Bash 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 pretty tunes (32, count ‘em again!) from which to choose, and while the results are commendable, the usual strength of Sharp’s songwriting, the unforgettable hook, is missing on this album, in large part because the song structure doesn’t really allow for it. At any rate, if your thing is baroque pop, then you should enjoy Miniatures. http://www.ken-sharp.com
Higher Than A Mountain: The Songs of Andy Gibb (Curry Cuts; CD)
I recently read on Facebook a quote by a misguided soul, who said “why the (expletive deleted) would I want to hear an Andy Gibb tribute when I hated the originals?” The answer lies with the purveyors of the remade tunes, i.e. some of the best (expletive deleted) contemporary acts in pop music, who know how to take the grossly overindulgent Gibb originals and turn them into a power pop art form! Many of the acts herein are led by females, because, after all, many of them probably had Andy Gibb posters on their walls (jk). Having said that, the best cut on Higher Than A Mountain may be one done by a man, “An Everlasting Love” by David Brookings! It’s all good though, and kudos to curator Andrew Curry for coming up with another winner of a tribute! https://currycuts.bandcamp.com/album/higher-than-a-mountain-the-songs-of-andy-gibb
The Legal Matters-Chapter Three (Futureman; CD & LP)
The third time is definitely the charm with this trio from Michigan, as Chapter Three is definitely their best work. Andy Reed, Chris Richards and Keith Klingensmith have produced a sparkling pop album absolutely brimming with hooks and harmonies. Shades of Crowded House, Crosby, Stills and Nash and other pop touchstones abound on this disc. I don’t say this very often, but had these guys been around 40 years ago, before video killed the radio star, before it mattered how old an artist was, when labels still nurtured baby bands and gave them more than one album, there would have been a bidding war to sign these guys. Yeah, it’s that good! https://futuremanrecords.bandcamp.com/album/chapter-three
Rooftop Screamers-Next Level (Self-Released; CD)
A risky proposition, this: an album full of songs all sung by different people can certainly sound more like a compilation than a cohesive work. Not so with Next Level, as every song was written by former Throwback Suburbia main man, Michael Collins, whose stamp is on each track. With their abundance of hooks and sparkling productions, many of these songs could have been big hits during a time when radio actually counted. Among the lead vocalists here are Tim Smith, Keith Slettedahl, Ken Stringfellow and Collins himself, but the biggest prize is David Paton, leader of Pilot, whose “Magic” graced the waves in 1975! Paton sings like he hasn’t aged a bit, and although the song is called “Your Day Will Come”, Collins liberally sprinkles the word “Magic” in the lyrics as a reminder. Nice touch; very nice album! https://rooftopscreamers.bandcamp.com/album/next-level
The Armoires-Incognito (Big Stir; CD)
Another risk: putting together an album featuring a whole bunch of covers interspersed with band originals, and a disc whose cuts were not originally meant to be put together as an album, but you know what? It all works. The Armoires boast their fine taste in music by covering gems like “Paris 1919”, “Yellow River” and “Senses Working Overtime”, and making them their own, but their originals may be even better. The band has honed their well-crafted, unique folk-pop, particularly on tracks like “Ohma, Bring Your Light Into This Place” and “Magenta Moon”. The Armoires have taken their rightful place as the Fairport Convention of the New Millennium; check ‘em out asap! https://bigstirrecords.com/the-armoires
Andy Pratt-The Lost Albums: 2010-2014 (Think Like A Key; CD Box Set)
Many readers who are as old as I am (god help you!) will remember Mr. Pratt for his groundbreaking hit from 1973, “Avenging Annie”, but I remember him even more for something else: in the late ‘70s, the New York rock station WPLJ-FM had a Sunday Night show hosted by Father Bill Ayres, on which he would help advise poor souls who had lost their way. Along with his soothing words he would play some tunes, and many were by Andy Pratt, who he found to be a spiritual songwriter with wise lyrics. That skill hasn’t left Pratt, as this group of four albums retains that gentle spirit. Whether the songs are pure pop, soulful or a bit jazzy, you’ll feel a whole lot better after listening to this box set. Another thing that hasn’t left Pratt is his vocal range; that which was palpable on “Avenging Annie” is still here on these albums. Kudos to Roger Houdaille and Think Like A Key for having the good taste to release these albums, and to the ubiquitous Fernando Perdomo for his production acumen! https://thinklikeakey.com/collections/andy-pratt/products/andy-pratt-the-lost-albums-4-cd-clamshell
Iain Hornal-Fly Away Home (Self-Released: CD)
Mr. Hornal has become known in these circles as being a member of the touring bands of 10cc and Jeff Lynne, but he’s a fine singer/songwriter in his own write (pun intended), as evidenced by his latest album, Fly Away Home. This disc is filled to the brim with would-be-hits, sparkling pop tunes and yearning ballads featuring just the right production touches and Hornal’s soaring vocals. Fans of Gouldman/Steward period 10cc and David Myhr of The Merrymakers would particularly dig this album. Why isn’t the radio playing tunes like these anymore? Never mind, don’t answer that, but thankfully there are musicians around like Hornal who are still making this kind of music. We’re definitely grateful, and you will be as well if you pick up Fly Away Home! https://iainhornal.bandcamp.com/album/fly-away-home
The Palace Guard: All Night Long-An Anthology 1965-1966 (Omnivore; CD)
The selling point of this CD is that the legendary Emitt Rhodes was drummer of the band, but in all honesty his contributions didn’t go much beyond pounding the skins (he ended up leaving, in fact, because he wanted his original tunes to be recorded, and the band wasn’t up for it-their loss, obviously). No matter, this is darn good stuff; a combination of nifty tunes by members Don and John Beaudoin, as well as covers of the Claudine Clark hit, “Party Lights” and Wilson Pickett’s “If You Need Me”, V.A. compilation standouts like “All Night Long” and “Falling Sugar”, and a take on David Gates’ “Saturday’s Child”, recorded before The Monkees version! This comp also boasts a couple of tracks sung by The Yellow Balloon’s Don Grady. Cool beans! https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/all-night-long/
Cheers, until next time! 🙂