Karla Kane and Forty Nineteens

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Karla Kane

Karla Kane “King’s Daughters Home for Incurables”

Karla Kane is the main vocalist behind The Corner Laughers, and she’s branched out with a sweet folk-pop album. Kane uses her ukulele to weave a simple melody full of traditional old world charm and her lithe vocals are like a warm comfy sweater on the title track. “Wishing Tree” is closer to The Laughers style of melodic pop, with angelic harmonies and minor chords with spoken word poem by favorite Martin Newell.

The Anglo-centric theme continues on the simple “Skylarks of Britain.” The joyous “Lilac Line” is another gem with a spritely chorus of “Lolly Leopard, I could live forever with you.”  and the lovely “Don’t Hush, Darling” is a lullaby of female empowerment. Even The Laughers favorite “Grasshopper Clock” gets the unplugged treatment. The spartan arrangements keep the songs intimate and make this a great album for a quiet night.

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Forty Nineteens

The Forty Nineteens “Good Fortune”

If Karla Kane is a bit too mellow for your mood, then you can’t go wrong with California based band, The Forty Nineteens. This is power pop with a garage band ethos and the hook-filled opener “And Such and Such” makes it easy to come on board. There is plenty of variety here as “Easy Come Easy Go” has a punkier approach, and “My Camaro (Have Some Fun)” mines the retro guitar melody from “Tequila.”

The band tries a psyche-pop turn with “Purple Microdot,” and the vocal harmonies don’t quite work – but its trippy all the same. Thankfully there are lots of good songs here, and rarely did I hear a dud. More recommended songs are “Let Love In,” a great cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Time is On My Side” and the sweet finale “Two Pillows.” Highly Recommended.

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Another Wilbury gone: RIP Tom Petty

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Tom Petty has died of Cardiac Arrest. He was only 66, finishing the last leg of his 40th Anniversary Tour with The Heartbreakers. Born in Gainesville, Fla., and played in the local bands The Epics and Mudcrutch, until he formed his own band, the Heartbreakers. He even teamed up with power pop legend Dwight Twilley. Twilley and Phil Seymour also sang on Petty’s first album on “Strangered In The Night” and Phil’s the main backing singer on Petty’s first breakout hit “Breakdown” and on “American Girl”; and as Petty notes in the liners to his boxed set, it was Twilley who suggested that the guitar riff at the end of “Breakdown” be moved to the beginning, as that was clearly the hook. ”

He scored big radio hits with his third album, 1979’s Damn the Torpedos, when “Refugee” entered the Top 20 in early 1980. He scored another Top 20 hit with “The Waiting,” from 1981’s Hard Promises, and another with “You Got Lucky,” from 1982’s Long After Dark. Eventually, he joined The Traveling Wilburys, a supergroup that also comprised Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne. We only have two Wilburys left. Then Petty ditched the Heartbreakers, but got Jeff Lynne to jump-start his solo LP, 1989’s Full Moon Fever. Then came 1994’s Wildflowers and 2004’s Highway Companion, and hits like “I Won’t Back Down” and “Free Fallin’.”

Petty wrote “Even the losers get lucky sometimes,” but Petty was no loser, nor was he very lucky. It was a natural talent, hard work and stubborn persistence that made him a legend.

 

Flamin Groovies and Action Skulls

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Flaming Groovies

Flamin Groovies “Fantastic Plastic”

The Flamin Groovies are arguably the very first power pop-punk hybrid band, pre-dating both The Ramones and The Jam. And 24 years after their last album, Lead Groovie Cyril Jordan is joined by singer/guitarist Chris Wilson, bassist George Alexander and drummer Victor Penalosa to revive this classic band. And they definitely prove that you are never too old to rock and roll.

Opening with an R&B influenced “What the Hell’s Goin’ On,” its got a classic Stones influence and plenty of attitude. Their voices are a bit more grizzled but the guitar skills of Jordan and Wilson have not diminished as “End Of The World” and “Let Me Rock” are on par with classic Groovies cuts. They cover NRBQ’s “I Want You Bad” and similarly shine with that jangling Rickenbacker. Another highlight is “Crazy Macy,” a chugging rocker with the classic “Slow Down” riff that allows shedding solos in between the chorus. But the band sounds subdued on other tunes; “Fallen Star,” “Lonely Hearts” and a tame cover of the Beau Brummels’ “Don’t Talk to Strangers” just aren’t that memorable. The Byrdsian jangle of “Cryin’ Shame” while very pleasant, won’t make you forget “Shake Some Action.” Still, this is a keeper for Groovies fans and lovers of classic rock.

