Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

When you think about it, Beach Boys fans haven’t heard any original beach music for almost 30 years now (and the band really dissolved with Carl Wilson’s death in 1998). Al Jardine has kept the sound and legacy of the band alive through the years. I don’t know why it took this long for a talented pro like Jardine to get out a solo album, but I’m glad he did it.

Jardine finally looks back lovingly at his Beach Boy years on A Postcard From California. He got an impressive list of guest superstars helping him out including Neil Young, Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Steve Miller, Glen Campbell, Gerry Beckley & Dewey Bunnell (America) and even the remaining Beach Boys, David Marks and Brian Wilson. So if you’re looking for a band reunion, this is the closest you’ll get.

Starting with “A Postcard From California” it’s a got a touch of “Sloop John B” (with Campbell’s vocals joining in on the chorus). Fans will flip for “Don’t Fight The Sea” which is a real “lost” Beach Boys track with Mike, Brian, Al, Bruce and even Carl in vintage form. Other original standouts, “Looking Down The Coast” and “San Simeon” with Gerry Buckley, each song has those famous harmonies and the tracks connect seamlessly into each other. The not so good news here is the remakes of old BB material with guest stars that are hit and miss. But overall Beach Boys fans will enjoy Al’s ability to craft a California atmosphere and fitting tribute to his years as a musician.

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Joe Reyes “Worry Row”
Grammy award winning producer and musician Joe Reyes’ latest release is a detailed musical gem that speaks volumes. Highlighted by brilliant songwriting it opens with “Don’t Kid Yourself,” a tune fans of Michael Penn, Jon Brion or Neil Finn will cherish. And there’s plenty more.

“Wicked Life” is a slow country-like ballad that will make Ryan Adams jealous. The shimmering pop of “Never Look Back” is another treasure to be uncovered here. The Beatlesque “Trying To Get Used To It” and “Consolidation” are more examples of his flawless musicianship.  Nearly every song hits the mark and even when the song has a bit more production (“Just Dangling,”) Reyes works real magic here. Lyrically it’s also one of the best written albums this year, despite the depressing themes. San Antonio native Reyes is an unsung talent that should not be missed.

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The Corner Laughers “Ultraviolet Garden”
Produced by Allen Clapp (The Orange Peels) and featuring the stellar vocals of Karla Kane, Ultraviolet Garden is a shiny, happy album that sparkles with pop charm and rock smarts. Fans of female pop vocals like Kelly Jones or This Blue Heaven will be glad to add this to the music mix. An early standout is “For The Sake Of The Cat” a lyrical story with a jazzy ukulele and catchy chorus. Another gem is the folk based “Half A Mile” with a backing vocal and tinkling keys from Khoi Huynh.

Sometimes things are a bit too novelty (“Inner Archaeologist”) or too overdone (“Dead Sicilians”) but the majority are great compositions here, with pop gems like “Silver Medal” and “Yellow Jacket” both with fast paced rhythms. Overall, a real sweet pop treat that’s guaranteed to add a smile and help get that toe tapping to the beat. And don’t forget this same crew is the core of The Agony Aunts.

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Last year a mysterious Parisian musician under the name Any Version of Me caught my ear, and now he contacted me directly to promote his latest effort Wasted Sun. The sound of the band is decided retro, blending both Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys) and Colin Blunstone (The Zombies) in wonderful combination. You’ll also hear bits of The Beatles, Nick Drake and The Turtles in the tracks as well, and it’s fun to spot each influence here.

“Monday” is a great starting track with a bass line similar to “Lady Madonna” that bounces along and the lush horn details flesh out the song. The echoing old piano that drives “Seems Like Everyday Is Something New” is a solid tune with a touch melancholy. AVOM uses a plethora of instruments, from ukulele to organ on the sweet “Normal Life.” The composition and instrumentation on the Wilson-influenced title track “Wasted Sun” is totally mesmerizing and can be compared to “Til I Die.” The moody brilliance continues on several tracks, notably “Don’t Try Too Hard” and “Down To The Sea.” Another standout is the 7 minute opus “With The Moon” which has awesome melodies, strong harmonies and could fit right on “Smile.” One can find fault in that several songs seem to end abruptly (“Early One Morning”), or drift off into an unrelated melody. Overall the album’s beautiful but somber mood is so effective, you’ll find repeat listens a must. Power Popaholic Exclusive: Send an e-mail to the band and mention you read about it on Powerpopaholic.com and get a FREE download code. This is for a limited time, so act fast!

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No one does English pop quite like The Brigadier (aka Matt Williams). I’ve touted his albums before, but his latest effort The Secret Of No Success is one of most light hearted and whimsical. The theme is job seeking, and the 10cc meets Aztec Camera inspired “Doing The 9 to 5” is a bouncy romp that wouldn’t sound out of place as a theme for a musical about The Office. It goes through the day, from the commute “On The Bus” and the rocking “Just A Little Kiss Miss Busy” is a real standout track, with a signature riff and casual flirt approach. Plenty of great soul searching lyrics are found in the wonderful “Middle Management” where it focuses on the hopes and dreams of the boss, with a blistering guitar break and dreamy background harmonies.

Comparisons with Pugwash and XTC are easy to hear in the weaving vocals of “C.V” and hook-filled guitar strums of the title track. The guitar and synth play on “Let Me Impress You” is impressive, as the smooth vocal work here. It ends on another pop gem “A Better Day” which tells the listener “sweet relief will come.” This is the best Brigadier album since The Rise and Fall Of Responsibility and there is more than enough here to recommend.

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Dallas musician Lannie Flowers acclaimed debut was an ambitious concept album, but on his sophomore LP Circles he sticks to a more traditional pop format (or does he?) Starting with the title track he describes his frustration, “I don’t know where I’m going, all I know is I’m not knowing, going round in circles all the time.” His sound is harder to pin down here, but similar to The Animals with hints of ELO and Cheap Trick. The songs go from upbeat harmonic pop to sneering hard rock, often in the same song.

“Turn Up Your Radio” has a memorable chorus, harmonies and a wicked riff that sticks like glue. “Not In Love” is another gem that does everything a power pop track is supposed to do. “I Don’t Know” has a rougher vocal that recalls Eric Burdon or Alex Chilton. The contrast of sweet pop and rough pub rock is really pronounced on “Where Does Love Go” – a great song that shifts tone between each chorus. “All Dressed Up” is another great track that sounds like Mick Jagger playing for The Beau Brummels. The styles may be jarring at times, but there is not a wasted note here. Lannie makes it clear, that while we might all be going around in circles, sooner or latter we make it back home.

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