powerpop « Rhythm & Booze

10 March, 2015

The Dreaming Spires-Searching For The Supertruth

Filed under: alternative,americana,country,indie,powerpop,Recorded Reviews — Tags: searching for the supertruth, the dreaming spires — willmunn @ 14:47

Searching For The Supertruth is the second album by Oxfordshire based The Dreaming Spires (Robin and Joe Bennett), following on from the critically acclaimed debut, Brothers In Brooklyn, an album that further enhances the duo’s cosmic sound to incorporate indie, roots, harmony enriched 60’s pop and beyond, to create something that’s both timeless and yet somehow new.

The album opens in style with the mesmeric, Still Believe In You, a shimmering slice of cosmic swirling indie, complimented by brothers rich Byrds like harmonies and a lifting psychedelic pop melody that instantly grabs for attention, bringing to mind the likes of Tame Impala, or perhaps a 60’s west coast version of the Flaming Lips. The opening track instantly segues into the gorgeous, strummed acoustic and rolling drums intro of All Kinds Of People, before developing into a glorious widescreen combination of Americana and shimmering indie.

Strange Glue sees The Dreaming Spires change direction to deliver a hook-laden power-pop anthem, complete with an addictive vocal refrain and infectious fuzzy guitar riffs aplenty, creating a buzzing alternative pop anthem that could have been ripped from the annuals of Apples In Stereo (high praise indeed).

Further album highlights include the sun-kissed, pedal steel assisted, Americana groove of Easy Rider, the aching country of We Used To Have Parties, featuring the beautiful vocal harmonies of Sarah Cracknell (St Etienne) and the majestic seven minute finale, So Pretty with it’s simplistic piano motif, sawing violin (courtesy of Jackie Oakes) and Robin’s gorgeous vocal drawl.

Searching For The Supertruth is one of those rare albums that you find yourself surrendering to, an album that deserves total immersion, sure there are obvious hooks on the likes of Strange Glue and the funky When The Magic Comes, but there’s also a rich tapestry of layers waiting to be discovered on the aforementioned So Pretty, All Kinds Of People, etc. The Dreaming Spires have crafted a majestic and inventive album that straddles genres and magnificently ignores trends, an album to sit back and saviour.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 9

www.dreamingspires.net

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23 June, 2013

Paul J Rose-Ulterior Motives

Filed under: folk,indie,powerpop,Recorded Reviews — Tags: new album, Paul J Rose, ulterior moives — willmunn @ 19:20

Paul J Rose is a Worcester based singer-songwriter, who’s been kicking around the local scene for a number of years now, performing both solo and as part of various different local acts, he can often be found showing his support for various different local bands in various different bars around town or plying his own wares on the cobbled streets of Worcestershire busking his compelling tales of everyday life to all and sundry.

Ulterior Motives is Paul’s latest album and once again serves as a wonderful showcase for his intriguing and identifiable songwriting talents. The opus also showcases Paul’s obvious love of all things indie, folk, rock, new wave and pop as the full length disc moves through a myriad of styles with the assistance of the likes of Saffron Box, Holly Daffurn, Matt Patterson and Dave Onions help realise Paul’s vision.

The album opens with the crunchy riff of Expression, as Paul sets the mood with an indie rocker complete with instant hook and compelling lyric that instantly grabs the attention, following on the aforementioned Holly Daffurn lends her contrasting and strong theatrical vocals to witty and observational; duet (Thinking Of) The Next Thing. From there on in Paul offers up the punchy new wave Sit Tight, the folky, harmony enriched Under Eyelid Cover, the surprisingly rock influenced Colours On The Kerbstones, harmonica assisted pop of wonder and a brilliantly infectious and irresistible slab of powerpop in the shape of Worthingtons DIY (try not to sing-a-long to the hook I dare you!!!). Oh and it would be something of a complete injustice if I don’t mention that Paul convincingly rounds the album off with a song in Russian, that not only comes across as sincere but also hints at a previously unmined gypsy folk jazz influence that possibly deserves greater investigation in the future.

Ulterior Motives may be something of a slight release on the grand scale of things, and may not contain all the bells and whistles that most bands, in this day and age, insist on throwing in, but nor is it a release that can be imply dismissed Paul has a passion and that he injects into each and every song, urging the listener on. This self funded album is a true labour of love and joy to listen from start to finish, it’s quirky, fun and somewhat addictive, keep you’re eye out in town for Paul and pick-up a copy I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 8

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25 July, 2012

Bob Collum-The Ungrateful Depression

Filed under: americana,Blog,folk,powerpop,Recorded Reviews,rock,singer-songwriter — Tags: Bob Collum, The Ungrateful Depression — willmunn @ 11:17

Bob Collum is an Oklahoma born, now Essex based singer-songwriter who blends Americana with power-pop infused with a glorious pedal steel guitar, to create an infectious and often rootsy sound full of hooks and catchy melodies.

