The Successful Failures and Dale Murray

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The Successful Failures “Here I Am”
The New Jersey guitarist Mick Chorba (Dipsomaniacs) leads his indie band The Successful Failures through their new album in typical fashion. Think Weezer meets The Goo Goo Dolls and add a touch of Wilco in places and you get the idea.  Starting with “How People Start Sentences” the dual guitar riffs drive the strong melody. It gets even crunchier on the next few tracks, “I Only Know What I Feel” is a standout with a key change in the chorus and “The Rise Of China” is a timely subject with strong beat.

It shifts into roots mode on the intro to “Clifton Mills” but finishes up in familiar territory. By the albums mid-point the band hits its stride,”Mickey Mantle’s Knees” and “Pig Tight Cattle High” combines the harmonies with a hook-laden melodies. The Successful Failures continue to improve although a few rough edges remain (“Turn It Down”). Still a really, really good album for those that enjoy extra power in their pop.

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Dale Murray “Dream Mountain Dream”
Formerly of alt. country band Cuff The Duke,  Murray gives us some gorgeous jangle rock and folk pop sound on his newest solo outing. The title track opens like a Traveling Wilburys single, with a very Harrison-like melodic hook. The majestic “Assess The Mess” is another highlight, as Murray’s haunting vocal reaches its dramatic peak in the chorus.

Murray’s song writing is also superb. The stunning “Now You’ve Been Warned” has both intensely personal lyrics and a great arrangement. Fans of  a great love song need look no further than the strumming on “You Are My Girl”  to make a moving proposal. “Grove” and “Life Moves” both have solid Byrdsian jangle. Overall no filler and  alt.country fans will not want to miss this one.

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Wes Hollywood “Fantasy Arcade”

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Rock veteran Wes Hollywood has always had roots in late 70’s and 80’s power pop style. Mr. Hollywood has been a staple in independent music for more than a decade, first with The Wes Hollywood Show and later with solo efforts. His latest album  Fantasy Arcade is an unapologetic triumph of hook infused melodic rock. The bouncy beat of “It’s Good to See You” is a great opener with its shiny, happy guitar riffs.  You’ll hear touches of The Kinks, Elvis Costello, Cheap Trick and The Records in the stunner “Alfie” with a series fantastic chord changes.

The very Davies-like break-up song “Baby We’re Through” is another winner, and the chiming riffs of “City Streets” explain the lost hangouts of childhood, paved over by new developments as Wes croons “goodbye to the corner shop, the record stores and vacant lot.” Its one of my favorite songs here. Each track is meticulously crafted, like the mid-tempo ballad, “Coming Along,” a personal account of his thoughts and the title track has shades of Oasis in its echoing rhythm and blistering chords. No filler and easily one of the best power pop albums this year. It comfortably gets a top ten nomination for my 2012 list.

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The Willie Wisely Trio “True”

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After an 18 year hiatus the original members of the Willie Wisely Trio reunite for the enjoyable True. I would call the Trio an amalgam of pop, folk and blues with a twist. Wisely fans will love the catchy opener “Kiss Her And Make It Right” and it’s the peppiest song here. The sweet banjo progressions and trombone start “Dr. Jack” but it slowly fades into Wisely-land after the chorus, with dense violin effects. The excellent “Everybody Fears The Lord” does the same, it’s also got a killer hook and rapturous guitar.

The album also doesn’t take itself too seriously with “National Council Of Jewish Women’s Thrift Store.” Wisely writes about all the junk at the thrift store he sees from Farrah Fawcett to “I’m with Stupid” t-shirts. The acoustic folk tunes like “True” and “Low” are shining examples of great roots pop, like Glen Campbell or James Taylor. Also notable is the 26 minute final track “Surreal,” a long jam that reminds me of Simon & Garfunkel’s “A Simple Desultory Philippic.”  Wisely and his trio let’s it all hang out and I simply loved this album.

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Dunebuggy and The Squires of The Subterrain

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Dunebuggy “Dunebuggy”
Dunebuggy came together in 1991 and were based out of Hoboken, New Jersey. The band split in 1996, and self-released several songs — but this LP is the first time that many of their songs have ever been available to the public.

The band has a D.I.Y. aesthetic of skateboarding, and an obsessive appreciation for well-crafted pop tunes, Featuring members Jon Procopio (vocals/guitar), Keith Renna (drums), Michael Reilly (bass) and with contributions from Tracy Wilson (guest vocals), the band quickly built a name for themselves by creating clever indie rock with monstrous pop hooks. Their signature sound was punctuated by angular guitars, quirky phrasing and imaginative lyrics. Standouts here include: “Tungsten” and “Green Eisenhower.”

The Squires of the Subterrain “Sandbox”
Christopher Earl from the Squires of the Subterrain has produced some great albums within the Fab Four style. Now Earl takes his turn at that other pop music paragon, The Beach Boys. The primitive Wilson styled tunes are done with sparse composition on “Idling In The Sun” and “Surfin’ Indiana”. The lyrics are intentionally ironic, about how you’ll spend more time in traffic than speeding down the highway and  the joys of “surfing” in a small creek.

Earl gets props for the Pet Sounds influenced “(I Still) Mow Your Lawn” with its authentic harmonies and falsetto. The double meaning on most songs helps me enjoy the simple homage on “The Cheatin’ Gibson Girl” and “Fun House.” The psyche-pop stream of consciousness on “Woodrow Wilson” and “Rising Waters” treat us to Smile-like “experiments”. At times the lo-fi production and over-exaggerated Mike Love nasal approach on a few songs were annoying, but after a few listens it really grew on me. Essential for Beach Boys fans.

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