LATE AUGUST REVIEWS
by Mike Baron (and guest writer John Grace)
HIDDEN PICTURES: Rainbow Records (goldensoundrecords.com)
Cheeky power-pop oriented quintet gets things rolling with the infectious and lyrically smart “Calling Christine” for an instant jolt of caffeinated sugar. There’s a hint of the Kennedies in Richard Gintowt’s and Michelle Sanders’ harmonies on “Solo Record Shop.” Smart melodies abound on “Boyfriend A.D.D.,” which sounds a little Carsish with some Squeeze, and “Ricky” with its Fairport/Small Faces-like ballad. Hidden Pictures evoke all sorts of our favorite bands while maintaining their own style.
Three and a half stars.
SITCOM NEIGHBOR: Charm
John Murphy is a gifted songwriter who, with his longtime partners Pat Mitchell and Eddie Cleland, produces harmonically and melodically rich pop. This is not so much power pop as classic rock-tinged pop in the manner of Captain Wilberborce or Fallon Cush. “Vaseline Water Balloon” has a Muswell Hillbillies feel while “The Satisfaction of Love” sounds like a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy/Posies mash-up. “The spare and elegant “Let It Go” employs many mid-period Beatles sounds while “The Simple Thing” posits exciting contrapuntal guitars against rainbow harmonies.
They save the best for last, the soaring romantic “Big In Japan” with killer hooks and a guitar solo that will launch many an aerial workout. Finally, the succulent, Raspberries-like “Darlene” closes the show.
Four stars.
RUBY FREE
Rick Hromadka’s last Maple Mars record was a gas. He’s upended the table on that period with the addition of vocalist Lisa Cavaliere for an album of sun-drenched west coast country/folk/pop beginning with “Bongos and Beards,” celebrating the lives of William Burroughs, Alan Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac. It’s prancing Beatlesque pomp/psychedelia with nutty bongos and flute. The acoustic “Deep in the Valley” has a C,S and N feel. “Good Company” is a sleekly terraced power ballad, a perfect blend of the sweet and the bitter. “Sonny and Cher” is a sinuous late night rueful smoker, a cautionary torch song. Lisa sings lead on “Tiny Stars” in a smoky contralto. She should sing lead more.
The blue/black “Wound Up Too Tight” brings an electric jolt of Doors. “One Last Song” is epic and triumphant.
Four stars.
JOSH FLAGG – Devastate Me (Residential Records)
review by John Grace
In the tradition of Andrew W.K., Josh gives us his bloodied face on a cd
cover. A slightly inappropriate image since the music on Devastate Me is
neither particularly angry or violent. Perhaps he didn’t want to be
thought of as a wimpy power popper. No fears because the tunes aren’t
wimpy, with solid lyrics and a heavier than usual sound for indy power
pop. You could mistake it for the latest Foo Fighters, which is not a
bad thing at all. But unlike Dave Grohl’s pop-metal group, there is an
appreciated knack for often forgotten gimmicks like handclaps on “Better
Off Alone” and the track “256” sounds like the original Peter
Gabriel-led lineup of Genesis going pop. Could have done without the
acoustic ballads “Don’t Wake Me” and “Nothing Lasts” because they betray
the two-fisted vibe of the rest of the album, plus a minute of guitar
strumming sounds like padding when the rest of your tunes are tight 3
minute works.
Three and a half stars.
