Monday, February 29, 2016

"Why You Call" by Bucket & Co

In 2010, Dave "Bucket" Colwell released a unique project featuring some big name vocalists from bands like Thunder, The New York Dolls, The Quireboys, Iron Maiden, and more. For those who don't know, "Bucket" played guitar for Bad Company and FM among others. His 2010 all-star album was a labor of love for him, over two years in the making.

The project was named after the kickass starter, "Guitars, Beers & Tears". Bucket's playing is the one constant among these tracks, each sung by a different guest. Despite the change in singers, the record is remarkably cohesive and should appease fans of melodic hard rock. 

Perhaps one of the more unexpected guests on the record is pop folk artist Edwin McCain, who was a staple on late 90s radio with hits like "I'll Be" (which hit #5 in 1998) and "I Could Not Ask For More" (which hit #37 in 1999). On the Bucket & Co project, he sings a tune called "Survive" and one of my favorites from the record, "Why You Call".

Sunday, February 28, 2016

"Father To Son" by Ned Brower

We'll get to the terrific power pop band Rooney in good time, but today's feature is Ned Brower, drummer for said band. In 2010, Brower teamed up with another fan favorite in the power pop genre, Mike Viola, to produce his solo record, "Great To Say Hello".

The entire album is off the charts, but the song that gets to me the most is "Father To Son". With lyrics that will leave a tear in your eye, this upbeat pop tune feels like a Brian Wilson track. I can't find a video, but you can sample the song here and on Amazon or iTUNES. While you're at it, don't miss the other highlights from this amazing little record, especially "Underneath Your Spell" and "Hide Your Secrets Away".

Friday, February 26, 2016

"9,000 Miles" by Monique DeMoulin

Indie artist Monique DeMoulin has been writing and recording music for 30 years and her new EP features a diverse mix of styles. The title track, "9,000 Miles", is a terrific pop rock song that should be heard far and wide. Check it out below.

You can find out more at her web site.


Wednesday, February 24, 2016

"Shattered Glass" by Laura Branigan

New York powerhouse vocalist Laura Branigan is best known for her smash hit "Gloria", which peaked at #2 in 1982. Branigan had an admirable collection of additional top 40 hits after that, but needed a career boost by 1987. Her fifth album, "Touch", should have done just that, but it fizzled out at #87.

Branigan's version of the over-the-top ballad, "Power Of Love", was the second single from "Touch". It proved to be the biggest single from the album, reaching #26 in 1987. The song was written by Jennifer Rush, who took it to #57 in 1986. Air Supply had the first go at this song in 1985, but only had the power to take it to #68. The song finally delivered in a big way, staying at #1 for a whole month, when Celine Dion sang the hell out of it in 1993. I think the United Nations mercifully called for a moratorium on covering this song again.

The lead off single was designed to remind people that Laura performed some terrific upbeat dance numbers. "Shattered Glass" was a great return to form, but it stalled at #48. The modest performance of "Touch" signaled the beginning of the end for Branigan's charting career. Sadly, she died of a brain aneurysm in 2004 at the age of 52.

Being the innovative wizards they are, the writers of the music video included a lot of exploding glass. Although, I always wondered whatever happened to the poor goldfish (go to 2 minute mark).


Saturday, February 20, 2016

"And Fools Shine On" by Brother Cane

Brother Cane, led by the multitalented singer/guitarist/songwriter Damon Johnson, arrived on the scene in 1993 with their self-titled debut album. They burst out of the gate with the single "Got No Shame", a bluesy rocker that fit well with what was left of the hair band scene. Still, their brand of no nonsense rock and roll failed to gain traction during this changing musical landscape, but it wasn't from a lack of great songs.

Their sophomore effort, "Seeds", was ushered in with the lead single, "And Fools Shine On", which sounded markedly more grunge - it could have easily been mistaken for an Alice In Chains song. The haunting chords creates an eerie atmosphere that made it a perfect fit for inclusion on the soundtrack to the 1995 horror flick, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. Despite topping the Rock Chart for weeks, the single failed to scratch the Billboard Top 100. It did, however, help "Seeds" become the only charting album in the band's career, landing at #184. Their third record, "Wishpool", failed to chart and the band broke up shortly after its release.

Johnson went on to write songs and play guitar for many other artists, from Faith Hill to Alice Cooper, and is currently a member of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders.  

