San Francisco native Leigh Gregory formed Mellow Drunk in late 1999, and the band has played off and on since then releasing this album on Vollwert-Records (Germany) and comparisons to The Church and The Doves with a touch of Roger Waters are apt here. I was impressed with the energetic “Cut Me to Pieces.” The very Lou Reed like delivery of “From My Window” makes it a sweet highlight here. The epic “This is No Dream” is equal parts “The Wall” and “Under the Milky Way,” with chiming lush guitars that drive you to the main chorus. A perfect follow up here is “If Only I Could Change” with it’s long jangle intro and Leigh’s soft vocals. The resignation in “It’s Going To Be Alright” is full of long sweeping organ chords, as well as sober majesty and drum fills. The album tends to stay very somber and reflective, in other words – the moniker Mellow Drunk definitely fits here. Unfortunately, the energy and melody earlier in the album doesn’t return. “Everything and Nothing” and “Butterfly” seem to go on forever, like The Doors’ “The End” it becomes more of a chore to sit through. The songs don’t linger as well later in the album and although “Seeker” recalls The Psychedelic Furs with a bit more energy, it falls flat for me. Otherwise, the albums first half is top notch stuff that won’t disappoint pop fans.
Category: Power Pop Review
Caw! Caw! "Wait Outside"
Reviewed by Mike Z.
It’s inescapable to notice that Wait Outside starts off with a nod to Radiohead. In less capable hands that would be nothing short of a calamity, but these guys pull it off with true vigor. Absolutely soaring guitars bring “Escape the Red Giant” to a gratifying finish. Track 2, “Organisms” evokes the Bogmen and again the interplay between the vocals and music is as it should be. The singer realizes his voice is an instrument that plays along with the others and doesn’t abuse the position as some bully pulpit to complain about how he had too much sugar in his cereal as a child. The lyrics are of no great consequence, and this frees up the ears and mind to enjoy Caw Caw all the more. “Wrapped Up Neat in the Bible” showcases a jamming and frenetic slurry of wild guitars and a rhythm section driving away with wild abandon. “A Name” makes it clear that this act grew up listening to Smashing Pumpkins and Blind Melon. The EP takes a small but notable slide from here, but by this time the listener can not be helped but to be captivated. The only real chink in the armor to my ears is that many tracks are not very discernible from one another. It could be argued that this means that Caw! Caw! is forging a style which they are hell-bent on exploring thoroughly, but it might also be said that they are lacking just a little something distinctive that could make them a formidable act for years to come. Regardless, this is a solid effort.
Suinage “Shaking Hands”
Italian power poppers Suinage deliver an album full of high energy rock that fans of Adam Marsland’s Cockeyed Ghost and Joe Jackson will eat right up. So listen up, kids. Band members Pilli Colombo on guitar and vocals, Ariel Dotti on bass, and Flavio Torzillo on drums take no prisoners on the opener “Toothbrush” with hyper kinetic guitar riffs throughout that are meant to played with the volume setting on “11”. This continues on the compelling “Don’t Pass Me By” with riffs and vocals that recall the early pre-poppy Smashmouth. Other standouts here are “All Eyes On Me” and “July” as Pilli dials down the roughness and gets downright melodic. The guitars jangle away in the latter track, and I consider it the best of the album. Then the remaining tracks on the album revert back to the rough edged rock, and this works better when the chord structures go beyond typical jamming, like on “Chump” and “Underneath the Leaves.” I hope to hear more from Suinage in the future, as they are currently on tour with Radio Days in Italy. Let’s hope they’re not shy and visit us here in the states soon. Buono Lavoro!
My Space | Not Lame
Shane Barry & The Distractions "Radio Friction"
Shane Barry takes a template from Motown’s sound and adds his own white boy soul, a la Rolling Stones to the entire affair with his band The Distractions. A perfect example here has “Stop” takes a little of Stevie Wonder’s “Alright” and the Stone’s “Under My Thumb” mixed together to perfection. This seems like the best musical detour since The New Radicals tried to do it ten years ago. But band breaks that mold right away, as Barry takes on McCartney’s Wings with the compelling “Kites.” The group plays on a multitude of instruments to get the right sound. That means plenty of brass, percussion along with piano/organ and guitars. “Like I Told You So” is a wonderful track with a compelling chorus full of “Ba, ba, ba, da, da” and commanding piano lead. There is an old school warmth to the music and Barry’s vocals range from Mick’s growl to Ben Folds sarcastic everyman. “A Man Called Gerald” is a good Ben Folds’ styled song with lots of tempo changes and catchy hooks, and man those saxophone breaks! Things slow down on the “Strangest Hours” and “The World Won’t Stop” maybe a bit too much, as he croons “Things have run it’s course…” before the song picks up in tempo and energy for the chorus. Then it’s back to the energy of “There’s No Time” which recalls Joe Jackson a bit. Overall an interesting album done with superb craftsmanship, as evidenced by the free form pop of the six minute opus “The Finest Line.” There is more than enough here to keep serious pop fans happy.
The Chevelles "Accelerator"
Crunchy guitar popsters the Chevelles formed in Perth, Australia in the early 1990s; comprising singers/guitarists Duane Smith and Adrian Allen, bassist Jeff Halley and drummer Julian Buckland. They continue to be one of pop’s best secrets that carries the beat energy of The Jam and Love and Rockets with the guitar energy of The Velvet Crush. Fans of retro surf guitar will love this style as well. Tracks like “Get it On” and “Take A Chance” are a guitar driven gems that get the party started. “Wake Up Suzy” is a sure fire pop classic all about a girl told with guitar riffs and harmonies. Like fellow Aussie bands, The Stems and You Am I, it has simple sunny choruses, like “Summer Fun” and jangle filled ballads, like “Goodbye.” There is not a single bad track here and the best lyrical story is about a girl with a fix called “Stacey Loves Cocaine” with the strains of “Stacy loves cocaine/And she’s got a gun” And then a guitar fueled space epic about the heroine “Barbarella” and space madness. This is one of those bands that started out rough around the edges and has just coagulated over the years into a stellar band that cannot be ignored. Pop fans, don’t let this one blast by you.