Kids Power Pop: Rockford’s Rock Opera

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Rockford’s Rock Opera
This is a special post for parents of young children. How do you avoid your child being exposed to rotten commercialized pop found on 95% of kids TV programming today? As far as I’m concerned if I hear a certain Purple Dinosaur singing I’d rather shoot myself. Well its pretty easy, you just need to seek out quality melodic kids music like Gustafer Yellowgold and Rockford’s Rock Opera.

Based in the UK, Rockford’s Rock Opera is a unique story-adventure that contains some wonderful rock music, and a positive message about the dangers of animal extinction. It’s spread out across 3 CDs and contains audio performances from a talented group of performers. The story is truly an epic journey of a boy and his dog (Rockford), the brainchild of Elaine and Matthew Sweetapple. The story is a bit of Pepperland, Mike Batt and The Magic Garden, the music is a mix of folk and rock that will charm any kid from 4-12 years old. The messaging is both warm and inspiring, if a bit heavy handed. You can get a free download of of disc 1 on the website and plenty of online goodies. Highly recommended to parents with good taste in melodic music.

Kishi Bashi and Fallon Cush

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Kishi Bashi “151a”
Out of the tons of bands coming to SXSW this past year, Kishi Bashi made the best impression on me.  Bashi is a touring violinist for Of Montreal and Regina Spektor, and on his solo album he manages to spin both lush texture and joy in his orchestral arrangements.

The swirling violins of “Manchester” are just dazzling with elaborate harmonies and strings building to a loud crescendo. Next “Bright Whites” is another album highlight, with a Japanese language backing rhythm choral – it’s undeniably catchy too. The album travels into electro-pop world with hand claps on “It Began With A Burst” – kind of like The Beach Boys and The Beta Band partying with The Shins. The slower “Wonder Woman, Wonder Me” reminds me of Godley & Creme a bit and the clean harmonies in “Atticus, In The Desert” are also impressive. Fans of Arcade Fire, Yes, and Andrew Bird will love this.

Artist’s Website | Amazon

Fallon Cush “April”
The new Fallon Cush album marks a distinctive change in style. The first album flourished with power pop; April sticks mostly in the genre of Americana and Folk. The rootsy reflection of “Forever After” has varied orchestration and memorable guitar chorus. A bit like Jullian Lennon and Glenn Tilbrook, lead singer Steve Smith’s emotional plea in the melody of “Honey, Honey” resonates beautifully.

The tension is released on the weary “In The Nick Of Time” where the lyrics concentrate on saving a doomed relationship. But most impressive was the piano melody of “Where Your Name is Carved” – it recalls the best of Andrew Gold and Mike Viola and it’s my favorite here. Fans of Steely Dan and Bruce Hornsby will enjoy the compositions “Sight to Remember” and “Every Waking Hour” with its wonderful lyric and spot-on guitar melody. No filler here, and things pick up in tempo on “Renegade Blues” and a touch of Dylan is heard on “Frank & Margaret.” Overall, no sophomore slump here – a great LP from Smith that’s highly recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon

New dB’s album coming soon!

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Wow! Power Pop legends the dB’s will be releasing their first full length album in 25 years. It’s also the first in three decades to feature the band’s original lineup of singer/songwriter/guitarists Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, bassist Gene Holder and drummer Will Rigby, the same lineup that recorded the beloved early-’80s classics Stands for deciBels and Repercussion. It is due to be released June 12, 2012 on Bar/None Records! The new album — produced by the band, with additional production by longtime cohorts Mitch Easter and Scott Litt — finds the seminal quartet reenergized and inspired, delivering a dozen new original songs that rank with the group’s finest and most influential music.

Bos Taurus “In The Sun”

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I was happy to introduce Bos Taurus a few years ago, finally after a long wait we get Steve Chesser’s follow-up, In The Sun. The sound and atmosphere has completely changed from the debut, and the songwriting reflects a much lighter pop sound, with REM styled jangle and Belle & Sebastian like intimacy.

“I’m Fine” slowly fades in and sets up a light summery vibe. On “Even Now” the jangling rhythm and harmony rain down with well placed guitar solos between each chorus. Some horns, piano and female backing vocals are added to the infectious “Just Like Lightning.” The same approach is taken with the catchy title track, and the sounds here start to remind me of Field Music. Some songs feel like they want to break the format, “Precious Pearls” is an example of the densely layered approach of two both styles (soft pop rhythm and rock guitar). In any case the overall results do make for a compelling listen. Occasionally the lack of hooks (“Household Of Your Soul”) and the repetitive tempos (“If”) make it a chore. But when Chesser is able to get his guitar at the forefront of a melody, like on the Joe Jackson-ish “Must Be The Light,” its pure magic. A great summer album arrived early, so check it out.

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The Critters “Timepieces”

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Old bands don’t always die, sometimes they come back. Originally similar to The Lovin’ Spoonfuls, they scored a big hit in 1966 with “Mr. Dieingly Sad.” Known for soft vocal harmonies I wondered what the band would sound like 45 years later, lead by surviving original member Don Ciccone. Much like The Four Seasons after its prime, it goes after a contemporary sound and splits up vocals and songwriting between new band members.

Listening to the opening track “Keep America Dancing,” I thought I had the wrong band on… it sounded more like Hank Williams Jr. But I need not worry, an excellent cover of Jackie Deshannon’s “Children and Flowers” and a few of the band’s past hits followed, albiet with a slick Vegas-style gloss. Mr. Ciccone still has solid songwriting skills, evidenced by  the impressive “A Roll Of The Dice,” but its his only new contribution other than the forgettable “Ooh, La Ooh.” The harmonies that gave the band its claim-to-fame are still intact and displayed beautifully on “Pledge of Allegiance.”  Not bad for a bunch of a geezers. Tailor made for the oldies circuit, it will win over my dad easily, but I wished the band stayed closer to its folk rock roots instead of trying to appeal to the Lee Greenwood – Wayne Newton crowd.

CD Baby | Amazon