CD Review: Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha

Supergrass is in the midst of its final tour ever, at least according to the latest press releases from the band. At least they went out on a high note. Their last release, 2008’s Diamond Hoo Ha, was one of their best efforts. Here’s a review I originally wrote for the Illinois Entertainer.

After experimenting with slow, orchestral arrangements on much of 2005’s Road To Rouen, Supergrass is back to its old self again. As the title suggests, Diamond Hoo Ha puts an emphasis on fun. That’s something this U.K. outfit has specialized in since the release of I Should Coco in 1995.

“Diamond Hoo Ha Man” sounds like it could have sprung from a White Stripes album, and Supergrass mounts a multi-layered comic opera with “Whiskey & Green Tea.” The energy level remains consistently high as lead vocalist/guitarist Gaz Coombes belts out a series of melodic power pop tunes like “Bad Blood” and “345.” “Rebel In You” harks back to the 1980s with its steady beat and soulful back-up vocals, while the festive piano playing on“When I Needed You” recalls Britain’s music hall days. Even the touching “Ghost Of A Friend” gets an irresistible arrangement. Overall, a gem of a comeback CD.

CD Review: Headlights - Some Racing, Some Stopping

This review originally appeared in the Illinois Entertainer.

Some Racing, Some Stopping is the result of an established indie rock band deciding to pretend it has been transported back to the mid-1960s. Headlights, a trio consisting of singer/guitarist Tristain Wraight, singer/keyboards player Erin Fein, and drummer Brett Sanderson, fills its second full-length effort with catchy pop songs featuring Wraight and Fein taking turns on vocals, and frequently creating gorgeous harmonies. Still the CD’s deliberately low-fi production marks it as the work of a modern, cutting edge band.

Fein’s electronically altered voice on the title track underscores clever lyrics about literally listening to your heart, while Wraight’s hushed tone conveys the melancholy of time slipping away on “January.” “Cherry Tulips” is a fairy tale spun with poetic imagery and layers of vocals, while on “School Boys,” Headlights combine shimmering guitars with a string arrangement. Overall, Some Racing, Some Stopping is most enjoyable for energetic tracks like “Catch Them All” and “Market Girl.”

CD Review: Spring Tigers - Self Titled

I’m still planning on reviewing some of the bands I caught last Friday and Saturday nights at International Pop Overthrow, but I’ve had to take care of some other freelance commitments first. In the meantime, here a review I wrote for the Illinois Entertainer a few months back.

It might seem odd that Spring Tigers strive for mass appeal while at the same time taking pot shots at modern society on their self-titled debut, but theses guys are into irony big time. They come from Athens, Georgia with former U.K. resident Kris Barratt on lead vocals and guitar, and might have taken their name from a Guided By Voices song. Barratt’s multi-faceted delivery helps underscore the satirical bite of the lyrics even when the band’s rapid fire vocal arrangements are overly familiar.

Spring Tigers back Barratt’s tongue in cheek adoration of beef jerky and other convenience store treasures in “Stripmalls In The Sun” with a warm and fuzzy arrangement reminiscent of The Flaming Lips. “Beep Beep” is a guilty pleasure that steals from New Wave bands like The Vapors and Oingo Boingo, while “Just Suggesting” is set to a frolicking keyboards arrangement with a dash of Queen. The high-speed “New Improved Formula” sounds like any number of current hit singles but Barratt rescues it with his distinctively Anglo vocals. Spring Tigers have obvious commercial ambitions, but at least they pursue them with style and a sense of humor.

CD Review Vulture Whale - Bamboo You

Note: This review originally appeared in the Illinois Entertainer.

The Birmingham, Alabama quartet Vulture Whale showed a good deal of promise as well as a wry sense of humor on its 2009 self-titled CD. For the newly released six song EP, Bamboo You, lead vocalist Wes McDonald and company decided to mimic 1980 era U.K. punk bands, working class accents and all. The result is a collection of tunes that come across as thoroughly authentic, as well as fun.

“The Pipe” takes a satirical look at the entertainment scene while evoking early Joe Jackson and The Clash. McDonald does a lot of sweet talking amidst the swirling guitars and drums of “Plam! I Love You,” telling his dream girl, “Your existence improves my view of all mankind.” After several more clever compliments, he implores, “Can you say the same things to me?” On “Greatest Night,” a star-struck fan is conned into a diamond heist by the celebrity he adores, only to be dumped a short time later. Who knows how long these jokers will keep up the grubby Brit persona, but with Bamboo You, Vulture Whale pulls off a successful caper.

