Review: The Silver Liners "Just Like The Rest"

The DC music scene is predominated by indie pop these days, but The Silver Liners (Jay Nemeyer, guitar/vox; John Patton, guitar; Matt Hartenau, drums; Dan Miraldi, keys/vox; Ray Remesch, bass) just want people to get rocked. The boys have just released their seven song EP, "Just Like The Rest", which is available on iTUNES, Napster, and Amazon. The band has been featured on DC101's Local Lix and they've earned a finalist position in the Last Band Standing Contest. Now, they are hoping to reach out to the ears of rockers all across the US.

While you could safely describe the sound of The Silver Liners as modern rock, there are clear hints of 90s alternative rock influence. The combination works well and is going to be pleasing to fans of Foo Fighters to Fall Out Boy. We like them because The Silver Liners strive to craft a melody that stands out and hooks the listener - and generally they nail it. It is also refreshing to hear keyboards once again in rock music - Nemeyer has done a remarkable job incorporating the keys in tasteful fashion. The band's potential is maximized on infectious tracks like "Heard It From A Friend", "Inside Your Head", "Cheer Up Alex", and "Like Clay". Vocals are solid, but to my ears they seem drowned out at times because too much effect was applied.

"Just Like The Rest" is a fairly impressive start for a new band - keep at it, guys. You keep those catchy melodies coming and The Silver Liners will make a CD that can go gold.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 6, 7

The Silver Liners on MySpace.

Review: Oranjuly "Oranjuly"

Oranjuly is: Brian E. King (songs/arrangements/recordings, vocals, guitar, keys), Jordan Weaver (guitar, vox), Chris Erickson (bass), Greg Souza (keys, vox, trumpet), and Lou Paniccia (drums). This powerpop outfit takes its name by merging King's favorite color with the month he was born. Conveniently, their self-titled debut record bows next month.

The first track Oranjuly throws at the listening world is an epic performance called "Her Camera", which combines a retro organ bounce with modern searing guitars. The song, peppered with clever harmonies reminiscent of Queen, is merely a prelude to what this new band can do. "Mrs. G" comes on strong with cheerful piano leading the way to one of the catchiest choruses on the record, augmented with handclaps, soulful backing vocals, and a gleeful synth solo right out the 80s. The smart mid-tempo ditty, "I Could Break Your Heart", keeps the party going strong with a 50s dance beat juxtaposed against contemporary guitar tones. No one else has pulled off such an effective combination since Weezer's early hit, "Buddy Holly". Additional highlights include the sizzling "Personal Ads", the groovy "Hollywood Blues", and "207 Days", which has an intro that reminds me of Christopher Cross.

You can't help but have a good time hearing these ten songs - Oranjuly has delivered once of the most impressive powerpop debuts in recent memory, expertly taking the guilty pleasures of our musical archives and breathing new life into them.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9

Oranjuly on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Laurie Biagini "A Far-Out Place"

Based on her music, I would have guessed that Laurie Biagini was from sunny California. But no, she is cranking out her retro surf pop from Vancouver BC, Canada. Her latest CD, "A Far-Out Place", picks up where her debut record, "Ridin' The Wave" left off, and was inspired, unsurprisingly, by a 2008 adventure in California.

Biagini's songs have been written, composed, performed and recorded by herself - so she is either very talented or the ultimate control freak. Perhaps she is a little of both. Her sound is undeniably influenced by the Beach Boys, and her brand of beach music is some of the most authentically inspired I've ever heard. Her vocals are somewhat androgynous (think Kyle Vincent), but it is her extraordinarily well-crafted harmonies that will truly impress. Biagini could have easily replaced the B-52s girls.

