Tag: The Amplifier Heads

Bubble and The Amplifier Heads

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Bubble

Bubble “Other Broken Dreams”

NYC power pop group featuring songwriter Dave Foster (guitar/vocals), Russ Alderson (bass/vocals), and Tommy DeVito (drums). In their current incarnation, with Rembert Block (vocals/perc), Mike Fornatale (lead guitar/vocals), and Charly Roth (keyboards) they have recorded their first album in a decade. Opening with “Be Careful” it’s a theme for the COVID age, with a jaunty XTC-inspired rhythm.

The jangling ballad “You Don’t Have To Say It” boasts a great piano bridge as the chorus rises in triumph and the catchy “Mail Order Submarine” is full of wonderful percussive effects and Beatlesque guitars. The songwriting is superb on “Don’t It Make You Wanna Cry,” a bittersweet tune about the loss of a music venue and that last show, and the folk acoustic “There is Hope” provides some encouragement for the soul. The album’s second half doesn’t score as high, but still provides good listening with the highlights “Make It Through” and “Never Gonna Let You Go.”  Mostly it’s great music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

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The Amplifier Heads

The Amplifier Heads “Music For Abandoned Amusement Parks”

Boston based musician Sal Baglio moves from those sunny singles of summer with a sobering autumn album that is very much like getting lost in an amusement park after dark. The opening “Funhouse Mirrors” starts the album theme with some hopeful anticipation, but the slow guitar instrumental “The Lonesome Carousel” changes the mood quickly, next “September Song” describes the back-to-school routine.

Musically, Baglio keeps these melodies finely developed, with just enough hooks to keep you coming back for more. Stylistically akin to Tom Petty “Candy Apple Girl” and “Ghost Song” are highlights that focus on nostalgic memories. The title track recalls Andy Partridge, with its swirling baseline and the energetic guitar riffs in “Freaks” tell a former carny’s story. At times it feels like Sal ran out of ideas towards the end of the album, as short musical interludes seem to take over. But overall the songs are effective — and ultimately worth checking out.

Bandcamp | Kook Kat Musik

September Singles: Brad Brooks, Mike Daly, The Amplifier Heads, Shadow Show and Irene Peña

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Brad Brooks is back! The title track to his new LP has been released as a single. Its a rabble-rousing rocker that recalls The Black Crowes and demands repeat plays!

Mike Daly‘s first single for Big Stir Records and he hits one outta the park with echos of Elvis Costello here. This is a catchy gem that deserves to be heard.

The Amplifier Heads have a Beatlesque styled single with its meta approach describing power-pop perfectly; “a one minute 50-second hit song that I just can’t get outta my head.”

Shadow Show is a Detroit band that combines elements of garage and psychedelic melodies into a blender as they offer a psychotic reaction to an increasingly chaotic world.

This is a lovely tribute from Irene Peña to Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne). It arrived at the end of this sad summer since his passing due to complications from COVID-19. The players here include John Borack (Popdudes, The Armoires) on the drums, Jeff Colchamiro and Ron Allen on guitar, Steve Zeilman on bass and Irene herself on vocals.

Freebies and EPs: The Turnback, Nick Lowe, Brad Marino, Brian Mello, You’re Among Friends, Nick Bertling, Portable Radio, The Amplifier Heads

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The Turnback had these three songs recently re-mastered by Grammy® Award-Winning mastering engineer Brian “Big Bass” Gardner (Foo Fighters, RUSH, Eminem, David Bowie, Cheap Trick). They are a FREE download and the band just asks for you to give a tip to the next essential worker you come in contact with (grocery clerk, fast-food worker, etc.). Now is the time we all need to be there for each other and PLAY IT FORWARD!

The masterful Nick Lowe returns with another EP, delivering pleasing pop gems in a timeless fashion.

Brad Marino (The Connection) is back in fine form with “False Alarm” and “At Night.” Guitar pop the way it should be, plus a cover of the Hoodoo Gurus classic, “What’s My Scene?” Get it at Kool Kat Musik

Brian Mello, the guitarist with The Morning Line, has a very unique EP out. It starts out like a spacey Western with “Landscape With Ruins” and stays kind of mellow until the riff-heavy gem “Adios.” A real grower here, so check it out.

You’re Among Friends, plays out like a fun jam in someone’s basement studio. Love the funk melody on “Once the Toothpaste is Out of the Tube.” More terrific casual rock, like “Just Keep Being Nice” make this a great FREE album to chill with.

Nick Bertling heads out to the audio twilight zone and gives us a personal work that seems to channel Todd Rundgren. Love those harmonies on “Perhaps” and the retro synth on “Mall Dreams ’87.” Another grower you need to live with.

Manchester UK pop band Portable Radio has a neat retro style and great harmonies. “Great In The Sun” and “Flight Home” remind me of the Cowsills.

JUST IN! Boston’s The Amplifier Heads are led by vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Sal Baglio (The Stompers). This is a real treat, as he channels mid-period XTC. Fans of similar bands (like The Sun Sawed In Half) will LOVE this.