Kneejerk: Fran Healy – Elton John and Leon Russell

Welcome to the latest edition of KNEEJERK, where we preview some new releases and give our short, "kneejerk" reaction...


Fran Healy “WRECKORDER”

“WRECKORDER” is the solo debut from Fran Healy, the lead singer and songwriter of the Scottish rock band Travis. Travis made quite the splash in the late 90s and early 2000s with their breakthrough CD, “The Man Who” and equally excellent follow-up, “The Invisible Band”. Little did we know how prescient that title was, as Travis quickly fell off the radar. The good news is that Healy’s first solo outing is more or less a return to what made Travis successful back in the day. While not a perfect record, it feels more like the legitimate successor to “The Invisible Band” than the gloomy “12 Memories”. Healy’s vulnerable voice charms on melodious tracks like “In the Morning” and “Holiday”. “Sing Me To Sleep”, a duet with Neko Case, is another atmospheric gem. “Anything” is my favorite track in this 10 song collection, a sweeping piece beautifully sung and well orchestrated. The first single, “Buttercups” is a close second, featuring crisp acoustic guitar that pairs perfectly with Healy’s vocals. Not all of “WRECKORDER” is light and easy on the ears - tunes like “Fly in the Ointment” and “Shadow Boxing” are distinctly darker in tone. Ironically, they are less interesting and forgettable. Healy begins a tour with Brandon Flowers of The Killers on November 10.


Elton John and Leon Russell “The Union”

Everyone knows Elton John, but I doubt half the number know of Leon Russell. Russell has played for just about everyone in the music business across multiple genres and had a string of modest chart successes in the 70s. Although he’s been more behind the scenes than Elton John, Russell has earned an esteemed reputation as a session player and songwriter. These two icons, both having their heyday in the 70s, have teamed up to create this record with T Bone Burnett producing and a boatload of guest talent including Neil Young, Brian Wilson, and Don Was. “The Union” generally captures many elements from 70s piano rock, and continues along the path that Elton committed himself to with the outstanding back-to-basics ethics of “Songs From The West Coast”. The two seem to play off one another, rejuvenating their vigor in the performances, which can best be felt on Elton’s enthusiastic singing of “Hey Ahab”, Russell’s sly delivery of “If It Wasn’t For Bad”. With a couple country-flavored tunes (“Jimmie Rodgers' Dream”), honky tonk (“Monkey Suit”), and the typical Elton John balladry (“Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody)”), there’s a little something for everyone here. The fun these two had in making “The Union” is contagious, providing the listener with a thrilling experience, especially those fans of 70s era rock.

Review: Dimestore Buddhas

Dimestore Buddhas are a new indie rock formed just this year in New Jersey. Led by Gene Pompilio, they are fans of “three-chord, sugar-coated bubblegrunge”.

Dimestore Buddhas are busy working on their debut release, but in the meantime they sent me an advance copy of two tracks, “Oh Yeah Baby” and “Sci-Fi Girl”. “Oh Yeah Baby” is ear candy all right, starting off with Beach Boy style harmonies that sing the title of the song. We move into an easy going verse with pleasant lead guitar interjecting between the lines. The chorus is a bit redundant, but the catchy melody is the main reason you’ll find yourself singing it all day. “Sci-Fi Girl” is another mid-tempo powerpop gem not far removed from something The Smithereens or The Knack might write. And I have a gut feeling that most of my readers will relate to the lyrics!

Be on the lookout for these guys! If these two tracks are any indication, the full-length CD promises to be huge.

Dimestore Buddhas on MySpace. Official site.

Listen to “Oh Yeah Baby”

Classic melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

SIGNAL “Loud and Clear” (1989)

The late 80s rock music industry was heavily populated by many young bands trying to capitalize on the trend and, unlucky for Signal, they were lumped together with those bands, getting dropped soon under the radar without label's support. The band vanished with the wind, but to us, "Loud And Clear" never faded. Mark Free's victorious vocal on top of the sparkling compositions and flawless performances made this album a great find for the glam and AOR society.