All of the elements of classic powerpop are present and accounted for on "A Far-Out Place" - harpsichord, multi-layered doo-wop harmonies, and be-bop beats. It is hard not to feel like you are at a beach party with feel-good tunes like "A Far-Out Place", "A Beautiful Dream", and, of course, "Another Old Lazy Lyin' On The Beach Afternoon". But not all of her lyrics are as anachronistic as her music - take the Jerry Lee Lewis sounding "Crazy People On The Internet" for example. Other highlights include the catchy rocker "Leave Me Alone" and "Not The Only Pretty Fish In His Sea". And if you are in the mood for something slower, Biagini has "Sweet Dream Symphony" to offer, sounding like something right out of the Brian Wilson songbook. Fans of The Carpenters will want to take note of "Rockin' My World Like You Only Know How".

If you are a fan of the Beach Boys, Mamas and the Papas, Jan and Dean, or even the B-52s, you won't want to have a record collection without some Laurie Biagini. As her closing track, "I'll Be Back Again", implies, she is currently working on her third album, and preparing for her upcoming live performance at the International Pop Overthrow Festival on August 25 in Vancouver, BC.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13

Laurie Biagini on MySpace.

Check out the video for the title track to "A Far-Out Place":

Review: Neil Nathan "The Distance Calls"

Neil Nathan's debut record, "The Distance Calls" merges 70s-style jangle pop with modern singer/songwriter smarts. The fusion is best exemplified with his gorgeous take on the E.L.O. classic "Do Ya", which Nathan has stripped down to bare essentials. It is a brilliant interpretation of a jubilant pop song, and nod to Nathan's core musical influences. The CD itself, which looks like a vinyl record, is another nod to the era Nathan embodies.

“This is the first record I’ve done where there’s a balance to my sound. Bobby [Harlow] was able to successfully marry my harder rock side with the singer/songwriter in me,” says Nathan. "The Distance Calls" contains songs that will appeal to a wide audience, including fans of Cat Stevens to Matthew Sweet.

Nathan's vocals could easily be mistaken for Cat Stevens at times - most notably on the aching ballad, "Don't Walk Away". But Nathan does more on this record than pull at the heartstrings with his sincere balladry - he can make you want to get up and dance, like on the bluesy rockers "Get On" and "Never Enough". Additional highlights on "The Distance Calls" include the cheery jangle of "California Run", the catchy mid-tempo anthem, "When The Rain Falls", and the powerpop gem "Too Late". And just when you think Nathan might have run out of steam, he perks you up with another sizzling roots rocker, "Better Be Goin'", which reminds me of Bread when they rocked out.

"The Distance Calls" will be available August 24, 2010.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 13

Neil Nathan on MySpace. Official site.

Free mp3: See Green "Think Twice"

Now here is a really cool song by a female-fronted pop rock band called See Green. The track "Think Twice" can be downloaded here for free - it has a great 80s feel to it and just makes for a great summer tune.

See Green on MySpace.

Free album: Jonny Rumble "JR"

Rock Proper is excited to release one monster of an album, Jonny Rumble’s "JR" promises to be the anthem of the summer. You can pre-order the vinyl version here.

Go here to download the entire record for free.

Try as I might, I just can't get into this. The record has a cool sound - a rough and tumble roots rock with some quirky experimentation - but the hooks just aren't strong enough for me. My favorite track was "Handgun Blues".

Jonny Rumble: Official site.

Interview: Kopek

Dublin’s Kopek get honest about the dying industry, working with Grammy winners in studio, and “White Collar Lies” - read my interview with Kopek at Rock and Roll Report.

In case you missed the review of the new CD from this outstanding rock band, check it out here.

Review: Felsen "Accidental Drowning"

"The story of Felsen begins with drummer/producer Andrew Griffin, heard all over San Francisco and beyond for years as co-founder of the famed East Bay Wrecking Crew, a rhythm section for hire that has supported literally hundreds of local bands over the last six years. As a sideman, Andrew has toured and recorded with the likes of CAKE, Vince Welnick, members of Camper Van Beethoven, Jonathan Richman, Viv, The Bloody Lovelies, and many other great acts both signed and indie. A close encounter with a life-threatening illness three years ago left Griffin physically, emotionally, and financially drained, but also gifted him with a flood of songs dealing with powerful themes: surviving catastrophe (Accidental Drowning), ridiculing the ridiculous (Lay Kenneth Lay), and appreciating the power of family and friendship (I’m The One That Loves You), as well as healthy doses of playfulness and fun (Heroin, Two Utensils In One)."

