Countdown To Ignition - Top Releases Of 2012

NOTE: THERE’S STILL TIME TO SEND YOUR CREATIVE GOAL FOR 2013. MUSICIANS, ACTORS, AUTHORS, ARTISTS, AND ALL CREATIVE TYPES ARE INVITED TO SEND A ONE-SENTENCE DESCRIPTION. I’M GOING TO START POSTING THE RESPONSES TOMORROW.

Just like the old WLS Top 40, here's a list of some of my favorite releases of 2012. This year, I forced myself to come up with a ranking, rather than going with the usual “in no particular order,” although all of these releases have merit.

To make things easier, I separated the greatest hits and various artists compilations. Here are some noteworthy examples in those categories:

The Hollies  - Radio Fun
Shoes - 35 Years - The Definitive Shoes Collection 1977 - 2012 

The Plimsouls - Beach Town Confidential

Heart - Strange Euphoria 

George Harrison - Early Takes Vol. 1

Jonathan Rundman - Self Titled 

Various Artists - WXRT - Live From The Archives, Vol. 14

Various Artists  - Live From The Old Town School Of Folk Music 50th Anniversary

Now on to the actual list: 

1. Shoes - Ignition

2. Archie Powell And The Exports  - Great Ideas In Action

3. The Wes Hollywood Show - Fantasy Arcade

4. Magatha Trysty - Your Clothes Will Wear Themselves

5. Dot Dash - Winter Garden Light

6.  Mark Crozer And The Rels - Self-Titled

7. Stag - Self-Titled

8. The dB’s - Falling Off The Sky

9. Red Kross - Researching The Blues

10. The Wanton Looks  - Self-Titled

11. Pop Dollys - Aloud

12. Metric - Synthetica

13. Kaiser Chiefs - Start The Revolution Without Me

14. Melismatics - Mania!

15. Ken Stringfellow - Danzig In The Moonlight

16. Imelda May - More Mayhem

17. Dirty Ghosts - Metal Moon

18. The Mike Benign Compulsion - Martha

19.  Imperial Teen - Feel The Sound

20. Susanna Hoffs - Someday

21. River City Tanlines - Coast To Coast

22. The JAC - Faux Pas

23. Crushed Out - Want To Give

24. Hugh Hart - Idolizer

25. Tame Impala - Lonerism

26. Ruby Free - Introducing Ruby Free 

27. Coal Porters - Find The One

28. Ice Choir - Afar

29. King Of Prussia - Transmissions From The Grand Strand

30. Big Deal - Lights Out 

31. The Luck Of Eden Hall - Butterfly Revolutions, Vol. 2

32. Star And Micey - I Can’t Wait

33. Eux Autres - Sun Is Sunk

34. The Candy Stripers ¡contenidos caliente!

35. Red Plastic Buddha - All Out Revolution

36. Braam Brothers - Hail Violet

37. Go Time! - Boneshaker

38. The Viaducts - Mission To Destroy

39. Whitewolfsonicprincess - 10 + 1

40. JIP - Sparks, Flames & Names

Slumgullion

As I mentioned here yesterday, the 8th Annual Alex Chilton Birthday Bash is being held tonight at The Empty Bottle on Western Avenue. Organizer Larry O. Dean has lined up Azita, Certain Stars, Liam Davis And The Contestants, Go Time, The Grand Prix Michael Heaton, High Energy Physics, Peter Joly, Letterbomb, Puritan Pine, Sunken Sugar, Urban Twang, and Welcome To Ashley to join his band  The Injured Parties in this tribute to one of the legends of power pop and rock.

Penthouse Sweets have a record release party for It’s Fine It’s Fine It’s Fine coming up next Friday at Schubas. Judging from a quick sampling of the guitar-driven and melodic songs on their Bandcamp page, this could be a successful release for them. Two other worthy bands, The Safes and The Warm Ones, are also on the bill.

Following up on the sad news that Miles Austrevich has passed away, here’s a reminder that the visitation will take place tomorrow, December 29, 2012, from 12pm - 5pm, at Cooney Funeral Home. Miles was the courageous young man who inspired the Jokes4Miles campaign. The funeral home is located at 3918 West Irving Park Road. In lieu of flowers, visitors are being asked to make donations, in memory of Miles, to Children's Oncology Services, Inc. (COSI), at 213 West Institute Place, Chicago, IL 60610, 312-924-4220, or online. There will also be a Miles Austrevich Memorial next Saturday, January 5th, at the Museum Of Contemporary Art, starting at 4:00 PM. The museum is located at 220 East Chicago Avenue. 

