Explorers Club “Grand Hotel”

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After the heavenly Beach Boys harmonies of Freedom Wind, Explorers Club moves forward five years to the early 70’s AM soft rock era. Starting with a Pet Sounds styled instrumental intro, the horns blast out the first single “Run Run Run,” a hook filled gem with lush orchestration similar to The 5th Dimension. Then the guitar and multiple vocals of “Anticipatin'” make it a dead ringer for a lost Grass Roots tune.

You’ll have lots of fun playing “spot the influence” on each track – like the BJ Thomas shuffle on “Bluebird,” then the Sergio Mendes-Burt Bacharach (“Grand Hotel”), and Neil Diamond (“Go For You”) – in fact the last 3 tracks lean heavily on Neil’s style (thanks to Beach Boys’ engineer Mark Linnett). I could go on and on… The arrangements and musicianship are flawless throughout, but only a handful of tracks really stick in your head. Many are too short, and after getting started seem to end abruptly (“Any Little Way”). However when the band lays down several beautiful harmonies on “Summer Days, Summer Nights” and “It’s You,” its thrilling. And it’s hard to get mad at filler as sweet as “Acapulco (Sunset).” Overall, a visit to Grand Hotel is a pleasant nostalgic trip.

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Happy Valentines Day, Power Pop lovers!

powerpopaholic

Did you see the Grammys?

The finale was a wonderful sight of Sir Paul McCartney joined by his posse (Brian Ray and Rusty Anderson) and throw in Bruce Springsteen, Joe Walsh and Dave Grohl. All playing the Beatles “The End” and I thought just having The Beach Boys reunion on stage was an incredible site.

What is really amazing is not the age of the Beach Boys (or McCartney) performing. Its that a 46 year old song  (“Good Vibrations”) sounded more experimental and relevant than anything currently awarded at the show. Happy Valentines Day!

P.S. …R.I.P. Whitney. The world will always love you.

Oberon Rose and The Backpeddlers

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Oberon Rose “Wunjo”
Connecticut’s Tom Oberon leans heavily on classic sixties influences like The Kinks, Beatles, T.Rex and more on his debut, Wunjo. The sweet melody “Young Goodman Brown” flows nicely and the guitar rhythm reminds me of the Zombies a little. The brilliant jangle on “One Man Show Of Sorrow” showcases this gem which compares well to The Posies. With the title track and “Ballad Of The Taller” it goes in a more roots-driven pop direction with simple acoustic strums leading the way, both recall the simplicity of Big Star.

“Buried Alive” is another compelling song with double-tracked harmonies and minor chords. Other songs evoke the golden age of psyche pop without getting cliche, like “Of Life Divine” and the brilliant Beatlesque ender “So is The Flow.” Each track is compelling and overall this album is a real treat for lovers of classic melodic rock.


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The Backpeddlers “Songs of Guilt & Revenge”
Originally known as Mark Norris and The Backpeddlers, this Buffalo band plays foot stompin’ rock and blues done with plenty of gusto. “Turn The Tables” is kinda like Bob Dylan jamming with The Offspring, then the bar room blues “It’s All True” plays out like classic Stones. The band goes into full Kinks meets Who mode on “We Know (Who We Are)” with drummer Jeff Pietrzak doing his best Keith Moon. It also get downright punk pop on “(DoThe) Crying Shame” with Mark almost losing his vocals. “Doctor Friend” is another Kinks-styled tune along the lines of “Dandy.” There is plenty of musical variety here and if you like gritty raw emotion with your tunes… you will feel guilty if you miss this and revenge isn’t even a factor here.

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Throwback Suburbia “Shot Glass Souvenir”

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Its comforting to know that bands like Portland’s Throwback Suburbia “get it.” This third album builds on the band’s consistent sound and musical development. The opener “Give and Take” is an emotional hook-filled gem with a thrilling bridge and jangle filled rhythm. The signature sneering vocals of Jimi Evans and mastery of composition come forward on “Setting Sun.” On “Here Again” the band notes “history’s overrated” through its slow building power ballad.

No filler to be found as each track makes a strong melodic statement. On “Sinking Feeling” the gruff riffs recall Butch Walker and the 50’s styled piano ballad “Side Effects” provide a much needed break from the relentless guitar bounce. The slower groove of “Best Intentions” is another gem that offers some nice slide guitar with Evans best vocal performance. Even the last track “Neither Here Nor There” steps up with some nice group harmonies. It also pushs this album into my top ten for 2012; listen for yourself and see if you don’t agree.

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