Melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

TWISTED SISTER “Love Is For Suckers” (1987)

If there's something bad in the mind of TWISTED SISTER's fans regarding this album (apart from the difference in style compared to their earlier albums), it’s that two days after its release Dee Snider announced that he's no longer a part of the band. Beau Hill was behind the production desk and at first, “Love Is For Suckers” was intended to be Dee's solo album - but the label scraped the idea and asked them to release it under the TWISTED SISTER brand.

Considering that 1986 was a year full of commercial hits from fellow glam bands, this album tried to adapt to that climate, producing several songs that had potential for airplay such as 'Hot Love', the title track, 'Tonight', and the ballad, 'You're All That I Need'. I understand if some fans didn't like this at all, because they expected the band to keep playing the raw and wicked hard rock like the old days, but I'm one of the few who enjoyed it a lot.

'Me And The Boys' is another fun track: sounds like an anthem, and even though slightly sloppy at the chorus, this is truly a strong track. 'One Bad Habit' is addictive and as great as 'Hot Love' - these two are the best on this album. 'Yeah Right' is probably the worst filler…if only they replaced it with a better song. Having the remastered version is nice, especially for the four bonus tracks alone.

Beware that if you prefer the olden days, this might not suitable for you; otherwise, it's a solid underrated album and I think deserves a score of 80%.

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Under Cover: It's My Life

Crazy polka version of this Bon Jovi hit. And it's not Weird Al.

Село і люди "It's My Life" (Bon Jovi)

New video: Jet Electro "I'll Never Find Another Girl Like You"

Check out the new video from Jet Electro; the CD was recently reviewed here.



Excellent tune!

Review: Michael Thompson Band “Future Past”

Melodic rock/AOR
Ace studio session guitarist Michael Thompson, who has played for the likes of Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, Scorpions, Vince Neil, and many more, is releasing a new, long-awaited record entitled “Future Past”. Longtime fans of West Coast AOR probably remember his cult classic “How Long” from 1988. “How Long” was reissued in 2007 with 3 bonus tracks, starting a relationship between Michael Thompson and Frontiers Records.

This time Michael teams up with Larry King, the smooth vocalist from the band Soleil Moon. King brings a more rocking edge to the MTB sound but the trademark craftsmanship in the songs that fans would expect have been retained. Beginning with the lead off anthem, “High Times”, the listener is treated to one polished slice of AOR after another. While “High Times” is truly a highlight, my favorite song on the disc is “When You Love Someone” – an absolute winner without a single flaw. This smoldering power ballad draws you in with sultry verses that lead to an amazing chorus. Additional standouts include the upbeat arena-ready rocker “Here I Am” and “Beautiful Mystery”, which sounds like a lost Toto track. “Break Me Down” is also a solid track that grows on you quickly.

MTB’s “Future Past” should be an obvious choice for fans of Giant, Alias, and Foreigner.

Michael Thompson Band – more info.

You Were Robbed – Teenage Fanclub

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!

Teenage Fanclub “Bandwagonesque”

1991 was a tumultuous time for music. But who was honored with Spin magazine’s poll for best album of the year? Was it Nirvana’s “Nevermind”? R.E.M.’s “Out Of Time”? No. It was “Bandwagonesque” by Teenage Fanclub. This band from Glasgow took a markedly different approach on this, their third, record. Leaving behind the dissonant fuzzy noise, they aimed for slick melodies and keen harmonies the likes of Big Star. The change in direction hits fans right in the face with the first track, “The Concept”.



As with most of the other songs on this brilliant record, Teenage Fanclub carved out a unique niche that brought in the grungy noise we craved at the time and combined it with supersweet 70s bubblegum pop. Another fine example of this is the amazing ballad, “December”.



Bringing in their love of 60s groups like The Box Tops, Teenage Fanclub struck gold again with “What You Do To Me”.



And if there was any song that could capture the sentiment of the day and relationships better than “Alcoholiday”, please let me know.



Over the years, the band has released a string of follow up records and shuffled personnel, mostly to mixed reviews. While some songs shine here and there, the band hasn’t quite recaptured the magic that made “Bandwagonesque” such a perfect listening experience.

Time has shown that “Bandwagonesque” deserved to be among the ranks of Nirvana and R.E.M. for that year, but it still remains unknown to too many people. More info on the band can be found here.

Review: Fairchilds “Our Revolution”

Pop rock
Cyril Niccolai, whose interests range from cooking to the study of medicine and law, discovered yet another passion in music. The product of that passion is the debut album “Our Revolution” by The Fairchilds (Vertusent Music Group). This French singer/songwriter is inspired by everyone from Bon Jovi to U2, and incorporates modern influences such as Lifehouse, Coldplay, and the Goo Goo Dolls into his sonic palate. Niccolai wrote more than 200 songs to choose from and selected the top dozen to constitute his debut.

It doesn’t take too long before Niccolai’s songwriting philosophy is evident – he believes everything is linked, “a melody, a mood, some characters, a story... all interdependent”. Boosted by expert production from Jim Lowe (Stereophonics, Foo Fighters), the Fairchilds have delivered a hugely appealing modern pop rock release. Refreshingly, Niccolai strives to keep things positive both musically and lyrically: “My main goal is to distract people from their problems and my music therefore has to be optimistic."

“I Need You” kicks off the set - a tight rocking tune with just the right amount of punch, written about the historic election of President Obama. The track indicates that the Fairchilds mean business. Along similar lines, the title track speaks to his influences by incorporating themes from U2 with the arena rock sound of Bon Jovi. The next series of songs, which includes the first single “Unbreakable”, emphasize Niccolai’s introspective lyrics and thoughtfulness. His knack for wrapping reflective lyrics within catchy melodies is perhaps no better demonstrated than on “Story Of My Life”, which is my favorite song on the record. Defying the label of one-trick pony, “Body of Lies” and “My Name” sound a lot like something Puddle Of Mudd would do, yet I can imagine a pop country artist like Tim McGraw performing “Life Is Beautiful”. Fairchilds refuses to run out of steam as the album closes, crossing the finish line strong with the crunchy pep of “Song 12” before relaxing a bit with the majestic ballad, “Turn Back Time”.

“Our Revolution” is available now on iTUNES and at Amazon. Easily one of the best pop rock releases of 2012. Given that he has 188 “leftover” songs, I hope it isn’t too long before we get another Fairchilds record!

Fairchilds – Official site.

Check out the video for “Unbreakable”

Melodic rock CD of the week

Review: Mr. Big “Live From the Living Room”

Rock
On the heels of their excellent reunion CD, “What If...” (review here), Mr. Big is releasing a new live set entitled, “Live From the Living Room” February 28. The story behind this recording goes like this: “At the end of January 2011, during a weeklong promotion of “What If…”, the band was invited to the WOWOW TV Studios in Tokyo to perform a special show in an acoustic setting. When the talk of a broadcast first came up, the guys wanted to present something different than they’ve ever done before. Thus the idea of an acoustic show came about and a string quintet was brought in to enhance the project even more, with arrangements provided by Takashi Miyazaki. Although Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan hooked up electric on a few songs, the show was still very much acoustic in nature throughout. Pat Torpey played various acoustic percussion instruments during the gig. The result from that magical night in Tokyo is now here: 10 Mr. Big classics in a completely new and fresh dress and a portrait from the very first ever acoustic show from the band.”

