Tag: The Dollyrots
Lucky Late March EPs and Singles: Emilia Suárez, The Krayolas, The Downhauls, Orbis Max, The Dollyrots, Brad Marino, J. Matthews
Sometimes a modern ballad just gets the romantic in me. Emilia Suárez‘s new single “Timing” hits that soft spot in your heart. She is both singing and acting in the new movie A Good Person, alongside Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman. Next, the Tex-Mex Beatles (aka The Krayolas) have a freshly remastered release including a cover of The Monkees‘ “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” And speaking of covers The Downhauls do a neat cover of “Hazy Shade of Winter” written by Paul Simon, but it always sounded better with a female vocal (The Bangles). The emotional “R U OK” is an easy-going collaboration by Orbis Max and Lisa Mychols featuring Ed Ryan. Adding some great power pop energy is The Dollyrots “Hey Girl” which is a great “curious” theme. Brad Marino (The Connection) has opened the vaults at Rum Bar Records and let loose a Slab O’ Wax. That’s 19 tracks of his best rock and roll for you. We end with another newcomer, J. Matthews with a thoughtful “Wanderlust” single. And… exhale.
Ho-ho-holiday music: More presents under the tree for y’all
More brand new Christmas music. Love the collaboration by Coke Belda & El Inquieto Roque here, more traditional goodies from Dropkick, and Riverboat Gamblers, We have the youth vote with The Linda Lindas, and the sexy “Hey Santa” by Cindy Lawson. The Light Music Company is Mr. Martin Newell (The Cleaners From Venus) of Essex and Ms. Rachel Love of Sussex, whose combined talents have concocted this small oeuvre of their compositions to help facilitate your enjoyment of the festive season. Before we get too dignified, The Stompers gives us what we really want for Christmas, and punk princesses The Dollyrots do the “Chipmunk Song” — OK? A last-minute addition is Kai Danzberg‘s “Last Christmas” with a different melody.
While not a Christmas tune, this is a rare one by Jamie Hoover (Spongetones) hosted by fellow blogger Richard Rossi. Lots of fun!
The Dollyrots and The Armoires
The Dollyrots “Daydream Explosion”
The Dollyrots are one of the best sounding punk-pop bands and have been going strong since 2004. Versatile singer/bassist Kelly Ogden and guitarist Luis Cabezas deliver a joyous mix of vocal sass and fast guitar riffs starting with “Animal.” Ogden’s vocals have a distinctive range that goes from a dreamy coo to an aggressive snarl in the standout “In Your Face.” It’s like a perfect blend of The Go Gos and Blink 182, as Kelly sings “I’ve got friends who’ve got my back, I got things I wanna say, I will do what I can, right in your face!” Fans of Bowling For Soup, Weezer and Joan Jett will just eat this up.
“Naked,” “Talk Too Much” and “I Love You Instead” are catchy standouts with choruses that stick fast in your head, and stay with you. Stylistically the band moves around with slower pop tempos like “Watching The Storm Go By” and “Flippy in My Red Dress” which transforms from smokey jazz to aggressive pop. The songs are all relatable while shining a light on female independence, especially on “No Princess.” Not a single weak song and loaded with energy makes this an excellent party album and super highly recommended.
The Armoires “Zibaldone”
Eclectic pop combo, The Armoires are an amalgam of folk, world, rock and pop lead by the duo of Christina Bulbenko and Rex Broome. The sound draws from many different places and recalls The Go-Betweens, Byrds, and Fleetwood Mac. The violin played by Christina’s daughter Larysa is a prominent fixture, along with Rex’s jangling guitar on the opener “Appalachukrainia.” The band sounds inspired by Camper Van Beethoven on “Pushing Forty,” almost daring father time with the lyrics “I hope I live before I get old.” The band’s fluid harmonies are present on “McCadden” and the catchy “(How Did You) A Mistake Like Me)” is a big highlight with it’s Rickenbacker melody.
The band moves around stylistically, from steel pedal mid-tempo “Satellite Business” to the off-Broadway quirk of “Is Drama Sue Here?” The band is assisted by producer Steven Wilson (Plasticsoul) and a bevy of artists from the Big Stir Record label. And when it comes musicianship, they all have the goods. The band spreads around the vocal duties often having multiple leads, which doesn’t always work. But when it flows right, the musical stories of the band’s travels are warm and inviting. Check it out.
