The Statuettes and Tommy Sistak

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The Statuettes

The Statuettes “Great Western” EP

The Statuettes (formerly Michael Gross and the Statuettes) are a pop/rock band based in Salt Lake City, UT that play as a tight unit, mixing influences from past into present. “Into The Dark” is a great angular intro which combines the dark bass lines of Blue Oyster Cult with its brooding chorus. “Not Crying” is a modern expansive arena single, lead by the booming drum and deliberate guitar-piano accents.

The faster paced “It’s A The Same” and “Life’s A Dream” echo Coldplay with lead singer Michael Gross sounding a dead ringer for Chris Martin. In a nice change of pace “Oh Please” let’s the guitars take the chorus. No filler and overall, a solid pop rock EP worth checking out.
power pop

Bandcamp only

Tommy Sistak “Short Songs”

Tommy Sistak grew up playing in garage bands in suburban Chicago. His band Bagshot Row, is a classic oldies outfit that has opened for Davy Jones of the Monkees, Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits, and Eric Burdon and the Animals. Sistak’s syle is most decidedly early Beatles, with its rich Rickenbacker jangle and three-part vocal harmonies. Staring with “Think About Me” its all about the short, punchy pop, when mid 60’s pop ruled the radio.

This is guilt free goodness, and Sistak keeps them coming, “Ordinary Words” and “Whisper In the Night” are fast paced gems, but what puts them above the fray of other Beatlesque bands are the excellent chord progressions and the occasional deeper bass fuzz. Even switching to a softer multi-tracked acoustic on “Be Good” like The Cyrkle makes a nice change of pace. A happy guilty pleasure here; scratch that Fab itch with Tommy.
power pop

CD Baby

The New Trocaderos and Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms

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The New Trocaderos “Frenzy in The Hips” EP

Formed last year, The New Trocaderos are a mini supergroup consisting of Geoffrey Palmer and Brad Marino of The Connection, and Kurt Baker. They released a few singles and an EP (or two) late in 2014. Well if you missed any of these hook-filled songs I’ve got some good news. Kook Kat Musik is distributing a compilation of these singles under the 6 song EP “Frenzy In The Hips.” The music is hard charging pop that’s rooted in the British Invasion and garage rock style. Each single is compelling, but my favorites are “Dream Girl, ” “The Kids” and “Luckiest Man in the World” which is only available on CD on this release! Fire this CD up for an instant rock and roll party. Highly Recommended.
power pop

Kool Kat Musik Exclusive

Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms

Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms “Heart String Soul”

It’s great to hear Ryan again, his last album was nearly three years ago. After many listens, its clear that Ryan Allen bleeds rock & roll dreams. His energy and melodies are the very stuff power pop fans yearn for. “Should Be Me” is the first song, about his lack of radio play and the hopeful refrain of “one more day” to figure out how to “make it.” It’s a little like a mix of The Ramones and Richard X. Heyman. “Looking Forward to Looking Back” has Raspberries-like riffs and a catchy chorus making it an infectious rocker, “We are all born broken” starts the chorus that hits every note perfectly.

“Become a Disaster” is an anthem for disaffected young adults, building with massive harmonies and riffs like Weezer and a Fountains of Wayne styled narrative. Everything here rings true from the timeline affair of “Angela ’97” to the Big Star influenced “Not Hanging Out” to the quiet heartbreak of “Bonded By Blood,” about the difficulties of fatherhood. Ryan has blown me away here, and this easily makes my top ten album list for 2015.
power pop

Bandcamp | CD Baby

Late Cambrian and Gramercy Arms

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Late Cambrian

Late Cambrian “Golden Time”

Late Cambrian has changed its sound a bit more toward the club audience, the guitar riffs which dominated in Peach, take a backseat to the increased role of the keyboard. Starting with the angular riffs, and thumping bass guitar of “Throwing Shade,” its very similar to Field Music’s cerebral approach. But soon after we get the pop goodness of the “Golden Time,” a catchy gem that encourages dancing and head bopping. Its one of the best singles I’ve heard so far and a perfect mix of bass guitar/synth melody.

