Tag: Bryan Estepa

The Brigadier and Bryan Estepa

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“The

The Brigadier “Sailing the Seven Neuroses”

It’s been 8 years since The Brigadier (aka Matt Williams) visited us, and his return brings back his unique sound exemplified on the opening track “Bleak Companion.” The pop bounce of “The Purge” is about the difficulty of leaving things behind, “I can’t let go, everything I ever had is in this place” he sings, and it has enough twists to have you humming along. “Count Your Blessings” offers advice on gratitude, and be thankful “before you mess things up” with a nice jangle break between the verses. Matt’s soft vocals and layered synths work well, but several songs are missing hooks to keep you invested in repeat plays.

But he hits the mark with “Hot Solace” as he states, “I won’t let the melancholy come over me.” When the guitars mix with synths on “Heaven’s in my Heart” or “Everyday an Ordeal,” it often recalls 80s-era new wave pop, and this is Matt’s sweet spot. The title track is an interesting instrumental that recalls late-era Brian Wilson. This also comes up on the finale, “Don’t Go to Bed Mad,” which has lovely harmonies and is one of the best tunes here. Overall a good album that reintroduces us to the talents of The Brigadier. Check it out!

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Bryan Estepa

Bryan Estepa “I See It Now”

Australian Singer-songwriter Bryan Estepa has been a fixture of the DIY indie pop scene for over 20 years, and each album is a lesson in polished authenticity. The opener “Where You Begin” sets up the reflective theme, and “Grounded” is a lovely mid-tempo ballad that evokes McCartney styled sweetness. My favorite here is the light rocker “Version of Me;” picture a mixed blend of yacht rock and Fountains of Wayne. Estepa also addresses the passage of time on “Lines Will Show” and the hook-laden “Alright, OK,” which features a soft chorus that preserves the reflective atmosphere, even with those sharp guitars riffs.

The album closes out with the bittersweet “La última vez” and the lyrically sincere, unpretentious title track “I See It Now.” Although “Corners” feels like a misfire with its pounding rhythm, this short album lacks any filler. If you like soft guitar-pop and are interested in stories about healing, self-improvement, and introspection, you will enjoy this album. Fans of Wilco, Elliott Smith, or Fountains of Wayne should check out this well-crafted group of songs.

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Retro-feelin’ Singles: Frank Royster, Bryan Estepa, Super 8, Jamie Turner, Solitary Bee, Wifey

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Retro influences are all around. It’s been a long time since I heard from Frank Royster, and this song is great. It’s a perfect mix of Beach Boys-Beatles with gorgeous chord shifts. Love it! I can’t wait for the album! Another winner channeling the past is Bryan Estepa. “Is There Anybody There?” is a beautiful single that recalls yacht rock classics. Super 8 delivers a little sunshine pop with “Keep Doing It” from his upcoming album. Jamie Turner turns back the clock a little further with “Ordinary Song.” The boys from It’s Karma It’s Cool have a side pop project called Solitary Bee with an early ’80s feel. It’s not all soft sounds, as Wifey channels ’90s rockers like Bowling For Soup, with the freebie “Mary Ann leaves the Band.” Enjoy!



October EPs: Bryan Estepa, Four By Four, The Small Breed, Kurt Baker, Drew Beskin and more

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Great new music – Bryan Estepa teased us with the single “Back To The Middle” and now the entire EP is here, and it’s all killer, no filler – tasty bittersweet pop. The Pre-Amps of Madrid, Spain bring the bright pop with harmonies and horns on “Four By Four,” its classic Byrds/Beatles influences played to perfection. But if you really want to go retro, check out The Small Breed in the tradition of New Colony Six. Meanwhile, Kurt Baker is back from Spain and has been releasing a group of singles (which together make a great EP) that proves he hasn’t lost his power-pop chops. Drew Beskin released a terrific LP this past summer, and now he’s got some excellent Halloween singles too. Speaking of October, it leads to a great freebie – Rum Bar Records newest sampler. Like Halloween candy, it’s sweet, crunchy, and maybe has a razor blade hidden in it 😜 .








September Singles: Ward White, Kurt Baker, It’s Karma It’s Cool, Death Party Playground, Bryan Estepa, Mom, The Well Wishers

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With the fall comes a brand-new premiere single “Dirty Clouds” from LA crooner Ward White, from his upcoming album The Tender Age. The gentle chords give way to space-themed resignation assisted by a terrific guitar break. Kurt Baker is also back with a tight pop track that reminds me a bit of Rick Springfield, meanwhile, It’s Karma It’s Cool gives us a frantic vocal and crunchy punk guitar on “Coffee Cup Circles.” If you love that old-school ’70s rock then check out Death Party Playground, but if you crave a more singer-songwriter vibe, you can’t get much better than Bryan Estepa. Swedish band Mom gives us a nice freebie; a collection of covers and a highlight is Marshall Crenshaw’s “There She Goes Again.” Finally, Jeff Shelton (The Well Wishers) donates his guitar crunchiness to California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund for this sweet track, a worthy song for a worthy cause.







What I Missed: Bryan Estepa and Identical Suns

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Editor’s note: It happens every year. I miss several releases from 2019. Some are high on other bloggers lists, some I just forgot to review (Doh!) and others just seem to slip through the cracks for a variety of reasons.  This week I will review a few of these remaining 2019 albums.

 

Bryan Estepa

Bryan Estepa “Sometimes I Just Don’t Know”

The venerable Australian singer-songwriter Bryan Estepa delivers a stark, emotional album that earned Absolute PowerPop blog’s #1 album spot. Estepa has always tackled serious adult subjects, and the first track “I’m Not Ready For This” is all about dealing with a serious health crisis. Bryan’s strong vocals are filled with empathy that sets the tone of the album. While the music is more adult-oriented pop than power pop, you do get catchy and melodic songs like “Drawn Like Magnets.”

Dealing with doubt, fear and how your loved one gives you the strength to go on is also a central theme. “Rattled and Rolled” and “Another Kind of Madness” deal with these strong emotions and the tight compositions keep it compelling. The lyrics will resonate with the patient listener, “Granted” is some of the best advice a song can give. It would be too easy to turn this somber subject matter into a depressing album, but Estepa fights through these feelings with conviction. I will concede this would have made it in my top 20, and thus a highly recommended listen.

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Identical Suns

Identical Suns “Week Minded”

This Ohio band led by Rene Rodriguez, Todd Stanton, and Andrew Stanton does a good job of creating pop eclecticism with a sense of fun. Taking influences from Mike Viola, NRBQ, and The Beach Boys, it starts with the bouncy “Saving It Up For Sunday” that goes through a typical week in the life. The themes alternate from happy to sad and the lead vocalist duties shift from song to song (with mixed results).  

So we get the slow lounge ballad “She Makes Me Happy” followed by the hopeful pop of “Maybe Next Time.” Next, we get some slow faux Jimmy Buffet on “Wanted Man,” but things again pickup with the uptempo “Halfway There.” The highlight of the album is “Miss Her Reminiscing” with great lead guitar and the tender “Silence in The Room” is another beautiful gem about dealing with the loss of a loved one. Check it out, it’s music that deserves to be heard.

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