Given the sheer talent among the players in this band, and their string of radio friendly melodic rock hits, I was really looking forward to such an album. The musicianship is incredible and comes out loud and clear when played in the largely acoustic format. It is also obvious that the guys are having a great time performing this way. The vast majority of the set includes new cuts from “What If…”, including “Undertow”, “As Far As I Can See”, “Nobody Left To Blame”, “Still Ain’t Enough For Me”, “Stranger In My Life”, “All The Way Up”, and “Around the World”. As great as the new songs are, I would have loved to hear some of the classics done this way. To the band’s credit, they throw in a well done version of their #1 smash “To Be With You”, but that song was acoustic already. With so many outstanding songs from their extensive back catalogue, it is puzzling to me to hear middle of the road stuff like “Voodoo Kiss” and “Take Cover”.

“Live From the Living Room” is sure to please most fans of Mr. Big, but may not do much for the casual fan who enjoys only the older stuff. For anyone with doubts about the unbelievable talent in this band, hearing these stripped down performances should provide unshakable evidence.

Mr. Big – Official site.

Under Cover: Kiss Me Deadly

REEL BIG FISH "Kiss Me Deadly" (Lita Ford)

Check out this rendition of Lita Ford's big hit, "Kiss Me Deadly" by Reel Big Fish. Reel Big Fish inject a little reggae into the song and pump it full of horns too.

Review: Cirrone “Uplands Park Road”

Powerpop
Cirrone is a band of (mostly) brothers: Alessandro Cirrone on guitar/vocals, Bruno Cirrone on bass/vocals, Mirko Cirrone on guitar/vocals, and Ferdinando Piccoli on drums. Banging out their brand of Kinks-inspired powerpop from Italy, their new record, “Uplands Park Road” has been near the top of many best of 2011 lists on the powerpop circuit.

The album was recorded in Italy and mixed in Los Angeles by famed producer Todd Burke (No Doubt, Johnny Cash, and Red Hot Chili Peppers to name a few). The 13 song collection mixes ballads with uptempo rock tracks, with some softer acoustic moments thrown in for good measure. The band strived to make each song strong enough to stand on its own, with an overall mood that is sunny, optimistic and sincere. As we often expect from a group of siblings, these guys deliver some excellent harmonies.

The album, including its upbeat title track “Uplands Park Road”, is an ironic autobiographic picture of the band living in London, trying to get into the Hall of Fame without having any money in their pockets. “Here Is My Song” boasts a breezy acoustic introduction and its groove settles down comfortably into your ears in no time. The talented musicianship is quickly evident in the layers of guitar that support the song structure. “Let The Wind Blow” is another well-crafted piece soothing to the ears, entangling a bit of country flair with Beatlesque melodies. “All I Know” is a contagious mid-tempo rocker with another sing-a-long chorus, while “Brand New Life” is an epic ballad on the scale of “Hey Jude”. As if these tracks aren’t good enough, “How Does It Feel” left me speechless. The band sounds great whether they are rocking along with horns as in “Here We Will Go” or waltzing through a simple fingerpicked acoustic beauty like “In The Sun”.

Cirrone has completed an exceptionally well-constructed set of songs here that no fan of classic or modern powerpop should be without. Check them out if you miss The Beatles, Badfinger, or The Raspberries.

Cirrone – Official site. Get the record here.

You Were Robbed – Hoodoo Gurus

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!

Hoodoo Gurus “Blow Your Cool”

There are any number of albums in the extensive Hoodoo Gurus discography that I could pick as a demonstration of how this Australian band was robbed. But after a fun afternoon of revisiting their catalogue, followed by very careful deliberation, I have to go with 1987’s “Blow Your Cool” to be the biggest head scratcher - why this record didn’t catapult the band to superstardom in the States is the eighth wonder of the world.

The band released two albums prior to “Blow Your Cool”, which were well received at college radio and started earning the guys a rabid following. The debut and sophomore effort, 1984’s “Stoneage Romeos” and 1985’s “Mars Needs Guitars!” are now classics in garage pop rock, but were probably a bit too eclectic for mainstream listeners at the time. But flash forward to 1987 and we hear the band like we’ve never heard them before – slick, polished, and full of radio-friendly hooks. Just give a listen to the kickoff tracks “Out That Door” and “What’s My Scene”:





Can you imagine anything more tasty for late 80s rock radio? How about a duet their touring partners, The Bangles, one of the hottest groups around at the time? But not even that harmonious pairing in “Good Times” could ignite DJs.



The band shared a new dimension of their talent with fans on this record, too, in their first real – and most amazing – ballad, “I Was The One”, featuring some rip-roaring sax that was ubiquitous in the 80s.



The Hoodoo Gurus should have had success in excess of their INXS brethren. If you like “Blow Your Cool”, there is plenty more where that came from, including a new best of collection coming in March entitled, "Gold Watch: 20 Golden Greats".

Learn more about the Hoodoo Gurus here.

Review: Origami Hologram “Bats In The Attic” [EP]

Rock
Justin Kline, the powerpop artist who impressed us with his 2010 EP, “Triangle” (reviewed here) is back with a new sound in the form of an outfit called Origami Hologram. While Kline’s sweet and savory vocals are still recognizable, his signature sound has taken on more of a grungy edge. The guitars are fuzzier, and the production is raw, but Kline’s crafty hooks and vocal tone still work in this context. I’d liken it a bit more to Weezer or Teenage Fanclub.

“Bats In The Attic” features four songs, with my favorite being the most melodic one in the bunch: “Ghost Horse”. The title track is also a highlight, and serves as a proper introduction to Kline’s new sonic direction. Staccato guitars pierce through the verses and lead us into a satisfyingly catchy chorus. “Orange Tree” is another enticing song that follows a similar formula. The only throwaway is the aimless noise of “Cat Fight”.

It costs nothing to try them out – download the new EP from Origami Hologram for free here.

Melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

L.A. GUNS “Waking The Dead” (2002)

2002 is surely a bad year to produce a glam album – who would buy that when nu-metal still ruled the world? But thumbs up to Phil Lewis and the gang, who delivered such a classy release in the midst of a horrible heavy metal year. “Waking The Dead” sees L.A. GUNS trying to revive the sound of their early days, but also attempts to adapt to the current climate, resulting in a 75% classic style and 25% modern touch.

Hits for me here are the opening song, 'Don't Look At Me That Way'; the melodic hard rock of 'Revolution' and 'Lost In The City of Angels'; 'The Ballad' which is quite obvious, is the ballad of this album; the sleazy 'Hellraisers Ball'; and the fast-paced closer, 'Don't You Cry'. 'OK, Let's Roll' and 'Waking The Dead' are okay, the latter has an almost-growl vocal that I believe they’ve never tried before, and 'Frequency' is the worst song here.

I know lots of fans dig this but I also know that much of the 80s generation missed this because they think by 1993 the game was over…but if you can find this record I strongly recommend you buy it. It has those classic punchy riffs, Lewis’ crazy scream, and mostly enjoyable songs. A great criminally-underrated album!

