CD Review: The Melismatics - Rising Tide

Note: This review originally appeared in the Illinois Entertainer.

The Melismatics had good luck channeling 1980s synth rock on their last release, Mania, so it’s not surprising to find them taking that approach again. Pulsating beats and catchy melodies abound on Rising Tide, but it’s also clear that the Minneapolis-based quintet is looking to expand its horizons. Not all of the experiments work, but overall, Rising Tide is a step forward.

The well-intentioned ballad, “If You Want War” spouts simplistic solutions to global conflicts, and comes across as Green Day lite. The title track, on other hand, features harmonies from singer-guitarist Ryan Smith and singer-guitarist Kathie “Pony” Hixan-Smith set to an appealing Electric Light Orchestra style pop arrangement. Other songs, like the atmospheric “Crawl, Baby, Crawl” and politically charged “Looking For Trouble” feature The Melismatics tapping into that neo new wave vibe that has served them so well.

Big Ideas 2014

Happy New Year!

Best wishes for a safe and successful 2014.

The Elvis Brothers once sang, “I got big ideas on my mind,” and the start of a new year is always the perfect time for people to present those ideas in the form of resolutions and plans. Here’s my second annual Big Ideas column; a mix of upcoming events regarding entertainers, and some cases, a suggestion of my own for them.

The Bangles The band will perform at the Whiskey A Go Go on January 26th as part of the famous West Hollywood club’s month-long celebration marking 50 years of presenting live rock and roll. Suggestion: The Bangles are overdue for a boxed set with rarities and live tracks. It would also be nice to see them release a new CD, and a color vinyl 45 for Record Store Day.

The Paisley Underground Reunion The Bangles, The Three O’Clock, Dream Syndicate, and Rain Parade joined forces for a few concerts on the West Coast in late 2013. Suggestion: Tour across the US, including a stop in Chicago.

Record Store Day The annual celebration of vinyl arrives on the third Saturday in April, with loads of collectable one-day only releases from artists across the music industry. Previous years have seen rarities from Cheap Trick, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Shoes, Pink Floyd, The Three O’Clock, and R.E.M. 

Dan Pavelich The musician/journalist/cartoonist/indie label honcho’s impressive resume includes performing with The Bradburys and putting out charity records like the Hi-Fi Christmas series and Christmas Without Cancer. He announced on Facebook that, “I’m going to start recording and releasing more of my own music” in 2014.

The Handcuffs The four-woman/one man Chicago indie band lead by the husband and wife duo of drummer Brad Elvis and singer-guitarist Chloe F. Orwell, will release their fourth CD at some point this year.

Magatha Trysty The Chicago band led by singer-keyboards player Catherine Louise and singer-guitarist Chris Bevard plans to release the follow-up to its impressive 2012 CD Your Clothes Will Wear Themselves in 2014. The first single, “Raygun,” gives reason to be optimistic. 

The Hollies The British Invasion band has never broken up. The current lineup, led by original members guitarist-vocalist Tony Hicks and drummer Bobby Elliott, continues to tour and has 2014 dates in Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and Norway. Suggestion: Add the United States to this tour, and Chicago in particular.

Susan Kaye Quinn She’s not only a member of my writers group and a former rocket scientist, Quinn continues to supply her self-publishing empire with her own adventurous efforts like The Mindjack Trilogy, Debt Collector Serial, Faery Swap and Third Daughter. Want to know how she does it? Pick up a copy of Quinn’s Indie Author Survival Guide on Amazon.

Cherie Colyer The longtime member/co-leader of my writers group will have her Challenging Destiny novel out on Wild Rose Press in 2014. This will be her third published Young Adult/paranormal novel, following Embrace and Hold Tight. 

Kym Brunner A funny and imaginative person with a keen ear for how teenagers think and talk, this longtime member/co-leader of my writers group will have her Young Adult novels Wanted Dead Or In Love and One Smart Cookie published this year. 

The Abbeys The veteran Chicago power pop band will debut its newest lineup at the Red Line Tap on February 15th, and later, in April, when International Pop Overthrow returns to Chicago.

Fest For Beatles Fans The annual celebration returns to New York for the first time in 30 years February 7th through the 9th in order to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the first time The Beatles visited America. Guests will include The Smithereens, recreating the Beatles’ 1964 Washington, D.C.concert; Peter Asher; Donovan; Chad & Jeremy; Billy J. Kramer; Freda Kelly; and  the Liverpool cover band; along with co-hosts/masters of ceremonies, comedian/producer Martin Lewis and radio personality Ken Dashow. Other plans include a replica of The Cavern Club, and a recreation of the ride from JFK Airport to the Ed Sullivan Theatre. Suggestion: Do as many of those things scheduled for New York at the Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago. Obviously, they can’t duplicate the ride from JFK Airport, but The Smithereens’ concert and The Cavern replica? Most definitely! 

