LL Cosmonaut, Queen Electric and IKE

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A few quick EP reviews before the ball drops on 2011…

LL Cosmonaut “Why X-5” EP
The new project from Paul Steel is described as kalaedeoscopic, irreverant, melodic Lazer Pop. Call it whatever you like, it’s pretty darn good. A stellar mix of guitars, effects and dance beats all greet us on “Why X-5.” I’m sure if Roger Manning Jr. had joined the band OMD it may have sounded like  “We Came in Peace” with it’s sunshine friendly harmonies and electronic loops. Each song is lushly orchestrated and best of all it’s available for FREE on the band’s website. Get it quick!

LL Cosmonaut website

Queen Electric “Queen Electric” EP
Another favorite artist of this site, Scott Sax slipped this EP out over the summer. The opener “Gonna Let You Down” is like a power pop version of Led Zeppelin. Scott still has the gift of great melodic choruses and solid harmonies. But here he adds guitar muscle and real atmosphere behind each tune, which earns it major props from me. The remaining tracks try a few different techniques, all with good results. No filler anywhere on this 7 track EP. Again, this is an easy purchase (name you own price) if you’re tapped out from all that holiday shopping.

 

IKE “The Little People, Church and the Steeple” EP
Scott Sax’s former band, the Philadelphia based IKE is still chugging along. John Faye (Caulfields) continues to take IKE in a hard rock direction here through 5 tracks, and the other half of the album contains all acoustic versions. All well and good on the opener “Rock And Roll Dreams” which really drives up those guitars. The other songs are also impressive. Standouts include “IF I Can Help It” and “Glorious Mistake.” The acoustic versions give you a preview of IKE’s living room shows and how well they translate each song to a single guitar.

CD Baby | Reverb Nation

 

Brian Ray “Very Happy Song”

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Christmas is over. Time for leftovers and a look back at 2011.I try not to get political on this blog, but when a power pop favorite like Brian Ray writes a song for the ninety-nine percent of us, then I am proud to post this. For another equally great anthem for the OWS crowd, you can’t beat Our Lady Peace’s “Fight the Good Fight” for inspiration.

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A new project is being developed for a band called The Stars Explode. The reason I was interested is that the band is lead by Doug Edmunds, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and founding member of critically acclaimed 90s power pop outfit, Gladhands. The band is currently finishing work on its sophomore effort, having started the recording process with renown producer/engineer, Mitch Easter at his home base studio, The Fidelitorium. The new record is scheduled for a January 2012 release, with regional touring to follow. Go to our Help A Musician Page to find out more.

Kurt Baker and Ross and The Wrongens

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A few quick EP reviews before the ball drops on 2011…

Kurt Baker “Rockin’ For A Living” EP
Former lead singer of The Leftovers, Kurt has made a big splash with an album of cover tunes, and now his own material wows us on Rockin For A Living.  This EP proves to be one of the best of 2011, opening with “Just Forget About It” with a memorable chorus similar in style to classic Elvis Costello. The handclaps and harmonies are all over “Don’t Steal My Heart Away” and it proves to be incredibly catchy. “Can’t Have Her Back” and “Why You Gotta Lie” are also real power pop gems. Kurt’s enthusiasm for the material spills out over the speakers on each tune. He even gets a little punky on the closer “The Problem.” Easily a “must-get” EP for fans of great rock and roll. I can’t wait to see what Kurt does next!

Amazon | Itunes

Ross And The Wrongens “Live In The Loos” EP
This is a talented new band with some classical rock and jazz influences. Opening with “That Magic Feeling, ” it’s got those sweet “sha-la-la” harmonies and Hammond organ slides. The next gem here is “Summer Sun” with it’s jazzy flair and bouncing melody. Lead singer Ross Wrongen has a vocal that wavers between hope and angst, and it’s pretty expressive on “Through with You (Ballad Of An Alcoholic).” Live In The Loos reminds me of The Kinks, Counting Crows and The Turtles all having a jam session. It’s a short but sweet EP with 4 “ready for AM radio” styled tracks. Give it a listen.

My Space | Amazon | Itunes

 

The Jigsaw Seen and Baby Woodrose

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The Jigsaw Scene “Winterland”
Building on the success of their critically acclaimed 2010 LP Bananas Foster, The Jigsaw Seen return with this meticulously produced winter-themed song cycle. It opens with the pounding drums and fuzzy bass of “What About Christmas?” although it sounds great, it’s not really a holiday song (other than the title). The groove beat on “Snow Angels Of Pigtown”  showcases a clean riff and smooth vocal by Dennis Davidson. A more traditional jangle pop track  is “Candy Cane” in the best REM tradition.

Winterland straddles the line where you aren’t sure if this is a holiday album or not, even though the lyrics indicate it is. “Circle of Steel” is a madrigal styled folk tune with stately strumming and fingerpicking. But the tone gets pretty bland on “First Day of the New Year”  and the latter half of the album gets a bit syrupy, but at least we’re not hearing the millionth version of “Jingle Bell Rock.” A good holiday album for those who are tired of holiday albums.

Amazon | Facebook

 

Baby Woodrose “Love Comes Down”
Baby Woodrose is a band from Copenhagen, Denmark with an accurate retro garage sound. Originally Love Comes Down was released in 2006, but this album is now re-released for re-discovery.The pysche pop stylings of “What Ya Gonna Do?” retain an impressive 70’s hard rock vibe. Sounding a lot like KISS jamming with Lenny Kravitz on “Found My Way Out” it sports some nice fuzz riffs with the chorus.

Other tracks are just as cool, “Kitty Galore” and “All Over Now” are garage pop classics. Unlike other acid pop bands, there are no ten-minute naval gazing experiments here. Each track is a tight composition, and some gems are “Chemical Buzz” and the organ led “Christine.” The heaviest rocker here “Born To Lose” channels the spirit of Jimi Hendrix and The Animals. Fans of bands like The Beat Rats and The Ugly Beats will love this too. Jump in the time machine and fire up the Baby Woodrose.

The Top 25 Power Pop albums for 2011

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This was an extremely difficult year to pick a top ten, as so many artists produced excellent work. So I expanded the list this year to 25. Even then a handful of really deserving artists didn’t make the list. So here is the whole enchilada for you to chew on this weekend:

  1. Cirrone – Uplands Park Road
  2. The Wellingtons – In Transit
  3. Marco Joachim – Hidden Symphonies
  4. Robbers On High Street – Hey There Golden Hair
  5. Mike Viola – Electro De Perfecto
  6. The Bangles – Sweetheart Of The Sun
  7. Pugwash – The Olympus Sound
  8. The Red Button – As Far As Yesterday Goes
  9. Sloan – The Double Cross
  10. Fountains of Wayne – Sky Full Of Holes
  11. Skeleton Staff – Psychomorphism
  12. Tally Hall – Good & Evil
  13. David Mead – Dudes
  14. Ian Moore & The Lossy Coils – El Sonido Neuvo
  15. Miles Zuniga – These Ghosts Have Bones
  16. Beady Eye – Different Gear Still Speeding
  17. The Davenports – Why The Great Gallop?
  18. Supraluxe – The Super Sounds of Supraluxe
  19. The Genuine Fakes – The Striped Album
  20. The Turnback – Drawn In Chalk
  21. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
  22. Kelly’s Heels – Playing Into Your Hands
  23. The Secret Powers – What Every Rose-Grower Should Know
  24. Michael Oliver & The Sacred Band – Yin & Yanxiety
  25. Peter Baldarachi – Tomorrow Never Knows