Robyn Hitchcock is without a doubt a genuine rock and roll character and I say this in the nicest possible way. From his days fronting the Soft Boys and the Egyptians he has always managed to embrace rock and roll’s history in a truly reverential yet slightly eccentric fashion, much to his credit I might add.

Olé! Tarantula sees Hitchcock return with yet another band, the Venus 3 which is essentially the Minus 5 minus two members but the results are again some incredibly finely crafted pop songcraft with lyrics that will have you scratching your head consistently throughout. There is no denying that sometimes he can be a bit…..obtuse in his approach to rock and roll but that only makes the end result so satisfying. Whether the soaring jangly Byrds-like pop of "Adventure Rocket Ship" or "Underground Sun" are more to your liking or you tend to side with the lilting country-tinged songs like the title track or "(A Man’s Gotta No His Limitations) Briggs" this album has enough variety to keep any aficionado of true pop songwriting coupled with meticulous production happy. For some reason I have always considered Robyn Hitchcock to be the rightful heir to Syd Barret and that is truly a supreme compliment in my book. A really enjoyable listen for me. It’s nice to see that Robyn is still mixing it up in the new millennium.

Later.

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I have had the EP from Brighton, England based band Dollar-Sent in my posession for a couple of weeks now but hadn’t really had the chance to get to listen to it until last week. The perfect opportunity finally presented itself and man was it a revelation. I was stuck on the runway in a 737 during an ice storm in Toronto waiting for de-icing so I started writing about Lester Bangs on my laptop in the meantime. While sitting there I put on my iPod and started scrolling through my playlist and came across Dollar-Sent. As I sat there in this airplane tapping away furiously about Lester Bangs and the MC5, "Girl From St. Mary’s" came blaring over my headphones and I had to stop writing. With Chris Rizzanski sounding like Lemmy after a hard night of drinking, these guys blasted away like it was their only chance to blow people’s eardrums out. But the song that got to me was "Hey Yeah" which had such an effect that I immediately rearranged my playlist for my upcoming Rock and Roll Report Radio show to slot them in as the last song of the night.

Their EP is pretty cool and features six studio tracks and two live cuts ("Mess of Me and Girl From St. Mary’s"). While their brand of rock and roll is pretty heavy theyhave a great sense of melody amongst all that hard rock swagger. And there is substance behind all those Marshall stacks. Take a listen to the lyrics of "Hey Yeah" for proof (you can listen to it on The Rock and Roll Report’s MySpace page).

Great CD. Another keeper. Rock ‘n Fucking Roll indeed!

Later.

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I have had the EP from Brighton, England based band Dollar-Sent in my posession for a couple of weeks now but hadn’t really had the chance to get to listen to it until last week. The perfect opportunity finally presented itself and man was it a revelation. I was stuck on the runway in a 737 during an ice storm in Toronto waiting for de-icing so I started writing about Lester Bangs on my laptop in the meantime. While sitting there I put on my iPod and started scrolling through my playlist and came across Dollar-Sent. As I sat there in this airplane tapping away furiously about Lester Bangs and the MC5, “Girl From St. Mary’s” came blaring over my headphones and I had to stop writing. With Chris Rizzanski sounding like Lemmy after a hard night of drinking, these guys blasted away like it was their only chance to blow people’s eardrums out. But the song that got to me was “Hey Yeah” which had such an effect that I immediately rearranged my playlist for my upcoming Rock and Roll Report Radio show to slot them in as the last song of the night.

Their EP is pretty cool and features six studio tracks and two live cuts (”Mess of Me and Girl From St. Mary’s”). While their brand of rock and roll is pretty heavy theyhave a great sense of melody amongst all that hard rock swagger. And there is substance behind all those Marshall stacks. Take a listen to the lyrics of “Hey Yeah” for proof (you can listen to it on The Rock and Roll Report’s MySpace page).

Great CD. Another keeper. Rock ‘n Fucking Roll indeed!

Later.

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David Bash knows his rock and roll. As a long time music journalist and the creative force behind the International Pop Overthrow festivals, he lives and breaths rock and roll. So every year I like to post his "Best of" list for the year because it is always a handy thing to have when trying to decide on which CDs to buy this week. Check it out and take notes. I interviewed David last year so if you are not aware of the man you can read the interview here.