Phil Angotti Looks like the Chicago singer-writer and master of 1960s tribute shows will be channeling The Zombies again at FitzGerald’s on January 24th. Look for more tribute shows from him during year. Suggestion: Record a holiday CD where he imagines how various 1960s bands would sound singing Christmas carols, in much the same way the band The Fab Four does with The Beatles. 

If you have big plans for the upcoming months, please feel free to contact me here at Broken Hearted Toy.

Favorite Releases Of 2013

Time again for a list of the releases I liked best throughout the year. Putting them in numerical order is always a difficult and occasionally arbitrary process, but I’ve come up with a Top 25 List, along with some very worthy honorable mentions. With a few noted exceptions, all of these recordings were reviewed on Broken Hearted Toy at some point in 2013.

I’d like to extend my gratitude to all the artists, press agents, and labels that contacted me in regard to reviewing music, and I apologize that due to time constraints, I’m wasn’t always able to respond to every message. Your interest and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

To make things easier, I once again separated the Greatest Hits and Various Artists (with a few exceptions that made the Top 25 List) compilations. Here are some noteworthy examples in those categories:

Big Star - Nothing Can Hurt Me Soundtrack

The Hollies - Live Hits

The Three O’Clock - The Hidden World Revealed

Epicycle - You’re Not Gonna Get It

Various Artists - ONXRT Live Vol. 15

The Chills - Somewhere Beautiful

Big Star - Playlist: The Very Best Of Big Star (Review yet to come.)

The Beatles - On Air: Live At The BBC Vol. 2 (Review yet to come.)

Various Artists - Capitalised: Tall Tales And Low Lives Of Edinburgh

Soft Hearted Scientists - Whatever Happened To The Soft Hearted Scientists

And now, on to my Top 25 Favorite Releases Of 2013:

1. Johnny Marr - The Messenger Amazingly, this was the first solo effort from the former Smiths guitarist. Marr taps into his 1980s roots with a flawless collection of energetic songs fueled by his signature guitar playing.

2. Various Artists - Re-Evolution: FDM Sings The Hollies The UK vinyl-only indie label Fruits De Mer brings together 16 current psychedelic and prog rock artists to interpret songs from Manchester’s Finest, mostly from the For Certain Because through Butterfly era.

3. Palmyra Delran - You Are What You Absorb The former member of The Friggs channeled garage rock and the 1960s girl group sound on this energetic and melodic solo effort. 

4. Amy Gore And Her Valentines - In Love Like Palmyra Delran, Gore is a Little Steven Van Zandt-approved garage rock veteran who combines great tunes with a dose of fun. (I’ll post a full review of this soon.)

5. Dot Dash - Half-Remembered Dream The Washington, D.C. band continued to evoke the best of vintage punk and new wave music on its latest release.

6. Phil Angotti - Life And Rhymes At times another introspective work in the vein of his 2011 CD, People And Places, but Angotti also cuts loose with the bluegrass flavored “Daddy’s Country Records” and the sci-fi rock of “I See Spaceships.”

  

7. Ellis Clark - LP Number 1 An adventurous solo effort from the Chicago singer-guitarist-keyboards player known for his work with The Handcuffs, Epicycle, and Social Act.

8. Dolly Varden - For A While This welcome return from the critically acclaimed alt rock/Country and Western band found vocalist-guitarist-songwriter Stave Dawson mixing wistful autobiographical tales with harder-edged material like “Temperamental Complement.”

9. Agony Aunts - Big Cinnamon A psychedelic side project from the California-indie band The Corner Laughers turns out to be imaginative and silly, with great harmonies.

10. Matthew Sweet And Susanna Hoffs - Under The Covers Vol. 3 This time out, Sweet and Hoffs deftly perform a number of gems from the 1980s, including ones by R.E.M. and The Smiths.

11. Pezband - Dangerous People - Founding member lead vocalist-guitarist Mimi Betinis joins with engineer John Pavletic to spruce up some recently discovered, previously unreleased material from the influential power pop band’s 1970s days. (I’ll post a full review of this soon.)

12. Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra - For The Baby Doll The multi-faceted Tremulis utilizes rock, blues, and soul as he takes a look back at the early days of his career with this CD/36-page book combo.

