Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan - Peculiar Friends

Name: Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan
Album: Peculiar Friends
Year: 1971
Style: Classic Rock, Psychedelic Funk, Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Cold Blood, Blood Sweat & Tears, Lighthouse
"One-Word" Review: Gritty Psych Show Tunes
Based Out Of: New Jersey / NYC
Label: Polydor

Cover, Back, Sleeve, Record

Inner Gatefold, Sleeve, Record

Peculiar Friends (1971)

1. Peculiar Friends 0:19
2. The Night I Got Out of Jail 3:44
3. Shootin' the Breeze 3:19
4. The Pickpocket 3:48
5. No Next Time 4:34 (single) /
6. Love Me 5:05
7. Fourteenth Street (I Can't Gat Together) 5:49
8. I Had Him Down 3:52
9. Down in the Cold 6:09 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Aram Schefrin - Writer, Arrangement, Producer, Guitar (Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, DC LaRue, Cris Williamson, LaBelle, Lou Reed)
  
• Michael Zager - Writer, Arrangement, Producer, Keys (Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band, Moon Band, M-Zee Band, Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, DC LaRue, Cris Williamson, LaBelle, Take Five, Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Mary lou Retton, Elusion, Spinners, Johnny Guitar Watson, DJ Valium, Genya Ravan, Street Corner Symphony, Cryer & Ford, Saint & Stephanie, Dee Edwards, Alvin Fields, more )
• Geyna Ravan - Writer, Arrangement, Vox, Harp (Goldie & the Gingerbreads, Denny Greene, Lou Reed, Blue Oyster Cult, Ronnie Spector, Gamma, Joy Rider. Flowerpot Men, Joey Ramone, Doughboys, Palmyra Delran, Fanny Walked the Earth, Michael Des Barres, Shady Lady, Kracker, Goldie Zelkowitz, Jay-Z)
• Blake Hines - Bass
• David Williams - Drums
• Alan Gauvin - Reeds  (Woody Herman, Bill Wartrous, Pratt Bros Big Band, Killer Force, Thundering Herd, Buddy Rich, Twiggs, Rich Shemaria)
• Dean Pratt - Trumpet (NY Neophonic Orch, Panama Friends & Savoy Sultans, Pratt Bros Big Band, Clifford Jordan, Killer Force, DMP Big Band, NTXSU Lab Band, Joel Kaye, Chris Robison, Buddy Rich, Bill Warfield, Leon Redbone, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton)
• Tom Malone - Trombone (3:00 Lab Band, Black Light Orch, Blood Sweat & Tears, Child is Father to the Man, Dude Skile's Hot Combustion, Gil Evans, Orquesta Palenque, Blues Brothers Band, Brass Attack Horns, CBS Orch, Mon Night Orch, NTXSU Lab Band, RCO All-Stars, SNL Band, Ultimate Onions, World's Most Dangerous Band, Woody Herman, Mylon, OT Zappo, more) 
• Danny Stiles - Trumpet (Sal Salvador, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Bill Watrous, Woody Herman, Herman & Puente, Maxwell Davis, Chris Connor, Bill Russo, Peggy Lee, Incredible Jimmy Smith, Oscsar Peterson Trip, Manny Albam, JJ Johnson, Pat Williams, T-Bone Walker, Singers Unlimited, Jake Hanna, Bette Midler, Nat Pierce, James Brown, Gerry Mulligan)
• Frank Frint - Trumpet
• Jay Messina - Engineer
• David L'Heureux - Cover Art, Album Design
• Triano-Gatefold Art
• Lou Podover - Photos
• Chuck Pulin -Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but I always enjoy a nice gatefold album I've never heard: that usually means more care has gone into the album & packaging. I do like the Alice in Wonderland-like artwork, calling them peculiar friends, which is also the album and lead track name. Never heard of the name dropped singer, Genya Ravan, but from the design, I imagine this is pretty straight forward classic rock, maybe with a touch of Psych from the Alice/Mr. Toad's Wild Ride-inspired sketches.

Album Review: The album is definitely a classic rock with powerful female vocals, thinking Joplin/Slick with all the variants present within the classic rock realm: psych, garage, funk, rock, gospel, and even some slow ballads. Even through The Night I Got Out of Jail is a driving, fun rocker, overall this is not for me, but it sounds typical of the sound & period.
The band had already found considerable success and acclaim by this, the third album, and Rayan was ready to leave the band. They had played some big festivals and high profile venues like Fillmore East (where Rayan performed part of the show topless with body paint) and Carnegie Hall. The band survived 6 years total, a lead singer and record label changes, but it was a big starting block for Michael Zager's disco career. The band was also inspirational in the face of a male dominated field for Bette Midler & her writing of The Rose.

Stand Out Track: The Night I Got Out of Jail

Links:
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Snail- s/t

Name: Snail
Album: S/T
Year: 1978
Style: Southern Bluesy Rock
Similar Bands: Ween, Creedence Clearwater, Allman Brothers, Doobie Brothers, Firefall, Poco, Steely Dan
"One-Word" Review: Laid Back Custom Van Southern Blues Rockers
Based Out Of: Santa Cruz, CA
Label: Cream

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Snail (1978)

1. The Joker 5:08 (single)
2. Catch Me 3:32
3. Music is My Mistress 4:17
4. Childhood Dreams 5:14 (single b-side) /
5. Try and Wonder 4:09
6. Keep on Livin' 4:10
7. You Gotta Run 4:23
8. Carry Me 3:04
9. Freedom in the Country 4:48

