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. 

  

An Introduction and why music is like dirt

 Hi All

Music like dirt! Just like dirt, music is everywhere 😆 Now you know what the title means.

I am going to give this blog another try. I have managed to consolidate all my previous posts here so I feel like I am better organized and that my previous attempts have not been in vain. I hope I stick around. 

To be clear, this is a labor of love. I paid for all the music that I review. I am reviewing or commenting on LPs, CDs, cassettes, and or 45s that I have purchased and own. I provide links so that you can enjoy a taste of what I am describing.

 Enjoy. 

Dr. Boogie - Gotta Get Back to New York City (2015)

 

Wow, this is really good. Dr Boogie is (was?) an LA band that is playing in that glam, RnR/Dolls/Heartbreakers-style. However, there is a some boogie swagger in their sound as well since on some of their songs sound like a Faces/Black Crowes fusion. 

This CD was from 2015 and they do not seem to have much out except a few 45s. I may need to hunt these guys down a bit to see what has happened to them (if anything). Either way, this is an excellent record and if you can find it you should. 

By the way, I got this directly from Dead Beat Records. I was reading their posts on Instagram and they highlighted this so I jump on it. See Dead Beat Records

Green - Elaine Mackenzie (1987)

Green's second album is Elaine Mackenzie and if you even liked the first album just a little bit then you will love this record. Just more 60s influenced pop music from this Chicago-based band masterminded by Jeff Lescher.  In the first few songs you get some goodies in the form of She's an Addiction and Saturday Afternoon (with the obvious Kinks influence). Like the first Green album, previously reviewed on this blog,  listening to this Green album is sort of like playing "spot the influence" since Jeff Lescher is not shy about what he listened to and what inspired him as a musician and songwriter. If that is not enough, then maybe the vocal hook on the song Don't Ever Fall In Love With Someone When You're Already In Love With Someone Else. Just classic.

This CD comes with two bonus tracks that include the sublime "My Tears Are Dry (Now)". which I had previously had only on a 7 inch single bought many many years ago. This song maybe worth the price of admission alone.

I know that posting about old bands with records/CDs from the 80s is not great for clicks but you just can't deny the songwriting. If you like melodic rock'n'roll, you are going to love Green.

Green - s/t (1986)

Originally released in 1986, this review is about the reissue that came out in 2009 on Lion Productions out of Illinois. Green is from Chicago and play pop music which, based on the liner notes to this reissue, was not the hippest thing to be during those days.

I first "discovered" this record in its vinyl form back in the late 80s. When I first saw the cover I immediately thought of another Midwest punk band that were the rage at the time. Much to my surprise, what came out of the speakers was a series of catchy pop songs. Jeff Lescher, singer/songwriter/guitarist, really wears his influences on his sleeves since the band is not afraid to play those Beatles/Byrds melodies. However, that is not all. Jeff, growing up in Chicago, was also influenced by blues and soul music, and not to be overlooked, a little bit of country music. In fact, it is fun to listen to the record and see what are the specific influences for each particular song. Spoiler Alert. Jeff, in his liner notes, reveals those influences!

After all these years, I still love playing this record (whether on vinyl or CD) because the songs are timeless and Jeff's vocals are so strained and true. It is a perfect combination. Try it out Green. It is worth checking them out.

Curt Boettcher - Misty Miracle (2018) (cassette)

My previous post discussed baroque pop and one of the American masters of that sound is Curt Boettcher. This cassette (via Burger) is a reissue of a CD that was originally released in 2000. This recording is made up solo LP sessions, outtakes, demos, and adverts between 1967-1969.  The music is beautiful and very melodic. For example, listen to Misty Mirage or Baby It's Real. Note - I have included the definitive version of Baby It's Real but the demo is as good. That is just on the first side! The rest of the album has a similar feel and quality is high on the remainder of this album. More 60s goodness!

Pete Dello and Friends - Into Your Ears (1971) (cassette)

Don't know much about Pete Dello aside from the fact that he was in a band called Honeybus. I have always heard of Honeybus, and I may have heard a few songs here and there, but I do not own any of their releases. Well, if this LP is even remotely similar to Honeybus, then I need to get their records because this album is really good. This cassette version (via Burger Records) is a reissue of an album that came out in 1971. How to describe the music? The music is really melodic late-60s era baroque pop that is really pleasing to the ear. What is baroque pop? Well, (as I described in a previous post) it is sound that can be described as the merger of psychedelic music and lush orchestral arrangements that includes flutes, oboes, harpsichords, recorders, and french horns. Think of Sgt Pepper by The Beatles and Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. I think if you are a fan of melodic pop, you will enjoy this a lot.