Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab and Gregory Pepper

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Miracles of Modern Science

Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab “Coconut Summer Drop-In 432”

The Coconut Summer Drop-In 432 is brilliant parody-homage of The Beach Boys Party!, Smiley Smile, and Surf’s Up albums with ukuleles, bongos, casiotone keyboards, and gorgeous harmonies. Studio chatter and party atmosphere on the opener “Ready Steady Beach!” ring with authenticity.

Next the brilliant “Too Hot To Sleep” is a slow stoner theme with Spanish verses, and lovely Smiley weirdness. More gems include “She’s Crazy” and “Andiamo” which are catchy and fun. “High Inside (The Lost Frontier)” channels the song “Surf’s Up” perfectly. The album is peppered with atmospheric filler, but for Beach Boys fan this is a special treat. Highly Recommended.

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Gregory Pepper & His Problems

Gregory Pepper & His Problems “CHORUS! CHORUS! CHORUS!”

I love the honest emotion of this new Gregory Pepper LP. Like a mix of Ben Folds and Weezer, each song is a tightly constructed arrangement with a catchy melody. “Crush On You” is fuzz guitar anthem to teen hormones and the hilarious un-PC bitterness of “Smart Phones For Stupid People” and “I Wonder Whose Dick You Had To Suck” make it stand out (and tons of cursing helps).

The irony of “Chorus! Chorus! Chorus!” is that each song only has a single chorus and the music is so quick (most songs are under a minute and a half) it feels like fleshed-out demos. They Might Be Giants did this on “Fingertips” to comedic effect too, but I’d love to hear a second verse at least. Still — this is a sweet distraction worth getting into.

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Tommy Keene and Marshall Crenshaw

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Tommy Keene

Tommy Keene “Laugh In The Dark”

It seems doing an album of covers has awakened a spark from the guitar pop veteran and he sounds re-energized on his latest album Laugh In The Dark.  Starting out on “Out of My Mind” with its ringing guitars and catchy rhythm he delivers in spades. It fades into “Dear Heloise,” another brilliant jangling, post-Big Star power pop classic and the riffs have more muscle than a Gold’s Gym on “Last Of The Twilight Girls.”

Keene blends his vocal with the chords just right, even the mid-tempo “All The Lights Are Alive” showcases the solid melodic structure comparable to artists like Chris Stamey. Each track is a finely crafted gem; the title track has a descending bass line with its soothing guitar solo, as he chimes “Yesterday was a lark, now we’ll laugh in the dark.” I’ve only touched on half the album, but you get the drill here. Not a note of filler, and this stands as the best Keene album I’ve heard in years — makes my top ten of 2015 list and its a stellar example of guitar-focused power pop.

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Marshall Crenshaw

Marshall Crenshaw “#392: The Ep Collection”

This is a compilation of 6 vinyl EPs that Crenshaw released from 2012 to this year. Its a good equal mix of originals and cover tunes starting with “Grab the Next Train,” it shows Marshall still has a knack for memorable melody, with lyrics by friend Dan Bern. “Red Wine” is another gem with its jazzy guitar and accordion breaks. Then the smart composition “I Don’t See You Laughing Now,” is about a poetic comeuppance.

All the originals are all solid, where the covers are more of a mixed bag. Starting with The Move’s “No Time” penned by Jeff Lynne is an very inspired choice, less so is a competent but pedestrian version of “Close To You.” My favorites here is Bobby Fuller’s “Never To Be Forgotten” and overall this collection makes for some pleasant listening.

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Diego Davidenko and John Howard & The Night Mail

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Diego Davidenko

Diego Davidenko “It Isn’t Home”

I don’t focus on folk too often, but Diego Davidenko is a special case. Inspired early on by the simple, nostalgic tunes of The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel his earnest and heartfelt songs weave through the gamut of human emotions and experiences. Using a minimal production “I and You” is a Paul Simon styled guitar gem, with a touch of romance and his tribute to inspiration Elliott Smith in “Elliott” is a biographical tale with overlapping dual vocals.

Each song has a delicate romantic touch, like the comforting “Rest Your Head On Me” or the shy flirting of “Look My Way.” Diego’s childhood in Argentina comes through with the rhythms on “Your Body” and “The Preacher Say.” The sharp composition on “Where the Sky Is Infinite” is my favorite tune with its rising chorus. Overall, this is a perfect coffee house soundtrack, give it a listen with that spiced pumpkin latte. Music like this will make it taste better.

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John Howard

John Howard & The Night Mail “John Howard & The Night Mail “

John Howard is a true forgotten hero of British pop, making a comeback. His 1975 album Kid In a Big World was comparable to Elton John at the time. But after the debut, fell into obscurity until 2004 when his tracks were re-issued to a more receptive public. Today, Howard is joined by Robert Rotifer on guitar, Andy Lewis on bass and mellotron, and Ian Button on drums for his first album with a full band.