Thursday, February 18, 2016

"Soul Jerky" by Kyf Brewer

Kyf Brewer got his start in the 80s with the Baltimore band, The Ravyns, scoring a modest hit with "Raised On The Radio" in 1982 (helped by its inclusion on the soundtrack to the classic movie, Fast Times At Ridgemont High). More recently, he's been a member of the popular Celtic band Barleyjuice, but during the 90s he released a number of excellent solo records that sadly have been overlooked.

"Soul Jerky" is a terrific bar band rocker that sinks its teeth into your ears and demands repeats listens, especially at parties. It comes from his first solo record, 1997's "Me and My Big Mouth". It sounds like something The Black Crowes might have done in their heyday.


Tuesday, February 16, 2016

"Fear of Life" by Bricklin

They came from Pennsylvania in the late 80s - a punchy synth rock band headed by the brothers Bricklin, Scott and Brian. Their debut album is an underground classic in the world of AOR, and quite hard to come by. One listen to the lead-off track, "Fear of Life", and it is easy to see why. What is hard to see is why the band didn't hit the big time. Besides their self-titled debut, they also scored a song called "Walk Away" on the soundtrack to the hit movie from 1989, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.

The Bricklin boys would resurface in the 90s in a more organic-sounding band called Martin's Dam. We'll get to them in time. Scott Bricklin was also featured in our post on the supergroup 4 Way Street, and he maintains an active solo career. His latest record, "Lost 'til Dawn", came out February 4 of this year.


Sunday, February 14, 2016

"You Won't Be Able To Be Sad" by The Break and Repair Method

You normally find Paul Doucette behind the drum kit or guitar during a Matchbox Twenty show. While the band was on hiatus in 2008, he wrote some of his own songs and stepped up to the mic. He called the side project The Break and Repair Method and their debut record "Milk The Bee". 

What Doucette proves with "Milk The Bee" is that he should have a larger voice in the choir that is Matchbox Twenty. His songs are strong - catchy and thoughtful - and suit his voice very well. In 2009, he even won BMI Pop Song Writer Of The Year. 

Check out just one of the many standouts from this record, "You Won't Be Able To Be Sad".


Saturday, February 13, 2016

"Down On My Knees" by Bread

More bands should be named after food. Soft rock kings, Bread, dominated AM radio in the early 70s with their catchy songs and gorgeous harmonies. All of their hits were written and produced by David Gates, whose smooth and heartfelt vocals kept the band on the charts for years. After a couple great songs like "Dismal Day" failed to chart, the band debuted in a big way with the #1 smash "Make It With You" in 1970.

Legend has it that the boys came up with the band name after getting stuck behind a Wonder Bread truck. All these years I always thought they were being clever, since bread was popular 70s slang for money and their self-titled record even featured them on dollar bills. I wonder if they would have had the same success if they had gotten stuck in traffic behind an Oscar Meyer Weiner truck.

Along with Gates, guitarist James Griffin wrote and sang a number of songs for the band. However, none of his tunes were ever selected by the record company to be released as a single. This spurred rifts in the band leading to their first breakup in 1973. Griffin provided more of a muscular edge to the band's usual light rock fare and his songs should not be overlooked. 

"Down On My Knees" is one of my favorites sung by Griffin, and just listen to the excitement in the drums played by Mike Botts, who was probably thrilled at the chance to do an upbeat song for a change! The tune comes from the mega-successful 1972 record, "Baby I'm-a Want You", which got to #3.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

"Waiting For The Worm To Turn" by Bourgeois Tagg

With their infectious beats and insightful lyrics, Bourgeois Tagg was poised to hit it big in the late 80s. Their debut album managed to get the single "Mutual Surrender" to #62 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1986, starting a solid fan base for the group.

The legendary pop star and songwriter Todd Rundgren produced their sophomore effort, "Yoyo". The first single, "I Don't Mind At All", turned out to be their biggest hit, just barely breaking into the to 40 to land at #38 in 1987. I really thought the next single, the shimmering "Waiting For The Worm To Turn", was going to push the band into superstardom, but the song surprisingly failed to chart.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

"Scientists" by Bounce The Ocean

File this band under "day late, dollar short". Bounce The Ocean features the spectacular harmonies of Hawk Bjorn and John Utter, who were crafting delectable hooks and breezy melodies at a time when Kurt Cobain was mounting the grunge wrecking ball.