To date, since Bob’s relocation to the UK he’s released several albums to critical acclaim, he’s also performed on the same stage as the likes of Dave Alvin, Marshall Crenshaw, Greg Trooper, Alejandro Escovedo, Robert Earle Keen and Robbie Fulks among others.

The Ungrateful Depression is Bob’s latest release a five track mini album, recorded by legendary producer and former Vibrator Pat Collier, this short snappy affair of stripped down roots and upbeat rockers serves as a brilliant introduction to folk who may not be aware of the talent of Bob Collum whilst it should reaffirm a love for already existing fans.

The Mini album opens with Primer Grey, a stripped down country tinged rocker complete with the aforementioned twanging, Pedal Steel, Bob’s warm vocals, the near five minute opener serves as a stunning mood setter, but it’s perhaps the second number, Famous Last Words that really grabs at the attention, it’s a rockier affair (showcasing that power-pop influence), complete with female backing harmonies, a swaggering guitar groove and an instantly infectious vocal refrain that’s simply impossible to ignore.

The title track is another one of those warm country tinged laments, whilst The Wrong Parade is a musically sparse, yet inventive slice of moody folk that see’s Bob’s voice accompanied by a lonesome finger picked guitar, the five track affair is rounded off with the lush harmony enriched, steel guitar enhanced Rebecca Lee showcasing the many and varied styles and influences of Bob Collum.

The Ungrateful Depression is a delightful, short collection of rootsy rock and country folk that should find favour with anyone with tastes of that persuasion, Bob’s lyrics and delivery grips the attention whilst the song arrangements not only compliments the material but also allows the tracks to breathe, this is uncluttered, unhurried roots at it’s best.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 9

www.bobcollum.com

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25 September, 2011

Butch Walker And The Black Widows-The Spade

Filed under: pop,powerpop,Recorded Reviews,rock — willmunn @ 11:57

Butch Walker might be something of a new name to most of you and indeed me but since 2002 he’s recorded five studio albums, released a live DVD and been named producer of the year in 2005 by Rolling Stones Magazine for his various production work for all manner of big named, acclaimed acts such as Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry among others.

Here in the UK Butch has began to make inroads as a performer playing sold out gigs at the likes of the The Garage and Borderline as well as performing at last years Wireless Festival, reaching new audiences with his hook-laden, swaggering combination of power-pop and good time rock.

Now I maybe a little niave to Butch Walker’s previous output but I’ve gotta say right from the off that The Spade is a blast, an instant, infectious gem full of massive sing-a-long choruses, contagious melodies and strutting riffs. The other major notable thing about Butch Walker And The Black Widows is they actually sound like they’re having a blast in the studio, they’ve deliberately kept a few false starts and a bit of banter between tracks, giving the album a warm, raw and human feel to the album whilst most bands aim for the clinical clean approach.

Right from the off, Bodegas And Blast the band grab you by the lapels, hurl you to your feet and invite you out to the best, wildest party in town. Crashing riffs, addicitive beats, glorious harmonies and a stirring lead vocal combine to create the perfect introduction to Butch and the boys.

From here on in we’re treated to a rollercoaster of big pop hooks, high octane riffs and the catchiest choruses known to man, four minute pop rock anthems with the odd ballad, a honking harmonica, a bit of pedal steel guitar and even a touch of banjolin throw n in for good measure.

Everysinglebodyelse and Summer Of 89 are rollicking high octane rockers, the former featuring a delightful false ending and parping horns, whilst the latter contains the obligatory holler along whooohooo vocal refrain and tongue in cheek references to Kiss, Bryan Adams and cover bands playing Bad To The Bones. Both should be available on perscription or at least on day time radio, they’re feel good anthems that are completely impossible to resist.

Elsewhere Sweethhearts adds some sweet soul harmonies, Synthesizers adds honky tonk piano and fairground accordian to the proceedings, whilst Dublin Crow is a wonderful roots rocker complete with banjo, mandolin and dobro showcasing a very different but no less impressive side to the potent sound of Butch Walker And The Widows.

The Spade is a fabulous album from start to finish, either a brilliant party record or perhaps that early morning jolt to kick start your day, either way if you love rousing sing-a-long rock with massive pop sensibilities or perhaps just a nice radio friendly tune to hum along to, Butch and the boys have it covered.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

www.butchwalker.com