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Bob O'Neil - Guitar, Vox (Snailhead, Talcon Wedge, Cobras, Larry Hosford)
• Jack Register - Bass (Hillow Hammet)
• Jim Norris - Drums (Joe Richards, Sea Dog, Humans, Ninja Nomads, Larry Hosford, Jim Hampton, Larry Scala, Lol, Bob Brozman, Stomin' Norman and the Cyclones, Lazy K's, Electric Range, Beans Sousa, Jeffrey Halford & the Healers, Arthur Godfrey, Mick Overman, Victoria Blythe, Psychemagik, Fred Thrane, Doc Stoltey)
• Ken Kraft, Guitar, Vox (White Album Ensemble, The Bubble, Stomin' Norman and the Cyclones, messiahs, Harpin' Johnny and the Primadons, Larry Hosford Band, Karin Phoenix, Nightfire Lacy J. Dalton, Larry Hosford, Psychemagik, Lazy K's, Electric Range)
• David Bowers - Sound Engineer
• Ed Leslie - Personal Manager
• Jerry Barnes - Producer, Engineer
• Gary Boatner - Asst. Engineer
• Murray McFadden - Asst. Engineer
• Gary Boren - Asst. Engineer
• Michael Scholl - Asst. Engineer
• David Kulka - Tones
• Cary Fischer - Tones
• Clark Gassman - Keys, Orch Arrangement & Conducting (David Acelrod, John Fischer, Jon Byron, Stan kenton, Ralph Carmichael, Solomon Burke, Jim Valley, Paul Johnston & the Sure Name Foundation, Percy Faith, Andy Williams, Archers, Hugo Montenegro, Anne Herring, Ray Conniff, Simon Stokes, David Castle, Pam Mark Hall, Jimmy & Carol Owens, Terry Garthwaite, Lilly Greene, Jessy Dixon, Ron Harris, Steve Boalt, Communion Sinfers, Bob Baily, James Gabriel Stipech, Groupe Vocal Vie Nouvelle, Dale Schacker, Steve Shakarian)
• Chet McCracken - Percussion (Evergreen Bluegrass, Help, Doobie Brothers, America, Pat Terry Group, John Fischer, Nick Gilder, Jerry Corbetta, Renzo Fraiese, Hank Williams Jr, Harvey + Cannonball, Greg Harris, Jazz Fusion, Amy Holland, Eikichi yazawa, William Katt, Accomplice, Stevie Nicks, Rita Coolidge, Joe Walsh, Todd Sharp, Patrick Gammon, Claire Severac, Brad Dutz, Jon Bare, Tim Bogert, Nancy Luca, Michael McDonald, Big Rain, Derlin Dow, Sterling Koch, Sherlie Carter)
• LePrevost - Art Direction, Design
• Gene Brownell - Cover Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band.But they're living up the name by putting a snail shell right there on the cover, along with the band name in a font that looks like snail slime. The band photo on the back looks like they're a bunch of long haired hippies, so i imagine this might be psych (snail residue trippy poison?) or maybe just power pop.

Album Review: This pride of Santa Cruz band goes all in on the southern, bluesy rock style. Some songs have funky guitar solos, and a slight psych tinge to them, but its pretty straight forward custom van stoner rock. Some of the guitar solos remind me of Dean Ween's guitar work. This album came out 10 years into their career, but was still considered their first. When they started, they were a Cream-type blues-rock band. O'Neil's is the only original member left by the time of this album, even though Kraft joined a couple months into their existence. Sounds like they were a quite popular regional band, but never experienced much popularity outside the Monterey-Salinas market despite touring for Styx, Steve Miller Band and Santana and appearing on American Bandstand. They had to retire their band name due to legal issues and a bankrupt label, but some form of the band still plays out in the SC area (2020).


Stand Out Track: The Joker

Links:

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Mars Studio Kraft on Engineer

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Monterey Herald

Les Paul Forum

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Ripple Effect

Glory Daze

Rex Smith - Rex

Name: Rex Smith
Album: Rex
Year: 1976
Style: Glam, Power Pop, Hard Rock
Similar Bands: T. Rex, Alice Cooper, Rick Springfield, Leif Garrett, ZZ Top
"One-Word" Review: 70's Pretty-Glam-Boy Power Rocker
Based Out Of: Jacksonville Florida
Label: Columbia, CBS

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Rex (1976)

1. Trouble 4:11 (Single)
2. Ten Seconds of Love 4:02
3. Feeling Better 4:27
4. Stay With Me 4:41 (Lorraine Ellison cover)/
5. Call Her "Easy" 4:20
6. Dead End Kids 3:35
7. I Can't Explain 2:59 (Who cover, single B-Side)
8. Rock & Roll Dream 2:40
9. Violent Playground 3:21

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Orville Davis - Bass (Hydra, Starz)
• Lars Hanson - Guitar, Backing Vox (Genya Ravan, Ronnie Spector, Rudolf's Nightmare, Benny Mardones)
• Mike Ratti - Drums, Percussion (Heavy Balloon, Morgen, The Nails, Shorud of Lowell)
• Rex Smith - Vox (Phaedra, Rachel Sweet, Frank Wildhorn )
• Lou Vandora - Guitar, backing Vox (Lou's Blues Revue)
• Eddie Leonetti - Producer
• Lee De Carlo - Engineer
• Jay Krugman - Asst. Engineer
• Rod O'Brein - Asst. Engineer
• David Krebs - Direction

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Rex, but that could be short for, or have changed for a number of acts. The cover and band photo make him look to be a typical power pop with a prog edge, with a touch of androgyny.

Album Review: The album is def power pop, but leans heavy on hard rock and glam. Many songs sound like they are going to transition into ZZ Top's "Tush." Vocals take cues from Robert Plant. But the album sounds good with talented musicians and a solid, thick, heavy rock feel, typical of the mid-70's era. The album is attributed to a band named "Rex" but most cataloging databases file this as a Rex Smith album, and i'm following suit. His pretty-boy looks made him a teen idol in the late 70's and early 80s. Rex was just as poplar as an actor as a music. This album came 2 years before he made his debut on broadway in Grease. He was also in the tv series Street Hawk, and is the Quizzo answer to "Who is the first live action actor to portray Marvel Comic's Daredevil." He has had two  top 40 singles with "You Take My Breath Away" (#10 and was on his soundtrack to the film he also starred in Sooner or Later) in 1979, and "Everlasting Love" (#32) as a duet with Rachel Sweet. You can get a personal message made from Rex for $75 bucks on Cameo.

Stand Out Track: Trouble

Links:

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Broadway World

Mountain - Flowers of Evil

Name: Mountain
Album: Flowers of Evil
Year: 1971
Style: Prog, Southern Bluesy Rock, Classic Rock
Similar Bands: Black Sabbath, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Bloodrock
"One-Word" Review: Mystical jam-band metal.
Based Out Of:  Long Island, NYC
Label: Windfall, Bell Records, Columbia Pictures

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Flowers of Evil (1971)

1. Flowers of Evil 4:53
2. King's Chorale 1:04 (instrumental)
3. One Last Cold Kiss 3:45
4. Crossroader 4:47
5. Pride and Passion 7:05 /
6. Dream Sequence (live Fillmore East 1971) 24:27
1. Guitar Solo
2. Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Berry cover)
3. Variations
4. Swan Theme
7. Mississippi Queen (live Fillmore East 1971) 3:53