Favorite Albums of 2006

Contemporary Categories

I. Top 100 Albums

1. Chris Brown-Now That You’re Fed (Self-Released)
2. The Nines-Calling Distance Stations (Self-Released
3. Mellowmen-Tomorrow’s Sound Today (Self-Released)
4. The Green And Yellow TV-Sinister Barrier (Records Records)
5. The Winnerys-Daily Urban Times (Rainbow Quartz)
6. Roger Manning-Solid State Warrior (Pony Canyon)
7. The Mayflowers-Pop A Doodle Doo? (Wizzard In Vinyl)
8. The Sexies-Midnight Raving Angels (Self-Released)
9. Nigel Clark-21st Century Man (Hijack)
10. The Anderson Council-The Fall Parade (Groove Disques)
11. The Junior League-Catchy (Self-Released)
12. Linus of Hollywood-Triangle (Franklin Castle)
13. Nelson Bragg-Day Into Night (Side B Music)
14. Marykate O’Neil-1-800-Bankrupt (Self-Released)
15. The Feeling-Twelve Stops and Home (Universal)
16. The Adored-A New Language (V2)
17. Evan Hillhouse-Evan Hillhouse (Striped Rock)
18. Blue Cartoon-September Songs (Aardvark)
19. The Capitol Years-Dance Away The Terror (Park The Van)
20. Household Names-Picture In My Head (Self-Released)
21. Monkeeman-Monkeeman (El Muto)
22. The Corner Laughers-Tomb of Leopards (Sandbox)
23. The Handcuffs-Model for a Revolution (OOFL)
24. The Now People-The Last Great 20th Century Love Affair (Bird Song)
25. The Skies of America-Shine (National Recorder)
26. Vanilla-Vanilla (Charlatan)
27. The Vinyl Skyway-From Telegraph Hill (Self-Released)
28. The Higher State-From ‘Round Here (Teen Sound)
29. Cheap Trick-Rockford (Big 3)
30. Shy Nobleman-Beautiful Life (Noble Tunes)
31. The Bees (U.S.)-High Society (Self –Released)
32. Feel-Steps To Reach A Human (West American)
33. Silver Sun-Dad’s Weird Dream (Excellent)
34. Ed James-…In The 21st Century (Jam)
35. The Lightyears-Mission Creep (Self-Released)
36. L.E.O.-Alpacas Orgling (Cheap Lullaby)
37. The Tearaways-Beat Yer Own Mersey (Fried)
38. Bowling for Soup-The Great Burrito Extortion Case (Zomba)
39. Beagle Hat-Magical Hat (Marquis Inc)
40. The Ronelles-Hotel (Neon Tetra)
41. Daniel Saturn-Lakehill Soccer Association (Self-Released)
42. Supraluxe-Supraluxe (Self-Released)
43. Deleted Waveform Gatherings-Complicated View (Big Dipper)
44. The Royal Purple-Transcendental Medication (Umbrella)
45. The Ladies & Gentlemen –Ladies and Gentlemen… (Self-Released)
46. The Martial Arts-Your Sinclair (Groover)
47. The Pipettes-We Are The Pipettes (Memphis Industries)
48. AlternativA-A Night in Starlight (Alternative Light)
49. Fresh Mowed Lawn-Fresh Mowed Lawn (Not Lame)
50. Semion-Help Me I Work In An Office (Self-Released)
51. Swims-Ride Of The Blueberry Winter (Prison Jazz)
52. Cloud 11-Sweet Happy Life (Kool Kat Musik)
53. The Oohs-Llama Lamp (Oohszone Layer Records)
54. Rainy Day Saints-Diamond Star Highway (Get Hip)
55. The Hazey Janes-Hotel Radio (Measured)
56. Peter Murray-Ants and Angels (Junction Triangle)
57. Stingray Green-Hard Numbers (Self-Released)
58. The Innocents-Pop Factory (Zip)
59. Solo-SoloPeople (Excelsior)
60. The Safes-Well Well Well (O’Brother’s)
61. Wisely-Parador (Not Lame)
62. The Silver Lining- Well-Dressed Blues (Self-Released)
63. The Scheme-Sunset on a Daydream (Sodapop)
64. The Wallstones-Pleasure and Pain (Mariann)
65. Caddy-Go Slow (Jasrac)
66. The Bellyachers-200 Lucky Feet Move The Dragon (Craftphonic)
67. Phamous Phaces-Spider Ball (Bink!)
68. Phil Angotti-East Side Soul (Jam)
69. The Naomi Star-Sunshine Girl (Pleides)
70. The Goldbergs-Hooks, Lines, & Sinkers (Self-Released)
71. The Loud Family and Anton Barbeau-What If It Works? (125)
72. Edmund’s Crown-Regrets of a Company Man (Self-Released)
73. Jaimie Vernon-Time Enough At Last (Bullseye)
74. Twinklehead-Twinklehead (Division)
75. Lolas-Doctor Apache (Wizzard In Vinyl)
76. Puffy AmiYumi-Splurge… (Tofu)
77. Drake Bell-It’s Only Time (Universal Motown)
78. The Men-Return (Self-Released)
79. Peter Berry & the Shake Set-Wildberry Shake! (Teen Sound)
80. The Sheers-Goodbye World (Self-Released)
81. The Sails-The Sails (Rainbow Quartz)
82. Marty Rudnick-More Songs About Cars And Girls (Sandbox)
83. Dog Age-Reefy Seadragon (Rainbow Quartz)
84. The Vinyltones-Memoirs of a Songbook (Self-Released)
85. PoP is ArT-Epiphany (Self-Released)
86. Magneto-Resistance Is Futile (Popboomerang)
87. The Alice Rose-Phonographic Memory (Self-Released)
88. Doug Powell-Four Seasons (Paisley Pop)
89. The Oranges-Teen Rock (Wizzard In Vinyl)
90. The Kickbacks-Motel Stars (Peeled Label)
91. Lane Steinberg-The Return of Noel Coward’s Ghost (Cheft)
92. Junebug-3rd (Planet
93. Andrea Perry-Rivers of Stars (Self-Released)
94. The Shake-Trippin’ The Whole Colourful World (Florynata)
95. Tom Petty-Highway Companion (American)
96. Leave-I’d Rather Not Say (Self-Released)
97. The Shut-Ups-The Stud Album (Self-Released)
98. The Stabilisers-Wanna Do The Wild Plastic Brane Love Thang? (Acid Jazz)
99. The Asteroid #4-An Amazing Dream (Rainbow Quartz)
100. DollSquad-The Rock ‘n’ Doll Sound Of…(Teen Sound)