Felsen specializes in pop rock for grown ups - the songs go down easy, most with a groove that will make you want to nod along. Some people are going to find their new record, "Accidental Drowning", a lot like watching soccer - not a lot of action for awhile, but then suddenly - goal! And when Felsen scores it is a big deal, quite a thrill. The lyrics on this CD are truly original and often insightful, fitting comfortably in this brand of artful pop rock. Vocals fall somewhere between Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum) and Moe Berg (Pursuit of Happiness), so they are not the most polished in the world, but seem well-suited to the music of Felsen. Lots of well-placed backing vocals make many of these songs a soothing pleasure to hear.

Standout tracks include the title track, "Heroin", "Karma", "Radios Tweaking", and the George Harrison-esque closer, "In The Middle Of The Night". Felsen takes a couple spins to stick, but you'll soon feel yourself being pulled in by the undertow. For fans of Luce, Dave Pirner, and Michael Penn.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 4, 6, 9, 12

Felsen on MySpace. Official site.

Free mp3: Jeremy Toback

Free mp3: Marcy Playground "MP3"

MP3 is the name of this album, from the band that wrote the huge 1997 hit, "Sex and Candy." To get the album, you just send a blank email to mp3@marcyplayground.com.

1. Spoonfed
2. Blood In Alphabet Soup
3. No One's Boy
4. Hotter Than The Sun
5. Rock And Roll Heroes
6. Jesse Went To War
7. Flag And Finger
8. Deadly Handsome Man
9. Punk Rock Superstar
10. Paper Dolls
11. Death Of A Cheerleader
12. Brand New Day
13. Sleepy Eyes
14. Barfly

Original posting here.

News: The return of Bush

No, thankfully not George W. I'm talking about the 90s alt-rockers led by Gavin Rossdale. Preview their new song, "Afterlife" right here.

Pretty decent chorus, but Everything Zen? I don't think so. I'd be biting my nails too if I were you, Gavin. Let's hope the rest of the record due in October is better.

Review: Escape Directors "Ladders"

The Escape Directors have an indie-vibe like Death Cab For Cutie throughout their songwriting, but their sound leans more towards the commercial feel of The Fray. It is a combination that should appeal to a wide audience, pleasing fans of independent and popular music alike. Escape Directors consists of Steve Carter (vocals, guitars, piano), Colin Rieser (drums, vocals), Nick Wilson (piano, keyboards, guitars, vocals), and Andrew Magrini (bass).

The new CD is "Ladders", and it is a short and sweet 9-song affair lasting a little more than a half hour. But within those thirty minutes or so, "Ladders" climbs to great heights and showcases a band of considerable talent that has the ability to produce a very slick record with a contemporary sound. There is a boatload of talent in this band and the songs contain layers of acoustic and electric guitars, piano and keyboards, and stirring strings. The songs were more attractive on the second spin as the hooks started to sink in, but among the more instantly memorable were the driving opener "Car Crash", the powerful, angst-ridden "Honest Man", and the mid-tempo ballad "Fall Together". And while I am glad the CD is not too ballad heavy, the Escape Directors have excellent instincts here, the best example being "When You're Gone", a very moving piece that features one of the most stunning vocal performances on the record.

With "Ladders", these boys from New Jersey calling themselves the Escape Directors prove that they mean business, and make an impressive addition to modern pop rock.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 4, 5

Escape Directors on MySpace. Official site.

Review: The Stone Foxes "Bears and Bulls"

The Stone Foxes are carrying a torch for blues-rock masters such as The Band, Bob Dylan, and Led Zeppelin. Made up of brothers Shannon and Spence Koehler, Aaron Mort, and Avi Vincour, The Stone Foxes are rock purists that breathe new life into classic rock. The Stone Foxes will rattle your speakers with vintage sounding guitar tones, riff-centric songwriting, and perfectly placed harmonica.

