The Jeanies and One Like Son

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The Jeanies “The Jeanies”

The Jeanies are a Brooklyn four piece band that bring back the savory sound of 1970s power pop and succeed so well here, you’d swear this was a “lost” release from that era. Cut from the same cloth as Phil Seymour, The Raspberries, The Rubinoos and The Shoes the opener “I Seen Her Dance” is a catchy single that sets the stage for the album. Songwriter and lead vocalist Joey Farber has an earnest moving vocal and “I Think You’re The Wrong One” is another classic gem that deserves to be heard.

Farber’s solid riffs are joined by guitarist Jon Mann, as they spin a great muscle-chord analog sound on “The Girl’s Gonna Do.” You’ll also hear the influences of 50’s Doo Wop, R&B, and basement DIY style throughout the album. At times the production adds a bit too much echo (“Believe Me Jenny”) but that’s more a personal pet peeve. The lyrics all evoke the anticipation of meeting the perfect girl… until the next one comes along. It is fairly consistent,  hard charging rock with a mid-tempo pause on the love song “I’ll Warm You.” Fans of this particular vintage power pop should not miss this one. Highly Recommended.

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Bandcamp | Kool Kat Musik

One Like Son

One Like Son “New American Gothic”

Last year this Montgomery, Alabama band released a mind bending song a week for 52 Weeks. This year lead singer-songwriter Stephen Poff has compiled his favorite 13 tracks from that project into New American Gothic, making his band’s work a lot easier to digest.

“New American Gothic” is a solid power melody resembling Cheap Trick, Goo Goo Dolls and Gin Blossoms with strong riffs about today’s modern family. “Nice Guys Finish Last” sows similar ground with a synth line running though the song. One of my favorites here is “Hero Down” with its epic power ballad chorus about the death of Superman, it builds with layers of piano and guitar reminding me of Queen. The band tries to go more punk pop on “’Til it’s Over,” but it really excels at melodic hard rock anthems like “Falling From My Arms.” The subjects eventually head out to space with a trio of rockers “Gravity,” “Interstellar” and the Star Wars tribute “A Galaxy Far Away.” You can imagine Darth Vader might have said of One Like Son,“The force is strong with this one.”
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Bandcamp | Amazon

The Stereo Twins “Good News”

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Power pop veterans, Brandt and Matt Huseman (Greenberry Woods, Splitsville) continue their musical partnership with this new incarnation – The Stereo Twins. The brothers set forth a tough challenge for themselves; to write and record an album about Jesus without having it obviously be preachy Christian rock. Not that there is anything wrong with that, one of the best religious power pop albums out there has been Rick Altizer’s  Scripture Memory from 2007.

The Husemans still have the talent and skills to make great music, and the album partly succeeds in delivering a Christian message without being overtly religious. And they start with a simple spiritual guitar folk song “J2J” which highlights those solid harmonies in the style of the Everlys. “All That I Know” does sound like written scripture to rock music, but then the album takes off.

The gentle inspirational message of  “Stars Shine” builds to a memorable chorus and is an excellent single. The follow up “Mariamne” is more like classic Splitsville and a real gem here. “Signs and Wonders” has plenty of jangle and hooks to be a big hit as well. The riffs and synths continue on the short but catchy “Phony” about being pious without faith. Fans of the Beach Boys styled Pet Soul will enjoy the heavenly “Hymn” with the 3-part harmonies and the beautiful “Elijah.” Highly Recommended to fans of great melodies and inspirational lyrics.
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CD Baby | Amazon

 

Baby Scream and Bubble Gum Orchestra

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Baby Scream

Baby Scream “Fan, Fan, Fan”

Argentina’s power pop sensation Baby Scream is back. Juan Pablo Mazzola got together with his good friend Nick Schinder and recorded about 200 songs in a massive recording session, and they had enough material for great 2 LPs. This one and The Worst of Baby Scream, which collects demos, covers and other stray tracks. Fan, Fan, Fan songs fit together along a similar theme and each song dovetails into the next.

Juan Pablo’s Lennonesque vocals combined with his crunchy pop guitars and pissed off lyrics make a great combination here. “Everybody Sucks” is a solid angry rant followed by the slow burning “Back To Douche” and the rocking “Loner” are a perfect 3 punch combo of angst and regret. These songs all clock in under 3 minutes each (except “The Girl Next Next Door”). He paints a lonely picture on the dense “A Human Being On Mars” and the catchy riffs are all over the aptly named “Captain Hook” with a satisfying solo between the chorus. Even though it slows down a little midway through it still delivers greatness on the ballads “Haters Will Hate” and “Just For A While.” Juan Pablo has a biting sense of humor on “The Kitty Song” where he speaks in the voice of the biggest a-hole cat ever. The smart curation of these songs from the recording session make this my favorite Baby Scream album to date. It’s so good, it gets my first nomination for best album of 2015! Don’t miss this one.

