Tag: Corin Ashley

October Non-Halloween singles and EPs: Maura Weaver, Corin Ashley, Brad Marino, Late Cambrian, Webstirs, Future Teens

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Maura Weaver’s ‘Strange Devotion’ came out last month, but feels more appropriate for Halloween. Especially the single “The Face,” shown in this video. High quality indie pop that deserves more attention here! Also back is Corin Ashley with his new EP, check out the pop goodness of “Empathy Centre” and my fave here, “Monkey.”  Rocker Brad Marino needs no “Voodoo” to get me interested in his fantastic riffs, always a welcoming sound. Late Cambrian is back with a quirky indie pop gem “Into The Lilac Tree.” It’s got great chord shifts and Olive’s amazing vocal floating behind the swirling melody. John Wlaysewski’s layered composition is really impressive here. It’s been a long time since I heard from Chicago’s Webstirs, but this new tune is a good sign that I will enjoy their new album. Finally, Future Teens have very meme-aware lyrics on “Adjust Failure” about future anxiety and seems perfect for these times. A standout line; “I’m not getting any younger and it’s clear to me now.” Next week, bring out yer dead, or some candy!




April Showers: Corin Ashley, Chris Stamey, The Lemon Twigs, Geoff Palmer, Rocket Rules, Crossword Smiles, The Supernaturals

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A massive amount of quality music is coming out now: Firstly, check out the return of Corin Ashley with “Empathy Centre,” with it’s guitar crunch and free wheeling lyric, “The Commandant of kindness would like a word with you…” Next the biggest surprise; a super team up of Chris Stamey and The Lemon Twigs doing a gorgeous Beach Boys styled ballad, and the album is expected this summer. Geoff Palmer returns with his punk pop perfection on ‘Kodak Flash’. Each song here is a winner! Next, this month’s freebie is the dense, lush dream pop of Rocket Rules. Give it a listen with headphones. Another new gem is Crossword Smiles latest “Falling All Over Myself” and the consistently good band The Supernaturals with a new pair of tunes destined for the upcoming album “Show Tunes.” Enjoy the sun, popaholics!




Brad Peterson video premiere and some singles

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Brad Peterson is an indie-pop singer-songwriter from a wooded area near Lake Michigan north of Chicago. There, he built a little back-yard garden shed – where he writes and records his songs. He has shared stages with Jeff Buckley and Radiohead but stopped making music after a spinal injury left him unable to record or perform for several years. Now he’s come back with “The Ellipsis Album.” And it’s not a melancholy project, just check out the video – full review Monday!

Corin Ashley found some unreleased music from his first band Atlas Shrugged, and decided to share it with us! Very cool pop from 1993 that’s available for the first time!

UK mellow popsters Wilson have gone through some line-up changes. “Right Here” is the first Wilson recording made by the newly reconstituted band which now includes Marco Rossi. Enjoy!

Another unrelated Wilson, is Mikah Wilson. And he’s influenced by 60’s/70’s sunshine pop, with his high easy going vocal on “Sunshine Groove” fans of Free Design or The Mamas and The Papas will dig this single.

Corin Ashley and Ruby Free

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Corin Ashley “Broken Biscuits”

Corin Ashley is glad to be here, and we are glad to have him back. He was deep in the recording process when he suffered a stroke last year. Corin fought back to regain the ability to sing and play guitar again, and amazingly play on stage and finish this album in a single year.

There is something about “Little Crumbles” that reminds me of McCartney’s Back to The Egg. Like Macca at the time, its aggressive rock approach is a celebratory jam of rebirth. “Broken Biscuit #3” is a quick psyche-pop pastiche, then it launches into the gem “Wind Up Boy” with assistance from Tanya Donelly (The Breeders, Belly) which chugs along full of sweet strings and catchy couplets. The Beatle-isms are out in full flourish with “Edison’s Medicine” a not so distant cousin of “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.”

“Broken Biscuits #9” is the personal story of the struggles that left Corin “in tatters, scattered to the wind.” The combo of bouncy and bitterness on “In Appropriate Fashion” is straight out of the Elvis Costello playbook. Towards the end of the album, the songs are more elaborately constructed, “King Hollow” working quite well, while others seem to linger too long. The six-minute “Jellyfish” isn’t a tribute to the famous band (although there are a few musical cues) but the cruel fate that left him partially paralyzed. Overall a highly recommended album.

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Ruby Free

Ruby Free “Shades”

Lisa Cavaliere and singer-songwriter Rick Hromadka make up the duo of Ruby Free and they deliver an even better album on their sophomore effort Shades. They are aided by power pop veterans Joe Giddings (Star Collector), Jim Laspesa (Dave Davies, Susanah Hoffs), and Rick Gallego (Cloud Eleven).

“Take A Ride” is a rollicking road tune with the perfect mix of California attitude and a catchy chorus that makes this a great opener. “Walking Along” is fiendish hooky, like a Steve Miller Band classic that won’t leave your head. “Say Goodnight” and “Owe To The Man” are laid back gems that encourage repeat listens. Lisa also does a very capable solo cover of Karen Carpenter’s “Superstar” and Rick ruminates on the state of modern marriage in “Talk To Me.”

Shades allow both artists to shine together and on solo vocal leads. Styles vary enough from the country ballad “Billboards and Buses” to the Tom Pettyesque “It’s Not Your Dream.” Clearly, no duds here as it earns a spot as a nominee for my top ten for 2017 list. Highly Recommended.

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