Author: johnny

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Sidewalk Driver – For All The Boys And Girls (2009)


Sidewalk Driver
For All The Boys And Girls
2009

Sidewalk Driver are know for their over the top live performances. Anyone who has ever walked out of the club covered in glitter and confetti after one of their shows will tell you that. They’re one of those bands you’ll tell your kids about having seen back in the day.

The thing that makes Sidewalk Driver truly special, though, is that they manage to back up all the glitz and glamor with great musicianship and songs so catchy no quarantine can contain them. For All The Boys And Girls is a non-stop barrage of clever lyrics and big rock hooks. Sidewalk Driver have managed to create majestic anthems with enough depth and imagination to make them personable, even when the scenarios presented within are so absurd that few people will actually be able to relate to them.

“Dancing With Her Friends” gets things going on the right foot. Phasered guitars and a snappy beat propel the carefree lyrics. “Marianne” is heartfelt and almost feels like an updated “Maggie May” at times. “Seeds & Stems (Just Like Angels)” may be the greatest song Elton John never wrote. The intro to “Radio” reminds me of Sweet with its glam meets bubblegum sound.

Things get awesomely weird on “Wake Up, John!” and “Jenny Don’t Really Like The Boys”. The former is heavily indebted to David Bowie, the latter to Lorena Bobbitt. In lesser hands, songs like these would become novelties. With Sidewalk Driver, these songs become essential.

It’s pretty clear by this point that I think Sidewalk Driver are pretty great. Would now be a good time to point out that I haven’t even mentioned the song yet? You know, the song. “Tornado”. “Tornado” is the song that makes people’s heads spin. “Tornado” is the song that makes my head spin.

With their skillful mix of witty lyrics, undeniable melodies and classic rock sound, Sidewalk Driver have managed to make an album of uplifting music with artistic integrity. That’s not an easy thing to do. Most happy music is written off as insubstantial. Cynical music is almost always taken more seriously. I’ve always said I admire The Flaming Lips for being able to make thoughtful, joyous music. I feel the same way about Sidewalk Driver.

Holy moly. I’ve just made references to Sweet, David Bowie, Elton John, Rod Stewart and The Flaming Lips. Are Sidewalk Driver really that good? Yes. Yes they are.

Where to get it:

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Viva Viva – Viva Viva (2011)

Viva Viva - Viva Viva - Cover
Viva Viva
Viva Viva
2011

Viva Viva is on to something good. The band takes a romp through the best music of the ’60s and ’70s before giving it an updated spin. This is garage rock with pop hooks and an indie rock mentality.

“Heartbreak Sweepstakes” gets things off on the right foot with some fuzz guitar bliss. The sweet organ and kick-heavy drum breakdown are just the icing on the cake. Want more? Viva Viva keeps it coming on the very next track, “Keep Lookin’, Good Lookin'”. What a great opening one-two punch.

Viva Viva isn’t just a big garage rock party, though. “Dial Tone” brings out the band’s pop side. “Little Dirty Angel” is a scuffed up ’50s balled with a Luna influence. “Sympathy For The Devil’s Little Helper” is an unforgettable smoldering blues dirge.

Viva Viva - Viva Viva - Numbered

“The The Only Way To Live” brings all of their influences together into one stellar 2:46 pop song. Just for good measure they do it all again on “First Time I Saw Her”, although this time we get 3:37 of enjoyment.

Viva Viva return to their garage rock ways with “If You Really Want It” before wrapping things up with “Nothings Getting Any Easier”. The record closes as strongly as it opens, with nary a lull in between.

Viva Viva - Viva Viva - Letter Press

This 2011 vinyl version of the band’s 2010 release is the limited to 100 numbered copies in letter press jackets from Repeat Press. There are also digital download and CD versions available.

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Viva Viva - Viva Viva - Vinyl

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Miskatonic – Let Us Entertain Us (2007)

Miskatonic - Let Us Entertain Us
Miskatonic
Let Us Entertain Us
2007

Toss The Cars and the B-52s in a blender. Add a dash of Fountains of Wayne and a smidge of The Rentals. Voila! Miskatonic. What we have here is a band that is having fun creating quirky, poppy, indie rock songs. We’ve got boy/girl vocals, chirpy synths, buzzing guitars, and moving bass lines. Heck, the rhythm section makes these songs almost danceable, you know, if people in Boston actually danced.

