Category: Power Pop Review

Burgess Meredith and Mark McCrite

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Burgess Meredith

Burgess Meredith “A Dimension of Sound”

This band was a big find in 2015, and now the full-length debut arrives. And it’s a pure salve if you miss that 60’s inspired, psychedelic pop that sticks in your brain. George Martin once said about The Beatles’ Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite, “I want to be in that circus atmosphere; I want to smell the sawdust when I hear that song.” Burgess Meredith has taken that challenge over an entire album. Opening with the old piano and child choral is a sweet sing-along, with a layer of creepiness in the melody of “When We Were Born.” Then the calliope melody of “Wendy” delivers the best Bryan Scary song I’ve heard that he never wrote. But the real jewel of this album is the ultra-catchy “Olivia” which brings to mind a lost Elephant Six gem.

The bouncy “In and Out Of True” is another grand melody with a terrific ascending hook, that will give you goosebumps. “Outside” and “Welcome Home” is where the band’s grooviness reaches a peak. “The Leaver” continues its slow descent into Pepperland, each detailed buzz and chime taking us past “The Man From Abilene.” I couldn’t find a bad song here, and after a few listens the details of each song reveal the intricate craftsmanship involved. High on my year-end list and definitely the best psyche-pop album I’ve heard this year.

Amazon

Mark McCrite

Mark McCrite “Getting To The Point”

This Mark McCrite (Rocket Scientists) solo album isn’t new, but it is definitely overlooked and a lot of love and care went into writing and recording these songs. Influences from The Beatles to King Crimson are distilled in Getting To The Point. The variety is also evident from “Can You Feel This,” a catchy slice of rock, and then it goes to the emotional ballads “The Truth” and “Slip Away.” The quality of the musicianship is also very high, as drummer Tommy Amato (Rocket Scientists), veteran pop bassist Derrick Anderson (Chewy Marble) and the late Kevin Gilbert (Toy Matinee) assist here.

Plenty of great songs here,  covers of the Monkees “Love Is Only Sleeping” and ELO’s “Strange Magic” are both beautifully done. The title track, which reminds me of a Squeeze song with more guitar muscle is another highlight. Vocally McCrite is earnest and dramatic on “They Say” and “So Long,” which was a tribute to Kevin Gilbert. These are near perfect ballads, designed to push your emotional buttons. Overall a very solid album that deserves to be heard.

Amazon

Latvian Radio and Celsi, Bragg & Maitland

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The Stars Explode

Latvian Radio “Pick Your Poison, Pick Your Blues”

New York musician Patric Westoo returns with Latvian Radio’s new album Pick Your Poison, Pick Your Blues. Its a tighter approach to songwriting as well as mixing power pop, alternative rock, and vintage mod styles. “Paranoia” is a catchy bass melody with a grunge backing texture that reminded me of Allen Clapp (Orange Peels). “Four Letter Word” is a fun retro Kinks-like single that’s great to dance to and “Dichotomy Of Disbelief” adds some horn accents to its dark melody.

Additional highlights include “Observations In A Major Key” and “Radio Riot.” It attempts a punk song “Shake The Tree,” but Patric fares much better with rock and roll melodies on the impressive “Tug Of War.” It sounds like the band is testing out its new sound, and it’s not afraid of experimentation. This LP definitely has some winners on it, so check it out.

CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik

Celsi, Bragg & Maitland

Celsi, Bragg & Maitland “The Road To Glasgow”

Los Angeles artists Anny Celsi and Nelson Bragg team up with Dublin’s Duncan Maitland to form a high-energy trio that plays rootsy Americana and Byrdsian jangle pop in perfect combination. “The Second Summer Of Love” is a great start, with Celsi’s lead encouraging a return to hippiedom telling friends “to grow their hair long again.” Next Maitland’s “Heavenly Day” has a wonderful chorus full of rich harmonies and layered instrumentation. Bragg is featured covering Paul Kelly’s folk-pop “To Her Door,”  and the infectious strumming draws you in.

