Jersey Beat Music Fanzine
Jersey Beat Music Fanzine - Celebrating 25 Years of Rock and Roll!

The World According to Wawrzyniak


REVIEWS BY JOE WAWRZYNIAK

SHRUBS – Forgotten How to Fall (myspace.com/shrubs)

Representing pop-rock at its most infectiously bubbly, catchy, and upbeat, this album makes a sweet and strong impression just like a bright sparkling beam of sunshine piercing through some storm clouds in an otherwise gloomy sky. Better still, the band’s basic sound has this very groovy and engaging retro 60’s buzzing garage rockish quality to it, with snappy riffin’ guitars, neatly chugging basslines, and sturdy drums supplying a steady succession of snappy tempos and hoppin’ beats. The lively vocals, simple and straightforward lyrics, and refreshing dearth of needless artsy-fartsy pretense are all up to speed as well. An excellent album, produced by Glenn Mercer of The Feelies.

JAVELIN – No Mas (www.luakabop.com)

For those looking for an insanely eclectic album that encapsulates everything from lowdown funky-bumpin’ R&B to breezy pop to groovy disco to wonky instrumentals, then this baby is just the supremely eccentric and unconventional item for you. The wildly creative duo of Tom Van Buskirk and George Langford eschew some standard tried’n’true proven generic formula approach to music in favor of a more remarkably bold, imaginative, and unpredictable “screw it, do it” attitude that results in a deliriously diverse array of songs that are often surprising and always enjoyable. Whether it’s the spacey electronic funk of “Oh! Centra” (dig those crazy Chipmunks-style falsetto vocals!) or the coolly syncopated shuffle of “Off My Mind,” this album never ceases to deliver one delightfully quirky and catchy track after another. A total treat.

JEN OLIVE – Warm Robot (myspace.com/jenolivemusic)

Sweet-voiced singer/songwriter Jen Olive makes a strong and impressive debut with this extremely harmonic and absorbing 12 song album. Getting off to a pleasant start with “Boulevard,” hitting a nifty zenith with the neatly syncopated “Set It On Fire,” working an insanely catchy shuffling groove for all it’s worth with “Querquehouse” (gotta love that simply divine soaring chorus, too!), and going for the shimmering sonic gold with the supremely soothing “All My Heads Meet,” Olive’s artful blend of clever and thoughtful lyrics and rich, complex, and always tuneful melodies are a total treat to hear throughout. Favorite song: “Franscrams,” a truly stunning and beautiful number with a terrific and haunting chanted chorus. The oddball arrangements mix bouncy acoustic guitar riffs with all kinds of wonderfully wonky forms of offbeat percussion with often surprising and frequently delightful results. A real winner.

SIRS – The Black Friday Sessions (www.musicbysirs.com)

Dynamic and unpretentious, with a winning surplus of smart lyrics, catchy’n’bouncy melodies, crisp playing, and plenty of good ol’ fashioned go-for-it gusto and energy, this album really hits the satisfying sonic spot. The vocals are smooth and vibrant, the songwriting concise and intelligent, the arrangements snappy, varied, and consistently tuneful throughout. The songs neatly alternate between straight-up rousing rockers and more low-key and reflective numbers. Best tune: the funky-groovin’ “Grocery Store.” A very enjoyable album.

EARL GREYHOUND – Suspicious Package (www.earlgreyhound.com)

Big and bold, with an amazingly rich, complex, and full-bore blazing sound that comes on like ferocious gangbusters right from the get-go, this marvelously beefy and aggressive slab of swaggering, yet melodic rock soars straight to the heavens with a tremendous go-for-broke berserko verve that’s truly something to behold. The fiercely cutting guitars, churning basslines, and relentless steamrolling drums lay down a positively incendiary plenitude of savage pounding beats and unceasing snappy tempos that rarely let up for a minute. Moreover, the passionate raw-throated vocals shout and holler up a wonderfully raggedy-ass storm. Better still, amid all the joyful noise there’s loads of bang-up musicianship (these cats can really play!) and a strong grasp of tuneful music that’s as impressive as it is expansive and ambitious. A seriously awesome album.


