Fastball and Raspberries

powerpopaholic
“Fastball”

Fastball “Step Into Light“

One of the most successful and consistently great power pop bands that emerged with the turn of the century has been Fastball. And the band’s latest does not disappoint. Guitarist Miles Zuniga and bassist Tony Scalzo have been the steady force that keeps things together, each share songwriting duties and both have different styles that complement each other. Scalzo with his hook-filled simplicity and Zuniga with his roots-influenced emotion. And its this variety, with the impressive composition and catchy melodies that make this album a gem.

Starting with the driving “We’re On Our Way,” it brings to mind past radio-ready rockers the band is so well known for. “Best Friend” is another great song, with its optimistic riff that asks, “Wouldn’t you like to be my best friend?” Next, the moody acoustic guitar melody of “Behind The Sun” shows off those crisp harmonies. But my favorite here is the ear-worm “I Will Never Let You Down,” with its earnest twangy lead and sing-along chorus.

It then takes a detour with “Love Comes In Waves,” with its quick-tempo riffs reminded me of the band Shoes, and then we are back to the classic Fastball sound with “Just Another Dream.” Overall not a single wasted note, even when Scalzo lets loose with the indulgent “Secret Agent Love” that feels like it was as much fun to play as it was it listen to. And that’s another key to this album. It’s a damn good listen all the way through with fresh sounds everywhere. Makes my top ten album list of 2017! Super highly recommended.

Amazon

The Raspberries

Raspberries “Pop Art Live“

“…the house lights went down, we looked at each other and said the words that we never thought we would ever say: ‘We’re at a Raspberries concert.’ Then it began . . . ” —Ken Sharp and Bernie Hogya from the liner notes to Pop Art Live.

On November 26, 2004, the stage at Cleveland’s House of Blues was set for a reunion most thought could never happen—the Raspberries Live In Concert! It had been over 30 years since the original four members of Raspberries last played together, Pop Art Live captures the opening night as the band powers through 28 tracks of hits and a few covers. Mixed by long time Raspberries’ associate Tommy Allen, the band sounds amazing as they recreate the sound that carried the power pop torch during the early 1970’s. This performance led to the successful reunion tour in 2005.

The hits are all here from “Go All The Way,”“I Wanna Be With You,” “Let’s Pretend,” and “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record),” “Tonight,” “Nobody Knows,” plus several Beatles covers and the Who’s “I Can’t Explain.” Another treat is The Choir’s “It’s Cold Outside,” which was a band most of the original Raspberries came from. Another great feature is the lesser known hits here like “I Saw The Light” and “Come Around And See Me.” Founding members Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson, David Smalley, and Jim Bonfanti pull out all the stops to deliver the definitive live experience and triumphant return of these legendary power pop pioneers. My vote for best “live” album of 2017!

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

RIP: Glen Campbell finally free

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Glen Campbell is the definition of musical legend with a very long and storied career. In the early ’60’s he was a sought after session player for the famous Wrecking Crew and played for many stars (Bobby Darin, Ricky Nelson, Frank Sintra, Merle Haggard, The Monkees, The Association and The Mamas & The Papas.) He played bass with The Beach Boys, when Brian Wilson’s stage fright prevented him from playing live. The Beach Boys offered him a job, and he turned it down to pursue a successful solo career. While not a songwriter, he was an exceptional guitar player and vocalist – and nobody could play Jimmy Webb tunes like Glen could.

Throughout the late ’60s and early ’70s, Campbell began to record hit after hit including “Wichita Lineman” (1968) and “Galveston” (1969), “Try a Little Kindness” (1969), “Honey Come Back” (1970), “Everything a Man Could Ever Need” (1970), and “It’s Only Make Believe” (1970).

His hits catapulted him to his own prime time TV show, and peaked in 1975 with his biggest #1 song “Rhinestone Cowboy” from there he delivered more hits until his last #1 “Southern Nights.” After his hit-making days, he never really retired, playing until his affliction with Alzheimer’s disease took his life. More than any other musician I can think of he brought country music to the mainstream of pop. Take some time to re-discover this master performer.

Lo Tom and Any Version Of Me

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Andy Oliveri and the Mountaineers

Lo Tom “Lo Tom”

David Bazan and his Seattle band Pedro The Lion teamed up with members of Starflyer 59 to form the supergroup, Lo Tom. It’s Bazan and friends TW Walsh, Jason Martin and drummer Trey Many. The low-pressure setting delivers a memorable, well crafted LP, starting with the driving “Covered Wagon” led by the smooth dual guitar rhythms of Walsh and Martin.

Like indie rocker Robert Pollard(Guided By Voices,) Bazan’s melodies stick with repeated plays and the guitar work of Walsh and Martin are refreshingly effective. Missing are Bazan’s religious overtones and songs like “Overboard” and “Bad Luck Charm” are more abstract in the messages sent. “Find The Shrine” mines an AC/DC styled riff throughout the song, but the album’s second half runs out of steam. Worth checking out even if you’re not a big Pedro fan.