(more…)

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Well this is different. I’m not one to review unreleased songs destined for an upcoming album but since a lot of them are available on the band’s MySpace site I figured what the hell!

For anybody that reads this site regularly, they will know that my tastes tend to run towards power pop and garage type rock with regular excursions to harder rockin’ territory once in awhile. One Bad Son took me by surprise because it is heavier than my normal rock and roll diet. When I heard the first song "Gringo" that is slated for their sophomore album this Spring I thought "Woah, this stuff is pretty crunchy and the vocals are heavy man" but by the time the second song "The Matterhorn" hit I tried to place who they reminded me of as I cranked the volume slowly but surely. Halfway through the track it hit me. Shit these guys remind me of the late great Soundgarden, a band I absolutely loved in the early 90s! All was good but then I heard "SunFire" (currently streaming off of my MySpace page) and then I knew these guys were special. The telltale signs were there: I played the song 3 times in quick succession while loading it onto my playlist for the next Rock and Roll Report Radio (set to air on January 22nd, 2007 by the way). A phenomenal song and a classic in my humble opinion.

Hailing from the rock and roll hotbed of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the four guys in One Bad Son have put together an awesome set of heavy but satisfyingly hard rock and roll that will make a killer album. With their debut album "This Agression Will Not Stand" garnering rave reviews and their live show blowing people away all over the place, this band will not suffer the dreaded "sophmore jinx" based on what I have heard. Check out their MySpace page for a listen to some of the new songs (Gringo, The Matterhorn and SunFire) and by all means check them out live if they come to the local rock and roll dive near you. Great stuff.

Later.

ONE BAD SON: This Aggression Will Not Stand Modern hard rock in the vein of Alice in Chains or Audioslave. "Appetite for Destruction meets Houses of the Holy" (Exclaim. Magazine, June/06)

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Attention all Cars fans! Forget that sham that is the "new Cars." I have something that will give you your fair share of quirky, synth soaked power pop fun that will have you pumped up and looking for your skinny ties in the attic. May I present to you "Oink" by The Pigs. The brainchild of Geoff Westen, "Oink" is a total and complete guilty pleasure from beginning to end. At first I was kind of confused until the chorus of "Saturday Night" (click to listen) kicked in and I was looking for the "action man" and from there things kind of morphed from one synth chord to chorus.

Really, setting aside the fact that this album title (and band name for that matter) stink, "Oink" has enough cool studio production tricks and catchy hooks to make you think of The Cars drinking with Devo in a parking lot. Certainly a CD that requires multiple listens and a good sense of playfullness. "Oink" by The Pigs smells like pure pop fun. I like it.

Check out their MySpace site and enjoy.

Later.

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The great Swiss Records site has a batch of new reviews up. Check ‘em out now.

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There are two things to keep in mind about the CDs that I recieve for review. One, I only review the CDs that I like. Two, it sometimes takes me some time to warm up to a CD but those are usually the ones I end out liking the most. "Over and Over" by The 88 is a CD that both these rules apply to in equal measure.