The synth leads “Illamasqua” and it highlights the vocal harmonies and solid drum work. “NOW” goes for a funkier production with the guitar playing a lead role here. Similarly, “DYBIL” an acronym for “do you believe in love” is a dance rock track with a spacey feel. Then “Montauk” is a welcome love song featuring Angie Hart telling her story, and the duet with John is excellent. The ending “Shiny Cars” is stately and a little long, but there is no filler here. John Wlaysewski’s voice and guitar have come a long way from Flying Machines. This is a band that’s on the cutting edge of rock and pop, ready for major fame – its early but makes my 2015 list.  Look out Maroon 5 and Franz Ferdinand, you’ve got a band who’s “Golden Time” has come.
power pop

Bandcamp |  Amazon

Gramercy Arms

Gramercy Arms “The Seasons of Love”

Gramercy Arms is a NYC Collective masterminded by main songwriter/producer Dave Derby (Dambuilders/Lloyd Cole) with a massive guest list: Joan Wasser (Joan As Police Woman), Tanya Donelly (Belly, Throwing Muses), Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Kendall Meade (Sparklehorse), Claudia Gonson (Magnetic Fields), Doug Gillard (Guided By Voices), Erin Moran (A Girl Called Eddy), Renee LoBue (Elk City), Kay Hanley (Letters To Cleo).

The opener “Always In Love” is a sure fire hit that will brighten your day with sunny horn flourishes to highlight the optimistic melody. The more subdued “Beautiful Disguise” veers into ballad territory, the duet between Lloyd Cole and Joan Wasser plays the male/female insecurity card perfectly. “Winterlight” is another gem of optimism and its a hand clapping ready-made single. “The Night Is Your Only Friend” is another richly woven pop anthem. Fans of sophisticated pop rock like The Eels or The Sharp Things will love this album.  The horns and strings here set the music above the fray, and lead singer works effortlessly with other vocalists of different styles on “Novemberlong” and “The Seasons of Love.” Overall this is music that elicits authentic emotion, and you’ll be glad to revisit it and let it grow on you.
power pop

Amazon

Mothboxer and The Vickers

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Mothboxer

Mothboxer “We’re All Out Of Our Minds” EP

It seems we just finished listening to Mothboxer’s latest LP which made our year end list, when an equally awesome and groovy EP shows up. “We’re All Out Of Our Minds” has Dave Ody doing his Lennonesque pop confection from Sand and The Rain plus three bonus tracks. “One Day At A Time” is a little more measured till we get to the thick chorus. “I’m Working” is a music hall piano melody that fans of the new Dowling Poole album with enjoy. “Laughing Out Loud” is slow tempo epic with a circus like atmosphere and it fits nicely here. Each track shines and overall this is a highly recommended addition to your Mothboxer collection.
power pop
Bandcamp


The Vickers

The Vickers “Ghosts”

An Italian band, The Vickers will take you on a musical kaleidoscopic journey chock full of spatial guitars, keyboards, and whirling bass lines. This psyche pop album starts with the dynamic “She’s Lost,” a good mix of Beatles and Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd.

The echoing fuzz of “I Don’t Know What It Is” builds as it continues, then trails off into a slow jam punctuated by a guitar solos. The Vickers also have a garage-styled punk sensibility on “All I Need” with its swirling rhythms and fuzzed vocals. “Here Me Now” sounds a little more modern, but its no less hypnotic.  Additional highlights include the Beatlesque “Walking On A Rope” and the lighter than air title track. This is most definitely an album to check out on your best set of headphones in a darkened room. Worth multiple listens it could become your favorite head-trip.
power pop
Bandcamp | Amazon

Comedy: The Shame Game

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Ginny Leise and Soojeong Son host a monthly live game show show called The Shame Game in Brooklyn, in which comedians compete by telling their most shameful stories and secrets. Ginny and Soo also produce biting, hilarious videos each month to promote the show, this one is called “Dude Notes.” Here is my dude note: You are both funny and cute, and the show sounds like a real blast. Check out the other promo videos here:

Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4

WHERE: The Bell House – 149 7th St. – Brooklyn
 
WHEN: Friday, February 6th, 2015 – doors 8:30pm, show 9:00pm
 
HOW: $10 advance, $12 day of show – Get tickets here!