August Album Reviews: Bloody Red Baron
GUEST POST: Mike Baron
Mike Baron (aka Bloody Red Baron) was the longtime album reviewer for Pop Geek Heaven. With the closure of that legendary power pop newsletter, we are very happy to host his latest round of album reviews here at Remember The Lightning.
The Half/Cubes—Pop Treasures (Big Stir)
Mere months after The Flashcubes released Pop Masters, half the band strikes again with twenty-four pop gems culled from decades of power pop. A lot of these are unfamiliar, as they should be. There are more great power pop bands than there are stars in the heavens.
Opening with The Searchers’ “Love’s Melody,” they don’t slow down. 10cc’s “The Dean and I” is pure joy from the opening chorus. “I Live” will remind people what a great artist Jason Falkner is, and that his debut solo album Presents Author Unknown is still a masterpiece. Two Eric Carmen songs. Phil Seymour’s “Precious To Me” followed by Dwight Twilley’s “You Were So Warm.”
A lot of the original artists sit in on these sessions, including Jon Rubin and Tommy Dunbar on The Rubinoo’s “The Girl.” Van Duren sings on “Jane,” another unforgettable girl song. Flo & Eddie’s “Let Me Make Love To You” is new to me, and I never thought of them as a power pop band, but there it is. “Heaven’s Falling” is a forgotten Cheap Trick gem, and so is 20/20’s “Jet Lag,” which sounds less morose in The Half/Cubes’ hands. This as good as Sparkle Jets U.K.’s Best of Friends.
The Well Wishers—Just So You Know
This is Jeff Shelton’s thirteenth album as The Well Wishers, continuing his penchant for upbeat simple but elegant power pop surrounded by a fuzzy wall of sound. Like Ryan Allen, he maintains a throbbing intensity, except for the piano-driven “Harlan Park” where he slows down to take a breath.
If this album was a car you’d give it a speeding ticket. “Good Side” showcases his instinct for the bridge and the hook. In fact, they all do. “Fight or Flight” is another banger, only this one incorporates spot-on piercing whistling that sounds like he did it in one take. Anyone who tries to whistle a tune knows how difficult it is. Jeff has a few friends sit in, but this is mostly his show. If you like The Lolas, Nick Piunti or Ryan Allen, you’ll like this.
The Verve Pipe—A Family Album (LMNO)
Donny Brown, who plays often with the Michigan Mafia (Andy Reed, Ryan Allen, Nick Piunti) sent me this record, which is over ten years old but is new to me. Every song is a charming, sun-beaming ode to family life, incorporating a puckish humor similar to Wanderlust, with some spo-dee-oh-dee clarinet thrown in as on “We Had To Go Home.”
This is as family-friendly as it gets and if you want your kids to love power pop, get them this. It is the polar opposite of The Rolling Stones. “Be Part of the Band” is an inspirational ray of light with a harmonica coda. “When One Became Two” is a joyful ode to family life. “Cereal” is about the joy of cereal. The whole album is about joy. “Suppertime” incorporates a little Nashville flat-pickin’.
Sparkle Jets U.K.—Box of Letters (Big Stir)
Sparkle Jets U.K. have incorporated the feel of many bands into their work, yet maintain a distinctive sound due in no small part to lead singer Susan West who sounds like Kim Shattuck of The Muffs on helium. She sticks the high notes, as on “Goodbye X 3,” “Love Burn,” and “Box of Letters.”
Sparkle Jets U.K.’s style is an outstanding mix of every power pop band since the ‘60s. The album opens with the Zombies’ “This Will Be Our Year” with a touch of prog reminiscent of the Blood Rush Hour or XTC, a major influence. “I Can’t Wait For Summer” sounds like a different band with its Beach Boys template and luscious harmonies. Sunshine pop at its finest. And the closer, Moby Grape’s “Hey Grandma,” is as delightful as the opener.
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The Well Wishers album is pretty great.