If I had to limit myself to just one word to summarize the essence of The Stone Foxes it would be AUTHENTIC. These guys are rock and rollers to the core, with equal parts attitude and talent. The music is more riff-driven than melodic, but for classic rock fans, "Bears and Bulls" is an instant treasure. Opening track "Stomp" is like a prelude to the party, with a steady beat of hand claps, juicy harp, and greasy slide guitar. "Patience" follows, a gripping vintage rocker that sounds like what Jet would shoot for in a song. The band shows their bluesy ballad side with the excellent "I Killed Robert Johnson", one of many tracks that remind me of Black Crowes at their finest (check out "Easy" or "Through The Fire" for more). "Passenger Train" reveals yet another side of the band - a side that dabbles in alt-country not far from the neighborhood of Wilco - and it earns my pick for favorite track on the record. Additional highlights include the rollicking anthem "Young Man" and the slow burning Dylan-esque ballad "Come Again".

The sophomore effort from The Stone Foxes, "Bears & Bulls", is out July 6.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 4, 5, 12

The Stone Foxes on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for the first single "I Killed Robert Johnson":

The Stone Foxes "I Killed Robert Johnson" from Sideways Media on Vimeo.

Review: Alan Cohen Experience "Space and Time"

If anyone can turn Stephen Hawking's bestselling book, "A Brief History of Time", into a musical opus, it is Alan Cohen. Undertaking a project as innovative as this could only be pulled off by one of pop's most offbeat artists. Each song on "Space and Time" was inspired by a chapter in Hawking's masterpiece - this even includes quotes from JFK and Hawking himself as an introduction and conclusion, respectively. Highlights include the catchy "Uncertainty Principle", the hauntingly infectious ballad "Black Hole", and the charming lullaby "Dreaming".

Alan Cohen, a genuine one-man band, is by far and away one of the most original artists out there today. And when I say out there, I mean "out there" - otherworldly! Putting on a record by the Alan Cohen Experience is always an adventure and "Space and Time" is no exception. But "Space and Time" does more, reminding us of our Physics 101 with songs revolving around Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, Einstein's Theory of Relativity, and the complex inner-workings of the atom. You can't help but to walk away from "Space and Time" without a feeling of humility and a deeper appreciation of the vast unknown that lies beyond our naked eye universe.

Alan Cohen Experience has released a remarkably fresh album that dares to be different but strives to remain musically accessible. "Space and Time" should be adored by physicists just as quirky as Alan Cohen, but is it anything more than a space oddity to the rest of us? Only time will tell...

Alan Cohen Experience on MySpace. Official site.

Here are two free mp3s for your listening pleasure:

News: New free mp3 from THE EELS

Download "Looking Up" from the upcoming EELS "TOMORROW MORNING" album (out August 24) for free, right now, right here: http://www.eelstheband.com.

(And if you're already on the EELS mailing list, don't worry, submitting your address for the free download won't result in getting multiple emails.)

Rare CD: Soundtrack "The Wraith"

"THE WRAITH CD - 1986 - BEST AOR SOUNDTRACK EVER rare
THIS CD TITLED "THE WRAITH ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK" WAS ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN 1986 BY SCOTTI BROTHERS - THIS IS THE RECENT DIGITAL REMASTER.

THE CD/CASE/INSERTS ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION!!

HERE IT IS - THE BEST AOR / MELODIC ROCK SOUNDTRACK EVER!! GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO FIND - PICK THIS GEM UP NOW!!

1. Where's the Fire (Tim Feehan)
2. Those Were the Days (Honeymoon Suite)
3. Hearts Vs. Heads (Stan Bush)
4. Hold on Blue Eyes (Lamarca)
5. Young Love, Hot Love (Jill Michaels)
6. Secret Loser (Ozzy Osbourne)
7. Never Surrender (Lion)
8. Bad Mistake (James House)
9. Wake Up Call (Ian Hunter)
10. Matter of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler)"

Sold for $76.00 on ebay.

