The Ups & Downs – Sleepless (What Goes On)
I discovered this fairly obscure Australian psych/jangle pop band via the Jangle Pop Boutique website. Features the spectacular single “Living Kind” – as amazing a jangly guitar pop song as any better known band has ever done – and a great cover of NEIL DIAMOND‘s “Solitary Man.”
Praying Mantis – Time Tells No Lies (High Voltage)
Praying Mantis was one of the first groups swept up in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Their sadly out-of-print debut album is much heavier on melody and vocal harmonies than distorted guitars. “Cheated,” the opening number, sounds like THIN LIZZY as a power pop band.
Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses – Roadhouse Sun (Lost Highway)
This young Texas troubadour grows by leaps and bounds every album, and he’s found the perfect foils in his excellent band and ex-*BLACK CROWES* guitarist MARC FORD, who keeps him from falling into ROBERT EARL KEEN/*PAT GREEN* “Texas Music” cliches.
Allen Toussaint – Life, Love and Faith (Water)
I’m seeing the legendary Toussaint play later this month and need to catch up on his work. This album from the early 70s is a masterful cross between the soul music and the thoughtful singer/songwriter movement of the times, with a New Orleans rhythmic backbone. Great stuff. Now if only the follow-up Southern Nights was in print…
Jason Falkner – I’m OK You’re OK (Noise McCartney)
I’m finally able to hear Falkner’s latest, minus the ultra-expensive Japanese import price, thanks to a friend. It’s supposedly coming out in the States later this year, though I’ll believe that when I see it. A strong record just the same – Falkner’s consistency is amazing.
The Crash Street Kids – Transatlantic Suicide (Hot City)
The third record in a trilogy by this glam-inflected power pop band. A well-kept secret that deserves wider exposure than CD Baby can give them.
Phil Seymour – s/t (Collector’s Choice)
Since I’ve been listening to DWIGHT TWILLEY lately, I had to give his late partner’s solo record a try as well. He was a great singer, with the perfect voice for power pop, as this album handily proves.
The Good Rats – Ratcity in Blue (Uncle Rat)
I found out about this band through WILDHEARTS leader GINGER‘s “Secret History of Rock ‘n’ Roll” column on the Classic Rock website. The Rats are basically a tuneful 70s hard rock troop, but their propensity for glam shadings and Broadway theater colorings sets them apart. Strong vocals and writing as well.
Iggy Pop – King Biscuit Flower Hour (King Biscuit Flower Hour)
This show dates from the late 80s, when Iggy was casting about between slick 80s pop (Blah Blah Blah) and workmanlike hard rock (Instinct). This is closer to the latter, but with his usual live turbocharge that was left behind on the studio albums. Plus erstwhile HANOI ROCKS leader ANDY MCCOY was his lead guitarist, giving hints of what could have been a fruitful collaboration if it had lasted.
The Runarounds – Waiting For the Hurricane (Rock Indiana)
A Spanish power pop band that stays well within the boundaries of the style, but with an infectious spirit. This band loves this kind of music, and it shows.
