Bash 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 give Hall & Oates a run for their money, while “God Save The City” and “Lee Marvin’s Uzi” (love that title) recall Grand Funk or Rare Earth. “Strange Fruit Numb” could have been an early ‘70s Steve Miller album cut, “Burn It Out” is a dark slice of Americana, and the final track, “Scared I Was” is a gut-wrenching ballad. Lots of different flavors here, but all very tasty…and you gotta love that Brooks is wearing a mask on the cover!
Professor And The Madman-Séance (Fullertone; CD)
When one thinks of Rat Scabies, psychedelic pop is certainly not the first thing that comes to mind, but this project from Orange County, California and The UK indeed features the Damned man on drums, along with members of The Adolescents and Eddie & The Hot Rods! Clever prog/pop melodies and chord changes enmeshed with psychedelic and jangly flourishes abound, which will conjure images of artists like Jason Falkner and Todd Rundgren/Utopia before they ever would The Damned. Some tracks might be a bit heavy for some, but trust me that the poppier tunes are well worth the price of admission!
Natalie Sweet-Oh By The Way…It’s Natalie Sweet (Rum Bar; CD)
If you’re looking for a fun power pop listen, and let’s face it, who isn’t, you needn’t go any further than this album! You get 13 slices of rockin’ joy on Oh By The Way…It’s Natalie Sweet…with songs that fans of The Ramones, Lisa Mychols and girl pop in general will eat up for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Try to get through tracks like “Lip Service” (not the Costello tune), “Gimme Good Love” (which cheekily checks “Shout” by The Isley Brothers), “Do The Shanghai” and just about any on the album without dancing; go ahead, I dare you! Great stuff!
The Rockyts-Come On And Dance (Self-Released; CD)
Oh man, these Ottawa-based kids (all presumably under 18) will really impress with 11 tunes that are authentic sounding enough to have been recorded in 1964 or 1965; in fact, when I heard the opening track, “All Of The Time”, I searched every data base I could find to see if it was a remake, and I found nothing. Speaking to the band later, I was informed that it is indeed an original tune written by lead singer Jeremy Abboud, as are all of the originals on the album! There are some remakes here, but how on earth these kids know anything about The Gestures “Run Run Run”, The Knickerbockers “Lies” and The Sonics’ “Have Love, Will Travel”, among others, is beyond me. Did their grandfathers tell them about these songs?? All in all, these boys are talented enough to play on the stage of The Cavern Club, which hopefully they will be one day. File Under: Unbelievable!
The Dupont Circles-In Search Of The Family Gredunza (The Beautiful Music; CD)
This album was a long time coming; several of the songs were originally recorded between 1990 and 2003, but it was worth the wait. The Washington, DC combo features songs written by guitarist Michael Bennett and sung by drummer Bob Primosch, and all are the kind of ‘80s UK styled meaty jangle featuring the kind of off-kilter vocals which will remind one of bands like Television Personalities; in fact, the band covers the Televison Personalities tune, “How I Learned To Love The Bomb”. Another bonus is a cover of the ‘60s pop/psych classic by Turquoise, “Tales of Flossie Fillet”! Solid tunes throughout. Bonus points to anyone who knows the origin of “gredunza”.
Until next time, Happy Thanksgiving and stay safe!