Tag: Extra Arms
February singles are here: Flying Underground, Late Cambrian, Extra Arms, Real Estate, Willie Dowling, François Premiers
Dazy and Extra Arms
Dazy “Out of Body”
Does power pop meet shoegaze? Dazy does it effortlessly with a dense fuzz that would make Bob Mould blush, but with melodies that stick with you faster than a Sugar rush. The theme here is letting your feeling out, as he asks “Is that my brain hanging by a thread?” on the title track. The buzzing riffs and feedback dominate each short track, and most are under 2 minutes.
“On My Way” recalls classic Green Day with its monster riffs, but the standout here is “Rollercoaster Ride,” a big metaphor and an even bigger melody that hooks you quickly. “Deadline” boasts harmonies over the fuzz, then “Choose Yr Ramone” pokes fun at the band itself as lead singer James Goodson states “Roll your eyes and clap your hands. Laughing at the cover bands.” But it’s the anthemic choruses here that are the point, and it’s a great ride. We get off at the quieter breather “Inside Voice,” but overall a terrific new band. Highly Recommended.
Extra Arms “What Is Even Happening Right Now?”
With a nondescript cover and release this past summer, I honestly missed this one. Didn’t see Ryan Allen’s name, but holy crap the Extra Arms are his main band. And they are firing on all cylinders here. Detroit’s prominent power pop band takes the country’s anxieties and puts it all to melodic rock gold. The digital starting tones lead to “Fun Guy” a fast-paced, energetic rocker that takes no prisoners. The band leans hard on the heavy side of Fountains of Wayne as far as lyric and melodic sense.
“Big Dogs” continues the party, with big riffs hitting targets, with a call-and-response coda. Then “Falling into Place” recalls Superdrag and Guided By Voices with its dense hard rock rhythm. Earlier this year, COVID had Ryan trapped in his house, working from home, and the Cars-like “Feeling Alright” answers those Cabin Fevered questions. Overall a great album, with Ryan’s foot on the gas for all ten tracks. It could’ve used a breather (or ballad) toward the end. But it still makes my top ten list for 2022.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO and Extra Arms
Jeff Lynne’s ELO “Out Of Nowhere”
As a lifelong ELO fan, it’s a wonderful thing that the 71-year-old, semi-retired Jeff Lynne is still churning out enjoyable music. Like 2015’s Alone in the Universe, this is Jeff’s solo as ELO again (although keyboardist Richard Tandy assists on one tune) and playing every instrument. And while it’s a solid outing, please do not compare it to the highs of the band from 30 years ago. But this version of ELO is like comfort food on a cold night, and we should all savor each note.
The title track is a little a simple melody that recalls those Beatlesque days, but it doesn’t really stick. “Help Yourself” is a bit better, with its layered chorus and Jeff’s timeless mantra “You never change/you just keep on being you/you’ve got to help yourself.” The next few tunes feel like Jeff’s coasting a bit. But “Losing You” is gorgeously composed, it’s slow tempo is reminiscent of “Strange Magic.” Then Jeff comes to life with the rocker “One More Time,” and with it a neat series of synth, piano and guitar breaks. The futuristic fast tempos of “Sci-Fi Woman” and “Time of Our Life” both boast solid verses, hooks and sound like outtakes from the Time album. I have no doubt that some will compare this to the fuller sound and production of the past and come away disappointed. But as a Jeff Lynne fan, it grows on you, like most everything he does. Highly Recommended.
Extra Arms “Up From Here”
Ryan Allen makes this a full band effort by removing his name from the headline, and the band is simply Extra Arms. It’s first-rate punk-pop that fans of Green Day or Superdrag will embrace quickly. The first few tunes are barely scraping a minute and a half each. “F.L.Y.” is a joyous middle age piss and vinegar rant that opens things up quickly. “Secret Friend” churns out the fuzz chords and its another winner that you can sing along to.
Extra Arms heavy and fast riffs layered with Allen’s rough vocal are what power pop bands can aspire to, “Comes In Waves” and “No Enemies” keep the driving guitars and pounding rhythm flowing. The thick bass slows the tempo on “Space Jam,” which buries its jangle under reverb and finishes with a sweet acoustic coda. “Up From Here” is another winner, with the biggest, catchiest hooks on the album (maybe this should’ve been the first track?). This slim 8 track LP has no filler and it’s highly recommended. Play it on a loop for the full effect!
Extra Arms and Stephen Chopek
Extra Arms “Headacher”
Formerly known as Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms, the band has transformed from a solo project to a full-fledged rock band. The group has moved from the raw garage sound of Basement Punk to a polished indie-rock vibe similar to Nick Piunti. Ryan still knows how to craft killer hooks, like the amazing riff-driven “Done To Death.”
The heavy rhythm guitars still layer songs, so “Under Surveillance” and “Why I Run” sounds like the Foo Fighters, Oasis and Squeeze partying together. The variety is due to the new band dynamic with Ryan joined by bandmates Michael Gallacher (guitar), Ryan Marshall (bass) and Sean Sommer (drums). It’s also consistently great with lots of highlights including “Old Heads” and “Push The Button” being power pop standouts. Highly Recommended.
Stephen Chopek “Begin The Glimmer”
Stephen Chopek was originally trained as a drummer. After touring with major acts (John Mayer, Jesse Malin, Marc Broussard) he decided to learn how to play guitar and write songs. And after busting his hump in New York City he’s already on his third album.
Chopek is somewhere between folk-pop and power pop on Begin the Glimmer. Starting with the careful strum and steady beat of “Make of Puzzles” the shimmering chorus and layered guitar notes fit comfortably together. The catchy “Radio Caroline” is written about UK pirate station in the early ’60s defying the BBC. The layered strumming continues with the solid “Places and Things.”
Things eventually slow to a more folk speed, but it picks up with “The Ballad of Cash & Dean” a Paul Simon-like song about two iconic men in black. He does break out a hard riff for “Thoughts Are Thinking” and overall this is a very good album that deserves to be heard.