Tributosaurus returns to The Copernicus Center Theater on Chicago’s northwest side on Friday, January 18th. The critically acclaimed tribute band (they’ve covered everyone from Crosby, Stills and Nash to Michael Jackson) will be performing the entire Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour albums, backed by a 30-piece orchestra. Tickets are $35, $40, or $45, depending on seating; and are available through the Copernicus Center Theater website. Five dollars from every ticket will benefit The Betty Hemmert Music Scholarship Fund At Rock For Kids. 

People eager to see Mary-Arrchie Theatre’s current production of The Glass Menagerie after reading the rave review by critic Chris Jones in the Chicago Tribune could be out of luck. According to a post on the theatre’s Facebook page, every show has sold out through closing night, January 20th. Congratulations to ensemble member Hans Fleishmann, who directs the show and plays the character, Tom. This follows on the heels of another Mary-Arrchie success, Superior Donuts, which  runs through December 31st at the Royal George Theatre.

What’s the postal code for Gallifrey? The Nerdist website, always a reliable source for all things Doctor Who, recently reported that the long-running British sci-fi show will soon be honored by a set of commemorative stamps from the Royal Mail in the United Kingdom. Each of the 11 versions of The Doctor, from William Hartnell to Matt Smith, will get his own stamp. Just slap one on an envelope and watch it zip off into another time and dimension.

I usually don’t pay much attention to Comics Carousel, the competition the Chicago Tribune has been running for some time now. The idea is to pit one strip against another, and let readers vote on which one they like best. But I feel the need to offer a few consoling words to artist Donna A. Lewis, whose Reply All strip was recently trounced by reigning champion,  Dogs Of C-Kennel, by a margin of 5,786 to 360. Much of the reason Tribune readers rejected Reply All is probably due to its minimalist, occasionally jarring visual style. I was put off by it myself, but grew to like the content, which is a sort of alternative take on Cathy or the Mary Tyler Moore Show sitcom. It was a breath of fresh air when stale humor so often hangs over the comics page like a cloud of an old vaudeville performer’s cigar smoke. So don’t take the loss too hard, Ms. Lewis. Some of us in Chicago appreciate what you’re trying to do. 

EP Review: Star And Micey - I Can’t Wait

If you live near downtown Chicago, you might still have time to catch Phil Angotti, Charlie Short, Jonah Knaut, Peter Storms, and Dolan McMillan performing The Who’s Quadrophenia and The Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet tonight at Reggie’s Music Joint on State Street. 

The 8th Annual Alex Chilton Birthday Bash takes place tomorrow night at The Empty Bottle on Western Avenue. Organizer Larry O. Dean has lined up Azita, Certain Stars, Liam Davis And The Contestants, Go Time, The Grand Prix Michael Heaton, High Energy Physics, Peter Joly, Letterbomb, Puritan Pine, Sunken Sugar, Urban Twang, and Welcome To Ashley to join his band The Injured Parties in this tribute to one of the legends of power pop and rock.

And now on to the review:

The name sounds like an MTV cartoon series, but Star And Micey is actually a three-piece band from Memphis, TN with a knack for eclectic indie rock. I Can’t Wait, the second effort from acoustic guitarist-vocalist Joshua Cosby, bassist-vocalist Geoff Smith, and electric guitarist-vocalist Nick Redmond, covers a lot of ground on its four tracks, starting with the melancholy but engaging “No Pets Allowed.”

Producer Dennis Herring (Elvis Costello, Modest Mouse) reportedly wanted to capture how these guys sounds live, and on the foot-stomping “Love,” it feels like they’re out on your front porch. The song is an appealing jumble of tempos and instruments, including some violin playing by Memphis Symphony Orchestra member Jessie Munson. Cosby, Smith, and Redmond weave angelic harmonies for the easy-going “Soul Stormin,” which features Herring on guitar. The quirky title track would be a perfect fit for alternative rock stations, alongside the likes of Luminaires, Of Monsters And Men, and Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros. 