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Action Skulls

Action Skulls “Angels Hear”

A long-term musical project finally arrives; Vicki Peterson (The Bangles), her husband John Cowsill (The Cowsills, The Beach Boys touring band) and Bill Mumy (Barnes & Barnes, America) combine to make the band Action Skulls. They met at a family Christmas party in 2013 where the band originated, as a meeting of musical minds.

It has a potpourri of styles, opening with the beautiful jangle pop of “Mainstream,” Vicki and John both sing on this catchy tune. It changes to a somber mood with “If I See You In Another World,”  resembling a bluesy folk tune with nice harmonies mixed in. But there are other compelling songs here, “The Luckiest Man Alive” takes time to get to the chorus, but its a got a great twisted composition. Many songs have a slow burning quality, not quite blues rock but just enough to stick like on “Standing On A Mountain” and the almost country “Feed My Hungry Heart.”  Overall, it will appeal to fans who are looking for something different and familiar at the same time. Check it out.

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TimeWhy?s and Fallon Cush

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TimeWhy?s

TimeWhy?s “Autumn of Love” EP

The weirdly named TimeWhy?s are new sixties-inspired band from Pennsylvania. Fans of Beatlesque pop will rejoice in the short, but effective slices of nostalgia. The swirling “Paint Me Happy” is a bouncy psyche-pop gem akin to  Two Sheds Jackson and the slower Lennonesque “Lying Through Your Lipstick” is very much like The Pillbugs.

Each song is a sonic sugar rush for fans for ELO, Pilot, Klaatu and similar late-era Beatle influenced bands. Shame it’s only four tracks, but I’ll take quality over quantity any day. Highly Recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon

Fallon Cush

Fallon Cush “Morning”

Australia’s Fallon Cush returns with most of the Bee In Your Bonnet lineup of Steve Smith, Suzy Goodwin, Glen Hannah, Tim Byron,  Casey Atkins, Josh Schuberth, and producer Michael Carpenter on bass. Fallon Cush have settled into a nice groove and the great music continues here, as the bluesy “Open Mind” is a big statement that recalls Ryan Adams or Gary Louris. “Long Shot” is another huge highlight, with some catchy guitar riffs and a rich full chorus.

The slower songs have a Dylanesque quality like “In Your Backyard” and “Fire and Ice,” both are memorable story oriented folk rock tunes. While Bee In Your Bonnet has more immediacy, both albums share flawless production and musicianship. Not really power pop, but a terrific album nevertheless. Check it out!

CD Baby | Amazon

First In Space and The Persian Leaps

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First In Space

First In Space “A Different Animal”

I’ve covered First In Space since their debut, and Youngstown, Ohio alums Johnny Stanec and Dolus McCormick are back in fine form here. The band’s sound is similar to The Goo Goo Dolls, or a lighter version of Foo Fighters with better vocal harmonies.

“Living In The Dark” builds with a steady growing guitar rhythm and anthemic chorus. Followed by “The Bitter End,” a nostalgic look back at an old relationship with a sing-along melody. It’s all great music on the album’s first half, but it tones down slightly with the percussive “There is No Way Out.” It gets back on track with the power riffs on “The Edge,” and although it doesn’t reach the album’s earlier high points, there are no clunkers here. The ending track “Enough” is a surprisingly compelling midtempo song with a nice finish. Definitely, this band deserves to be heard.

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The Persian Leaps

The Persian Leaps “Bicycle Face” EP

Saint Paul, Minnesota band The Persian Leaps 5th ep boasts not only the loud riffs, but a lot more hooks than their previous work. “Picture My Reaction” is a driving song that is on par with The Well Wishers or Trip Wire.

Another gem is the jangle fuzz chords on “Even Less” and “About The Lions,” with its catchy chorus where they sing “You never worry/About the lions.” The last track “Pushpins” is an interesting lyric, about someone pinned like an insect. Overall, Highly Recommended.

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