Category: Pop (Page 113 of 216)

RadioRadio: Alarm 1 Alarm 2

August 8, 2008 / Jeff Giles

They may have arrived to the new-new wave party a little late, but RadioRadio still managed to build up a bit of steam after releasing its debut CD, Watch ‘Em All Come Runnin’, in 2006 – only to watch it all evaporate in a puff of frustration after three fifths of the band quit unexpectedly, leaving vocalist Greg Hosterman and bassist Paul Cristiano to sort out the pieces. RadioRadio’s still here, as evidenced by the new EP Alarm 1 Alarm 2 — but whether that strikes you as a good or a bad thing will depend heavily on your tolerance for dudes in skinny ties who do their damndest to evoke the early ‘80s work of well-coiffed Britpop heroes like Bowie, despite being, you know, American. The music’s still the thing, of course; it doesn’t really matter that these four Brixton-worshiping guys actually hail from Tulsa, just as it isn’t a crime for an Oklahoma band to name one of its songs “BBC.” No, the problem with RadioRadio is that its music is slavishly derivative, and the extremely limited thrill provided by like-minded bands such as the Killers wore off a long time ago. The songs have plenty of energy, and Hosterman sings as well as any Thompson Twins cover band frontman, but what’s the point? Just listen to the band’s inspirations. You already know the songs by heart. (Comprono 2008)

RadioRadio MySpace page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop

Nick Motil: Everything’s Alright

August 8, 2008 / Captain Capm

This six-song EP by singer/songwriter Nick Motil is sure to please fans of artists like James Taylor. In fact, Motil sounds enough like Taylor on “Butterflies” here that you’d almost have to double-check whom you were hearing if you didn’t know beforehand. Motil’s music is tasteful, acoustic-based stuff that will easily tug at the tender heartstrings of music fans who yearn for something that reminds them of yesteryear. While it’s nice to hear Motil do his thing, it’d be nice to hear him stretch out a bit more. After all, not every tune needs to run at a slow canter. But that’s what you get here, a handful of slower-paced tunes that are well produced, well sung, and are completely contemporary. It’s hard not to imagine females everywhere swooning for the likes of “Cliche” and “Try Harder.” But will the guys like it? It’s hard to say. James Taylor had legions of fans, so it’s probably a safe bet that Nick Motil can capture the ears of anyone out there as well. But again, it would have been nice to hear him do something a bit more adventurous – even just one song, even – instead of staying in his comfort zone for the length of this disc. (self-released)

Nick Motil MySpace page

Artists, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop

Blind Pilot: Three Rounds and a Sound

August 8, 2008 / Jeff Giles

The sticker affixed to promo copies of Blind Pilot’s Three Rounds and a Sound promises “something like a wistful mix of the Shins with a bit of Iron & Wine folkishness,” and that isn’t just idle hipster-baiting – if the Shins and Iron & Wine had a baby, it might sound a lot like these 11 songs. If it did, though, it wouldn’t be a particularly gifted child. This is not to say that Blind Pilot rides the short bus of melancholy, folk-tinged indie popsters – just that there isn’t anything particularly moving or profound about this album. It hits all the cues it’s supposed to, right down to the smudged pastels in the cover artwork, but if you’ve ever spent any time listening to any (or, God help you, all) of the bands that sound like this, there isn’t a single bit of Three Rounds that you haven’t already heard someplace else. Of course, there really isn’t anything new under the sun, and if you’re going to be slavishly imitative, you could do a lot worse than tearing pages out of this particular playbook. Great for background music, and fine for those who enjoy puzzling over lyrical non sequiturs (“I buried a bone / And darling, you don’t know him / Just where you are might be the right place”), but this little patch of ground is starting to yield withered crops. Next time out, some sharper material could work wonders. (Expunged 2008)

Blind Pilot MySpace page

CD QuickTakes, Pop

Janelia: I’m an African

August 8, 2008 / Captain Capm

Janelia is a likable African-American artist who explores her pride in her family’s roots on I’m an African, an 11-song semi-concept lbum about her life as a “second generation” African, born in America. The title track is instantly enjoyable, featuring a bouncing, almost tribal rhythm and excellent melody. It’s borderline reggae, but not completely. “Baba Wa” explores the exploitation of such natural African resources as gold and diamonds an d the violent bloodshed the demand for both can bring. “Ashabi” is a chant sung in African, and “Get on Down” is a celebration of life, friends, and love. The songs on this album are quite good. The production of it is another thing, however. Most of the tunes sound a little thin, and the repeated instrumentation and style sounds a little too familiar after awhile. yet the messages and melodies here are strong, and Janelia is to be commended for bringing her spiritual messages to the groove so succinctly. Definitely worth a listen. (self-released)

Janelia’s MySpace page.

Artists, CD QuickTakes, Pop

Broken Poets: Everything in Nature

August 8, 2008 / Captain Capm

The Broken Poets have created an excellent little album here that features a brand of dramatic pop that fans of bands like The Church and artists like Bob Dylan should really enjoy. Such majestic tunes as “To Dream of Another Life” go a long way to cementing the Poets’ sound in the minds of their listeners. This is serious, sweeing stuff. “Last Resurrection of the First Bob Dylan” is thankfully not hokey the way its title might lead one to believe. In fact, these guys successfully hit upon the same sorts of grooves that Dylan did on Highway 61 Revisted in their tone and cynicism. Then there are tunes like the richly textured “Meaningless Heart” that brings a strong rock sense to the table that is at once immediate and exciting. There’s something spiritually righteous about it, too. Sometimes the album can get a little precious for its own good, but mostly this is just great listening through and through making The Broken Poets a band certainly worth keeping both eyes and ears upon. (Wordvendor Records)

Broken Poets’ MySpace page.

Artists, CD Reviews, Pop, Rock