Donnie Vie - Beautiful Things (CD, 2019)

 
Donnie Vie, the raspy voiced ex-lead singer of the melodically-gifted Enuff 'Z' Nuff (ENZ), has given us another batch of amazing songs on this hard to find release from 2019. If you like your rock music with catchy hooks and melodies that you will find yourself humming for hours/days after hearing them, then you should run to get this CD. 

Unfortunately, the Vie-era ENZ gets dismissed too easily by some music fans (e.g., power pop fans) because they can't get over ENZ's early 'hair-metal' beginnings. But if you are a fan of Matthew Sweet or some of the other "power-pop" artists that are held in high-esteem, there is no reason why won't love this collection of songs. For me, it is that good. Don't believe me? Check out the title track, Beautiful Things or the Beatleish, Breaking Me Down. 

  

Record of the Week: The Resonars - Lunar Kit

Matt Rendon, from Tucson, Arizona has been recording under the name The Resonars for quite a few years. I believe there was a full functioning band at one time but eventually the band became largely a vehicle for Matt's 60s inspired, melodic pop gems.  While I chose this record as the "Record of the Week", it was actually released in 2002 on Get Hip Records out of Pittsburgh, PA.

I recently obtained a copy of this record since I missed it when it originally came out but when I listened to for the first time it sounded so good that I felt that I need to tell the world about it.  By the way, thanks Amazon! One thing to note, if you pick up this record and like it, you will love their entire catalog.  The Resonars sound has not changed much over the years but that is a good thing. The consistency of the song writing has been incredible over the years. Every record has at least one song that is worth the price of admission alone. This record may actually have a couple. For example, check out the pretty She's In Love With Her, or the more gritty but no less melodic Funny Old World.  Finally, here is my favorite song on this album...if I had written this I would retire...Way Way Way Way Out  The Resonars..one of Arizona's finest...and criminally ignored.

For those that are interested in the band, check out this brief 7 minute video on Matt and his studio and recording career.

Record of the Week: Haim - Something To Tell You

Ok. I have a soft spot for these three sisters from Los Angeles. Their brand of modern, techno, dance pop is not my normal cup of tea but there is something about the fact that they ARE three sisters that really enjoy making music together and, it seems that they really love hanging out with each other. The bond seems very real. How can anyone hate that?

Aside from the above, Haim can write some really nice pop songs. Their first album was full of hidden pop gems. This new one also has some nice tracks. I am currently listening to Little of Your Love, and it is a perfect example of what these sisters do best.  Also, I love Danielle's phrasing when she sings.  She has this vocal tic in that she uses a beat-keeping device during her singing. See if you can pick up the number of times you hear her saying "heh" during a vocal performance.

Honestly, I was a little worried about the single that they released before the album came out.  When I first heard, Want You Back, I was a little sad.  I have heard that song numerous times now and I keep waiting for the hook and the melody to take me some place. Unfortunately, the hook never arrives.  So, I did buy this album thinking that maybe they had run out songs after just one album.  I was clearly WRONG. The new songs are definitely there and all you have to do is buy the album and listen. By the way, Something to Tell You and You Never Knew are excellent. This is now my 4th listen and I love the melodies. In a more pure-dance vain, Walking Away, is slow and moody, stone-cold killer track. I even find myself moving to the slow groove of this song while I am typing this sentence. Someone could remix this and make it a club hit.

You know what I would love to hear? Haim taken a more rock'n'roll approach. Wouldn't it  be great to have the Haim girls produced by Grohl (as an example)?  Let's do it Girls! By the way, I love your albums.

Record of the Week: Chastity Belt - I Used To Spend So Much Time Alone

This is the second Chastity Belt album that has really impressed me.  The first album that I heard was the previous album, Time To Go Home.  I really liked the song Cool Slut.  I didn't know much about the band at the time that I bought the CD (and I still don't) but the moody melodies, the sound of the guitars, and the overall vibe of the record to me was outstanding.  Mix all that with some female vocals and it was a potent mix of pleasure.  I recommend that album highly.

This new album hits all the same chords for me as the first one and to my surprise, it is even more melodic than the last one.  Again, the songs are moody and they create just the right background for a Friday night in the house listening to music. For a sense of what you are getting, listen to What the Hell or check out the video for Different Now.

I like this band. I like them because they hit a mood that I can relate to and they do it in a real catchy way.