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Leslie West - Guitar, Vox (Vagrants, West Bruce and Laing, David Rea, Dana Valery, Joe Bonamassa, John Entwhistle Band, Clutch, Michael Schenker Group, Voices of Classic Rock, Todd Wolfe & Under the Radar, Jolliver Arkansaw, Mylon, Felix Cavaliere, Deadly Nightshade, Bo Diddley, Dion, Gillian, Billy Joel, Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus, The Who, Joe Lynn Turner, Randy Coven, Don Nix, Ozzy Osbourne, Hotshot, Ian Gillan, Johnny Winter, Eli Cook)
• Felix Pappalardi - Bass, Vox, Producer (Cream, Pompeii, Devil's Anvil, The Flock, The Realists, Jack Bruce, David Rea, Natural Gas, Jesse Colin Young, Creation, Gasolin', Dead Boys', Casey Anderson, Vince Martin, Fred Neil, Tom Paxton, Richard & Mimi Farina, Tom Rush, Ian & Sylvia, Spider John Koerner, Tim Rose, Bo Grumpus, Kensignton Market, Bunky & Jake, Jolliver Arkansaw, Mylon, John Sebastian, Eric Clapton, Bedlam, Back Door, Eddie Mottau, Sierra, Tim hardin, Vagrants, Tom Paxton)
• Corky Laing - Drums (West Bruce and Laing, Energy, Bartholomew Plus Three, Cork, Pompeii, The B+3, Leslie West Band, The Mix, Jason Hartless, David Rea, Mylon, Dana Valery, Mahogany Rush, Bo Diddley, Tony Wilson, Charlie Karp & Name Droppers, Men Without Hats, Lost & Profound,  JD Blackfoot, David Grahame, Visitors From Bellatrix)
• Steve Knight - Keys (Devil's Anvil, Wings, Feenjon Group, Herbie Mann, George Mgrdichian Ensemble, Andrea Glass, Yacov Dan)
• Gail Collins Pappalardi - Writer, Lyrics
• Bob d'Orleans - Engineer
• Judy Szekely - Asst. Engineer
• Gail Collins - Cover
• Bud Prager - Exec. Producer
• Music Agency - Graphics Coordination

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Mountain. I picked this up in a Goodwill Thrift record stack along side a Mothers of Invention album, so I assume this is going to be similar: odd, avant garde pop. Their band name artwork looks a little spiritual/renaissance/baroque/new agey, so it might go that direction, too.

Album Review: The album's studio side has a theatrical, rock opera, concept theme going on (about drug abuse in Vietnam), perhaps a little like some of early Ween's classic rock, face melting songs, even if this record is not that face melting. Side B is recorded live at the Fillmore East in 1971. The first "track" is a 24 min 30 sec medley that has Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" mixed in. Leslie West was the main artist behind Mountain, as the band name is taken from West's first solo album, which refers to his large size and stature. They were a unique sound, blending elements that they were able to fit together very naturally. They soared at Woodstock's Saturday Night stage, only the band's fourth every live performance. After that, they released their first proper album, featuring the classic rock and cowbell hit Mississippi Queen, featured on here as a gritty, filthy live version. Pappalardi was shot & killed by his wife in 1983, and she served about a year in jail. With him gone, West and Laing have regrouped and recorded Mountain albums off an on into the aughts. Some verison of Mountain will still perform today with West & Laing composing the core.

Stand Out Track: One Last Cold Kiss

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Midnight Flyer - Rock 'N' Roll Party

Name: Midnight Flyer
Album: Rock 'N' Roll Party
Year: 1981
Style: Hard Rock, Classic Rock
Similar Bands: Sheer Mag, Cold Blood, 10 Wheel Drive, Janis Joplin, ZZ Top, Foghat
"One-Word" Review: If TX Discovered Metal
Based Out Of: UK
Label: Swan Song ATCO, Atlantic

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Label

Rock 'N' Roll Party (1981)

1. Rock 'N' Roll Party 3:50
2. Waiting For You 3:13 / (single)
3. French Kisses 3:59
4. Sweet Loving Woman 3:27
5. Rough Trade 4:01 (Single)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Mick Ralphs - Producer (Bad Company, Mott the Hoople)
• Maggie Bell - Vox (Stone the Crows, Kinning Park Ramblers, Locarno, Palais Band, Power, BA Robertson, British Blues Quintet, Chris Farlowe, Manfreds, Hamburg Blues Band, Frankie & Johnny, Jon Lord Blues Project, John Baldry, Deavid Allen, Rod Stewart, Ellis, London Symph Orch, Eric Burdon, Raven Ohtani, Rick Wakeman, Tony Coe, Eddie Hardin, Ronnie Wood, Pete Brown, Dave Kelly, Clem Clempson, Michael Kamen, Eddie Hardin)
• Dave Dowle - Drums (Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, Runner, Streetwalkers, Whitesnake, Francis Monkman, Kevin Lamb, David Coverdale, Adrian Snell, Renaissance, Steve Hyams, Moody Marsden, Annie Haslam, Canterbury Glass, Bernardo Lanzetti)
• Antony Glynne - Guitars (Razar, Roger Chapman, Rick Wakeman, The Divorce, Mike Oldfield, The Fabulos Singlettes, Asia, Soft Cotton County)
• Tony Stevens - Bass (Foghat, Nobody's Business, Savoy Brown, Shortlist, Joe Jammer, Roger Chapman, Julio Finn Blues Band, Jimmy Dawkins, Kazimierz Lux, Tommy soundtrack, Rock Follies, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Julie Covington, Andy Mackay, Billy Nicholls, Dana Gillespie)
• Chris Parren - Keys (Forever Amber, High Society, Hudson-Ford, JJ Jackson's Dilemma, Locust, Rocky Horror Band, Strawbs, Brother Jack McDuff, Albert Hammond, Ray Russell, Wilding / Bonus, Ian Gomm, Jim Capaldi, Andy Mackay, Julie Tzuke, John Mizarolli, Great Dames of RnR, Dave Davies, Zen Attack, George Michael, Jim Diamond, Trevor Walters, Jack-E McAuley, The Monks, Cliff Bennett)
• John Cook - Keys (Kestrel, Mungo jerry, Octopus, Slack Alice, Stars, The Mixed Bag, The Joseph Consortium, Kirby, Stretch, Danny Kirwan, Noel Janus, Kit Hain, Ozzy Ozbourne, Graham Bonnet, Cozy Powell, John Parr, Jackie Lynton, Bernie Marsden, Fay Hallam)
• Peter Grant - Exec Producer (Led Zeppelin Mgr)
• Niall Connoly - Photo

Unknown-ness: Never heard of them. Their name is a quite generic pub rock style name, and their look spans the gamut of hippie, 70's AOR rock, 80's metal facade, and two air plane pilots...maybe the flyer part of their name? This is an EP, with only 5 songs, but i'm going to guess its just female fronted pub rock.

