The Shop Window’s 7-inch jangle-fest

 By Henry Lipput

England’s The Shop Window is one of the jangliest bands going right now. This four piece from Maidstone is about to release their second album, A Four-Letter Word, later this summer (the first, The State of Being Human, was one of my favorites of 2021) and have already put out two singles as a teaser for the new album. Like the singles last year, the third single, the double A-side “Eyes Wide Shut/Low” (Spinout Nuggets/Bandcamp) is the one being made available on vinyl and proof, if any is necessary, that the independent label Spinout Nuggets is keeping the 7” single alive.

Made up of long-time mates, the band’s first single, “Signpost,” saw the light of day in 2019. As excellent as their first album was (and still is), at the recording sessions for A Four-Letter Word last summer it was no doubt clear to The Shop Window that they were on to something above and beyond what had been produced so far.

This is abundantly clear with the new single.  “Eyes Wide Shut” is a blast in terms of sound and structure. Carl Mann wields his guitar like a Sir Chimes-A-Lot with a double-bladed axe, the rhythm section of Martin Corder on bass and Phil Elphee on drums is front and center in the mix, and the keyboarding of Syd Oxlee adds heft to the mixture. In addition, the dual vocals of Mann and Oxlee are a trademark of the band’s sound. And – wait for it – at 2:33, after a cool, calming synth wash, the band builds to an amazing freak out. You don’t want to miss that.

Backing vocals on both “Eyes Wide Shut” and “Low” is provided by their Spinout Nuggets label mate Beth Arzy of Jetstream Pony and The Luxembourg Signal. “Low” is another gem of a tune, this time beginning with a piano riff and a bit of a jangle, leading into a moody soundscape. Like the “Lighthouse” single from earlier this year, despite “Low’’s sense of being down and struggling, the support of a partner can be a saving grace. For both songs the theme might be where there’s love, there’s hope.

The return of CoolDad

 Jim Appio was, and always will be, CoolDad. He began the CoolDad Music blog back in 2012 and in 2014, in response to his tweet about needing help in writing reviews, I joined his team as a contributing writer. Jim's blog gave me a wonderful opportunity to write about the music I love and make contacts that continue to make me aware of new music.

In 2020, as the pandemic hit and the vibrant music scene around Asbury Park, New Jersey (of which Jim was a vital part), was forced into lockdown, Jim suspended the blog. And I began this one. I had often thought about asking him to contribute to Pure Pop as a guest reviewer but that became difficult as he suffered a stroke last year. 

Jim is working on getting better with the help of  physical, occupational, and speech therapists. One of his therapists suggested he take a crack at writing a review as an exercise. Last week I received his review of last year's Chime School album (an album I enjoyed but didn't get around to reviewing). I'm very happy to post it and in his honor I've made sure to present the review in his patented CoolDad format just as he sent it to me. 

Chime School, Chime School, 2021

by Jim Appio

Chime School is the project of Andy Pastalaniec. I first heard about the project from my friend Al. I was taken by surprise. The band had many things I always like – 12-string guitar, great melody, and great songs. But I had never heard of them before. I bought the album and never looked back.

The album starts with "Wait Your Turn." It's a great start. More 12-string reminiscent of The Smiths and Johnny Marr. From there the record goes on to more ethereal pop. "Fixing Motorcycles" is the standout track – for me anyway – it has all that stuff I like. "It's True" is a short burst of energy right at the end of the album.

I haven't listened to as much music since my stroke, but Chime School has been one I go back to again and again.

Chime School is out now on Slumberland Records.

It was 80 years ago today

 By Henry Lipput

Today, June 18, 2022, is James Paul McCartney’s 80^th birthday. I have been listening to his music, both with The Beatles and as a solo artist, for nearly 60 of those years.

The first mention of activity by Paul was in 1953 when he was awarded a Liverpool Public Libraries prize for his essay about Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. But it wasn’t until four years later that things really took off. On July 6, 1957 he met John Lennon and so was born one the greatest songwriting partnerships in popular music. 

Paul was the lead writer for early classics like “I Saw Her Standing There,” “All My Loving,” and “And I Love Her.” But for me he really came into his own on June 14, 1965 when the band recorded “I’ve Just Seen A Face,” “Yesterday,” and “I’m Down” in one day.

When The Beatles broke up in 1970, Paul was still in his late twenties and even if he retired from music and took up being a shop keeper or barman he would still be remembered today. His fingerprints are all over Revolver (in addition to the songs he wrote, he played lead guitar on “Taxman” and brought in the tape loops for “Tomorrow Never Knows”), the concept of Sgt. Pepper’s was his, and he cobbled together the glorious Abbey Road medley.

But as we know he didn’t stop there. His solo career began in 1970 with his self-titled album on which he played every instrument. And two years ago he released McCartney III, another (mostly) all-McCartney production. He just finished up an American tour and he’s about to headline Glastonbury, the biggest music festival in the world.

It would be very difficult to list all of my favorite McCartney songs but here are just a few: Side 2 of Wild Life, “I’m Down,” “Hey Jude,” “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five,” “Smile Away,” “Press,” “Here Today,” the Abbey Road medley, “I Will,” “Demons Dance,” “Arrow Through Me,” “Fabulous,” “Heaven On A Sunday,” and “Get Enough.” On The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, there’s a special segment in which he asks guests a series of questions to get to know them better. One of the questions is: If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would that song be? For me it’s no contest: “Got To Get You Into My Life” (the mono mix of course).

Paul McCartney’s music has influenced how I think about music. His music is my default reference for how I describe music in my reviews.  Important moments in his life are hard wired into my mental calendar.

Happy Birthday, Paul. Have a wonderful day.