THE BURNING HOTELS – Novels (myspace.com/theburninghotels.com)

Coming through loud and clear with a pleasing sonic package of bright, peppy vocals, dynamic arrangements, clean, tight, and tuneful arrangements, and smart and thoughtful songwriting, this album hits the spot in a nicely spirited and straightforward manner. The snappy tempos and constant beats keep the music flowing along at a properly steady clip. Moreover, the ringing guitars, chugging basslines, and sturdy drums blend together to create a smooth arresting, and often excitingly kickin’ sound. It’s this latter welcome and engaging element of youthful get up and go vitality which in turn makes this baby such an enjoyable listen. A fun album.



 

THE FLETCHERS – Lights Out Loud (www.thefletchersmusic.com)

After a hard day’s work, nothing picks my spirits up better than listening to an album of straight-up catchy’n’crunchy no-nonsense rock’n’roll that gets right down to business and delivers the kickin’ goods with a winning blend of skill and energy. Well, this album certainly fits that particular bill somethin’ sweet: We’ve got clear and robust vocals, snappy and melodic arrangements, ringing guitars, persistent forward-ho drums, and concise songwriting that gets to the point without wasting a word. The songs alternate between full-bore rockers and more low-key and reflective numbers, but are always captivating and enjoyable. What’s not to like?


APRIL SMITH AND THE GREAT PICTURE SHOW – Songs for a Sinking Ship (www.aprilsmithmusic.com)

A delightfully sprightly burst of incredibly bouncy and catchy retro pop exuberance, this album quickly endears itself to the listener with its irresistibly sharp and energetic wealth of tunefully dynamic melodies, lively vocals, witty lyrics, and sheer sonic giddiness. April Smith’s big, hearty, and gloriously full-throated wail of a sweet voice and marvelously sassy personality make for a potent double whammy. The music for the most part harkens back to rousing old swing numbers that one would probably hear in a rowdy juke joint or smoky cabaret back in the 30’s or 40’s, but the brash’n’brassy sensibility is totally modern and wickedly acid in equal measure. An absolute treat.

NYMPHOMATICS – The Treatment (www.myspace.com/nymphomaticsmusic)

This short’n’snappy four song EP CD gets right down to thrilling brass tacks and delivers a pleasingly pumpin’ serving of straight-up unpretentious rock’n’roll. The robust vocals, kickin’ guitars, sturdy drums, and concise songwriting all hit the right-on tunefully ringing spot. A neat and enjoyable little item.

STANDARD FARE – The Noyelle Beat (www.myspace.com/standardfare)

The name of this group is totally misleading. This Sheffield, England power-pop trio are actually quite damn good, with bouncy melodies, lively and hoppin’ tuneful arrangements (gotta love those snappy-riffin’ guitars and constantly hammering drum beats), perky guy-gal vocals, sharp songwriting, and an infectiously bubbly, upbeat, and dynamic sensibility making this baby a total effervescent joy to hear. The pervasive happy sunshiney vibes manage to be genuinely sweet and charming with ever becoming too sticky-cute cloying or excessive. A delightfully bright and energetic blast of pure sparkling and uplifting sonic bliss.

POST HARBOR – They Can’t Hurt You If You Don’t Believe in Them (www.postharbormusic.com)

Moody and melodious, with a strong sense of intricate and involving harmony, exceptionally rich, complex, and often surprising full-bore orchestral arrangements, and passionate vocals, this album makes a lasting and immediate impression that’s mighty tough to shake. The thick and brooding atmosphere of despair and melancholy (the weeping strings are simply gorgeous) further enhances the overall sterling quality. Kudos are also in order for the smart and thoughtful songwriting. A hugely satisfying and impressive artistic achievement.

FYFE DANGERFIELD – Fly Yellow Moon (www.fyfedangerfield.com)

Getting off to a funky-bumping start with the neatly syncopated “When You Walk in the Room,” this breezy and tuneful pop-rock album hits a pleasing chugging groove early on and rides it for all its worth throughout the subsequent nine tracks. Fyfe Dangerfield’s smooth and lively vocals go down nice and easy. His sharp songwriting and firm grasp of catchy melodies likewise hit the sonorous spot. The relaxed tempos and subdued, yet steady beats make listening to this album a very pleasant and soothing experience. A lovely little item.



THEE SILVER MT. ZION MEMORIAL ORCHESTRA - Kollaps Tradixionales (www.tra-la-laband.com)

Moody and melodic, with an exquisitely rich, brooding, and full-bore orchestral sound (the weeping strings in particular are simply divine!), anguished vocals, and a potent sense of brooding melancholy atmosphere, this album certainly makes a strong and lasting impression. The arrangements are incredibly complex, absorbing, and ambitious, with burning guitars and firm-as-granite drums offset by cutting and frantically swirling violins. The songs shift from slow to fast to slow again with surprising agility while the lyrics express a wealth of angst, pain, and regret with a slight tinge of hope with bracing clarity and intelligence. An extraordinary album.

