This is for the first day of summer… the latest addition to the growing videos in our jukebox. We reviewed this Mike Viola album “Electro De Perfecto” last year, but this is the best day to play this song.
The Slingsby Hornets and Paul Starling
The Slingsby Hornets “Borrowed and Blue”
Jon Paul Allen aka The Slingsby Hornets brings his own unique take to a selection of covers. Let me say there are two ways to go here, you either emulate the original artist or you do something unique. Allen excels in glam guitar excess and spreads those echoing Brian May type riffs over each song like jam on a scone.
Allen’s versions sound nearly unrecognizable when compared to the originals. But that’s why his off key punk version of The Carpenter’s’ “Yesterday Once More” works, with wailing chords and synths. In fact it’s best that you don’t compare these songs with the originals, it will ruin it for you. My favorites here are the obscure hit from David Essex “Rock On” played almost like a Led Zepplin ballad and Cliff Richard’s “Move It” done in the style of The Power Station! Allen has his own songs round out the album, and the best of these are the ballad “It’s Gonna Rain” and ELO-like “Answer?” Overall, this album has plenty of sting!
Paul Starling “Shipwrecked Commotion”
Way back in 2007 I reviewed Starling’s long out-of-print debut. Well he re-did several of the songs and added some more for Shipwrecked Commotion. “Dress Me In Bowties” is a bouncy twee song that charms thoroughly. I still like “Caroline,” it’s memorable chorus and harmonies remain a standout. And “Where Are You Gonna Sleep Tonight?” is another memorable gem here. Starling does try to break away from his baroque pop influences, with a bit more alt. folk and country mixed in with the pop. It’s got a light touch so fans of the recent Lightships album will be glad to add this to the playlist.
Bandcamp | CD Baby (single only)
Cliff Hillis “Dream Good”
Cliff Hillis “Dream Good”
Cliff Hillis has done what many power pop artists do after over a decade of solid output, they seamlessly transition to adult contemporary pop. Starting out with the legendary Starbelly, then transitioning to John Faye Power Trip and IKE he drew heavily on the riffs and influences of Matthew Sweet. Once his solo career started with Be Seeing You on Not Lame Records, fans knew what to expect and Cliff has remained a popular artist ever since.
On Dream Good, Hillis continues to show his melodic skills are as sharp as ever on the opener “Keep The Blue Skies” and he still surrounds himself with top notch collaborators like Scot Sax (The Feel), Danny Wilde (The Rembrandts) and Brad Jones. And he hasn’t mellowed that much, as “Ways and Means” packs lots of power into those driving blues riffs. I love the creative “Talking Tree” with its contrasting blend of strings, bass guitar and staccato picked rhythm. The next several songs are along the Fountains of Wayne or Marshall Crenshaw vibe with “When You’re Listening” and “Welcome To You.” More gems include the brilliant “Twin Sisters” and the low key “Just The Same.” Like Mike Viola, Hillis makes each story so compelling you need to listen. Each tune has a refreshing melody line and polished delivery (without filler to be found) that puts this album near my top ten list for 2012.
The Jellybricks and John Lefler
The Jellybricks “Suckers” EP
The Jellybricks have been the model of power pop consistency, with solid melodic rock since 1997, and with the new EP Suckers, the band continues its terrific tradition. The mood is a bit more downbeat than past albums, with similarities to Superdrag (“Rock n’ Roll Suicide”) and Blink-182 (“Beryllium”) cropping up.
But the bands sound is even tighter and music arrangements are denser, from the opening track to the excellent “Sold” with its shout along chorus. The moving rock ballad “Dead End Girl” shows off the excellent harmonies and the acoustic version of the neurotic “Who Is God,” is a re-make from the band’s debut Kinky Boot Beast. One of my favorite EPs this year, pick this one up.
John Lefler “Shoutfire” EP
Dashboard Confessional’s lead guitarist returns after his solid debut LP with a more commercial, slicker adult contemporary effort.The ringing guitar chords from the title track remind one of Crowded House or even Toad The Wet Sprocket.
The light strums of “The Good Life” are soothing, and the next track “Shelter In Place” has a killer rhythm that just sticks in your head. Then the tracks just get sparser, more personal, my favorite here is “Broken People” where John’s voice carries the lyrical story about emotional fragility with perfect pitch. Another winner, you shouldn’t miss.
CD Baby | Amazon
The Breakdowns and The Virtues
The Breakdowns “The Kids Don’t Wanna Bop Any More”
From the UK…. Fans of The Ramones will enjoy this one. The band describes themselves as ‘bubblegum garage rock’ and I have to agree that these tracks are freakin’ sweet. Lead singer Joe has a rough vocal, but it drips with authenticity and energy. Catchy tracks that bring back the “Rock N Roll High School” with great driving beats and buzzsaw riffs with a touch of organ are featured on “Summertime Twist”. Listen to the easy rock of “Hey Veronica” or the Kiss meets Cheap Trick tune “Samantha Jones”. Any way you slice this album, you get awesome rock and roll done right.
Facebook | Amazon | Jam Recording
The Virtues “ReRepeater”
From a small town in Sweden, the duo of Per Bergkvist and Flamman took great care in mixing harmonies and guitars to get us ReRepeater. Per has great range in his vocal, sounding like Collective Soul on “No Show” and then shifting to a Ric Ocasek approach on “All The Commotion.” The rock riffs are front and center on “I Go” and then on “Bleak Ways” its all jangle and falsetto. But what each song has behind it is melodic consistency. Even on the pedestrian “Reader” it never gets dull and surprises are in each track, like “Errors of Youth” sounds like a lost Steely Dan song. The variety makes it hard to peg down into a neat single “style” – but that’s also the band’s strength. Definitely worth exploring.
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