Record of the Week: Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2 - Star Suff

I enjoyed shopping at Freakbeat Records in Los Angeles on Sundays because usually Ric Menck of Velvet Crush worked there.  Aside from drumming with Velvet Crush, Ric is also Matthew Sweet's drummer of choice on albums and tours (actually, along with other Velvet Crush members at times). 

Ric is about a year older than me and since he plays in bands that I love, it is not surprising that our musical tastes are similar. So, I am always keen to hear what Ric's latest recommendations are or, as in this case, what he decides to play in the store when he is working.  The last time I was there, Ric played this CD while I was shopping and it definitely got my attention.

The band is essentially The Mattson 2 and Chaz Bundick is a prominent guest of the band on this CD. I don't know much about either The Mattson 2 or Chaz Bundick.  According to Discogs, the Mattson 2 appear to be two brothers (Jared and Jonathan), while Chaz Bundick appears to be a U.S. producer.  Ric mentioned that the brothers may be from San Diego, or at least the general SoCal region. 

When I mentioned to Ric that I wanted to know what he was playing in the store that day, he told me that every time he plays a Mattson 2 record in the shop someone always come up and asks him who is the band that is playing.  So, I guess I am not alone in thinking that this band is on to something.

In trying to think about the music that The Mattson 2 plays it may be better to try and let you know what images came to my head while I played them on my home stereo.  Honestly, the first band that came to my head was Tame Impala from Australia.  This record has that modern psychedelic feel to it but it also contains some jazzy and progressive elements to it.  I use the term "prog" on purpose because certain of their songs reminded me of Yes albums, especially Relayer and Going for the One.  I am not claiming that the band is a prog band but I did hear a little Yes in some of the passages. I think it is the mixture of jass, rock and psychedelic music that really carries this record for me and the songs never really meander since the melodies of the various songs are all quite nice.

In order to get a sense of what I am talking about here is a video from the album for the song Star Stuff.  Here is another taste of the band performing live a song from the album called JBS. JBS has more of that jazzy sound that I discussed above but so melodic. I need to find the rest of their albums.

Velvet Crush - Pre-Teen Symphonies (CD) 2016

Velvet Crush, in part, was the soundtrack to my graduate school days at Berkeley.  When in graduate school, one often has to think a lot and I found that long walks with my Walkman was a good way to think.  So, Velvet Crush albums would make it to a cassette and then I could walk around the streets of Berkeley listening to their music.  One of the albums I listened to a lot was Teenage Symphonies To God.  I memorized that album, front and back.  This release is a set of demos made prior to that album being recorded.  This release also contains some live recordings of the band from the era.  A soundtrack to my life. 

The Jayhawks - Paging Mr. Proust (Vinyl) 2016

I have a rule that you should never doubt a release by The Jayhawks.  While my musical tastes have changed over time, there is always room for the sweet sounds of The Jayhawks and the voice of Gary Louris.  I lived in Minnesota for a few wonderful years and this band always makes me feel so Minnesota. Those from the upper Midwest of the US will understand the term, "Feeling Minnesota".  Trust me, it is a good thing.  The Jayhawks should be a bigger band and Gary Louris should be considered a national institution - yet another one from Minnesota (i.e., Prince).  Alas, we do not live in that kind of world.  However, you can always go and buy this album and state your vote for one of the best truly American bands over the last 25 years(?). By the way, on pretty much every Jayhawks album there is one drop-dead gorgeous song that should be a million copies seller. For this album, it is Lovers of the Sun. Check it out.  Majestic.

Night Beats - Who Sold My Generation (Vinyl) 2016

I have been catching up on my records that have been sitting in my living room un-played for months.  The new Night Beats records was one of those albums.  I knew that I would like it once I actually played the record but for some reason something always came up or I felt at that precise moment that I needed to listen to something else. 

I first encountered the band Night Beats through my Dallas music guide, Jacob, from Good Records. As soon as I would walk into the store he would put three records in front of me and tell me, "You are going to like this". Sure enough, he was right about 99% of the time.

So, what can I say about Night Beats? They are a "psychedelic" band from Austin, Texas. I put psychedelic in quotes because I am not sure what that word really means today but let's just say that Night Beats have late 60s influences. So, how good is this record? It is really good. For a taste of what you get check out Right/Wrong  Enjoy that groove? If you do you will like the rest of the LP for sure. All hail Night Beats!

