Author: johnny

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Niki Luparelli @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.27.2011

Niki Luparelli

Look at these pictures:


I wasn’t sure how I was going to describe that, so I figured I’d get right to the photos. Seeing a picture of Niki Luparelli hula hooping while strumming a ukulele and playing a kazoo with a microphone in her cleavage sums up her immensely entertaining vaudeville act better than me saying “Niki Luparelli was hula hooping while strumming a ukulele and playing kazoo with a microphone in her cleavage.” I don’t know if a picture is worth a thousand words, but the one of Niki Luparelli hula hooping while strumming a ukulele and playing a kazoo with a microphone in her cleavage is worth at least 18.

What you can’t see in the photos are the polio jokes…

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The Rationales – The Distance In Between (2011)

The Rationales
The Distance In Between
2011

The Rationales have taken their Wilco, Tom Petty and Big Star influenced sound and injected it with a hefty dose of late ’90s indie rock in the vein of Buffalo Tom, Teenage Fanclub and Matthew Sweet. What do all of those acts have in common? Great songs. So it is with Dave Mirabella and his bandmates.

The Distance In Between is a damn fine record. “Tongue Tied” and “Another Moon” both have a nice mid-tempo feel. “Braedon” and “Jaded” ratchet the energy up a level. “Still We Believe” is anthemic. Spot on backing vocals and melodic guitar lines compliment every track. The production is excellent. Like I said, a damn fine record.

Guitarist Kevin McMahon takes over lead vocal duties on one of my favorite tracks, “Try To Tell Me”. This song was driving me crazy. The overall sound reminded me of another record I couldn’t place. Finally I realize that the song sounds like it could have come from John P. Strohm’s criminally overlooked Vestavia album. That’s good company to keep.

I’ll leave you with this snazzy lyric from “Slower-Faster”:

Cut it live or multi-track it
Either way it’s made of plastic

I love that.

Full Disclosure: I took the photos that grace the cover of The Distance In Between. The lovely and talented Nicole Anguish of Daykamp Creative made the whole thing look great. Don’t hate this record because it’s beautiful.

Where to get it:

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Corin Ashley – “Being Twelve” @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.27.2011

Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo. Sha la la la la.

Here’s Corin Ashley doing a ukulele version of his song “Being Twelve” with a little help from Davina Yannetty. You may have noticed a little “Ram On” in there. If you didn’t, you should probably watch it again, because it’s right there in the beginning. It’s pretty obvious. They play it for, like, a minute. Hear it now? Pretty cool, right?

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I Have Ears – Fourbanger (2011)

I Have Ears - Fourbanger
I Have Ears
Fourbanger
2011

Ashley Willard from Boston Band Crush made a simple Facebook post about the new I Have Ears EP rocking her world a while back. I must remember to thank her for that. Based on that simple post, I downloaded Fourbanger from the I Have Ears Bandcamp page and have been listening to this fine EP ever since. The opening track, “Jacker”, is probably my favorite, drawing me in right from the get go. The songs are hooky and fun with just enough edge to keep things from getting to sugary. It’s got shades of Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, The Kinks, Tom Petty and all sorts of other good stuff. I look forward to delving into the rest of their releases.

Where to get it:

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Corin Ashley @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.27.2011

Corin Ashley is a man of many talents.  The guy plays bass like nobody’s business.  He is easily one of Boston’s best. He’s no slouch on guitar, either. Now we see Corin busting out his ukulele for this uke-themed show at TT’s.

What’s really on display during Mr Ashley’s set isn’t his ukulele playing.  It’s not even his outstanding vocal abilities.  What really comes out during this set are the songs.  Corin can write a pop tune with the best of ’em.  These songs could be played on tin whistle and autoharp with accompaniment from a middle school recorder orchestra and their appeal would still be undeniable.

Plus, he has a strap for his ukulele so you know he’s serious.



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Static Of The Gods – Knowledge Machine (2010)

Static Of The Gods
Knowledge Machine
2010

Static Of The Gods play a lush, dark, dreamy and modern sounding brand of indie rock. Knowledge Machine is mid-tempo and melodic, with varying degrees of intensity.  For the most part Jen Johnson’s vocals sail along over synthesizer pads, fizzy guitars, and steady drums.  They play the loud/quiet/loud card well on “Meteor Flights”. Songs like “Mean Streak” and “White Flag” ratchet the combustibility up a notch, burning bright but never truly letting go.  It’s a tense burn.   Even the quieter moments, like on “Eating Well”, never feel fully at ease.

While they may not vary their sound much, Static Of The Gods have a way with melancholy. It’s all a bit unnerving and very effective.

Where to get it:

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Uke Springsteen @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.27.2011

Uke Springsteen is equal parts genius and playful madness. It’s hard to imagine an artist whose songs are less likely to get a lighthearted ukulele treatment than Bruce Springsteen. The earnestness of his songs seems almost insurmountable, yet Pat Healey manages to deliver them tongue firmly in cheek. So does D.A., his charismatic boombox and sidekick.

Through it all, the original sentiments of the songs remain intact. “Atlantic City” still comes across as a desperate tale of a man down-on-his-luck, even with D.A.’s playful interjections and a Casio beat. “Dancing In The Dark” becomes even more of a lustful plea. It’s all thoroughly entertaining.



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Sodafrog – Hang The Moon (2010)

Sodafrog
Hang The Moon
2010

Sodafrog’s Hang The Moon comes from another time. It’s folk music. It is heartbreaking, heartwarming and haunting. Tom Janovitz’s voice weaves in and out of the sparse and varied instrumentation. The overall sound draws you in with its intimacy.

“Follow The Vine” is an engaging opening track. “Central Nonsense” is beautiful and timeless. “Chances At Sea” calls Elliott Smith to mind. I love when a song title perfectly describes the feel of a song. Such is the case with “Like Dancing”. “A Casting” could have come off of a Simon & Garfunkel LP. The songs are memorable, living with you long after you’ve heard them.

The circular instrumental “Untitled (For Townes)” wraps things up nicely. It’s time to go. Given the chance, Hang The Moon is an album that will grow on you with every listen.

Where to get it: