THE CRY!
These four Portland yoot channel the obstreperous Buzzcocks/Green Day branch of power pop. Ray Nelsen sings lead on most songs with an appropriately snotty tone that will please Sex Pistoleros. The rhythm section of drummer Maus Mersky and bassist Dave Berkham emerge periodically as star players and guitarist Brian Crase possesses crazy dynamics and invention with traces of rockabilly, anthem, and acid.
“Modern Cinderella” sucks you in with a great hook, chiming chords and cheeky backing vocals that veer abruptly into sweet Beach Boys doowops. “Waiting Around” sounds like the prom band that only exists in your memory, starting as a ballad and breaking into a gallop. Nelsen’s voice drips attitude. Mersky’s rolling surf drums open “Sleeping Alone,” killer lyrics, killer hook, and dig Berkham’s lyrical bass. Crase, who sings lead, plays mammoth guitar and against soaring backing vocals. Crase rules “Forget It” with his phosphorescent solo.
“I Wanna Know” is one more killer hook-filled cry du coeur with an irresistible shifting rhythm that lets Crase roam. “I wanna smash in his face girl, I wanna smash in his face But I know if I do that again you’ll never come back…” Nelsen croons with lust and rage. “Wouldn’t Last,” consciously or not, is a mash-up of “Jet” and “Be True To Your School,” touching two of Cry’s polestars. “Such a Bore” could become a generational anthem like “Summertime Blues.”
The Cry have the songs, the chops and the attitude. I could go on but I’d rather listen to the record.
Four stars.
www.thecrypdx.com
DWIGHT TWILLEY: Soundtrack (Varese Sarabande)
Dwight Twilley needs no introduction to power pop fans, having established himself with his 1977 release Sincerely and the follow-up, Twilley Don’t Mind. These are essential recordings for power pop fans but Twilley never achieved the success of his friend Tom Petty, due in part to label disputes.
Working with long-time partners Phil Seymour and Bill Pitcock Twilley established a unique Midwestern style with a dash of rockabilly and a touch of Buddy Holly’s hiccoughing vocals. Seymour died in ’93 and Pitcock died earlier this year which makes Soundtrack, meant to accompany a Twilley documentary, particularly poignant. Twilley has lost none of his chops or musical invention making this a rockin’ wake, if somewhat subdued compared to earlier efforts.
“You Close Your Eyes” opens strong with a compelling melody and the hook Twilley never fails to provide. “Bus Ticket” has that slow-boiling Tulsa shuffle. Twilley asks, “where else can baby rockers go” with an exuberant melody and Pitcock’s rave-up guitar. “Tulsa Town” introduces a note of melancholy via mournful harmonica as Twilley looks back on his life in this less upbeat but extremely effective thematic echo of Mellencamp’s “Small Town.” “Skeleton Man” is a haunting riff about “the one who went to heaven and came back alive.”
“My Life” is Twilley’s most personal song with a somber hymn-like quality due in part to the churchy organ. “My life has been a dream within a dream within a dream…” “God Didn’t Do It” is a shout out for personal responsibility with Pitcock’s snarling guitar. “The Cards Will Fall” is a perfect Brill Building construct with the Tulsa twang and Ides of March horns. “Good Things Come Hard” is a tribute to Seymour about “Two little boys with two little guitars went for a walk around the world.” Finally, the somber “Last Time Around.”
Throughout Twilley maintains his high musical standards but as in all his records, he hides his voice behind an electronic screen imparting an unnecessary distance between himself and his material. Twilley knows how to carry a tune. Here’s hoping he’ll carry on and drop the electronic curtain.
Four stars. www.dwighttwilley.com
Queen Electric-EP
I’m not sure how a release from power pop luminary Scot Sax went largely unnoticed this summer, but it did. Queen Electric is his new band, and it continues the trend in his sound of a more moderately funky power pop. He touches all the pop bases here, from the heavy rock of “Gonna Let You Down” to the power balladry of “As You Make Me Out to Be”. Welcome back, Scot.
http://queenelectric.bandcamp.com/
I have not been a member long and this post has proven to me that joining was a good decision. The CRY is such a rare find. It is not all that often that I come across an entire album that I like from start to finish, but this album fits the bill. Listening to The CRY took me back to the early 80’s as a teen discovering the next cool sound. All I can say is, “Now where did I put that guitar?”
Thanks for yr comment, Gary! Indeed, The Cry is one of those album that, say, 5, even 10 years ago, would have been creating a HUGE buzz in the indie power pop world, imho….
Today, it’s so hard to get even folks who say they are fans of this kind of music to get past their general state of info and music overwhelm and even a good dose of cynicism to truly appreciate the arrival of a really special band.
Hopefully, folks here at PGH will take some time to check out THE CRY with a simple pleasured smile….
I’m sure you listen to many different styles of music, like most of us here – Gary, you may get a kick of this: http://www.popgeekheaven.com/music-discovery/video-see-whats-in-bruces-amazon-order/
In retrospect I’m upping my rating on The Cry! to four and a half stars.
@dudeman
Well said. Digging popgeekheaven and telling my friends. Well, the ones that appreciate good music.
@Mike Baron
I can understand why you would increase it. I bought the download and the more I listen to it the more I appreciate it. Honestly I have played it for days…on my pc…in my car…on my phone. I have not been this excited about a new band in probably 20 years. Thanks for the review. I would not have found them without it and popgeekheaven.
Yep – Really Enjoyed The Cry
The CRY! (ages 18-21) met less than a year ago! My son Ray and his friend Brian got Dave from “Midnight Callers” (really good Pop kids!) to play bass last January. Evan joined in March. Instantly there was a magical chemisty. In the month since, they have recorded the album (“The CRY!”) and built a small fanbase worldwide. I am Ray’s dad, producer, manager, publicist and financier! THANKS FOR ALL YOUR GREAT COMMENTS!
SR-Records (Tokyo) will be releasing The CRY! on 12″Lp this Spring but we still have no management or record deal. Any help PGHers can give in helping us “make contact” would be great. The music sells itself..