Category: EP reviews

EP Reviews: The Unswept, Ken Fox, TEOA

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The Unswept

The Unswept “The Codependent EP”

The Unswept have shifted their style to a harder-edge, grittier sound with their new EP. “Codependent” adds major power to the pop melody and lead singer Ryan O’Brien seems to channel the spirit of Lou Reed. “Try To Forget You” is another effective rocker, fans of the bands on Rum Bar Records label will feel at home. The finale “Wonderfully Perfect Right” is a multi-layered power ballad with a welcome jangling rhythm.
Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp


The Unswept

Ken Fox & Knock Yourself Out “Ken Fox & Knock Yourself Out”

Since 1990, Ken Fox has been playing bass, writing, recording and touring with The garage rockers The Fleshtones. He sets his sites on going solo, still tethered to his old band on the opener “One Less Step”  and the hyper  “Let’s Go!” Both songs blow speakers apart and are a celebration of Ken’s independence. The punk fuzz of  “Do It!” is another gem that explains “it’s rock and roll!” The vintage beat and violins of “Love Is In the Grave” reminds one of Ken’s past with cowpunk legends Jason and the Scorchers. Enjoy this fun debut. Highly Recommended.

Amazon  | Kool Kat Musik


The Unswept

TEOA “Light Within”

Love harmonies? Then you’ll feel some magic with TEOA (aka The End of America). The band is James Downes, Trevor Leonard, and Brendon Thomas; friends who met on the road, after singing harmonies on each other’s songs while on tour as solo artists. Their sound is solid Folk, and thought-provoking roots Rock. “Monsters” looks at the world’s problems and give out a three-part cry for help. Even stripped down on “Howl,” the talent is on full display here, reminiscent of The Eagles’ “Seven Bridges Road.” This is the ground floor of a band destined to go far. Check’em out.

Amazon

EP Reviews and Singles: Danny McDonald, Popular Creeps, Zach Jones, Vanilla, Arthur Nasson

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Danny McDonald

Danny McDonald “Modern Architecture”

Danny McDonald is skilled in several genres. “Cordyline” bursts from the speakers with authority, very much in the mold of Paul Westerberg and it hooks you right away. Unfortunately, it’s only a minute long. Next, “The suburb I grew up in” is a country-style duet with Anna Burley, and its a nice jangling slice of roots-pop.

Then we get about a minute of punk and another minute of power pop. “Keeping The Dogs At Bay” is another catchy chorus, and thankfully it’s over 2 minutes long. I like short songs, but most of this was just way too short. However, the sampler just made me want more McDonald, so it is successful in marketing his talent.

Amazon

Popular Creeps Detroit

Popular Creeps “Bloodshot Red”

A motley crew from the Motor City, Popular Creeps do a good job playing fast and loose rock and roll, and the opening track “Out of My Head” is a super-catchy tune that will get you following along with handclaps and a kick-ass guitar solo. The sound is a little like The Replacements, with a barroom vibe similar to The Connection. “Down & Out” builds a solid core riff and keeps you interested with its well-written lyrics and melody. “Metal Kid” is a good vignette about a kid who “smells like smoke on a Friday night.” Lots of great tracks, and highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Singles

“Like The Tide” boasts a solid twang and Zach’s soulful lead keeps this sounding like a hit single Neil Young might have done back in the day. The bonus here is that Zach has an audio “behind-the-scenes” feature in addition to the song demos. Sweet!


Jayson Jarmon and those dudes from Vanilla are back with a heavier rocker. It’s got some cool riffs — check it out.

Arthur Nasson is back, and he’s “Unglued” – This is a catchy theme that reminds me a little of Roy Wood.  Get this on Amazon

EP Reviews: The Seven and Six, Vista Blue, Dogmatics, Nick Bertling, The Martial Arts

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The Seven and Six is a new band with the ever-talented Lisa Mychols and Tom Richards. This is great power pop with a beat you can dance to. This is Mychols in her natural habitat, each song hits the right notes, kicks ass and with its upbeat tempos, it’s super highly recommended.

