Review: Arthur Nasson "Echo Garden"

Arthur Nasson, a multi-instrumentalist out of Boston, is releasing his sixth album on October 5th. The record will be called "Echo Garden" and is a low-fi but sprawling three-part suite.

Arthur Nasson has been featured on NPR’s “Here and Now” and KALX’s "The Next Big Thing" w/ Marshall Stax. In 2008 he simultaneously released the retro rock "False Prophets" and the experimental noise work "Life After Telescopes", garnering praise such as, “False Prophets sounds like something John Lennon might have done. It’s varied, but cohesive; melodic, but adventurous."

"Echo Garden" is very similar in the sense that it is diverse and eclectic, a mix of brief instrumental experimentation and straightforward pop and rock songs. For some, the record will go down smooth listened to in its entirety like a full-course meal, but for others, they'll just want the desserts. I find myself in the latter category, despite the intriguing craftsmanship in the instrumental pieces. For example, "Summer Drops" is the verse chord progression of the following track "Bounce" pulled apart, with a series of vocal harmonies added to make it a completely different piece. "Echo Garden Theme Part 1" and "Echo Garden Theme Part 2" are the same chord progressions performed in different styles, with vocals added to Part 2. But if I'm being honest, I could have done without all of these quirky instrumentals and settled for a great EP of his power pop tunes.

Six of the songs spread across the three suites are truly brilliant. Nasson is a master at mixing contemporary and retro styles, possessing a voice that is well-suited to his craft. Aptly titled "Bounce" will certainly put a spring in your step - the driving rhythm and amazing piano playing are real attention grabbers. "The Other Side" is a sharp turn that combines surf guitar and a reggae beat, but it all works because the song is pleasantly catchy. "Unglued", my favorite on "Echo Garden", is a splendid pop rock song with an unforgettable hook. The final suite contains a string of excellent tracks such as "Drag", "Meant to Be", and the title track, collectively bringing this unusual record to a climatic end.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 5, 16, 17, 18

Arthur Nasson on MySpace. Official site.

Review: First Signal (featuring Harry Hess)

One of the most disappointing bits of news in the melodic rock world this past year was the break up of Harem Scarem. Harem Scarem (for a short time also known as Rubber) was arguably the most underrated hard rock band of its time. Formed in the late 80s by founding members Pete Lesperance and Harry Hess, Harem Scarem cranked up the amps year after year, unleashing their brand of melodic hard rock on the masses. Both Lesperance and Hess have released solo records before as side projects, so we were optimistic that we'd hear some echoes of Harem Scarem in the future. That moment has arrived in the form of a new project called First Signal, an alliance between the powerhouse vocals of Harry Hess and producer/bassist Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Khymera).

The concept behind this project was to bring back the classic Harem Scarem sound craved by many fans. A dream team of songwriters, including brothers Tom and James Martin (Khymera, Sunstorm, House of Lords), Erik Martensson (W.E.T., Eclipse), Ronny Milianowicz (Saint Deamon), Robert Sall (W.E.T., Work of Art) and Mark Baker (Signal, House of Lords) among others, had the task to recreate that magic sound, which is now back in all its glory thanks to a monster vocal performance from Hess and a crisp production and arrangement work from Dennis Ward. Other musicians on the album include Chris Schmidt on drums, Michael Klein on guitars and Eric Ragno on keyboards and the necessary background vocals contribution from the other ex-Harem Scarem member Darren Smith.

As you have probably surmised, First Signal sounds a lot like Harem Scarem (it is hard to imagine that anything with Harry Hess at the vocal helm is going to sound otherwise!). Best of all, the band doesn't just sound like Harem Scarem because of the amazing trademark vocals and thunderous riffs...it sounds like Harem Scarem because the songwriting is top-notch, A-one melodic rock. Tons of terrific hooks, anthem choruses, and spine-tingling harmonies.

Things begin with a bang thanks to the upbeat first single, "This City" - a song that is perfect to play while getting ready for a night on the town. "When You Believe" is a stereotypical AOR anthem that could have been found on any Rocky soundtrack. The gears shift down just a bit for the midtempo "Part Of Me", before shifting all the way down for the piano-driven power ballad, "Crazy". "Crazy" is well done - nice chord progressions, good mix of guitar and piano, and a stellar vocal performance by Hess. "Goodbye to the Good Times" is another highlight, with its smoky, blues-tinged verse, sing-a-long chorus, and jammin' solo. "Into the Night" is another upbeat track celebrating the nightlife, and deserves mention for being yet another irresistible sing-a-long. AOR fans will delight in the delicate groove of "When November Falls", a very strong adult contemporary track. I think fans of both new and classic Harem Scarem will find something to enjoy on the First Signal record.

This excellent debut from First Signal will be released August 27th 2010 in Europe and September 14th in the US. Fans of melodic hard rock and AOR rejoice - Harry Hess and company have saved the day! You have to hear First Signal if you like Def Leppard, Europe, Tyketto, and of course, Harem Scarem.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9

Harry Hess on MySpace.

Watch for my interview with Harry Hess...coming soon!

Check out the video for "This City":

Powerpopaholic CD of The Week - Edward O'Connell

We're back with another exciting installment of the Powerpopaholic CD of The Week! Aaron Kupferberg (from Powerpopaholic) tells us about some of the best new power pop records by way of an audio review. This week's featured CD is Edward O'Connell's "Our Little Secret" - just click below and enjoy!



Read Aaron's Powerpopaholic review here.

Classic melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

VAN HALEN "Van Halen" (1978)

Selling over 10 million copies in the US alone, Van Halen's first album was cited as one of the most successful debut ever made. Eddie introduced a revolutionary guitar playing through the blinding and almost impossible shred on "Eruption". Though many stated that tapping technique was first developed by Steve Hackett, it's Eddie Van Halen that opened the world's eyes with his breakthrough invention and heavy metal had never been the same ever since.

The first half is ultimately strong while the second half is a bit bumpy and with couple of decent tracks, it's generally weaker but still doesn't reduce much value of the album. My favorite parts are the immense slow tempo hit of "Runnin' With The Devil", the frenzy tapping of "Eruption", the dancy Kinks cover of "You Really Got Me" , the punchy tune of "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love", the underrated "I'm The One" with Eddie's insane solos, and "Ice Cream Man" which is highly entertaining, and again, the thrilling solos steal the show.