IPO Finale: The Evening Gig

Graphic from Cliff Johnson's Facebook page.

Tonight’s all-Chicago showcase kicks off at 9:00PM with The Ringles, power pop veterans who continue to release impressive CDs. Their latest, Rickenbacker Ballet is now available on Jam and CDBaby. Guitars play an essential role in Ringles songs like the very British sounding psychedelic ballad “Inspiral Faire” and the chiming pop of “She Doesn’t Know.” Van Go follows with a classic power pop sound on songs like “Ethan” and “Dear You” that feature impressive vocal interplay and catchy melodies.

The Romeros rev up the tempos on catchy tunes like “Tonight” and “Big In Japan” while displaying a knack for clever lyrics. The band’s Cooler Than Your Boyfriend EP is now available. At 10:30PM, you can see what the boys in The Backroom will play. The band specializes in highly melodic power pop on songs like “I Want Out,” and recently released its debut CD, Reagan Era Rocketship. The five-member band Sincerely Calvin has recently reunited and is back to playing melodic rock songs like “Corporate Ladder” and the ambitious “Movement.” They’re currently working on a new CD.

Power pop fans who have been looking forward to Cliff Johnson’s solo debut Little Crimes will have an opportunity to hear him play songs from it when he headlines tonight’s showcase. A first rate singer and charismatic performer, Johnson is also a talented songwriter who penned songs like “Stay In Time” and “Full Moon Turn Your Head Around” while he was with Off Broadway. He co-wrote the music for Little Crimes with Jim Timbers. Whether he plays any of the Off Broadway canon or stays strictly with his new stuff, Johnson will no doubt serve up an exciting finale for this year’s International Pop Overthrow Chicago.

IPO Finale The Afternoon Gig

Photo from Changing Modes MySpace page.

I dropped by Bird’s Nest last night and caught most of the International Pop Overthrow Showcase. Like The Abbey, Bird’s Nest has a friendly, neighborhood bar ambience that complements the good vibes that seem to flow naturally at these IPO events. The audience was enthusiastic, and the musicians exuded a spirit of cooperation and mutual support. I’m hoping to post a more detailed review of last night’s showcase within the next few days.

Today marks the end of International Pop Overthrow Chicago 2010, and there are two separate showcases at The Abbey Pub on Elston in Chicago. I sometimes wonder if there’s any real purpose to my providing previews here on Broken Hearted Toy, particularly since I usually don’t post them until a few hours before the show. But I’ve discovered a lot of interesting new bands through this process of checking their MySpace pages, and I hope at the very least, the exposure here might lead some readers to find out more about them.

Once again, a tip of the hat to IPO founder David Bash for the number of talented acts he pulls together each year. So, here’s today’s afternoon lineup. All acts are from Chicago unless otherwise noted.

Telstar, led by Anthony Calderisi, opens this all-ages showcase at 1:00PM with ringing guitars and strong melodies on songs like “Miracle” and “I’m Down.” The Spindles mix covers (there’s a killer version of The Hollies’ “Look Through Any Window” on their MySpace page) and catchy originals like “Peace With The Past.”

The Webelos also draw on The Hollies for inspiration, along with Fountains Of Wayne and Wilco, and have been doing extremely well in the Red Eye newspaper’s Rock ‘n’ Vote contest. Songs like “Shift Your Gears” have a classic power pop feel while “Oh Miki” finds them taking a lighter, almost Country & Western feel. The band’s Model Citizen EP is due out soon.

Blackout Dates play hard-hitting songs like “Enjoy The Ride” that brim with raw vocals and careening guitars. Changing Modes is an intriguing New York quintet that blends female and male vocals in cutting edge songs like the title track from its recent Down And Out In Shangri-La CD. Empire Garrison has members from Minneapolis and Chicago and plays mainstream rock tunes like “She Will Be The Record” that boast sophisticated arrangements and vocals.

Slumgullion #12

Going, going, gone. Photo from The Go-Go's MySpace page.

A buffet of items about the pop culture world.

NOTE: MY PREVIEW OF TONIGHT’S INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW IS INCLUDED IN THIS COLUMN.

First there was the sobering news that Supergrass was embarking on a farewell tour, and now comes word that The Go-Go’s will be calling it quits after their next tour. Neither band will visit Chicago. The Go-Go’s released an impressive comeback CD with God Bless The Go-Go’s in 2004, but never regained their initial popularity. I saw them a few years back at The House Of Blues in Chicago, where they thrilled a packed house with their dynamic performance, Some of the members will no doubt continue on, but this is still a major loss to the power pop scene.