"Arms of A Stranger" is definitely the best track and truly sensational. The incredible voice, the dreamy composition, the climatic chorus…almost everything from A to Z on this song is just perfect. For those who are looking for uptempo tracks in the vein of this track – you’re probably going to be disappointed. Signal chose the tender path by stuffing a lot of ballads inside, such as "Does It Feel Like Love", a typical pop-rock ballad, "This Love, This Time", which sounds like a lost Foreigner track, or "Could This Be Love", an immaculate power ballad that is stunningly beautiful. The remaining songs are also pretty much enjoyable, from the potential hit power of "You Won't See Me Cry" to the Toto-meets-Bon Jovi tune, "Go". The only exception is "My Mistake", which is the worst track of the album.

"Loud And Clear" is a feast to the ears, especially if you like songs that are immersed in abundant melodies and catchy choruses. Most of the tracks are memorable and emotional. Not until 20 years later has the world been able to listen to this again, thanks to a string of high-quality Frontiers release, including the highly-anticipated return of Mark (now Marcie) Free with Unruly Child in 2010 (read the BMF review here). “Signal” belongs on the short list of classic AOR releases - a remarkable achievement, and it is a shame they never got the appreciation they deserved. Superb!

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Rare Trax - Europe "Wish You Were Here"

Every Saturday at BMF I plan to present rare or deep tracks from my collection for your listening pleasure, or perhaps for your amusement!

This week’s track is by Europe from their 2009 album, "Almost Unplugged". How many of you knew that they did a cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here?" Check it out...

New Rock The Vote video from Neil Nathan - "So Much More"

Neil Nathan, a former high school history teacher, may no longer work at New York's Martin Luther King, Jr. High, but he's still always looking for opportunities to inspire and educate. The upcoming Election Day is just one of those opportunities. "So Much More" was written for "the angels of American democracy" and is all about the power of individual citizens to bring about positive political change. The video is filled with inspiring images that make any viewer want to rock the vote. "So Much More" can be found on his debut LP, "The Distance Calls".

Nathan was featured on the cover of American Teacher magazine for directing Martin Luther King, Jr. High School's Arts Education program and providing inner city kids with opportunities to intern and attend performances at New York City Opera, Guggenheim Museum, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. His favorite teachers turned rockers are Gene Simmons and Bob Pollard.

Read our review of Neil Nathan's latest record, "The Distance Calls" here.

Review: Brooke Fraser “Flags”

New Zealand-born singer/songwriter Brooke Fraser is running a new one up the pole called “Flags”. Once called "The Kiwi Norah Jones”, Fraser signed with Sony Music in 2002 at just 18 years of age and her debut record, “What To Do With Daylight” went to number one on the New Zealand charts and quickly went gold, then 8x platinum. She toured in Australia and New Zealand with John Mayer and David Bowie. She is pinning hopes that “Flags” continues to expand her audience, and she seems poised to do so with a debut on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart at #59.

Fraser has an angelic soprano voice that floats upon dreamy soundscapes as she spins yarns of varied characters. “I’ve never used as many characters or as much narrative in my songwriting as I have on this record,” Fraser says.

The upbeat opener, “Something In The Water” is the standout track (video below), combining straightforward pop with a bit of country folk swing. The chorus is catchy, helped by a memorable chant from backing vocalists. Unfortunately, most of the rest of the record generates about as much excitement as that boring cover art up there. The tunes are beautifully sung and the record has fine production value, but the songs are just far too sleepy. Even “Here’s To You”, presumably a celebratory drinking song, comes across with weighted melancholy and insincerity – Fraser must be a real party pooper. Fans of Aqualung will want to check out “Who Are We Fooling?”, a duet co-written by Matt Hales. “Who Are We Fooling?” is one of the most earnestly performed, and will pull at the heartstrings of those stuck at similar romantic crossroads. Another highlight is “Sailboats”, which features a sparse acoustic and string arrangement that allows Fraser’s delicate voice to shine throughout this lovely piece.

