The moody and powerful "Coast Is Clear" sets the stage for the new sophomore CD by Australia's Grand Atlantic. "How We Survive" is out to impress and Grand Atlantic is taking no prisoners. Uncompromising in songwriting quality and recording expertise (the record was mixed by Magoo, whose clientele include Midnight Oil and Powderfinger). Sonically, "How We Survive" sounds terrific.
More important, many of the songs also sound terrific, well-written and harboring to-the-point melodies that aim to grab you quick. Grand Atlantic has a sound along the lines of Carolina Liar or O.A.R., masterfully blending driving modern rock riffs with smart pop hooks and spot on harmonies. But Grand Atlantic doesn't stop there - they pay just as much attention to detail in their thoughtful lyrics.
The first single, "She's A Dreamer" fits this bill being a radio-friendly track that has it all. I like "Freeway" even better, which tattooed itself onto my brain even faster - the track is my favorite in the bunch. Other highlights include "Tripwires" and "Hit n Run/So Cold". Pop fans will delight in singling along with the sha la la of the infectious "Used To Be The Sensitive Type", and Jet fans should take note of "Holding Pattern".
The latest from Ted McCloskey is the musical equivalent of a Supersized ValueMeal. Loaded with 23 tracks, McCloskey's 2009 opus "One Night Bland" record has been divided into two distinct sections: the 'Prefixes', and the 'Remixes'. I initially thought this meant that the first half of the tracks were demos of the second half of the tunes - but that is not the case. These are 23 independent tracks, the 'Remixes' representing recordings first heard on his 2003 debut, "One Man Misery Parade". So set aside a sizable block of time to digest all of "One Night Bland".
The vocals are bipolar - most of the songs have that classic "raunch n' roll" tone - that characteristic rasp that sits somewhere between Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls and Josh Todd of Buckcherry. But during a down-shift in the music, McCloskey appropriately sounds tamer - even tender - and like he didn't spend all night shouting at the waitresses while chain smoking in the bar.
The thing I love most about this record is the spirit - McCloskey is a purist for that classic rock and roll sound and attitude. Even better, he grounds everything with a strong hook in the chorus; as he puts it, his music is like "highly refined chaos". Ted McCloskey has all the swagger of the early Rolling Stones, the innovation of The Replacements, and pop sensibilities of The Kinks. In many respects, Ted McCloskey simply has it all, and "One Night Bland" is so packed with diverse songs I'd be surprised if you couldn't find at least one track that suits your taste. McCloskey throws at you gritty electric and acoustic guitars, slide guitar, harmonica, piano, banjo, and more...in tunes that range from good ol' rock n' roll to bar blues to honky tonk to coffee shop to that thing Beck does (check out "Let-Me-Go-Or-Let-Me-In).
For the Prefixes portion, my personal picks include "Tilt-A-Whirl", "Some Other Planet", and the very Replacements sounding "I'm Gonna Learn You How". For the Remixes portion, it is even more difficult to find highlights as so many of the songs are great, but I'll pick "Misdirected Karma", "A Passing Moment of Thought", "Beautifully Dead", and the terrific ballad, "Even If...". For anyone who loves rock - you need to reserve an evening for Ted McCloskey's "One Night Bland". Excellent, excellent record.
From Charlottesville, Virginia, here comes a piano-driven pop rock band called Tim Be Told (Tim Ouyang, Luan Nguyen, Andrew Chae, Jim Barredo, and Parker Stanley). In their words, "The name 'Tim Be Told' was inspired by the quote 'Truth Be Told', reflecting the band's musical ethos of honesty, hope, redemption, and change." Hot off the heels of winning the 2008 UVa Battle of the Bands, they are back with a new EP, "From The Inside".
You can get a sense of what this band is all about from comments made by singer/songwriter Tim Ouyang: "Music, for me, is the sincerest expression of the human soul. It has the power to heal the heart, and the strength to soothe its anger." Complementing this conviction, the band members are largely self-taught musicians; in other words, they are doing this for the love of the game, and that sentiment comes across loud and clear in these passionately performed songs.
