The Webstirs "So Long"

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Preston Pisellini and Mark Winkler have formed the Webstirs’ backbone for 16 years, and after 2000‘s indie-pop gem, “Radio Racket,” they moved on to other projects. Well, after seven long years, Chicago’s Webstirs have roared back to life. Opening with the wistful piano chords of “Summer Fades” it nods tribute to Brian Wilson’s “Smile” and then blasts into the dual guitar and horn attack of “Wesley Station” that draws from The Jellysfish, Queen and The Posies, and it will have power pop fans pulse racing — amazing melody with a multi-instrumental celebration of sound. Preston and Mark are helped by former Redwalls drummer Jordan Kozer and bassist Charlie Short to round out this excellent album. This continues with “Somewhere To Start” and “So Long” as the party just keeps going, with some great piano support, to the incredible riffs and harmonies. I was waiting for a low point on this album.. and there isn’t any. “Malaise” is a great Beatlesque romp, with that rolling baseline and Penny Lane era horn arrangements. And that doesn’t mean these guys don’t rock hard either, the next song “Apparition Shine” is an amazing Green Day meets Weezer inspired single that draws together a wall of guitar sound that will sonically mow you down. It’s followed by the ELO-inspired “Big Break” full of rich synths and echoing vocals that Jeff Lynne would be proud of.  On “What Do You Believe” it goes back to both Wilson and Bacharach with it’s gorgeous harmonies and horn flourishes. “Still Drowning” mentions the frustrations of the current state of music industry, and surviving in it. Much of the songs deal with the experiences of the past eight years, and it requires multiple listens to really appreciate it. And the music here doesn’t just have obvious influences, it transcends that to form something unique. This is what many pop fans have been waiting for all year. The Webstirs have delivered genius. Don’t let this one pass you by.

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The Junior League "Smile Shoot Smile"

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Hailing from St Augustine, Fla., The Junior League aka Joe Adragna once again has delivered some pop goodness to follow up his debut “Catchy”. The new album has plenty of sharp pop craft along the lines of REM jangle and The Beatles, with a touch of Toad The Wet Sprocket. Joe is more than a one man band here, as the opener “Everybody Loves Me (But You)” has much in common with Buffalo Springfield and Brian Wilson. The songs are cleanly produced and well written – “It’s The End” pumps up the volume in this traditional break up song with forceful guitar riffs. The melodic and mellow tunes do the best here, from “What I Am” to the sunny “Memories” remind me of Stealers Wheel in the baseline. The lower key songs “Sundress” and “What If I Am,” touches on adult contemporary pop. But it goes the other way as “Princess Stephanie” is true pop gem, with a soulful vocal and toe tapping chorus and “Hey, Pop Life” brings to mind The Ramones. Some deep lyrical work in “I Never Thought” refer to the struggle with letting go, as he sings “I never thought I’d be so tired..” Well, I don’t think I will grow tired of The Junior League anytime soon.

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The Virgins "The Virgins"

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Move over Maroon Five, we got the Virgins in the house! The hook filled single “One Week Of Danger” is lightning captured in a bottle here. A hybrid of Franz Ferdinand and the Strokes… they’ve got an awesome danceable pop sound. “She’s Expensive” is another true pop gem that will ring in your head for days. The style then changes for the next few tracks, and “Rich Girls”and “Teen Lovers” has a 80’s funk that sports high angular rhythms and tinny beats, the songs continue to be very catchy in a retro-pop way.  The extreme here is the track, “Murder” that recalls Frankie Goes To Hollywood (Remember them?) It’s full of hooks, catchy melodies, and plenty of fun. The middle of the album sags a bit, but it ends strong with two more sticky gems — “Private Affair” hints at ELO and The Thompson Twins and “Radio Christiane” reminds me of The Motors. If you’re a fan of the 80’s, and Strokes, this is some awesome ear candy. The production is solid and clean and takes some of the grit out of the originals and bumps up the power of the dance grooves, so hit “repeat” and shake it, man. Mark my words, this band has hit the big time.

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The Gilligans "My Name Is Willy"

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Guitarists Todd Borsch and Dan McKenzie hooked up with David Krieger assuming bass guitar duties and veteran drummer Scott Pellican and formed The Gilligans – a British Invasion influenced garage band that came out with “Snoring With An Accent” in 2007. This new album finds the group spreading it’s wings a little bit. The music is split between sugary sweet pop and Cavern Club-era rock. “Wanna Wear Your Sunshine” is a good example of the band’s gritty guitar energy. On the other side of the coin, a text book example of power pop music, “She’s A Boomerang” recalls The Rubinoos and Curt Bochetter. “I Want To Be Your Loving Man” is a true gem that brings to mind both The Hollies and Southern Culture On The Skids. “In A Flash” is a lead by a tight fuzz amped guitar and sweet vocals that brings these contrasting influences together. The songs are all pretty good, no duds here — although the harmonies on a few songs disappear into the background, with such a prominent lead guitar. And sometimes the effort to get psychedelic, gets a little carried away with the vocal phasing (“This All Starts With You”) and I remind myself this is not a Pillbugs album. Overall, a very good album (no sophomore slump here) that’s worth plenty of repeat listens and a few coconuts. 

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