The trailer for the new Reelin’ In The Years Productions/Eagle Rock Entertainment DVD- The British Invasion: The Hollies- Look Through Any Window 1963-1975. This first official documentary on the Hollies. This was a band that followed the Beatles in conquering America with the British invasion – and you’d be hard pressed to find a band who’s sound changed so dramatically over time, but the quality of the music remained excellent. For you young’uns I’d go here first to hear more.
The Modulators “Tomorrow’s Coming”
If you are nostalgic for the 80’s skinny tie era of great power pop this band fits the bill. The Modulators were a local New Jersey band that played the small clubs in NJ, and was a local favorite at the time. The trio of Joe Riccardello (bass & keyboards), Mark Higgins (lead guitar) and Mark Westlake (drums) gets things started with the high treble jangle of the title track and energetic beat of “Jimmy Says.” Especially great is the fantastic “Spin Me Around” which is a real highlight in the best Marshall Crenshaw style, and a sweet version of Dylan’s’ “My Back Pages” is another gem. The production doesn’t sound re-mastered so it can sound a little dated in spots, but each tune is bursting with jangle guitars and clean harmonies. Other highlights include “If You Let Her Go” and “Own Little World” – fans of The Records, Bram Tchaikovsky, and The Toms should get this album immediately!
Baby Scream “Secret Place”
Argentine rocker Juan Pablo Mazzola strikes again! His band Baby Scream returns with Secret Place and it boasts a solid mix of styles and songs that describe Juan’s various moods. “The Last Call” blasts through like a whiskey soaked anthem to escapism (“You gotta leave it all behind…”). “Hit and Run” continues the Lennonesque flavor of 70’s balladry and folk shuffle of the title track lighten the overall mood here. “Bad Seed” is a smart acoustic ballad about Juan’s tough childhood. The introspective mood of “Patiently” uses a variety of instruments (including a clavinet) to bring a mood of desolation. “London Sun” starts with a light touch, but builds to a great guitar solo within a psychedelic landscape – its my favorite tune on the album. Overall, despite a few missteps (“Cold Weather Raggae”) this is an album that shouldn’t remain a “secret” for long.
I had a pretty good rapport with guitarist songwriter Tommy Keene and we talked at length about his new album Behind The Parade and his 30+ years as a performer.
During a career that stretches back to the mid-’80s, Matthew Sweet has never followed trends, and is considered one of the premier power pop artists of his generation (I was thrilled to interview him a few years ago). This time Sweet comes forward with the experimental yet still deeply personal Modern Art. In advance of the official release, you can get this Noisetrade sampler EP for free with the single “She Walks The Night” (recorded live at McCabe’s) right here. You can also listen to the album with full commentary at rdio.com
Theo Meyer and his band comfortably crank out infectious power pop full of crunchy riffs, handclaps and shaking tambourines. From the opening introduction to the blistering “Permission To Rock You” takes its cues from Cheap Trick, Splitsville and The Posies. It also helps that the debut was recorded and mixed by Kurt Reil of the Grip Weeds. The vintage chords flow freely on “Get To You” and it effortlessly segues into a quiet break, then builds back up. The tracks have a relentless energy, and “Immaculate Mansions” has a touch of the Grip Weeds sixties-centricity in its DNA, with a terrific rhythm and guitar solo.
A good description of the bands method is in the opening lines of “Tour of Japan” where Meyer intones “We’ve been down in the basement for over a year/writing teenage symphonies that no one will hear…” The rock and roll dreams are so honestly portrayed, its hard not to join in with air guitar yourself. Meyers nasal vocal fits the driving energy of songs pretty well, but unfortunately the two part harmonies on the well written “Indecision & Inertia” aren’t quite up to par. Aside from that, this is a wonderful debut that sure to win over fans. It’s already won over IPO‘s David Bash who called them “a great power pop band…” I totally agree and highly recommend this album.