Listening to Tim Be Told is a bit of an adventure, as the tracks infuse a dazzling array of pop, rock, gospel and blues. Lead off track "Analyze" sounds a lot like Train, but then lead single "System" veers into territory marked by Jason Mraz. The jangle and bounce of "Third Wheel" will delight power pop fans, while "Perfect" is a grand and soulful song, so full of gospel and blues influence that Joe Cocker will want to cover it. If you like any of the aforementioned artists, or others such as Five for Fighting or The Fray, you need to give Tim Be Told a try. "From The Inside" is about as heartfelt as records can get, whose diversity should satiate even the most discriminating musical palate.
The Fate Lions, led by songwriter and front man Jason Manriquez, have roared onto the scene with their new CD entitled, "Good Enough For You". It has a pretty lo-fi indie sound, but remains charming and melodic. The best resemblance that comes to mind is The Lemonheads, but also some traces of Golden Bloom (recently reviewed here), Teenage Fanclub, and the early jangle pop days of R.E.M. "Good Enough For You" is "an album title jokingly plucked from Manriquez’ own experiences regarding family and, oddly enough, food". It will be up to the listener to decide how good it is, but after a couple listens I think these guys could have a real future with proper backing and better resources at their disposal.
Manriquez has some keen instincts for pop rock songwriting, and the band incorporates plenty of elements like oohs and ahhs, hand claps, and tambourine to keep things interesting and enjoyable. One thing they should have changed some more is the guitar tone, but at least it is played capably. Manriquez comes across a bit of a slacker in the vocal department, but somehow it seems to fit with the musical and lyrical vibe.
By far and away the best track is "Seen It All", but I'd also like to call your attention to the driving "Starsign", which incorporates clever 70s style backing vocals over a breezy acoustic rhythm, the amusing "All You Do Is Crazy", and the clap-a-long treat, "The Girls Are Alright". "Astronaut" would have also made my list, but the distortion on the vocals was a deal breaker for me.
All in all, Fate Lions ain't half bad - now the question is: Is it "Good Enough for You"?
Bleu needs no introduction to readers of our blog, so I will cut right to the chase and tell you that his new record, "A Watched Pot" is nothing short of brilliant. I believe my hunch that this record would be an instant classic (read here) was right on the money. What does it sound like? Well, not quite "Twisted Sister meets Mister Mister", as Bleu sings in "Boy Meets Girl".
The first thing that struck me about the record was the number of slow to mid-tempo numbers. Nothing really accelerates much except the thrilling E.L.O. flavored "Kiss Me", which could easily have been written during his stint with L.E.O. - reviewed here). Normally a collection of slower tunes would be a turnoff for me, but these songs are so infectious, so meticulously produced, and so well sung that you forget their pace. Bleu sounds better than ever on this batch of tunes, pulling off some of the greatest vocal moments I've heard from him. Sandra McCracken (sounding very much like Sheryl Crow) duets with Bleu on the ballad "When the Lights Go Out" while The Get Up Choir contributes to "One Day", giving both tracks that little something extra to make it special.
To add to the majesty, many of these songs are augmented by a lush orchestral background. Every track sounds like it was written and recorded with "this one is the hit single" in mind (with the possible exception of track 6, which has a most radio-unfriendly title!). My three instant favorites include "Save Me" (kind of like a runaway Train hit), "Come 'n Go", and "One Day".
Overall, "A Watched Pot" boils over with hook after hook, spilling a very satisfying musical meal into your soup bowl...a musical soup so chunky that you'll have to listen to it with a fork.
Ray Mason (a.k.a. Ray Mason Band) is an old school veteran keeping the flame of retro rock alive. Quirky, fun, different, and always better with a few beers, he is back with the new CD, "Like Bugs Chewing on Paper", aiming to please long-time fans and recruit new ones alike.
