Review: Air Traffic Controller “The One”

“The One” is the debut album release for both Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and Sugarpop Records, and was produced by power pop/rock maestro Bleu. The main man behind ATC is Dave Munro, who has served in the US Navy as a real-life air traffic controller. The record was born while Munro was overseas, "Making music, at that time, was merely a way of coping with homesickness and a long distance relationship.” He recorded some demos and sent them home, not realizing that he was accumulating a fan base in Boston already. Not before long, an acoustic demo of "Don't Tell Me What To Do" charmed the pants off Bleu, who quickly signed on as producer for this full-length debut. ATC continues to generate additional buzz through a nod from MTV, a performance at the Boston Garden, and finally signing with Sugarpop Records.

“The One” is an impressive debut and, while it has Bleu’s fingerprints all over it, there is clearly a great talent shining through in Dave Munro. Munro has terrific instincts for pop rock and pens lyrics that are earnest and thoughtful. Munro’s voice is vibrant and well-controlled, sounding somewhere between Deathcab for Cutie and The Fray. The record begins with the haunting “Don't Tell Me What To Do”, which creeps up on you with acoustic guitars and quiet vocals, then morphs into a sweeping ballad with dramatic strings. The title track marches straight into your ear with an upbeat melody and catchy “mmm”s for backing vocals – an obvious standout on the record. “You Think You Know” is another perfect pop rock hit waiting to happen, and fans of Jeff Lynne are going to think he’s resurrected the Traveling Wilburys on “Can’t Let Go”. “Rain Song”, a Tom Petty-styled ballad, and “God Had A Plan” are additional highlights to sink your teeth into.

Air Traffic Controller is flying high with this one, so don’t miss it! I’ve been given permission to post "Can’t Let Go" as a free downloadable track for you, so go check it out now (download here)!

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10

Air Traffic Controller on MySpace.

Here is the video of “Can’t Let Go”:

News: Help Bleu with his new CD "Four"

Bleu (reviewed here) is preparing his latest CD, "Four". You can go check out cool album previews, pre-order the CD, and donate to its cause here at the Kickstarter campaign. Check it out today and help make what promises to be another milestone in pop rock music come to light.

FROM BLEU:

hellO,

...thank you so much for visiting my Kickstarter page...i've been working hard on my new record "FOUR" for several years now and i'm oh-so-very psyched to finally get it out in to the worLd....

..the duckets that you donate here will not only get you a whole slew-mess of neato (mosquito) stuff, offering you the best of my (only) talents (such as...my new CD!, a concert in your home, songwriting, dinner cooked by me, or even a full recording-session), your support will allow me to distribute my new record "FOUR" and work with PR companies that can help my music reach more people like you..which will in-turn allow me to make mOre records, mOre often...

....every bit of your contributions will go directly to the distribution and promotion of this record (even the tiniest donations help...)...but if i don't reach my modest goal, the Kickstarter-program doesn't disperse any of the money.....so please, give what you can, so that we can, do, what we, cAN!....(and please help me spread the word to your family and friends who like music!)

...you guys have given me so much over the years..honestly..i would probably not still be making solo-records if it wasn't for all the love and support you've thrown my way...it truly means the worLd to me...i think this is a really exciting time to be making records for, and releasing records directly to...you......programs like Kickstarter will allow us to collaborate, and work towards a common goal...

..i thank you from the deepest-bottom of my weird little heart for sticking with me, and joining me on this wonderful journey....

xo,
-bleu

p.s. this is indeed my dad...and me...when i was 4:

LISTEN to most of "Four" on SoundCloud

Review: Bleu "A Watched Pot"

Bleu needs no introduction to readers of our blog, so I will cut right to the chase and tell you that his new record, "A Watched Pot" is nothing short of brilliant. I believe my hunch that this record would be an instant classic (read here) was right on the money. What does it sound like? Well, not quite "Twisted Sister meets Mister Mister", as Bleu sings in "Boy Meets Girl".