When I first recieved this CD I gave it a couple of spins but for whatever reason it just didn’t jump out at me. A few weeks ago I loaded it up on the iPod for a second go and now it’s one of the most listened to CDs on my playlist. Originally "Hide Another Mistake" and "Haunt You" were the first songs that got the repeat treatment but lately I have been listening to "Battlescar" continuously (listen for it on the next Rock and Roll Report Radio). Actually, this is one of those CDs you just start at track 1 and let play for the duration. A lot of nice variation and surprises with some great pop hooks and the vocals of Keith Sletttedahl are original but fit in perfectly. A great CD that has really grown on me. A keeper in my books. I recommend you give them a spin. Check out their MySpace site and have a listen.

Later.

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THE TEEN APPEAL "Act" Pop The Baloon Records/Wizzard in Vinyl Records mailto:popthebaloon@free.fr ou www.wizzard-in-vinyl.com

Je suis ému et satisfait à la fois de la sortie de cet album : ému parce que source de souvenirs épatants d’avoir connu et vu ce groupe jouer. Satisfait qu’enfin on lui rende hommage à sa juste valeur, très grande à mes yeux. Leur unique album avait été tellement frustrant au regard de leur potentiel que je remercie plus que chaleureusement Fabien et Manu de Pop the Baloon et Daizuke de Wizzard in Vinyl. Déjà la 23e référence du label lyonnais(pour nos amis d’outre France, une grande et belle ville française avec un passé rock formidable) et déjà un bout de temps que notre ami Gilles Raffier, l’instigateur de ce label, est parti rejoindre Jim Ellison, Pete Ham et tous les autres grands Popsters. Teen Appeal était à l’image son label, brillant, inspiré, fan, sans moyens. Les Plimsouls étaient leurs grands frères (quel souvenir que ce concert à Barcelone avec les Teen Appeal en fans éplorés) sans que cela leur fasse de l’ombre, leur fougue et leur envoie emportaient tout sur leur passage. La reconnaissance a été limitée mais source de bonheur intense pour les gens qui les ont croisé. Il faut acheter ce disque rien que pour les bonus tracks : Cecilia, Money ou Summer is coming sont tout simplement indispensables à tout fan de rock qui se respecte. Beau livret, belles photos sur papier glacé s’il vous plait. Une météorite dans le ciel étoilé de la Pop. Indispensable

I am excited and satisfied in equal parts at the final release of this album. Excited because this is the source of some super souvenirs to get to know all over again and listen to the great band that performs them. Satisfied because finally we can pay this band the respect that they deserves in my eyes. It’s frustrating that this album hasn’t been able to get the respect that it deserves despite the efforts of Fabien and Manu of Pop the Balloon and Daizuke of Wizzard in Vinyl. The 23rd release of this label from Lyon (for my friends from outside of France this is a great and beautiful French town with a great rock history) is a testament to my friend Gilles Raffier, the founder of the label, who is joined by his friends Jim Ellison, Pete Ham and all the other great Popsters. Teen Appeal is a mirror image of his label: brilliant, inspired, a fan of great pop without excuses. The Plimsouls were considered older brothers (what a concert memory of them playing in Barcelona with Teen Appeal there as the teary-eyed fans!). Their popularity was limited but they were loved intensely by those who knew good music. You should buy this record if for nothing more than the bonus tracks: Cecillia, Money or Summer is Coming are simply indispensable for any true fan of rock and roll. A nice booklet with beautiful photos on glossy paper, this band was a shooting star in the starry sky of pop. Indispensible.

By Gérard Girard

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They sing songs about 2 year runarounds, girls gone bad from hanging around rock bands, listening to blaring rock & roll in black light illuminated basements as well as covering the proto-glam bubblegum schlock of Sweeney Todd’s “Roxy Roller.” Their album was produced by Gilby Clarke. In sum they are perfectly rock and roll.

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Crash Kelly have managed to churn out an album of rock and roll I remembered listening to in high school, that timeless combination of guitar-infused sleaze sung with just the right amount of swagger to piss off your parents. I’ve already played “She Put the Shock (In My Rock n Roll)” on Rock and Roll Report Radio to great effect and I absolutely love “You’re a Drag When You’re High” with great lines like:

“You’re a drag when you’re stoned and you nod off in mid-sentence. And your lights are growing dim, and you sink ‘cause it’s too hard to swim.”

“Electric Satisfaction” is an apt named title for this record because that is exactly what it gives you. More cool rock and roll from Canada. Get it now.

http://www.myspace.com/crashkelly

Later.

