Dolour “Televangelist”
Shane Tutmarc, multi-talented singer-songwriter of Seattle band Dolour has been busy during the pandemic and last year’s highly recommended Royal We album. The lockdown provided him plenty of time to develop this power-pop gem.
The opening title track is a catchy synth melody with influences from the late ‘70s ELO and Supertramp with its layered guitar rhythm, bells, and handclaps. Next, “It Would Be A Delight” directs energy to get away “instead of giving in to the doom and gloom.” Shanes smart vocal phrasing is brilliantly cheerful, and even the bouncy horns of “Summer Rain” speak to the open and easy-going time. The choral harmonies are clean and subtle, and “A Sight For Sore Eyes” is a great mid-tempo ballad, but it’s the positivity running through the album that draws you in. “Pick Up The Phone” is another highlight, with its strong hooks and as things gradually slow down, you get a full instrumental version of the entire LP. After a few listens, you realize how tightly composed, well-written and detailed each tune is. Highly Recommended and earns a nod for my best of 2021 list.
Teenage Fanclub “Endless Arcade”
Endless Arcade follows Teenage Fanclub’s 2016 album Here, an album that shows just how much the band has mellowed over the past 30 years. Bassist Gerard Love left the group in 2018, leaving Norman Blake (vocals) and Raymond McGinley (guitar) to hold up the fort. The infectious but relaxed sounds of “Home” call back to an earlier time, when an extended guitar jam was a common occurrence in a song (Steely Dan anyone?) but in 2020 it feels like a distinct statement. It’s a lot less “teenage” and more “old age” for this Fanclub.
The theme of bittersweetness is laid bare in the title track and the keyboards of Euro Childs add a nice twist to the traditional composition. “Warm Embrace” echoes the Mod-era sound of The Who, with great harmonies and strong drum support. The insecurity of “Everything Is Falling Apart” features a compelling rhythm, and the wistful “The Sun Won’t Shine On Me” is a recognition of age that’s beautifully done. Unfortunately, they don’t hit those high marks again. The repetitive themes of time on “Back In The Day” and “The Future” make these dudes sound older than The Moody Blues. Fans and completists will definitely embrace this, but it would be nice to have the band sustain enough energy for an entire album.
