Category: emerging artists

Three Minute Tease and The Sensibles

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Three Minute Tease “Three Minute Tease”
Three Minute Tease is the collaboration of California psychedelic cult hero Anton Barbeau with Andy Metcalfe and Morris Windsor (Soft Boys, Robyn Hitchcock). Barbeau organized and wrote songs for the band as early as 2010, and they recorded with Kimberley Rew (Katrina and The Waves) at her studio in Cambridgeshire,UK.

Barbeau has that XTC meets Robyn Hitchcock quality, angular melodies with beautiful obtuse lyrics. If you ever wondered who is the modern day equivalent to Syd Barrett — Barbeau fits it perfectly. “Love Is Onion” is a great opener with its paisley 60’s bass line and great guitar solo.  “Milko II” is a  reminded me of Julian Lennon with its slower delicate rhythm. The bouncy “Thanks For Lifting My Leg” is a highlight with its trippy lyric and driving chorus. While not immediately catchy,  it is accessible. From the jaunty “Dig My Bones” with the pastoral “Queen of Apples” its clear mood and texture are equally as important as melody to Anton. Dive right in and savor it.

 

The Sensibles “7 inch” EP
Hard charging Italian punk pop not unlike The Dahlmanns or Vibeke, The Sensibles roar to the forefront on “Open Book” with strong guitars and Stella’s wailing vocal. The accent is really noticeable on “John Bambi” but it doesn’t detract from this hard charging guitar pop. Each tune here is solid, I really liked the proto power pop “Denny” which reminded me a little of Shonen Knife with its overdubbed chorus of “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” At only four songs you can’t go wrong here, they have an even more straight punk sound on another EP.

The Slingsby Hornets and Paul Starling

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The Slingsby Hornets “Borrowed and Blue”
Jon Paul Allen aka The Slingsby Hornets brings his own unique take to a selection of covers. Let me say there are two ways to go here, you either emulate the original artist or you do something unique. Allen excels in glam guitar excess and spreads those echoing Brian May type riffs over each song like jam on a scone.

Allen’s versions sound nearly unrecognizable when compared to the originals. But that’s why his off key punk version of The Carpenter’s’ “Yesterday Once More” works, with wailing chords and synths. In fact it’s best that you don’t compare these songs with the originals, it will ruin it for you. My favorites here are the obscure hit from David Essex “Rock On” played almost like a Led Zepplin ballad and Cliff Richard’s “Move It” done in the style of The Power Station! Allen has his own songs round out the album, and the best of these are the ballad “It’s Gonna Rain” and ELO-like “Answer?” Overall, this album has plenty of sting!

Paul Starling “Shipwrecked Commotion” 
Way back in 2007 I reviewed Starling’s long out-of-print debut. Well he re-did several of the songs and added some more for Shipwrecked Commotion. “Dress Me In Bowties” is a bouncy twee song that charms thoroughly. I still like “Caroline,” it’s memorable chorus and harmonies remain a standout. And “Where Are You Gonna Sleep Tonight?” is another memorable gem here. Starling does try to break away from his baroque pop influences, with a bit more alt. folk and country mixed in with the pop. It’s got a light touch so fans of the recent Lightships album will be glad to add this to the playlist.

Bandcamp | CD Baby (single only)

Help a musician update…

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All the Kickstarter and self-funded album projects we featured on our “Help A Musician Page” recently have been fully funded. That includes albums by:

I added today the efforts of Washington DC’s The Silver Liners. I’ve reviewed an early EP from them and look forward to this new effort! Contribute to your favorite power pop artists!

Emerging artists: Sam Page, JP Houston, Live On Brighton

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Sam Page “Waiting  For Another Spring” EP
Californian Sam Page is an unsigned musician who counts Jack White, Matthew Sweet, Blur, and Modest Mouse as influences. Page has definite talent, and all his sounds are “organic” and created without computers. This is his second EP and its getting some great notice by the indie music press, in fact “Lottery” is getting played on twenty podcasts and indie radio stations. I love “Pass Me By” with its simple arrangement and solid riff-beat combos. “Like@firstSite” is similar to Jonathan Coulton and sure to make you tap your feet to the beat. A great little EP – give it a try!
CD Baby | Amazon | SamPageMusic.com

JP Houston “As Long As You’re Here With Me”
JP Houston is a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, based out of Joshua Tree California. As Long As You’re Here With Me was originally done in 2006, but here it’s re-mastered. He does a great job with the opener “Fat Tuesday” – its both catchy and Houston’s vocal shines. As a professional JP’s been working with Brian Bell from Weezer, and Schmed of The Secret Powers. The soft shuffle of “We Make A Murder” is a favorite here, its got touches of XTC, McCartney and Secret Powers with awesome key changes in the chorus. Keep your eyes out for his next album, this is one of the best “hidden” gems this year.
Name your own price on Bandcamp

Live On Brighton “After Hours”
This Toronto band is a bit rough, but with its spirit and passionate sound it reminds me of early Green Day and Weezer. “Passenger Seat” is a blur of echoing guitar riffs and the infectious hard rock come through on “Ten Days Sober” and  “Roll with You.” The song structures are pretty straightforward and they’re not re-inventing the wheel here, but it’s all done in a satisfying way. If you like your rock loud, give this a try.
Bandcamp exclusive

Dave Birk and The Honey Wilders

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Dave Birk “Speed Queen Mystery Date”
Minneapolis, MN based Dave Birk’s self funded debut is a lot of bouncy melodious fun right from the opening notes of “Hey Jody.”  Influences are squarely in the Gin Blossoms meets Fountains of Wayne arena. With earnest vocals, the early gem is “Roller Coaster of Love, Hate and Tenderness” with a wicked guitar solo during the break, and lyrics about “the never-ending test” of romance.

It kinda jumps into faux funk with “Love and Devotion,” and then a touching slow ballad “My Sleeping Beauty.” But then we enter FOW-land with the title track and “All Things Retro” with a ton of pop culture references. The remaining tracks just as fresh, especially “Country Music 101” with a dead-on instruction of how to write a hit country song. A great debut!

Bandcamp | Amazon

The Honey Wilders “Singles for Singles” 
This San Jose band sure loves 70’s classic rock, just listen to the Big Star riffs on “Life In Stereo” and the catchy melody on “Summertime” which recalls Tom Petty. It’s got sound alike tracks for Led Zeppelin (“Sugar Mama,”) Thin Lizzy (“”Geneva Ave.”) and The Stones (“Sweet Alice”). The remain tracks all have that instantly recognizable guitar sound, like of like a cross between Mick Ronson and Slash. And while highly derivative, its also enjoyable fun, like a classic mix tape from that era.

CD Baby | Amazon