With his beloved axe, the road worn 1965 Silvertone guitar, Ray Mason smiles and charms his way through another 11 jovial tracks. His voice is pedestrian but friendly, at times reminding me a little of John Hiatt. Mason's vocals beam with so much joy that it is obvious that he is in his element and wouldn't want to be doing anything else, despite 40+ years in the biz. His experience helps carry the record in terms of quality production and the wisdom to build your songs around memorable hooks and riffs. "Lunch Box" and "Eloise Please" exemplify this the most in my opinion.
You won't be "bugged" by Ray Mason if you like chewing on NRBQ, They Might Be Giants, or Marshall Crenshaw. Like the CD cover suggests, Ray Mason is inviting you to a carnival...if you can find the little kid inside you, his music is sure to delight.
Not long ago we reviewed the self-titled EP from notable eclectic pop artist, Alan Cohen (review here). The guy and his mighty 'Orchestra of Personality' have been busy as we've already received the new forthcoming EP, "Eat the Peace", set for release on Election Day (November 3). "Eat the Peace" includes six songs that examine the cycles between war and peace.
For the uninitiated, Alan Cohen Experience (ACE) has a reputation for recording some pretty far out and offbeat stuff, venturing into Frank Zappa territory, but sounding refreshingly unique to my ears. The bizarre lyrics and arrangements made the previous EP intriguing and, well, an 'experience' alright. Comparatively speaking, "Eat the Peace" sounds subdued and calm, almost to the point where it sounds like ACE is running out of energy. Alan Cohen Experience comes up a bit short in the hook department, but on the last EP they made up for that with providing an energetic and wildly dynamic set of tunes. I'm not feeling that on this latest effort. This time out, they use a more straight-forward Southern rock sound to tell a different story for each song.
The noteworthy track that I enjoy most is "Peace", where supporting vocals from Catherine Pierce (The Pierces) really shine (she contributes to "Ranger Stranger" and "Truck Driver" as well).
iPOD-worthy: 5
Note you can grab a couple tracks for free at their official web site - go check them out for yourself!
When it comes to intelligent music that is meaningful as well as entertaining for adults, we don't have a lot of choices. That is where Willy Porter steps in...
Since 1990, Willy Porter has been quietly wowing audiences around the world with his virtuoso acoustic guitar playing, soulful voice, and emotive lyrics. The guitar is stunning - a cross between the guitar gymnastics mastered by Michael Hedges and the pop sensibilities of Lindsey Buckingham. With his latest release, "How To Rob A Bank", Porter has outdone himself. Everything he's learned during his two decades in the trenches culminates here, resulting in one of the most consistently mesmerizing discs of his notable career.
I can't understate how terrific "How To Rob A Bank" is, and it just gets better with each spin. The tunes that don't quite grab you the first go around will sink their subtle hooks into you shortly, and you'll be glad for it. Porter covers a lot of ground on this CD, from his insightful looks into interpersonal relationships through experienced eyes, to a heart wrenching story about a multi-generational family of soldiers, to the despicable corruption in corporations and politics. Musically, he infuses numerous genres with ease while maintaining his characteristic sound, largely due to his acoustic guitar being front and center. These are the kinds of smart, hip songs you'd expect to hear at the end of an episode of House, M.D. Vocally, I would liken Porter's skills to the talents of John Mayer and David Mead.
There isn't a song I don't appreciate, but the tracks I am particularly fond of include the tuneful "Colored Lights", "The Lemon Tree" (probably prompting Paul McCartney to check his catalogue for possible pilfering), the Bob Dylan flavor of the sad but true title track, and the catchy "Psychic Vampire", which seems to be inspired by The Band.
I would recommend Willy Porter for fans of David Mead, Glen Phillips, and Dave Matthews Band. "How To Rob A Bank" will rob your other CDs of their share of your listening time.
I never really gave Mandy Moore a second thought - nice voice, but her discography generally is comprised of unremarkable, corporate teen pop. But then I heard that her new 2009 album, "Amanda Leigh" was making some noise in the power pop circuit, propelled by the fact that one of our modern day power pop heroes (Mike Viola) had a huge hand in writing, performing, and recording this record. With that backdrop, I had to tuck my tail between my legs and get my first Mandy Moore disc.
