Saturday, April 4, 2020

The Sound He Appears To Make

There still hasn’t been much news regarding live performances, so here’s another round of a BHT feature designed to promote new music being released by recording artists around the world. I’ll continue to post full album reviews as well.

The Monkees Live – The Mike And Micky Show was released in digital and CD format yesterday. The album is being promoted as the first Monkees live recording and includes early hits such as “Last Train To Clarksville” and “I’m A Believer,” as well as the much more recent “Me And Magdalena.” The duo also performs deep cuts, such as “Randy Scouse Git” and “You Just Might Be The One.” The Mike And Micky Show will be available as a double LP on May 15.

A brand new four-song EP titled The Codependent by The Unswept is now available on the trio’s Bandcamp page. There’s a rougher edge to The Unswept’s familiar British Invasion-arrives-in-Chicago approach this time out, particularly on the first three tracks. Their Bandcamp page attributes the power surge to bass player Liz O’Brien purchasing a new Fender Supersonic amp, but rest assured, catchy melodies are still an essential ingredient. The satirical final track “Wonderfully Perfectly Right” is more in line with The Unswept’s previously whimsical efforts.

Red Skylark, the solo project by Columbus, OH musician Ed Shuttleworth, has a marvelous new CD titled Collection 1 that offers 14 tracks that were previously only available as digital downloads. Each of these power pop tunes has an immediate impact, thanks to Shuttleworth’s engaging vocals, as well as inventive arrangements that offer hints of prog and psychedelic rock. Collection 1 will soon be available from Kool Kat Musik.

Missing Persons, the 1980s band whose irresistible techno songs “Words,” “Destination Unknown,” and “Walking In L.A.” became dance club favorites, has a new album coming out. The Dreaming has three new originals—including the title track—and nine particularly well-chosen cover versions from the 1960s and 1980s. Their take on The Strawberry Alarm Clock’s “Incense and Peppermints” is the first single.

Former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has posted a demo of a new song titled “No Time For Love Like Now” on the official R.E.M. website as well on Rolling Stone online. Recorded with Aaron Dessner from The National, this hypnotic effort follows quickly on the heels of Stipe’s previous single, “Drive To The Ocean.”

Chicago area Beatles fans know Ellis Clark and Ary Paloma Jeebie for the annual George Harrison Birthday concert they host at Martyrs, and for their shows on the Apple Jam Stage at Fest For Beatles Fans – Chicago. Clark has been a member of Epicycle and The Handcuffs, and recently reunited with his 1980s outfit The Social Act. Paloma Jeebie is the lead vocalist for the garage/rockabilly band The Amazing Heeby Jeebies. Together, they perform as a country and western duo known as Big Hair Trouble. Their new single “Nashville Morning” is a melodic tale of hitting the road in search of stardom. The lyrics toy with the genre’s conventions but also offer genuine twang and sentiments. Paloma Jeebie sings lead, with Clark joining in on the chorus, and there’s a toe-tapping mix of acoustic and pedal steel guitar.

For those of us who watched a webcast of Dropkick Murphys doing their annual St. Patrick’s Day concert from the comfort of our shelters, one of the highlights was a brand new song titled “Mick Jones Nicked My Pudding.” Allegedly based on an incident involving the Clash singer-guitarist swiping a fellow musician’s snack, this funny, revved-up anthem is now exclusively available as a download on the band’s Bandcamp page

The Dream Syndicate’s new single “The Longing” is now available on their Bandcamp page. The song finds the west coast band expertly tapping into its Paisley Underground roots, and serves as an enticing calling card for the upcoming album The Universe Inside; due out April 10.

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