David Lee Roth's place is also as important as Eddie himself, with his flamboyant persona and volcanic charm, they conquered the arenas and garnered million followers. For fans of hard rock, glam, and traditional heavy metal, this is an indispensable and highly influential release that later spawned many great axemen and albums, and after more than 30 years, it just never gets old. Van Halen's first step to the scene quickly propelled them to the height of sweet success and with this monstrous attempt, they definitely deserved it.

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Review: Evolett "For Your Consideration"

From Montgomery, Alabama, Evolett is a female-fronted quintet ready to rock your world. Their name was inspired by the ancient tribal character of Evolet in the film '10,000 B.C.', whose name meant "to bring life". Similarly, the band is on a mission to bring enlightenment and musical life to the masses. What kind of music do they write? In their words, "We write music that we would want to listen to: loud and rockin' but emotional and with meaning. Everything's a compromise and that's reflected in the music and the title."

Evolett features some powerhouse vocals by Haden Brightwell, who has a bright future as a vocalist. Her voice is bold and well-suited to the band's modern hard rock sound, which is expertly delivered by Tyler Gates and Jonathan Flurry on guitar, Stephen Taunton on drums, and Russ Daly on bass. This young band has a great deal of chemistry and already sound like they've been playing together well beyond their years. Produced by Andy Jackson (Hot Rod Circuit, Say Anything, Death in the Park) and Mike Poorman, "For Your Consideration" sounds amazing, with its fat bass, soaring distorted guitars, and aggressive drums mixed perfectly with the vocals.

A one-two punch of "Only Time" and "The Compromise" (the current single) kick things off, promising to pull in fans right at the get go. "The Portrait" is a another worthy tune - less engaging verses, but a terrific chorus that you'll find yourself humming later in the day. While the remaining tunes are good, the songwriting is not quite as strong in terms of delivering irresistible hooks. The exceptions include the radio-friendly "Hang On Every Word" - my favorite track on the record - and the energetic closer, "Careful Where You Sleep".

With most songs not even reaching three minutes, "For Your Consideration" is a great album for those with short attention spans. But to their credit, Evolett take no pit stops for the entire half hour and don't wear out their welcome. "For Your Consideration" comes out August 24th, 2010 on End Sounds record label. Fans of Paramore, Damone, and Taking Back Sunday - don't miss this one.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 8, 10

Evolett on MySpace.

Kneejerk: John Mellencamp - Sheryl Crow - Black Crowes

Kneejerk is a new feature here on BMF - we preview some new releases and give our short, "kneejerk" reaction...



John Mellencamp "No Better Than This"

"No Better Than This" marks John Mellencamp's debut record for Rounder. These thirteen new tracks, produced by the acclaimed T. Bone Burnett were recorded live using a half-century year-old Ampex tape recorder and vintage microphone. Mellencamp says of the album, "It was absolutely the most fun I've ever had making a record in my life. It was about making music - organic music made by real musicians - that's heartfelt and written from the best place it can come from". When I see the name T. Bone Burnett these days, I think boring and slow, and this new one from the great John Mellencamp is no exception. Continuing along the lines of his last 2 releases, this CD is also full of intimate roots rock that sounds very old-fashioned - nothing wrong with that as long as the songs are interesting. Unfortunately, there isn't much on this record that makes me want to come back for a second listen anytime soon. However, the record makes for interesting background music for a Sunday morning. The graceful and modestly melodic "Save Some Time To Dream" was the highlight for me. Dylan fans might appreciate the folksy feel of "Thinking About You" and "Clumsy Ol' World". Here's hoping for a return to the classic Mellencamp sound next time around...


Sheryl Crow "100 Miles From Memphis"

Another huge disappointment from Crow, even moreso than her last record, "Detours" (review here). This record, her seventh, was supposed to capture the soul and passion of music, best exemplified on the opening track "Our Love Is Fading". But all of the horns and blue-eyed soul in the remaining tracks amounts to window dressing on a condemned house because the songs lack any interesting hook as a foundation. A couple of senseless covers also bring down the record - she does a sleepy, lifeless version of Terence Trent D'Arby's "Sign Your Name" and a note by note reiteration of "I Want You Back" as a tribute to the late Michael Jackson, who gave her a start as a backup singer. Keith Richards can't even save the reggae-influenced "Eye To Eye", which goes in one ear and out the other, lacking any ability to get trapped in your mind. Let's hope for next time Crow takes her own advice as she sings on "Peaceful Feeling": "When you fly off in the wrong direction, turn it around, see your own reflection".


Black Crowes "Croweology"

The latest from Black Crowes is not a new studio effort, but rather a collection of greatest hits and deep tracks reworked in a more or less acoustic style. The music of the Black Crowes lends itself well to this format and overall the record, with its mix of recognizable and not-so recognizable songs, is an engaging listen. "Croweology" does stretch the limits of your attention though - it is a double album because most songs exceed five minutes and some clock in at near ten minutes. There is little point in songs like "She Talks To Angels" - which were acoustic-based to begin with - but reworkings of "Jealous Again", "Under A Mountain", and "Soul Singing" are very enjoyable. Not for the casual fan, but it is a great way to cleanse the palate after listening to today's overly processed rubbish.

Review: Death in the Park "Death in the Park"

Don't freak out if your kids enthusiastically proclaim that they want to see death in the park - most likely, they just want to go see the pop punk band calling itself Death in the Park. But I guess it wouldn't hurt to clarify that!

From their bio: "Vocalist Andy Jackson's (Hot Rod Circuit, Say Anything, Terrible Things) inspiration came after the 2007 Warped Tour through his friendship with members of the band Paramore. Later, recalling a song from his favorite band as a youth, Archers of Loaf, Jackson, now with guitarist Ronnie Gardner, chose the name, and Death in the Park was born. This punk quartet (complete with Jake Sloan on bass and Aaron Holmes on drums) out of Montgomery, Alabama, brings new light to the familiar genre and is unafraid to take the next step, to stretch themselves musically, even in the face of creative crisis. Regarding their music, Death in the Park hopes to create a real 'crime scene feel, very Dexter meets CSI, and kind of gory.'"

To my eyes, viewing the band's name and disturbing artwork, which would horrify even Stephen King, I was expecting some sort of unmelodious goth rock or speed metal with incomprehensible cookie monster vocals. But to my ears, Death in the Park sounds a lot like My Chemical Romance mixed with Panic at the Disco. The guitars and vocals are muscular, and the lyrics a bit dark at times, but the melodies radiate. Underneath it all, Death in Park has sharp instincts for pop and catchy riffs, making them prime candidates to cross-over multiple genres and rack up a ton of fans across the musical spectrum.

