Bryan Scary “Daffy’s Elixir”

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I’ll be damned if Bryan Scary doesn’t have the stage musical already choreographed for Daffy’s Elixir. It’s a prog-pop concept album with huge scope that drops on April 18, but downloads are available now.

“The Wicked Frontier,” slowly fades into view, a grand introduction with long gorgeous harmonies across it’s Smile-kissed strings and “Happy Trails” rhythm. Then the train pulls into “Ziegfield Station” one of the album highlights, as it zips from player piano to organ to moog and back again. The melody’s hook is repeated with a perfectly chugging outro. Then it kicks in overdrive with “Cable through your Heart” a Scary version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” with multiple melody lines and dizzying tone changes. It’s basically the musical version of a tossed salad, and its the exhausting heart of the album.

Wrapped in Floydian Wall of distorted vocal “Silver Lake Mining Company” is a fuzzy musical treat with a dream-like melody at its chewy center. “Diamonds!” is pop in a lush configuration with harp and harpsichord woven together in the chorus. “Ballroom Kid” is another strutting standout that recalls Imperial Drag. But fatigue sets in with “You Might Be Caught In Tarantella,” and even though a few gems are found on the second half of the album (like “The Tale Of Opal Dawn” and “Day-Glo Waterfalls”) it wears out its welcome quickly. Out of the massive 15 tracks here, the mellow “Quicksilver Daisy Day” appears to be the best coda. The mediocre tunes turn a truly great album into merely a very good one. Scary seems to have been caught up in this melodramatic, grandiose mock-opera, making Daffy’s Elixir taste more like strong whisky instead of sweet wine. However after half a bottle, you’ll be pretty dizzy and satisfied.

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The Phantom Six and The Brixton Riot

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The Phantom Six “Plastic Rain”
These six rockers from West Virginia are Mark Poole (lead vocals/guitar), Billy Sheeder (guitar), Billy Matheny (bass), Clint Sutton (drums) and Woody O’Hara (percussion). Opening with “Corianna” it kicks down the doors with a sonic assault similar to The Foo Fighters and Superdrag. The followup “Inspiration” mines both British Invasion garage with Mod touches, and “About Love” keeps those tasty riffs in the chorus. The title track has everything you need, with vocal harmonies, hand claps and a fun hook that keeps your head bobbing.

Fans of The Raspberries and The Flaming Groovies will enjoy “Scenes Like This” even if Poole’s vocal gets overshadowed at times by the great guitar work. Lots of impressive reverb and energy throughout the album make it an easy recommendation. More highlights include the Kinksian “Into My Dreams,” and “Emily Einstein.” Enjoy!

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The Brixton Riot “Palace Amusements”
After the cool debut EP The Brixton Riot decided to live up to their namesake and emulate Husker Du and The Replacements with this new LP. “Hard To See The Sun” and “Canvas Shoes” are very memorable rockers. But the band’s mid-tempo numbers don’t stick as well, but the band is redeemed on the hilarious “Hipster Turns 30.”  A crafty tune that features a great strumming rhythm and memorable lyric.

When the band moves from its core 90’s sound on “Carmelita” it gets interesting with a funky beat and waltz in the middle eight! Fans of both Thin Lizzy and The Lemonheads will also dig the fast tempo riff work featured on “Ocean Avenue” and “Losing Streak.” Overall, Palace Amusements is great driving music with a vintage tone and punk-like energy.

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David Myhr and Jay Gonzalez

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David Myhr “Soundshine”
All you need to know about Sweden’s David Myhr is that he was part of the Merrymakers. And they were one of the best power pop bands of the nineties (even Jellyfish Andy Sturmer was a fan). After the band’s demise, David suddenly found he had enough material for a solo album. Collaborators on Soundshine include Peter Morén (of Peter Bjorn and John) and Andreas Dahlbäck, who co-produced.

David’s melodic talents are still top notch, so fans of The Feeling, Jellyfish and Farrah will love this. Starting with “Never Mine” its got the hooks and hummable chorus sure to stick with you. The bubbly “Looking For A Life” and “Got You Where He Wanted” comes closest to that old Merrymakers ELO inspired sound. “I Love The Feeling” has a nice Beach Boys feel and infectious bounce that make it my favorite here. “Cut To The Case” has an 80’s flavor — a bit like Aussie band, The Go-Betweens. Each tune has its own charm, like the Beatlesque “Ride Along” where the tone is so upbeat, it will lift the sourest mood. Overall the apt-titled, Soundshine is chock-full of fantastic power pop, delivering one masterful melody after another. And so far it’s at the top of my year end best album for 2012 list.

Jay Gonzalez “Mess of Happiness”
Drive-By Truckers keyboardist Jay Gonzalez has released one of the years best retro pop albums. The material recalls the best of breed 70’s DIY, a la Todd Rundgren’s Something/Anything?. The crunchy riffs of “Punch of Love” literally knock you back and the multi-tracked harmonies in the chorus keep you engaged. The complex arrangements, and awesome hooks are in each tune, from the gentle love song “Luisa” to the organ chord shifts of “Baby Tusk” (even the lyrics reference the 70’s). Another theme for this album (and this blog) could be “Turning Me On” about the joys of discovering classic pop music.

No doubt if this album came out in 1973 it would be at the top of the charts, but in the messed up era we live in it will not get the credit it deserves. The Big Star meets Seals & Crofts tune “The Will” is another example of mining those influences to for great melodic effect. The jangle and genius of “I Urge You” is another gem among many that will demand repeat listens. The short faux punk “Tension” gives way to a wicked guitar solo, and it seems a perfect set up for the mellow “The Other Side.” Another top ten best album nominee for 2012. Don’t miss it!

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One Like Son and Vinyl Floor

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One Like Son “Start The Show”
The unique method of One Like Son, is that they recorded their 3rd album, Start The Show entirely on an iphone 3GS. Band members Stephen Poff (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Organ) and Bill Rester (Vocals, Bass) dealt with the tedious details and restrictions of recording apps, but it sounds  just like they cut it in the studio. So much for the novelty — what about the music?

One Like Son has a classic fast paced rock sound, the heavy guitar riffs of the title track and “For a Good Time Call” remind one of The Gin Blossoms, Rooney and the Strokes. “Buried” has some nice harmonies in tandem with the guitars and “L.A.” was another highlight that tells a compelling story. While the guitars carry each melody here, by the time we get to “Father” it starts to sound a bit generic, with few hooks to keep me interested. But the energy level is high and sounds great in your car with the windows down.

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Vinyl Floor “Peninsula”
Vinyl Floor is a 4-piece rockband which hails from Copenhagen, Denmark. The band combines both symphonic and indie influences to create epic compositions.  Comparable to Coldplay, Travis, Fun., and Oasis, the sound shifts around, but generally stays dramatic and melodic. The album’s concept is split between Utopia and Dystopia, and there after the long symphonic rock overture (“”Frames & Orchids”) I was impressed.

The piano pop of “Ghosts Of England” is ambitious in its scope, and develops into a grand anthem. “What Lies Ahead” has the guitar riffs leading the way here, and its the best song on the LP. The sweet acoustic ballad “Written in the Cards” with organ chords and strings supports the layered vocals. After this the album labors a bit with “Car In The Sky” as the vocal gets a bit lost here. Progressive elements in the next few compositions take over and “Diverging Paths” sounds like Chris Martin doing Procol Harum. “In The Air” has a solid hook in the melody here, but the remaining tracks struggled to hold my attention. That said, Peninsula is pretty good album, and an interesting musical find.

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