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Cover tune catastrophe: Landslide

Smashing Pumpkins "Landslide" (Fleetwood Mac)

This gorgeous Fleetwood Mac song has been covered by many, but one of the most abrasive to my ears is the version by Smashing Pumpkins. It's really no secret that Billy Corgan can't sing well. Corgan can get by when he's shouting and surrounded by a lot of noise, but when he's naked in a sparse acoustic song like this...yikes. It would have been interesting to hear them do a rocking version of this tune instead of trying to mirror it so faithfully.

Review: Van Halen “A Different Kind of Truth”

Rock
“There will come a day when youth will pass away...”

How many of you actually thought you’d see the day come when the Van Halen brothers (I guess we can say Van Halen family now that Eddie’s son Wolfgang replaced Michael Anthony on bass) would release a new record with former front man David Lee Roth? Diamond Dave always thought it was inevitable, but I am still taking in the moment that has finally arrived. You could feel the energy of anticipation in the air for months now…most of which was instantly deflated with the debut of their new video, “Tattoo”. I was apparently in the minority in liking this song from the get go.

No lie - “A Different Kind of Truth” is very good. The band has taken heat for revisiting some ideas that dated all the way back to the 70s, but what better way to get their feet back in the water with Roth? Longtime fans will be able to spot these elements in the tunes without hesitation. So how are the boys holding up after all these years? Eddie and Alex sound like they are on fire – the record is ambitious, ferocious, and bursting with energy – you can tell they’ve been holed up in studios for far too long and the band is playing like they have something to prove. Dave still brings that certain charm to the fore and while his voice is going a bit and he talks too much during the songs, his lyrical wit remains as sharp as a tack. Wolfgang proves he is a capable bass player, but there are many spots on this record where I can hear the ghost of Michael Anthony chiming in with his trademark backing vocals. Still, the band makes attempts to compensate by crafting excellent harmony vocals on tracks like “The Trouble With Never”.

The first three tunes are an excellent announcement that the boys are back and taking no prisoners. Eddie brings back the guitar solo with a vengeance and Alex is jaw-droppingly good on his drums. “She’s the Woman” sounds like Roth-era Van Halen v2.0. The ultra-catchy “You and Your Blues” is the kind of song that made Van Halen a radio staple back in the day. “China Town” starts off with blistering thunder that recalls “Get Up”, but Roth soon chimes in to make it his own. My favorite tune in the batch is the dynamic yet wonderfully melodic “Blood and Fire” – a record full of songs like this would be a new classic. But then tunes like “Bullethead” and “Honeybabysweetiedoll” seriously take away the melodic momentum – on the plus side, they highlight the greatness of the explosive “As Is” and “The Trouble With Never”. “Stay Frosty” provides a pretty cool acoustic-based break on this otherwise heavy record, but in isolation it isn’t all that memorable. The record ends strong with a double punch of powerful cuts in “Big River” and “Beats Workin’”.

The new record strives to show that the boys are older and wiser, but youth has not yet passed away. It succeeds far more than it falls flat, and I feel younger just listening to it.

Van Halen – Official site.

Check out the video for “Tattoo”, if you are one of the 5 people who haven’t done so yet:

You Were Robbed – Company of Wolves

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!

Company of Wolves “Company of Wolves”

You might faintly remember a tune called “The Distance”, an amazing breakup song that won a smattering of airplay on rock radio in 1990, boasting lines line “You think we’ll work it out in some restaurant…well I’ve got my reservations, girl” and “Guess I’ll never learn to play it smart…if I twist your arm, you break my heart”.



The band was Company of Wolves and this track was featured on their self-titled debut, one of the most "classic rock" records to come along amidst all the glam and hairband clones. Kyf Brewer (formerly of the popular Baltimore band The Ravyns – remember their hit “Raised on the Radio” from “Fast Times At Ridgemont High”?) and brothers Steve and John Conte led the charge, cranking out track after track of melodic rock goodness. Why “Call of The Wild” didn’t catapult these guys above the crowd I’ll never understand.



There are even better tracks here, including the hugely catchy “My Ship”, “Girl”, and the surprisingly moving acoustic ode to a stripper girlfriend, “Everybody’s Baby”.





Drummer Frankie LaRocka, who played with everyone from Scandal to Bryan Adams, would go on to produce The Spin Doctors, but sadly passed away from complications following heart surgery in 2005. Kyf Brewer would go on to release a number of solo records, frequently collaborating with powerpop favorite Cliff Hillis. He now leads a wildly entertaining Celtic band called Barleyjuice. The Conte brothers formed Crown Jewels and you can follow their latest endeavors here.

Company of Wolves is a must have, folks – it is cheap, so track it down today and enjoy.

Review: Jeff Litman “Outside”

Singer/Songwriter
Back in 2009, the NYC-based singer/songwriter Jeff Litman scored one of our favorite picks of the year with “Postscript” (review here). Needless to say, we were very excited to hear new material in the form of his sophomore CD, “Outside”, which is out today.

In the words of Litman: ““Outside” is a record about searching for one's place in the world—professionally, romantically, artistically. Where my first record, “Postscript” is mired in the grief of a recently ended relationship, “Outside” is its slightly jaded, somewhat wiser, but still uncertain aftermath—grappling with the question of what happens next and taking on the struggles that accompany life as an independent artist at this moment in time.” As on his debut, Litman recruited some excellent personnel to make “Outisde” a memorable listen – this includes Andy Thompson (Dan Wilson, Andy Sturmer, Jeremy Messersmith) and drummer Michael Bland (Prince, Paul Westerberg, Soul Asylum). Powerpop fans should also note that none other than Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. (Jellyfish) sings and plays keyboards on the bouncy title track.

For the uninitiated, Litman is a cross between Elvis Costello and Tom Petty in songwriting style and a near dead ringer for Michael Penn in his vocal tone. Mixing their brand of Americana and pop savvy, with the occasional grit of Paul Westerberg (Replacements), Litman has emerged with a record that should appeal to the masses. Opening track and first single, “Over and Over”, is the epitome of this description, sounding like Elvis Costello covering a Tom Petty-penned song. The more upbeat “Runaway” is even more enjoyable in my opinion, thanks to its ear candy chorus. “Chasing My Tail” has a great sunny vibe with a melody that reminds me of “Nobody” by The Replacements...with handclaps to boot! Additional highlights include the acoustic based pop rocker, “Don’t Want To Talk About It”, “Girl Down I95”, “Just Another Dream”, and the sublime “Don’t Do That”. Finally, be sure not to skip over the refreshing changes of pace that include the remarkably beautiful ballads, “Back To You” and the piano-driven “Time Heals Nothing”, the latter of which could be mistaken for another Westerberg song.

“Outside” is no sophomore jinx. On the contrary, Jeff Litman solidifies his reputation as a songwriter focused on melody and thoughtful lyrics. Go to his web site now for a FREE download of “Over and Over”!

Jeff Litman – Official site.

Melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

McAULEY-SCHENKER GROUP “MSG” (1992)

The final album of the duet Robin McAuley and Michael Schenker, which was released in 1992, was the first MSG album I heard. It eventually became my favorite MSG release throughout the band’s entire career. This is an album that was packed with lots of commercial edged melodic rock, powerful ballads, huge harmonic background chants, and thrilling solo. On this record, Jeff Pilson and James Kottak were also strengthening the band’s magical line-up.

