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.

Amazon

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.

Amazon

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.

Amazon

Album Previews: Brendan Benson and Pugwash

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The Raconteurs’ Brendan Benson has teased his forthcoming album (set for 2018 release) with a new single, “Half A Boy (And Half A Man)”

Pugwash is back with a new album “Silverlake” due for release in November.

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OLD MEDIA NEWS: Rolling Stone is being sold by the ever-shrinking media empire of  Jann Wenner. Like virtually all of print media, Rolling Stone magazine has struggled to stay alive with more and more eyeballs focused on the web. As a music critic, Rolling Stone was considered the zenith of cultural influence and an invaluable affirmation of your credibility. It was so important for an artist to “make the cover of Rolling Stone,” that it counted as having attained rock stardom (as Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show sang below).

But as the years wore on its influenced diminished. It started focusing more on politics, less on music and the reviews were relegated to fewer pages. It did outlast many competitors, but its days as a trusted brand in music criticism are numbered.

 

Freebie Friday: Travis Bretzer, Hector & The Leaves, Ricky Demetro

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Edmonton indie pop songsmith Travis Bretzer is a jack of all trades musician, singer-songwriter who plays all of the instruments. The album’s first single “Are You Ever Gonna Change?” is a jangling power pop gem and the romantic “Peace, Love and Harmony” shows off his sunshine pop tendencies. “Up in Morning” is like a lost Mike Nesmith tune! One of the best FREE albums you’ll hear this year.  Time for me to investigate his back catalog. Also available in CD form on CDBaby.

Hector and The Leaves return with a bedroom pop treat. Tom Hector delivers the opener “Watching The World” in a hushed whisper. It stays quiet with acoustic guitar and his songwriting has improved tremendously from previous releases, “Call You Up” is a catchy gem that fans of Elliot Smith will eat up. Several songs sound like demos, but they are compelling. Music for those late nights with a mug of mint tea.

Way back at Power Popaholic Fest 3, Ricky Demetro was the lead singer in The Rhino House Band. Sadly, the band broke up and Ricky has the moved to Japan. Fortunately, he still likes to make music — this is more of a personal album, with no commercial aspirations as he does some experimental pop here. Oh yeah, and it’s a FREE download.