Hornal and Mothboxer

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Hornal

Hornal ”The Game Begins with the Lights Out”

Iain Hornal is a UK singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who lives in London, UK. Known as an in-demand session player for Jeff Lynne’s ELO, 10cc, and The Feeling he felt it was time to put his experience towards a solo album. He enlisted a large collective of musical talent to help polish the effort (a guest list too long display here).

Starting with “Staring At The Sky” the honey-voiced harmonies float along a cloud of synths and guitar melody. “Running Away” with added vocals from Sophie Ellis-Bextor makes for a solid adult pop chorus. “Jennifer” showcases all the influences above into another stellar single. “Caledone” shows off its ELO roots as a brilliant pop ballad and “She Doesn’t Have Anyone” is as catchy an ear-worm as anything. Much of the album is mid-tempo without a single misstep or wasted note. In fact, 10cc almost reunites here on “Say The Word” with Graham Gouldman and Kevin Godley adding vocals and inspiration. It’s an amazing closer with spoken poetry midway through by actor Matt Berry (The IT Crowd). Overall one of the best albums I’ve heard this year – it’s earned a spot on my top ten list for 2017.

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https://youtu.be/G19_4IGsLX4

“Mothboxer“

Mothboxer ”The Secret Art of Saying Nothing”

Mothboxer burst onto the power pop scene ten years ago, and its still got the “goods” all these years later. Lead Moth Dave Ody continues to dazzle with the help of Robbie Burley, Phil Davies and Jon Hawes on the opener “Get It Right,” a solid anthem with a great hook. You’ll hear the clear ELO-Move influence on “Don’t Forget To Breathe” and “Everyone Knows” with its expansive echoing guitar sound.

The band does explore other styles; “Right Time To Say Goodnight” and “Rest My Mind” have more of a prog rock vibe, with the six-minute-plus “Half Light” mixing hard rock and psych-pop (reminding me of early Yes.) Toward the album’s end, it gets back on track with the Beatlesque guitar licks of “I Don’t Mind” and the title track. It’s good that Ody indulges his inner Pink Floyd, but it doesn’t compare with the catchy gems earlier on. Still a very highly recommended album.

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Reissues: R. Stevie Moore and Jason Falkner and The Beatifics

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Jason Falkner R. Stevie Moore

R. Stevie Moore and Jason Falkner “Make It Be”

We found this hidden gem in 2015, but it has since been missing from R. Stevie Moore’s web page. The answer is that Bar None Records decided this was too good an album to remain buried, and the time was ripe for a proper release.

Check out my original review, it’s mostly the same album. But the more I listen to it the better it gets. Stevie’s more experimental side plays into Jason’s arena-friendly production techniques. With 18 tracks, it has plenty of great music that needs to be heard. And there have been rumors of a nation-spanning tour. Let’s hope these two collaborate again. Highly Recommended (once again).

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The Beatifics

The Beatifics “How I learned To Stop Worrying” (20th Anniversary remaster with bonus tracks)

The Beatifics’ brilliant debut album ‘How I Learned To Stop Worrying’ was released in 1996 and instantly caught the attention of anyone that listened. The songs matched catchy pop hooks with bittersweet lyrics that only needed to be heard once to get permanently stuck in the heads of power pop fans worldwide. The album has built up a devoted base of true believers over the years, which has made it all the more frustrating that it has been completely unavailable for years.

Grandma Camp Records has marked the 20th anniversary of this infectious masterpiece by making it available again, not only in digital form but also for the first time on vinyl. This limited edition has new liner notes by Chris Dorn and John M. Borack. It also includes a download featuring the only existing live recordings of the original band lineup, as well as rare demos of songs from pre-Beatifics band The Rockefellers.

Kool Kat Musik

Andy Oliveri and the Mountaineers and Brian Jay Cline

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Andy Oliveri and the Mountaineers

Andy Oliveri and the Mountaineers “Call Them Brothers”

The music slowly fades in on “Where The Wild Flowers Grow Fondly,” the layers of bass, guitar and vocals build as Oliveri’s approach is a little like a shoegazer Echo & The Bunnymen where the mood sinks in across the steady rhythm and buzzing drone. Next the big single “Sky Candy Apple” is a nod to Husker Du, although the catchy chorus and crackling textures make this a winner.