The record is off and running with a powerful rocker called "Pitifully Exposed", which is quickly followed by the first single, "Fallen", which features some of the band's most compelling lyrics and the amazing Hayley Williams (Paramore) on backing vocals. Additional highlights include the driving pop rocker "Move To The Beat", which boasts interesting verses flanking a tastefully crunchy chorus, and a near power pop tune called "Sway". The band slows things down just once with "Oh You Know", but I have mixed feelings as to whether ballads like this mesh well with their musical style. Fortunately "Walk Away" is a straightforward rocker that ends the record on a relatively strong note, washing the ballad taste out of your mouth.

The self-titled debut from Death in the Park will be available digitally on August 24 and in retail outlets on September 14. Don't judge a book by its cover (or who you're gonna love by your lover) - check this one out if you like Paramore, Panic at the Disco, or Fall Out Boy.

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

Death in the Park on MySpace. Official site.

Free music from The Great Valley "Stripped" EP

Back in April, we were knocked off our feet by the "Wrecking Ball" EP released by Delaware band The Great Valley (review here). Now you can get acoustic versions of the title track as well as "Above The City" from that EP, along with a brand new track called "Don't Need Honesty". Yep - three great tunes from a great power pop and rock band for free! Go download them here.

The Great Valley on MySpace.

Review: The Shamus Twins "Garden of Weeds"

A garden of weeds pretty much describes the music scene these days, but it is also the title of the new long-awaited record by The Shamus Twins. Spearheaded by Jerry Juden and Tim Morrow, The Shamus Twins are all about the "jangle and twang". We last heard from them in 2004 when their self-titled CD made its debut.

For power pop fans, "Garden of Weeds" is an excellent way to spend 30 minutes. The guys have a wonderful sense of melody and can harmonize like there is no tomorrow - seriously, these are truly terrific arrangements. In the half hour it takes to listen to the record, The Shamus Twins run through ten new songs that are largely centered on the pop rock highway, but exit now and then onto sideroads of harder rock ("I Know I Know") or soulful rock ("I Never Been Happy"). While I enjoy the sideroads, the band is at its best on tracks like "You Know My Name" and "Life Is Strange". The masterpiece, however, is "Did You Have To Change", an absolutely charming power pop gem where all of the ingredients gel perfectly. The CD does weaken a bit towards the end - on the last few tracks, the band displays good form at bat but doesn't quite hit the ball.

"Garden of Weeds" gets better with every spin - there is a lot to like on the initial pass, but lots to love on repeated spins. For fans of The Rembrandts, The Meadows, and early Posies.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7

The Shamus Twins on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Garfields Birthday "Tea and Sympathy"

Garfields Birthday is a band from Weymouth (a seaside town on the Dorest Coast of England) founded in the mid-1990s by James Laming and Simon Felton. We've last heard from them in 2008 when we reviewed their record, "Let Them Eat Cake" (review here). Astute readers will also recognize Simon Felton's name as we've also reviewed his solo record, "Failing in Biology" (review here).

Fourteen years is a long time to be writing songs and, as most people know, many more songs are written than those that find their way onto studio releases. "Tea and Sympathy" is a compilation of previous recordings that span the band's career yet never made it onto a full-length studio release. These tunes include early home and studio recordings, some of which were unreleased or included on the 1998 "Ambulance EP". For fans, these sixteen tracks are going to warm the heart and please the ears.

For the uninitiated, "Tea and Sympathy" may not be the best way to get acquainted with the band as most of the material is not among their strongest; some of it also suffers from low-fi production. However, I rather enjoy releases like "Tea and Sympathy" as they provide a rare glimpse into the history and evolution of a band - and on that level the record has a great deal of merit.

Highlights include the opening track, "Ambulance", the only real rocker in the bunch. While I like the upbeat and energetic instrumentation, rockers just don't seem to suit the timid vocals, which seemed to have gotten buried in the mix as well. Plentiful harmonies save the day on this track. "Thick Ear" and "Better Than Reality" should turn some heads halfway through the CD, and the band really hits a high note with the happy-go-lucky feel of "Margaret and Stephanie". "Just An Old Flame" is a charming, stripped down acoustic demo, and the coffeehouse sound suits the vocals well. I also thought "The Norm" was among the more engaging tracks in the collection. A couple songs show the band in experimentation mode, such as "Eye To Eye" and "The Filthy Underground", but the application of distorted vocals is quite irritating. The band is at its best when the music is soft and in sync with the lightweight vocals - and of course it doesn't hurt to invent a great melody to decorate with the music.

Garfields Birthday's mantra is "Indie pop for lost romantic souls". Give a listen to "Tea and Sympathy" to gain a better appreciation for how the band used the last 14 years to polish their craft.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 6, 9, 11, 12, 15

Garfields Birthday on MySpace. Official site.

Classic melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

DEF LEPPARD "Adrenalize" (1992)

The loss of Steve Clark was painful, and with Rick Allen losing his arm few years back, life's been a hard slap for Def Leppard, but did they still bite hard after being silent for over 4 years? Surprisingly, the answer is a big yes, the album debuted #1 in the UK and went triple platinum in the US, quite a record in 1992 where grunge movement had started killing many glam bands.

The punchy anthem and kickin' riffs of "Let's Get Rocked" is a great concert starter. "Heaven Is", a marvelous melodic rock gem, is my favorite together with "Stand Up" and "I Wanna Touch You". "White Lightning" is an interesting lengthy epic that can be boring and brilliant at the same time, it's nice to see Leppard in a different form in this song but wait until you're blown away and left breathless with their greatest ballad ever made, "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad".

There's a big similarity on their musical style in this album with the Canadian rockstar, Bryan Adams' "Waking Up The Neighbours", which also a great album by the way, thanks to the godly-talent of Mutt Lange who handled both artists in the early 90s. Some Leppard fans found that Adrenalize was too typical and sounded like a weaker version of Hysteria, but with those great memorable songs inside, this album works out totally fine for me.

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Interview: Pearl

Check out my interview with Pearl now posted at Rock and Roll Report!

