DAVID MYHR: Soundshine (Strong Melody)
David Myhr looks like a science teacher. The album jacket explodes with color offering a hint of the mad pop science within. This is delirious sunshine pop channeled through the Beatles, ELO, Kinks et al. Is it too wholesome, too hooky for its own good? Can there be too much happiness?
“Never Mind” tells us that Myhr is the Ken Russell of rock–his music is flamboyant, joyous, almost over the top, throwing in everything from flutes to Beach Boys doo-wahs. “Looking For a Life” is an uptempo charmer with Myhr doubling up for harmony. “Get You Where He Wanted” features the type of big musical gesture for which ELO is known. “I Love the Feeling” swoons in with a scat sequence and sounds like the flip side to “Walking On Sunshine.” “Got Ir Right” is an ELO-style phase-shifter. “Don’t Say No” suggests Myrh would be right at home in Nashville–sounds like a Lady Antebellum or Toby Keith song. “Loveblind” is more in the Hollies/Monkees vein.
“The One” out-McCartney’s McCartney with a touch of the English folk scene and sweet violin. “Wanderlust” is a fast exuberant rocker with a hook worthy of Jellyfish. “Icy Tracks” has pop smarts and hooks that just won’t quit as it morphs into a raga with a poppin’ base and the vocals run backwards. Finally, “Ride Along” is a Kinks/Beatles mash-up with the full George Martin press including flutes.
Five stars.
To order – go to Kool Kat – HERE
MICHAEL OLIVER AND THE SACRED BAND: Yin & Yanxiety
This Boston rocker has released a collection of rich ballads peppered with power pop. “Complicated” is a minor key mechanical caterpillar that builds to a satisfying chorus although it lacks a third chord. “Neverlast” is a bittersweet mid-tempo charmer that recalls the Small Faces and Hollies, with an irresistible Beach Boy scatting chorus leading into Beatlesque horns. “Love While It Lasted” is straight-ahead pop rock in the Tom Petty mode, sharp bridge leading to a simple and elegant guitar solo. “One More Day” is a somber lament about the drudgery of work when you’re feeling down.
“It Was You” is in the Tim Buckley/Leonard Cohen park while highlighting Oliver’s highly emotive voice. “Littler Miss Oblivious” features a Louvin-quality harmony in this mid-tempo character study with psychedelic flourishes. “Picture This” is the kind of soul-drenched song Springsteen used to write, with a memorable bass line. I wish he’d bring those horns up to the front a little more and add trombone. “I Won’t Get Over You” is another sincere apology song with a chamber orchestra comp. “This Close to Heaven” is an inspirational rocker that stomps, chills and kills with a killer bridge and a perfect fade-out. I wish all those sunny poppy Christian bands would listen to this. Album ends with “I’m Alright Now,” wry lyrics, wistful tone, guitar, bass and drums. Oliver is a terrific story-teller but some of these tales, not so great. I would prefer more yin and less yanxiety. Nevertheless, there’s enough here to crank.
Four stars.
To order – go to Kool Kat – HERE
THE STARS EXPLODE: Between the Lines
The stars are not the only things that explode on this snarly pop rocker led by former Gladhander Doug Edmunds and the dB’s former rhythm section. It takes only four bars for “Here and Now” to scoop you up and sweep you along like a downhill locomotive–hits the bridge becoming airborne before turning into the hook’s sweet chorus. Eric Peterson’s electric guitar is like watching a master Japanese calligrapher at work. “Feet of Clay” highlights Edmunds’ musical and emotive voice with lyrics that check “Faust.” The guy who made a deal with the devil, not the band or the comic. “Fill in the Blanks” is classic power-pop with an instantly memorable bridge. “Funny Feeling”–top down cruising song.
“Memphis Moon” would make Alan Toussaint proud with its strings and soulful chorus “Cinderella” shows off Edmunds astonishing vocals, including a Dylanesque aside, with expert support from drummer Rigby. “Dynamite’s” crazy bridge takes us into mad experimental pop territory. “What’s It Gonna Take” features classic pounding heartland chords with an industrial-strength chorus that explodes into stadium pyrotechnics and an Air Guitar Minute. The Stars command attention not only with their music but with their ideas.
Four and a half stars.
To order – go to Kool Kat – HERE
JET ELECTRO (Fowl Tone)
Jet Electro is one Craig Daniel, but he sounds like dozens. This is one of the fullest-sounding one-man-bands yet and an awesome yawp of power pop. “I’ll Never Find Another Girl Like You” begins the record with a passionate John Hiatt/Raspberries mash-up mash note. Daniel’s voice is a perfect fit for this type of material, melodic and tensile. “Buckle Up” has a Stax/Volt vibe in the funky bass line and horns and would be a perfect fit for Huey Lewis. “For Sale By Owner” is masterful story-telling fused with a ferocious dynamic. “I Don’t Know How (to Write a Love Song)” proves the lie as he sings it. “Walter Cronkite” is a Bowie-like tribute to America’s Anchorman.
“This Baby of Mine” is on a par with Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl” for doo-wop sweetness. “100 Girls” is a very funny and spot-on description of a bi-polar girlfriend. “When she’s noit chewing on the curtain she’s kissing me or screaming in my face.” Been there, done that. “Waiting For an Autograph” brims with Byrdsian jangle. Finally, “Through” ends the album with an exhilarating anthem.
Four and a half stars.
With all due respect, my song, “Complicated,” has *five* chords and the truth…which I consider “value added.” – Michael Oliver, Boston
My mistake, Mike. Very sorry.
Seriously…Thank you for the review. It was very much appreciated!
Read your review about David Myhr, ordered the CD from Japan, got it today, listened twice (so far). Thanks for turning me on to this! It is fantastic!
MITCH–WHAT DID you pay for the record?
Never mind–sixteen books.