Category: CD QuickTakes (Page 115 of 149)

Two Dog Garage: Pinboy

October 10, 2008 / Mike Farley

Culver City, California’s Alex Kimmell is a one-man band, and his band is called Two Dog Garage. So as not to confuse matters, let’s call the project TDG, and let’s call TDG’s debut, Pinboy, a rousing success. There are so many flavors of music at work here, as TDG uses paints from the palettes of classic rock, modern rock, and just about everything in between. And he does it with what seems like relative ease. The songs are not just catchy and well recorded; they have the potential to stand up to just about any commercial recording. TDG is unsigned, but that just means you may have to look in the nooks and crannies of the online music world, but you won’t regret anything once you get there. The title track might evoke thoughts of Toad the Wet Sprocket, and “You’ll Go Blind” may remind one of ‘80’s MTV icons the Buggles (yes, the music is that varied). And then there is the utter beauty of “Everything Happens to Me” and “This Beautiful Life.” Oh, and the instrumental “Anesthesia” sounds like what is probably what your body hears when it’s under, well, you know. So go find Mr. Kimmell, errrr, TDG. Tell him I sent you. (self-released)

Two Dog Garage MySpace Page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Rock

System and Station: A Nation of Actors

October 10, 2008 / Josh Preston

With bursting swirls of perfectly fuzzed-out electric guitars, System and Station’s fourth full-length album A Nation of Actors is not subtle when it comes to flaunting their influences. On the album’s opener, “The Magnetic North,” Built to Spill and mid 90’s alt- rock band Dig instantly come to mind. But their recognizable influences fade as quickly as they appear, and System and Station claim their own musical territory. It’s abundantly clear that these guys aren’t looking to be the “next big thing,” which is honestly very refreshing. It’s also apparent that these guys would be a lot of fun to hang out with after their set, and it sounds like that is why they do this in the first place. The band’s main songwriter, Ryan “RFK” Heise, delivers songs that are catchy in the way Pavement songs are catchy; you can’t really sing along on the first few listens, but you feel as though you know every out-of-the-way stop along the route. With Gestalt-esque arrangements and vocal layering, the sum of these songs truly are greater than their individual parts which, at the end of the day, is what rock is really all about. (Latest Flame 2008)

System and Station MySpace page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Rock

Anders Holst: Romantika

October 3, 2008 / Mike Farley

Dubbed as the “crown prince of contemporary romantic music,” it would seem Swedish import Anders Holst’s publicist and label are reaching a bit. Reading about him and listening to Holst’s debut album, Romantika, you get the feeling that this is a guy who has always had aspirations to have his music played on light rock stations. And in that lies a problem – the fact that most light rock artists didn’t get there by wanting to get there. They arrived there because they were aging rockers who mellowed over time like wine or cheese, and because their fans mellowed in parallel fashion (think Eric Clapton or the Eagles). Others, like Daniel Powter, wound up on light rock stations by default. But Anders Holst is being marketed that way, and while his songs aren’t bad and are arranged and produced like a cross between light rock and smooth jazz fare, there is something here that sounds forced. Adding a bit of insult is the fact that Holst, while being touted as a songwriter, leads off the record with Billy Joel’s “All About Soul,” proof that even his label doesn’t have enough confidence in Holst’s songwriting. Again, Holst could do much worse than this, and he’s going to find an audience with his nice brand of light romantic pop. But as a whole, this batch of songs will help listeners relax—relax to the point of putting them to sleep. (LABEL: Unheard of Music)

Anders Holst MySpace Page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Jazz, Pop, Rock

Carlon: Johari Window

October 3, 2008 / David Medsker

“Canteloupe,” from New Jersey quartet Carlon’s debut album Johari Window, is one of those lightning-in-a-bottle moments, a slice of Hollies-style genius that seems to stop time. Indeed, singers Michael McWilliams and Ryan McGlynn do such an uncanny impression of Hollies singer Allan Clarke that they should be forced to take a blood test. “Rosie” does not fall far behind with its delightful climbing falsetto vocal. When the band tries to rock out, the results are fine, but do not measure up to the album’s quieter moments. “Have a Window” falls somewhere in between, with the somber verse and fuzzed-out chorus. All young bands naturally want to rock, but Carlon’s talents clearly lie in the hushed moments. Either way, it will be very interesting to see what they do next. (Ropeadope Records 2008)

Download Carlon’s “Canteloupe” here

Carlon MySpace page

Americana, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Rock

Jody Raffoul: Big Sky

October 3, 2008 / Mike Farley

Sometimes an artist delivers music that is just comfortable – and by comfortable, think Middle America along the lines of Mellencamp, Springsteen, and Petty. Jody Raffoul is one of those artists (but shhhh! He’s Canadian), though he has managed to stay under everyone’s radar. This, despite the fact that if he came around 20 or 30 years ago, we might be mentioning him in the same breath as those other guys. The latest evidence is Big Sky, another album from Mr. Raffoul with anthems, big hooks, signature rock vocal, and soaring guitars. Right from the start, “Chasing Paper” is like an AC/DC song with vocals an octave lower, and “Stay” as well as “It’s Grand” also have some really nice guitar work and sugary melodies. Raffoul also does nice work when he turns the volume down, as he does on “Little Black Car” and, to a lesser extent, “My My,” which features lush, Beatle-esque harmonies in the chorus. There are a few disappointments, such as “Home,” which is heartfelt but a bit bland. But as a whole, Raffoul the Canadian delivers another sweet slice of American pie on this effort. (Fontana 2008)

Jody Raffoul MySpace Page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Rock