"Pearl Aday, the daughter of rock legend Meat Loaf, has been embedded in the music scene all of her life. She’s napped in guitar cases as a baby and grew up singing back-up for her father from 1994 to 2003, and also sang with the boys in Motley Crue. Now married to Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, she has struck out with her debut record, “Little Immaculate White Fox”. Pearl recently entertained a few of our questions…

Q: It might seem obvious, as the daughter of a rock icon, that you were destined to write and perform music, but was there a defining moment in your life when you realized that you were indeed a “rock child”?"

Read the full interview here.

And in case you missed my review of Pearl's debut CD, you can read that here.

Review: Schnauser "The Sound of Meat"

Schnauser is a trio from Bristol, UK (Alan Strawbridge - Guitar, Vocals; Holly McIntosh - Bass; John Fowle - Drums) that plays a brand of music so refreshingly strange that it defies classification. To call them quirky doesn't quite hit the nail on the head. Their latest, "The Sound of Meat", will be available September 21, 2010, five years after the debut release, "Kill All Humans". The new album contains lyrics just as inventive as the music, covering topics such as "the inglorious fall and inexorable rise of Noel Edmonds, Steven Spielberg's lachrymose remake of 'War of the Worlds', the dualistic nature of a brace of unsettling twins, and the fleeting tribulations of a celebrity TV vagrant."

Amidst the unorthodox blend of styles, each song on "The Sound of Meat" contains at least one element of melody that demands attention. Unfortunately, the unusual arrangements and juxtaposition of styles is going to distract listeners accustomed to more traditional pop and rock. I must admit that I am in the latter category, and therefore gravitate to the more straightforward numbers, such as the spacey groove of "Cosmic Ordering Service and the Elliot Smith sound of "Nobody Loves Me". The bouncy piano and catchy melody within "Justice" showcase some Beatles influence, and the rich harmonies and textures of "Last One Picked" makes this track a standout as well.

"The Sound of Meat" is innovative and original, and not for the musically tame. If you enjoy some experimentation in your powerpop, check out the highlighted tracks - the rest are for the more adventurous listener. Schnauser is for fans of The Flaming Lips, The Shins, and Soft Machine.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 4, 8, 11

Schnauser on MySpace. Official site.

Rachel McGoye and Alex Band discuss "Ghetto Gloss" EP - free mp3

Press release:
"Since releasing her debut EP, "What Day is It?" in 2006, Rachel McGoye has spread her musical wings breaking new grounds on her latest EP, “Ghetto Gloss”. Sexy yet soulful, playful yet poignant, “Ghetto Gloss”, strikes a refreshing chord on love and relationships. Produced and co-written by Alex Band (formerly of The Calling), the melodies have a purpose; the sounds have a mission. From the catchy lyrics of her first single, "Ghetto Gloss," to the beautiful ballad, "Love Me Good," McGoye’s exceptional songwriting talent, earthy presence and rich, serene vocals are winning combinations. Rachel emits a creative energy that doesn’t go unnoticed onstage. Check out this exclusive performance and interview footage taken from her recent performance opening for Alex Band in San Diego, CA."



Interview with Rachel McGoye and Alex Band CLICK HERE

Check out our review of McGoye's EP here.

We also have permission to give you a free download of "Love Me Good" - click here!

Classic melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

EUROPE "Europe" (1983)

If you only know Europe very well from their crucial award-winning "The Final Countdown", then it's wise to start backtracking their old catalogue as this eponymous debut marked the awakening of the mighty Swedish melodic metal giant, featuring the youthful aura and enthusiasm of singer Joey Tempest and guitarist John Norum. Europe opened the new chapter of their career by winning the local rock competition that sealed them a contract deal with Hot Records and also rewarded Best Singer and Guitarist Award respectively to both Tempest and Norum.

Early Europe's music is pure traditional heavy metal and you can listen to the evident tracks such as "In The Future To Come", "Farewell", "Children of This Time" or "Seven Doors Hotel". The latter mentioned song is their best track here and the first single that's successfully turned out as a huge hit in Japan. Other tracks that I like are: "The King Will Return", a typical 70s bluesy hard rock track, "Boyazont" that puts Norum at the spotlight with its killer shred, and a nice acoustical/keyboard power ballad, "Words of Wisdom".

The production is raw and not very good, and aside from a thin and quite sound, the album felt way too short. "Future" and "Hotel" are probably their most memorable tracks from this album, but you also can't miss several other underrated tracks that you can't get from a greatest hits collection. If you like classic hard rock or early 80s heavy metal, Europe's debut is a pleasant pick. Good start!

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Review: 8mm "Love and the Apocalypse" [EP]

Hot on the heels of their sweep of the International Indie Awards and national ads for Nip/Tuck and Yamaha, 8mm announce the release of their much-anticipated EP, "Love And The Apocalypse". The EP features six songs and is available at all major digital outlets. 8mm were founded by producer Sean Beavan (NIN, Marilyn Manson, No Doubt, Envy On The Coast), and his wife, Juliette, who has been described as Jessica Rabbit meets Billie Holiday.

Described as "The glamorous neo-noir love-child of David Lynch, Aimee Mann and Portishead", 8mm has been critically acclaimed and named as one of the Top Bands You Need To Know by Alternative Press and a Buzz Band by the LA Times; they've also been featured on Greys Anatomy, Kings, One Tree Hill, Cold Case, Moonlight, and the Mr. & Mrs. Smith soundtrack.

For those of you who haven't heard 8mm yet, you are missing out on some outstanding adult pop. The songs that grace this EP are mellow and soothing, but never boring. Juliette is a remarkable vocalist, with an angelic voice that floats gently into your ears. Even better, the voice is not wasted on banal pop songs, but is well supported by interesting melodies, contemplative lyrics, and plenty of gorgeous harmonies. We've featured a free download of their brilliant reworking of CCR's "Bad Moon Rising" before (get it here), which introduced you to the vocal talents in 8mm. The "Love and the Apocalypse" EP now proves to us that this duo can write some great original songs as well.

The EP begins with "Los Angeles", a terrific starter that sets the stage with a beautiful piano run to accompany the longing for home in Juliette's voice. The tune also features a great post-chorus guitar part with a rather unorthodox, haunting chord progression - very cool. "Never Go Back Again" is my favorite in the batch, a contemporary piece with a seductive hook in the chorus - a little Tasmin Archer meets Nina Gordon. A final tune I'll highlight is the reflective, laid-back "Life Is Good", which blows over your ears like breezy folk, interspersed with an equally breezy reggae bridge. With bands like 8mm, life is good indeed.

