Bash 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 eschewed (gesuntheit) his first rate melodies, chord changes and arrangements! Saturday In Nowhereland will be a delight for power pop and rock fans alike; it’s almost like a toned done Geddy Lee sings Cheap Trick…or something like that! Patrick also has a little help from some very cool friends, like John Auer, Eric Dover, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. and John Easdale, to name but a few! https://farrington79.bandcamp.com/album/saturday-in-nowhereland
The Electric Stars-Velvet Elvis: The Only Lover Left Alive (Self-Released; CD)
The Manchester, UK band led by the irrepressible Jason Edge (for a definition of “irrepressible”, you really need to see Mr. Edge on stage) is back with an album that screams out ROCK STAR!, but with some pretty catchy melodies as well! There’s certainly a concept here, as David Bowie and Elvis are referred, and the former’s stamp is certainly extant in the music as well! Most excellent sounds abound, and if you’re a musician you’ll particularly be able to identify with the self-reflective lyrics. https://www.theelectricstars.com/
The Gold Needles-What’s Tomorrow Ever Done For You? (JEM; CD and LP)
If your cup of meat is bouncy, harmony-filled pop, then this Hull, UK quartet is for you. Their sound is unmistakably British, and strongly influenced by the ‘70s. One can hear bands like Lindisfarne and Unicorn enmeshed with the power poppy veneer of their originals, and their nifty cover of The Hollies classic “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” is aces! One album bloody well not to be missed! https://thegoldneedles.bandcamp.com/album/whats-tomorrow-ever-done-for-you
Rich Arithmetic-Shiftingears (Kool Kat; CD)
Some of the ‘90s fans among you may be rubbing your eyes in disbelief; “is this the Rich Arithmetic who released Sleep In A Wigwam 26 freakin’ years ago?” Indeed it is, and Shiftingears shows that they haven’t lost a bit of that melodic, quirky charm; in fact, they may have gained some. Fans of XTC will particularly dig the left-turn chord changes, but honestly there’s a lot here for pop fans of all stripes. The great Maura Kennedy accompanies on some tracks. Extremely highly recommended! https://richarithmetic.hearnow.com/
The Stan Laurels-There Is No Light Without The Dark (Big Stir; CD)
The nom-de plume of Austin native John Lathrop, whose gift for easy,’80s/’90s inspired pop melodies is most evident on this, his fourth album! Lathrop’s vocals often call to mind a shoegazer vibe, but the overall sound is not encumbered with gauze. Pretty stuff, which will be appreciated by more than just the hardiest pop fan! https://thestanlaurels.bandcamp.com/album/there-is-no-light-without-the-dark
Oberon Rose-Holographic Blues (ThouArt; CD)
Once you know that this album was mixed by Kurt Reil at House of Vibes, you might guess that there will be at least a smidge of psychedelia going on…and you’d be right! The band, based in Nashville and parts of Connecticut, proffers the groovy power pop here with a free and easy feel, featuring Tommy Oberon’s strong, assured vocals and an equally strong backbeat. Palpable Beatles influences abound as well. I urge you to check out Holographic Blues; you’ll be glad you did! https://oberonrose.com/
Olivier Rocabois-Goes Too Far (Self-Released; CD)
There’s a lot of cool pop music coming out of France, and much of it has been done by this artisan songwriter, who also fronts the very cool band, All If. You’ll hear influences like Steely Dan, The High Llamas and Bacharach all over Goes Too Far, and the gentle lead vocals by Rocabois are the perfect compliment to the bouncy melodies. The album also features the venerable John Howard on “Tonight I Need”. A refreshing listen from start to finish! https://allif.bandcamp.com/
Justin Beynon-In Motion (Self-Released; CD)
The former member of the well-respected Welsh outfit The Broken Vinyl Club goes it alone here, with striking results. The sound clearly belies Beynon’s roots, as there’s a strong, laid-back American ‘70s vibe herein, even on the more rockin’ cuts, but one thing ever-present is Beynon’s beautiful harmonies, which will evoke thoughts of America (the band this time). A beautiful album! https://soundcloud.com/justincreek
Star Collector-Game Day (Self-Released; CD)
Star Collector has been a stalwart of the Vancouver, Canada pop scene for many years; it had been awhile since they’d released an album, but their fifth platter is here! No doubt every song on Game Day screams out power pop!, but you know that, because they’re Canadian, something about the music has to be laid back, and here that would be the unaggressive lead vocals of Vic Wayne. There are a few catchy numbers, particularly “The Silent Type”, which should be a hit with many of you. https://starcollectorcanada.bandcamp.com/album/game-day
Richie Mayer-The Inn of Temporary Happiness (Self-Released; CD)
This Northern Californian hadn’t been playing or recording for several years, but the pandemic was the catalyst for Richie Mayer to get back to it and, to quote him, “he found a new voice”. This album will bring you more than temporary happiness if you listen to it regularly, because it’s filled with the kind or radio-friendly tunes we got to know when radio was good! Too many ‘60s and ‘70s pop influences to list here, so you’ll have to hear them for yourself. Normally 17 songs is a bit much for a proper album, but you won’t get bored. This man is one talented mofo! https://richiemayer.bandcamp.com/album/the-inn-of-temporary-happiness-2
Cheers, until next time! 🙂