Check out Brooke Fraser if you are a fan of Sarah McLachlan, Dolores O’Riordan, or Paula Cole. “Flags” is a record best played for relaxation or if you are suffering from insomnia.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 4, 8

Brooke Fraser on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for “Something In The Water”:

Review: Jonah “The Wonder and The Thrill”

Three years ago the Portland band Jonah won over fans and critics alike with their second record, “Trust Everyone Before They Break Your Heart”, even getting a nod in SPIN magazine. After starting some families and replacing their bassist, Jonah is back with “The Wonder and The Thrill”, a new record that is described as having a more mature sound with intentionally sparser arrangements.

“The Wonder and The Thrill” will be released November 9 and is a wonderful autumn soundtrack. Generally the songs are low key and overeasy, gentle on the eardrums yet retaining enough pizazz to thrill. Frontman Henry Curl exhales the lyrics like Matt Hales (Aqualung), sculpting his vocal performance to match the mood of the song. The record was recorded and engineered by Jordan Leff at Secret Society Studios and mastered by Kevin Nettleingham, who has produced similar records for Elliot Smith as well as Spoon and Hollipollock. The music falls like leaves on the windshield during an October drive through the park.

While most of the record is on the softer side, with tracks like “Please Let Go” and “No One Left To Blame”, there are some tunes with muscle, like the superb songs “The Old High School” and “The Wonder”. Then there are tracks like “Bees”, which lacks sting at first but starts to sound like honey after a second listen. Other highlights include “New Start” and the slow burning closer, “Sycamore”. My favorite track is the most accessible, “Diamond”. “Diamond” shines as a pleasant mid-tempo track with a strong hook and lush chorus that you’ll have in your head for days.

The hooks are subtle and take a few spins, but their harmonies alone will make you want to come back for repeated listens. Check out Jonah if you enjoy Dan Wilson, Coldplay, or Travis.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11

Jonah on MySpace. Official site.

Listen to "Diamond":

Review: Fantazzmo “Enter The Fantazz”

If there is one message made abundantly clear on the debut record from Fantazzmo it is that he loves himself. The question is – will anybody else love him as much as he loves himself?

Songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Sergio Bedolla christened his alter ego Fantazzmo, which I thought was one of the characters in Mario Brothers, but perhaps not. Bedolla used to be in an L.A.-based band called Anima/Idle, who was featured in Spin and even secured a slot opening for Blink-182. As Fantazzmo, Bedolla is out to mix just about every rock, pop, soul, and hip-hop genre together. Some of the music on his debut record “Enter The Fantazz” is compelling, but most of it is going to be unappealing to people expecting consistency in their music. Listeners should be prepared that “Enter The Fantazz” is a wildly schizophrenic record.

While the musical styles are all over the map, the lyrics are not – Fantazzmo has a one track mind that is limited to sexual conquest. The tracks that don’t involve sex are either instrumentals (the Pink Floyd-like “Eternal Abyss” and “Cancion De La Gitana”) or a glorification of violence (the horrifying “Fear In Me”). There’s nothing wrong with writing about sex and violence of course, but Fantazzmo is simply too blunt and pornographic – there’s none of Steve Tyler’s humorous innuendo or Mick Jagger’s machismo. Fantazzmo’s lyrics are shockingly juvenile, degrading, and cringe-worthy.

The only two tracks that work here are the radio-friendly “I Know You’re Mine”, an excellent pop rocker, and “Drown Your Lies”, a reggae rocker that sounds like the single 311 has been trying to write since their last hit. If Bedolla can focus the energy and innovation in his music and write more with his brain instead of his hormones, maybe the rest of us will get a rise out of hearing Fantazzmo.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3

Fantazzmo on MySpace. Official site.

Kneejerk: Rod Stewart – Phil Collins

Welcome to the latest edition of KNEEJERK, where we preview some new releases and give our short, "kneejerk" reaction...