Farewell, Miles

I recently received the sad news that Miles Austrevich has passed away. Miles was the young man whose courageous battle against four separate bouts of brain cancer inspired his father, Len, to launch the Jokes4Miles campaign. Len Austrevich, a veteran stand-up comic and comedy writer, was determined to get 5,000 people to videotape themselves telling a joke to cheer up his son. Miles would watch the clips while undergoing hours of painful and monotonous therapy.

Len started a website; staged events around Chicago and other cities; and enlisted the help of corporate executives, news anchors, and celebrities. Musicians, college sororities and fraternaties, and school children joined in the fun. But I’m sure Len would agree it was the determination, cheerful demeanor, and thoughtfulness of Miles that touched people like Bill Murray, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Will Arnett, Jay Leno, Diane Sawyer, Jonathan Brandmeier, Jamie Masada, Mai Martinez, and Mike Toomey.

As Jokes4Miles gained momentum, Miles insisted that it reach out to other kids who shared his illness. He participated in telethons and became a charismatic spokesman for fundraising, even as he weathered incredible pain and crushing setbacks in his treatment. I had the honor of meeting Miles at some events and strategy meetings. He was always quick to smile and extend his hand. It’s safe to say that most of the people he encountered came away with a changed outlook on life.

Visitation for Miles Austrevich will take place on Saturday, December 29, 2012, from 12pm-5pm, at Cooney Funeral Home, 3918 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60618, 773-588-5850. In lieu of flowers, visitors are being asked to make donations, in memory of Miles, to Children's Oncology Services, Inc. (COSI), at 213 West Institute Place, Chicago, IL 60610, 312-924-4220, or online. 

Yuletunes

Best Holiday Wishes to all my readers at Broken Hearted Toy.

Here’s a review I’ve done in three separate posts in past, but decided to run together in an edited form this year. 

NOTE: If you’re looking for a new power pop compilation, check out Song For Sandy Hook Vol. 2. 100% of the profits go to help the Danbury Hospital in Coinnecticutt. Thanks to Herb Eimerman for sharing the link on Facebook. 

Released in 1991 on Shoes’ Black Vinyl label, Yuletunes was an ambitious collection of original Christmas songs created by various power pop artists, mostly from the Midwest. Matthew Sweet, who contributed the reverent “Baby Jesus,” and Marti Jones and Don Dixon, who created a joyous duet on “Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday,” were the biggest names involved.

“This Christmas” by Shoes is a catchy rock song with a monster drum beat and chiming guitars, as the band’s lush harmony vocals deliver the optimistic advice, “Things will get better./Doesn’t seem like it now, but they always do.” Material Issue’s “Merry Christmas Will Do” features Jim Ellison’s rugged guitar playing, and as a vocalist, he’s a master at selling the pain of unrequited love. “You don’t have to say you love me, I know that that’s not true,” Ellison concedes. “But Merry Christmas will do.” The Idea, fronted by vocalist-guitarist Phil Angotti, contribute the fetching “It’s About That Time,” which describes winter scenes, church bell, carols, and watching It’s A Wonderful Life. It goes on to note that the holiday season seems like the only time of the year when “we all have a lot of love to share.”

The single-named Leroy checks in with “Santa Stole My Baby,” a mid-tempo song that sets up a crime scene with clever clues like, “footsteps on the rooftop.” The slinky guitar playing underscores the sexy fun of lyrics like, “She makes him cookies./She calls him Chris./Gets everything double on her Christmas list.” “The Saddest Time Of The Year” comes from Spooner, the Wisconsin-based band that included lead vocalist-guitarist Duke Erikson and drummer Butch Vig long before they formed Garbage with dynamic Scottish chanteuse, Shirley Manson. The haunting arrangement, and Erikson’s guitar playing in particular, make this reflection on disappointment and loneliness at Christmas even more touching. The Cavedogs mixed comedy with catchy pop music on “3 Wise Men And A Baby (Xmas Song),” a funny and ambitious epic that begins with a sound bite of Burl Ives’ talking snowman from Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. About halfway through, the guitar-driven song abruptly shifts into a lounge act reminiscent of the bit Bill Murray used to do on Saturday Night Live.