"Eve" rolls like an assaulting fireball shot out from Schenker's Gibson Flying-V, reaching the sky with its monstrous chorus. "This Broken Heart" pumps up the tempo and has a danceable chorus. I also love the giant melodic lines in their ballads, "When I'm Gone", "We Believe In Love", and "This Night Is Gonna Last Forever". "What Happens To Me" could have been a wonderful Scorpions track. MSG wisely put the acoustic-based and haunting track, "Nightmare", last – it helps to cool off the heat and closes the album nicely.

This record is clearly a winner to all melodic hearts, and as they have written in the lyric "love like this will never come again", that's what really happened to me with MSG.

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Cover tune catastrophe: You Give Love A Bad Name

I'm not sure what is worse: having your hit rock song sampled by rappers or having it performed this way.

Miracles of Modern Science "You Give Love A Bad Name" (Bon Jovi)

Review: The Outfield “Replay”

Pop rock
The latest record from 80s giants, The Outfield, arrived last year and it has taken me a long time to finally write a review. I have been playing this one on and off for months now, trying hard to find something that I like about it. I’ve been a huge fan of the band since day 1, so I am surprised that I find “Replay” so disappointing.

There was a lot of promise for this record, starting with the return of original drummer Alan Jackman joining John Spinks (guitar, keyboard) and Tony Lewis (bass, vocals). Jackman hasn’t played with the band since he left in 1990 and reportedly energized the group upon his return. Additionally, the advance single “California Sun” was a decent song with a nostalgic feel. Unfortunately, the rest of the record is an exercise in frustration – even after months of trying to get into it, the melodies just don’t stick.

There is no question the guys remain in top form – excellent musicianship, solid vocals, and warm production certainly brings back shades of the 80s. But this is all wasted on surprisingly mediocre songs devoid of hooks or interesting riffs. Outside of “California Sun”, the highlights include “Aladdin’s Cave” (which feels like a sequel to the hit “Voices of Babylon”) and “Wonderland”. I hate to say it, but “Replay” will probably compete with “Diamond Days” for being the least played record in my Outfield collection.

The Outfield – Official site.

In case you missed my interview with the boys in the Outfield, you can check it out - here.

You Were Robbed – Pay The Girl

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!

Pay The Girl “Pay The Girl”

This self-titled debut by the Cincinnati rockers calling themselves “Pay The Girl” bowed in 2003 to deaf ears. After hearing this set of radio friendly pop rock tunes, it makes the mind wonder why they couldn’t sneak above the crowd to match the success of like-minded bands such as Matchbox 20 or Goo Goo Dolls. These songs boast potent production and a perfect mix of gritty guitars with pop sensibilities. Lead vocalist Jason Allen Phelps has a warm rock voice that fits into the band’s tasty rock groove effortlessly.

The track “Freeze” received modest attention at adult rock radio, but should have been much bigger in my opinion. A snippet of the video is below – check it out and see if you agree.



“Beverly” is even more radio friendly with its pop hook aping the megahit “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” from Nine Days. But my favorite track is “All You Are”, a biting breakup song with a huge sing-a-long chorus.



The back half of the record is quite strong as well, with smoldering cuts like “Traded”, “I’m Not Like You”, and the moving closer “We Both Lose”. The chord changes in the chorus are quite unique but a strong melody still emerges that sticks with you.



True, the record is not a masterpiece, but surely deserved more attention than it got. Unfortunately, the band would release no more records after this one fizzled – a real shame considering that their debut was so impressive. I imagine these guys would have reached great heights. If anyone knows what happened to them, let us know!

Review: The Well Wishers “Dreaming of the West Coast”

Powerpop
Throughout the 90s and into the early 2000s, the Spinning Jennies emerged as a popular Bay Area band fronted by Jeff Shelton. In 2003, Shelton assembled a new band to carry the powerpop torch called The Well Wishers. The band has been doing very well – even getting music featured on major network television shows such as “In The Motherhood” and “Parenthood”. “Dreaming of the West Coast” marks their sixth full-length record, which Shelton states is “the band’s most lavish and full-bodied production to date”.

I would describe the sound of The Well Wishers as early Posies covering songs written by Bob Mould. The record is a wonderfully consistent listen from beginning to end, brimming with crunchy riffs and sticky melodies. Among the highlights I would count the jangle pop rocker “Escape The Light” (a pronounced 80s R.E.M. feel on this one), the Cheap Trick-styled “Allison”, and the arena rock stomp of “Tonight”. My favorite in the bunch is “Here Comes Love”, which is textbook powerpop perfection. Also be sure to check out the quirky but fun “Have Some More Tea” – it is actually a cover tune originally recorded in 1967 by the underground UK mod-pop trio called The Smoke. Props to Shelton for mining the archives to dust off this gem! And somebody tell me if “Truth Is Coming Home” doesn’t sound like it belongs on “Dear 23” by The Posies. To put it in a nutshell, “Dreaming of the West Coast” is one of the first “must have” powerpop releases of 2012.

The Well Wishers – Official site.

Melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

SHY “Shy” (2011)

It's ironic and extremely sad to see a great guitarist create an awesome album that can match his peak in the 80s but then he passes away that same year. Hearts go to Steve Harris and his family for this catastrophic loss, but on a positive note SHY brought a fruitful record with a new singer, Lee Small, to replace the iconic screamer, Tony Mills, who went to their competitor, TNT.

'Land of A Thousand Lies' is an incredible start. After a long intro, the track blasts into a monstrous melodic hard rock tune with a chorus that is utterly mind blowing. SHY combines the classic style with heavy metal, as evident on tracks like 'So Many Tears' or 'Pray', which are both fantastic tunes. Lee Small caught me by surprise with his superb singing technique – at times, I slightly prefer him over Mills because there's a point that you grow tired of the glass-breaking shrilling shout of Mills.

But they also crawl back to their AOR roots. 'Only For The Night' and 'Over You', for instance, are flawless 10/10 quality songs. The uptempo 'Live For Me' reminds me of JOURNEY's classic, 'Separate Ways'. 'Ran Out of Time' and 'Save Me' aren't as good as those three, but still winners in my book.

However, there's volatility in the songwriting and I spot some weaknesses in at last four tracks. 'Breathe' is a predictable ballad, if not generic. 'Blood On The Line' isn't really interesting, 'Sanctuary' is actually pretty good but too long, and 'Union of Souls' is the weakest link. The production isn't great - you've heard lots of other albums that beat this sound.

SHY has largely accomplished a difficult mission to offer an outstanding album for the great year of 2011. I rated it 85% and placed it at #12 in my final list. A solid record and a legacy of Harris to be remembered!

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Cover tune catastrophe: "Stairway to Heaven"

Far Corporation "Stairway to Heaven" (Led Zeppelin)

If you ever wondered what the epic "Stairway to Heaven" would sound like filtered through the cheesy stylings of the 80s, wonder no more. Far Corporation was the brainchild of record producer Frank Farian, who recruited some 80s hot shots like vocalist Robin McAuley (who recently departed from Survivor) and some boys from Toto (including Bobby Kimball, who recently did a duets album with Jimi Jamison, who just reclaimed his position as lead vocalist in Survivor). At any rate, this tune polluted the airwaves in 1985 and marked the first time the legendary song entered the music charts since Led Zeppelin never released it as a single. Frank Farian would go on to injure our ears even more with his creation of Milli Vanilli a few years later.

