Tag: Caleb Nichols

Summers is here: It Man, Kurt Baker, Jamie Lenman, Caleb Nichols, The Supernaturals, Sparkle*Jets U.K.

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“White Heat” is the debut single from It Man, Produced and mixed by Dan Swift (Ash, Snow Patrol, Aqualung) and recorded by Gordon Raphael (The Strokes). It’s got a rhythm and verses that ooze coolness. A tidal wave of new releases is coming, but before that happens some well-deserved singles and EPs need attention. Kurt Baker continues to impress with his new “Anchors Up” and “Sweet Alice,” joined by Wyatt Funderburk, Geoff Palmer, and Kris Rodgers, it sounds like a potential top-ten LP.  Jamie Lenman has been more melodic recently, and he’s got a new EP out, and “Crazy Horse” is worth a few listens. Caleb Nichols is also back with an experimental and dream-like EP, check out “Chan Says.” The Supernaturals are from Glasgow and “Roy Wouldn’t” is a cheeky single that caught my ear. Plus a welcome return for Sparkle*Jets U.K., those Southern California guitar poppers are now signed to Big Stir Records with the first new album over 20 years, coming out at the end of June. Here is a taste of the goodies to come. It’s gonna be a hot summer!




The Vague Ideas and Caleb Nichols

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The Vague Ideas

The Vague Ideas “New York Letters”

UK singer-songwriter Glenn Prangnell (Groovy Uncle) and New Jersey musician Mare Rozzelle formed The Vague Ideas and came up with a rock musical based on the book ‘The Songs of John Lennon: The Beatles Years.’ The songs were started by book author and Berklee professor, John Stevens, but Glenn finished the project in 2021 after his passing. The songs are based on imaginary letters written or received by John Lennon during his post-Beatles time in New York. The cast of Jonh’s life is all here; Cynthia, Yoko, Julian, Sean, Paul, Mimi, May Pang, and even Richard Nixon.

The Lennonesque vocals and arrangements are stunningly accurate and well written. This is a musical salve to Beatle fans, and you’d swear John wrote these tunes himself. The tender love song format fits “I Had To Go (Letter To Cynthia)” perfectly, and the pounding piano works on the funny “Nixon’s Listening (Letters to Tricky Dicky).” You will spend hours playing “spot-the-influence” with each tune, but it tells a straight narrative and there isn’t a note of filler here. Highly Recommended.

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Caleb Nichols

Caleb Nichols “Ramon”

Caleb Nichols’ solo debut, Ramon, is more than a tribute to The Beatles, McCartney’s Ram, or John Lennon’s Imagine.  It’s a love story between The Beatles’ Mean Mr. “Ramon” Mustard and a ship captain named Jerome Custard. Using the fictional characters from Abby Road’s songs, Nichols weaves a tale of gay love, loathing, and tragedy.

The first track, “Listen to the Beatles” with its “Dear Prudence” rhythm makes clear the middle school atmosphere, and his inner thoughts while listening to his favorite band. A standout here is the McCartneyesque “Run Rabbit Run” with its quick-witted lyric and catchy chorus. The aching ballads (“Ramon” and “I Can’t Tell You”) are closer to Elliot Smith than the former Fabs. But the pounding bass on “She’s The Beard” clearly illustrates closeted anxiety. “Jerome” is another highlight which feels like a Beatles-Prince hybrid. However, some themes feel too repetitive (“From a Hole in The Road”) or are just boring. But overall a good album worth exploring, especially if you’re a Beatles fan.

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