Album Review: The singer has some range to her voice, and on the opening track, it reminds me a lot of Sheer Mag (and it is an obvious borrowed lyrics and melody from ZZ Top's "Tush"). The album blends honky tonk pub with power guitars and a rangefully powerful & slightly raspy vocal. The members in the band were a supergroup of sorts, with members of Whitesnake, Foghat, and Bell at the helm. Both Bell and Stevens were also part of various early Tommy recorded performances.

Stand Out Track: Rock 'N' Roll Party

Links:
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Blue Mink - s/t

Name: Blue Mink
Album: s/t
Year: 1973
Style: Classic Rock, Folk Pop
Similar Bands: Cold Blood, Jefferson Airplane, Partridge Family, Cowsills
"One-Word" Review: Folky Flower-Pop Soul
Based Out Of: UK
Label: MCA Records

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

Blue Mink (1973)

1. Watch Out 2:44
2. Randy 3:12
3. Another Day Without You 3:44
4. Daughter of Someone 3:50
5. God Only Knows 3:10 (Beach Boys cover)
6. Together 4:04 /
7. By The Devil I Was Tempted 3:38
8. You Are the Sunshine of My Life (Stevie Wonder cover)
9. Harlem 2:41 (Bill Withers Cover)
10. Loneliness 3:47
11. Harmony 3:12
12. Where Did They Go 4:03

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• David MacKay - Producer
• Madeline Bell - Vox (Joe Cocker, Dusty Springfield, David & Jonathan, Elton John, Freedom Road Cast, New London Chorale, Orchester James Last, Space, Bradford Singers, Midnite Ladies, Power & Glory)
• Roger Cook - Vox (David & Jonathan, Elton John, Currant Kraze, CCW, Cook-Greenway, Jon and Julie, Kestrels, White Plains)
• Barry Morgan - Drums (many bands)
• Herbie Flowers - Bass (Sky, Lou Reed, Bounty, Frog, Ginger Baker & Friends, Hungry Wolf, NY Trouble, Rumplestiltskin, T.Rex, Magic Music Co, Philarmonics, Ugly Custard, Tony Visconti Orch.)
• Alan Parker - Guitar (The Congregation, Bounty, bullet, CCS, Congregation, Frog, Hungry Wolf, Jon Watts, Les Reed & his Orch. Mike Batt & Friends, Mike Cox, Rumplestiltskin, David Lindup Big Band, Phiarmonics, Rhythm Section, Troll, Ugly Custard)
• Roger Coulam - Keys (Jimmy Nicol & Shubdubs, Roger Coulam Quartet, Ugly Custard)
• Ann O'Dell - Keys, orchestral Arrangements (Chopyn, Roger Glover & Guests, Sphincter Ensemble, Shawn Phillips, Bryan Ferry, Andrew Lloyd Webber)
• Ray Cooper - Percussion (Elton John, Eric Clapton, Les Reed, Mike Batt, AllStar Band, House Band, Philarmonics, Singing Rebels Band)
• Martin Levan - Engineer
• Paul Tregurtha - Engineer
• Barry Authors - Personal Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Blue Mink. But they look like a folky, southern bluesy band, like CCR or Allman Brothers with their denim band pict on the cover, and the beardy dude with the straw hat.

Album Review: The album, full with multiple covers, has a flower child, Woodstockian Hair feel to the majority of the album, They were originally designed to be a studio only instrumental band, but those layers slowly peeled away to where they just became a band. Apparently, this record came out at the peak, and begin of their downfall as a band, touring the US & adding members, and a shifting music culture as the blame. It was called Only When I Laugh on other versions, but is just self titled on this MCA-US release.

Stand Out Track: Randy

Links:
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CAB 20 - Dirty Smiles

Artist: Cab 20

Album: Dirty Smiles

Year: 2010

Style: Bluesy Rock, Garage, Classic Rock

Similar Bands: Queens of the Stone Age, Black Keys, Soul Asylum, MC5, Black Crows, Lenny Kravitz

One Word Review: Sweaty-Shouty-Guitar Jams.

Based Out Of: El Segundo, CA

Label: Slaughtered Lamb Productions

Dirty Smiles Cover & Record

Dirty Smiles - Back, Record

Dirty Smiles (2010)

1. Don't Leave Your Love 2:17
2. Infection 2:56
3. Stones & Bones  4:47
4. Aquavit 3:19
5. Oh Darling 4:00
6. Slow Song 3:07 /
7. Keep on Talking 3:50
8. Substance Abuse 4:20
9. Living Things 3:46
10. Gravedigger 3:59
11. Boots 3:28
12. Blood on my Hands 2:37

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

Eric Conteras - Drums
Bert Hoover - Guitar, Vox, Album Artwork

Chris Khalife - Bass, Keys Vox

Ivan Konstantinovic - Additional Vox

Gil Serrano - Banjo, Additional Vox

Jonny Lai - Electric Guitar, Additional Vox

Noah Yoseloff - Additional Vocals

Robert Hoover - Co-Produced, Engineered, Mastering
Joo-Joo Ashworth - Photography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. But from the color scheme from the grey and brown trains, it feels like it will be a slice of Americana rock. I imagine meandering, and tedious at times, perhaps some grungy guitar solos. 

Album Review:

So this is the very first band to ever appear on Shark Tanl (2012) in order to gain investor backing as a band. They didn't agree to a deal, and were not funded. Popularity from the show neve helped them out, as they are not really together making new music today.

“Don't Leave Your Love” starts with a drum beat, and an urgent, rattling guitar playing MC5 style garage rock. The vocals are also urgent, and emotional, verging on shouting. Very fast, and classic rock in style.
“Infection” has a bit more country twang in the guitar, but it is still rushed and anxiously played…the bouncing keys buried in the background also emphasize the pace. The appeal for alcohol fueled, bluesy guitar solos is apparent for the song is jumpstarted by the guitar.
“Stones & Bones” has a slower jazzy drum beat to begin. It is well accompanied by a funky bass line, and thick steamrolling guitars. The passionate vocals sound as if they are standing far away from the mic, in order to capture the natural vocals which don’t care how naturally loud they are. The song slows down in the minimal instrumental section, only to pick up for one last emotional verse.
“Aquavit” combined punk chords and the bluesy, slightly free-form shouty vocals well. The chord progression sounds very familiar. There are a couple distinct driving sections, which give a platform for the shouting vocals.
“Oh Darling” Starts with some space-guitar twittlings, and then proceeds as a minimal open room drum and bass section. The vocals are growly-shouting against a juxtaposing backdrop of slower music. The guitars kick in and with some feed back and other classic rock elements, push the song along faster. The song slows down to a crawling tambourine rest, then quietly surges with chugging guitars back to the full volume and driving force of the initial verse.
“Slow Song” is true to its name, and an acoustic guitar plays a balladeering bar stool jam. It is a little stumbly, but kicks in with a drum beat only to make the slow jam louder. The volume and intensity rises and falls, but it keeps a moderate tempo the whole time.