Review: Jet Electro “Jet Electro”

Powerpop
I had a feeling I was going to enjoy this record as soon as I saw all the 70s memorabilia decorating the room featured in the digipak artwork. Even better, there were several references to Alfred E. Newman and MAD magazine, further suggesting I would appreciate the sense of humor of the lyricist.

That lyricist is Craig Daniel, the guitarist of Poplord, a notable powerpop band we’ve featured here several times before (see here). Jet Electro is Daniel’s alter ego, “the forever young musical super hero”. The self-titled debut record contains 11 songs, each with a different set of musicians. Despite the revolving door of musical personnel, Daniel’s songwriting and vocals still deliver a cohesive listen built around a theme of musical autobiography.

The life story begins appropriately with a tune about mom, “I’ll Never Find Another Girl Like You”. Radiating with an AM radio vibe, this song is one of my favorites – a classic powerpop treasure with wonderfully crafted melody lines. Horns, played by musicians found using craigslist, add flair to the Memphis soul inspired tune, “Buckle Up”. “For Sale By Owner” is another upbeat highlight, as is “This Baby Of Mine”, a Beach Boys flavored ode to a 1965 Cadillac Deville. There isn’t a love song to be found on the record, but Jet Electro offers an honest explanation in the beautifully fingerpicked piece “I Don’t Know How”. The record ends the story of this life with “Through”, an engaging romp with gorgeous retro chord changes and cool falsetto harmonies. Some of the tracks are a bit too offbeat for my tastes, such as “Walter Cronkite” and “100 Girls”, but overall this is an impressive and captivating debut sure to please powerpop lovers of all stripes - including fans of Poplord.

Jet Electro is recommended if you like Todd Rundgren, The Beatles, or The Raspberries. Pick it up now at CDbaby or iTUNES.

Jet Electro – Official site.

You Were Robbed – The Posies

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!

The Posies – “Dear 23”

The dynamic duo behind the The Posies is Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow, who first started writing together in the mid-1980s. Their 1990 record, “Dear 23” is an undisputed masterpiece of acoustic-based, hook and harmony driven pop rock. The record gained some momentum and became an instant favorite of many in college radio, but for some reason The Posies failed to become a household name.

What I find so captivating about “Dear 23” is the shimmering sound of those beautiful upbeat acoustic guitars, lifting the expertly crafted melodies to lofty heights. Auer and Stringfellow simply sound magical together, and to top it all off they wrote songs that had deep meaning. I can’t imagine anyone taking a listen to “Golden Blunders”, “Suddenly Mary”, or “Help Yourself” and not being impressed.



If not, try the more contemplative ballads like the brilliant “Apology”, “You Avoid Parties”, or heartbreaking “Everyone Moves Away”.



The Posies released a couple very good follow up records during the 90s, with each release gravitating more towards a harder, darker edge at the expense of that bright acoustic sound that won over their initial fanbase. Auer and Stringfellow have released numerous solo projects, but none that could ever capture the chemistry of their work as a team. In 2010, The Posies reunited to release their seventh album, “Blood/Candy” (reviewed here), which was hailed by many as a welcome return to form.

As we often see with these tragically ignored releases, they are available for pennies. So you have no excuse for not getting yourself into The Posies now!

Review: Brian Vander Ark “Magazine”

Singer/Songwriter
Brian Vander Ark has been quietly cranking out one amazing record after another since going solo from the underrated band The Verve Pipe (remember their big hit, “The Freshmen”?). His latest, “Magazine”, continues to impress with insightful (and often amusing) lyrics and engaging melodies. The record was completed once again with immaculate production from Bill Szymczyk.

As you might gather from the cover art, Vander Ark’s fourth solo release has a lighter tone in sharp contrast to the more somber predecessors. It would seem that he’s been moved lately by love and family, perhaps an extension of The Verve Pipe’s 2009 children’s record, “A Family Album”. But Vander Ark, thankfully, is a complex character and it’s sometimes hard to tell when he is being sarcastic. But one thing is undeniable: these songs possess many of his trademark catchy hooks and this time out they are generally housed in brighter, poppier song arrangements. The charm of “No Getting Over You”, “Just Another Heartbreak”, and the bouncy rhythm of “My Independence Day” exemplify this sunny attitude. “Miracle Mile” is a welcome Vander Ark standard – a gentle track fingerpicked on guitar with some light piano as accompaniment – damn near sounding like a classic Billy Joel song. If you enjoy Vander Ark’s ballads, you also won’t want to miss the beautiful love song, “On The Day I Fell”.

Other notable cuts include a homage to his home state in “Michigan Coast To Coast” (he knew Kid Rock when he was just a kid) that anyone from The Wolverine State will appreciate. There’s also an epic storytelling track called “My Little Town” co-written with Jeff Daniels (yeah, the ‘Dumb and Dumber’ guy!) complete with a hint of country twang. His satirical look at the social networking craze is encapsulated in the tune “Facebook Friend”.

As Vander Ark advises, “Every mile can be a miracle mile”, every record by this guy is a little musical miracle.

Brian Vander Ark – Official site.

Melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

ROXY BLUE “Want Some” (1992)

If only "Want Some?" was released 4 years earlier, Roxy Blue could have enjoyed big sweet success. But with all eyes on Nirvana and the gang in 1992, MTV only gave them a little spot for one of their songs, "Rob The Cradle", and Roxy Blue just vanished into nowhere. However, for many hard rock fans this album is considered one of the great records of the 90s, with "Times Are Changing" being one of their power ballads that was still occasionally aired on the local radio.

Produced by the legendary Mike Clink, who's responsible for GNR's “Appetite For Destruction”, their sound fell between Skid Row and Poison with high-octane guitar shredding. "Too Hot To Handle" cranked up the heat, "Luv on Me" showed their tender side, and the best-of-it-all is the loudest fast-paced "Love's Got A Hold On Me". They were a badass band with bad timing but this is an impeccable and stunning album that should be in your collection.

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Cover tune catastrophe: Raspberry Beret

Hindu Love Gods "Raspberry Beret" (Prince)

The Hindu Love Gods is basically R.E.M. fronted by Warren Zevon. They teamed up in 1990 for a one-off album that flopped. Their attempt to cover Prince's big 1985 hit "Raspberry Beret" sounds awful to my ears, extracting all of the joy out of this song and making it sound more like an Americal Idol audition gone horribly wrong. See what you think...

Review: Butch Walker “The Spade”

Singer/Songwriter/Rock
Readers of this blog should be well acquainted with our love of all things Butch Walker (see here). Walker got his start with the glam band Southgang, achieved one hit wonder status with his spectacular post-grunge alt rock band (The Marvelous 3), and is one of today’s most heavily sought after record producers. Along the way, he’s consistently cranked out numerous solo records filled with sharp melodies that are branded with his wry sense of humor.

The ten songs on “The Spade” were written and performed with Walker’s band, The Black Widows, with some help from Patrick Keeler of The Raconteurs. As expected, each song sparkles with Walker’s masterful production and rewards the listener with an abundance of tasty hooks to savor. Leadoff single “Summer of ‘89”, a nod to the Bryan Adams hit “Summer of ‘69”, is a fantastically nostalgic piece that is a modern song about life in the late 80s (video below). Lots of the other tunes allow Walker to indulge in his love of throwing different decades of sound into a single melting pot, as you’ll notice on “Every Single Body Else” and “Bodegas and Blood”. Be sure to check out the soulful rock of “Sweethearts”, the superb falsetto harmonies of “Day Drunk”, and the satirical “Synthesizers”, which has a distinct Dexy’s Midnight Runners feel in the chorus. The record doesn’t end as strong as it begins, although “Bullet Belt” has a terrific chorus worth holding out for.