Rod Stewart “Fly Me To The Moon: The Great American Songbook Volume V”

The resilient, forever young Rod Stewart is back again to serenade us yet another chapter of the Great American Songbook. This is the fifth one to be exact and you’re probably thinking what I am thinking…WHEN WILL IT END? There is no disputing Stewart is a pillar in the classic rock world and even put out some decent stuff in the 80s and early 90s, but his trashing of the Great American Songbook has gone on far too long. I have the same problem with volume V (!) that I have with the other four – his gravelly voice is simply not suited to the crooner genre. Would you wash your car with a Brillo pad? Use a hoof rasp to file your fingernail? Use sandpaper to wipe your eyeglasses clean? This time around he is adrift on “Beyond The Sea”, steps all over “I Get A Kick Out Of You”, and growls like a werewolf on “Moon River”. A part of me is happy that Stewart has been able to reinvent himself to remain commercially viable, but please please…somebody fly him to the moon.


Phil Collins “Going Back”

Perhaps taking a cue from Rod Stewart, Phil Collins takes a stab at covering classic Motown tunes on his latest, “Going Back”. Not an unreasonable idea considering that his cover of “You Can’t Hurry Love” (originally performed by The Supremes) conquered the chart back in 1981 and helped launch his solo career. The instrumentation on “Going Back” is of high quality, but as soon as Collins sings you’ll wish they kept it to instrumentals. What happened to his voice? Most of this sounds like Alvin and the Chipmunks Sing Motown. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost think Collins was joking. But seriously…you only need to listen to his near laughable cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Uptight (Everything‘s Alright)” to see what I mean. Collins also butchers “Heatwave”, “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”, “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”, and, sadly, much more. “Going Back” is an unfortunate addition to an otherwise outstanding discography.

Review: Taylor Locke and The Roughs “Marathon”

How many people can put out 3 great albums in a single year? Virtually no one…no one but Taylor Locke, that is. Locke is best known as guitarist in the powerpop band Rooney, but he is quickly making his mark as a talented solo artist. It was only back in April when we reviewed his outstanding debut, “Grain and Grape” (review here). Then in July we reviewed Rooney’s latest CD, “Eureka” (review here). Now he throws a collection of 10 new songs at us on “Marathon” (review here…you’re reading it!). The most astonishing thing is that his work has been phenomenal throughout. To say the guy is on a roll is an understatement.

While most of “Marathon” is brilliant, it does get off to a false start – the epic opener, “The Honor Role” sounds like 3-4 completely different songs loosely patched together. I presume they were going for something that rivaled McCartney’s “Band On The Run” or a Jellyfish opus, but the disparate parts just don’t work together. They quickly get back into the race with a peppy acoustic driven rocker called “Jenny”. Things really start to pick up, ironically, when the band slows it down for the gorgeous “Don’t Forget”. “Don’t Forget” features moving chord changes and a terrific vocal performance from Locke. “My Only Drug” is my favorite track – powerpop at its best performed with gusto. Another highlight is the undeniably catchy “Badfinger”, which also gives the band a chance to nod to a major musical influence.

Some other tracks come close to being great, but have an irritating element or just feel like they’re missing something. For example, I would love to hear Locke slip up into his graceful falsetto on “One More Time” rather than struggle to scream it out. In fact, he screams too much on “Marathon” in general, as if he’s trying to prove he’s got what it takes to rock. You don’t need to do this, Taylor.

While not as immediately mind-blowing as “Grain and Grape”, “Marathon” is no slouch and stands heads above most of the stuff we’ve heard in 2010. But after hearing “Marathon” so soon after the debut, one is tempted to coach Taylor Locke and The Roughs to pace themselves. The band could have made a single record this year that combined the cream of the crop from each, and that record would have been an instant classic.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8

Taylor Locke and The Roughs on MySpace. Fansite.

Classic melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

LITA FORD “Dangerous Curves” (1991)

After the somewhat blunt release of "Stiletto", I didn't expect Lita Ford to make a great return to form considering the musical climate had begin changing, but "Dangerous Curves" proved me wrong. Deliberately injected with a big amount of commercial fluid, Ford's style was stripped down to a more AOR feel rather than the typical hard rock outfit, but with around 8 enjoyable songs out of 11 presented, I guess the formula worked fine.

"Larger Than Life" begins the journey with an anthemic chorus - this track is probably the sleaziest tune and definitely an adrenaline pumper. Too bad she threw "What Do Ya Know Bout Love", which I think is far too decent compared to the next big hit, "Shot of Poison". This is one of her best songs as far as I remember and, together with "Playin' With Fire", they made a wonderful radio-friendly chart-conquering combo. "Black Widow" is also great, "Little Too Early" is good midtempo AOR, and "Holy Man" is like a lost Bon Jovi track.

While the album still suffered with some flat and dull tracks such as "Bad Love", "Tambourine Dream", or "Little Black Spider", I think this one is beautiful, especially if you can accept the commercial-fueled hard rock common in the late 80s/early 90s. Fantastic stuff!

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Review: Vinyl Candy “Dirty Third”

Everyone’s favorite California power pop band is back with their third release, aptly titled “Dirty Third”. The third part is obvious, but the “dirty” part also applies, as this record strikes me as a tad darker than the band’s first two releases, which required sunglasses they were so bright and sunny. I’m not saying that Vinyl Candy has gone Goth or anything, but let’s just say some of the songs feel more partly cloudy than previous efforts. And that is not necessarily a bad thing.

“Human” kicks things off, exploring human nature as only Vinyl Candy does – with an optimistic perspective. It is a rapid reminder why we love Vinyl Candy so much – instantly memorable choruses, compelling chord changes, and plenty of 70s-styled bubble gum harmonies. “Fallen” follows and, while not quite as remarkable, will appeal to members of the Vinyl Candy army. Then the clouds move in with a haunting ballad appropriately entitled “Ghost Of You” – some fans are going to dig this change of pace from the band, but others will want to skip to more predictable fare like “I Want To Be Just Like You” or “Shine”. “Just Another Movie” is a ballad bookended with a sparse acoustic arrangement with an eruption of electric guitar in the middle – the dynamics keep this song engaging. One of things I enjoyed about this track was how well Matt Corey’s vocals are suited to the acoustic sound. “On Again Off Again” is another highlight with a signature sing-a-long chorus. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Vinyl Candy record without a song about their home state, and the driving “California Georgia” does the job this time out.

Just in time for Halloween, Vinyl Candy’s “Dirty Third” is another bag of sweet treats – and a few tricks.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9

Vinyl Candy on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Dot Dot Dot “II” [EP]

The latest EP from up-and-coming band Dot Dot Dot, simply called “II”, is a blast of fresh air. You may have caught them on “The Next Great American Band” in 2007 but, if not, one listen should be enough to convince you that they are true contenders to become a household name.

To be honest, I almost thought the opening track, “Walking In A Straight Line” sounded a bit to clubby for my tastes. Indeed, Dot Dot Dot bills themselves as a “union of rock elements cloaked in dance beats with synthy frills.” “Walking In A Straight Line” had just enough of a gritty rock edge to keep me interested…and I am very glad for that. The other four songs on “II” turned out to be some fantastic pop rockers, each with a screaming hook and full throttle rhythm section that makes you want to get up and go. “Around The World (And Back)” even has a playful 80s vibe and some “Sha la la” vocals that make it a particularly sweet guilty pleasure. “Stay” is the current single, a strategic pick that has the most cross-over potential. “Antidote” is one of the meatier tracks with heavy guitar riffing between the 80s style synths and backing vocals. “Hold You Tonight” wraps things up, another track of pop rock perfection. Any and all of these tracks could easily create a buzz at radio.

With huge choruses, superb vocals, slick production, and catchy songs, Dot Dot Dot delivers the whole package. Rock, pop, and dance may seem like a bunch of disparate dots, but this band connects them well, leaving us with a picture of what the future of music holds.

Dot Dot Dot on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for “Around The World (And Back):

Review: Unruly Child “Worlds Collide”

After disbanding over sixteen years ago, the original members of Unruly Child have reunited to produce a brand new album entitled “Worlds Collide”. Marcie Michelle Free (vocalist - King Kobra, Signal), Bruce Gowdy (guitarist – Stone Fury, World Trade), Guy Allison (keyboardist – Lodgic, World Trade, Doobie Brothers), Jay Schellen (drummer - Hurricane, World Trade, Asia), and Larry Antonino (bassist - Pablo Cruise). This is the team that crafted the self-titled debut from 1992, which has become an underground classic among fans of melodic hard rock.

The rebirth of Unruly Child in 2010 is going to take a lot of people by surprise. On “Worlds Collide”, the band springs to life with all the excitement and energy of a newborn. The first two tracks did little to excite me, but then “When We Were Young” kicks off a six song string that 1990 radio would have been all over. “When We Were Young” has a nostalgic theme perfect for a reunion of this kind and is surely going to relate to older fans. “Love Is Blind” is another great tune that fuses the classic Unruly Child sound with that of contemporary hard rock, all helped by a huge sing-a-long chorus with great backing vocals – reminds me a lot of the new Foreigner record. “When Worlds Collide” is an engaging tune with interesting time changes and another memorable chorus. Things stay strong as we move into the final stretch of the album with terrific AOR candy like “Read My Mind” (very modern Bon Jovi) and the rugged cry to be forever young in “Neverland”. The first single is “Very First Time” (video below) – an excellent choice with one of the most instantly enjoyable choruses on the album. If power ballads are your thing, there are a couple of winners such as “Tell Another Lie” and “Talk To Me”, the latter featuring one of the more chill-inducing vocal performances by the great Marcie Michelle Free.

Undoubtedly one of the most thrilling comebacks for a melodic hard rock band this year, “Worlds Collide” is essential for new and old fans alike. The band has brought their sound to the 2010s without alienating loyal fans. Don’t miss them if you like Foreigner, Journey, or Bon Jovi.

iPOD-worthy: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11

Unruly Child - Official site.

Check out the video for “Very First Time”:

Review: Fun With Atoms “Smart”

The nucleus of the power pop band Fun With Atoms is comprised of three particles: Rick Smith (vocals, guitars, keys), Dan Collins (vocals, bass, keys), and Curt Lefevre (drums, vocals). They are packed together tight, emitting a steady stream of sound waves that will electrify listeners.

Fun With Atoms hails from Green Bay, Wisconsin and has released two acclaimed records already – their indie debut “Main Street” was produced by none other than Butch Vig (Nirvana, Garbage). Their sophomore set, “Northern Distortion” saw power pop icon Jeff Murphy (Shoes, Material Issue) at the helm. Infusing Beatles inspired songwriting with multi-layered harmonies quickly garnered the band plenty of college radio airplay. Now they are back with “Smart”, perhaps partly named after being mixed and mastered by Mike Zirkel at the legendary Smart Studios in Madison.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that “Smart” is a record that promises to please the band’s fan base and expand it considerably. The band prides itself on writing great song hooks, surrounding them with inventive guitar arrangements and harmonies galore. According to Smith, “we wanted this record to capture the energy of our live shows, without a lot of overdubs and additional instrumentation”. If that was indeed the band’s goal, I say they have accomplished it – “Smart” sounds more like raw, garage rock then your highly polished, overly processed million-dollar sound. But they key thing is that the boys have created a truly “fun” record in every sense of the word.

Opening track “Walking the Razor's Edge” is a perfect mid-tempo starter with cool chord progressions and a satisfying hook in the chorus. Things really get moving with “Really Happy”, a sunny song with a memorable wah-wah vocal that you’ll fight singing aloud all day long. Additional highlights include the Cars-sounding “Restless Kind”, the bluesy mid-tempo ballad, “Feels Like Rain”, and the pop rock perfection of “Mystery”. The record closes with “Jones”, a notable fable of a song about those striving for empty pleasures by struggling to keep up with the you know whos.