What a pleasant surprise. "Amanda Leigh" is a clear deviation from her past recordings, so long-time Moore fans should be forewarned: this is what REAL music sounds like! Moore has matured, and Mike Viola's stamp is on every track here - keeping the music organic, throwing out the dumb drum machines, and incorporating his staples of harpsichord and (sigh) toy piano. Moore and Viola were inspired by 70s singer/songwriters, especially Paul McCartney, and you'll definitely hear that influence among these tracks.
By far and away, the best track is "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week", but I would cite "Love to Love Me Back" and "Nothing Everything" as additional standouts. Most of the songs are exceptionally well-crafted and pay homage to their 70s idols by incorporating plenty of memorable hooks and harmony. Unfortunately, the CD is pretty damn dull in the middle, but it starts and ends very well.
Moore has sold over 8 million albums worldwide and now I can say that I am not ashamed that I own one of them. "Amanda Leigh" is not likely to outsell her previous work, but I applaud the new artistic direction her music has taken and look forward to where she is going.
Check out "Amanda Leigh" if you enjoy Kelly Jones, Lisa Loeb, or Mike Viola.
The latest sensation from New Zealand has arrived, and she is now crafting and recording exquisite pop songs in Hollywood. "Right Here" is the solo debut from Boh Runga, lead singer and guitarist of Stellar, Sony's biggest selling kiwi band.
"Right Here" is extremely impressive - Runga's sweet, captivating voice is second only to the sweetness of the memorable melodies she composes. Her pop instincts are sharp and the rock edge shows itself in exactly the right measure. A good mix of ballads and more uptempo numbers keep "Right Here" moving steady, providing a very satisfying listening experience through all eleven tracks. She is liberal with her angelic backing vocals and has recruited some first rate musicians to flesh out her songs, which generally revolve around love, loss, and hope.
There are just too many great songs to pick from, but I will highlight the starting trio: "Starfish Sleeping", "Evelyn" (see below), and "Dark Horse". Also noteworthy is "Be Careful", which features the distinctive voice of Serj Tankian (System of A Down) - how they managed to hook up is probably an interesting story!
Boh Runga is for fans of Tasmin Archer, Nina Gordon, and K.T. Tunstall. A truly excellent debut.
I thought I had seen the last of new releases by Boom Crash Opera, one of my favorite Aussie bands of all time. Over here in the States, BCO was tragically ignored for reasons I've never been able to resolve. At heart they are a straight-up melodic rock band, but their big and bold sound, rich with harmonies and orchestral stabs, gave them a unique sound.
Now they are back with "Dancing In The Storm", their first collection of acoustical renditions of thirteen of the best songs spanning their career. Most of the tracks are from the trio of their most extraordinary releases, including their 1987 self-titled debut, "These Here Are Crazy Times!" and 1993's "Fabulous Beast". I actually doubted how their big and bold rock songs would translate to the stripped down acoustic format, but that was foolish. These songs sound amazing like this and the vocals sound better than ever. Most of the songs are true to the original, with exception of "Talk About It", which has been dramatically reworked into a subdued and haunting piece.
Coming with a DVD of a 1993 MTV Unplugged (Australia) performance, this release is more than worth the money - whether you were a fan or not, I highly recommend you check this out.
Chris Daughtry is now feeling the other side of the double-edge sword of having a phenomenally successful debut album. The former American Idol contestant was subject to one of the biggest injustices in the history of the show by being voted off far too early in the competition several years ago. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, he went on to make one of the biggest selling records in recent times, gracing radio with plenty of melodic hard rock goodness. He is his own hard act to follow.
