Kevin Mathews:
October, 2004

Retro is in!

Popland is performing at a corporate function in the middle of October and our paymasters have requested that we sing a couple of cover versions of "oldies but goodies." Now, how sad is it when one of the songs considered appropriate for selection is "Don't Dream It's Over" and the songwriter in question is a contemporary? Has it already been more than two decades since Neil Finn and co lit up the charts with their distinctive 60s-derived charm? Well, from the weathered faces of Neil and brother Tim revealed on the cover of the Finn Brothers' latest release - Everyone is Here - it certainly looks like it! Nothing "nostalgic" or "old" about this superlative album as it more than stands up to scrutiny and comparisons with Keane or The Thrills or whatever sweet new pop thing out there in the marketplace. Because, boys and girls, it's not the age that counts after all but the heart and soul of the artist and in this respect, the Finn Brothers remain potent with tracks like the gorgeous "Won't Give In," the heartfelt "The Luckiest Man Alive," the thoughtful "All God's Children" and the lovely "All the Colors" expose them in all their Beatlesque glory! Now, if the flavor of the month can sound this great in their 40s, then we can talk. Until then…

Blurb-O-Rama Strikes Back!

John Train The Sugar Ditch (Record Cellar)
Seems like concept albums are in vogue again as more and more begin appearing on the horizon. Songwriter Jon Houlon has thrown down the gauntlet here with a dark tale that begins with a murder…its compelling material and the enigmatic psychedelic county-folk-blues enveloping the story is a masterstroke. www.record-cellar.com

The Sixfifteens Let's Not Think About It (Fake Chapter 11)
Hey, aren't those guitars out of tune? And why can't the drummer keep time? Still, if you were drawn to the 'Mats for their devil-may-care attitude to nailing songs (im)perfectly, then the Sixfifteens' adrenaline pumping warts-n-all garage punk will get you bopping from the get-go! www.fakechapter.com

Stateside Phonograph (Self released)
Any fans out there of Exile on Main Street? Thought so! Hey, if you needed a template for countrified rock 'n' roll, you could do worse (and many have, I assure you). No such challenges here for Stateside, as open-G chords and steadfast backbeats are the order of the day. Keeping it simple and hitting the right notes every single time, Stateside deliver satisfaction! www.statesiderocks.com

The Widget Holes We Did It All For You (Self released)
Nice to know. This demo features Ken Grosjean, Joel and Paul Vargo and it possesses a lo-fi pop appeal that is pretty difficult to ignore. I mean, songs like "Tired of Love," "I Did It All For You" and "Sunshine" do well to stand out despite the Spartan presentation. Bear in mind it's only a demo and it'll be fine. keng@presspublications.com

Johnathan Kuss and the Corporation Segue (Not Cool)
Nothing earth-shaking about Kuss and Corp, very much middle-of-the-road guitar pop rock. Not knocking it mind you but there's little spark in the material on show here, you can sense the perspiration put into *Segue* but sadly where's the inspiration? If they're going for that Matchbox 20 vibe, then fine… www.notcoolrecords.com

Kptmichigan s/t (Aesthetics)
Hailing from Germany, Kptmichigan is a unique talent choosing to eschew the easy option of a fixed approach. Moving from atonal drones to child-like dirges to easy jazz-folk to electronic farting noises (heh!) is a sure sign of a restless, bored mind - did the press release mention Syd Barrett?! More power to him, I say. www.aesthetics-usa.com

The Color Bars Making Playthings (Self released)
Okay, a 2003 release - better late than never and all that jazz. Jazz being the operative word, well, a severely diluted hip pop version in any case. Beck Hanson would be a good starting reference point, then it all goes pear-shaped as Gerald Slevin, John English & Dave Spelber indulge themselves in whatever pop candy they wish. Funky, bubblegum and as sweet as you like, and with horns! I'm lovin' it! www.thecolorbars.com

Joe Ongie Critical Darling (Self released)
"What's the price of fame?" asks Joe Ongie on this rather pleasing pub-rock exercise as the influences of Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, Graham Parker et al rear their spiky heads. Cynical, often humorous lyrics ("the bland leading the bland") and spot-on performances make for an enjoyable aural experience. www.joeongie.com

The Claudia Malibu Star (Self released)
Star comes in a hand painted cardboard sleeve which bears the mark, "172/500" which indicates that it is a limited edition and to be honest, I'm chuffed. The Claudia Malibu takes a crisp melodious guitar pop agenda and injects an eclectic indie-rock sensibility into its throbbing veins. This is live and thrashing, vibrant and swollen with artistic potential. Minimalist brilliance.

Jon Macey Actuality in Process (Self released)
Ah, this comes from 2002 but what the hey, if this isn't one of the finest collections of folk-rock this side of Roger McGuinn's Back to Rio then I'm a Britney Spears fan! I mean, the opening "She's the Groove" is the absolutely bee's knees. For fans of Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne as well, Actuality in Process is a jangle pop lover's dream. www.jonmacey.com

The Saving Graces Outside Guiding Lights (Paisley Pop)
Last time out, the Saving Graces impressed me with their "Song For Any One" which featured a rustic and ethereal feel that was unique and special. Sadly, it appears that "Song" is a bit of an anomaly, a misstep from the Graces' of power pop dynamism. Unfortunately, there's not much in Outside Guiding Lights that is going to make an impression even for a diehard power popper. Sigh www.paisleypop.com

Atomic 7 …en Hillbilly Caliente (Mint)
Despite a punkish affinity for the Ventures, don't you dare label Atomic 7's style as 'surf rock'! And it isn't… Yes, it is instrumental guitar music and is so out of step with the rest of indie rock, that even retro-futurists like myself, well, scratch their collective heads in bemusement. That said, it sure sounds like the perfect background music to read Daniel ("Ghost world") Clowes comics to and how could you argue with a track called "Skynyrd"? www.mintrecs.com

Jim White - Drill A Hole… (Luaka Bop)
Sophisticated jazz-inflected country-folk-blues is the choice of fashion for White. Armed with an enviable list of guest stars viz. Joe Henry, Aimie Mann, M. Ward and um the Barenaked Ladies, this collection of borderline morose vignettes of an America lost in purposelessness does what it sets out to do. Whether it's depressing dose of harsh reality is what you need right now, well…

The Neutrinos - Sick Love (Self-released)
Interesting…what can you say about a song that comments so hauntingly about date rape. Cue the title track- "You like me drugged and dumb…don't you/Your tight little dancing girl…didn't you/You held me down by the throat…how could you/Date raped and left all night…how could you" sung to a soundtrack of post-punk torch dynamics. And with tracks like "Puckered Arse," "Murder" and "Sell Me Your Skin" percolating around your head, what can you say? www.neutrinos.co.uk

NEO s/t (Self released)
You're gonna love NEO, pop bois and grrls - how could you possibly not for his uncanny assimilation of such soft rock legends as Todd Rundgren, Burt Bacharach, the Association and of course, Brian Wilson. Songs like "Too Alike," "Time" and "Lonely Guy" (and more) will bowl you over with NEO's sense of melody, structure and melancholy vibe. Available online at Cdbaby and Not Lame.

Probably wondering why there's nothing about Brian Wilson's SMiLE? Probably need some more time (there's that word again!) to completely digest the beautiful masterpiece that Brian and Van Dyke have finally completed. Hopefully in November…see ya soon!

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