called Eddy

A Girl Called Eddy “Been Around”

In late 2018, soul singer Erin Moran (aka A Girl Called Eddy) released a project album with Mehdi Zannad called The Last Detail, and it was a delightful breezy pop album with some serious talent behind it. Shame on me for not sharing it then, but Moran has followed this up with an equally impressive full-length LP. She wears her influences on her sleeve, and its soulful pop designed to melt your heart.

Morgan’s vocal falls somewhere between Aimee Mann and Jackie DeShannon. The lead track “Been Around” recalls Carole King with its warmth, elegant composition, and its supported horns and harmonies. The fragility of “Big Mouth” is followed by the bright horn/piano song “Jodi.” Those contrasts of whispered vulnerability and soaring melody also are best shown on “Charity Shop Window,” a collaboration with legendary songwriter Paul Williams. The guitars come out on “Someone’s Gonna Break Your Heart” and she sounds very much like Chrissie Hynde here. There are also elements of 70’s pop a la Bacharach on “Come To The Palisades!” Most everything here is great, meticulously crafted pop with a capital P. Highly Recommended.

Amazon