8mm on MySpace. Official site.

Powerpopaholic CD of The Week - Duncan Maitland

I am very excited to announce a new feature here at BMF. We're welcoming Aaron Kupferberg (from Powerpopaholic) as a contributor, who is going to tell us about some of the best new power pop records by way of his new audio review. This week's featured CD is Duncan Maitland "Lullabies For The 21st Century" - just click on the video below and enjoy!



Read Aaron's Powerpopaholic review here.

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: Luke Wesley "Because We Never Talk About It"

It is not all that easy finding piano songs that rock out these days. Luke Wesley is poised to change all that with his remarkably enjoyable debut, "Because We Never Talk About It". Born and raised in Shelby, Ohio, Wesley is now heating up the singer/songwriter scene in New York.

"Because We Never Talk About It" is an infectious pop rock record, plain and simple. Wesley knows how to draw the listener in with catchy piano beats and witty lyrics. He has great instincts for pop and strives to place a tantalizing hook in each song he puts to tape. It is easy to compare him to legends like Billy Joel or Elton John, but there is an air about Wesley that will draw comparisons to Ben Folds as well. His vocals are clear and warm, somewhere between Marc Cohn and Will Hoge.

The songs on "Because We Never Talk About It" are generally upbeat and bouncy, virtually guaranteed to place you in a brighter mood. Wesley wanted to capture his energetic live sound and I think it obvious that has been achieved. The lyrics shoot from the hip, and Wesley succeeds in articulating the honesty that many of us would if we had the courage, often with clever tongue-in-cheek humor. There are many highlights, but for me the cream of the crop include "Pretty Boy", "Here Is Your Ballad", and "Sorry I'm Not Hotter".

A solid piano pop rock record, "Because We Never Talk About It" is a most impressive debut - this CD is going to monopolize my player for months to come. The album was released on June 1, 2010 by Engine Room Recordings. Don't miss it if you like Ben Folds, Josh Fix, or The Fray.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

Luke Wesley on MySpace. Official site.

Rare CD: Logan “One Step Closer”

"LOGAN “One Step Closer” CD. Logan International 1992 / 6 tracks. Incredibly good HARD/GLAM album released in 1992 by this fantastic band from Hostoun-Texas/USA. The sound quality is excelent, all the six songs are powerful and solid, in the same style as early Lillian Axe (Johnny Logan was the first L.A.´s vocalist) Joker (US), Erotic Suicide, Raquel, Dirty Blond and Child´s Play. One of the best Hard/Glam indies out there today, only a few hundred were pressed independently. This fantastic indie is disputed by many, another hyper rare cd."

Sold for $111.27 on ebay.

Rare CD: Sam Harris

"SAM HARRIS (Star Search Grand Champion) Self-Titled Original 1984 CD release

This SUPER RARE and LONG OUT-OF-PRINT CD is in Excellent Playable Condition. CD is Not A Cut-Out. Genuine Made in U.S.A.

This CD includes the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Top 40 Chart hit: "Sugar Don't Bite" in 1984

Track Listings:
1. Out Of Control (3:41)
2. Sugar Don't Bite (4:04)
3. I've Heard It All Before (4:13)
4. Hearts On Fire (4:25)
5. I Will Not Wait For You (4:20)
6. Pretender (3:22)
7. Don't Look In My Eyes (4:08)
8. You Keep Me Hangin' On (4:49)
9. Inside Of Me (5:52)
10. Over The Rainbow (3:01)

CD made by Motown (c) 1984 catalog #MCD06103MD UPC #05010-96103-2
A must own for Sam Harris fans and RARE CD Collectors!"

Sold for $129.99 on ebay.

Rare CD: Bret Michaels "Country Demos"

"BRET MICHAELS
Country Demos
original CD
from 2000
On Poorboy Records / Bret Michaels Entertainment

VERY RARE!

Tracks:
Future Ex-Wife, Hot Dang Mama, The Other Side of Me, The One You Get, Like I Do I Do, Play One For Me"

Sold for $133.50 on ebay.

Rare CD: Stallion “Stallion”

"STALLION “Stallion” CD. Self-Released by the band 1997/ 11 tracks. If you never listened this obscure band from Germany, you are losing a great piece of MELODIC HARD-METAL. Excelent and well structured melodic and powerful songs from the first tracks until the end, the sound is a mixture of the best typical german bands like Accept (“Eat the Heat” era), Jaded Heart, Reward, Steeler, Boysvoice and Crack Jaw"

Sold for $151.50 on ebay.

Rare CD: SAFIRE “Safire”

"SAFIRE “Safire” CD. Self-released by the band 1995/6 tracks. Superspecial aussie MELODIC HARD ROCK indie cd released independently by the band in 1995 in very limited number. In my opinion one of the top 10 MHR indies ever released, ideal for fans of ultra melodic hard rock similar to HotBoy, Touris, Xavier, Friction, Sinnocence, Ship of Dreams and Adrian Dodz. Very catchy album with a powerful voice, marvellous choruses, tremendous guitar/bass work, excelent drums, nice keyboards, and an amazing production for an indie. Absolutely recommended, an obligatory item to any good collection. Very rare cd!!"

Sold for $167.50 on ebay.

Rare CD :Thyme "Luna Beam"

"BAND : THYME
TITLE : LUNA BEAM
LABEL: SMALL INDIE LABEL

HERE YOU GUYS GO NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAVE YOU? THYME IS A GREAT INDIE BAND FROM THE USA THAT PLAYS CATCHY MELODIC HARD ROCK . CD WAS SELF PRODUCED AND IS ROCKER FROM START TO FINISH . CD HAS 10 KILLER TRACKS... MAKE YOUR BID COUNT AS IT WILL NEVER BE SEEN AGAIN AND THIS IS MY ONLY COPY AND IT IS STILL SEALED

Fans of THE MOVIES / FOXX / NVS / BRONX ZOO / SGT ROXX / MATI HARI / FIRE DEPT..... CD IS STILL SEALED"

Sold for $202.49 on ebay.

Rare CD: Roman Holliday "Fire Me Up"

"This listing is for a like new condition CD: Fire Me Up - Roman Holliday. Japan CBS/Sony Pressing # 32DP 190. Ultra Rare.
Track Listing:
1. One Foot Back In Your Door
2. Fire Me Up
3. Strangest Feeling
4. Keep The Night
5. Runaway
6. You Know Me Well
7. Red Turns To Blonde
8. Hear It In The Night
9. I'll Wait
10. A Touch Too Much
11. Don't Take It All Away"

Sold for $249.97 on ebay.

