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Serving the Pennsylvania Music Industry since 1982
PA Musician Reviews
Our CD Reviews are picked by random by our reviewers.
PA Musician Magazine
PO Box 362
Millerstown, PA 17062
Jim Price
1104 S. Catherine St.
Altoona, PA 16602
Keith Hummel
RR1 Box 229H
Liverpool, PA 17045
All reviews are the expressed opinion of the reviewer...
MAY 2012 CD REVIEWS
THE JELLYBRICKS – SUCKERS EP (Pop Detective/Primitive Records) The Jellybricks continue to mix melody and abrasion on their latest offering, a seven-song EP called Suckers. Picking up where their 2008 full-length album Goodnight to Everyone left off, singers/guitarists Larry Kennedy and Bryce Connor, bassist/singer Garrick Chow and drummer/singer Tom Kristich craft punchy power pop numbers with crisp melodies, tasty harmonies and witty lyrics. Recorded mostly in one take live in the studio, the Jellybricks’ bare bones approach here results in an edgier, less polished set; without sacrificing the ear candy qualities that make their music catchy and appealing. The opening song “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide” bears both a garage rock flavor and an irresistible hook, and has earned The Jellybricks recognition on Little Steven’s syndicated Underground Garage radio program. Brandishing both a captivating song hook and unusual time signature, “Sold” seems to play on the theme of online shopping and bidding. “Their Own Way” is a sturdy, driving midtempo rocker, “Someone Else” displays an outright power pop flavor, and “Dead End Girl” is gentler in tone. The disc finishes with two bonus tracks, a fiery update of their earlier song “Beryllium” and the acoustic-driven “Who Is God.” The Jellybricks’ voices are all in good form, and their harmonies click on all cylinders. The spontaneous setting of the recording captures a live feel, and reveals a tight and focused band doing what they do best. On Suckers, The Jellybricks’ back-to-basics approach results in a tasty and exciting listen. (The CD can be obtained through the group’s website, www.thejellybricks.com.)
MARSHMELLOW OVERCOAT – ON SAFARI (no label) Marshmellow Overcoat first surfaced from the Bradford area in 2008, and issued their debut disc, Dominique’s Garden and Brigade, the following year. The group’s sophomore outing, On Safari, offers a throwback to ‘60s and early ‘70s-era pop and rock. Singer, guitarist, keyboardist and harmonica player Tyler Calkins, bassist and singer Dave Verbocy and drummer Anthony Cavallaro craft a sound rooted solidly in the Beatles and psychedelic-era folk rock. Calkins’ raspy voice bears a slight resemblance to John Lennon’s, and the group’s efficient three-minute melodies, catchy hooks and song arrangements capture the vibe of psychedelic-era pop. Marshmellow Overcoat sets the tone on the disc’s acoustic-geared opening track, “Over Me,” with its chorus references to flowers and trees establishing the happy flower-power mood of the overall disc. “Faces on the Floor” evolves into a catchy, uptempo, bouncing rocker; while “Nothing’s Ever Been the Same” builds on a Fab Four “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” vibe. Mellotron accompaniment enables “Goin’ to Williamsport” to capture a slight “Eleanor Rigby” tone, while a Hammond B3 organ underscore cements the psychedelic ‘60s flavor of “Life Is Complicated.” Marshmellow Overcoat explores other ‘60s/’70s turf as well; “She’s a Winner” hints at The Lovin’ Spoonful, while “Another Way to Hide” taps into Bob Dylan/Neil Young folk-rock territory. “Around Here” and “How to Let Go” brandish an acoustic John Lennon lean, and the group steps up the Lennon flavor with their own “Give Peace a Chance” statement, “Live On,” which closes the disc. The disc’s mood is continually bright, with Calkins’ hearty, enthusiastic vocals complementing the simple, acoustic-driven song arrangements. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Marc Frigo at Frigo Recording in Boalsburg, On Safari sounds clean and clear, with the vocals and instruments evenly mixed and uncluttered. Marshmellow Overcoat successfully integrates ‘60s-era flavors into their own distinct musical world on On Safari, resulting in a set that easily hooks listeners in and doesn’t let go. (The CD can be obtained through the group’s Reverbnation website, www.reverbnation.com/marshmellowovercoat.)
SINISTER REALM – THE CRYSTAL EYE (Shadow Kingdom Records) Formed in 2008, Allentown’s Sinister Realm elaborates on their classic metal foundation with their sophomore CD offering, The Crystal Eye. The group recalls the dark and mysterious classic heavy metal traditions of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and especially Heaven and Hell-era Black Sabbath. Singer Alex Kristof showcases impressive Ronnie James Dio-esque pipes throughout the set, showing full power, range, clarity and emotion. The full scope of his vocal talents especially shines on slower numbers such as the anthemic “Tormentor (Deliver Us),” the pounding narrative title track “The Crystal Eye,” the majestic closer “The Tower Is Burning,” and the multi-tiered epic “The Shroud of Misery,” which also displays some incredible solo work from the twin guitar tandem of John Kantner and John Risko. The driving, disc-opening barrage “Winds Of Vengeance” channels Hell Bent for Leather-era Judas Priest with a vengeance. Sinister Realm charges into battle with the aggressive “With Swords Held High,” and gallops into the cosmos on “Signal the Earth,” as bassist John Gaffney takes the spotlight with a bottom-end solo. The performances are forceful as Gaffney and drummer Chris Metzger pack the thunder; guitarists Kantner and Risko slice, dice and crunch with precision and efficiency, and Kristof makes the listener feel the power on every word he sings. Produced by Gaffney (who wrote all the music and lyrics); and recorded, mixed, mastered and engineered by Brian Anthony; The Crystal Eye sounds broad and deep. The instruments and vocals sound clean and sharp; and touches of keys, vocal layering and choruses lend depth and fullness to the overall presentation. The Crystal Eye positions Sinister Realm to step forward as leading torchbearers of epic-sounding, classic-styled heavy metal; and fans of powerful, melodic heavy rock will find plenty to celebrate here. (The CD can be obtained through the group’s website,www.sinisterrealm.net.)