Big Star “Nothing Can Hurt Me” and Concert Tribute in NYC

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BIG STAR: NOTHING CAN HURT ME is a feature-length documentary from Magnolia Pictures about legendary Memphis power pop band Big Star.  The film opens in New York at the IFC Center on July 3 and will also be available that same day on iTunes and via most on demand video services.

New York City – The Central Park Concert on June 30th: the show will include Sharon Van Etten, Richard Lloyd, Kurt Vile, Marshall Crenshaw, Pete Yorn,  Reeve Carney (Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark),  Jonathan Donahue (Mercury Rev), The Uptown Horns and Becky Stark (Lavender Diamond). The core band will once again feature Mike Mills (R.E.M.) on bass; Mitch Easter (Lets Active) and Chris Stamey (The dB’s) and Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, Big Star) on guitar; Charles Cleaver on keys; Django Haskins (of The Old Ceremony), Brett Harris and Skylar Gudasz on harmony and guitar; and original Big Star member Jody Stephens on drums, all backed with a twenty- piece chamber orchestra including the famed cellist Jane Scarpantoni. Details here.

The film’s soundtrack was just released too:
Buy it at Omnivore Recordings or Amazon

Lisa Mychols and Travel Lanes

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Lisa Mychols “Above, Beyond & in Between”
If power pop ever crowned a queen, my vote goes to Lisa Mychols.  Originally “discovered” by The Wondermints, Darian Sahanaja and Nick Walusko who helped release her debut in 1991. She has since been in several bands (The Waking Hours, The Masticators and Nushu) and was usually the best part of them, incorporating her love of 60s and 70s classic pop.

Her latest Above, Beyond & in Between continues the tradition of superb power pop with instrumentalist Tom Richards. The bouncy “Heart Beats In Stereo” is a confident song of girl power, with Tom’s terrific guitar solo in the break. “Taken” has a catchy melody that reminds me of ELO’s “Turn To Stone,” but Lisa really knows how to update the sound of those classic 1960s girl groups. “Make Believe,” and “Summertime Dream” both fall into that category. “Foolin’ The World” has an irresistible rockin’ beat, and “She Lied” is an atmospheric theme that wouldn’t sound out of place in a James Bond title sequence. Each tune resonates, fans of other female power pop artists (The Bangles, Kelly Jones, etc.) will want to get this one. Easily one of the best albums this year with “the melodies that kick your ass in stereo.”

CD Baby

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Travel Lanes “Hey, Hey, It’s Travel Lanes!” EP
This Philadephia band follows in the footsteps of Tom Petty and Elvis Costello, as evidenced by the energetic opening “Scared of Girls.” Led by Frank Brown (Flight of Mavis, Buzz Zeemer) he has a knack for melodic songcraft and intelligent songwriting. Even a deceptively simple tune like “Rainy Day” is compelling with its tropical rhythm. “Delinquent” is a very much in the Costello /Nick Lowe style and invites repeat listens. “Let You Down” adds a heavier Deep Purple-type of riff to close things out. Overall an excellent EP you need to hear.

CD Baby  | Itunes
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Nick Piunti and Paper Holland

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Nick Piunti “13 in My Head”
Nick Piunti earned my respect when I heard his old band The Respectables. Starting with the anthemic riffs of the title tracks its a collection full of multi-layered guitars, and it continues on “On The Way Out” where Nick reminds me of Paul Westerberg crossed with Bryan Adams. He slows slightly for the excellent “Good Thing Going,” with its great chord shifts and harmonies in the chorus. “It All Comes Down” is a heartfelt and simple rocker “as it all comes down to your friends,” reminding me of The Candy Butchers.

“We’ll be Together” and “She’s a Good Time” amp things up again, and not a note of filler anywhere among the ten tracks. Even the heavier guitars on “Sleeping on The Pavement” remember to keep it melodic. No ballads here, but the tempo varies enough to keep things from getting routine. I hope Nick stays “13” and gives us more of this excellent melodic rock.

Bandcamp | CD Baby

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Paper Holland “Happy Belated”
It took 4 years for Paper Holland to release this debut, which falls into the alternative rock category with Death Cab For Cutie and Nada Surf. Vocalist and songwriter Joe Tomcheck starts out with the pensive “While You Still Last.”  But it picks up steam with “Follow Script” a catchy theme that sets the tone and is one of the best songs here. The title track sounds a little like Field Music, with a nice guitar arpeggio leading the melody.

Some tracks feel a bit tacked on, like “No Going Back” is more instrumental exercise, until the chorus hits at the songs end and “Before You Go” sounds like a song snippet. Still plenty of nice songs are here, some standouts include “Rory” and “As Bright” boasts a nice melodic progression. Lets hope we don’t have to wait another 4 years for the next LP.

Bandcamp | CD Baby | Amazon

Glenn Case “Throw Money”

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Glenn Case is a great example of everything I love about home grown power pop. He’s an artist that just loves creating music, damn the popular trends. He’s been creating tunes for years, toiling away many years and after some Kickstarter funding, we have an albums worth of great songs.

Opening with the fast paced guitar and organ melody of “Bullseye Girl” is very reminiscent of Marc Bacino’s early work. “Glutton” and “OK Cupid” move in seamlessly, and both are deliciously catchy. “Georgia’s Hand” is similar to Toad The Wet Sprocket’s acoustic melodies, and the easy going “Think It Over” is another gem. In fact there are so many great melodies here its hard to single out just one, but “Pencil Me In” (with Craig Northey) is a brilliant one full of awesome hand claps and minor chords with a perfect lyric about insecurity and shyness. Then “Need Stilts” a duet with Rachael Layne gives us a shift in tone and tempo. Glenn also displays some slow slide guitar on “Sister” before the bouncy chorus chimes in.

Each tune stands on its own, with hooks aplenty and it doesn’t lose steam through it’s full length. If you’re gonna “throw money” at a musician, Glenn is one who earns every penny. And it earns a 2013 top ten nomination as well.

Amazon | CD Baby