Tag: The Lemon Twigs
Early Christmas in December: The Lemon Twigs and much more!
Well, that time of year is coming closer.
The winds are getting colder. And I’m almost another year older. So let’s open up the presents early. Firstly, The Lemon Twigs are always a great stocking stuffer with the new singles “I’ve Got A Broken Heart” and the garage rocker “Friday (I’m Gonna Love You)” full of joyous “na na nas.” Next, a very child-like response to a Scrooge by The Hilken and Melissa Band with acclaimed singer Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo) on “What’s So Bad About Christmas” and the garage rock of Boston’s premier all-female rock cover band, The Other Girls singing “I’m Not Getting Anything for Christmas.” Both are great new Xmas originals!
The Supernaturals are on their third Christmas EP, the keeper here is “I Won’t Let You Down This Xmas.” But for some anthemic Xmas pop punk, check out Greg Antista and the Lonely Streets. Another treat is The Krayolas, and Beach Boys fans will love “Giddy-up Santa.” Perfecto! But for the pissed off among us, Geoff Palmer delivers his Xmas sneer with “Merry Christmas I Fucked Your Snowman.” But I couldn’t end this with such piss and vinegar. So take a deep breath, and listen to the excellence of Music City’s “Only Home For Christmas.” And the best gift is the band has a new LP cooking for 2026.
April Showers: Corin Ashley, Chris Stamey, The Lemon Twigs, Geoff Palmer, Rocket Rules, Crossword Smiles, The Supernaturals
A massive amount of quality music is coming out now: Firstly, check out the return of Corin Ashley with “Empathy Centre,” with it’s guitar crunch and free wheeling lyric, “The Commandant of kindness would like a word with you…” Next the biggest surprise; a super team up of Chris Stamey and The Lemon Twigs doing a gorgeous Beach Boys styled ballad, and the album is expected this summer. Geoff Palmer returns with his punk pop perfection on ‘Kodak Flash’. Each song here is a winner! Next, this month’s freebie is the dense, lush dream pop of Rocket Rules. Give it a listen with headphones. Another new gem is Crossword Smiles latest “Falling All Over Myself” and the consistently good band The Supernaturals with a new pair of tunes destined for the upcoming album “Show Tunes.” Enjoy the sun, popaholics!
The Alarm and The Lemon Twigs
The Alarm “Forwards”
The list of active veteran rock musicians still writing and performing is dwindling. That’s why we celebrate when they not only perform but continue to create new songs. Sadly this list is narrowed further when you include artists who still sound as good as they did in their prime. Mike Peters of The Alarm has not only survived the test of time but he’s boldly defied leukemia and cancer — and he’s become a legend, earning 16 Top 50 UK singles over the years. The new album Forwards was written while in the hospital during chemotherapy treatments, and vividly describes the persistence and will to continue.
Opening with the anthemic title track, “Forwards” shares a lot stylistically with former tourmates U2, full of ringing guitar rhythm as he sings “I’m living for today,” and the heartfelt ballad “Love and Forgiveness” is a shout-out to those who’ve fallen on hard times. The next big anthem “Next” is another defiant melody as he shouts “I feel alright when I’m with you” to his audience. Other standouts include “Whatever” and “New Standards.” It’s not all great, as “10 X” is a 6-minute plus preachy session, and other tracks don’t really distinguish themselves and seem to blend together. However this will appeal to fans, and for those who haven’t heard Mike since the days of “68 Guns,” I ask “Where have you been?” Check it out.
The Lemon Twigs “Everything Harmony”
Long Island-bred brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario have been raised on classic rock and pop, so it’s in their DNA. As the title suggests they take a much softer approach, and the opener “When Winter Comes Around” recalls prime John Denver or David Gates. Next, the duo confronts the difficult reality of who they are in contrast to how others see them in the song “In My Head,” with sweet harmonizing and a melodic structure similar to Todd Rundgren.
“Corner Of My Eye” is a delicate ballad vocally bringing to mind Art Garfunkel, and the guitars come out for the rare Big Star-like power pop of “What You Were Doing.” While the influences are clear, the boys make unique songs that are clearly Lemon Twigs classics. It is as light and carefree as music can be, yet it is also intricate and full of depth. There are enough stylistic differences to keep things unpredictable and the performances lift the music to a shimmering height when the brothers harmonize. Without a doubt, this is Highly Recommended.
The Lemon Twigs and Juniper
The Lemon Twigs “Songs for the General Public”
Brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario continue their quirky theatrical homage to the conceptual rock of the 70s. They seem to follow in the unconventional path laid out by Russell and Ron Mael (Sparks) with their own Lemon-y glam twist. But it’s unfortunate that they start out with “Hell On Wheels,” a bombastic Meatloaf styled epic belted out by a parody of Bob Dylan. We get it. Its all very tongue in cheek, but a little subtlety would go down better. They add so many influences and ideas into each track it can be disorienting. Like a Chinese dim sum menu, you will find plenty here to like and dislike.
Thankfully the brothers are very talented and can turn on the charm effortlessly. “Live In Favor Of Tomorrow” embraces a breezy melody that power pop audiophiles will love. The piano melody of “No One Holds You (Closer Than The One You Haven’t Met)” is a Billy Joel-Todd Rundgren hybrid that dazzles with its layered composition. The harmonies are equally amazing on “Somebody Loving You” boosting the deep synth melody. Highlights also include “The One” and “Only a Fool” with its prog-pop composition, loaded with minor chord shifts. There is just enough to make this album highly recommended, so check it out.
Juniper “Juniper”
Fifteen-year-old Juniper Shelley, daughter of singer-songwriter Michael Shelley is getting into the family business. Her self titled album displays both a modern teen POV and reverence of pop’s past. “I guess that my musical taste is a mashup of my family’s music and my friends’ music,” she says. “I really like the Beach Boys, the Zombies, and Fountains of Wayne, but I also love Taylor Swift.”
With a bevy of guest stars, from Marshall Crenshaw, Chris Geddes (Belle and Sebastian), to Dennis Diken (The Smithereens) and more contribute here, making Shelley’s modest vocal work shine. “Kids on My Corner” is a real pop gem, with its fast rhyming lyric and catchy percussion. All the songs are timeless girl subjects (a la Lesley Gore) with sweet melodies on “Best Kept Secret,” “Girls Just Want A Boy To Rest Their Head Upon” and the bouncy “Sticking With My Henry.” But it’s not all mush, and the playful set has some great songwriting in addition to the excellent musicianship. Like those early Beach Boys records, it’s bona fide innocence on full display. Highly Recommended.