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HALFWAY "remember the river" Laughing Outlaw Records www.laughingoutlaw.com.au

Deuxième album pour ce combo australien qui a la particularité de posséder deux chanteurs, Johnny Busby et Chris Dale et de plus d’égale valeur. Ce sextet de Brisbane se situe dans le courant Americana de qualité tel que les Etats Unis nous en a fourni (de Gram Parsons à Wilco) Une diversité superbe des chansons et une intreprétation vivante que ces 13 titres produits de main de maitre par Monsieur Rob Younger (Radio Birdman pour les habitants de la planète Mars!) et Wayne Conolly (You Am I, entre autre chose) Du bien bel ouvrage qui devient une bonne et saine habitute chez Laughing Outlaw

The second album from this Australian combo possesses two vocalists in Johnny Busby and Chris Dale of equal and impressive talent. This sextet from Brisbane derive a lot of their influences from the high quality Americana movement that emanated from the United States in the music of everyone from Gram Parsons to Wilco. An incredibly diverse range of suberb songs with vibrant production on all 13 tracks courtesy of Mr. Rob Younger (Radio Birdman for those of you who live on Mars!) and Wayne Conolly (You Am I, amongst others). This is excellent, high quality music that will become a healthy habit courtesy of Laughing Outlaw.

http://www.halfway.com.au/

By Gérard Girard

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If I was to compile a list of my favourite tracks from 2006 I would have to put "Sin" the lead-off track from New York band Daphne’s self-titled debut album in my top 3. Absolutely. Go to their website at http://www.daphnenyc.com/ and download a copy for free and try and tell me I’m wrong.

The rest of the CD does not let you down either. They have that certain heavy sound with absolutely perfectly matched vocals that’s hard to describe without hearing it. I have always liked a heavy sound that was musical and Daphne is just that. Check out "Whenever You Change" "Crush" and "She’s Still Running" for that perfect combination that I’m trying to describe and you’ll see what I mean.

A killer CD from a band that should be played out loud from the rooftops. A rock and roll classic that once again commercial rock radio can’t seem to find even if you plastered it to your local program directors’ head. Their loss. Very cool stuff.

Later.

DAPHNE: Daphne Heavy Pop

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Il aura fallu attendre dix longues années pour fêter le retour d’un très grands groupes des 90s. Quand je parle de groupe, je devrais écrire (et je le fais!) bienvenue à toi Evan Dando!! l’ex latin lover du Rock nous revient après moults dépressions, abus et autre carrière solo avortée. Une décennie est une période plus que longue pour maintenir le cap dans une carrière musicale et les choses ont bien changé (évolué ?) depuis Car Button Cloth, dernier album officiel des Lemonheads. Le son, la production, l’état d’esprit, la technique entre autre pouvaient laisser penser que le retour serait fastidieux. "black gown" qui ouvre ce nouvel opus nous fait de suite mentir et "become the enemy" enfonce le clou et on sait déjà que la partie est gagnée en savourant ce véritable hit. La présence de guests aussi éloignés que Garthe Hudson (The Band) et Jay Mascis (Dinosaur jr) confirme l’état d’esprit de Dando et sa palette d’influences. La voix trainante est toujours aussi belle, les mélodies toujours aussi évidentes. Vagrant deviendrait-il l’un des derniers refuges des gardiens de la flamme ? (voir Paul Westerberg) Sans conteste palme du retour aux affaires de l’année 2006 et très grand album de ces derniers mois

It has been ten long years since we have been able to celebrate the return of one of the greatest groups of the 90s. When I am talking about the group, I must write (and I am!) welcome back Evan Dando! The ex Latin Lover of Rock has returned after bouts of depression, drug abuse and an aborted solo career. A decade is a long period of time to regain direction in any musical career and things have certainly changed (evolved?) in the time that they have been away since “Car Button Cloth,” the last official Lemonheads album. The sound, the production, the state of mind, the technique amongst other things made me wonder if this return would be a tiresome one. After listening to “Black Gown” which opens this new opus and “Become the Enemy” which hits the nail on the head we already know that we are enjoying a true hit record. The presence of guest musicians as disparate as Garthe Hudson from The Band and Jay Mascis from Dinosaur Jr. confirms the positive state of mind of Dando and his wide range of musical influences. His voice continues to evolve and sound great and the melodies are still front and center in the music. Could this rock and roll vagabond be one of the last of the refugees guarding the musical flame? (see Paul Westerberg) Without question this is one of the best returns to music in 2006 and one of the best albums of the last few months.

By Gérard Girard

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The Montreal music scene is definitely growing in leaps and bounds but as usual with any “scene” there is no definable sound that you can point to. The only thing all these bands have in common is the city they sleep in. The Snitches are a band from Montreal, true but really that’s not why this is a great record (OK maybe a little bit why). What these guys have going for them is something a lot of “indie” bands seem to forget about: absolutely great songs!