13. Las Kellies - Total Exposure The three-woman Argentine band has a blast mixing reggae, hip-hop and garage rock on its latest devil-may-care effort.

14. Little Green Cars - Absolute Zero The young coed band from Dublin, Ireland applies great harmony vocals to imaginative songs about ghosts, relationships and John Wayne.

15. Crystal Jacqueline - “A Fairy Tale,” Jack Ellister - “Dawn Dream Club”, and Stay - “Mersey Dream” Although each of these is a vinyl 45, the Fruits De Mer label issued them simultaneously (along with a few other 45s). Most of the tracks are covers of music from the original psychedelic era.

16. The Melismatics - Rising Tide The Minneapolis quintet successfully expands beyond its obsession with 1980s techno pop while keeping the pulsating beats and irresistible melodies flowing.

17. The Abbeys - Please File Under: Twang International Pop Overthrow - Chicago veterans Mike Cohen and Jeff Janulis have become masters of harmony vocals, and augment their power pop with hints of Country and Western and satiric humor on this six-song EP.

18. Norwood Park All-Stars - Northwest Highway Former members of Chicago’s 1980s Norcore punk scene Dave Bergeron and Pete Hlavach rekindle the movement’s rebellious spirit with some powerful, newly recorded songs. 

19. Go Time! - Tight Like Wood Lead vocalist-guitarist and songwriter Scott Niekelski keeps the Chicago band squarely between power pop and hard rock, and adds a few new tricks to his repertoire.

20. Kevin Lee And The Kings - Breakout Singer-guitarist Lee always travels along the harder edges of power pop, and along with his band The Kings, provides an energetic setting for melodic songs about broken relationships. 

21. Beki Hemingway - I Have Big Plans For The World Singer-songwriter Hemingway and her husband, guitarist-producer Randy Kerkman, play catchy power pop with elements of Sheryl Crow and The Continental Drifters on this six-song EP.

22.  Jupiter In Velvet - Shut Off Your Mind - This brash singer-songwriter from the UK trips back to the flamboyant glam rock era and tosses in an authentic cover of David Bowie’s “Starman.”

 23. Ryan Powers And The Secret Weapons - The Goodnight Goodbye Hour Three of The Secret Weapons join singer-guitarist Powers on harmony vocals to help create catchy power pop songs like “Be My Baby” that evoke The Hollies.

24. Laura Biagini - Sanctuary Of Sound The singer-songwriter conjures images of warm weather fun while channeling The Beach Boys and the girl groups sound of the 1960s.

25. Lisa Mychols - Above, Beyond And In Between Like Biagini, Mychols excels at tapping into the dreamy pop of Leslie Gore and The Shangri-Las, but she also takes a more modern approach on songs like “She Lied” and “Another Side Of Time.”

Honorable Mentions: Other 2013 Releases That Put A Smile On My Ears

(In No Particular Order):

The Green Question Mark - Pegasus EP

Susanna Hoffs - From Me To You Digital EP

Static In Verona - Some Things You Knew

Richard Heyman - X 

The Rebel Set - How To Make A Monster

The Paper Kites - States
Jack Scratch - 2012

The Twigs - Jump Right In 

Andy Stone - The Giant Awoke

The Honey Pot - To The Edge Of The World

The Pralines - Beautiful View

The Electric Stars - Sonic Candy Soul

Mooner - Unpronounceable Name

Stephen Lawrenson - OBSCURiOSiTY

Red Clover Ghost - Self Titled

Frosting - Frosting II

Mordecai Smyth - Dial M For Mordecai

Gerry O’Keefe - Whatever Suits You

Jet W. Lee - Western Nightmare

The Unswept - Surf Song EP

Fort Frances - Harbour

Soft Hearted Scientists - False Lights 

Jasko - Thirty Forty

Gary Ritchie - Drake Near The Alley

The So So Glos - Blowout

Crystal Jacqueline - Sun Arise

The Perms - The Aberdeen EP

The Safes - Thanks To You 

Warm Soda - Someone For You

Jack Mack And The Last Stand - The Heavy Chevy EP

CD Review: Roxy Swain - Restless Hearts

Restless Hearts, which will be available on digital and orange vinyl versions in early February, finds Roxy Swain taking a less rock-oriented approach than it did on The Spell Of Youth. It’s a risky move, considering how well the Chicago-based quartet did on that 2010 full-length debut. Fortunately, lead vocalist-rhythm guitarist Roxy Swain’s full-bodied singing, along with the band’s knack for strong melodies and well-crafted lyrics, makes the new material successful. 