Rare CD: The Unknown "Big Dreams"

"THE UNKNOWN - Big Dreams 1988 CD

Mega rare hard rock from 1988...Here's your chance to get an original CD called THE UNKNOWN - Big Dreams. This mega rare 8 track CD was released in 1988 on a small US indie label. This band plays excellent melodic hard rock/glam similar to 80's BON JOVI, DANGER DANGER, FRICTION (Baby Talk), and ATTRACTION. The band went on to change their name to BLACKFISH and were signed to a major label. This cd is where it all started for them and it is "pure 80's hair metal bliss". It is definately regarded as one of the top collector pieces out there. Get it while you can! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. The CD and inserts are in mint condition."

Sold for $96.00 on ebay.

Rare CD: Pretty Boy Floyd "Bullets & Lipstik"

"Rare hair metal / glam cd released on Bellaphon in 1989, in great condition, no bootleg.

Tommy Floyd vocals
Pete Parker guitar
Sandy Hazard drums
Steve Bratz bass

Tracks
1. Welcome to the Show
2. Four for the Road
3. Somewhere (over that rainbow)
4. Proud to be Loud
5. Raggedy Ann
6. Moonshine Daze
7. This Gun's for Hire
8. Another I.O.U
9. Down on the Floor
10. Bullets and Lipstik"

SOld for $100 on ebay.

Rare CD: Jerry Rix "Jerry Rix Sings Diane Warren"

JERRY RIX sings DIANE WARREN – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now

HYPER RARE and excellent AOR / Hi-Tech AOR

All songs written by Diane Warren

Like Tim Feehan, Richard Marx, Chris Sutton

Style: Amazing AOR songs by DIANE WARREN excellent performed

Year of Release: 1989

Label: White Records

Condition CD / booklet: very good / very good

Here’s the next highlight for you:

The ULTRA RARE CD “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” from dutch singer JERRY RIX, who performs 10 songs written by the songwriting queen DIANE WARREN.

This CD is so damn RARE, that it is even not listet at DIANE WARREN’s official homepage!

Be prepared for 10 wonderful keyboard driven AOR songs, well written, excellent performed. Some of the songs were released before, but some have never been released before.

“To be Lovers” for example opens the album in the way of RICHARD MARX, with a great hookline. The same goes to “State Of Our Affair”, with its catchy hookline or “The Sound Of A Breaking Heart”.

The sound is keyboard driven but with tasty guitar fills and great solos… some hi-tech influences can be heard on one or another song… Imagine a mix of RICHARD MARX, TIM FEEHAN and CHRIS SUTTON and you know how this CD sounds like!

Produced by JACK WHITE and released at his own small label (only in Germany), this CD is one of the rarest out there nowadays!

Even top collectors are still searching for it!"

Sold for $122.50 on ebay.

Rare CD: Jeffrey Ross "Personal Obsession"

"Here's one of the few mega rarities that deserves the title "AOR masterpiece". JEFFREY ROSS recorded this highlight in 1988 and with these 10 incredible songs he plays easily in the same major league like STAN BUSH, TIM FEEHAN or CLIF MAGNESS.

I'm not kidding, you'll get one killer track after another!

"Just Say How" for example opens the album in a stunning way... What a chorus! This is the definition of pure AOR. "Family Man" comes along like a forgotten TIM FEEHAN song, while the fabulous "God Knows" easily knocks down every STAN BUSH song and leaves you breathless with a killer hookline! "Can't Run Away" sounds like pure CLIF MAGNESS and "Breakdown" is a wonderful typical 80's sounding power ballad.

These were only the first 5 tracks - no bummer here - only killers! And I promise you: it goes on with the same high quality!

Forget other mega rare AOR pieces, that are only praised as must haves because they are rare. This is not only rare, it is KILLER!"

Sold for $123.50 on ebay.