The trio has some live tracks that are just as cleanly performed as the studio songs. These songs are excellent examples of experienced musicianship, and the trio works well on Anny’s folkie “She Belongs To Me” and the dreamlike harmonies on “The Bright Lights of Glasgow” is a compelling Irish hymn. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby

EPs and Singles: Freddy Monday, Ken Sharp and The Vice Rags

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The catchy goodness of Freddy Monday is back with a new single “Me Are You Are Me” and I hope it’s the start of a new album since it’s been a long while.  Get it on Amazon

Ken Sharp was also a big fan of the late David Cassidy. So he quickly wrote this song to help support David’s charity, the Alzheimer’s Association. Ken is joined by Fernando Perdomo and Rob Bonfiglio. Get this one today! Also available on Amazon



So the band Readymade Breakup has broken up… and in its place is The Vice Rags. This is a band that’s willing to give you the unwashed truth with three chords and a deadly hook, just the way you like it. Based in Asbury Park, New Jersey its members are: Paul Rosevear (vocals/guitar), Joe Chyb (drums), Jack Roberts (guitar) and Gay Elvis (bass/vocals). Check out this cool debut EP, “Shut Up and Love Me” rocks all out, “Jersey Boy” and “Out On The Street” are great rock anthems. Don’t miss it! Bandcamp only

Blitzen Trapper and Dave Caruso

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Blitzen Trapper

Blitzen Trapper “Wild and Reckless”

Not content to stick to a genre, Blitzen Trapper has landed somewhere between alt. country and roots rock on its latest LP. Lead singer Eric Earley is part Dylan, part Neil Young with a touch of Springsteen and Tom Petty. Opening with “Rebel” it sets up a story of roadside Americana about a young couple, running from the law and other things. The title track sets the grand theme with a terrific guitar riff in the chorus and it has richly layered instrumentation.

With “Forever Pt. 1” it sets up an epic with lush piano,  strings, and beautiful harmonies – but it then settles into the dusty folk narrative “Joanna” and the bouncy “No Man’s Land.” It always seems to tease us into another genre only to tread similar ground. The music is here fairly predictable if you know the band, but you get occasional brilliance on the energetic “Dance With Me,” and the anthemic finale “Wind Don’t Always Blow.”

Amazon


Dave Caruso

Dave Caruso “Buddha Pesto Manifesto”

On the opener, “Listen to This,” it actually describes his music “getting stuck in your head.” Caruso then teases you on “Go Ahead (Don’t Listen)” an Elvis Costello-like rocker, and it then draws you into his world with his soft and inviting vocal. What follows is the brilliant pop narrative “Boomer, Jenna & Lennie” a nostalgic story that recalls Andrew Gold mixed with Brian Wilson styled vocals. The easy-going gems “The Girl Who Checks All The Boxes” and “Hanging With You” have enough Beatle-isms to keep it compelling along with its bright catchy melodies.

Each track is a wonderful surprise from the hymn-like harpsichord pop of  “God’s Green Acre” to the 80’s style power pop of “Getting Involved” and “Allendale.” There is plenty of humorous wordplay with the “Punctuating Shatner,” and the heartbreaking “I Get To Make Her Laugh” will make you think about all those class clowns who are crying on the inside. Not a wasted note here and Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik | CD Baby

Thanksgiving EP Feast: The Condors, Fuzzy-Vox, The Cleaners From Venus

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The Condors

The Condors “Joie De Vivre” EP

The Condors is the main duo of singer/guitarist Patrick DiPuccio and drummer (Sitcom Neighbor leader) John Murphy, with selected bass players filling in. The trio creates a full and energetic sound that ignites their live shows. This EP collects some singles, and will really appeal to fans of The Connection, Watts or Kurt Baker. Highlights include “Girl Trouble,” “Tell It To The Judge” and my favorite instrumental this year, “High Chaparral.”

Amazon | CD Baby

Fuzzy Vox

Fuzzy Vox “Ba-Da-Boom” EP

Fuzzy Vox is a hook-heavy trio who’d easily pass for The Hives’s younger French cousins. They’re pushing a kind of power pop that’s heartfelt, but endearingly immature. With Ba-Da-Boom the band harnesses that explosive energy on “I Fell In Love With The World” and “Eyes On You.” A bit of Elvis Costello snarl comes through on “Cold Justice.” A great little EP that gives you a sense of the band at a live concert.

Amazon

Cleaners From Venus

Cleaners From Venus “Martin Newell’s Jumble Sale”

While technically, not an EP, this is a collection of unheard/unearthed recordings dating from 1975 to present day from the great Martin Newell. Lots of stuff that I’m amazed didn’t get released elsewhere, lots more stuff that’s very much like demos. The jangling “Scarecrow Hair” is a wonderful Cleaners single. Other highlights include; “Red Guitars and Silver Tambourines,” and “The Lunatic Lantern.” Worth exploring for sure.

Bandcamp