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: Mike Viola "Lurch"

If you’ve never heard of Mike Viola, perhaps you have heard the song “That Thing You Do” from the Tom Hanks movie of the same name. Or perhaps you’ve heard of the band he fronts called, The Candy Butchers. Or his E.L.O.-like band L.E.O. Still no?

Well if you are a fan of modern power pop, you must become familiar with Mike Viola and/or The Candy Butchers. He’s been consistently cranking out top-notch pop nuggets for the better part of this decade, most featuring his storybook style of writing. His signature voice has just the right amount of rasp to put the power in the pop, but not so much rasp that it grates on the ears. Nearly every track on every CD he’s released has a little something that makes you want to come back and replay it – they are THAT catchy.

“Lurch” is his latest independent release (2007), currently available through his official web site. For me, “Lurch” did not have the immediate appeal that his prior releases had, but the many songs that work are true gems. Any fan of Mike Viola should be thrilled with this CD, and newcomers should also be hooked. Others who will be intrigued by “Lurch” includes fans of harpsichord (especially on “Snowman In Tompkins Park”), and fans of the Addams Family theme song (check out the tribute riff on “Girly Worm”). I prefer his masterful modernization of the sunny 70s pop vibe, shimmering through in tracks like “All Bent out of Shape”, “The Strawberry Blonde,” and “So Much Better.” The intricate harmonies on these tracks will blow you away and having you singing along for days.

Mike Viola on MySpace. Official site.

iPOD-worthy: 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12

Check out a live performance of “Girly Worm”:

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