With the new U2 album making the rounds and getting good reviews, I wanted to post a vid by a band that came out in 2007, with plenty of big hooks and melodies. The Luxury have a full rich sound that compares well with Bono and crew, on the opening single “Let Go.” Thankfully, this is not the only style the Luxury emulate. The brainchild of Boston frontman/guitarist Jason Dunn, the band specializes in anthemic rock with a big stadium sound. You hear it right away, the full guitar buzz on “Seven Stories” that brings to mind Oasis and Bob Mould’s Sugar to the dramatic piano lead power ballad “Rockets and Wrecking Balls.” Even the melodic vocal and guitar phrasing of “So Easy” will win over pop purists and the cool layered riffs of “Malcontent” recall a mix of Badfinger and Coldplay. By the album’s mid point it gets a little self indulgent along the lines of Tonic with “Simple” and “Covered in Smiles,” but this doesn’t spoil anything after it. At the end of the album, the majestic eight minute epic “Commonplace” has a vibe similar to the Police mixed with Radiohead, as things get all Kid A on us. Though the ending may wear you out, there is plenty to like here. Fans of Ed Harcourt should be all over this one too.
Saturday, April 25th, Kenny’s Castaways, 157 Bleecker St., New York City
8 PM – Joey Salvia 8:30 – The Trouble Dolls 9:30 – Amanda Kaletsky 10:30 – Splitsville
Joey Salvia is featured daily on 1050 ESPN Radio’s The Michael Kay Show. The Trouble Dolls is a favorite local band whose biography is not to be believed! Amanda Kaletsky has sang the National Anthem before Mets and Islanders games. Splitsville are widely recognized as one of the finest power pop bands. This is one show I don’t want to miss!
So this title sounds like a really dirty comic strip wrapped up in bubble gum. Actually it’s two bands I’ve listened to.
Bazooka Jones “Bazooka Jones” You gotta keep your eye on Detroit, rock city… Fronted by a 4′ 11′ rock and roll dynamo Viagra and backed by the crunchy, guitar attack of her 6′ 3′ ventriloquist dummy Bullethead, the band delivers in spades, both sonically and visually. Viagra’s velvety vocals resemble a cross between Natalie Merchant and Debbie Harry. Bullethead’s strong guitar work support the basic melody and the opener “Pants Off” sets the right tone. The colorful/menacing visual images of the band don’t quite match up with the guitar pop that gets too light on occasion (“Swinging On The Moon”). I expected something more Southern Culture on The Skids, and get something closer to The Donnas or Vibeke. And that’s fine with me. In fact the hooks and harmonies are in full force on “Goodbye, Mr. Nice Guy” and the bouncy “Love Up.” These are great pop songs and Bullethead does get to go a little Van Halen on “Bazooka Ride” and a wild cover of “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.” The drums keep a steady beat and help put together a string of great songs like “Girl On Fire” and “Drive In Boy” with a heavy emphasis on the “power” in power pop. Fans of Garage pop and female lead bands mentioned above should pick this one up. MySpace | CDBaby| Bazooka Jones site
The Sexy Accident “Kinda Like Fireworks” This is a Kansas City-based band lead by singer/songwriter/guitarist, Jesse Kates. After a great punchy pop debut, the band gets more adult and serious in subject. The sound recalls Jonathan Coulton meets Elvis Costello. “Baby it’s Not Cheating” is a great topical tale, about just thinking about being unfaithful. Jesse sings about someone he met online and convincing himself “it’s not cheating, as long as it’s fleeting” and hoping it really is a girl online. The super catchy “My Girl” is immediately accessible with a smooth guitar hook, and tight delivery. The slower tunes like “Gardener, Gibbet, Misery” are emotionally honest in telling the tale of self doubt. Jesse speeds things up with buzzing guitar on “Flirting With Disaster” and “Hey You” brings to mind Weezer or Fountains of Wayne. Other highlights include the snappy tempo and chord changes of “Morning Drive,” and the spiteful “Dancing With My Friends” complete with wild guitar break about stewing over regrets. A worthy set of emotional pop songs with lyrical bite. FYI – you can get it for FREE on the Sexy Accident site! MySpace | Sexy Accident Direct | Emusic
A long-time favorite group of this blog has been The Krayolas. I reviewed La Conquistadora and Best Riffs Only, and found that the band thrives on that razors edge between latino and British pop influences. Once again, Hector Saldana and the group make catchy merseybeat melodies with trademark horns on the opener “Marie Laveau.” This third album gets very topical with the single “Corido Twelve Heads In A Bag” which starts with a festive accordion intro, and turns into a Dylanesque comment on the Mexican drug wars. “So Happy” is a transitional, rough rock song that sounds anything but, with some great guitar riffs here, although the vocals get lost and the harmonies are a bit off (on purpose). But this is just a diversion from the traditional songs about girls and falling in love. The best ones here “Chola Song” and “Hurting Me Baby” are straight out of The Monkees playbook and a a joy to listen to. We come back to the Bob Dylan blues on the title track “Long Leaf Pine” and even a little bit of Elvis Presley on “Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.” But by the albums mid-point, we get to the Krayolas we all know and expect. The gentle “Fish Out Of Water” and bar room harmonies of “I Wanna Fall in Love Again” have those great chord changes and Beatley melodies you cannot resist. The Dave Clark Five styled “Matter Of Time” is another standout here. It ends with the lounge jazz stylings of “Every Little Heart” on a weary note, but the band does successfully explore new sounds without losing it’s core audience. I also love the fact that the cover parodies The Rolling Stones “Out Of Our Heads” album design. No matter the style, The Krayolas prove they can make it sound good and catchy. Once again, Viva La Krayolas!