The Goldstars, who released some truly fun pop CDs and did a stellar job of opening for The Hoodoo Gurus a few years back, are also leaving us. They have a farewell show scheduled at The Bottom Lounge in Chicago on June 12th.

Ralph Covert of The Bad Examples and Ralph’s World fame has a solo gig coming up at Two Brothers Tap in Warrenville, IL on May 12th. Covert describes the gig as “an evening for grown-ups” and promises to play some new material, as well as take audience requests for old favorites.

Give ‘em an award, and now they think they’ve got what it takes to rule Facebook. The Hollies have an official page where fans can learn about upcoming radio interviews, watch videos of live performances, order the band’s Midas Touch CD, and enter contests.

Singer-songwriter Ellen Rosner will be part of a triple bill with Scott Free and Kathryn Trapper this Sunday night as Cake Chicago returns to Red Line Tap for its monthly showcase. Hosted by singer-songwriter Ripley Caine, Cake Chicago aims to blend “queer artistry into the general public through live music and more.” The show starts at 9:00PM.

Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti, a veteran of Chicago’s power pop scene on his own as well as with other musicians, has a gig with Casey McDonough, Carolyn Engelmann, and Tommi Zender this Sunday night at Simon’s Tavern on north Clark Street in Chicago. The band will play two sets, starting at 9:00PM.

The DVD’s the thing. If you missed former Doctor Who star David Tennant performing the title role in that recent PBS Greatest Performances production of Hamlet, or if you liked it so much you want a copy to keep throughout all time, you’ll be happy to know BBC America will release it on DVD and Blu Ray on May 4th.

The Bangles come to Chicago tomorrow night for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s back-tie Spring Gala. The event is being held from 6:00PM to midnight at the Hilton Chicago on South Michigan Avenue. Tickets are $500.00.

International Pop Overthrow wraps up its 2010 tour of Chicago this weekend with a showcase tonight at Bird’s Nest on Southport, and a pair of showcases tomorrow at The Abbey on Elston. IPO founder David Bash has a talent for spotting up-and-coming power pop and indie rock talent, so I highly recommend checking out one of these events. All acts are from Chicago unless otherwise noted.

Toronto singer-songwriter Blair Packham is the opening act for tonight’s lineup at Bird’s Nest. His melodic tales include “One Hit Wonder,” one of the few tributes to Bobby “Boris” Pickett you’re likely to hear. A former member of The Jitters, his latest CD is Could’ve Been King. Former St. Louis resident Doug Bobenhouse was the driving force behind The Sun Sawed In 1/2 and now he’s in Chicago leading The Effingways. The band creates spare but appealing pop tunes like “Memories Of Doubt” and is working on its first CD.

The Elements Of Style may sing “Rock & Roll Is Dead,” but it’s actually alive and well in this quartet’s hands. Guitar-driven songs like “In The City” and “When I Close My Eyes” have a classy sound similar to The Changes, but with a rougher edge. The Help Desk calls its music “diversapop” because of the various musical styles it incorporates, but there’s also an off kilter sense of humor at work here, as evidenced by song titles like “Ghost Tattoo” and “The Jellyfish Song.” “My Favorite Wrapper” is straight up pop, while “She Said” has more of a jam band feel.

Minneapolis club scene veterans Tim Casey & The Martyrs were scheduled for 10:00PM tonight, but I’m seeing Facebook posts from David Bash and Aaron Fox & The Reliables that Fox and his band are now playing in that slot. Here’s what I had to say about Aaron Fox & The Reliables when they performed at The Abbey last Thursday: The band’s melodic approach to rock is most impressive on the energetic “Get Down,” which has a bit of a Gin Blossoms feel to it. Other tracks, like the chiming “Over Again,” effectively mix acoustic and electric guitars in lighter arrangements.

Led by 92 Degrees bassist-vocalist Mike Galassini and his wife, singer Marianne Shimkus, The Valley Downs create melodic pop tunes that at times evoke The Bangles. The band released an impressive EP in Behemoth, and recorded a video for the fetching new tune, “Play For You.”

Tonight’s headliners The Webstirs have a tradition of creating catchy power pop that extends to its latest CD, So Long. The title track is a prime example of the band’s approach, with strong vocals, energetic instrumentation and great hooks.

I'm hoping to catch some of this weekend's IPO performances and post reviews next week.