Classic melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

CINDERELLA “Night Songs” (1986)

Cinderella's story began in 1983, formed by leader Tom Keifer and bassist Eric Brittingham where eventually two of the original members left to build another rival band, Britny Fox. With a little luck, Jon Bon Jovi spotted them performing in a club and referenced the band to Mercury that sealed them a recording contract. "Night Songs"' album sales crawled slowly when it was released in 1986, but thanks to the huge ballad hit, "Nobody's Fool", Cinderella seized triple platinum in 1987. Ironically, that song had always become my least favorite track of the album, and in my opinion, it’s probably the worst ballad ever penned by the band.

"Night Songs" featured a 40-minutes high octane rock and roll ride that was highly influenced by AC/DC and listening to Tom Keifer's raspy vocal style, you can't deny the close comparison to Brian Johnson. Their singles, "Shake Me" and "Somebody Save Me", are classic tunes, concert regulars, and definitely their best tracks here. Don't bother to look for any wasteful fillers, the rest are extremely enjoyable from the cool and sleazy "Nuthin' For Nuthin'", the heaviest monstrous track "Hell On Wheels", to the hard kicker, "Push Push".

The sound is raw, signifying a hungry quartet ready to break and crack. If you want to catch Cinderella at their primal start, "Night Songs" won't disappoint. Cinderella moved forward with a more bluesy approach onto their next release, "Long Cold Winter", so it's wise to always start exploring them from this album. Sadly, with over 25 years of experiences, Cinderella only produced four studio albums, and though this ain't their peak, it remains their essential album to have.

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Review: Red Wanting Blue "These Magnificent Miles"

Red Wanting Blue hail from Columbus, Ohio, but they probably call the road their home. They've been in perpetual motion for 10 years now, taking their classic roots rock and pop to every town that would have them. As you can surmise from the title "These Magnificent Miles", their latest record was written while on the road and tells stories of life on the road. These stories provide us with a rare glimpse into the highs and lows faced by a band touring relentlessly and fighting for survival.

"These Magnificent Miles" was actually released in 2008, but since signing with Fanatic Records (EMI/Caroline) earlier this year, the CD will be released nationally this week. The roots rock atmosphere is palpable on "These Magnificent Miles", helped along by two things. First, the rugged baritone vocals of Scott Terry (who sounds like a cross between Brian Vander Ark of Verve Pipe and Vinnie Dombroski of Sponge) are perfectly suited for Americana - a man with such a warm and earnest voice should be doing nothing else but singing. Second, the record was produced by Jamie Candiloro, who has worked with Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, and R.E.M., all of whom could easily share a stage with Red Wanting Blue.

"These Magnificent Miles" starts incredibly strong, opening with "Gravity", a veritable tribute to this physical force. Appropriately, the song pulls you into the world of Red Wanting Blue and doesn't let go easily. Next is "You Are My Las Vegas", another catchy tune with imagery that helps make it a favorite to anyone who has been to Sin City. "Where You Wanna Go" is a ballad with a mild country flavor, boasting yet another winning melody in the chorus. Quick to pick things back up, "The World Is Over" sounds like the perfect bar sing-a-long song. The latter half of the record is almost as strong as the beginning, with "U.S. Bumper Sticker" being another favorite. And don't miss the last song, simply entitled "The Band" - it is not about what you might think.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 12

Red Wanting Blue on MySpace. Official site.

Read my interview with Scott Terry of Red Wanting Blue at Rock and Roll Report!

Review: Pearl "Little Immaculate White Fox"

Pearl Aday is a self-proclaimed "Rock Child" and has every right to that title. The daughter of larger-than-life rocker Meat Loaf, Pearl has never known a day without music. In addition to singing back-up for Meat Loaf from 1994 to 2003, she has done the same for Motley Crue. I guess to ensure her progeny are homozygous for musical genes, she has married Scott Ian (Anthrax).

Just a few bars in to her debut record, "Little Immaculate White Fox", it is easy to hear her primary musical influence - Janis Joplin. Incidentally, her biological father played drums in Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band. Pearl's name comes from Joplin's nickname, which is also the title of her landmark 1971 album. Follow all that?

Pearl's band is comprised of members of Mother Superior, and "Little Immaculate White Fox" features guest appearances by Ted Nugent ("Check Out Charlie"), Jerry Cantrell ("Anything"), and of course, her husband Scott Ian. The record is an explosive debut, featuring powerhouse vocals in the finest rock tradition mixed in with meaty guitar and groovy beats. Paying homage to one of the greats, Pearl has included a cover of Tina Turner's "Nutbush City Limits" among her original tunes.

All of the ingredients for something absolutely mind blowing are here, but what limits "Little Immaculate White Fox" is the uneven songwriting. There are some terrific highlights, such as the autobiographical "Rock Child", "My Heart Isn't In It", "Nobody", and "Worth Defending", but most of the other tracks come up short in the melody category. While the performances and lyrics are good, this is not enough to make some of the songs as memorable as they could be. A final exception is the closing ballad, "Anything", where Pearl shows us that she is 'well rounded' and can deliver an achingly tender love song.

Pearl could be the Joan Jett for this generation - a true, red-blooded rocker who lives and breathes rock and roll. Check it out to hear a truly gifted rock vocalist.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 6, 7, 8, 11

Pearl on MySpace. Official site.

Check out a live performance of "Mama":

Interview: Tony Harnell

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Tony Harnell to talk about his past with TNT and his new solo album with The Mercury Train entitled "Round Trip" (review here).

Q: To start, let’s go back to the beginning – what event took place in your life that made you realize you wanted to rock for a living?

A: I had just moved to New York from California and was driving around in my car, I was about 16, and some local dudes with long hair came up to my car at a stop sign and told me they’d been looking for me for weeks...

Read the interview at Rock and Roll Report!

The Martial Arts - download new song for free

Free download of new track by Glasgow indiepop/power pop band The Martial Arts, first new material since their acclaimed debut album, "Your Sinclair".

Download here!

The Martial Arts on MySpace.

