November 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.
All the Pretty Things by The Glad Machine (Kool Kat)
On their third album, Western Massachusetts power poppers refine their granular sound, which morphs from smooth to crunchy and back in three minute bursts. Subtle textural dynamics add a fourth dimension. The granular isn’t grating. On the contrary it’s exhilirating. They go from a whisper to a scream in song after song, particularly on the title track. The shifting dispositions and textures enhance their ability to burrow into the thalamus.
“Back to You” massages the brain’s pleasure receptors with a guitar solo that is restrained and fresh. They cite Jellyfish and Cheap Trick as influences although they sound like neither. Their sound is unique and universal. “Can We Still Fall In Love This Summer” is a masterpiece of midtempo thumping. They slow down for elegiac closer “Want To Be The Light” because a band this great can’t cruise at ninety all the time.
Waterloo Sunrise by The Rockerati (Kool Kat)
This is nuts and bolts rock and roll from Bill Haley to the present. If you like to rock out, this is your jam. “Shake the Tree” is Jerry Lee Lewis meets Chuck Berry. The Rockerati, like Sal Baglio (Amplifier Heads, Peppermint Kicks) takes the building blocks of rock and roll and reassembles them in fist-thrusting form. Like Lego blocks.
Consider the simple Lego block. Now look at that Star War Empire Destroyer built from Lego blocks. That’s what Rockerati does. “Endless Sea of Stars” has a Blasters vibe. These guys had a blast recording this and you can hear it. “Miles Away” comes close to Supergrass territory. If rockin’ out is your thing, this is your party record.
Baby Moon by The Wellingtons (Kool Kat)
The Wellingtons have been turning out brilliant power pop since 2005. Their fourth album is a tour de force of smooth positivity. They do this without minor chords. I wish the Christian bands I’ve heard in megachurches would learn that secret. The music is compelling, beautifully sung, filled with surprising hooks. Lead singer Zac Anthony sounds like Brad Thayer of the Glad Machine. Brad may have a little more grit in his voice but Zac puts his heart into it.
“Always Gonna Be That Girl” sounds a little like Splitsville. A little. And there’s an echo of Shoes in “Deadbeat Dad.” If architecture is frozen music, than this music is unfrozen Frank Lloyd Wright. Would I like to live in these songs if they were houses? Yes I would! The ceilings would be higher too. “I Won’t Turn Away” and “Sad Today” are a one two punch with a velvet glove. As wholesome as a ’60s sitcom, but also thrilling. They share a propensity for Hollies-like harmonies but there’s no mistaking that sweet Melbourne buzz.
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October Album Reviews: Bloody Red 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.
I didn't know The Wellingtons before this album and I'm a big fan of Baby Moon. Excited to dig back into the catalog at some point.