If you like Gin Blossoms, Del Amitri, or Urge Overkill, don’t miss Fun With Atoms.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10

Fun With Atoms on MySpace. Official site.

Kneejerk: Sister Hazel – Willy Porter

Welcome to the latest edition of KNEEJERK, where we preview some new releases and give our short, "kneejerk" reaction...


Sister Hazel “Heartland Highway”

The prolific Sister Hazel is back with another serving of their brand of organic pop rock. Sister Hazel is best known for their smash hit “All For You” from the 90s, and if you ask most people they probably think the band dropped off the face of the earth after that breakthrough – not true! Sister Hazel has been quietly but consistently delivering some of the best guitar driven rock ever since, and “Heartland Highway” keeps that spirit alive. No autotune, no synths, no synthetic anything…just pure music based on a mix of acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, and strings. As usual, the band continues to write about positive things to match their sunny musical disposition – “Stay Awhile” is about hanging in there, “Great Escape” is about taking time to absorb the things that make life worth living, and “Far Away” is an anthem of reassurance to a loved one. There are so many likeable tunes on this one, but the upbeat “Let The Fire Burn” is the one I find myself wanting to go back to the most. True to the record’s name, there is a palpable flavor of heartland rock, especially on “The Saddest Song” and “Where You’re Going”. The band does something new on this one, too – a three song saga at the end entitled “Lessons in Love, Hope, and Faith”. In short, another winner from my brothers in Sister Hazel.


Willy Porter and Carpe Diem “Live at BoMA”

Take an extraordinary talent like Willy Porter and pair him with the acclaimed Carpe Diem String Quartet and you have a match made in heaven – or at least something that rivals the Reese’s chocolate peanut butter cup. “Live at BoMA” captures this magical collaboration, featuring seven previously released fan favorites rearranged with the quartet. The beautiful performances from Carpe Diem do not take away from the jaw dropping skills of this extraordinary acoustic guitarist, who plays a 9-string guitar custom designed by him, but synergize and elevate the songs to new heights (you can read our review of Porter’s last effort, “How To Rob A Bank” here). “Live at BoMA” marks his eighth release and is a perfect introduction to Porter’s gift, and makes a great addition to any fan’s collection.

Review: Elizabeth and the Catapult “The Other Side of Zero”

Elizabeth and the Catapult is an indie pop duo comprised of Elizabeth Ziman and Danny Molad. On the heels of their acclaimed debut, their latest, “The Other Side of Zero”, was recorded with producer Tony Berg (Peter Gabriel, Phantom Planet, Jesca Hoop), and features respected sidemen such as guitarist Blake Mills and Tom Waits’ longtime touring keyboardist, Patrick Warren. As Molad puts it, “The record is more blatantly honest, even rude at times..." Elizabeth continues, "Even the happiest sounding pop songs on this record have a tinge of regret and darkness to them…And thank goodness for that. Ultimately that’s the only way I’d feel comfortable singing them. I’m drawn to the ambiguity like a menacing smile.”

If you like your pop music with a side of intelligence and quirkiness, Elizabeth and the Catapult is the band for you. Ziman and Molad have crafted a very enjoyable sophomore record that is utterly refreshing, yet retains smart melodies throughout that easily imprint on the mind. Ziman’s voice is delicate and unpretentious, not far removed from Colbie Caillat in tone and style. But the band’s music is more like XTC mixed in with Cake. The introductory track, “Julian Darling”, is a bouncy and cheery tune that effortlessly grabs attention. Even better, however, is the second track, “You & Me”, which should resonate with anyone who has felt like they were “dressed like a present that’s no longer wanted.” Heartbreaking yet catchy at the same time, this song is their most accessible and could even be a hit at radio. Additional highlights include the gorgeous piano-driven ballad “Open Book” and “Worn Out Tune”, which features one of the most hauntingly memorable choruses on the record. The experimental pop of “Go Away” is a tad too eclectic and “Heart Goes Boom” (bonus track) is a rather goofy dance track, both of which sound out of place on this otherwise consistently good indie pop record.