STATIC OF THE GODS –Knowledge Machine (www.staticofthegods.com)

Right from the sweetly hypnotic opening song “Rest Your Head,” this supremely tuneful and captivating electro-pop album casts a soothing and enchanting spell. The vocals are mellow and pleasant while the melodic arrangements keep the steady tempos and constant beats smoothly rolling along at an alternately gradual or snappy rate with often absorbing and occasionally quite exciting results. Moreover, the songwriting is mature, reflective, and intelligent. Favorite track; the remarkably moving and touching “Mean Streak.” A lovely little jewel.

 

OLD GROWTH – Under the Sun (www.myspace.com/ oldgrowthmusicpdx)

The only thing better than a furiously burnin’ and hard-diggin’ blast of gloriously gritty punk is a explosion of pure punky noise that’s further spiced up with a handy helping of down-home shitkickin’ Southern-fried hillbilly blues music. Yep, that’s exactly what we get here – and man does it rock out with a fiercely intense and aggressive go-for-it thrilling vengeance. Everything that makes punk great is present and accounted for: Passionate full-throated vocals, huge shredding guitars riffs, equally chunky steamrolling drum beats, churning basslines, and an admirable dearth of pretense. What’s not to like?

DIOS – We Are Dios (Buddyhead Records)

This album offers up ten tracks worth of supremely spacey, yet serene and comforting sonic experimental pop-rock breeziness that bubbles along in a pleasingly relaxed and unhurried manner. The vocals are exceptionally graceful and arresting while the arrangements are extremely quirky, melodic, and surprising with wonky keyboards, subdued, yet steady drums, and flaky-riffin’ guitars creating a sound that’s both offbeat and harmonic in equal measure. Those with a taste for something creative, different, and boldly outside the mainstream should totally dig the considerable avant-garde trippiness of this highly original and unconventional one-of-a-kind aural oddity.

P J BOND – You Didn’t Know I Was Alphabetical (www.myspace.com/pjbondmusic)

Neatly mining a fine and flavorsome line in gently melodic and comforting folksy country pop, this album makes for an extremely pleasant listen. P J Bond’s warm and relaxed vocals cast a sweetly soothing spell while his songwriting is sharp, witty, occasionally profane, and always spot-on. The tuneful arrangements are likewise up to par, with plenty of catchy acoustic guitar riffs keeping things bouncy and harmonic throughout. Most powerful song: the harrowing “Skin and Bones,” which is about the grueling ordeal of watching a loved one waste away because of drug addiction. A very nice and satisfying album.

RAINBOW FRESH – Dark Sun (www.myspace.com/rainbowfresh)

Kicking out the coolly rocking jams with a steady succession of nicely diggin’ guitar riffs, chugging basslines, and sturdy, yet subdued drums, this album hits the divinely tuneful spot something sweet. The vocals are smooth and engaging, the arrangements bouncy, catchy, and harmonic, the songwriting smart and thoughtful, and an overall air of winningly upbeat groovy vibes pervades throughout like the always welcome presence of a much-beloved longtime funky friend. A total treat.


RESEARCH TURTLES (www.researchturtles.com)

Getting off to a rousing start with the punchy and infectious “Let’s Get Carried Away,” this album hits the ground running and rolls along at a snappy clip with a steady succession of lively, stirring, and delightfully upbeat songs. The hearty vocals project a certain winningly breezy’n’easy charm. The arrangements are tight, dynamic, and exciting, with the beefy, snappy guitars, smooth, swaggering basslines, and sturdy jackhammer drums delivering a pleasing plenitude of speedy tempos and bouncy beats that rarely let up for a minute. Better still, the prevalent attitude manages to be often sunny and cheerful without ever becoming too cloying or corny. An excellent and impressive album.

