The Riffbackers "The Curtain Shop and Alterations"

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Not to be confused with The Riffbrokers, This is the continuing efforts of Spanish popsters Fausto Martin and Nacho Garcia, after the break up of their former band The Winnerys (Rainbow Quartz USA) in February 2007. The band was born in the springtime of 2007 in Madrid, and that summer the recording sessions of their first album “The Curtain Shop And Alterations” began. The new 11-song set was written by Fausto and fans of the Winnerys are sure to love it. The Beatles/Byrds guitar imprint is on every track here with Fausto’s signature vocal leading the way. Starting with the driving “Now It’s Fine,” the band’s musical ability is sharp and those Beatle-y riffs are unmistakeable. “You’d Do Anything” has more jangle than you can shake a 12-string Rickenbacker at, and “Sometimes” has those wonderful guitar bridges and Nacho’s impressive drumwork. The songs are mostly self-referencing experiences, especially “Stupid Rock Star’s Dream” which will remind some of The Raspberries “Overnight Sensation.” Fans of Paul McCartney will enjoy the ballad “After All These Years” and it mixes all the right elements without getting tiresome. A great collection of songs by focused pop craftsmen without a dud in the bunch.  Keep on Riffin’!

My Space | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik | Bebo

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The Romeo Flynns "Masque Of Anarchy"

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The Romeo Flynns, Detroit’s premier local rock group, have released their sophomore effort, and it’s partially a concept album. “Masque of Anarchy” is named after poem from famous 17th Century author Percy Shelly. It starts with a timely British radio address mentioning the country’s huge  financial defcit and launches into the title track with rocking precision similar to Cheap Trick or Off Broadway. The themes are darker and harder edged than their first release, and are more consciously aware they are a power pop trio, as evidenced by a cover of Badfinger’s “Baby Blue.” Guitarist, Dorian Lee and bassist, Jimmy Moroney, are joined by drummer John Sarkisian as they rip through the hard rocking “Not Your Style.” Lee’s guitar riffs give the band a nice edge and things get very patriotic with “That Ain’t The Motor City” which could be a theme for the revived US auto industry. Several gems include “I Got My Eye On You” and the acoustic ballad “Annie” that showcase the band’s improved songwriting abilities. And the band continues it’s mix of British Invasion and Detroit-sytle rock. The theme of economic collapse is also continued in “Poor Man’s Paradise” and the Badfinger-like closer “Don’t Leave Me Now.” Like a breath of fresh air, you’ll certainly enjoy this latest collection from The Flynns.

My Space | CD Baby

Listen to “Baby Blue” played on Dave The Boogieman radio show 03-14-10

P.S. I did “hook up” with Paul Collins recently, and an interview is in the making. Listen to Dave the Boogieman show on the web.

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Farewell Alex Chilton

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Wow. I am crushed. This is one of the giants of the genre, so I am hard pressed to think of something to say, other than he will never be forgotten. To quote Jim DeRogatis: “Alex Chilton, a legend of the Memphis music scene and one of the founding fathers of the power-pop movement, died at a hospital in New Orleans on Thursday, the victim of an apparent heart attack. He was 59 years old. Chilton’s hugely influential band Big Star was about to be celebrated at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, partaking in a panel session and a showcase gig on Saturday. The band was experiencing the latest in a series of career resurgences, thanks to the recent reissues of its celebrated albums from the ’70s as the box set, “Keep an Eye on the Sky.” Read more of the obit here.

If you want more info on the box set and a book on Big Star check out my older post.

Here is the NY Times article about Chilton’s passing.

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The Virgin review: Rich McCulley "Starting All Over Again"

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Rich McCulley is the type of musician who doesn’t try to dress up his rock & roll with fancy tricks. He is a roots-country rocker who writes songs that deal with the traditional themes of love and loss. My new review of his album  “Starting All Over Again” is posted over at Virgin.com.

My Space | Rich McCulley’s site |  Amazon
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Genesis "Turn It On Again" video

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Behold Genesis at the peak of it’s musical powers – the band ruled the worlds of progressive pop and rock for most of the early eighties. Those opening synth chords sent shivers through your spine in jr. high school. The band was one of the last great supergroups, and every member had success in their later solo careers; especially Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. BTW, Hulu is posting a bunch of the bands vids – so check’em out. Congrats to Genesis for making the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame today!

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