Tag: The Junipers

The Junipers and Brad Marino

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“The

The Junipers “The Solid and the Hollow”

Robyn Gibson (lead guitar, vocals) says it best, “… it became a kind of nostalgia trip,” and the band’s fifth album keeps those stylistic touches that recall The Beatles, The Association, and The Free Design. “Oneless” is a subtle opener, with Gibson’s gentle vocal leading the way. It’s the template for most of the songs to follow, with the exceptions being the driving bass line lead on the psyche-pop of “When She Turns” and spacey synths on “Fishes.”

There are lots of great moments within the songs that evoke a mood akin to a bright summer day. “She Makes The Sun Shine” is especially buoyant with a rhythm line akin to The Beatles’ “Rain.” “Meadow Song” has a wonderful mix of keys, guitars, and layered sounds, and slowly builds into something great. “Swan” is another breezy melody that wallows in the dreamlike atmosphere, with subtleties in the harmonies that audiophiles will appreciate. If you fell in love with this band from their super catchy ‘Euphonious Trolley’ EP, this album is its spiritual cousin. Highly Recommended.

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“Brad

Brad Marino “Agent of Chaos”

With his electrifying new album ‘Agent of Chaos’, singer-songwriter Brad Marino unleashes a pure, unrelenting blast of rock and roll that refuses to hold back. His fifth album is lean but explosive—just 12 tracks, smashing through in half an hour, perfectly balancing power pop and garage punk.

From the first riffs of “Blowing Smoke,” Marino makes it crystal clear—he’s not dialing it down, he’s turning it UP. Tracks like “Calling Your Bluff” explode with a Ramones-inspired drive, yet Marino anchors everything with those hooks. From the opening notes, “Voodoo” locks into an irresistible groove, and “Lost Without You” shows that Marino still cares about melody just as much as attitude. A few tunes seem redundant (“Sick of You”) but a majority of songs here hit the mark. If you’re seeking a sense of jangly nostalgia, you might want to continue exploring the album reviewed above. But, if you’re interested in fast, energetic songs filled with hooks and a sense of grit, Marino has the goods. Highly Recommended.

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The Junipers and Polite Company

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“The

The Junipers “Imaginary Friends”

The Junipers, a band from Leicester, combine psychedelic pop, mid-1960s bubblegum music, and a touch of folk on their most recent album, Imaginary Friends. Starting with “The Swarthy Smith,” a piano-driven melody that veers into bouncy wordless guitar chorus full of “oohs” and “ahhs,” as the sweet “You’re My Sugar and Spice” echoes the Toytown era of pop. “She Looked Up At The Stars” is another gem led by the ever-present mellotron.

The short “Annie Almond” is beautiful example of psych-pop, similar to the singles on Euphonious Trolley EP and “Mary in the Rain” has a McCartney-styled bass line that will stick in your head. The folk-inspired mellow feel of “Red Song” sets it apart, while the groovy, carnival whimsy of “Monkey On My Back” has organ sounds recalling “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!” While not as immediate as I expected, after repeat plays you notice those subtle sonic details that are hidden just below the surface. Highly Recommended.

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“Polite

Polite Company “Please Go Wild”

Alan Gregg (The Mutton Birds, Marshmallow) is trying to make easy listening cool again. And he mostly succeeds on Please Go Wild. A bit like a cross between Cliff Hillis and Andrew Gold, the songs are from Gregg’s POV as he combines pop jangle and with witty lyrics.  It starts with “Circulation,” a catchy song about emerging from a self-imposed isolation. Next the piano driven gem “No Time Like Tomorrow” is the perfect theme for taking time to enjoy more life, and less busy work.

“Barefoot Billionaire” feels like a TV sitcom theme to a show I’d gladly watch, and “Buzz Me In” is another song with a chorus that will stick in your head for sure. Not all of it works, but most of it does. For quirky charm you can’t beat “Second Chance Charity Store,” a familiar suburban fixture with multiple meanings. There are more than enough great tunes here to make this one highly recommended.

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August singles: The Burkharts, Stray Arcade, Late Cambrian, Hubbell Benson, Strange Neighbors, The Junipers

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August is here, and the heat continues. The Burkharts (from Buffalo, NY) strike California retro pop gold with “Always On The Run.” Another band I recently “found” is Stray Arcade, and I “Can’t Complain” about the music – but I want to hear more. Late Cambrian returns with a compelling pop-rock-prog confection that’s loaded with style. If you’re looking for funky pop freebies, we have Hubbell Benson, a New Jersey artist with serious chops. Listen to the pop with jazz flourishes on “Except for Him” and “Need Someone?” Strange Neighbors continues to impress with the single “Crush.” Finally, The Junipers retro-pop sunshine returns with “She Looked Up at the Stars.” Play this on a hot day, and you too can be cool.

Late July: Wifey, The Junipers, The Glad Machine, Joy Buzzer, The Chesterfield Kings, Cherry Fez

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A lot is going on this month. The Brooklyn power pop band Wifey is one of the best-kept secret cool bands. They performed their new single “DiMaggio” at The Broadway (thanks to Steven Korn for the video). Bands that have been quiet for a while have new material, like The Junipers‘ “Annie Almond,” which sounds very much in the mold of the Euphonious Trolley EP, one of my favorite recordings from this band. Plus, after last year’s top-ten EP, The Glad Machine is back with a new single, “So High.” It’s a catchy gem that weaves guitars and harmonies together really well. Next, Joy Buzzer an up-and-coming band that was often seen at IPO last year, is back, with a rocking single “You’d Be Suprised.” And I’m not surprised — that they got signed by Wicked Cool Records. New Jersey veteran rockers The Chesterfield Kings also return with “Fly The Astral Plane,” a groovy throwback to the late 1960s. Finally, Cherry Fez is “Superexcited,” to deliver this new single, and I’m impressed with the combination of pensive vocals and frantic percussion – a great single all around. So much good music. So little time. Enjoy!


The Junipers and Maryjo Mattea

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The Junipers

The Junipers “Red Bouquet Fair”

Few bands understand the instrumental and melodic subtleties of late ‘60s baroque sunshine pop better than The Junipers. The band from Leicester, gives us their third album Red Bouquet Fair as it reminds the listener of Curt Boettcher, Harpers Bizarre and The Millennium. Opening with the light instrumental of the title track, then the piano lights up the ballad “Follow Loretta” and the gentle vocals of “Dig Me Up” include light psychedelic effects enhancing the catchy melody. This approach follows through on most of the music here, Mellotron, harmonies and spacey lyrics giving “Burning Pages” a dream-like soothing quality.

Some additional highlights include “Like A Merry Go Round” and the hushed harmonies of “Summer Queen” and “When the Bird Has Flown.” What is missing is the stronger guitar presence found on past albums. Still this is a highly recommended collection of music.

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The Junipers

Maryjo Mattea “Four Minute Symphonies”

MaryJo is a musician who deals in folk, pop, rock and punk genres, but always with a melodic touch to her songwriting. With this EP the Four Minute Symphonies showcase her strong vocals and understated electric guitar accompaniment in the title track.

“Rocket Science” is an obvious single, with a hummable chorus and strong guitar solo in the break. “We Were Here” is a frantic ’90s pop theme that would work well in a sitcom’s credits. Mattea’s piano torch songs are impressive, if a bit overly dramatic. I prefer the bouncy “Wish I May” which falls in the power pop category with its hand claps and harmonies. Give it a chance on your play list.

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