Jonny Polonsky “Unreleashed: Demos and Rarities 1996-2018”
For a short time during late 1996 Jonny Polonsky was the next “big thing” in indie power pop. His solo debut was a smash success, like a combo of Jason Falkner and Frank Black he stormed the scene. And then… he didn’t make any new music for 8 years. According to Jonny, “I disappeared into a wine bottle…” By the time The Power of Sound LP arrived, the buzz was gone. Thankfully, he continued to write and record. This collection gathers unreleased material from his entire career.
“Everywhere All The Time” is a great start with a pounding rhythm and rising guitar fuzz, about the chaotic, divisive mean-spiritedness out in the world. “Do You Remember” and “Amazed” are short snippets that also resonate. “What A Wonderful Way To Die” is a mid-tempo mix of T-Rex and Steven Tyler. The other tracks are hit or miss, and the longer jams didn’t really work for me. I liked the quirky “The History of Numbers,” “On The Wire” and “The Auctioneer.” Overall you can pick and choose your favorites from this eclectic selection.
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Wes Hollywood “Dynamite”
Wes Hollywood describes his music as “Ray Davies and Elvis Costello having a punch-up in the front row of a Cheap Trick concert.” This Chicago power popper is influenced by late skinny tie era pop (1978-1980) with a touch of new wave, like The Cars and Bram Tchaikovsky. I didn’t really hear any Cheap Trick influence, but he starts with “Four Pound Twenty,” a catchy gem that sets the tone with its simple lyrics and workmanlike composition.”When Sunday Roll Around” is another highlight, like lost Ray Davies mid-tempo track.
From there several songs have that early Elvis Costello vibe. Hollywood has always been a skilled songwriter and does a great job with the next 5 songs; “Small Talk,” “Dirty Manhattan,” “Nothing To See Here” and “Evelyn.” Honestly, no filler here even if some may see it as too derivative. Hollywood puts his own stamp on these songs and fans of this type of music shouldn’t miss this. In fact, Wes had enough songs for an additional EP, Lipstick. Highly Recommended.