Howard’s grandeur and classic pop rock sensibilities are intact and he can still impress on “Before” telling a story with chords and brilliant orchestration. “Intact and Smiling” has a steady groove and the solid “In The Light Of Fires Burning” is a dreamy trip through 1960’s pop history, referencing Gerry Goffin and the Beatles. “Control Freak” is another fave here, a little Bowie glam styled boogie. “Safety In Numbers” has those soaring melodies that Howard is known for. It may take a few spins, but you’ll be a fan — this is a highly recommended comeback, that had me looking into Howard’s back catalog.

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Dana Countryman and The New Trocaderos

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Dana Countryman

Dana Countryman “Pop3! Welcome to My Time Warp!”

Thank God for Dana Countryman. It’s rare that an artist with his talent and ability devotes himself to the lost art of 70’s styled AM pop, and this is his 3rd and in my opinion, best volume. Countryman is more consistent here, the melodies are better and the shift in styles from song to song are more natural.

Starting with “Every Kiss Reminds Me Of You,” and the following songs are full of sugary sweet romanticism, influenced by Richard Carpenter, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Neil Sedaka and Curt Boettcher. You can play a “spot-the-influence” game, but in a few cases it pulls directly. “Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind” cops the entire percussion section from The Spiral Staircase’s “I Love You More Than Yesterday,” but the bridge to the chorus here is great. “Shari Girl” is a direct sequel to The Four Season’s “Sherry,” and those harmonies are also perfectly spot on.

My favorite song here is the beautiful Beatlesque “Don’t You Know You’ll Break My Heart” with Matt Tyson’s backing harmonies. And Dana rocks out on “24 Hours With You” and “There Goes My Heart Again,” the latter with the hot guitar of Scott McPhereson (Vanilla, Pop4). Overall a great album that deserves multiple listens, its obviously highly recommended.

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The New Trocaderos

The New Trocaderos “Thrills and Chills”

Sounding more like a new Connection album (with Kurt Baker added), than anything else “What The Hell Did I Do” and “Love and Hate” feature the familiar frantic tempo and buzzing guitar riff rhythms. “I’m So Bad” is a pub rock tune about a cliche rocker who drinks “more booze than Keith (Richards).” This is fine, as some distinctive tracks stand out like “Like An Angel” and the sing along alcoholic theme “By The Balls.” Its one hell of a party album – so crank it up.

The Baker influence comes through on a few tracks like “Crazy Little Fool” and “She Don’t Know” with a touch of jangle added to each catchy chorus. Musically you get a perfect melding of the Baker-Connection sound on “Oh Boy (Today Is My Birthday).” The band finally breaks the template with the ’50s themed ballad “Love Anymore” a rockabilly croon with a sweet piano solo at the break. Aside from the unremarkable “Midnight Creep” all the songs are killer cuts. Highly Recommended and if you’re not too over saturated, Kurt Has a solo album out as well!

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Pugwash and Herb Eimerman

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Pugwash

Pugwash “Play This Intimately (As If Among Friends)”

Opening with guitar riffs of “Kicking and Screaming” Pugwash is back in familiar form with an impeccable Thomas Walsh melody and its neo psychedelic flourishes. However after that initial rock blast the band puts aside the aggressive tempo to concentrate on more pastoral pop. “Lucky In Every Way” is a catchy ear worm with its “do do do” backing chorus and Walsh ’s influences while similar in tone to XTC leans more toward Jeff Lynne’s softer side for most of the album.

“Just So You Know” has an almost weightless feel with a classic guitar break and an ELO styled chorus that floats away to the bossanova rythym of “Clouds.” The standout ballad “The Fool I Had Become” is a slowly building gem with its looping bass line and its sad chorus. Thankfully we don’t stay in the dumps, “You Could Always” is like a lost Wilburys tune with its chugging honky tonk melody. And the sun really comes out for the Beatlesque “Hung Myself Out To Dry,” it’s got that perfectly Pugwash combination of layered guitars and harmonies. “Silly Love” has a little McCartney DNA built in, recalling both “Uncle Albert” and “Silly Love Songs.” Walsh and crew keep the vibe very relaxed and easy going, even on the spacey final “We Are Everywhere.” A highly recommended album for sure, and perfect for a lazy weekend among old friends.

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Herb Eimerman

Herb Eimerman “Five Dimensional Man” EP

Herb Eimerman is no stranger to power pop, influenced by The Beatles and The Byrds he’s been releasing solo albums since the ’90s, worked on The Nerk Twins project with Jeff Murphy of The Shoes and has been a vocalist and bassist for The Britannicas.

On this new EP, Eimerman contrasts manic guitar strumming (similar to Bob Mould) with his understated vocals on “Just Wishful Thinking,” then the familiar Rickenbacker guitar returns on “Live To Tell.” Herb channels Roger McGuinn on the folk-pop of “Believe that I Do,” making it a compelling personal statement. Each song has its own emotional component (dimension) worth exploring. Keep on rockin’ Herb!

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