“Keep on Talking” begins with a small bass hook and cowbell. Then Cake-like guitar is added, and the song gets going with a sweaty guitar atmosphere. There are group shouting vocals over key lyrical phrases, but the funky bass line keeps the song in order. The song builds and gets a little progressive, with looping guitar licks, which cycle back to the initial set up.
“Substance Abuse” chugs along with grimey, sludgy guitar, and a spattering of drums below. The guitar leads the kick in, and shouting vocals pull the singer away from the mic to not overpower or distort things more than desired. The instrumental takes a while to grow back into the musical verse for one last run through before the song ends.
“Living Things” Starts with Pounding guitar and cowbell, with a flat sounding drum. The vocals are a little more controlled and coherent at first. It’s like a faster Kick Out the Jams. The song takes a bit of a break to focus on the vocals and simple rhythm chords. But it does manage to kick back in, and oscillate between sections balancing the slow & quiet with the fast paced urgency
“Gravedigger” is a swampy stomp jam with catchy group choruses and shouty sections mixed with stoner classic rock lines.
“Boots” is a bit slinkier, but is at heart a pub rocking band full of feedback and swagger. It plays out like a Lenny Kravitz instrumental jam
“Blood on My Hands” is a swampy porch, banjo picking, jug band southern sing along. The whole band sings in echoing natural harmony for the chorus. It feels more of a demo. At 1:50, the tambourine kicks the song into a quickened pace for a short bit before the song winds down, runs out of alcohol. 

Stand Out Track: Don't Leave Your Love

Links:
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(the) Laughing Dogs - s/t

Name: (the) Laughing Dogs
Album: s/t
Year: 1979
Style: Power Pop, Classic Rock
Similar Bands: Jellyfish, Badfinger, Steely Dan, The Knack, Sorrows, Hawks, Billy Joel, Queen, Journey
"One-Word" Review: All-Purpose-Power-Garage
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: CBS, Columbia Records

Laughing Dogs - Cover, Sleeve & Record

Laughing Dogs - Back, Sleeve & Record

Laughing Dogs (1979)

1. Get 'Im Outa Town 3:26
2. Low Life 2:56
3. No Lies 3:00
4. Johnny Contender 3:19
5. Reason for Love 2:19
6. I Need A Million 2:54/
7. It's Alright, It's OK 3:17
8. I'm Awake 3:14
9. Round & Round 4:20
10. It's Just the Truth 3:48
11. Get Outa My Way 2:46

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

Ronny Carle - Vox, Bass, Harmonica
James Leonard - Vox, Guitar
Carter Cathcart - Keys, Guitar, Vox
Moe Potts - Drums, Vox
Eric Block - Assistant Engineer

Bruce Botnick - Producer
Keith Brown - Assistant Engineer
Tom Dwyer - Assistant Engineer
Rob Freeman - Engineer, Mixing
Breuer, Finkel, Koplik - Management
Andrea Klein - Design
Josh Berg - Design
Jerry Abramowitz - Photography
Wally Traugott - Mastering

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of these guys. From the looks of the gritty, black & white sepia artwork, I’m gonna guess they are Pub Rock. That is also derived from their clothing on the back. They look like dressed up working class, and the boy and his dog image on the front supports a working class mentality too.

Album Review: “Get 'Im Outa Town” rings in with an electric guitar strumming one annoying note. Then a piano driven Billy Joel type song begins with smooth ELO vocal harmonies. But there is a dark tone underlying the song that comes from the guitar that began the song. Otherwise, this is straight up power pop. The lead vocals sound like Billy Joel too.
“Low Life” also treads the line of straight up power pop with a foot in the door of pub rock, thanks to the guitar sound. In the sections where the guitar is mixed in the background, the song bops along with smooth production and vocals, but then the chorus grows a little darker. The lead vocals remind me a lot of Jellyfish here. And the chorus is a harmonized, near prog, group effort.
“No Lies” is a piano waltz. It sways side to side with high pitch near-yelling vocals. But the chorus is again harmonized like Jellyfish or Queen, and is very “My Best Friend” catchy. The piano melody reminds me of something out of “Little Shop of Horror’s.”
“Johnny Contender” is a rollicking honky-tonk bar-blues song. It starts off with a yell, and rolls right along with a confident swagger. The chorus is harmonized too, but strangely does not detract from the momentum or the image of the song. The end of the song brings out a “Bad to the Bone” bass section.
“Reason for Love” is a harmonica driven Big Star or ELO power pop song with a very catchy bass hook, and harmonized vocal melody. It is a little bit like the verse to Steve Miller Band’s “Rock n’ Me’.”
“I Need A Million” is a fast, rocking, near-classic rock / glam song with melodically manic lyrics. The song is driven by the fact that it keeps on building, and never finds that release.

“It's Alright, It's OK” wades into the bluesy pub rock pool with a soulful guitar and pulsating rhythm. It evolves into what could be a Journey song by the time it gets to the chorus.
“I'm Awake” starts out exactly like another song I reviewed called “Hang On” by Axe. It has a bouncy piano and bass beat. But this song has a 60’s garage rock feel to it, accented by the harmonized backing vocals that give it a little psychedelic twist.
“Round & Round” is a bit slow, gloomy and reflective in the beginning, sounding like a sad story song. Actually it reminded me of Sound Garden for some reason. But as the song moves forward, the vocals and chorus are more rooted in true classic rock, not alternative’s filter of classic rock. Actually there is one little vocal twist that reminds me of David Bowie. So there is a bit of a Glam quality to it too. The last instrumental minute of the song features a freak out on a bluesy organ sounding keyboard.
“It's Just the Truth” starts with the same drum beat from The Box Top’s “Letter.” But the song begins with the chorus, a harmonized poppy hook that reminds me of Jellyfish. Even the lead vocals sound just like Jellyfish, especially when the vocals get excited and energetic. Ok, so it sounds a lot like Badfinger too, but that’s just because there is a whole string of similar sounding bands.
“Get Outa My Way” begins like Pinball Wizard. Then it really kicks into garage rock mode. And it also reminds me of Soul Asylum’s “Get on Out” when it hits the chorus. With Rolling Stones backing “Do-Do-Do’s”