The Spongetones describe a tranquil paradise with their acoustic-based, innocent fantasy “Christmasland,” which combines a delicate melody and intricately layered vocals. “A God Of My Own” by the 92 Degrees evokes the British Invasion while taking a complex look at religious beliefs during what is undoubtedly the most commercial time of the year. Songs don’t come much happier than Bill Lloyd’s “Underneath The Christmas Tree,” which depicts a guy and his girlfriend sharing an evening of holiday decorating. Set to a catchy arrangement, it sounds like it could have been a 1960s Top 40 hit.

Kelly Ryan is inconsolable on the ballad, “It’s Not Christmas,” as she spends the holiday alone “for the first time in years.” It’s not clear why her longtime beau is no longer there, but a reference to her looking longingly at the phone suggests there’s hope for a reconciliation. Singer-guitarist Herb Eimerman’s gorgeous ballad “You Gave Me” celebrates family traditions at Christmas, as well as the way love and values are passed on from one generation to another. The lyrics take listeners to a holiday gathering at the parents’ home where children and grandchildren bask in “the love from this fine house.” Eimerman tells his Mom and Dad, “I learned all my love from all your love you gave me.” The Critics uncork an irresistible energy on their romantic “She Feels Like Christmas Day.” It’s the one song on this memorable collection that could conceivably be played at any time of year.

Christmas CD Review:The JAC - I See Things Differently

I posted this week’s Slumgullion much earlier today. Here’s a new review of a holiday CD.

Singer-multi-instrumentalist Joe Algeri has been recording Christmas songs for over 10 years, and he's collected some of his favorites on I See Things Differently. Now known as The JAC, he has an obvious love of 1960s pop as well as an offbeat sense of humor. The JAC not only takes a different view of Christmas than most people, he offers an alternative perspective on nearly every track.

His approach is subversive on “Going Down,” somber on “Yuletide Heroin Blues,” and fun on "Surfin' Santa." He even sounds reverent on the delicately pretty “Sweet Baby Jesus.” The humor doesn't always click. “Santa, All I Want (Is Cindy Brady)” and “I Saw Santa With A Gun” sound strained. Still, the CD is a showcase for The JAC's studio expertise (particularly the gorgeous layers of vocals) and knack for creating inviting melodies. The energetic title track and “Stockholm Christmas” are particularly impressive.

The JAC adds two bonus tracks, and they're both gems. “Chris Hillman Christmas,” recorded by his international trio The Britannicas, is a ringing tribute to The Byrds, and “The Basement,” created by one Algeri's other groups, Green Beetles, sets holiday/romantic nostalgia to a blast of power pop. Whether working alone, or with other musicians, The JAC fill his Santa's bag with enough goodies to make I See Things Differently worthwhile. 

Slumgullion

First, I'd like to wish the happiest of birthdays to my lovely wife, Pam. Even though this historic event falls nigh to Christmas, I've never let it get lost amidst the holiday celebrating. As I've said before, I wouldn't be able to do this blog without her amazing technical knowledge. One of Pam's all-time favorite songs is "Mas Que Nada"  by Sergio Mendes And Brasil 66. So, here’s to you, Sweetie. Happy Birthday! 

Looks like we survived the Mayan doomsday. Here’s a  video of The Hollies performing an appropriate song for the occasion. 

The long and winding road will lead Liverpool Legends back to their original home state of Illinois tomorrow night when the Beatles tribute band performs at City Limits in Schaumburg. It's a release party with members Kevin Mantegna, Marty Scott, and Bob Dobro performing acoustic versions of original songs from the group's It Is What It Isn't CD. Liverpool Legends has been playing Branson, MO for a few years now. Show time is 10:00 PM.

Just a reminder that I'm looking for people to send me a one-sentence description of their creative plans for 2013. I'll post as many as I can here on January 1st. So far, the response has been overwhelming. Well, I got two emails. Hopefully, more are on the way.

 I'm looking forward to Not Fade Away, a new film from Sopranos creator David Chase, that opens next Friday, December 28th. It's being billed as a rock and roll love story inspired by 1960s music. The soundtrack features songs by The Rolling Stones, Small Faces, and other 1960s artists.

Deepest sympathies go out to veteran guitarist and studio musician Joe Jammer, whose mother Faye Wright, recently passed away.

Wish I could make this show: There’s a double bill featuring psychedelic rockers Tomorrow The Moon and power pop masters Pezband coming up at FitzGerald’s on January 4th. Hopefully, they’ll schedule some more dates together.