Their one and only album (self-titled) was essentially an 80s record released in the 90s. Had this come out when Wham or Breathe were scoring their hits, Bounce The Ocean might have been chart kings.

Even in the age of the Internet, it is hard to find information about this duo and their lone album. But for the curious, there was a great article/interview with the boys on Popdose by Will Harris in 2008. Read it while you listen to the heavenly sound of "Scientists". 

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

"Used To Bad News" by Boston

The legendary band Boston has had its share of chart success through the decades since their debut made a huge splash in 1976. With 4 top ten hits under their belt, including the #1 smash, "Amanda", Boston is a household name in cities all around the world.

The singles deserve their chart success, but Boston also recorded some awesome deep tracks that are not as well known.

"Used To Bad News" is always worth a spin when you can't seem to catch a break in life. Strangely enough, misery must love company because I always feel better after hearing it. The tune comes from their 1978 record, "Don't Look Back", which reached #1 and sold 7 million copies. Not bad for a record the band felt was a rushed job.


Monday, February 8, 2016

"Her Charity" by Boom Crash Opera

If INXS could do it, why couldn't Boom Crash Opera? This Aussie band had it all - choruses with huge hooks, excellent harmonies, and thoughtful lyrics. Their self-titled debut came out in 1987 and should have taken the US by storm.

The band went on to have a bounty of hits in Australia, but only flirted with success in the US with their minor modern rock hit, "Onion Skin", from their sophomore record in 1989. In my book, the first three records from this band are like a Holy Trinity of Aussie rock. 

Here is "Her Charity" from their debut, as close to perfection for an 80s record as you can get.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

"React" by Rob Bonfiglio

Fans of the Philly power pop band, Wanderlust, are no stranger to the songwriting talents of Rob Bonfiglio. He's also written and performed songs with his wife, Carnie Wilson (of Wilson Phillips). Or perhaps you've heard of him through his post-Wanderlust band called The Skies of America. If your answer is still, "No, never heard of the guy!" then you need to change that.

His 2008 solo record, "Bring On The Happy", is aptly named. It is hard to get through the songs without feeling better about yourself and life in general. "React" is a perfect example, and a terrific song that wraps around you like a musical hug.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

"In The Stone" by Earth, Wind & Fire (RIP Maurice White)

Earth, Wind & Fire could do no wrong in the 70s, their soulful sounds thrilling fans of pop and funk alike. This week we said goodbye to Maurice White, the principle songwriter and co-lead singer of the band. Earth, Wind & Fire lit up the charts with monster classics like "Shining Star" (#1 in 1975), "September" (#8 in 1978), "After The Love Has Gone" (#2 in 1979), and "Let's Groove" (#3 in 1981). 

One of the band's lesser known gems is "In The Stone". It was the third single released from their smash album, "I Am", a record that went to #3 on the Billboard Top 200. Produced and co-written by Maurice White, "In The Stone" went to #58 in 1979.


Thursday, February 4, 2016

"Dream On" by BLVD (Boulevard)

BLVD is one of those AOR bands that fell through the cracks in the late 80s and early 90s, even after making it easier to find their records in the store by changing their name to Boulevard. Hailing from Canada, they released their debut record in 1988 and opened for the likes of Boston and fellow Canadians, Glass Tiger. Their sound is very much in the vein of Survivor or Night Ranger.

"Dream On" is the song that gets the record started. It did well in their native land, but failed to chart in the US. Too much competition at the time, I guess.




A Norwegian artist named Issa covered this song in 2012 for her album, "Can't Stop".

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

"Jole Blon" by Gary US Bonds

Gary US Bonds hit the big time in the early 60s with his malt shop staples like "Quarter To Three" (which went to #1) and "Dear Lady Twist" (which went to #9). Then, after twenty years of radio silence, a chance encounter with Bruce Springsteen led to one of the greatest comeback hits in pop music history.

Springsteen had always been a fan of Gary US Bonds and was known to perform a cover of "Quarter To Three" in his live shows. One night when Bonds was playing a gig at a New Jersey bar called The Red Baron, he invited Springsteen on stage. It was the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that restored Bonds to the charts with "This Little Girl", a fantastic tune that soared to #11 in 1981.

In addition to "This Little Girl", Springsteen helped with two other songs that appeared on Gary's comeback record:  "Your Love" and the title track, "Dedication". "Jole Blon", an energetic cover of an old song from the 1940s by Moon Mullican, kicks off the record and also features vocals from Springsteen.