Stand Out Track: It's Just the Truth

Links:

website
indranet
facebook page
power pop criminals
lastFM
Allmusic

Fever Tree - s/t

Name: Fever Tree
Album: Fever Tree
Year: 1968
Style: Psychedelic Folk Rock
Similar Bands: Association, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Bee Gees, Blind Melon, Doors
"One-Word" Review: every-style-60's-pop
Based Out Of: Houston, TX
Label: UNI, Universal City Records, MCA

Fever Tree - Cover & Record
Fever Tree - Back & Record

Fever Tree (1968)

1. Imitation Situation 1 (Toccata And Fugue) 2:32
2. Where Do You Go 2:25
3. San Francisco Girls (Return of the Native) 3:58
4. Ninety-Nine and One-Half 2:45
5. Man Who Paints the Pictures 2:32
6. Filligree and Shadow 3:51 /
7. The Sun Also Rises 2:41
8. Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out 3:27
9. Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing 3:00
10. Unlock My Door 3:45
11. Come With Me (Rainsong) 3:45

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:Walter Andrus - Engineer
Scott Holtzmsn - Producer
Vivian Holtzman - Producer
Dennis Keller - Vox (The Bostwick Vines)
Michael Knust - Guitar (The Bostwick Vines)
Rob Landes - Keys, Woodwind, Organ, Harp, (Rob Landes Trio)
John Tuttle - Percussion (The Bostwick Vines)
E.E. Wolfe - Bass (The Bostwick Vines)
Frank Davis - Assistant Engineer
Mic Leitz - Assistant Engineer
Mike Shields - String/Horn Assistant
Jill Gibson - Cover & Liner Photo
Harry Golightly - Liner Photos
David Angel - String/Horn Arrangement
Gene Page - String/Horn Arrangement
Diane White Hudson - Dust Cover Sketches
Martha Armstrong - Calligraphy

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of this band. But from the psychedelic tree in the background, the costumes the band is wearing, and the energy in the name Fever Tree, I’m guessing this is a solid Psych-Rock band from the mid-late 60’s. It could be lighter than I expect, but I always hope for the best when it comes to a descent band name and exciting cover art.

Album Review: “Imitation Situation 1 (Toccata And Fugue)” is introduced by a thunderous drum rattle, and followed by a segment of Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue” as suggested by the parenthesis in the title. Grand echoing vocals are then brought in, and lonely vocals are repeated until the music drops off into a buzz, and the next song begins immediately.“Where Do You Go” is a dirty, fuzzy 60’s garage band. It is powerful, and hard hitting for a folk band. Then the music hits a still spot where the bass and light drums play and a flute is added over top. This instrumental section builds nicely into a resurgence of the vocals. The electric guitar is very catchy and just an over all delightful sound. The song winds down like the quick burst of energy is overSan Francisco Girls (Return of the Native) is their “hit,” sounding like the Bee Gees of that time period. It has a nice way of building into a psychedelic garage song. The vocals are proud and confident, and when combined with the music, remind me of a male counterpart to a less chaotic Janice Joplin. The song resets itself with lighter vocals again, and flute echoing in the background. Again the bridge builds, but instead of hitting the chorus, it slinks back into a psychedelic zone out.“Ninety-Nine and One-Half” begins with a scream, and enters typical psychedelic classic rock territory with raspy vocals and continuous wailing electric guitar. It has a nice trippy groove to it, a style that was rekindled by Blind Melon in the 90’s. “Man Who Paints the Pictures” is a driving psych song with booming drums, electric guitar and strong, confident vocals. It reminds me of Ween’s “Stallion pt. 5” with its driving tempo. But the guitar’s sound and flute lock its footprint firmly in classic psychedelic rock. “Filligree and Shadow” is a lighter, trippy renaissance fair folk number. It is very much along the lines of the early Bee Gees or Strawberry Alarm Clock. It possesses a marching, drummer boy cadence with a dark side. The dark is balanced by the light of the orchestral strings in the background. The song breaks down into bass hum and other noise overtaking the proud, bold chorus which is still audible in the background in a messy chaotic swirl.

“The Sun Also Rises” is a piano based number at the outset. Then it diverges into a psychedelic lounge singer number. “Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out” Instrumental folk guitar picking and single note bass eventually come together (no pun intended) to begin their cover of Day Tripper. It is slowed down a bunch and made more orchestral. The vocals are pretty close parody to the Beatles. The lyrics are forced right into “We Can Work It Out” without much of a choice for one verse. Slowed down and with brass and more orchestral renderings of the popular (and my favorite) Beatles song.“Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing” is a psychedelic carousel waltz. It bobs from side to side, and is crooned like the very best lounge singer with everything to lose.“Unlock My Door” is a quiet balladeer’s song storytelling of desire toward a specific love. Acoustic guitar bombards the middle section, sounding like progressive music a little. After that rant, it returns to delicate echoing finger picking and retelling of the first verse. “Come With Me (Rainsong)” begins with a wash of rain and quiet piano. Gentle guitars are added. The vocals are solemn and comforting, sounding like a religious song written for a Jesus type to sing.

Stand Out Track: Where Do You Go

Links:
Discogs
Rate Your Music
Allmusic
Wikipedia
Psych Interview w/ Knust
German Fan Site
Landes's Church
Landes's Site
Oldies.com
Keller's Message about Knust passing

American Minor - The Buffalo Creek EP

Name: American Minor
Album: The Buffalo Creek EP
Year: 2004
Style: Americana, Classic Rock
Similar Bands: Black Crows, Iron Butterfly
"One-Word" Review: Car-on-the-Lawn Rock
Based Out Of : New York, NY/Huntington, WV/Champaign, IL, West Virginia, US
Label: Zomba, Jive, Chrysalis

Buffalo Creek EP - Front & Back

Buffalo Creek EP - Inside & CD

Buffalo Creek EP (2004)

1. Walk On 3:23
2. Buffalo Creek 3:34
3. Movin' On Up 3:34
4. Get On It 3:04

Album Rating (1-10): 4.0

Memberd & Other Bands:

Robert McCutcheon - Vox

Bud Carroll - Guitars

Joshua Gragg - Guitars

Josh Knox - Drums

John Goodmanson - Produced, Engineered, Mixed

Benmont Tench - Hammond & Wurlitzer (Tom Petty & Heartbreakers, Mudcrutch)

Howie Weinberg - Mastering

Rodel Delfin - Management

Michael Tedesco - A&R

Nick Gamma - Art Direction & Design

Clay Patrick McBride - Photography

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of these guys, and this is a CD I received from a friend trying to cut back on his collection. What can I say; I’m a bit of a hoarder, so I took it. Based on the brown cardboard case and the wood-cut stamp looking artwork, I’d say these guys will be bluesy rock. I’m not a big fan of this genre, so I can’t compare it to too much. I’m just glad it is only 4 songs long, so it will not be too much torture if it is unpleasant.