ANEURYSM JUNE - Strawberries on the Asphalt (www.aneurysmjune.com)

Delivering six songs forth of pleasantly mellow and melodic pop-rock music, this nice little EP CD goes down smooth and easy. The vocals are sturdy and passionate, the songwriting smart and reflective, the arrangements tight, punchy and harmonic. The beats bop along with considerable panache and the tempos move at a satisfying snappy clip. Better still, the gritty riffin’ guitars and kickin’ drums hit the rockin’ spot. Plus you gotta give extra points to a band who do one song in exquisitely fluent Spanish (the rousing “Ashtray Lips”). Best tune: the supremely moody and haunting “Ghost Horses.” A real bang-up outing.

 

CHRISTY & EMILY - Superstition (www.christyandemily.com)

Emily Manzo and Christy Edwards are a highly creative and distinctive duo whose music defies easy categorization. They’ve been called “psychedelic folk,” which doesn’t even come close to catching the gloriously eclectic array of musical styles featured on this exquisitely rich, dense, and varied album. We’ve got everything from pop to rock to classical music, all mixed together in an achingly careful blend that’s as surprising as it is melodic. Christy and Emily’s vocals are gorgeously serene and angelic, their songwriting sharp and thoughtful, their grasp of harmony exceptionally keen and assured, the arrangements supremely taut and dulcet. The tempos flow along at a hypnotically slow clip while the beats are subdued, yet steady throughout. Best of all, there’s a wonderfully quirky experimental sensibility at work throughout. A lovely and glowing little gem.

THE SWIMMERS - People Are Soft (www.theswimmers.com)


You all know the drill by now. Friday night. Lousiest night of the week at my crappy job. Worse yet, I’m writing this particular review at the height of the hellishly stressful Christmas season. So, I come home from work all tired and cranky, but decide anyway to listen to this album and review it just to take the edge off. I’m so glad I did this. Right from the hypnotic funky buzz of the opening song “Shelter,” this nifty pop-rock album immediately put me at ease. There’s plenty of pleasingly fizzy electronic melodicism to chill to here: The warm and comforting vocals, the tight and tuneful arrangements, the upbeat and thoughtful lyrics, the neatly bumpin’ tempos, and the coolly kickin’ beats are a total joy to hear. Favorite song: the delightfully bouncy and catchy “Give Me the Sun.” A very enjoyable item.

WILL STRATTON - No Wonder (www.myspace.com/willstratton)


Right from the first delicately lovely note, the listener immediately knows that this sophomore album from gifted singer/songwriter Will Stratton is going to be something special. Blessed with a soft and soothing, yet arresting voice and a firm sense of refreshingly bright and thoughtful songwriting, Stratton projects a depth, intelligence, and maturity that seems much richer and longer than his shockingly young age of twenty-two (!) would suggest. Moreover, the melodies are very pretty and pleasant, with the gradual tempos and subdued beats keeping things pleasingly low-key and relaxed throughout. Some of the songs rock a bit harder than others, but overall things are quite serene and reflective. An exquisitely moving and gentle little jewel.


THE VILLAINS (www.thevillainsband.com)

Delivering eight tracks worth of supremely catchy, tuneful, and delightful country pop-rock winners, this Atlanta, Georgia group keep things constantly fun and frothy on their hugely enjoyable and impressive debut album. Eschewing pretense and needless flashy razzle-dazzle in favor of a more straightforward approach, these guys maintain a simple and uncluttered style that still manages a few finely affecting moments of thoughtful reflectivity amid all the bouncy good-hearted merriment. Moreover, the vocals are clear and strong, the playing smooth and proficient, the songwriting smart and concise, and the arrangements tight and harmonic. A neat little album.



NOUVELLE VAGUE - 3 (www.myspace.com/nouvellevague)

Delivering 13 tracks worth of divinely harmonic and positively intoxicating heady French pop-rock, this group blends tasty elements of country, bluegrass, jazz, bossa nova, and even 60's pop into an insanely rich, dense, and eclectic mix that’s as inventive as it is enticing. The breathy female vocals exude a sweet bubbly charm while the arrangements are remarkably lively and tuneful throughout. Better still, this album is entirely made up of inspired and innovative covers of such songs as “Road to Nowhere” by Talking Heads, Soft Cell’s “Say Hello Wave Goodbye,” “So Lonely” by the Police, “Our Lips Our Sealed” by the Go-Gos, and even “God Save the Queen” by the Sex Pistols (!) Without a doubt one of the most singular and imaginative cover albums ever recorded, it’s absolutely essential listening for anyone with a taste for something unique and out of the ordinary.