To help with the sophomore effort, Daughtry has enlisted the songwriting talents of Nickelback's Chad Kroeger, Brian Howes, Mitch Allen, and more. The disc begins with the in your face guitars and the soaring, badass vocals we all expect from Daughtry. After this fierce reminder that he is still a force to be reckoned with, he glides right into the more radio-friendly "No Surprise", following this up with three more pop-based rockers, "Everytime You Turn Around" (a personal favorite), "Life After You", and "What I Meant To Say". After this, the songs are OK, rarely leaving the ballad or mid-tempo pace, and not matching the quality we've heard on the debut. The latter half of the CD is very ballad heavy and grows tiresome, not helped by duds like the country-flavored "Tennessee Line".
Another complaint is that the record seems to be on a mission to impress with the guitars and bombastic production rather than the voice. Daughtry has an amazing voice, but it is a shame to hear it take so few chances and to persistently get buried in the excessively loud guitars. Lyrically, we're also on ho-hum ground: unimaginative and straight-forward, but at least not silly.
The record is solid, but Daughtry is just running in place. In short, the title of the first single pretty much sums up the record as a whole: no surprise. I hope he comes back with a vengenace on the third release to give us the record we know he has the potential to deliver.
Formed in 1985 (!) The Jayhawks have been quietly and consistently releasing masterpiece after masterpiece, pioneering a musical path that blends alt-country and modern folk rock. At long last, the band has blessed the musical community with their first compilation of twenty of the shiniest gems from their treasure chest full of precious stones. All of the essentials are here, from the early tracks on 1989's "Blue Earth" to their last (and my personal favorite) 2003 record, "Rainy Day Music".
That would have been enough, but The Jayhawks have given fans so much more with this package. Included is a second CD and a separate DVD stuffed full of B-sides, rarities, demos, alternate versions, and other previously unreleased tracks. Even more fun, the linear notes include a brilliant piece on the history of the band by PD Larson, as well as detailed stories behind each of the tracks on CD2. If you pick your copy up at Best Buy, you get an additional bonus CD with yet five more tracks. In short, a lot of bang for your buck even if you already own their entire discography. It is an outstanding package for newcomers who need to become acquainted with one of the most influential bands of the genre.
No iPOD should be without all of the songs from CD1 in this comprehensive anthology. As for the other material, die-hard fans will probably love every note, but I find a lot of it to be hit and miss. As with many collections of "residual" material, finding some diamonds in the rough is like finding an attractive person left at last call. I've done the hard work for you...
iPOD-worthy: CD1 - ALL TRACKS CD2 - 4, 8, 12, 14, 16, 17 Bonus CD - 5
Rhett Miller has returned at last with this self-titled follow-up to 2006's masterful "The Believer". During the break he spent some time with his old friends in the acclaimed alt-country band Old 97's to release the excellent "Blame It On Gravity". Frequent readers of this blog have probably noticed my fondness for both the Old 97's and Miller's solo work, and won't be surprised when I say his latest is unbelievable. Readers may be surprised that what I really mean is that "Rhett Miller" is unbelievably mediocre.
Obviously, Miller has been writing an awful lot and perhaps the well is running dry. Most of these songs are devoid of the sweet melodic hooks that make you keep coming back for more, and Miller's vocals come off like he isn't even convinced that these are strong songs. I have spun this record many times now, trying to find something to love, but I can only find things I like.
The element that has remained strong, maybe even gotten better, are his lyrics. "Haphazardly" for example, may be one of his most heart-wrenching yet. So don't get me wrong - this is a good record, but I don't agree with the many folks calling this his best release yet.
Taking its name from President Roosevelt's 1939 New Deal initiative, Works Progress Administration (WPA) is a conglomeration of similarly minded musicians, crafting music that is meant to inspire and enlighten while it entertains. An impressive list of stellar talent has had a hand in steering the music that has found its way onto the self-titled debut record, due September 15. The founding members are listed as Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek), and Luke Bulla (Jerry Douglas Band/Ricky Skaggs/Lyle Lovett), but substantial contributors include Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell), Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello and the Imposters/Randy Newman), and Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello and the Imposters/Cracker). The founding fathers are regulars who interact at the legendary LA club, Largo, which is the very place Phillips recorded his 2003 live record.