Album Review: “Walk On” has shaky raspy vocals and rocks out right away. It takes elements from classic rock, the Black Crows and other southern rock bands of this niche. It feels like it would have had a nice place to thrive in 1995, with the dirty riffs and crunching melodic guitars.
“Buffalo Creek” is this albums namesake. And it feels a bit Black Sabbathy, with head banging guitars. The raspy vocals continue. The middle section lightens up with light guitars and vocals. But that turns into wailing guitars for the instrumental section.
“Movin' On Up” is more meandering and psychedelic, but it still fits into the bluesy rock style they’ve set in motion. The chorus is more rocking, and it returns to the original form when it gets back to the verse.
“Get On It” starts right off into power rock. The verse lets the guitars retire for a bit. The song is structured like a Tom Petty power pop song. But the rocking guitars are given their own chorus.

I don't really go for this sort of music, its jut not appealing to me, but it sounds like it is done well. I'm picking the stand out track based on the fact that it does stand out a bit more than the rest, and it is the album title, too.

Stand Out Track: Buffalo Creek

Links:

Myspace

Star Pulse

Blog Critics

all music

John Entwistle - Whistle Rymes

Name: John Entwhistle
Album: Whistle Rymes
Year: 1972
Style: Classic Rock
Similar Bands: The Who, CCR, Journey, Supertramp, J Geils, Genesis
"One-Word" Review: proggy-stoner-rock
Based Out Of: Chiswick, Britain
Label: Track Records, Decca, MCA

Whistle Rymes - Cover & Back
Whistle Rymes - Inside Notes
Whistle Rymes - Record

Whistle Rymes (1972)

1. Ten Little Fingers 3:56
2. Apron Strings 3:42
3. I Feel Better 4:42
4. Thinkin' It Over 3:06
5. Who Cares? 4:30 /
6. I Wonder 2:54
7. I Was Just being Friendly 3:31
8. The Window Shopper 3:23
9. I Found Out 3:45
10. Nightmare (Please Wake Me Up) 6:08

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:John Entwhistle - Vox, Bass, Piano, Trumpet, French Horn, Producer, Album Cover Idea (The Who, The Confederates, The Detours, High Numbers)
John Alcock -Producer
Brian Humphreys - Engineer
Mike Weighell - Engineer
Alan Ross - Guitar, Vox, Tambourine
Jimmy McCulloch - Guitar
Neil Sheppard - Piano
Rod Coombes - Drums
Gordon Barton - Drums
Peter Frampton - Guitar
Johnny Weider - Violin
John Lethbridge - Design & Artwork
Graham Lethbridge - Design & Artwork
Bryan Williams - Trombone, Organ

Unknown-ness: I am a fan of the Who, but I was unaware that this was a John Entwhistle album when I bought it or that Entwhistle was the bass player in the Who. Yes, I feel somewhat ashamed of that fact, but now I know. I got the record because of the spectacular art work on the fold out album cover. It looks so mysterious, childlike and somehow evil that I could not pass up finding out what the music inside was like.

Album Review: The album starts off with “Ten Little Friends,” a bouncy classic rock piano number, heavy on the lead electric guitar in the second half of the song. “Apron Strings” follows as a quieter, slower piano number, almost feeling like Elton John. But it builds up with progressive elements, especially Entwhistle’s bass. There is a guitar solo toward the end, which stays around for the remainder of the song. “I Feel Better” is a piano & bass heavy prog song with head nodding, cigarette lighter pacing. “Thinkin’ It Over” continues with the same structure and pace, with a bit more of a sway, drinking song, sea shanty style. “Who Cares?” starts off with some great start stop drums, piano and bass. It is the catchiest song so far with a great verse that sets up the catchy chorus. Horns and guitar come in as you think the song is about to end, but they carry us through another minute and a half of instrumental fun.

“I Wonder” is a very theatrical quick paced song. It sounds a bit like CCR’s “Down on the Corner” when it gets to the chorus. The brass in the song sounds like it is perfect for a 70’s cop TV show theme. “I Was Just Being Friendly” feels a bit like Journey meets Supertramp. It builds well as the chord changes tone higher, but there is no great follow thorugh. “The Window Shopper” feels like a Celtic march as it begins. But it has the same Genesis feel as most of the rest of the album: a self-assured, head nodding vibe. “I Found Out” starts with a piano only until; the bass and vocals kick in. There is hesitancy in the vocals, like he is singing in a house where people are still asleep. It follows stories where the singer is the protagonist, and discovers the truth about things in his life. “Nightmares” ends the album and begins as a quiet ballad, assuming the character in the story is falling asleep, about a minute and a half, an evil carnival bass line and electronic effects in the background begin to take the listener along on this changed pace rollercoaster “nightmare” with the main character. The bass rocks hard…one part James Bond, one part Jaws. Off-key “Chopsticks” is played overtop the ever increasing and chaotic sound-scape created by this audio-nightmare to give that childhood innocents lost. The song becomes very carnival-esq at the very end as the record fades out.

Who Cares, I Wonder and Nightmare are the stand out tracks here. They seem the most original and catchy of the lot.

Stand Out Track: I Wonder

Links:
Entwhistle - Wikipedia
Entwhistle - Allmusic
Entwhistle - website
Entwhistle - Memorial Page
Entwhistle - Foundation
Entwhistle - Live in Philly 3/75

Bram Tchaikovsky - Strange Man, Changed Man / Pressure / Funland

Name: Bram Tchaikivsky
Albums: Strange Man, Changed Man ~ / Pressure ^ / Funland *
Years: 1979~, 1980^, 1981*
Style: Rocking New Wave~ & Classic Rock~^
Similar Bands: The Knack, Cheap Trick, Big Country
"One-Word" Review: Classic-Wave-Pop
Based Out Of: Lincolnshire, England
Label: Polydor~^, Radarscope Records~^, Radar Records~^, Artista*

SMCM~ Cover & Insert

SMCM~ Back & Insert
SMCM~ Record
Pressure^ Cover
Pressure^ Back
Funland* Cover & Record

Funland* Back & Record

Strange Man, Changed Man (1979)~

1. Strange Man, Changed Man 4:01
2. Lonely Dancer 3:58
3. Robber 3:06
4. Bloodline 3:48
5. I'm The One that's Leaving 3:27/
6. Girl Of My Dreams 4:06
7. Nobody Knows 4:32
8. Lady From the USA 3:28
9. I'm A Believer 3:46
10. Sarah Smiles 3:37
11. Turn On The Lights 2:49

