BLOODY RED BARON – Spring 2019 Reviews

Posted on 14 April 2019

Bloody Red Baron

SPRING 2019 REVIEWS

by Mike Baron

LANE STEINBERG & HIS MAGICAL PONY

A founding member of power poppers The Wind, Lane Steinberg has been recording steadily his whole life, covering an astonishing range of styles. His songs often pay tribute to Tin Pan Alley and The Great White Way, especially the masterful “Beautiful Day, Take Me Away” from his eponymous record, and several songs on this new collection. Steinberg’s synth and guitar playing are exquisite as always, as in the carnival atmosphere of “Franklin and First,” with its cascading piano and sharp guitar solo. “Another Early Autumn” summons mid-period Beach Boys in its lush arrangements, and “Portofino” is something Cole Porter might write.

“I’m Tony Hayward And I’d Like My Life Back” is an hilarious homage to the owner of BP Petroleum who went into full cover your ass mode over the Deepwater Horizon meltdown. It’s good music and sharp social commentary. “Crazy As A Shithouse Rat” is even better. The last track, “Give The Devil His Due,” sounds like it belongs on a Wind album.

KAI DANZBERG – Not Only Sunshine(Big Stir)

Exquisite, multi-layered vocals including the A/B harmonies favored by the dB’s among others in this gleaming slab of power pop from Germany. Sounds sweetly Swedish, summoning overtones of the Private Jets, The Merrymakers, and David Myhr. Then I opened the booklet and saw David Myhr staring out. He’s only on one song, but the entire record is fab, in the same neighborhood as Duncan Maitland’s Songs For the Twenty-First Century. Kai Danzberg sings like Zac Anthony of the Wellingtons, in a honeyed alto. “My Beautiful Day” is pure sunshine. “Turn Away,” with Roger Joseph Manning sitting in, tinkles in on Jellyfish keys before Kai sings the swooning the first chorus. “Help” hits you with one hook after another.

PEAWEES: Dead End City (Rum/Bar)

Samuel Goldwyn once said, “What we want is a story that begins with an earthquake and works its way up to a climax,” and that’s pretty much what you get with this hard rock Italian import. Snarling, spitting, proto-punk ferocity like the Hellacopters or Jason and the Scorchers. There’s a touch of Eddie Cochran, particularly in “Boss Hoss,” an apocalyptic rendering of “Runaround Sue,” and a “Proud Mary” that’s snarlier than Tina Turner. If you like coffee, you’ll like this.

ADDISON LOVE: Thoughts About Lunch (Big Stir)

Addison’s a charming platypus, wise beyond his years in this collection of pop which ranges from the exquisite melody of “Other Angels” to the Randy Newmanesque “The Ballad of Dr. Minard” and “I Think You’re Swell.” Addison gets sharp assistance from guitarists Cameron Lew and Anthony Grisham, but Addison’s a pretty handy guy with piano, bass, guitar, mellotron, slide, and Rickenbacker twelve string. “Like the Beatles” is more country than Beatles, but you can hear Ringo on drums.

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