Review: Big City Rock "Big City Rock"

Now that's a real shame...when folks be throwing away a perfectly good pop rock band like Big City Rock. Their self-titled debut dropped in 2006 on Atlantic, featuring production from Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne), mixing by the famed Chris Lord-Alge, and high recommendations from Adam Levine (Maroon 5), who enthusiastically proclaimed Big City Rock (BCR) to be his favorite new band.

So what happened? Why hasn't anyone heard of them outside of L.A.? Maybe it is because their logo looked too much like the defunct Circuit City electronics store - who knows. All I know is that this CD has more hooks than a tackle box and rocks you with crunchy ear candy from start to finish. It is over a little too soon, clocking in at just 35 minutes, but what a ride. In addition to no filler melodic rock, their sound has a distinct 80s vibe that reminds me of Rock Kills Kid (review here). Highlights include "Sink", "As Soon As I Find Out", and "Kind". My favorite is "All Of The Above", which should have put Nate Bott (guitar and vocals) and company on the map. If you like power ballads, check out "I Believe In You".

If you dig Rock Kills Kid, Rooney, or Click Five, you must hear BCR. You can get their CD used on Amazon for one penny. Go get it for cryin' out loud. You can also keep track of the band's next move here. They've changed their name to The Remainers - maybe they will have better luck under that moniker.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10

Big City Rock on MySpace. Official site.

Check out a video for "All Of The Above" here.

Review: Dashboard Confessional "Alter The Ending"

I must confess: Dashboard Confessional is not normally a band that drives me wild. Yeah, I enjoyed their radio songs, but found many of their previous CDs uneven. However, with each CD they've released, it sounds to me like they move further and further away from the banal indie and alternative rock and closer to a more melodic and memorable sound. And with their 6th CD, "Alter The Ending", the band has finally hit their stride and put out a record that I look forward to hearing time and time again.

I wasn't under this impression after the first track, "Get Me Right", but right after that they launch into a fantastic streak of catchy pop rock tunes that changed my mind about these guys. "Until Morning" and "Everybody Learns From Disaster" are awesome preludes to the monster single, "Belle of the Boulevard" (although I can't get the tappers out of my head when I hear that song - Tap Tap Revenge fans know what I'm talking about here!). The infectious tunes keep coming with the peppy "I Know About You" and title track. Soon you realize these guys were just getting warmed up after they deliver one of the catchiest tracks they've even written, "The Motions", where they tattoo the following into your brain: "If this is chemical, then I am not afraid to be bound to the impulses of science." The record ends on a couple more very strong notes with the infectious "No News Is Bad News" and power ballad, "Water and Bridges".

Some might attribute the victory that is "Alter The Ending" to the masterful producers, Butch Walker and Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne), and no doubt this is partially true. But I believe that after six albums, the guys have matured, refined their songwriting chops, and found their groove. "Alter the Ending" is an example of the magic that happens when all the stars are in alignment.

I received the "Deluxe" edition, which includes a second CD of acoustic renditions of all the tracks on the studio release in the same order. It is a good listen - not just vocal and acoustic guitar like you might expect - the guys spice it up with piano, strings, and percussion. Definitely worth the little bit of extra money.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11

Dashboard Confessional on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for "Belle of the Boulevard":

Review: Tinted Windows "Tinted Windows"

If I were to assemble a rock supergroup, I don't think I would have ever dreamed up the combination that constitutes Tinted Windows. We have Taylor Hanson (Hanson (duh)) doing the lead vocals, James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) on guitar, Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne, Ivy) on bass, and Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) beating the skins.

It is easy to take shots at this band, and many critics have ripped them apart already. I won't argue that the songs are musically simple with lyrics that are just one rung up the evolutionary ladder of your typical Hanson tune (ok, maybe down a rung in some cases - "Cha Cha"). Surprisingly, most of the songs were written by Schlesinger, but are devoid of his usual humor and clever wordplay. I guess you could say he tailored the songs for Taylor. But the point of this record is not lyrical sophistication - it is supposed to be light, fun, and catchy...and on those three criteria, Tinted Windows is wildly successful.

The record is buoyant 70s bubblegum pop with a modern rock kick, not unlike what The Raspberries might be doing today. And Taylor's voice fits the rock groove very well. "Kind of a Girl" is the perfect summer sonnet sure to energize your mood: a by-the-book melodic rocker. Other highlights include "Messing With My Head" and "Nothing To Me".

Call it low brow, musical junk food, a guilty pleasure - regardless, the feel good pop rock of Tinted Windows will be blasting out of my car speakers all summer.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9

Tinted Windows on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for "Kind of a Girl":

Review: Kelly Jones “SheBANG!”

Any disc bearing the names Mike Viola (Candy Butchers) or Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne, Ivy) makes my ears salivate. Now I will have to add Kelly Jones (NOT the Stereophonics frontman) to this list. Their collaboration, “SheBANG!”, is a 28 minute blast of some of the highest caliber power pop I’ve heard in recent years.