Miskatonic has a nerdy innocence about it, much like early Weezer or Nerf Herder. “Sno-Cone Girl” and “Extra Terrestrial Girl” are ‘80s-tinged upbeat rockers with fun twists on the boy-girl pop song. Paul Wisner’s synth melodies are featured prominently on these songs. “Mach 4 Blackout” and “Consternation Land” really dial up the B-52s vibe. Singer Elizabeth Firger absolutely wails during “The Fall,” which also features some intense drumming from Mark Patti. “The Extra Mile” slows things down and features a cool falsetto vocal and Steve Kelly’s melodic bass line.

The highlight of Let Us Entertain Us is the new wave meets punk anthem “Dregs Of The World.” It sounds like The Buzzcocks with keyboards and cool little guitar leads. Tim Farrell shines on this track with his spitting vocal delivery. I love this song.

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Full Body Anchor -3 Songs (2009)

Full Body Anchor - 3 Songs
Full Body Anchor
3 Songs
2009

Full Body Anchor’s debut EP impresses with its frenetic vocals and aggressive guitars. “Borderline” opens the set. Despite being the most accessible tune of the bunch, it still packs a punch thanks to the rock solid rhythm section of Kevin Pickering (drums) and Dennis Carver (bass).

“Catch/Release” becomes downright hostile. Full Body Anchor deftly ratchet up the tension during the verses, releasing it with a violent fury when the chorus hits. This song absolutely kills.

“Fly By Night” opens with a cowbell groove and thickly layered guitars from Amy Griffin and Kristin Edmonston. Add in Eric Edmonston’s manic vocals and you’ve got another winner.

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Sourpunch @ The Rosebud Bar 7.16.2011

Sourpunch is from Providence. They had their debut show at The Rosebud the other night. Twice.

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Tijuana Sweetheart @ The Rosebud Bar 7.16.2011

Don’t mess with Tijuana Sweetheart. They want what they want and they want it now. They might even know karate. I’m not kidding. You’ve been warned.

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The Fagettes – The Fagettes, Vol. 1 (2011)


The Fagettes
The Fagettes, Vol. 1
2011

The Fagettes are chock full o’ ’60s garage rock goodness. They’ve got simple, snappy back beats, handclaps and boy-girl vocals. The guitars are soaked in reverb, tremolo and crackly distortion. The Fagettes put the “F” back in fun. I don’t really know what that means. It’s just how they make me feel. This EP is a blast.

Now on to Volume 2…

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The Dirty Truckers – Bush League Romance (2000)

The Dirty Truckers - Bush League Romance
The Dirty Truckers
Bush League Romance
2000

Tom Baker is the closest thing this city has to Paul Westerberg. He’s also the man responsible for creating the ragtag group of rock ‘n’ roll revelers know as The Dirty Truckers.

The Dirty Truckers share a kindred spirit with The Replacements. The Boston band’s debut record, Bush League Romance, feels as rough and tumble as the those of their Minneapolis forefathers. “Been Around” and “The Rise & Fall” sound like they could have been on Let It Be or Tim. “Settle Down” is cut from the same cloth and is still a live favorite. The ripping “Any Offers” would be a better fit on Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash. We’re even treated to a cover of “Sixteen Blue” (there’s a cover of Squeeze’s “In Quintessence”, but I’m foolishly and stubbornly talking about The ‘Mats right now).

The record also has a ‘90s indie rock vibe to it at times. “Backpack” could have been a hit on WBRU back in the day. “Thanksgiving” has a J Mascis-esque guitar solo (by David Minehan) that soars over its plaintive intro. On “The Bar” we get our first glimpse of Tom Baker’s love for The Rolling Stones, an influence that becomes more prominent on later Truckers’ records.

While the songs may not be quite as hooky as those to come, Bush League Romance is a solid rock record by a band that has become a perennial favorite around town. The Dirty Truckers know how to play good old fashioned rock n’ roll. We’re lucky’ to have ‘em.

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