The American Professionals EP and Four O’Clock Balloon

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The American Professionals “The Specialist”
This San Francisco band lead by singer/guitarist Chuck Lindo reunited with guitar player Mike Corcoran (The Ampros) in 2007, then hooked up with drummer Steve Moriarty (The Gits, St. Bushmills Choir) and Cheryl Hendrickson on bass to produce this sweet EP full of large loud guitar riffs that would make Cheap Trick fans proud. Unlike the last full length effort in 2004 “Faking It” this rocks a lot harder and faster. The title track balances the loud riffs and and gentle harmonies just right. Another great track “Jump This Train” is similar to the band IKE with a bouncy beat and fuzzy guitars leading the way. The remaining tracks are also just as catchy and will leave you craving for more. Hopefully a full length release is coming soon.

My Space | CD Baby

The Specialist – The American …

Four O’Clock Balloon “s/t”
Newly re-mastered, this 1997 classic album is being reissued by the Killer Music Group (with the promise of a new follow up album soon). This is unadulterated retro power pop in it’s purest form, pulling the techniques from the late sixties and wrapping it up in a sugary melodic package. The Four O’Clock Balloon album is chock full of bright catchy melodies, strong hooks, and brilliant musicianship. Carlos Santana bandmember Tommy Anthony (Guitar/Vocals), alongside John Allen (Guitars/Good Karma), Michael Quinn (Bass), and Omar Hernandez (Drums), have garnered rave reviews from heir first offering and have earned a cult following for this lost classic. The band first appeared on Yellow Pills, Volume 4 with the ELO-inspired “Stood In The Rain.” Added gems here are “So Wrong,” “Real,” and “Ripley.” Fans of The Move, Smithereens, Raspberries and Jellyfish will flip for this if you never heard of them before. It’s been out of print for a long time, so this re-issue is most welcome. So far I didn’t see any bonus tracks, but if If you would like a free track download, you can visit the Killer Music Group website. Any long time power pop fans who missed this when it was released, then you have no excuses anymore.

MySpace | Killer Music Group | Amazon (original)

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Bleu "No Such Thing As Love" and Justin Kline needs help.

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My favorite song from Bleu’s album “A Watched Pot.” This official video was directed and photographed by David J Dowling. In addition to the excellent music, the video features portraits of really stunning young women.

HELP SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSICIAN, JUSTIN KLINE.
Justin Kline has done some great work with his “Six Songs” EP. Recently, his new album was stolen, when a thief broke into the Nashville Studio he was recording in and took all the gear including the recordings. Please help him rebuild and release his next EP. This same thing happened last year to Bryan Scary and it’s really difficult to get through – his album is being self funded as well.

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Julian Berntzen and The Bad Love Experience

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Julian Berntzen “Rocketship Love”
As a Norwegian musical child prodigy Julian Berntzen has been writing and composing his own music at age 14, and as he grew up he mastered the ability to build intricate concept albums. His latest album “Rocketship Love” is a fantastic find that draws you into the atmospheric narrative much like Paul Steel’s work. The title track has a funky clavinet with a Jellyfish bridge to the chorus. Some of the songs have a McCartney-like facination with dance hall instrumentation, as “Johnny” could be the lost companion to The Beatles “Honey Pie.” Another gem is the achingly lovely ballad “Julias Jewerly” with it’s sweet harmonies. The light falsetto and strings of “Clouds Will Pass” and “Sunny Street” will please fans of Sondre Lerche. The orchestration is lavish and other than some nostalgic instrumentals, there is no filler here. In 2008, this album was nominated for the Norwegian Grammy, so pop fans should give this a chance. Julian is also heading down to this year’s SXSW festival, so you may not want to miss him there either.

Bad Love Experience “Rainy Days”
From Italy’s Livorno underground music scene comes Bad Love Experience. The band’s official line up with Valerio Casini (voice and guitar), Emanuele Voliani (bass and choir) and Gabriele Bogi (drums) has been collaborating with American producer Justin Perkins to bring us a record filled to the brim with solid rock and roll. Full of riffs that don’t quit – it’s comparable with Jet, Rooney or Oasis with big infectious beats and relentless harmonies. The opening “Breakaway” and follow up “21st Century Boy” are perfect examples of this. Throughout the album you hear a combination of influences from the new wave 80’s, garage 60’s, and arena rock 70’s all working seamlessly together. The fast paced song “The Days” is undeniably catchy and an album highlight. “Mr. & Mrs. Beloved” is another winner with an ever increasing tempo and volume. “Knowing All The Things I’ve Known” has echoes The Beatles with it’s pounding drums and organ lead. “Dear Maver Boy” sounds a bit like a really fast organ version of “96 Tears.” Casini’s vocals are excellent without a trace of accent, heard on the album’s harmony-filled finale “All The Heroes, Unfamous People.” Overall, a great album and you’ll have no problem turning up the volume and rocking to the beat.

MySpace | Itunes

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The Virgin review: Sass Jordan "From Dusk Til Dawn"

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With the Olympics over, I would like to feature Canadian vocalist Sass Jordan. Sass is a seasoned veteran musician who has toured and/or worked with many music heavyweights, including Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Cheap Trick, Van Halen, Carlos Santana and Joe Cocker. Her latest CD, entitled “From Dusk ‘Til Dawn”, was written and recorded from July through October 2008, and features songs and sounds that reflect the atmosphere of the late 70’s Southern California scene. Check out my review of Sass Jordan on Virigin.com

My Space | Amazon

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Shake Some Action "Fire and Ice"

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This was a facinating process to witness. An album being recorded and contructed over the course of the year and every detail recorded on the artists blog track by track (In fact the song demos are still there for free download). The sound of this band has evolved in the process from the earlier rough garage jangle sound to a sophisticated studio effort. This is more of James Hall’s baby and it shows. Those guitars are still there and he mixes in a few new influences. Opening with “Stand and Deliver” it mixes psychedelic vocals and ringing guitar rhythms that reminds me a little of U2 mixed with The Happy Mondays. Hall’s musical skills are on display with the steady bass and looping guitar arpeggio of  “Touch The Sky.” If you’re a bit nostalgic for those 80’s jangle hooks of  The Mighty Lemon Drops, The Cure and Psychedelic Furs you get a real gift with several tracks like the hook-filled “Fire and Ice”, “Can You Feel?” and “I Wasn’t Born Yesterday.” The trippy “Bottom Of The Sea” sets a real nice Pink Floyd styled mood and “Where is The Sun?” is a shimmering gem with a rich harmonic chorus. But if you’re a fan that misses the band’s older, rougher sound, then Hall throws you bone with “Open Your Eyes” in a Pretty Things garage mode. Fans of the old sound may not warm up so quickly, but I did as the songwriting is more refined and the instrumental work more meticulous.

Shake Some Action | E Music | Amazon

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