While The Snitches certainly have enough indie cred to keep up with the best of them, their 2005 release “Black Book” is full of an amazing variety of styles that gets stronger with each listen. At first you might consider lead off track “Come On Back, Angeline” to be your favourite until “Kick in the Head” sticks in your brain or “Blink.” And just when you’re all pumped up about those rockers you slip on the headphones and fall head over eye sockets in love with the gorgeous psychedelic slow rocker “See You Tonight” and once again you shake your head in amazement.

This is primo, first grade rock and roll that just happens to come from my own hometown. Pick up your copy at Sugartune, a very cool source for Montreal indie rock and roll. Expect to hear more about Sugartune and some interesting plans with The Rock and Roll Report in the near future. It’s all good.

Later.

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Does this ever happen to you? You get a new CD and the first song is so good that you keep playing it while pretty much ignoring the rest of the CD for a week or so? Then you finally decide to turn off “repeat” and plow through the rest of the songs to see if they are all that good? Well that’s what happened to me with Amplifier by Galore. The lead off track “She’s an Elevator” is so good that I literally ignored the rest of the record and even played it on Rock and Roll Report Radio last Monday. I finally managed to pull myself away from that amazingly cool tune to check out the rest of the CD and what a amanzingly great CD it is!

Galore is a Toronto band that emerged from the ashes of some great Canadian indie bands including one of my personal faves, Cool Blue Halo. I knew I was in for a treat just based on “Elevator” and the fact that Moe Berg, a power pop icon in my opinion produced the record and oh man was I right. Galore have managed to pack a lot of different musical styles on this CD but all the songs contain great, great hooks that keep things fun and rockin. Aside from “Elevator” check out “Teen Rebellion Machine”, “The Amanda Effect” and “Come On X 3″ for some amazing rock and roll. A great CD. Just can’t decide which song to play on the next radio show! Check out their MySpace page for a listen to what they have to offer.

You can buy the CD at the Burr Records site.

Later.

Later.

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The usual great array of record reviews have been posted to the Shindig Magazine website. A great magazine to buy and treasure as the winter approaches.

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Holy shit I love this CD! Jonathan Bright is a Nashville native but you won’t hear any country licks on his EP Radio Free Tennessee only incredibly catchy, pure rock and roll that brings to mind the type of hard rock candy that David Lee Roth-era Van Halen brought to the rock and roll party.

Right from the jungle drum kick off of Tweaking the Fine Tune I knew that this guy was special. First of all he has the voice and the guitar tone I love (hey these things are important!) and to top it all off he adds these little musical detours in his songs that keep things interesting. Along with Fine Tune you can add Shine to my personal iPod playlist as this stuff just feels right all the way through. Modern twists with major power pop sensibilities, Radio Free Tennessee is a blast from beginning to end. Have a listen on his website for free but really, just go out and buy the CD. You won’t regret it. And check out his MySpace site where he rips out a killer version of "Hot For Teacher." Very cool stuff. Highly recommended.

Later.

JONATHAN BRIGHT: radio free tennessee hyper-melodic hard rock, equal parts bad finger and black sabbath

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LA has a particular rock and roll culture. Not as punk as New York or as flash as London, LA has always contributed a certain sleaziness to rock and roll and the approriately named Poets & Pornstars are a band who perfectly encapsulate that Sunset Strip raunch.

On their debut CD the self-described "LA’s favourite band" certainly backs up their claim with 11 hard pop nuggets. I was immediately taken with Hal Ozsan’s great rock and roll vocals with just the right amount of raunch to keep things rock and roll but bowled over when I heard "Monkey" and especially his vocal work on the incredible"Inflatable Girl." This guy definitely has a good set of pipes and he proves it over and over on this record. With a record eight week engagement at the infamous Viper Room, Poets & Pornstars have pretty much matched if not beaten outright their recorded output with an incendiary live show that just screams hot babes, loud rock and roll and trouble in the darkened corners of wherever they play. Their CD includes a bunch of memorable hard rock gems that have to be played very loud for maximum effect and two nice slower pieces that are impressive because they’re not cookie cutter hard rock. No formulaic crap here, just very cool stuff from a band that looks like it has a great future ahead of it. Check out their MySpace site and have a listen for yourself. Another addition to my iPod for the weekend!

Later.