Cheatahs - Mythologies (Vinyl) 2015

Blown away by the first Cheatahs EP and the debut album was also good.  It was the intense, frenzied, melodic guitar lines that really captured me.  The sound reminded me of the first Teenage Fanclub album or early Swervedriver.  This is the second LP by Cheatahs and it is good.  The intense guitar playing is still there but those melodic, cutting guitar lines are less prominent. The music is still melodic but it lacks that bite that the first EP contained.  This album seems to be soaked in fuzz and reverb.  In fact, the first couple of times I played this record I checked my needle because it sounded muddy.  On inspection I realized that my needle was fine and it was just the way the record was supposed to sound! I still recommend this album and I have played a few times since I purchased the record. While not as amazing as that first EP, this is still a damn good record and a damn good band.  For a taste of what Cheatahs sounds like listen to Red Lakes, the opening song on the album.

I have high hopes for this band and they have not failed me yet.  One of my favorite new bands out there.

Dinosaur Jr - Give A Glimpse of What Yer Not (CD) 2016

One of my favorite bands. Full Stop. I picked this up on CD because I was about to drive 2 hours to San Diego and I wanted to hear the record while I drove (rather than buy the vinyl copy and then have to wait until I got back home from my trip to play it!).  Another great outing from J. Mascis and the band and the guitar work is as tasty ever.  Great riffs, great guitar solos and, as always, great intensity.  Dinosaur Jr rocks and if you are into heavy but melodic guitar playing, then this band just never disappoints.  I have already heard this CD twice and I was really taken by Be A Part  Enjoy.

Beach House - Thank Your Lucky Stars (CD) 2015

I got turned on to Beach House by a friend of mine that worked at Good Records in Dallas, Texas.  Hi Jacob!  For me Beach House is the type of band that plays what I call 'dream pop'.  Slow, moody, and melodic. I think the best way to listen to Beach House is turn out the lights and lay on your couch.  Close your eyes and let those haunting melodies just sweep over you.  Go ahead, fall into that trance!  I think this is my 4th album by them and all of them are quite good and sort of follow the same pattern - slow, pretty melodies and the female vocals of Victoria Legrand.  Yes, I have a thing for female vocals of this type.  For those that are more familiar with my taste in music you know that these types of bands are not common for me but Beach House is hard to resist.

For those that have never experienced anything by Beach House, please try this song, Majorette

Marshall Crenshaw - What's In the Bag? (CD) 2003

Marshall Crenshaw in a somewhat somber outing. It is still a very good record with great melodies and great vocal hooks. It just appears that Marshall seems a bit mellow. We all get older, including myself. Maybe I just don't get as excited about Marshall Crenshaw albums anymore and I should be because he is a wonderful artist. I might be forcing this and over-thinking. Enjoy Marshall Crenshaw. I always do. Apparently the song A Few Thousand Days Ago was a played on the popular show ER. Enjoy.

Just a note- I have this sealed copy sitting around for a long time. I never bothered to listen to it for years. As I went to record it in Discogs I realized that I have another copy of the CD someplace in the stacks. Hmm...need to shore up my purchasing standards.

The Chamber Strings - Mionth of Sundays (2001) CD

Kevin Junior, the mastermind of The Chamber Strings, recently passed away. This is a beautiful album- his second. If you like orchestral pop with pretty, and at times melancholy, melodies then you should buy this CD (if you can find it). I do remember finding this used a long time ago. I do not know how hard it will be to find this-hope not too hard.

This CD has been sitting in a crate at my Mom's house since it was stored there when I left the U.S. to go work in Argentina for a few years. I am listening to it for the first time in 6 -7 years.

While listening to this CD what I think about it is that some of these melodies or moods would fit comfortably on a Prentice Brothers or Scud Mountain Boys albums.  Maybe that will help place this music in some context for you.

Here are links to a taste of the album:

For the Happy Endings

It's No Wonder

Weezer - s/t (2016) vinyl

I lost faith in this band at one point but their last album was very good. This current album is also an excellent outing.  Weezer still manages to write perfect, melodic, power riffs that make you want to sing along while you rock out! This guys are so popular that I do not need to post any links to their records or songs.  Just know, Weezer is still relevant and excellent. Enjoy!

Best Coast - California Nights (2015) CD

I picked this up a while ago. I listened to it again on a whim. Today it still sounds as fresh and clean as it did when I first heard it. While I have enjoyed Best Coast for the most part, especially the first two albums, this record for me is their best. No shame in starting here if you have never picked up anything by them. The previous albums are not as tight as this but I still think you will find them enjoyable even if you start with this gem. This record makes me want to dance when I listen to it! Guitars, fuzz...Weezer-ish melodies... this is a fun a record with pretty melodies. If you like the song below, then you will love the whole thing.

Take a listen

In My Eyes

Jealousy