May Singles: Richard Turgeon, Cosmos Sunshine, SA Reyners, The Golden Rail, The Ego Ritual, Dan Rico

The opening track from Richard Turgeon‘s upcoming LP, “Lost Angeles.” It’s a big-sounding, California-tinged power pop track with lots of harmonies. And it’s a FREE download.

Cosmos Sunshine sounds pretty hippie-dippy, right? But no, this is a big rocker with hooks and an angst in the groove. Fans of Neil Young will like this one.

New Zealand’s SA Reyners gives us one sweet single. A bouncy piano is layered with rhythms and counter melodies. Very impressive! If you’d like another SA Reyners single, Lexiconographer was released last month and it’s a FREE download. When is this guy gonna make a full album already?

The Golden Rail is an Australian supergroup of sorts. Members have come from various bands: The Palisades, The Rainyard, Header, Summer Suns, DM3 and The Jangle Band. The singles here are simply great covers. “Shouldn’t Get Hung Up About It” was originally recorded by The Village Idiots and “Fined For Wrestling” was originally recorded by The Tokyo 5.

The Ego Ritual is a new psyche-pop band that’s about to debut on Kool Kat Musik. This is an advance single that’s very groovy and a FREE download too!

Dan Rico is just “Hot To Please” and with this FREE download, he definitely pleases.

Shake Some Action and Richard Turgeon

Shake Some Action

Shake Some Action “Crash Through Or Crash”

Shake Some Action (aka James Hall) returned this past summer with his shimmering Byrdsian jangle guitar pop, and its the perfect antidote for the fall chill. We strum our way through 14 tracks, starting with “Waiting For The Sun,” a soothing and fast-paced single. “The Only Way is Up” and “Secrets and Lies” boast simple, put powerful lyrics with Jagger-like vocal swagger. The customary leading power pop riff is the basis for the melody in “Bang Bang” and the style of composition varies enough so we get both consistency and unpredictability.

Some tracks are just the typical Shake Some Action sound, like “Starting Again” and others have a more melodic wrinkle, like the excellent “Paraphernalia.” Slowing things down we get the psychedelic “Under the Sun and the Moon” and the Kinkisan rockers “I Don’t Think So” and “It Goes Like This.” Overall, a successful and memorable LP that is highly recommended.

Amazon

Richard Turgeon

Richard Turgeon “In Between the Spaces”

San Francisco musical Richard Turgeon released this surprisingly entertaining album earlier this year. The highlight is the first track; the rocking “Bigfoot’s An Alien” with a big fat hook in the chorus. Turgeon’s heavy fuzz guitar style is similar to Jeff Shelton (The Well Wishers) in approach with a touch of REM styled jangle.

The dense production on “Bad Seed” also highlights some nice harmonies and lyrics as he asks “What am I lacking to seduce you?” Another highlight here is “I’m 30” a confession of appreciation to parents from a prodigal son. A veiled political message is a part of “The Candidate” with the dangers of following a “Superman with no soul.” Not everything works, but enough does to make this album an enjoyable listen. Plus as a bonus, Richard has been busy delivering four FREE downloadable singles since the LP’s initial release.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

FREEBIES FROM RICHARD!