The Pure Pop 4 Now People Singles Club Volume 3

 By Henry Lipput

Here are three more recent singles along with some short and (hopefully) sharp appreciations although it looks like there are a few more words for each of the entries this time around. A good step forward I say!

MARVELINE

Marveline is the solo project of Australia’s Pete Marley.  Marley, along with John Encarnacao, was half of the songwriting team behind The Nature Strip (currently on hiatus).  Marveline’s dreamy new song, “Fly By Instruments” (Bandcamp), is the second single since 2020’s Savoury-Toothed Tiger album (which I described as a “pure pop delight“). In some ways the new song is a return to the sound of Marley’s contributions to  The Nature Strip, especially the amazing “Store Of Tomorrows” on the 2018 Past Pacific EP which he co-wrote with Encarnacao. 

WILLIE NILE

Willie Nile’s new album (out last week!!) The Day The Earth Stood Still (River House Records) is a pandemic-themed collection and a stark contrast to his joyous, love-stuck 2020 release New York At Night. On the title track Nile looks out in disbelief at the empty streets of the city he’s lived in for over 40 years. And on “Blood On Your Hands” (available from digital vendors), featuring Steve Earle, Nile and his top-tier band still rock like nobody’s business but now there’s rage in their playing and righteous anger in the voices he and Earle bring to the song. 

KARMA SURROUND

Karma Surround is comprised on two brothers, Michael and Darren Roy, from, according to their Bandcamp page, the “old mining country in Fife.” The band has been releasing songs since the beginning of the year (with plans to release an album at the end of 2021) and one of the first I heard, “Stars Of The Last Magnitude,” really caught my attention. A recent release is “Do You Wonder” (Bandcamp) with it’s jangle-pop groove, a bit of snyth strings, and a tight, clear guitar solo, the song is a more than promising indication of what’s in store.  All of the band’s songs are being offered as free downloads or “name your price” but, if you're able, the band certainly deserves your support.

The Pure Pop 4 Now People Singles Club Volume 2: The Big Stir Edition

By Henry Lipput

Unfortuately, the brain fog continues (or the blog fog as I've started to refer to it because it just seems to affect my ability to wrtie a full album review [see Volume One of the Singles Club for more info]).

So today we dedicate Volume Two to the California-based label Big Stir Records. They've been releasing terrific singles on nearly a weekly basis (and excellent albums almost as often), some in connection with albums and some that they compile on their Wave collections which is currently out as number twelve in the series.

Here are three recent singles from Big Stir tbat were released in anticipation of forthcoming albums. All of them are available on Bandcamp for a mimimal cost for a download so you don't have to empty your digital wallet to support indie music.

LANNIE FLOWERS

Big Stir started releasing music by Texas-based singer-songwriter Lannie Flowers when the label began a collaboration with Syderpop Records earlier this year. Flowers is a real find and his Home album is wonderful. The "Home" single's B-side is the "Nashville version" of the album track "My Street." (Big Stir Single No. 141) 

 

ANTON BARBEAU

After releasing albums on a number of labels, Anton Barbeau seems to have finally found a permanent home with Big Stir. He has a unique, "Lucy-in-the-sky" view of the world and his music has a quicky yet very melodic sound. His single "One Of Her Super Powers" (Big Stir Single No. 138) is a song from his  Oh The Joys We Live For album. Describing the song Barbeau has said: "You know, 12-string guitars and Hofner bass -- the stuff of life." (Beatles '65!) And, like Barbeau, we all love a nice jangle. 

 

SORROWS

Love Too Late...the real album (released today!), is the album the power pop band Sorrows wanted to make in 1981 but couldn't because of label interference (by, among other things, replacing the lead singer), Now after four decades and a prolonged legal battle the band, three of the four original members, went into the studio to make the album they always wanted. "Christabelle" is the lead-off single from Love Too Late...the real album.