“Constellations Fell” and “Lexington East” are slower songs set to arrangements that border on sounding over-orchestrated, but the engaging “Impossible Wait” is augmented by Matt Walters’ twangy guitar playing. Elsewhere, Swain’s sensual approach suits the slinky blues and nocturnal hijinx of “Salt And Smoke,” and she employs a lighter singing style for the guitar-driven pop song “Sad.” “Tonight” is an immediate grabber, with Swain belting out her vocals over toe-tapping rock and roll with a touch of Country And Western. It serves as a reminder that Roxy Swain’s bread and butter might still be the energetic songs.

Roxy Swain has an in-store appearance at Val’s Halla Records in Oak Park on Saturday, February 1, and a release show at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn on Friday, February 7th.

Slumgullion

Anyone lucky enough to see the Cheap Trick concert tonight at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana is bound to walk away with an deep appreciation of Rick Nielsen’s guitar playing. Now fans can check out his massive collection in Tom Beaujour’s new book, Guitar Aficionado: The Collections: The Most Famous, Rare, and Valuable Guitars in the World. The guitars of Joe Perry, Jimmie Vaughn, and Elliott Easton are also featured in in the book, which comes from Guitar Aficionado magazine.

I’m planning to post a review of In Love, the new Amy Gore And Her Valentines CD here soon, and I reckon it will place high on my favorite releases of 2013 List. Gore was a member of garage rockers The Gore Gore Girls, and she’s joined in this new band by bassist Leann Banks from The Von Bondies, drummer Joe Leone from Grayling, and Pete Ballard from Deadstring Brothers. “Send Me A Postcard” got a nod of approval from Little Steven Van Zandt on his Underground Garage radio show. Amy Gore And Her Valentines will be opening for long-time Chicago favorites The Waco Brothers tomorrow night at Schubas on Chicago’s northside. Showtime is 8:00PM

Congratulations to vocalist-guitarist Chloe F. Orwell of The Handcuffs on being the Featured Guitarist on the Gretsch Guitars website.

Having just finished my review of the new Playlist: The Very Best Of Big Star compilation for the Illinois Entertainer, the extraordinary talents of the late Alex Chilton are fresh in my mind. A number of Chicago area musicians have never forgotten him, which is why the 9th Annual Alex Chilton Birthday Bash is being held at The Empty Bottle tomorrow night. The acts involved are Certain Stars; Christopher Joseph Elam; Kathy Greenholdt and Chris Corsale; The Injured Parties; The Intimate Machines; The J and P’s; Letterbomb; Lutz; Scott Niekelski from Go Time!; and Puritan Pine. The tribute starts at 8:00 PM, admission is $9.00.

As noted by Mary Houlihan in today’s edition of the Chicago Sun-Times, the suburb of Evanston has brought back its localized New Year’s Eve celebration, First Night. Country& Western/alt rock band Dolly Varden and blues harmonica player Corky Siegel are among the acts performing at this family-friendly event,

Meanwhile, in Palatine: Jim Schwall, Siegel’s partner in The Siegel-Schwall Band, will be a special guest when The Chris Aaron Band celebrates New Year’s Eve at Mac’s On Slade. The Blue Dadeez are also on the bill.

Just a few blocks away in Palatine, Durty Nellie’s will have the Talking Heads tribute act This Must Be The Band ringing in 2014.

David Bowie fans can have a double dose of tribute fun on the north side of Chicago when Sons Of The Silent Age play at Mayne Stage on New Years Eve, and the Berlin nightclub presents its BowieBall on January 2nd. Chris Connelly of Ministry and Revolting Cocks fame, will be channeling the Thin White Duke as lead vocalist for Sons at Mayne Stage, and he’ll be joined by Robert Byyne at Berlin two days later. BowieBall will also have DJ Heaven Malone spinning tunes, and there will androgynous and glam fashion and makeup in the mix.

The Cheetles, a Beatles cover band comprised of veteran musicians Larry Beers, Donnie Briggs, James Coffey, Skid Marks, Mike Medina, Dann Morr, and Tom Slater, will be performing at Martyrs’ on Monday, January 6th. The cover charge is $10.

Heavy Manners, the politically charged ska band that once ruled Chicago’s club scene, hits The Metro on January 3rd as part of its American Ska-Thic 20 Year Reunion Tour. See the band’s Facebook page for further details.

If you saw the Mary Wilson and The Four Tops Holiday Spectacular at the Harris Theater and you’re looking forward to when Motown The Musical opens in Chicago next April, you might also be interested in The Motown 7s Box: Rare And Unreleased Vinyl set. Writer Mike Duquette recently did a post on this collection from England for The Second Disc, a  knowledgeable website about all things related to rare and re-released music.