For fans of Butch, you also don’t want to miss his autobiography, “Drinking With Strangers”. Check it out here.

Butch Walker – Official site.

Check out the video for “Summer of ‘89”

You Were Robbed – Avion

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!

Rock
Once upon a time, there was a brilliant powerpop band named The Tories. After their breakup in 2002, ringleader Steve Bertrand formed a similar band with a slighter rock edge called Avion. Their only album (self-titled) is one of the most criminally ignored masterpieces of modern pop rock – it should have represented the sound of the new millennium.

Joined by his bandmates Josh Dunahoo (guitar), Joey Clement (bass), Ben Hazlett (guitar/keyboards), and Jamie Wollam (drums), Bertrand purposely set out to make every song on the Avion record radio friendly. Needless to say: mission accomplished. The record begins with a Tories holdover called “Would You Notice”, which is the perfect introduction to Bertrand’s songwriting skills and warm vocals. With an instantly memorable chorus, the song seemed destined to be a radio smash, but the band was robbed. I couldn’t find the Avion version, so here is the one by The Tories:



An Avion video I could find is to the majestic ballad, “Seven Days Without You”, another tune that should have been a radio staple in 2004.



Other highlights off this release that are ‘must-hears’ include the driving mid-tempo number “Beautiful”, “Perfect From Now On”, “The Best Is Yet To Come”, and the gorgeous piano-driven ballad, “Love Is Here Again”.

Steve Bertrand has gone forward to release a solo record in 2007 called “Pain Is A Megaphone”. It is a more subdued affair with an abundance of ballads, but fans will enjoy hearing his buoyant vocals once again. You can get all the Tories, Avion, and Bertrand records dirt cheap so there’s no excuse not to enhance your music collection today with all of these gems.

PS: If you dig this type of music, James Guffee is another ex-Tories band member who released an incredible solo record in 2005 called, “So Much for Secrets”.

Review: The Maine “Pioneer”

Rock
Here come the fireworks baby. Formed in Phoenix, Arizona, the Maine scored a major label debut in 2009 with “Black & White”. The band is back now with their third full-length studio album, and they decided to go back to the independent way of doing things. “Pioneer” was written and produced by the band and was released on their own label called Action Theory Records in December 2011. In the words of the band, "This record represents persistence, passion, and the failure to give in when all around have given up.”

“Pioneer” opens with the slow burning rock of “Identify”, which gently creeps into your senses with its haunting verses, then voraciously stamps its imprint onto your memory with its pounding chorus. Some fuzzy Hendrix guitars open up another gritty rocker in the grandiose cut, “My Heroine”. Venturing into more commercial territory, “Time” is a radio-friendly treat for the ears – my favorite in the bunch. Other highlights include the melancholy feel of “Some Days”, “Don’t Give Up On ‘Us’”, and the summery feel of “Like We Did (Windows Down)”. There is also a track called “Thinking Of You” that seems custom built for the pop rock fans, featuring a bouncy piano riff in-between the crunchy chorus.

Overall, these songs are sung with earnest and the lyrics are often above the cut. Dynamic guitar tones mix classic and contemporary sounds, making “Pioneer” a very engaging release.

The Maine - official site.

Melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

VAIN “Enough Rope” (2011)

Vain has always been considered a second-rate glam act but they have more talent than what appears on the outside. Davy hasn't left the building since their late-coming, “No Respect” (1989), which is hailed by many as one of the most underrated records of the 80s. Vain has also split opinions, mainly because some people just can't stand Davy's nasal and whiny singing style, but the dark vibe and his enigmatic charm on “No Respect” underlines how great that album is.

“Enough Rope” tries to bring back that feeling and in my opinion, it's a superb come back that successfully takes you back to their prime era. Not only is Davy's vocal still as strong as ever, but the whole album is comparable to “No Respect”. The difference is “Enough Rope” leans more on the hard rock/heavy metal side while the debut sounds sleazier - but the songs are solid on both albums.

“Greener” is an awesome start and the chorus is totally addictive. “Triple X” is a heavy metal monster with a splendid display of riffs. The perfect track here along with the title track and “Vain”. Rumor has it that around 4-5 songs were actually taken from old demos while I suspect maybe at least 5-6 songs, and that's why the vibe is so similar. “Cindy's” intro riff reminds me of Maiden's “Wasted Years”- a good song anyway!

“Treasure Girl” is an awesome acoustical ballad, “Distance of Love” has that creepy feeling that Vain has on the debut. “Worship You” is similar to “Beat The Bullet” and definitely serves as a perfect closer. The production is great, especially when considering it's an indie album. It's hard to pick which one is better, but many will choose “No Respect” only because they've played it more than 1000 times. In the end, I might prefer “Enough Rope” a bit better. A superior release that has climbed to my top 5 of 2011!

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Cover tune catastrophe: Welcome To The Jungle

One of the most intriguing cover concepts I've heard in sometime: the great jazz artist Etta Jones does her interpretation of a classic rock anthem. The reworking just doesn't work for me, nor does it provide a chance to let Etta shine, so what's the point? It's gonna bring you down...huh!

Etta James "Welcome To The Jungle" (Guns-N-Roses)

Review: Eddie Grey “The Love Thief”

Pop/rock
The debut release from singer/songwriter Eddie Grey, “The Love Thief” is a schizophrenic mix of styles and influences, incorporating elements of funk, soul, and even a touch of reggae. It makes for an inconsistent listen and leaves an impression that this artist hasn’t yet decided who he wants to be. Then again, some people are going to appreciate the variety and wild jumps from pop funk to straight up rock. Vocally, Grey deserves credit in being highly adaptable to all these different genres, sometimes reminding me of Freddy Curci (Sheriff, Alias). However, the lyrics leave quite a bit to be desired. One thing Grey has going for him is a budding instinct for good pop hooks, no matter what musical landscape he is exploring. If you want to hear the tunes with a solid rock edge, check out “Hideaway” or “One Week”. If you want that island experience try on “Just Say It” for size. For fans of adult contemporary ballads, check out “My Only Thoughts Of You”. My favorite track in the set is the catchy mid-tempo number “Guys and Girls”.

Eddie Grey – Official site.

We’ve been given permission to offer you “Mary Go Round” as a free mp3! Here is the link: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1332554580/4d8a9569d8b720ba9b4214dd62328745

You Were Robbed – Material Issue "Destination Universe"

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!



Powerpop
At the dawn of grunge, Material Issue went against the grain to deliver concise pop rock songs stuffed to the gills with hooks and sensational harmonies. While most people would site the full-length debut “International Pop Overthrow”, from which the famous powerpop festival derived its name, as the best album by Material Issue, I will go against the grain and announce that their sophomore effort “Destination Universe” (1992) is my favorite. Blessed with astounding instincts for tasty melodies, this trio of Jim Ellison, Ted Ansani, and Mike Zelenko wrote some of the greatest pop songs of the early 90s, besting idols such as Cheap Trick during this decade (“Woke Up With A Monster” anyone?).