New video - American Hi-Hi "Lost"

The new video from the upcoming CD by American Hi-Fi (reviewed here) - "Lost":

Interview: 10 Years

Hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee, 10 Years is a modern hard rock band that is aiming to make its mark in rock music with its latest record, “Feeding the Wolves,” which follows 2005’s breakout record, “The Autumn Effect,” and 2008’s, “Division.” Before they head out on this summer’s Carnival of Madness tour, alongside Shinedown, Sevendust, and Chevelle, drummer Brian Vodinh sat down to answer a few questions for us...

Read my interview with the band here at Rock and Roll Report!

Free mp3: 8mm "Bad Moon Rising"

Check out this stunning cover/reworking of CCR's classic, "Bad Moon Rising" by 8mm. The mp3 download is yours free, courtesy of Art of Broadcast - get it here.

Review: American Hi-Fi "Fight The Frequency"

Taking a break from being the band behind Miley Cyrus, the members of American Hi-Fi have regrouped to release the long-awaited follow-up to their amazing 2005 record, "Hearts on Parade". Produced by Butch Walker, "Hearts on Parade" has become one of the favorite underground pop rock records of the last decade.

American Hi-Fi is: Stacy Jones on vocals/drums/guitar, Jamie Arentzen on guitar/vocals, Drew Parsons on bass/vocals, and Brian Nolan on drums. And, for the sake of accuracy, not all of them play for Miley Cyrus. American Hi-Fi got off to a wonderful start in 2001 with their self-titled debut album, which contained the hit single "Flavor of the Weak". Unfortunately, nothing else from this notable debut got any traction and their second record, "The Art of Losing", proved to be a sophomore jinx. "Hearts on Parade" had big comeback written all over it, but it surprisingly failed to give these guys the success they deserved. Which brings us to "Fight The Frequency", their fourth time at bat after a long sit on the bench.

Jones describes the new record as sounding "...a little like Elliott Smith partying with the Foo Fighters at a kegger with My Bloody Valentine and Superdrag". For those of you who lack the imagination to conjure up exactly how that would sound, let me try to break it down for you. The title track starts us off, an energetic and inspirational anthem that affirms that the band hasn't lost a step. "This Is A Low" is grittier and not as immediately memorable, but will appeal to those who like the darker side of American Hi-Fi. Three tracks in and we have the first ballad, "Where Love Is A Lie", which begins with a gentle acoustic verse that leads to an explosive chorus - fairly predictable, but enjoyable song nonetheless. "Acetate" is a crunchy radio-ready rocker that could have fit nicely on "Hearts On Parade" - it is one of my favorites on the CD. This brings us to the first single, "Lost". With its safe formula, combining a driving verse with power ballad chorus, it should do well and bring greater attention to this underrated band.

The latter half of the record is uneven, switching between less melodic, grungy songs and the bright, catchy pop rock. Despite second-half highlights like "Lookout For Hope" and "A Taste For Crime", I am likely to stop this CD halfway through.

"Fight The Frequency" comes out on August 17th.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9

American Hi-Fi on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Terra Nova "Come Alive"

Back from a long hiatus, veteran AOR rockers Terra Nova return with "Come Alive", their fifth album. If you miss the melodic rock of the 80s - guitar-driven with generous keyboards and soaring vocals (not to mention an album cover of geometric shapes and blue hues) - Terra Nova is a band for you. They are huge in Europe and Japan, countries where AOR still appeals to the masses, and their latest release is proclaimed to be a return to their much-beloved 1996 debut album "Livin' It Up".

Growing up on bands like Journey, Night Ranger, and Survivor, I have a soft spot in my heart for high quality AOR. Terra Nova carries on this lost genre into present day, bucking current trends and playing the type of music they love. Fred Hendrix is an enormously talented vocalist custom built for AOR. The opener and title track storms onto the scene with an engaging riff and propelling rhythm. The na-nas and staccato guitar of "Holy Grail" will make a lot of melodic rockers salivate, and "Here Comes The Night" hits all the right buttons for a midtempo ballad. With its "Livin' On A Prayer" baseline, "Who Can You Count On" has a groovy vibe and an even better chorus. "My Own Way" has a bit of an unusual verse, but it leads into one of the catchiest choruses on the record. Finally, if you are a sucker for gushy, over the top piano ballads, be sure to check out "Those Eyes" and "The Final Curtain" - they'd make even Jonathan Cain cry.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9

Terra Nova On MySpace. Official site.

New video from Harry Hess

Hot new video from Harry Hess is available for your viewing and listening pleasure! Hess is formerly of Harem Scarem, one of the most underrated hard rock bands of all time. The new song, "This City" carries on the melodic rock tradition Harem Scarem fans are sure to love.

His new solo CD, "First Signal" will be released AUGUST 27th (Europe) AND SEPTEMBER 14th (US).

Review: Tony Harnell and the Mercury Train "Round Trip"

Tony Harnell, best known as the powerhouse vocalist behind hard rock band TNT, is ready to unleash his new solo record called "Round Trip". With his new band, The Mercury Train, Harnell revisits previous material to offer his fans (and hopefully some new ones) a bold, fresh take on his songs. In concept, it is similar to Bon Jovi's "This Left Feels Right", but Harnell makes the effort much more worthwhile.

While stripped down or alternative versions of classic rockers are going to seem sacrilegious to some longtime fans, I feel Harnell has done an amazing job showing us how timeless his songwriting can be. These new renditions are fantastic, bringing even the most dated of his material into the 21st century as if it were written yesterday. His riveting vocals and the brilliantly produced instrumentation are icing on the cake.

Just check out the acoustic-driven sound of "Somebody Told You", "Intuition", and "Lonely Nights" - they blew me away. The tender "Northern Lights" is another outstanding highlight that underscores this man's amazing vocal talent. I also thought his version of the haunting Alanis Morissette track, "Uninvited" was terrific. The bouncy acoustic pop and harmonious "oohs" and "ahhs" make "When I'm Away" another highlight. There are a handful of tracks that are merely interludes, too sleepy ("Ready To Fly"), or just don't quite work ("Satellite"), but generally "Round Trip" is a great, consistent listen from start to finish.

Fans of great acoustic-driven rock are going to love this, whether you have heard of Harnell or not. In fact, it may be an advantage to go into these songs without the bias of the original tainting your opinion. It is a trip you won't want to miss.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 12

"Round Trip" will be available on July 27 in the US.

Tony Harnell and the Mercury Train on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for "Northern Lights":

New James Henry video "The Sun Is Cracking The Flags"

James Henry has released a video for the excellent pop song, "The Sun Is Cracking The Flags". The song is from his latest CD, "Overspill" (review here).

