Blow-Up and The Jac

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Blow-Up “Teenage News 1976-1980”
Before Pat DiPuccio joined The Condors, he was in the L.A. band Blow-Up – a fixture at Bomp Records till about 1990. At the time the band was loved by local critics who called them “the best garage-pop band in L.A.” and included Tommy Dunbar (Rubinoos) on a few demo tracks. The unreleased title song showcases the raw punk pop of “Teenage News.” A nostalgic look back in “(It isn’t) 1965” and “Armed Robbery” is pretty standard punk in The Velvet Underground mode.

Things get a bit more sophisticated with the Stones-like “Souvenir” and “Local Hero,” and lead singer Jody Worth exhibits an attitude that is both Lou Reed and Mick Jagger. The most accomplished singles the band was known for was “Beat The Devil” and “Kicking Up A Fuss,”  both featured in the Mad Magazine movie Up the Academy (1980). Fans of The Ramones, Mott The Hoople and Sex Pistols will appreciate this curio of a long forgotten band more than most. Thanks goes to DiPuccio for compiling this piece of pop history.

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The Jac “Love Dumb” EP
Joe Algeri and crew, Dave Wallace (guitar), Jason Clearly (bass) and Mark Eaton (drums) are back! After the success of Faux Pas the band concentrates on an organic power pop sound and they sound great on the title track. Likewise the Byrdsian “Wherever You Go” is full of jangling goodness and true proof of Algeri’s awesome talents. Yet another cover of Big Star’s “Thirteen” is always welcome, and just to prove he’s loose — he does a corny electro pop tune “Frantic Romantic” better suited to the next Berlin or Kraftwerk album. Gotta love ’em, as we await more from The Jac.

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Book Review: “A Man Called Destruction: The Life and Music of Alex Chilton, From Box Tops to Big Star to Backdoor Man “

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Alex Chilton’s story is rags to riches in reverse, beginning with teenage rock stardom and heading downward. Following stints leading 60s sensation the Box Tops (“The Letter”) and pioneering 70s band Big Star (“the ultimate American pop band”—Time), Chilton became a dishwasher. Yet he rose again in the 80s as a solo artist, producer, and trendsetter, and senior power pop icon ushering him back to the spotlight before his untimely death in 2010.

The full story of Alex Chilton is written by long time acquaintance Holly George-Warren. She has interviewed more than 100 bandmates, friends, and family members to give a full portrait of the reluctant visionary. His early influences are clearly pronounced…”When the Beatles came along, I got swept up in it” Alex recalls, and by 1965 told friends he thought “Brian Wilson was a genius.” Who knew after seeing the Beach Boys concert that year, he’d tour with them 3 years later. Each chapter goes into the details of the formation and acclaim given to The Box Tops and Big Star as well as each albums development. Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book…
 “Soon the phrase “power pop” would enter the rock & roll lexicon (though it had originally been coined by Pete Townshend in the ’60s), with Big Star being hailed as its leading proponent. In Memphis, New York, and the Midwest, particularly bands were forming to emulate the Big Star sound, while their albums became a sort of “Holy Grail,” as R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck would later call them.”

Overall an excellent book that goes through what Alex Chilton was feeling and it doesn’t whitewash the unattractive side of his personality. Between this and the film Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me you get the entire story. On Sale at Amazon

Friday Freebies: 8×8 and Loop Line

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The transatlantic duo of Lane Steinberg and Alexander Khodchenko (aka 8×8) had a musical comment to recent events in Ukraine. In fact, Alexander lives in Kiev in the midst of all the current chaos. Listen and get a free download of “Stop The Madman,” and see if you can guess who they’re talking about.

 

Recorded very much like 8×8 is Tides, the debut album of the band Loop Line. Loop Line consists of two members: Luke, who currently lives in Japan, and Paul, who currently lives in the USA. Occasionally they get together in the same room, but for most of the album its been done through internet file/idea sharing. Tides is a massive undertaking with 21-tracks, and you’ll easily hear the Brian Wilson meets Weezer influence on some of the better tracks like “All I’m Waiting For” and “Used To Be.” The vocals are a real standout, and you’ll hear the improvement in harmonies on the latter tracks. It reminded me a little of last years John Hopkins album. A pretty impressive, if overwhelming debut that is a free download on Bandcamp.

The Mike Benign Compulsion “Here’s How it Works”

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Milwaukee-based Mike Benign Compulsion brings all the tools to his third album Here’s How It Works. Benign is joined by bassist Brian Wooldridge, drummer Michael Koch and guitarist Joe Vent. The group is a tight sounding unit, with touches of Elvis Costello, The Kinks and The Beatles sprinkled all around. Benign’s rugged vocal takes hold of you right away.

Starting with the mid-tempo “Mrs. Kean” it’s a dense song about adultery with backwards guitar that leads us to the next stage in the affair, “You Say It’s Over” and our protagonist is “inclined to agree.” The big single “Haley Daley” is a fantastically catchy song with energy and snide attitude. The songcraft is both delicate and complex in “Bay Window” making it one of the best ballads here.

The theme of loss and anxiety permeate the entire album. The restlessness is apparent on “Professional Jealousy/Saw Your Post” with the latter half of the song shifting to resigned bitterness. “Me and My Fluoxetine” has a perfect opening riff and line that would make both Ray Davies and Bob Dylan jealous. The pastoral harmonies on “Sleep” make it another winner. No filler either, as each track gives you something compelling. After a few listens, I found no reason to keep it off my list of top ten albums for 2014. Don’t miss it.

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Lapland and Ed Woltil

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Lapland “Lapland”
Lapland is a new project by Brooklyn singer-songwriter Josh Mease. From the opening strums of “Unwise” you feel the full otherworldly texture and mood wash over you. It gets into standard folk pop fare with “Overboard,” but the melodic gift is evidently strong with Josh, as the chords and layered harmonies evoke both McCartney and Paul Simon. Each song structure is tightly woven but slowly paced,”Aeroplane” drifts along like a Nilsson ballad amongst the clouds.

If you like subtle pocket melodies, then this album is for you. “Drink Me Dry” is another casual gem, and then it gets very deep on “Memory.” When Josh veers toward the atmospheric it may set you to sleep, but if you liked 8×8 or Dent May then you’ll just drink it in. The faux western “Metal Lungs” is another highlight. The production is clean and aside from an instrumental or two you’ll just have to listen to it a few times to have it sink in. A real grower.

ITunes |  Amazon

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Ed Woltil “Paper Boats”
Acclaimed singer-songwriter from The Ditchflowers steps out with his melodically rich, lyrically nuanced solo debut. The album is built around Woltil’s considerable acoustic guitar skills and warm vocal, as he builds neatly efficient songs. “Algebra” is a fresh, snappy melody along the lines of Joe Walsh or Donald Fagen. The easy going “Random Access Memory” has a wandering verse and hook along the lines of Mike Viola, a pure joy to listen to. “Someone Else’s Life” creates a melody with a wry touch of self-awareness, similar to Randy Newman. “The One and Only Anderson” is a cute, funny portrait of his dog, Andy.

He takes a few more liberties on the LP’s second half. “Open” is a mix of classical influences, and “The Shortest Distance (Between Two Hearts)” is soul-pop ballad. And the skillful lyrical gymnastics on “One in A Row” brings to mind Paul Simon at his most playful. Overall its a fully realized display of superb songwriting and musicianship. Highly Recommended.

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