“Destination Universe” is devoid of filler and provides a wonderfully satisfying listen from the opening rush of the single, “What Girls Want” to the closing riffage of “If Ever You Should Fall”.



While “What Girls Want” did earn the band a little bit of attention, tracks like “Next Big Thing” and “Don’t You Think I Know” should have launched this band into superstardom. Ellison had a knack for writing about the everyday things in such moving ways.



“Who Needs Love”, “Girl from Out of This World”, and “The Loneliest Heart” also feature stellar powerpop arrangements and insightful lyrics. The record also houses one of my all-time favorite songs - the deceptively simple and achingly beautiful acoustic ballad, “Everything”. How could this not have been a hit? Wrong place at the wrong time, I guess.



The record was followed by another strong release in “Freak City Soundtrack”, but in 1996 chief songwriter, guitarist, and singer, Jim Ellison took his own life. You may be able to catch Mike Zelenko and Ted Ansani performing under the name of Material Reissue. Fans may also be interested in picking up the recently released "20th Anniversary" edition of their breakout record, “International Pop Overthrow”.

Review: Danny Echo “Unplugged and Unglued” [EP]

Rock
You may recall that we raved about the debut record from Danny Echo back in 2009 (see here). Danny Echo, who counts the Rolling Stones, The Who, Beatles, Radiohead, and U2 as influences, is back with a new five song EP of stripped down songs (to be released January 24). Overall, these tunes hold up very well in the unplugged format, allowing Danny Echo to showcase his vocals and shine the spotlight on the quality of the songwriting. The subdued yet engaging “Help Yourself” leads the pack, setting the perfect stage for this collection. The contrast of some soaring electric guitar floating atop the acoustic base of “Barely Getting By” is sublime, and be sure not to miss the beautiful and contemplative closer, “Never Make It Home”. “Unplugged and Unglued” is a welcome treat for fans, but I imagine this one is not going to hold them over for long.

More about Danny Echo: here

Melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

ROBIN BECK “Trouble Or Nothing” (1989)

After a long and exhausting wait since her flop of a debut, "Sweet Talk" in 1979, Robin Beck finally rose to fame with the Coca-Cola commercial hit, "First Time" – which is featured on this album. Under the big name of Desmond Child and several cover songs, "Trouble Or Nothing" offers something more than mere popsicle hits - it qualifies as a gorgeous AOR record that let’s Beck’s beautiful voice shine.

Many songs to love here like "Don't Lose Any Sleep" - a melodically enticing mid-tempo rock, "Hide Your Heart" - an incredible rendition of a KISS track, "Save Up All Your Tears" - the sanctuary for the broken hearts, or even the heart-throbbing "Tears In The Rain" with trembling words that could probably make you cry.

There are no weak fillers on this album as every song has its own strength. With such a perfect voice, Robin should have been bigger. If you can read this now, then you're lucky because you're not missing a piece of information to the essential album in the history of rock diva. Big thumbs up!

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Cover tune catastrophe: Imagine

In this ongoing series, I will uncover some of the WORST cover tunes ever recorded. We’ve all encountered that unsettling feeling upon hearing a beloved song redone by another artist. What were they thinking? How dare they try to redo this song! While we are powerless to prevent these clowns from trashing the originals, we can call them out on it.

Cee Lo Green - "Imagine" (John Lennon)

In this live performance from New Year's Eve, Cee Lo Green covered John Lennon's masterpiece, "Imagine". I don't know what is more horrific - the way he absolutely butchered the singing of this song or his immensely disrespectful changing of the lyrics (he sang "all religion is true" instead of "and no religion too").

Review: Trucker Diablo “The Devil Rhythm”

Hard rock/metal
WOW. This hard rocking outfit from Northern Ireland formed in 2008 and their January 3, 2012 release of “The Devil Rhythm” (on Ripple Music) is destined to set fire to the stale offerings on the current platter of modern hard rock. You may have been lucky enough to catch them on tour with Black Stone Cherry in Ireland; if not, you can catch them at the 2012 Hammerfest being headlined by Anthrax.

Trucker Diablo should have wide appeal amongst rockers of all stripes – they use thick, crushing guitars making them sound like they belong right alongside of other modern rock champs like Shinedown or Three Days Grace, but they write melodies with chord progressions made famous by the glam bands of the 80s. Most bands simply don’t have the skill – or smarts - to mesh the old and new school rock, but Trucker Diablo gets the job done and then some. They even pull some blues and Southern rock in on occasion (check out “Voodoo” or “Rattlehead”).

The explosive opener, “Drink Beer, Destroy” should be your new party anthem for 2012 – I can’t think of a better track to set the stage for raising a little hell. The metal riffs of “Juggernaut” will put your heart into overdrive. With its muscular riffs but intensely melodic chorus, “Big Truck” has got to be one of the best driving songs of all time, and happens to be my favorite track. Need a pick me up anthem? Try “Stand Up and Fight” on for size. “Dirty Love”, one of the more radio friendly tunes, is also worth checking out (not a cover of the Thunder hit of the same name). Most of the other tracks have plenty of power but not as much melody, but the CD still plays great when listened to in its entirety.

Other notable features about this release include the appearance of Ricky Warwick (Thin Lizzy) on “Juggernaut” and endorsements from Joe Elliot (Def Leppard) and Dee Snider (Twisted Sister). What more could you ask for?

For more information about Trucker Diablo, click here.

We're looking for a few good music writers

Now This ROCKS! is looking for MUSIC WRITERS!

We’re sending out a call for music writers who would like to have their articles, reviews, or features posted on Now This ROCKS! We specialize in all forms of melodic rock and pop, and we welcome the opportunity to have you contribute to the site. Please send your idea and a writing sample or two to jesterrec@aol.com if you’re interested!

You Were Robbed - Marty Casey and Lovehammers

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!


Modern rock
Marty Casey was the runner up to J.D. Fortune on the reality show Rock Star: INXS. This self-titled 2006 effort – which you can find used for only a penny – is a modern rock extravaganza that no fan of Nickelback or Theory of a Deadman should be without. Marty Casey and Lovehammers have a sound that captures the power of Shinedown but retains the commercial hooks that have carried the Goo Goo Dolls to the top of the charts. Casey is a knockout vocalist and superb songwriter, but this record just didn’t set the world on fire for some reason.

While “Marty Casey and Lovehammers” is their major label debut, the album contains a collection of re-recorded songs from previous indie albums released by The Lovehammers. The opening three tracks, “Casualty”, “Hold On”, and “Trees”, represent a hat trick of radio-friendly rock, putting muscle behind lyrics of encouragement and empowerment. More hooks await you in the driving “The Tunnel” and post-grunge affair called “Eyes Can’t See”. Just as good are mid-tempo rockers like the pleasant “The Riddle” and “Call of Distress”. As far as ballads, don’t miss “Clouds”.

The band released a follow up in 2009 once again as just The Lovehammers called “Heavy Crown” that I look forward to checking out in the near future.

More on Marty Casey here.

