EP Reviews: Young Fresh Fellows, Aaron Lee Tasjan, The Cleaners from Venus, Jim Trainor, Fashion Bird Danger Danger

Young Fresh Fellows are back with the ageless Scott McCaughey leading the way and it’s just as good as you expect. “This Time is Ours” has a rocking guitar rhythm and a catchy chorus. It gets progressively more punk as we move forward. YFF are still trippy with “Alone in a Bus.” Enjoy!

Aaron Lee Tasjan really nails on the opener “Fake Tattoo” a song that warms the heart. “My Bed’s A Mess” is another romantic pop gem, “What A War” has an acoustic folk catchiness with strings that soar. One of the best EPs of the year.

The Cleaners from Venus are back, (and its a FREEBIE) as the brilliant Martin Newell sings about timely subjects on “Statues” and the smokey “Golden Lion of the Sun” are the highlights here.

Idaho power popper Jim Trainor starts with a great Beatlesque melody on “The Only One” and the bouncy “Claire” is another keeper. The fast tempo “Grace & Beauty” keeps you moving. In fact, every song is good. Don’t miss this one.
OK, now we go for something more experimental called Fashion Bird Danger Danger. John Wlaysewski (Late Cambrian) and Matthew Milligan (Wheatus) come together for this oddly compelling pop. “City Island Shaman” is like they tossed Southern Culture On The Skids in a blender with Tears For Fears. I also liked the bleak “Part 5 of Fear” full of angular prog guitars.