One of the best tracks from Frank Royster’s new album Innocence Is Bliss. This music video is pretty involved with high production values, but it’s Frank’s jangling guitar that’s the real star. Read my review for this album over here.
Emerging Artists: Stu Lewis and Excuse Me, Princess
FREE is good right? When it comes to “pay what you think it’s worth” music or just free, Bandcamp is a great site for artists just getting their feet wet. Here are two…
Stu Lewis “Waste Not What Not”
Stu Lewis counts The Cars and The Rentals as major influences for his synth heavy pop sound. It’s a solid 5-track EP featuring “With Authority,” “Don’t Really Matter” and “Stay Free” which have a good songwriting structure and remind me of Doug Powell or Martin Gordon with its multi-layered composition. A love letter to our first lady “Michelle” is a bit creepy, but it’s catchy all the same and the best song of the bunch here. Stu’s music is definitely worth your time.
Bandcamp
Excuse Me, Princess “The Sun and The Moon”
Here is an arty 9-track album full of indie pop music created by Jack Campbell. Jack shares some vocal duties with Greta Konkler on a few songs like “Miss” and “Totoro.” Some ambient stuff, but plenty of spirited music – listen to the Cure-like “Fool” with it’s “do-do-do” hummable chorus and a solid guitar tune in “Stop The Flow” which has Velvet Underground and Bowie as influences here. This homemade album was made in his basement, and it’s got plenty of lo-fi charm. Give it a listen.
Duncan Maitland "Lullabies For The 21st Century"
Dublin native Duncan Maitland is joined by an all-star guest line-up on his smashing debut Lullabies for The 21st Century. Colin Moulding from XTC plays bass on the opening track, and also helping out are Fran King, Barry O’Brien, Keith Farrell and Tosh Flood (Pugwash). Recorded at his in-home studio, the album draws influences from many favorites. Starting with the richly melodic “Your Century” it has glowing background harmonies and driving bass line. Followed by the flowing narrative of “Terry The Toad” it adds a great hook in the chorus, and “Crash Position” is a perfect example of modern Beach Boys pop, similar to Rick Gallego (Cloud Eleven). These songs are not simple ear candy, but complex pop symphonies that don’t rely on a straight formulaic approach. Every song on the album is a meticulous study in pop smarts from the Beatlesque touches of “Alien At Home” and “Horror Stories” to the wistful atmosphere of “Supermarket Dream.”
Not every chorus here sticks in your head, but each track is stuffed with details that demand repeat listens. Most tracks come close to the four minute mark or longer, and the last song “Insect Under The Stone” at 5:31 is a Nilsson-like epic that’s just fascinating. The legacy of XTC will always be safe as a Duncan joins the stellar group of bands that take the similar musical approach (Pugwash, Jackdaw4, Paul Steel). Overall a serious pop gem that can’t be ignored and deserves to be on the top ten list for this year.
My Space | CD Baby
Bowman "Living to Dream" and "B-sides"
Bowman “Living To Dream” and “B-Sides”
Boston’s own Bill Bowman is a power pop artist that has turned heads for many years starting with his first solo “Believe” to 2004’s “Living To Dream.” News from Bill is that a new album is in the making, but this year “B-Sides” came out, continuing the great work from the last album. On “Living To Dream” we are treated to driving beats and a tight catchy melody on the opener “Save Me.” Much in the mold of Andy Bopp or Matthew Sweet – it’s guitar driven pop that takes no prisoners. Vocally he comes closer to Justin Currie (Del Amitri) or Ed Roland (Collective Soul). Highlights here include the chill inducing “So Many Ways To Say Goodbye,” “Get Some” and rock anthem “What I Don’t Know.” His songwriting is crisp and musicianship is expert. Easy to say this traditional combination of emotional rocking and ballideering makes for a totally satisfying listening experience. On “B-Sides” you are treated to a heavier sound with “Right In Front of Me” and the blues beat of “Bye, Bye, Bye.” The soulful “Jump A Little Lighter” has a cool chord structure that’s unexpected on this type of song and is the biggest surprise here. Even though mere B-sides, these are still leaps and bounds better than most musicians work. If you never heard of Bowman, than stick with “Living To Dream” as essential – you should then move on to “B-Sides” for extra credit.
Bowman website | CD Baby | Itunes
BONUS
The Martial Arts “Empty Out There” FREE DOWNLOAD
It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from them, but here is a new free download by Glasgow indiepop/power pop band The Martial Arts. This is the first new material since their acclaimed debut album, ‘Your Sinclair’ This is a great track that tells you the band hasn’t lost it’s touch!
The Rubinoos and Jeremy Messersmith
The Rubinoos “Automatic Toaster”
The venerable Rubinoos have returned with their first new music in five years and it’s a blast! The band lineup includes Jon Rubin, Tommy Dunbar, Al Chan and guest drummer/producer Robbie Rist, and they jam together just perfectly. The band are firing on all cylinders here, as the opener “Two Guitars, Bass and Drums” is classic Rubinoos, a great band anthem for sure. Much of these songs are like lost gems from the Rubinoos past albums, both fun and upbeat – perfect for a hot summer. “The Pony Express” and “Earth Number 1” standout as great songs with killer choruses and tight instrumentation. The old boy-girl chestnut is highlighted on “Can’t Have Her Back” and “Same Old Heartache” to excellent effect. Toward the albums end, a few tracks sound like the boys have done too many kids musical records (“Zombie Night In Madrid”, “Cave Girls”). Right now this album is only available as a Spanish import through the band directly, but I expect it to reach the standard distribution channels soon.
My Space | Pop+One.com
Jeremy Messersmith “The Reluctant Graveyard”
This blog has been following Jeremy throughout his career, and each album gets better. Jeremy mentioned in an interview that this album has a highly melodic vintage sound. The chiming guitars start us on “Lazy Bones” which zips along to a catchy melody. The retro sound suits him fine on the awesome “Dillnger Eyes” with it’s skiffle beat, distorted guitar and multi-tracked chorus. “Organ Donor” does a bit of Sting meets Colin Bluestone in this moody little track with some excellent guitar and strings combo. “Violet” is another winner with a Bacharach syled opening and lush Beatles chorus. Even “John the Determinist” could be a companion to Eleanor Rigby. Despite these sweet melodies, the subject matter remains morbid, in fact every song relates to death in some way. The songs have a strong narrative, and “A Girl, a Boy, and a Graveyard” is bit of acoustic folk along the lines of Elliot Smith. The strongest message of the album is in “Deathbed Salesman” where the undertaker intones ““This is how it has to end / So love somebody while you can.” This is a brilliant concept album, don’t miss it.