I finally got around to posting my audio interviews with all the transcripts of the others in the Artist Interview section. Click on the button to the right, and visit the page where you can listen to my interview with Robby Takac of The Goo Goo Dolls from September, 2008 and my interview with Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. (formerly of The Jellyfish) from January, 2009.
Former member of Wilco, Jay Bennett died yesterday, and we don’t yet know what the cause of death was (autopsy is pending). He was only 45 and representatives for Wilco could not be reached for comment yet. He was a main part of Wilco’s best albums, “Being There” and “Summerteeth.” I think, without him the band would have never earned such a cult following, by injecting strong pop craft into Jeff Tweedy’s Tupelo style. In May 2009, Bennett sued Tweedy for breach of contract stemming from his work for Wilco. The suit came less than two weeks after Bennett publicly revealed that he needed hip replacement surgery which he could not afford due to lack of health insurance. You will be missed, Jay.
I recently unearthed this “lost” gem of an album from a few years ago, “Transit of Venus”, the debut album from The Cherry Bluestorms, is a modern pop album with a well placed nod to the classic rock genre (also named one of David Bash’s top 100 pop albums of 2007). Starting with a stellar cover of The Beatles’ “Baby, You’re a Rich Man,” the duo of Deborah Gee and Glen Laughlin (The Dickies) add a nice psyche-pop touch to a full arena rock sound. They collaborate the style well on “Daisy Chain” and fans of The Grip Weeds will really flip for this group. The rich production work and composition of “Here” bring to mind both Chrissie Hynde and Annie Lennox. The music leans less on the sixties influences by the albums’ mid point and the great guitar work and Gee’s smooth vocal approach continues on the gems “Violent Heart” and “While You Were Away.” The male-female duet of Gee and Laughlin return with the excellent “Fear of Gravity.” The songwriting overall is strong throughout the entire album, so no real filler either. Overall, if you missed this one — it’s both fresh and accessible, so give it a chance. Fans of Heart and Jefferson Airplane will also enjoy it thoroughly.
Wow! a new Skoober EP and it’s for FREE if you tell your friends about it through NoiseTrade. This EP continues the brilliance of the debut album, and it doesn’t let up with some wonderful power pop. Notably “Sucks To Be You” is one of the best new singles I’ve heard in a while. Tawni Bates just gets better with each listen and Andy Weaver’s guitar work sparkles on each track, especially “Don’t be The One to Leave.” Just stop reading and get this one quick!
THIS JUST IN: Charlotte Pop Fest is slated for September 24-27.
This looks to be bigger and better than last year with a simply amazing line-up including The Posies, The Spongetones, Myracle Brah, The Singles, Cliff Hillis and many more. I have to give James Deem credit for putting together this awesome festival which will give IPO a run for it’s money this fall. Learn more at www.charlottepopfest.com
Girl in a Coma “Trio B.C.”
This Texas band, composed of sisters Nina and Phanie Diaz (on vocals and guitar and drums, respectively), and bassist Jenn Alva was launched in 2007 with support from Blackheart Records (Joan Jett’s label). The Diaz sisters chose Trio B.C. as the album title because it was the name of their grandfathers tejano band in a the 50s. Nina Diaz vocals really stand out here, like a mix of Jett, Lene Lovich and Chrissie Hynde. The album is full of punk rock energy, great examples of this are “Static Mind” and “Baby Boy.” The soulful songs “Vino” and “El Monte” show a maturing band hitting it’s stride. The highlight of the album hits with “Pleasure and Pain” full of guitar hooks and harmonies through a crunchy guitar buzz. “Joannie In The City,” the is lone track produced by Joan Jett and is full of aggressive and addictive guitar hooks and a driving bassline that drives the song into your brain. The band takes influences from many sources (new wave, punk, rockabilly) and still pushes through it’s Latin identity, most notably on “Ven Cerca.” Keep your eyes on these women — they know how to rock without faking it.
Calico Brothers “Tell It to the Sun”
In the farway land of Waitakere, New Zealand, the Calico Brothers broke into the modern music scene in 2008 with their debut EP, God Left Town. In the basement studio, Chet O’Connell (guitar), Jimmy Calico(bass) and Robbie Calico(drums) finished their debut full length “Tell It To The Sun.” This is gentle folk pop with a country twist, and it opens with the shimmering title track, complete with harmonica and slide guitar riffs. The wonderful songwriting pulls this album above the ordinary with the Lennonesque “Is There Anyone There?” and “Up For Air.” Fans of Wilco, Jayhawks, America and CSN will surely enjoy the wonderful harmonies and subtle Telecaster sound. The low key ballads are not that exciting, but the mid tempo pop gems more than make up for it. “Tread Carefully” sounds like a Gerry Beckley classic and “Weight Around My Heart” is another well written single. The heavy echo effects on “Always Said I’d Do” distract a little from the melody, but it’s still a keeper. This is a fairly successful album, with perfect rural pop songs for a sunny day.
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