Amazon


Any Version Of Me

Any Version Of Me “VI (Side One)”

Parisian Guillaume Lepine is back with his retro flavored British pop on VI (Side One). “New Year” opens with a Kinks-styled dance hall tune and continues to stay in the late 60’s era and recreates the sound flawlessly. He goes back to Beatlesque well on “Two Days” which borrows liberally from “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.”

The sunshine pop of “Some Saturday Morning” is another highlight with its Beach Boys styled harmonies and layered keyboards move seamlessly into the slide guitar of “Four Walls.”  Then it goes psychedelic with “Little Girl Lost” and acid-dripped riffs of “Thanks Ronnie.” It’s like finding a lost bin of old nuggets and the music is considerably better produced than previous AVOM releases. Best of all, this is a FREE download, with the promise of Side Two coming later this year. For fans of 60’s rock and pop, this is highly recommended.

Saturday Singles: Nezrok, Jared Lekites, Tommy Lorente

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Nezrok “Andy Please”
The short story: At a New Jersey Record Show guitarist Chris Korzen found a cassette of what he thought were previously unheard Big Star songs. The music was actually written by a friend of the band – Van Duren. Van had been doing some writing with Jody Stephens, and in 1975, recorded these demos with legendary producer Andrew Loog Oldham. Chris connected with Van and long-time friend Chris Bolger, who suggested recording one of the songs “Andy, Please.” They were joined by keyboardist Dave Amels, guitarist Joe Howell and Smithereen’s drummer Dennis Diken. An amazing lost piece of Big Star history is now available.

Jared Lekites “Freebird” 
Jared Lekites is dropping the last of his solo tracks while he gears up with this band on the next Lunar Laugh album. “Freebird” is another catchy tune with sweet rhythm. This is followed by a trio of not-so-obvious covers, including Paul McCartney’s “Temporary Secretary,” the Beach Boys “I’d Love Just Once To See You”  and Coke Belda‘s “Hold Me Tight.” A great find here.

Tommy Lorente “Sexe Luxe Etc.”
The coolest power pop artist in France, Tommy Lorente is back. As he readies his sophomore album, listen to this new single “Sex Luxe Etc.,” and this is how you do power pop in French – roughly translated as “She loves me no doubt, a little more than you.” Looking forward to the new album, this track is a FREE download.

Heirs Of Fortune and Trip Wire

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Heirs Of Fortune

Heirs Of Fortune “Circus of Mirth”

Terry Carolan’s (Blue Cartoon/True Hearts) latest project is a tribute to his friend and supporter Gary Littleton. The band Heirs Of Fortune include Ralph Smith and Robert Watkins (Amnesia), and Robert Woodrich (Just Boys.) After a toy piano pop intro “Invited,” it leads to the polished guitar and mid-tempo “Aster Street Days,” a nostalgic look back to the past. In fact, the focus on wistful longing is the main theme overall, and musically Carolan’s soothing vocal harmonies and simple melodies are comparable to the recent work of Terry Draper.

The multi-tracked jangling guitar strums of “How Can I Resist” and “From Where I Am” suit the band’s melodic approach well. The Beatlesque piano and guitar flourishes of “Face The Light” utilize strings for extra emotional punch. Terry’s mild vocals don’t quite fit the song “Crazy” which calls for a wilder guttural approach. You wish that the band added a bit more muscle or bass fuzz on several tracks.

But the bevy of catchy melodies and memorable choruses here is proof of Carolan’s talent with the brilliant love song “(It Only Took) Forever”and the rare fast paced “Shine.” My favorite here is the gorgeous “Goodbye My Friend,” with its George Harrison styled slide guitar that stands as his final words to the dearly departed. The title track seems to be Gary’s answer back to his friend, and a faithful cover of Big Star’s Chris Bell’s “I Am The Cosmos” fits nicely here. Fans of Big Star, Pilot, Badfinger and Klaatu will really enjoy this heart-felt album.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon


Trip Wire “Cold Gas Giants”

Not to be confused with The Tripwires, these well traveled local San Francisco music veterans are Marty Schneider (The Campbell Apartment), Bill Hunt, Stu Shader and Jeff Shelton (Spinning Jennies, The Well Wishers). The album opens with the commanding guitars of “Long Days Gone,” a catchy riff-centered anthem with a densely composed wall of guitars. Both “I’m Not The Enemy” and “Growing Old” are lead by Shelton, and recalls his work with The Well Wishers. More standouts are the jangling Rickenbacker guitar of “These Are The Days” and on “Winter Days” the band adds violins and a sweet bass line.

The band’s hybrid of jangle pop and rock dictates the album as it sways from one style to another, but it also manages to go in another direction on “Saturn V” with its space-themed indie fuzz pop. Virtually no filler here makes this album an audio treat, and a highly recommended addition to my power pop collection.