The first thing that struck me about the record was the number of slow to mid-tempo numbers. Nothing really accelerates much except the thrilling E.L.O. flavored "Kiss Me", which could easily have been written during his stint with L.E.O. - reviewed here). Normally a collection of slower tunes would be a turnoff for me, but these songs are so infectious, so meticulously produced, and so well sung that you forget their pace. Bleu sounds better than ever on this batch of tunes, pulling off some of the greatest vocal moments I've heard from him. Sandra McCracken (sounding very much like Sheryl Crow) duets with Bleu on the ballad "When the Lights Go Out" while The Get Up Choir contributes to "One Day", giving both tracks that little something extra to make it special.

To add to the majesty, many of these songs are augmented by a lush orchestral background. Every track sounds like it was written and recorded with "this one is the hit single" in mind (with the possible exception of track 6, which has a most radio-unfriendly title!). My three instant favorites include "Save Me" (kind of like a runaway Train hit), "Come 'n Go", and "One Day".

Overall, "A Watched Pot" boils over with hook after hook, spilling a very satisfying musical meal into your soup bowl...a musical soup so chunky that you'll have to listen to it with a fork.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10

Bleu on MySpace. Official site. At Ning.

Check out the video for "Come 'n Go":

News: New Bleu due! - Pre-order autographed copy!

The long-awaited new album from powerpop master Bleu will finally arrive on July 14 - it is called "A Watched Pot". 12 brand spanking new tracks from one of the greatest forces in the genre today. I've had the opportunity to preview the tracks and what I am hearing so far is OUTSTANDING. Some of the highlights will include "Save Me", "Come 'N Go", and "There's No Such Thing As Love". My initial impression is that this will easily be one of the big powerpop blockbusters of the year...dare I say bordering on instant classic? "A Watched Pot" generally sounds more reflective and slower than previous work, but still laden with sticky hooks and unshakable melodies. A full review will follow in the near future! In the meantime, I suggest you check out some of the new material for yourself at the links below.

There is also a pre-order promotion up at newburycomics.com where you can pre-order Bleu's "A Watched Pot" for $9.99 and also get an autographed CD booklet. Click here for the exciting details.

Bleu on MySpace. Official site. At Ning.

Review: Major Labels "Aquavia"

The Major Labels is the latest collaborative offering from modern power pop kings Bleu and Mike Viola. These guys are veritable fountains of pop songwriting goodness, impressively churning out new material almost faster than we blogs can keep up. However, the Major Labels project hints at a well running dry. There are some really cool tunes that have arisen from this project (noted below), but overall it is a lot of filler. It is not a record I would put on to listen start to finish, but the few tracks I selected for the ol' iPOD will be a pleasure to listen to again and again.

In keeping with the record's theme, which is a well-delivered punch that satirizes the asinine corporate music business, the Major Labels have made the entire record available for free if you send them three email addresses. Details at their MySpace site.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 4, 8

The Major Labels on MySpace.

Review: L.E.O. "Alpacas Orgling"

Bleu + Mike Viola + Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish) + Hanson (!) + many others in power pop = what?

As you may surmise from the band name, you get E.L.O. reincarnated! You won't believe your ears. This record is a true time machine and will take you back to the pop rock genius of E.L.O. And they are not a cheesy tribute band doing lame E.L.O. cover tunes...these are all originals, written as if someone unearthed a time capsule of a new E.L.O. Greatest Hits package that never saw the light of day.

It is astonishing how much they have managed to sound like Jeff Lynne without Jeff Lynne. "Alpacas Orgling" (2006) is virtual pop perfection from beginning to end. Just skip over the useless "Overture" and stop after track 8. Well, there is a cover of E.L.O.'s big hit "Don't Bring Me Down," but it is one of those "bonus" tracks way at the end of the record...which is a pet peeve of mine. There is no need to do this...just make it a track already so we don't have to cue to the damn thing.

All the shimmering pop brilliance of E.L.O. is captured in this effort: lush harmonies, orchestral backing, and downright catchy melodies. Thankfully, the disco-infused E.L.O. is not present...just the straight up pop rock form. If you were not a fan of E.L.O., you probably won't dig this record too much. If you were a fan, you'll be rejoicing.

iPOD-worthy: 2-8.

L.E.O. at MySpace