And finally, a tip of the fez to Matt Smith, who recently wrapped up his tenure as The Doctor on Doctor Who. I’ve haven’t seen the episode yet since I don’t have cable, but I read Kyle Anderson’s review (with spoiler alerts) on The Nerdist website. Sounds like Smith bowed out with his typical class and humor. The best of luck to him in his acting career. Hopefully, he’ll be as busy as his Doctor Who predecessor David Tennant has been since leaving the show.

On Our Way

My writers group had numerous things to celebrate at our annual holiday party in addition to the season. Not only did we survive another challenging year of critiquing each other’s work, but several members had, or soon will have their books published. The subject matter includes children’s stories, historical fiction, and a graphic novel based on a cult TV show, along with paranormal and sci-fi Young Adult novels.

Kym Brunner, who has two YA novels coming out in 2014, came up with a literary trivia game for our party. It involved trying to guess the title and author of a book, based on a puzzle piece from its front cover. Along with famous authors like Mario Puzo, Joseph Heller, and Dr. Seuss, Brunner used works by our group members, like Cherie Colyer’s Hold Tight; Marian Manseau Cheatham’s Merely Dee;  Susan Kaye Quinn’s Open Minds, Terri Murphy’s One Day I Went Rambling; and her own Wanted: Dead Or In Love. I’m hoping that’s a good omen.

I suspect more of our members, particularly Veronica Rundell and Katie Sparks, will be joining the ranks of published authors soon. Mike Kelly, who wrote the copy for the graphic novel KOLCHAK: The Night Stalker and Dr. Moreau, and has self-published two graphic novels based on his Barker The Beagleman super sleuth, is now working on a full-length sci-fi novel. I should be ready to shop my rock and roll novel to literary agents and publishers soon, and I have two Middle Grade fantasy novels to hawk as well.

I have benefited quite a bit from being in this group, and feel I’ve given my share of helpful tips. It’s a group where people won’t hesitate to say an entire chapter needs to be cut, or that your big finale was a disappointment. That can be hard to take, but these guys are just as likely to suggest an option that becomes an essential chunk of your narrative. And members have to feel comfortable in the realm of fairies, witches, old-time gangsters, love-struck teenagers, and in the case of Merely Dee, heartbreaking tragedy. The Night Stalker and Dr. Moreau was a blast to critique. 

We’ve already held one Stand-up Literary Event, and organizers Brunner, Colyer, and Sparks are considering more. I’ll be sure to post here when the next event comes along. Or when another member of our group gets a book published.

Slumgullion

The Paul Collins Beat, an influential power pop band that got its start in the 1980s, continues to stay active all across the USA. The current lineup, led by Mr. Collins, is teaming up with the Nashville-based punk band Parasite Diet for gigs in Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, and Louisiana throughout January.

I was hoping The Zombies would be among the 2014 Inductees to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame,  but they didn’t make the cut. Maybe next year. In the meantime, congratulations the artists who were chosen: Peter Gabriel, Nirvana, Cat Stevens, Kiss, Daryl Hall And John Oates, and Linda Ronstadt. The E Street Band; Rolling Stones producer/mentor Andrew Loog Oldham; and Brian Epstein, the man who translated the genius of The Beatles to the rest of the globe, will also be honored.

The sharp-tongued and critically acclaimed power pop band Archie Powell And The Exports  plan to release their third CD next year, and they’ll be ending 2013 in style with a New Year’s Eve gig at the Emporium Arcade Bar on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. The Noise FM and Hemmingbirds are also on the bill. 

Chicago’s top boss, Mayor Rahm Emanuel crept into the WXRT studio this past Wednesday, but not to steal their presents or the roast beast. He was there to surprise radio personality Terri Hemmert with an official proclamation that December 18th was Terri Hemmert Day throughout the city. Loyal XRT listeners would agree it’s a well-deserved honor, considering Hemmert has been entertaining and enlightening listeners for 40 years. Congratulations, Terri. 

Blondie has a new single called “Sugar On The Side” available on on iTunes. The slow and sensuous tune moves to a ska rhythm and features some guys singing in Spanish, in addition to Deborah Harry’s lead vocals.

Congratulations to Dan Pavelich and the various artists associated with the Christmas Without Cancer CD on reaching their goal of raising $1,000 for The American Cancer Society. Pavelich noted on Facebook that Christmas Without Cancer has sold out on CD Baby, but he’s sent them more copies.