CAPGUN COUP - Maudlin (Team Love)

This album gets off to a rip-roaring start with the punchy “Computer Screens and TVs.” The raw’n’raucous caterwauling continues with thirteen more tracks that combine snotty snarling vocals, biting lyrics, gritty diggin’ guitars, seething basslines, and fiercely pounding drums into a mighty ragged, yet dynamic and exciting lowdown dirty noise that’s an absolute blast to hear. Sure, this definitely ain’t the most pretty and melodic music ever recorded, but in its own basic stripped-down nothing fancy way it certainly hits the satisfyingly scrappy spot just the same.


NATHAN XANDER - The Fear (www.myspace.com/nathanxander)

Simple and homespun, with a gentle sense of folksy melody and an endearingly earnest and honest sensibility, this album has a certain sweetly delicate charm to it that’s both refreshing and engaging in equal measure. This is the type of timeless and eminently tuneful music that sounds like it could have been recorded thirty-odd years ago, but was indeed recorded recently, yet commendably doesn’t adhere to any hip trends of the moment. Nathan Xander’s hoarsely affecting tenor and keen grasp of poetically terse songwriting make for a potent double whammy. The bulk of the songs feature gradual tempos and subdued beats that for the most part keep things chugging along at a pleasingly relaxed, but steady clip. An excellent and impressive album.


THE BLACK 100s - Out With The Stars (www.theblack100s.com)

Offering up ten songs worth of spare, yet tuneful and compelling lowdown gritty blues, this album has a certain raw immediacy to it that in its own sweetly simple and straightforward way proves to be quite powerful. Armed with an acoustic guitar, a thin and nasal, but still up to speed voice, and a spot-on less-is-more approach to banging out a tune, singer/songwriter Thomas Handschiegel cuts right to the point in a pleasingly terse and unpretentious manner. The songs are pretty forlorn and poignant, with no needless flashy stuff to get in the way of the eloquently laconic lyrics and Handschiegel’s wonderfully world-weary battered voice. A marvelously low-key and unadorned little treat.

LISSIE - Why You Runnin’ (www.fatpossum.com)

This lovely EP CD offers five songs that are so full of warmth, passion, and harmony that the listener can’t help but be moved to tears while hearing it. Lissie Maurus’ sassy and spirited voice has a twangy spitfire vigor to it that’s downright endearing in its fierce spunkiness. “Little Lovin’” starts things out on a rousing note, “Wedding Bells” and “Oh Mississippi” mine a finely affecting line in melancholy country, and the achingly poignant “Here Before” ends everything in a satisfyingly soulful way. A beautifully sweet, touching, and delicately tuneful gem.


FREE ENERGY - Stuck On Nothing (Astralwerk/DFA)

Bursting out of the speakers with a fresh and engaging blast of joyful robust vocals, crunchy’n’punchy arrangements, and an infectiously upbeat sensibility, this album immediately wins the listener over with its irresistibly bubbly and bouncy boundless vitality alone. The unbridled exuberance of such songs as the stirring title track, the rousing “Bang Pop,” and the jaunty “Psychic Lightning” are a true treat to hear. The catchy and dynamic melodies, marvelously happy singing, and crisp and lively playing keep things hoppin’ and exciting throughout. It’s always a pleasure to hear an album done by a talented group of musicians with a pure incendiary love and wholehearted go-for-it passion for straight-up good-time rock’n’roll music. Free Energy most certainly fits that particular bill to the complete bitchin’ nines – and that’s precisely why their debut album rates highly as an absolute delight from start to finish.

PRESTON GREY - First and Vine (www.myspace.com/prestongreymusic)

Delivering 14 tracks worth of perfectly bouncy and harmonic indie rock sweetness, this snappy album keeps things bubbly and upbeat throughout. The vocals are pleasant and soothing, the arrangements tight and melodic, the playing crisp and proficient, and the songwriting smart, concise, and thoughtful. The songs alternate between low-key and reflective to more lively and rousing while always remaining tuneful and compelling. A nice album.


HOLLANDS - Mother (www.hollands.com)

Offering up six songs worth of extremely moody and introspective pop-rock, this EP CD makes for a compelling listen. The vocals are strong and affecting, the arrangements tight and tuneful, the songwriting sharp and thoughtful, the tempos chug along at a slow, yet steady rate, and the beats are subdued, but constant throughout. The songs neatly alternate between low-key and contemplative to more intense and hard-rocking. A nifty little item.

 

 
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