 |
Cool Stuff About Business and Entertainment in the Greater Harrisburg, PA Area. |
|
|
|
Cool Stuff About Business and Entertainment in the Greater Harrisburg, PA Area. |
| Local Exposure The Polins by Mitchell Hillman
The Polins, featuring Dave Aufiero (vocals & guitar), Pete Aufiero (bass), Tony Melchiorre (drums & vocals) and John Fritchey (guitar), have created an album that offers a portrait of a band with a very promising start. From the opening track "Suicide Star," which sounds like a soundtrack for surfing in space, to the relentless catchiness of "Everything’s" chorus, to the absolute brilliance of the album’s centerpiece "Shattered Pieces," this CD shines. Overall, Starhartflower is a remarkable kaleidoscope ride of aural ecstasy. Starhartflower is available at Encore Books & Music in Mechanicsburg although
I’m not sure where else. But, you could check out one of their gigs. . . The Jellybricks
Kinky Boot Beast makes me hearken back to the days of the Minnesota scene, circa 1987 — when the Twin Cities offered rock history with Husker Du, The Replacements and Soul Asylum. It’s even reminiscent of Boston whose best example of this would be the Lemonhead’s Lick, or any number of Mitch Easter and Don Dixon’s Drive-In productions from the prolific south. And those bands go back to Big Star, Cheap Trick, Punk and so on, ad infinitum. Beyond such comparisons (as I am merely reminded of this history) Larry Kennedy (guitar, vocals), Garrick Chow (bass guitar, vocals), Bryce Connor (guitar, vocals) and Laine Wehler (drums, vocals) combine their ample talents for a fourteen song collection that should receive national attention. Behind the pop facade and the hook-happy instrumentation the intelligent lyricism of
these songs borders on poetry at times. For instance, the clever wordplay in "Be the
One" is rhythmically mesmerizing. The CD booklet invites the listener to follow the
lyric sheet and, "Sing along with The Jellybricks." After doing just that, my
amazement for this album deepened. Lyrics that look as though they could never respectably
fit in a song sideways are pulled off with the greatest of ease. You’ve gotta’
respect that kind of mean feat. In four words: Brilliant American Power Pop.
WoodsteW
While moments of this album approach the best from the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers and even Phish, WoodsteW covers more musical terrain in nine songs than many bands explore in an entire career. Some of the most intriguing music on the album is found laced throughout the four instrumentals, which range from jazz fusion to moving acoustic guitar. Every member of WoodsteW truly gives "110%" on their debut release. This curious sextet consists of Eric Bailey (rhythm/ acoustic guitar, harmonica, and vocals), Megan Ernakovich (piano, clav, and vocals), Kevin Freed (drums), Jen Rodgers (percussion, vocals), Doug Stuck (bass guitar) and Mark Turner (lead guitar, acoustic guitar). If your musical tastes range between classic rock, HORDE offerings, even if your more folk motivated or listen to WXPN, these tunes are up your avenue. Rumor has it that their new live material is even better than this album. It’s a rumor I don’t doubt with such a high concentration of tight talent. I dare you to listen to this album and avoid singing "All Things" for weeks afterwards, in fact I double dog-dare you. Steak & Eggs is available at Encore Books & Music in Mechanicsburg or by contacting WoodsteW at WoodsteW Productions, P.O. Box 9110 Newark, DE 19714-9110 or call 1-800-365-3184 Access Code 24.
The Nields by Ed Yashinsky
Originally released in late 1996 on the very cool Razor and Tie label, the new and improved Greta contains three additional songs, including a cover of the Beatles’ "Lovely Rita." Other standout tracks include the minor-radio hit "Best Black Dress," the startling "I Know What Kind of Love This Is," and the bittersweet "Cowards." Bassist David Chalfont and drummer David Hower provide a steady backbone that allows the band namesakes to deliver their hit-ready punch. The Nields create a sound that has been heard a thousand times over, but in their gifted hands it remains truly original. Gotta Get Over Greta is available nationwide. You can see The Nields at the Columbia Folk Festival in Lancaster County on Sunday, July 13. For more information call (717) 684-5249.
|
|
©1990-2003
Copyright
ScotGiambalvo.com. “MODE Weekly™”, and “MODEweekly.com™”
are trademarks of Scot Giambalvo. |
Transportationally sonic is the first
thing that comes to mind when listening to this album. The first time I ever heard
Starhartflower my question was: "This is a local group?" After my friend replied
that it was, my reaction was simply: "I can’t believe this was recorded in
America." To cut to the chase, the Polins sound as if they cut their teeth on a
steady diet of modern BritPop. Various comparisons are easily drawn from this swelling
wave of music. Whether it is in sweltering noisescapes reminiscent of Ride, the fully
charged pop-core akin to Ned’s Dust Bin, or in the occasional American-rooted jangle
rock stops, this album engages the listener. It refuses to give up and rarely exposes a
dull moment. 
What do a million fisherman and the
Jellybricks have in common? They each have the same number of hooks. If the Polins honor
all that is or was British pop, the Jellybricks owe their ancestry to a wizened lineage of
American power pop.
In a completely different vein lies the
groove-laden tunes of WoodsteW. This band, composed of members from Maryland, New Jersey
and Pennsylvania, shuns the trebled poplight to embrace the warmer earth tones of jazz,
blues and folk. Mixed with some Latin rhythms, they have scorching solos and a tremendous
rock sensibility. Their history, which was centered for a time around Shippensburg
University, is as long and fascinating as their list of influences must be. 
It’s a little confusing that there
are only two "real" Nields (sisters Katrina and Narissa) in this band, and the
third one (David Jones) married into the family and took their name. But, who cares. Gotta
Get Over Greta shines with so much intelligent song writing, hooky refrains and folkie
harmonies, that it’s tough to get the music out of your head.