Mike Keneally & Andy Partridge “Wings Beat Fantastic Songs”

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Mike Keneally and Andy Partridge are both geniuses, and this album is pure magic. Keneally is a Frank Zappa devotee and virtuoso guitarist. And for XTC fans this album is a delicate treat with Andy in top form on the single “I’m Raining Here Inside.” Keneally is known more as an experimental artist, with Andy being a primary influence – so the duo fits together better than peanut butter and jelly.

“Wings Beat Fantastic” is the most pastoral tune I’ve heard since XTC’s Mummer and the best blend of Keneally’s guitar mastery and Andy’s angular composition is “You Kill Me.” Every song may not have a hook, but the gorgeous passages and chord shifts are impossible to ignore. More gems include the ballad “Your House” and the double tracked vocals of “Miracle Woman and Man.” This is also a very accessible album, and even Keneally’s experimental pop tendencies (“Bobeau”) fall within the Partridge milieu. Clearly one of the best collaborations this year.

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Jason Karaban and Sonali

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Jason Karaban “Shift” 
Pop artist Jason Karaban’s new album is co-produced by Steven Jay (Jeff Lynne, Regina Spektor) and Shane Smith (Los Lobos, Amos Lee) and features the contributions of a huge assortment of guest stars like Pete Thomas & Davey Farragher (Elvis Costello’s Imposters), Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket), and members of Counting Crows (to name a few).

“Misplaced” is a richly orchestrated anthem, and “What Do You Say” is a moody echo heavy Bowie sounding song. But “Devil That I Know” just hooked me. Its a pretty sweet piano melody with solid guitar riffs. The tone changes with an inventive rhythm (tuba, violins) on “Succeed 101.” It ventures into alt. country with “Tumbleweeds” and blues pop on “Swinging At The Wind.” It’s got a bit of everything stylistically, and that variety is a strength here.

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Sonali “Speechless” EP
On singer-songwriter Sonali Argade’s debut you hear big hit potential on the opener “Speechless.” Her vocals are balanced and the melody is fairly sticky, fans of Kelly Clarkson will relate well to this style pop.

Both “Road To Nowhere” and  “Just Wanna Love You” are more guitar heavy and lyrically concentrate on teen romance issues. In a sea of competition, Sonali does stands out. And on top of this all of the profits from her EP are headed to the charity SmileTrain. Get the EP and support this worthy cause.

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Holmes “Complication Simplified”

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Roy Shakked aka Holmes’ 4th album release is here, and after shaking all the cobwebs out with Covers early this year, he’s ready to express his unique POV on life. The opener “Put A Hurt On Me” starts with a smooth groove and moves seamlessly into a memorable chorus. The introspective “Crawling” is a sweet shuffling melody that brings to mind Elliot Smith and McCartney.

The bluesy “Everything” and banjo strumming ditty “Mosquitos” are great set pieces that stick in your head and deserve repeat plays. The album’s chewy center is “Pressing My Luck,” full of handclaps and guitar arpeggios in the chorus. It’s a catchy high point, followed by the somber “Different Ground” and “Revolving Door” (a duet with Jesca Hoop). The interlude “I’ll do it tomorrow” is pretty funny and another big gem is the radio friendly “Stereo” which gives us the album’s title. A solid release that once again highlights Roy’s amazing talent and artistry, get it and you won’t be disappointed.

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Tsar and The JAC

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Tsar “The Dark Stuff” EP
Without a doubt, 2012 is the year of the power pop re-union. The L.A. rock band Tsar formed in 1998 and soon won favorable reviews for their energetic gigs and anthemic songwriting, but vanished after 2005. The band now has re-formed, lead by Jeff Whalen (lead vocals/guitar,) with Daniel Kern (vocals/ guitar,) Jeff Soloman (bass) and Steve Coulter (drums).

They haven’t lost the knack for catchy tunes, as the opener “Punctual Alcoholic” has a neat bass rhythm and sharp guitar solo. The high gloss rock of “Police Station” is similar to early Tsar hits, and the brooding “Little Women” is like The Dandy Warhols meeting Weezer in a smokey room. “Something Bad Happened To Me” is little lighter, where they explain “Rock and roll is good for the soul…” Overall, a this is a solid workmanlike effort, with enough to please fans old and new.

The JAC “Faux Pas”
Okay, you gotta love Joe Algeri (Brittanicas, Jack & The Beanstalks) letting loose his inner psyche to the fans with a “I Play All The Instruments.” It makes a pretty good case for solo musicians “stuck at home, with too much time on your hands.” Joe tells us “I Just Want to be Weird” and to prove it he does offbeat pop like “I’m A Glass Of Orange Juice.” Joe isn’t as obtuse as Robert Pollard, and his rants on “Persistent Man” and “I Refuse” have punk styled DIY charm.

Several songs have a 60’s-fueled psyche pop flavor, but with a modern cynicism reminding me of The Small Faces “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake” or Ray Davies on “Romano The Dog.” It includes an additional disc of 10 covers, so you can’t say The JAC doesn’t deliver.

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Wildlife Control “Wildlife Control”

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Brothers Neil and Sumul Shah, who grew up making music in rural Pennsylvania are now based in Brooklyn and San Francisco promoting their debut album. A combination of dominant drum beats, guitar hooks and hummable melodies on the first few songs made me sit up and take notice. It’s an effective fusion of electronica and traditional rock –  “Brooklyn” is the complete package, with horns and echoing piano making it an effective theme as the chorus chimes “Everybody’s moving to Brooklyn”. “Darkness” is a bit more subdued, even slightly pretentious with a classic piano ending, but the single “Analog or Digital” is the bouncy showpiece that defines modern power pop at its hippest.

“Disguise” infuses a jazz rhythm with its night club piano riff and heavy beat. The albums second half is more experimental, with droning synths on “Oakland” and slow jam rhythms on “Lose.” These guys aren’t quite at the level of Fun, but they have enormous potential and talent. A band to watch for sure.

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