Check out a video for “Trees”

Review: Michael Addison “Always You” [EP]

Singer/songwriter
From the outskirts of Philadelphia to the University of Arizona to L.A., singer-songwriter Michael Addison has been developing a pop rock sound based around influences including Goo Goo Dolls and Dashboard Confessional. His new EP features 8 songs and contributions from Christine Wu (Justin Timberlake/Usher) and Ryan Hoyle (Collective Soul). Largely built up from an acoustical guitar base and frequently incorporating complex harmonies, his style is going to be embraced by many fans of pop and folk rock. His vocal tone reminds me of John Wesley Harding, so I think he’s going to appeal to a limited subset of listeners.

“Always You” is the clear standout on the EP - an infectious, upbeat little tune that stays in your head for days (video below). Nothing else comes close to the remarkably catchy title track, but “Let You Go” and “Last Words” are certainly worth a listen. If Addison can write more instantly likeable tracks like “Always You”, big things should come his way.

We’ve been given permission to let you download “Always You” for free! Check it out here.

More about Michael Addison here.

Check out the video for “Always You”

Best Records of 2011

It’s that time of year again my fellow melodic pop and rock fans! This is not a comprehensive “best of” by any means, but a list of some of the releases I heard this year that truly stand out in my memory. Being human with only 24 hours in the day, I obviously can’t listen to everything, so if I missed something here post it and let us know! Here’s to another great year ahead in finding the best music in 2012!

To find our review for most of these artists, find them on the alphabetized list on the right panel. The lists below are not in any particular order.

Powerpop
Genuine Fakes
Caddy
Lannie Flowers
Chris Alvy Band
meyerman
Wellingtons
Jellybricks

Rock
Readymade Breakup
The Trews
Rationales
Canon Logic
Sixx A.M.
Foo Fighters
Daughtry

Pop Rock
Still Spark
The Rationales
Fire Apes
Ocean Grove
DanseWolf
R.E.M.

Melodic rock/AOR
VEGA
Mr. Big
Work Of Art
Mike Tramp
Kimball Jamison
Mitch Malloy

Singer/Songwriter
Scott Bricklin
Ari Shine
Richard Snow
Freddy Monday
David Mead
Butch Walker

Review: Various Artists – “Guilt By Association Volume III”

Indie rock/glam
Yes I struggled to type that weird label, but on “Guilt By Association Volume III” you’ll find some of the finest indie rock bands covering favorites from a bygone era best known for hairspray, Spandex, and cheesy lyrics. Say what you want about the glam rock bands of the 80s - they always knew how to write a great sing-a-long melody with fist-pumping choruses. Having their tunes stripped down and reworked by these modern bands is going to ignite some passionate mixed emotions. Fans of indie rock with a soft spot for glam (all 7 of them) are going to love every track on this record. Fans of the glam bands are probably going to think that this amounts to blasphemy. But music lovers who aren’t limited by a love for a single genre are going to find a lot of entertainment on this record.

For this newest installment from Engine Room Recordings, the songs had to be chosen from 80s “hair metal”. You’ll hear theSTART cranking through the Crue, Helmet crushing Loudness, and Elk City covering “Heavy Metal Love”. Some of the experiments don’t work at all – the worst offenders being the electrodance rock of Malibu’s Shark Attack version of Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name” or My Cousin, The Emperor struggle to sing Extreme’s “More Than Words”.

Fortunately there are more highlights than duds. Canon Logic starts things off with a speedy piano-driven version of Cinderella’s monster ballad, “Don’t Know What You’ve Got (Till It’s Gone)”. None other than the great Mike Viola covers Ratt’s “Round and Round”, reworking it as a haunting acoustic track. Some of the more intriguing cuts include a sparse reworking of Winger’s pedophile hit, “Seventeen”, which sounds no less creepy when sung by a woman. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Common Rotation’s acoustic rendition of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister and the downshifted version of Europe’s hit “The Final Countdown” by Farrah. Madison Square Gardeners, sounding very much like Gavin DeGraw, do a groovy version of Poison’s “Nothing But A Good Time” that wins the day for me.

Not sure what to think about this concept? Well, we’ve been given permission to share this free mp3 file with you: check out “Don’t Know What You’ve Got (Till It’s Gone)” right here.

More info here.

Review: The Cry “The Cry”

Rock
Hailing from Portland, OR, The Cry wears their influences on their sleeve. If you share their love for The Beach Boys, The Who, Nick Lowe and The Sweet, then you should love The Cry. With an album full of 12 songs that are no nonsense, short and to the point, the band is clearly aiming to craft a new set of 2 minute pop songs for the modern era. The Cry sounds like a 60s jangle pop rock band that just stepped out of a time machine. The vocals have a confidence and swagger about them that is very Rolling Stones, and the chord changes and do-wop harmonies are right out of the 50s songbook. More than just a throwback, The Cry is electrifying and they deliver a remarkably consistent effort on this record with no ballad to be found. It’s a little raw and terse, but that only helps them capture the vintage sound they’re after. And if you come upon a song you’re not crazy about…don’t worry, it will be over in just a couple more seconds! Standout tracks include “Sleeping Alone”, “I Think I’m In Love”, “Such A Bore”, and “Modern Cinderella”.

The Cry – Official site.

Review: The Wellingtons “In Transit”

Powerpop
I’m really glad I listened to this one before the end of the year or else I would’ve had to revise my highlights of 2011 list, which will be posted soon. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, The Wellingtons have released 3 albums in 7 years, drawing comparisons to the likes of fellow powerpop icons like Fountains of Wayne and The Posies. Their latest is a near masterpiece free of filler, and the fact that they have both male and female lead vocals keeps things interesting. The band incorporates a tasty dose of keyboards reminiscent of The Cars and plentiful bubblegum pop harmonies. “Keep Me Holding On” (video below) is one of the more rocking tracks, venturing close to Simple Plan. “I’m Feeling The Same Way” is a better representation of the jubilant pop this band does best. Other highlights include “Adamant”, “Your Love Keeps Bringing Me Down”, and the sublime “Baby’s Got A Secret”. If you are in the mood for something slower but no less melodic, try “I Fell For You”. Hands down one of the strongest records I've heard all year, especially the first two-thirds.

The Wellingtons – Official site.

Check out the video for “Keep Me Holding On”:

Review: The Jellybricks “Suckers” [EP]

Powerpop
There is good news and bad news surrounding the new release from powerpop outfit, The Jellybricks. The good news is that “Suckers” doesn’t suck at all, which leads me right to the bad news…it’s only an EP. The Jellybricks school wannabe powerpop musicians with these 7 tracks, but they are so good you’ll wish school was in session for another 7 more!

Nevertheless, let’s not discount the release or the band because of the brevity. “Suckers” might be classified as hard rock candy, as these tracks generally have more of an edge than previous Jellybricks fare. Take the crunchy riffs of “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide” as an example – this opener is a stupendous song that has a lot of gusto but not at the expense of euphoric harmonies and a catchy chorus. “Their Own Way” coasts along a more familiar road for this band and is a simply gorgeous ode with words of wisdom. “Sold” boasts another round of intelligent lyrics with a shout out verse sandwiching a golden chorus swirling with harmony. “Dead End Girl” is the standout ballad, with melancholy melodies surrounding the biting lyrics. The EP concludes with the bonus track “Beryllium”, a cool track that edges into Blink-182 territory, and an acoustic version of an old favorite, “Who Is God 2011” (originally on the 1997 record “Kinky Boot Beast”).

“Suckers” is a tremendously enjoyable EP from a consistently great band – lick it up.

The Jellybricks – Official site.