Review: Ratt "Infestation"

Ratt is back with their seventh studio album, "Infestation". After going 'round and round' with original lead singer Stephen Pearcy, the rest of the current Ratt line-up (Warren DeMartini, Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot), Robbie Crane, and Bobby Blotzer) were able to let bygones be bygones. The guys were aiming for their hey day on this one, shooting for songs that could fit in-between their landmark 80s records "Out Of The Cellar" (which spawned their biggest hit, 1984's "Round and Round") and "Invasion Of Your Privacy".

"Infestation" recalls many elements of Ratt's past, but is somewhat updated. While the songwriting and lyrical content sound dated, the guitars sound pretty modern. In my mind, it is Pearcy's distinctive growl that really makes Ratt sound like Ratt. He doesn't sound like he's aged at all - in fact, all of the guys sound great after all these years and deserve an A for effort. The record is big fun, with loud guitar, sleaze, and mostly uptempo rockers.

What is missing here, though, are the memorable hooks that made their classic tunes so awesome. Some of the more commercial tracks could be considered modern day "hits" for Ratt - these are stacked right at the beginning of the CD. The blistering opener, "Eat Me Up Alive" suggests the boys are back with a vengeance, breathing fresh air into a sound that is a clear nod to their "Out of the Cellar" days. "Best Of Me" is the most radio-friendly anthem, and my favorite tune from "Infestation" - it would have fit comfortably on their underrated "Detonator" record. "A Little Too Much" is another fun track with a catchy riff and shout out loud chorus, but the record largely goes downhill after this, with a long string of mediocre hard rock songs that can be summed up as "comes close, but no cigar". In short, Ratt proves they can still rock, but by and large they left the melodic part out.

Fans of Ratt and their fellow 80s rock bands will appreciate the references of the era peppered into the songs here, including a subtle shout out to Van Halen's "Dance the Night Away" tucked into "Last Call", and the mentioned of "Wanted Man" in "As Good As It Gets".

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3

Ratt on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for "Best Of Me" here.

News: Danika Holmes video "Lock Me In Tonight"

Check out the new music video from Danika Holmes (review here):

Review: See Green "Violet" [EP]

Courtenay Green, an alternative pop artist who goes by See Green, has released her new 5 song EP entitled, "Violet". We covered the free mp3 release of the track, "Think Twice" not long ago here on BMF. "Think Twice" is an outstanding tune, brilliantly interjecting elements from 80s new wave into contemporary guitar-driven pop. The song, which reminds me of The Motels at their best, has become one of my favorite tracks of the summer.

The See Green "Violet" EP has more of the same, with the perky "Gold Mine" and "Get What I Want" being especially charming and fun to hear. The closing track, "Fade Away" is a pleasant departure as the sparse acoustic arrangement allows you to fully appreciate the beauty of Green's voice.

"Violet" follows her previous 2008 EP. A jack of all trades, Courtenay Green writes and arranges just about every part of the song, and co-produces her material. She is working hard on her debut See Green record and I for one am very excited to hear it.

See Green on MySpace. Official site.

Check out her video for "Devil in the Details":

Review: The Corner Laughers "Ultraviolet Garden"

One look at The Corner Laughers and you get the idea they would be the hell raisers at every party.



OK, maybe not. But this San Francisco outfit can write some delightfully infectious indie pop that harnesses elements from the best of the girl groups from the 60s and give them new life in the form of contemporary, offbeat pop that features light guitar, ukulele, organ, and the occasional glockenspiel. The vocals have the sweet sincerity of Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer), and are overlayed with clever harmonies with lyrics that are refreshingly cerebral. Think Go-Gos meet XTC. Every track has something to like, but among my favorites I count "Shrine of the Martyred Saint", "For The Sake of the Cat", "The Commonest Manifesto", and "Silver Medal". For those searching for something a bit more eclectic, The Corner Laughers also put their stamp on baroque pop, bluegrass and folk.

A little off the beaten path, but never straying from a good melody, "Ultraviolet Garden" is a smart and charming delight. The record was produced by The Orange Peels' Allen Clapp and released on John Wesley Harding's Popover Corps label. They've performed with some of our favorite power pop artists - Mike Viola and Bleu (the Major Labels) and recently toured the UK with Anton Barbeau. In a business where "art" does not usually equate with commercial success, it is my wish that The Corner Laughers have the last laugh.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 13

The Corner Laughers on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for "Stonewords":

Lots of free mp3 for your weekend

Free mp3 Friday! All of these are free and legal downloads, courtesy of Green Light Go.

Echo Orbiter, From "Euphonicmontage" Release Date: September 28, 2010
“Mouth of an Incomplete Twin”
“This Worm In Rigor Mortis”
Genre: Experimental
For fans of: Elephant 6, Elf Power

Alan Cohen Experience, From "Space & Time" due out August 31, 2010 (reviewed here).
“Arrows of Time”
“The Uncertainty Principle”
“Einstein”
Genre: Anti-folk/power pop
For fans of: Adam Green, Jeffrey Lewis

Sara Radle, From "Four" Release Date: September 14, 2010 (reviewed here)
“Song for Adam”
Genre: Powerpop
For fans of: Jenny Lewis, Regina Spektor, Dum Dum Girls

Neil Nathan, From "The Distance Calls" Release Date: August 24, 2010 (reviewed here)
“California Run” http://www.greenlightgopublicity.com/clients/content/neilnathan/audio/California_Run.mp3
“Highways” http://www.greenlightgopublicity.com/clients/content/neilnathan/audio/Highways.mp3
Genre: Powerpop
For fans of: Matthew Sweet, Cat Stevens, The Go, Marc Bolan

Neutral Uke Hotel“King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1” (Neutral Milk Hotel Cover)
Genre: Indie rock, Cover song
For fans of: Neutral Milk Hotel

The White Ravens, From "Gargoyles and Weather Vanes" due out July 6, 2010
“Sparks”
“Tick Tock”
Genre: Garage rock
For fans of: The White Stripes, Fiery Furnaces

Gwyneth & Monko, From "Good Old Horse" due out July 20, 2010
“Good Old Horse”
“Lexington Ballad”
Genre: Americana/Folk
For fans of: Jenny Lewis, Gillian Welch

Leopold and His Fiction, From the upcoming album TBA
“Golden Friends”
Genre: Garage folk
For fans of: The Black Keys, Kings of Leon, Heartless Bastards