Bash On Pop: June 2021
Hello, Everyone! Here’s my June installment of Bash On Pop, featuring eight reviews of albums you need to own, so dig in… at your wallet’s peril! 😉 The James Clark Institute-The Colour Of Happy (Room 5; CD and LP) This affable Torontonian has finally reached soundvana on his latest album, The Colour Of Happy, as it lives up to its title with 10 ultra hummable, singable power pop tunes which sound about as effortless as Mountain Dew going down your throat. You won’t be able to get songs like “Blue In The Red...
read moreBash On Pop: May 2021
Hi, Everyone! I hope you’re doing well. We’re starting to see the other side of this pandemic, which is wonderful! As we gear ourselves up for going out to see shows (what a concept!), you can whet your appetites with these fine platters! Ken Sharp-Miniatures (Jetfighter; CD) Ya gotta hand it to Ken Sharp for taking a big stylistic chance in recording this album. The title pretty much says it all, as you get 32 (count ‘em!) tracks of two minutes or less. Sharp is a gifted songwriter, and there are a lot of...
read moreBash On Pop: April 2021
Hi, Everyone! I hope you’re all doing well, and staying safe! It’s been awhile since my last Bash On Pop, so I’ll be reviewing more than my share of albums here, but in order not to hit you with compensatory overload, I’ll make each review briefer than normal. Lotsa lockdown lovelies for you, so here you go! Farrington-Saturday In Nowhereland (Self-Released; CD) Mastermind James Patrick eschews the graceful soft sounds of Farrington’s first album in favor of a harder rock sound, but this in no way means he’s...
read moreDavid Bash’s Best Of 2020 Lists
Hi Everyone, Here are my lists of favorite albums of 2020. As is my usual custom, I’ve broken this down into several categories, as I’m just not comfortable ranking unlike entities on one list. Those marked with an * are vinyl-only releases. Those marked with an ** are cassette-only releases. Contemporary Categories Disclaimer alert: I heard A LOT of fine albums this year, despite COVID. From top to bottom this list is as solid as it’s been for several years. If your album doesn’t appear on the list,...
read moreBash On Pop: November 2020
Hi, Everyone! Here I am again, with more pop morsels to add to your Thanksgiving feast! Brad Brooks-God Save The City (Mouth Magic; CD) Mr. Brooks has been on my radar since the turn of the millennium, and though he hasn’t released too much music over the years, what he has offered is all top shelf. His latest, God Save The City, is a fine amalgamation of rock and soul, with an emphasis on the latter, and his band definitely pulls it off. Tracks like “Feel The Might”, “Why Do You Hurt” and “The Chance” could...
read moreBash On Pop: October 2020
Hi, Everyone! We got some nifty power pop morsels for ya this month, so dig in and chew vigorously! The Midnight Callers-Red Letter Glow (JEM; CD) Right off the bat, you’ve gotta love a band who name themselves after a Badfinger song, and Red Letter Glow has all the goods necessary to cook up quite a power pop disc! Gorgeous harmonies, strong hooks, and some mighty guitar playing mark every track. Without sounding too hyperbolic, this album is great enough to stand among the best of the past five years. Yes, it really...
read moreBash On Pop, September 2020
Hi, Everyone! It’s been a few months since my last column, but I always wait until the muse moves me…or something pretentious like that. Anyway, here are five discs I wanted you, dear reader, to know about, and hopefully purchase, so read on, if you dare! 😉 Bill Lloyd-Don’t Kill The Messenger (Whole In One; CD) The Nashville “King of Twang” has been delivering top shelf power pop albums since the late ‘80s, but his latest may be the best thing he’s done since his debut, Feeling The Elephant....
read moreBash On Pop, May 2020
Hi, Everyone! It’s been a long while since my last Bash On Pop entry, but better late than never, eh? Anyway, I thought I’d write some capsule reviews of a few albums which have, thus far, only seen digital release. Normally it’s my policy not to review anything for which there is no physical product, but I’m suspending protocol during these pandemic times, as it’s much more difficult to get anything manufactured, especially vinyl. So, without further ado, here you are: My Flying Machine-Running Out of Things To...
read moreFeatured IPO CD Artists: The Pozers and The Brothers Steve
Featured IPO CD Artist: The Pozers IPO Vol 22 CD Song: “The Time and Place” 1) What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD? We chose to submit my song “The Time and Place” for the IPO Volume 22 CD. “The Time and Place” was the first release and music video from The Pozers’ CD, Embrace Your Addiction. It’s probably my personal favorite song I’ve ever written. I’m proud of each section of it: music, melody and lyrics. Lyrically, it is about reflecting back on...
read moreFeatured IPO CD Artists: The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club, Joanne Hodges, Butch Young, The Arcadeans
Featured IPO CD Artist: The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club IPO Vol 22 CD Song: “Christine You’re Mean” 1) What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD? I have to say, it wasn’t the intuitive choice, as we had released “Remind Me of Summer”, “Get Up”, and “Starpower” as singles prior to the End Over End album release. But we had received repeated favorable feedback on “Christine You’re Mean” from a variety of sources independently. It kind of opened our eyes to what they...
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