As if that isn't enough name dropping, WPA partnered with Jim Scott to do the engineering; he's worked with the likes of Wilco and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. So with all this talent on board, is this project right on track or a messy train wreck?
The twelve songs include some of the "best" of unrecorded material from various members, as well as some tunes specifically written for the project. Remarkably, the record has tremendous cohesion, despite the myriad of styles and vocal tones each team member brings to the table. I'll admit I was attracted to WPA largely because of Phillips, whose solo efforts and work with Toad remain some of my favorite recordings of all time. For those of you who share my taste, be warned that WPA is markedly country and Americana, with lots of fiddle and pedal steel. For those familiar with the 2004 Nickel Creek-Phillips collaboration, Mutual Admiration Society, I think you'd agree that WPA sounds like a logical extension of that effort. It isn't too Hee Haw (with exception of "Wedding Or A Wake"), but it is the most country-flavored release of Phillips' career.
Of course, this is not a Glen Phillips record - WPA is more like a modern day version of The Eagles, with Phillips, Bulla, and the Watkins siblings taking more or less equal turns on lead vocals, with plenty of masterful harmonies throughout (in keeping with the Eagles analogy, they even have a song called with "Already Gone" in the title!). As with most of the other work from these artists, the lyrics are almost always reflective and philosophical.
There is a good mix of slow versus mid-tempo songs, with the disc lending itself well as a soundtrack for watching sunsets on the back porch. Two of the most enjoyable and more upbeat numbers are right up front, "Always Have My Love" and "Good As Ever", and the haunting ballad "Rise Up" is deeply compelling (all sung by Phillips). Several of the other highlights from the record include the buoyant little ditties "Paralyzed" and "You're Already Gone". The album's closing piano ballad, "The Price", tenderly sung by Sara Watkins, is one of the finest songs I've heard this year; it was actually written by Tench more than two decades ago during his tenure with the Heartbreakers.
A more appropriate name for this project could not have been selected. No one is a hero in this outfit, and when egos are sacrificed for the betterment of the whole, you get a success story like the first record from WPA. While some of these tracks take two or three spins to appreciate, each listen brings a new reward. Today's music world needs a New Deal, and the biz could learn a great deal from the spirit driving WPA.
iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12
Take note that if you join the mailing list through their main web site, you can get a free mp3 of "Always Have My Love".
Live Daily have launched an exclusive John Mellencamp signed guitar contest. One grand prize winner will win a copy of the new live CD "Life Death Live And Freedom" along with a Fender Squire Telecaster guitar signed by John Mellencamp.
Don’t miss your chance to score the new release and a sweet piece of rock memorabilia.
One Grand Prize: - Autographed Fender Squire Telecaster guitar arctic white - Life Death Live and Freedom CD
Five Runner-up Prizes: - Life Death Live and Freedom CD
From Salt Lake City we have Michael Gross and the Statuettes, who have just released their new EP, "Dust and Daylight". The music is right at the border of pop and indie rock, so fans of both camps should be able to find something on there that will tickle their fancy.
"Dust and Daylight" sounds distinctly 80s with all the muted electric guitar driving the rhythm and Gross' early Bono-esque vocals. Reminds me of a cross between The Refreshments and Cheap Trick. The production is a bit on the lo-fi side, but does not distract from the catchy riffs and the heartfelt vocal delivery. While no single song is over the top awesome, every single song is pretty damn cool. Some big time production and engineer could take the skeleton of these songs and catapult them to radio-friendly gems that everyone would want to blast out of their speakers.
His partners in crime, the Statuettes, and indeed a little 'stiff'. With some loosening up and additional creativity, the tunes might sound more compelling on each listen rather than tired. Still, "Dust and Daylight" is a solid debut that has a retro rock charm and overall fun vibe - very cool for summer! "I've Been Wrong Before" is the clear outlier here, but "Novocaine" and "You Can't Get What You Want" are becoming more enjoyable with each spin.
