LATE MAY REVIEWS
by Mike Baron
BILL LLOYD: The Boy King of Tokyo (Whole In One)
Bill Lloyd has as much claim to The Boy King of Tokyo as Paul Collins to The King of Power Pop. They may be the same crown. Lloyd, whose Set to Pop is a classic, needs no introduction to power pop fans and this fourteen track selection only confirms his mastery of power pop with one foot in country. The chiming charming title track reaffirms Lloyd’s unique, immediately identifiable style, Lloydian chord changes with an elegant Oriental bridge. The instantly memorable “Let It Slide could be the noir theme to any number of desperate characters. His guitar work is impeccable and galvanizing. “We Got the Moon” is a “Moondance” like fandango with a blues vibe. “Com-Trol” deals with corporate music with a stomping bridge and an hilarious corporate outro spewing forth disclaimers and conditions at warp speed.
“Home Jeeves” shows Lloyd is just as fluent at hillbilly twang. He might have written this with Steve Earle. A couple of instrumentals, one with Doc Watson’s guitar, one with Chet Atkins’ are fun. Every song is solid and the closer, “Mistakes Were Made,” ranks with the best of Jackson Browne–or Bill Lloyd for that matter.
Four and a half stars.
ORDER at KOOL KAT – Here
SMASH PALACE: Do It Again (Zip)
Smash Palace’s “7” made my Top Ten list for ’10. Do It Again is a solid follow-up beginning with the infectious “Living It Lonely.” “It’s Easy” has that insidious “Dirty Water” vibe, a late night cruising song. “Tell Her Now” is a Petty-like Come to Jesus meeting song about relationships leading to the bittersweet, Hawks-like “She’s Never Coming Back,” which is what happens when you tell her now. “21st Century Boy” feels like a Scots/Irish Confederate war chant. “Dreamer” brings the Byrdsian chime and would not have been out of place on Mellencamp’sScarecrow. “It Just Came Out” is a king hell stomper on the order of “Hitchin’ A Ride” or the best of Lou Christie and “Can’t Make It Without Her” has a Little Feat vibe but it all comes across as Smash Palace.
Four stars.
ORDER CD at Kool Kat – HERE
FALLON CUSH: April
Steve Smith writes slow churning dramatic ballads where you see the hook coming a mile away and it still knocks you on your ass. Fallon Cush has something in common with the Green Pajamas, Crowded House and the Black Sorrows but are entirely distinctive. April is a powerful collection for those who like their rock dramatic and melodic.
“It’s a Line” has Celtic blood and the feel of a misty green forest. Lily Dior joins Smith on harmony for the exquisite “Forever After” and numerous other songs, including the Appalachian “Honey Honey.” “In the Nick of Time” is in the same park as and Genesis/Pink Floyd and “Where Your Name Is Carved” sounds like John Lennon in song and voice. “Renegade Blues” is an exuberant power pop Porsche and the most upbeat song on the album.
This isn’t power pop but it is compelling and satisfying.
Four stars.
ORDER CD at Kool Kat – HERE
CHRIS RICHARDS AND THE SUBTRACTIONS: Get Yer La La’s Out (Gangplank)
The Subtractions new record is a stunning display of power pop dynamics, the kind of record that never lets up, one churning popper after another like Meyerman or The Turnback. Lead singer Chris Richards is a compelling guitarist who could probably entertain all night with just the guitar. “It’s Something” shares some DNA with Supraluxe in its addictive dynamic, like a Ford assembly line that snags your sleeves as its going by. That’s before the Turtlesque bridge. “And Suddenly” emits a slight Posies fragrance but stomps a little harder and chimes a little louder.
“I’m No Better Than You” is a Sloan-like rocker that cleverly incorporates the title into the music before a word is sung. Richards’ guitar dazzles on “Head Under Water” with a multi-tiered Mayan solo. “I’m No Saint” sounds like a long lost Zombies hit.
Four and a half stars.
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ORDER CD at KOOL KAT – HERE
GI AND JOE: Tempting Zen
These singer/songwriters have been kicking around the Front Range in a variety of guises but this is their first full-length release for what was formerly known as Tempting Zen. Joellen Cabot is a world class singer, the type of voice American Idol discovers every two or three years, easily the equal of Kelly Clarkson or Christine Aguillera. The record is groove driven R&B influenced rock with inspired boy/girl vocals. “Way Down at the Bottom” harkens back to the great jazz rock groups like Electric Flag and Ten Wheel Drive and cries out for horns. “No Big Deal” is driving R&B with a Bros. Johnson vibe that veers into a sweetwater bridge and is a great vehicle for Jo’s amazing range, tonal control and tensile strength. Unlike most divas she shuns melisma making all her emotional points on the melody.
“Move Like That” would have been a perfect vehicle for Donna Summer or Beyonce for that matter with its Caribbean sway, horns, and whiplash rhythm section ably abetted by Chris George’s spot-on-the-money drum fills and Kelly Watson’s bass. “I’m Goin’ Away” is an achingly beautiful duet in the Delaney and Bonnie mode with synthesized flute. Every great band must have a monster guitarist and Doug Wilmarth effortlessly fulfills that role. “Art of Love” could have been lifted right off Shoot Out the Lights. “Time 4 U 2 Go” is the type of protest song Bob Dylan used to write as Jo goes from a whisper to a scream. “Too Late” shows a little bit of country, which GI (Stephan Hoff) and Jo do as effortlessly as anything else.
Four and a half stars.
Fallon Cush also seems to cover some of the same territory as The Jayhawks and Fire Town/Spooner. The best of the above lot!
Funny you should mention that, Bruce. My old friend Phil Davis, who founded Firetown, is in a new band with Butch Vig, who founded Spooner. They’re called The Emperors of Wyoming and they’re on Facebook.