Category: Power Pop Review

Singles: Jared Lekites, The Davenports and Timmy Sean

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Jared Lekites

Jared Lekites “Five Separate Lives/And It’s Over”

I may rethink my policy of no single reviews when I hear something this good. Jared has produced a single so catchy I can loop it my player and not get tired of it. Not much to say except I hope an album follows this gem of a single. The B-side “And It’s Over” has a little Jeff Lynne in its DNA, with its casual strum over a repeated muti-tracked chorus. Get it at Bandcamp only.


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The Davenports

The Davenports “Leanne”

A new single a month is the strategy from The Davenports. We are on month three and Scott Klass is a master of the guitar hook and proves it once again with “Leanne.” The band also has a free EP out there, a reworking of “Five Steps” from the A&E show Intervention, and a new track “Away From Me.” Its like Chinese water torture getting a song a month, but I’ll take it… Only on Bandcamp.

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Timmy Sean “Gimme Everything”

Timmy Sean has a better idea: a single each week. You get immediate gratification from the talented musician. And stylistically he’s all over the place, but I like this very Lenny Kravitz-like rocker “Gimme Everything.” You do get a series of covers and some live tracks – so if you want originals you can pick and choose. Other gems I liked are “Everything I Want” and “One Dimensional Man.” Get all of them over at Bandcamp.

The Figgs and The Zags

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The Figgs

The Figgs “Other Planes of Here”

It’s hard to come up with another band that’s been playing great music for over twenty years with consistency like The Figgs. After 2013’s career-spanning Anthology, the trio of Mike Gent, Pete Donnelly and Pete Hayes move forward. And like an expensive Cabernet, these guys get better with age.

Donnelly is a perfect example of a music machine, between his own solo work, NRBQ and The Figgs he’s like the Energizer bunny and it’s perfectly illustrated on “Late Nights and Early Flights” where a catchy melody drifts off into an echoing chaotic piano coda. “Wealthy Women” is more standard barroom rock and roll that fits right in with The Rolling Stones or The Satisfactors. The thick wah-wah and funky bass leads into the excellent “Oh My.” However this short album (8 tracks) starts to mellow out after “In A Small Hospital” jams away. No matter what, I’ll always be psyched to listen to The Figgs.
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The Zags

The Zags “The Zags”

Last years excellent EPs give way to a full album for this retro influenced Portland band. The Zags approach relies on David Ricardo’s distinct vocal and it carries things on “Play It Loud” and “Still Life.” The retro feel is toned down a bit as The Zags find their own style here.

“Frozen Toes” is a memorable, prog influenced song and keyboardist Rachel Broach carries “Not Your Meant-to-be” really well. The Zags make each track compelling listening, standouts being “Waves,” “Get Smart” and the psychedelic end track “Secret Staircase.” Highly Recommended.
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Bandcamp only

Steve Baskin and Evil Arrows

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Steve Baskin

Steve Baskin “Dead Rock Star”

Atlanta-based veteran singer/songwriter Steve Baskin (The Cindy Wilson Band, The Hippycrickets, HugoAgogo) has a new solo LP. His unique mix of southern fried power pop reminds me of Matthew Sweet, John Mayer, and Brad Brooks.

It’s got a big bass guitar sound on the opener “Kissed Me Forever,” similar to Joe Walsh and it makes a great impression. “Single Thing About You (Cinchilla)” is another great song with a steady riff under each verse and a killer guitar solo. He shifts gears on “I’m Down” to the lovelorn singer songwriter, but we go back to rock on the dynamic title track. He’s a skilled balladeer on “Nobody Died Today” and bluegrass picker on “If I Died Today (I’d Still Be Young).” He even does a countrified cover of “Killer Queen.” Together its a pretty varied mix of styles that somehow works. Overall a superb showcase for his talent.
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Evil Arrows

Evil Arrows “5” EP

Bryan Scary continues his series of EPs as leader of The Evil Arrows. Like the other EPs in the collection its got Bryan’s unique musical style and pop flair. “Dance With Me Louie,” has a little boogie in its beat and the slow build of “Lordy Boxcar” to an echo filled chorus make them standouts here.

But unlike the past 4 EPs, there isn’t a big obvious rocker single. Bryan plays it more subtle here, and another treat is the low-key piano goodie “Sunday Mope.” It’s a sing-songy chorus that doesn’t leave your head. So if you’ve got the other EPs, this makes a fine addition. I recommended Evil Arrow virgins to start with EP 1.

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Freebie Saturdays: Emerging Artists

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This is a little like speed speed dating for the musician and the listener. I get a TON of e-mails from bands, many not suitable for review or even consideration. Then I get the stuff that almost makes it. Maybe I only liked one or two songs, but these artists deserve an outlet once in a while. These artists offer their music as an Bandcamp download for FREE, and who knows you may like a lot of them more than I did.
Quarterbacks
New Paltz kids playing smelly old basement DIY punk pop backed by guitar and a single snare drum. It’s got some charm to it, and songs are under 2 minutes each!


Andy Ketch
Rough as hell Chicago guitarist with a melodic gift, plays both folk and rock.


Daveit Ferris
Irish Musician with a heavy alternative style of power pop offers up a pretty good EP. RIYL: Weezer, Green Day

Slow Buildings
Slow Buildings is the outlet for the songwriting skills of New Jersey singer Jason Legacy. Pretty cool melodic rock – a little like old school Joe Jackson in spots. Just listen to it.

Dylan Gardner and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

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Kyle Vincent

Dylan Gardner “Adventures In Real Time”

Dylan Gardner is a rare find in that he’s a young singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with a keen love of classic pop and the raw skill to produce a debut that’s both infectious and distinct. He’s been playing on stage since he was four, Dylan is a self-described “music nerd” who collects classic ’60s rock albums (The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and The Doors are particular favorites). And like other young proteges Luke Potter or Drake Bell, he’s absorbed those influences quite well. Hell, anyone who can do Abbey Road in 15 seconds gets my respect.

Even the first line of “Let’s Get Started” gives away his enthusiasm as he sings “I’ll be John and you be Yoko…” to a marching rock beat. And he doesn’t sound particularly retro either, as “I’m Nothing Without You” builds from a simple strum to a richly produced chorus. “Too Afraid To Love You” highlights Dylan’s sharp arrangements, with layered harmonies throughout. He does a good job with a slow ballad (“The Actor”) and even though not every song sticks with you, keep in mind that Dylan has just started here. Fans of Coldplay and Maroon Five will like the concert pleasing tempo of “Feeling Of Love” or the upbeat fun of “With A Kiss.” Overall a highly recommended debut.
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Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds “Chasing Yesterday”

On the second album from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, the former Oasis lead writer starts off Chasing Yesterday, but ends up accepting that he’s one of the only artists from the Brit-pop era left standing that still caters to the old fan base (Nevermind these guys.) . And unlike brother Liam’s band, Beady Eye – he’s not stuck in the late sixites garage. Plenty of brooding too, but there is more than enough here to make me play highlights and recommend it to fans of great rock and roll.

Read my review on Blogcritics.org

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