Only on Bandcamp

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Bubble Gum Orchestra “Beyond Time”

Once again ELO super-fan Michael Laine Hildebrandt returns to give us a “sequel” to the ELO 1981 classic Time. Hildebrandt starts with familiar electronic synths leading to the main riff of “23rd Century Woman,” one of the highlights. But my favorite is “Trans Form Her” chock full of tech wordplay along a similar theme of loving a robot girl, which leads to the obvious “I’m in Love with a Robot.” “Earth Below Me” is a captivating electronic prog rock gem that soothes and inspires.

Michael is also getting much better at using the style for compositions, instead of merely imitating it. He still isn’t above some hero worship, as “ELO Forever” lists about 28 song titles in the lyrics. Still, this is a fun, enjoyable album with some very nice production work throughout the synth-guitar melodies. If you enjoy your rock with a space opera twist this will float your boat.

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CD Baby | Amazon

Emerging Artists: The Low Dose, Zaina, Janet Devlin, and AJR

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Already a new group of releases have hit my desk, but before I get to it I wanted to post some new artists that may get some traction this year. Some have music available, and some just have a single. It’s a diverse group of styles, but you may like it!

New Jersey’s The Low Doses are lead by guitarist/singer/vocalist Ryan Masterson and bassist Joi La Cour are working on their debut album. This is the first single from it.

The girl with the purple hair is Zaina. While most of her work is soul or hip hop, this nicely written ballad caught my attention. Her voice is just mesmerizing. Hear more on Soundcloud.

Northern Irish singer-songwriter Janet Devlin grew up outside the village of Gortin in County Tyrone, the only girl and youngest of four in her family. Inspired by bands such as Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers, Janet learned to play the guitar and write her own songs at a young age. Check out Running With Scissors

Indie pop trio AJR had an EP drop this past September, and a full length is due in early March. They reminded me a little of Sunday Sun with their youthful energy. This is the new single “Infinity.” Infinity – EP

The Satisfactors and Russell & The Wolf Choir

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Late Cambrian

The Satisfactors “The Satisfactors”

A good old fashioned super group consisting of the best rock and roll veterans from New Jersey: Gar Francis (Mark Lindsday, The Doughboys), Kurt Reil (The Grip Weeds), Bruce Ferguson (The Easy Outs) and Kenny Aaronson (Billy Idol, Bob Dylan, Edgar Winter and Brian Setzer). These guys know hooks and riffs better than anyone and they do not disappoint here.

These pros rock the doors off starting with “She Got Charm,” and the fast-paced energy doesn’t let up for a second. “I Love Girls” is another guitar rocker that struts around without a whiff of subtlety, reminding me of Motley Crew or Kiss. Each song follows that path and its plenty of fun, “You’re So Crazy” is designed for couch jumping air-guitar performances! Plenty of highlights, not a weak track anywhere – even “Johnny Commando” uses The Ramones “hey-ho” chorus! The entire LP can be summed up with the lyrics of “Gimme My Rock and Roll,” as Bruce punctuates it – “Nuff Said!” The Satisfactors provide the perfect soundtrack for highway drive or a festive party. If I caught this LP earlier it would’ve easily hit my top ten list, fans of younger artists like Kurt Baker or The Connection shouldn’t miss it either.
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CD Baby | Amazon

Russell and The Wolf Choir

Russell and The Wolf Choir “The Ivy Leaf Agreement” EP

Russell and the Wolf Choir is a band that combines country and indie pop. The songs are mostly about change after a loss, “I think I Need An Editor” boasts a unique percussive approach. “Closure” uses the steel pedal guitar for that country effect on this mellow song about the end of a relationship.

The highlight here comes on the storybook lyrics of “The Evening Wore On Part 1” about accepting the friendship of a former crush. The thumping beat of “This Fall I Think That You’re Riding For” is another great example of songwriting. What’s missing are some hooks to encourage repeat listens, but there is enough here to demand your attention. Fans of Death Cab for Cutie or Wilco may want to pick this one up.
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