Elizabeth & The Catapult's “The Other Side of Zero” will be released on October 25.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8

Elizabeth and the Catapult on MySpace. Official site.

Check out a video:

Classic melodic rock CD of the week

By Stephen Kasenda

LILLIAN AXE "Psychoschizophrenia" (1993)

Lillian Axe had just begun turning people's heads with several hits from their "Poetic Justice" in 1992, just as the grunge wave came crashing in. The band tried to survive the change by releasing "Psychoschizophrenia", an album that incorporated a darker element and deeper essence to the music and lyric department, respectively. Big thumbs up to Steve Blaze who wrote all the songs - this man is simply a genius, not to mention the thrilling guitar solos he had on this album.

"Crucified" is a blazing opener, crushing forward with intense hard rock, followed by a groovy track of "Deepfreeze" with a wonderful solo. "Sign of The Times" has a combination of dark verses, a melodic bridge, and a catchy but rough chorus – it is a stunning delivery by the band and one of the best tracks off the album. A couple of great ballads on the record are unbelievably pretty. "The Needle And Your Pain" is dedicated to a late friend who died of cancer, and "The Day I Met You", an ode to the lost love, this track is emotionally sad and touching. Some other great songs that I like are "Stop The Hate", "Deep Blue Shadows", and the Japanese bonus track, "Here Is Christmas".

To sum up, "Psychoschizophrenia" contained a mix of early glam with a bit of alternative influence – it is a bit dark and heavy, but melodic and accessible at the same time. This is a grower and not an easy album, probably needs at least 4-5 spins to capture the magic of Blaze's ideas. A brilliant underrated album that came out in 1993!

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Review: Normandie Wilson “The Flower Box”

West Virginia native Normandie Wilson specializes in homegrown, vintage, DIY organic indie-pop (and painting). She grew up listening to 1960's music like Burt Bacharach, Beach Boys, and Motown soul while watching birds with her grandma. In fact, one of her goals outside music is to paint every species of bird. The question we’re concerned with here, however, is does her music make us want to soar?

“The Flower Box” follows her 2009 release, “Music For Smart People”, and continues her trend to defy musical convention. Lyrically, Wilson is heads above the rest, writing about familiar subjects like love and love lost with acerbic wit and humor. She makes no bones about wearing her heart on her sleeve and putting everything out there for all to see…warts and all. Same goes for her music, though. The collection is not without its warts, or perhaps “weeds” given the title. “The Flower Box” contains only five vocal tracks separated by four instrumental numbers. Most tunes are piano-based and quite beautiful at times, highlighting Wilson’s training in classic jazz. Vocally Wilson is not bad, but I think it is safe to say that she is an acquired taste for most.

Several of her tunes exude a 70s lounge feel with some soul or jazz peppered in for good measure. The end result is generally an amusingly warm and perky sound, but at times it comes across like a confused and drunken doo-wop group (take opening track “Elevator!” for example). Alternatively, the blunt and abrasive lyrics of “Been Cryin’ My Eyes Out” simply don’t mesh with the old-fashioned jangly piano and gentle retro horns at all – it sounds like a Ben Folds parody gone wrong. “I’m Not Dead Yet” is the most enjoyable to my ears. “I’m Not Dead Yet” is the type of song Wilson could really take flight with – cute and quirky, this is her element. The rest is, well, for the birds.

iPOD-worthy: 3

Normandie Wilson on MySpace. Official site.

News: Nelson comeback record coming soon

Here is a preview of the forthcoming "comeback" CD from the brothers Nelson. The upcoming record is called "Lightning Strikes Twice" and is described as the true sequel to their blockbuster debut ("After The Rain") from 20 years ago. Sounds promising!