“SheBANG!” is a contemporary sounding tribute to the golden oldies of the 60s and 70s. Even the artwork radiates a retro feel, with its Polaroid photos and Kelly’s hairstyle and dress. Every track is a joy to listen to – instantly likable and begging for replay. The pop craftsmanship alone makes this disc remarkable, but Kelly’s wonderfully sweet and velvety voice make “SheBANG!” stand up beyond measure. At times you’ll hear the innocence of Sheryl Crow, the cute coyness of Jill Sobule, and the gentle angst of Tracy Bonham. Kelly is a formidable power pop princess and her harmonies with the distinctive vocals of Mike Viola are sublime.

It is hard to pick favorites among such a strong set of tunes, but my picks would include the bouncy piano-driven number, "There Goes My Baby", an ultra catchy tune that sets a perky mood at the beginning of the disc. I also love the rich textures and melodies in "Fire Escape", and the punchy song Kelly co-wrote with Adam, "Crazy Talk". "Subway Song" is Kelly's answer to the Hollies' hit "Bus Stop" or Replacement's "Skyway". "Over Thinking" is another really fun one, a bonus if you happen to love omnichord.

I’ve already compiled my Top 10 list for 2008, but “SheBANG!” will be a strong contender for the Top of 2009. They say that big things come in small packages. The 30 minutes you spend with “SheBANG!” will surely blow you away.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10

Kelly Jones on MySpace. Official Site.

Review: The Campbell Apartment "Insomniac's Almanac"

Crack open a Pabst Blue Ribbon, untangle yourself from the www, and have a seat in Campbell's Apartment for 40 minutes. You are in for a ride on the quirky pop "train" conducted by Ari Vais. "Insomniac's Almanac" is the latest from Vais, who astute powerpoppers may know from bands Humbert or The Pelicans. Now joined by Dan Haag on bass and Dave Harman on drums, Ari has delivered 13 (no, make that 16 counting the bonus tracks) fresh tracks of goofy pop goodness.

If you dig Fountains of Wayne (with whom The Campbell Apartment is touring), the lighter side of Weezer, or Ween, you should make space in your collection for Ari and Co. They are all these with a piece of Cake, too. Vocally, Ari sounds like a cross between Rivers Cuomo and Jason Falkner (The Grays, Jellyfish). The songs are typically short and to the point - like a good butcher, The Campbell Apartment cuts the fat and just gives you the meat of the song. A great gift for your loved one with A.D.D.

The opening track is a nice introduction to the side of the band showing its love for modern pop luminaries like Fountains of Wayne or the (tragically) short-lived Grays. "dna" is our next stop, which features some delightfully quirky lead guitar and refreshing lyrics; there simply aren't enough songs about nucleotides these days, and I hope to balance it all out, the boys release a song about epigenetics on the next CD. The next highlight for me is the best tune on the record, which has Ari pining for Josh Waller Weinberg's "Wife". It is not in the linear notes, but it sounds like Casper the friendly ghost came in to do the backing vocal, and he did a frightfully good job. "Wife" is a fantastic track with a spooky, but ultra catchy backing vocal hook. In "How To Be Alone", Ari does his best Weezer impression as he laments, "So screw it, I knew it, I lost it and blew it." Who can't relate to that? Another favorite of mine was "Addicted to MySpace", yet another witty tune about the www and the shortcomings of a virtual life. Driven by a hip, bouncy piano riff, this tune will be just as addictive as checking your MySpace profile. And don't overlook listening to the acoustic driven "Sunday Night Blues", which is going to be the new way I prepare for Mondays.

The outstanding feature regarding The Campbell Apartment is the lyrics...they are amusing and smart. Add in the catchy riffs and well done harmonies and you have a band that glorifies their influences while carving out their own niche. If you like a little quirkiness in your pop, you can't let this one get away.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10

The Campbell Apartment on MySpace.

Interview: Chris Collingwood [Fountains of Wayne]

Check out Dan Weir's interview with Fountains of Wayne frontman, Chris Collingwood:

The Lightning Round with Chris Collingwood

Review: Fountains of Wayne "Traffic and Weather"

Why did I wait so long to get this CD knowing full well what Fountains of Wayne (FOW) are capable of based on their prior releases? I've been following FOW since I heard "Radiation Vibe" on the radio in 1996. You might think they would have run out of steam ten years on, but they keep cranking out their trademark brand of ultra catchy power pop. Many of the tracks also showcase their humorous lyrics, although nothing is as overtly funny as "Leave the Biker" from their debut CD. I really hope this band is not just remembered for 2003's "Stacy's Mom"...a great tune, but not representative of the heights of pop craftsmanship these guys have attained. True to the title of the record, these songs have themes and tell stories of travelling and wandering...great to take on the road with you. And they have to win something for what may be the best song title this year in "Revolving Dora."

Check out FOW at myspace. And here's the video for the lead single "Someone To Love":

Fountains of Wayne - Someone To Love (hi)

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iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13