Pressure (1980)^

1. Let's Dance 5:11 (Micky & Bram)
2. Heartache 2:47 (Bram)
3. Letter From the USA 3:17 (Micky)
4. Can't Give your Reasons 3:48 (Bram)
5. Pressure 2:49 (Bram)/
6. The Russians Are Coming 3:21 (Micky & Bram)
7. Hollywood Nightmare 3:23 (Denis)
8. Misfortune 3:12 (Micky & Bram)
9. Jeux Sans Frontieres 2:40 (Micky & Bram)
10. Mr. President 4:07 (Bram)
11. New York Paranoia 4:10 (Bram)

Funland (1981)*

1. Stand and Deliver 3:30
2. Shall We Dance? 3:06
3. Heart of Stone 3:30
4. Breaking Down the Walls of Heartache 2:40
5. Model Girl 4:32/
6. Why Does Mother 'Phone Me? 3:29
7. Used to Be My Used to Be 2:56
8. Soul Surrender 3:30
9. Together My Love 3:50
10. Miracle Cure 2:44
11. Egyptian Mummies 4:18

Album Reviews (1-10):SMCM~ 7.0
Pressure^ 6.5
Funland* 6.5

Members & Other Bands:Bram Tchaikovsky(Peter Bramall) - Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Producer (Motors)~^*
Mike Broadbent - Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Vox~
Denis Forbes - Vox, Bass, Guitar, Keys^*
Lord Richard Itchington - Bass*
Keith Line - Drums ^
Keith Boyce - Drums & Percussion~
Derrik Ballard - Drums*
Bernie Clark - Keyboards*
Mike Oldfield -Tubular Bells (on Girl of My Dreams)~
Nick Garvey - Producer, Backing Vox, Bass~* Piano, Guitar* (Motors)~*
Andy McMaster - Backing Vox*
Lew Soloff - Trumpet*
Jimmy Maelen - Percussion*
Hilly Michaels - Drums*
Peter Ker - Producer~
Rocking Russian - Sleeve Design~^
Audry Dewar - Photography~
Jim Roper - Photography~
Richard Ogden - Ozone Management~^*
Mike Robinson - Engineered^
Michael Barbiero - Engineered*
Don Wershba - Asst Engineer*
Keith Morris - Photography^
Albie Donnelly - Sax^
Andy Parker - Sax^
Mick Kearns - Sax^
Bob Andrews - Piano^
Carolyn Beale - Illustration*
Howard Fritzson - Design*

Unknown-ness: I had never heard of Bram Tchaikovsky. From the artwork and photography, I had imagined that this would be New Wave, with long drawn out tendencies. The Russian imagery (different from the album I just reviewed The Bolshoi) makes me think of cold & dark melodies. But the brilliant colors and "action lines" tout urgency, so perhaps the songs will be quick and jerky, rather than stark and vacant.

Album Reviews: With three albums to review, the actual reviews will be shorter, not focused on the songs as I've been doing. And I want to create a basic feel for the records individually, and how they change, and as a whole.

~The first album, Strange Man, Changed Man, feels like one solid piece of work without much variance from song to song. His voice is low and flemmy/nasally, and it is double-layered, making it sound thicker, as if there are overlapping vocalists. The songs are jittery, rock tunes, full of chugging guitars, and quick drum beats. "Robber" is very quick paced in rhythm, and has a very catchy melody and guitars. It stands out only because it is the catchiest and poppiest of the songs. "Girl of My Dreams" was their big hit, and it is a break from the rest of the album in style. It is more straightforward radio rock hit, that plays like a small-town USA Mellencamp or Tom Petty song set musically to "I Fought the Law." "Lady From the USA" is another break in style, as it is a slow, country fueled ballad. "I'm A Believer" is a cover of the Monkees' hit. It is a rougher, southern rock version. The familiar melody falls apart with the chorus, where the first few lines are continued with the verse's melody. The catchy hook of the original's chorus is wasted on two lines rather than the entire chorus. The verse of the final song, "Turn On The Light" sounds like Steve Miller's "Rock N' Me," right before Miller launches into the line 'Philadelphia, Atlanta, L.A.'

^Album 2 starts off with a slight variation of the same style of SMCM in "Let's Dance." The vocals are not as deep. It still has the jittery style, but the music is not as dense. "Heartache" is a catchy, repetitive tune, which converts back to the vocal style from the first album. It seems like whenever he references something about the US in a song, the music must be steeped in honky-tonk/rockabilly guitars. "Letter to the USA" is no different. I keep expecting "Can't Give You Reasons" to launch into the instrumental break of "More Than A Feeling." The melody of the song is the same as the 4 notes that lead into the loud, guitar wailing musical break in Boston's song. Musically, "Pressure" reminds me of oldies rock n' roll, but more recently, it reminds me musically of the Blasters. It is a very fast jittery rocking' piano & brass driven song. "The Russians Are Coming" & "Hollywood Nightmare" are in the style of power-pop like Bad Company or Foreigner. "Misfortune" is a minimal acoustic, folky campfire tune. The rest of the album resorts to classic rock in style.

*Funland begins with a powerful pop rock hook in "Stand and Deliver." From "Shall We Dance," the rest of the album is the first return to New Wave in a long time, arguably since the first album. "Why Does My Mother 'Phone" begins with a bunch of phones ringing, and he throws on a week, fey voice for the first verse. All this is over a repetitive guitar strum. By the third verse, we are back to the dual layered vocals, and the song slowly picks up to become complex with more voices come and join him. A trumpet sounds, and the song adapts a Spanish tempo. "Used To Be My Used To Be" and "Miracle Cure are country songs. The first being folk and the second being honky-tonk. Between them, "Together My Love" is a slower love ballad. And the final track "Egyptian Mummies" is a dark, disjointed mix of new wave sounds and metal guitar.

Listening to the three albums consecutively, you can see the progression from new wave to classic rock, and finally the blending of the two on the third album. I think the strongest songs are on the first album, but over all, there is not much deterioration from the first through to the last record. The image and personlization is continuous and consistent through out.

Stand Out Tracks:
Robber~

Pressure^
Shall We Dance*

Links:
Bram Tchaikovsky - Wikipedia
Bram Tchaikovsky - Myspace (girl of my dreams audio & Bio only)
Bram Tchaikovsky page on Punk Mod Pop
Bram Tchaikovsky - Rate Your Music
Bram Tchaikovsky on Unterzuber
Pressure on Album Art
Bram Tchaikovsky - Allmusic
Bram Tchaikovsky - Trouser Press
SMCM review Culpepper Minuteman Blog (MP3's of album)