POETS AND PORNSTARS: Poets and Pornstars Clean rock and roll that steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Simple and straight ahead musical arrangements like the Stones, like Aerosmith, like the Doors… Strong pretty melodies that stick. -Sugarbuzz Magazine

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"I don’t care what’s on the charts
I only know what’s in my heart
And all I really want to do is rock"

So sings Jana Peri in "I Wanna Rock" from her debut full-length CD "Catching Flies with Vinegar" and she not only rocks with conviction but she throws in some tasty country twang with "I’ll be Gone" and some jazzy breaks in "All your Fault." While its nice to hear her broadening her musical horizons its on rockers like the lead off "City Beat" "New York Proud" "Cab Driver" and her devasting take on the LA chickdom in "L.A. Girl" that absolutely blew my volume test off the meter. My eardrums are still reeling from playing this album way to load on my trusty iPod.

Not only is the music rock and roll great but Peri can write so its actually fun to sing along to these songs and not cringe at the lyrics (ya I sang along, sue me). I’m not going to bother trying to trot out the tired cliches about women rockers because musicians like Jana Peri blow all that bullshit straight out of the water. This is a great album of catchy, punk infused rock and roll. And who else but a woman can write a lyric like:

"Your kisses are synthetic so I probably shouldn’t care
But I’m feeling so pathetic in this crotchless underwear"

This is a all good stuff. Rock and roll thru and thru. Gotta catch her live.

Later.

JANA PERI: Catching Flies With Vinegar NYC power pop/rocker JANA PERI and the boys mix British Invasion and Punk influences, resulting in a powerful and tasty pop cocktail. Harmonies and hooks galore. Winner of ROCKRGRL Discoveries 2004 contest. New CD was produced by Daniel Rey (Ramones).

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Does Rainbow Quartz Records have all the cool Spanish power pop bands locked into long term contracts or what? And its probably high time that Rickenbacker Guitars pay the label a percentage of their profits because they are singlehandedly keeping the cool Byrds-like jangle of a 12 string Rick alive and kicking. The label does it once again with Spanish band The Winnerys, a band that will make any self-respecting Beatles fan scream in thanks as they listen to all 15 tracks on their 2006 release "Daily Urban Times."

To say that this record is influenced by the Beatles is to state the obvious but holy shit is it uncanny how it both invokes memories of the band while not sounding like a complete retro act. With crisp instrumentation and killer 3 part vocal harmonies you would swear these guys were from Liverpool! Have a listen to the lead off track Get Into My Life and the following Big Times (click to download) and you will see what I mean. And if those didn’t convince you get yourself a copy and check out "Mr. Cupid’s Puppet Show" which could easily have been a last minute cut from Sgt. Peppers or Magical Mystery Tour.

All in all, I really enjoyed this "2006 looks back at 1966" album not so much for waht it evoked in my memory banks as to how it affected my "smile-o-meter." Listening to "No Longer White" I thought to myself "man, they no longer make music like this anymore" until I realized that indeed they still do, thanks to bands like the Winnerys. Makes me want to head to Carnaby Street if it wasn’t such a tourist trap these days. Cool stuff.

Later.

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Can anyone tell me why "Someone Else’s Name" by Red Seven is not a huge fuckin’ hit on commercial radio? Oh ya, that might be because Red Seven aren’t signed to a label, indie or major and that is a real shame. On their debut album "Anywhere But Here" this band from Chicago have managed to combine crafty songwriting with crisp production and a satisfying heavy backbeat to put together a 10 song hard rock opus that would not be out of place AT ALL on commercial rock radio if it would just get its collective head out of the major labels’ asses and play something a bit off the beaten track, you know something that the commercial radio "personalities" would have to discover by maybe going to a small rock club or at the very least checking out MySpace once in awhile.

The way I discovered the band is a testament to the power of the Internet and Web 2.0 and all that cool stuff available to music fans these days. I checked in with Iain, the host of the Unsigned Rock Podcast and asked him who has floated his boat lately and he pointed me towards Red Seven. Two clicks later I’m on their MySpace site listening to some tracks off of "Anywhere But Here" and after a couple of e-mails I had my own copy sitting in my grubby little hands.

With a satisfying mix of mid-tempo contemplative rockers including the phenomenal "She Don’t Know" and "Gone" and the excellent 3 song blast at the end with the aforementioned "Someone Else’s Name", "Wanna Hold You" and "DUI/Drinkin’ All Night" this CD just begs to get out to a wider audience and that is frustrating in its on right. This stuff would be lapped up by the rock and roll masses if they could only hear it so I’ll do my part. "Someone Else’s Name" is my MySpace "Song of the Week" and make sure you check out Rock and Roll Report Radio on November 20th for more Red Seven. It astonishes me that there is so much good sounding rock and roll out there that still remains unsigned. A travesty to be sure. Have a listen on the CD Baby link below and if you like, buy.