Vista Blue dials back its natural punk influences and turns up the Beach Boys-inspired power-pop tendencies. “Summer Wonderland” is a sweet single with some great harmonies and the other tracks are a cut above the usual seasonal music. Get this one now! Available at Amazon


The Dogmatics is a more traditional garage rock and roll band from Boston thanks to our buddies at Rum Bar Records. Fans of The Replacements or The Johnny Thunders will dig this one. And who else will write a song about the current United States Secretary of Commerce? Also available at Amazon.


Nick Bertling made this faithful group of Monkee cover tunes in honor of the late Peter Tork. It even has a cover of a Kellog’s jingle! Not an EP, but a labor of love and it’s a great FREE download.


The new EP from The Martial Arts (aka Paul Kelly) is a quirky pop romp that is both catchy and idiosyncratic. The other songs are just as infectious and melodic. Get it on Amazon.

 

Happy Halloween with Vista Blue and The Skullers

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Vista Blue

Vista Blue “Tricks and Treats”

Punk poppers Vista Blue are back as they tear through 11 Halloween themed tunes with a dose of extra heavy fuzz. “I Don’t Wanna Trick or Treat With You” is a brilliant Ramones styled shot in the arm, and it sets the template. “I’m Gonna Be You For Halloween” is a great put down in the same vein, as are all these tunes. The songs are mostly under two minutes, so even though the songs are homogeneous, it’s still a lot of fun.

The tempo is frantic and stays in fast mode, some highlights include: “Angela Loves Me,” “Make A Wish” and “Don’t Change The Channel.” Pop-punk is perfectly suited to the Halloween season, so grab your treats while they are fresh.

Bandcamp only


The Skullers

The Skullers “Freight Trains & Party Games” EP

Weehawken, NJ band The Skullers have a new EP. While this isn’t Halloween themed, the band name lends itself to the season. Opening with the echoing beat of “Still Life,” it has plenty of power pop grit along the lines of Matthew Sweet with some ’60s psych-pop details.

The jangling guitar and catchy, driving beat of “She Denies The Things She Loves” recalls the recent Liam Gallagher. They add real guitar muscle to “Convenient” with its compelling reverb bass and a layered chorus. Overall a great set of tunes that foreshadows great things for The Skullers. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby

New EPs: Propeller, Bananagun, Super 8, It’s Karma It’s Cool, The Coolies

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Propeller “Three Steps to Better Listening” – The San Franciso duo of Greg Randall and Will Anderson are at it again! Not really an EP, but an A/B single with an acoustic version, but it’s so damn good. You will be hooked!

Bananagun “Do Yeah” – Is this a long lost gem from the early ’70s? It’s a hypnotic mix of afrobeat and psyche pop that wouldn’t sound that out of date on a retro beatnik soundtrack. Groovy.

Super 8 “Head Sounds” EP – UK-based Singer/Songwriter Paul Ryan has been very busy this year. The cover is a parody on Pet Sounds,  and the music is an interesting mix of compulsive melodies, and it does have horns and harmonies. This EP is a prelude to the full-length version scheduled for release in 2020.

It’s Karma It’s Cool “Hipsters and Aeroplanes” – Jim Styring (The Popdogs, B-Leaguers) is back with this hook-filled gem of an EP available on Kool Kat Musik. It’s got an catchy energy and Jim’s vocal inflections are similar to Buddy Holly. It’s also a grower that gets better with multiple listens.

The Coolies – “Uh Oh! It’s​.​.​. The Coolies”  Three amazing artists: Kim Shattuck (The Muffs), Palmyra Delran and Melanie Vammen. They make magic here and 100% of profits will be donated to The ALS Association in the memory of Kim’s passing. Originally released in July, It’s bittersweet that this was the only project for the three, but at least we have it.