The next several tracks are more soundscapes with Oliveri’s subtle emotions interrupted by solo guitar distortions (“Ohio” is a good example).“Through The Leaves” is a romantic folk-pop gem that’s a memorable standout, so if you seek a mix of the accessible and abstract Call Them Brothers may float your boat.

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Brian Jay Cline

Brian Jay Cline “Writer’s Block”

One of the most underrated artists I can think of, Brian Jay Cline can seamlessly move from power pop to country, rock, folk and back again. This is easily the most well-rounded release by BJC. “Bomb Threats” is a solid hook-filled rock and roll melody, “Buy This Car” sounds a lot like Paul Westerberg, all about buying a used car with a rock swagger like no one else.

“Fire In The House” gleefully recreates classic 50’s rockabilly and then he slides into the sweet pop of “Paula Part Time,” recalling classic Elvis Costello. No filler throughout this release, with plenty of highlights. There is also the expected steel pedal and twangy guitar on “Stranger Than Fiction” and “The Heartbreak Moon.” Highly Recommended.

Kool Kat Musik

Friday Night Vids: Amiee Mann, Peter Holsapple and The Campbell Apartment

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Aimee Mann’s Mental Illness shows off her rich, incisive and wry melancholia in an almost all-acoustic format, with a “finger-picky” style inspired by some of her favorite ‘60s and ‘70s folk-rock records, augmented by haunting strings arranged by her longtime producer, Paul Bryan. Aimee remains a student of human behavior, drawing not just on her own experiences to form the characters in the songs but tales told by friends.

Beloved power-pop songwriter Peter Holsapple (The dB’s and Continental Drifters) is self-releasing a new vinyl 45 record, “Don’t Mention the War” b/w “Cinderella Style” on his own Hawthorne Curve Records. “Don’t Mention the War” is a poignant look at one man’s post-traumatic stress syndrome and how it affects his adoring nephew. With low, somber brass (Mark Daumann on tuba) and echoes of battles past, this is another engaging Holsapple story-song, steeped in dark emotions and vivid character assessment.

A new video from The Campbell Apartment is cause for celebration. “Something In The Way” is a refreshing and upbeat tune starring Dana Mandolesi and filmed by fantastic filmmaker Shahrzade Ehya. It was part of the band’s EP “Sundogs” which you can get on Amazon. Great stuff!

V-Sparks and Goodman

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V-Sparks

V-Sparks “New Sensation” EP

It has been a long time since this Chicago band has had some new music. The group is lead by Alan Lewis (Vocals, Keys) and Prescott Kagan (Vocals, Guitar) are joined by Zach Duran (Guitar), Sam Libretti(Bass),and Adam Long (Drums). What follows is a dizzying amount of rock n’ roll energy and pop smarts similar to The Strokes and Vampire Weekend. “Hey Love” is a hyper-catchy anthem similar to Locksley’s “The Whip.” But it’s no one-hit wonder, as each tune mines the best earworms of the past, as “New Sensation” slowly builds from synth beats and keys into a riff heavy gem similar to The Cars.

More impressive is the glam punk “Death of Star” with wild dramatic guitars, strings, and piano, bringing to mind Queen meeting Green Day. You’ll hear the T-Rex/Bowie strut in “Sebastian,” with Brian May guitars ringing along. It effortlessly blends the old and new without sounding like a cheap homage. Each song is a winner and my only beef is that it’s merely a 6-song EP. Get’s my first nod to the top ten EP list of 2017. Get this one!

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Goodman

Goodman “Vicissitudes”

NYC’s Michael Goodman is back after a year-long break with a new LP. The title is defined as “a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.” Despite the amateurish cover art,  “She Sez” is a deceptively brilliant opener that moves from dissonance to melodic rock quickly, with its fuzz guitars picking up the catchy chorus. But it’s also clear these are break-up songs, “Modern Girl” talks of “misdirected rage and sexual anxiety.”

Each song is well-structured, as Goodman has found his sound here on “Weathervane” a mix of anthemic melody and post-rock distortion. Lots of highlights here; “Hourglass,” the catchy bass backbeat and handclaps of “Hiccup” and the Velvet Underground meets Brit-pop gem “Love Alone.” Highly Recommended.

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