Later.

RED SEVEN: Anywhere But Here WARNING: Listening to this CD may be habit forming. Contains traces of catchy pop/punk, hard-driving rock and soulful ballads that may cause uncontrollable head bobbing, repetition of lyrics and finger tapping. Highly addictive even in moderation.

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If you visit The Rock and Roll Report’s MySpace page any time in the next week you will be able to hear my song of the week which is "Proud Man" by The DT’s. I just discovered this band and I wish I had known about them sooner. Featuring the absolutely killer vocals of Diana Young-Blanchard and the nice and nasty guitar licks of Estrus Records main man Dave Crider, "Proud Man" is just a taste of what this band can put out. Amazing stuff. Look for my review of their brand new "Nice ‘n’ Ruff" CD sometime next week.

Later.

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Mondo Topless are cool because they play cool music. Swirling Vox Continental organs and songs about beer, I mean really, what’s not to like? Things blast off nicely with "Take it Slow" but to me their take on Paul Revere and The Raiders’ "Louise" had me hook, line and sinker. As a matter of fact I wanted to immediately order a couple of kegs and have a hundred of my best friends come over for a toga party. Ya that’s the effect this stuff has on me.

Around since 1992 so they are in no way newcomers to the current in vogue "garage rock" movement, Mondo Topless have undergone a bunch of changes in personnel but have always stayed true to their garage rock roots, roots that any Nuggets owning rock and roll fan will testify to with complete and utter conviction. Have a listen to their take on Solomon Burke’s "Stupidity" which oozes stagger to the bar cool, or "Powerglide" with its punked out drive and you will know that this is sweaty, crash and bang rock and roll the way its supposed to be played. A party in every track. Mondo cool. Buy it at Get Hip direct.

Later.

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It seems ironic that as The Rock and Roll Report goes pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month that I should be reviewing a double compilation of female indie rock musicians but it certainly wasn’t planned that way. Females on Fire 2 is the second compilation to come from Warrior Girl Music, a creative arts company "that is about developing artists, songs and projects to capture the spirit of youth and empowerment.

The mission of Warrior Girl Music is the following:

"To create, promote and foster unique artistic creations that are guided by the artist’s vision and under the artist’s direction, creations that transcend race, age or gender and that embrace passion, love for music and life, personal excellence and global consciousness."

The thing that immediately struck me about this compilation is the incredible selection of styles from the musicians. Almost everything is represented from full out rock and roll to raunchy harmonica-infused country to tender ballads and everything in beteween. With impeccable production and a quality of songwriting that is incredible, this CD was a treasure chest of unknown (at least to me) gems. There really is something for everybody on this compilation and even though it’s for the most part not full-bore rock and roll, I find myself listening to it quite often in the car and while writing at home. And if anybody dares to drag out that old warhorse that women can’t rock, have a listen to "Summer Wave" by Leigh Silver. That’ll shut him up! A real treat.

Later.

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The nice thing about reviewing records is that you really get a chance to listen to stuff that covers the full spectrum of rock and roll. While I may have a particular fondness for garage punk and power pop, I nevertheless enjoy stuff that’s more of a roots rock persuasion or hard rock and heavy metal. It all depends on my mood and whether it gets some part of my body moving in time to the music. A lot of what I get here at R&R central is great rock and roll and some is not so great but some stuff I get just throws me for a loop of indecision followed by gradual acceptance finalizing in absolute joy. Denise James‘ latest record "Promises" is just one such CD.

As a gifted Detroit-based songwriter for other musicians she has had great success but to listen to her own material is to take a trip back in time to a place where the young solo "girl" singer sang of unrequited love and heartbreak. Think Petula Clark, Lulu and Ronnie Spector for a sound check. As a matter of fact, if Phil Spector wasn’t currently in jail for murder I would say that Denise James would benefit greatly from the classic "wall of sound" treatment. Her music is definitely jangly but soft, heartfelt but optimistic but all of it is undercut with a definite "today" vibe. Just listen to "What Happened to the Love We Knew." What sounds like a mid-sixties paen to love gone bad is suddenly infused with a deliciously sounding nasty guitar break that you know could not have come from anybody back then (well ok maybe Ike Turner but I digress).

The album pretty much follows that pattern. Sweet but not sacharine, sad but not despondent, "Promises" is one of those albums that you just think "man they don’t make them like this anymore" and that is as much a tribute to the excellent songcraft as it is some nostalgic take on how it was better "in the day." Have a listen for yourself and give this CD a chance. It will probably stand out in your record collection as a bit of an aural oddity but then, some of the best music follows this pattern. A captivating CD from a lost time. Wonderful.

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