Tell Me Is Something Eluding You, Sunshine

Huh?

Getting Easier to Swallow

New Posies out June 28!

Joie Calio - Complications of Glitter

Fans of DADA are familiar with the distinctive voice of Joie Calio. Somehow this release snuck by me (March 02, 2004).

If you like DADA, I think you'll like this release. You'll especially like it if you were as disappointed as I was at their last effort, How To Be Found. Joie Calio's Complications of Glitter is much more akin to DADA's incredible Puzzle.

The standout tracks for me are Morning Sickness and Broke Jennifer's Window. Both are golden power pop nuggets. Morning Sickness is an updated version that was released on MP3.com several years ago under the band name Candy Apple Black. I wish he would have also included a version of the catchy Habit Forming that was also available on MP3.com.

Joie Calio - Complications of Glitter
A very solid effort and a definite recommend. 3.75 Stars.

Maureen, Maureen, Maureen, Maureen, Maureen

This is exactly what you need for a Wednesday: fresh new sweet pop from Fountains of Wayne. This is what you've come to expect from FoW and you won't be disappointed, especially if you liked the last album quite a bit. It's from their double-CD, Out-of-State Plates, coming out on June 28. It's a collection of rarities and previously unreleased tunes. Maureen is one of two new songs on it. Enjoy.

Fountains of Wayne - Maureen

I Would Cut Off My Whole Freaking Face Just To Make My Point Clear

Glen Phillips released his second studio solo CD (say that three times fast) earlier this spring: Winter Pays for Summer. I was not a big fan of his first one, Abulum. I found it boring and pretentious, or maybe I was just taking out my frustration of Toad breaking up on him. I wasn't in any hurry to buy the new one, but it's been a pleasant surprise.

I'm not totally sold that this album's successes can be solely attributed to Glen himself. With names like Andy Sturmer, Dan Wilson, Jon Brion, Ben Folds, and John "Strawberry" Fields interspersed throughout the liner notes, you can't be at all surprised that the music sounds so good. Glen has never been one for the finer pop touches, but the influence of the above superstars of pop seems to have improved his overall sound.

Two of the tracks co-written with Dan Wilson are standouts: Cleareyed (the best on the album) and Released. Finally Fading is a great pop tune. Thankful is a solid yet forgettable single. The biggest disappointment is Easier, which was a great tune back when it was demo, but this version has been "freaking" John Mayerized, which isn't the sound Glen should be going after. Gather is another tune that seems to meet a similar, ill-advised fate.

WPfS will be enjoyed by those Toad fans longing for hints of their glory days but who always wished Toad had a little more pop oomph and fewer songs about rape. It's been a nice surprise.

Glen Phillips: Winter Pays for Summer

Tasty Tuesday

Not Lame has instituted a new and very welcome feature: Tasty Tuesday. On Tuesday, May 17, you can download full-length tunes from a couple choice Not Lame artists free. The catch, they're only available today. Don't miss out on free music. You never know what you'll discover.

The Supahip - Satellites

The Toms - She Can't Tell a Lie

One, 2, Three, Four, Can I Have a Little More?

Thank you to Way2Poppy for his first post, an excellent and sparse review of Ian Broudie's excellent and sparse new-2-you CD. How apropos.

Coming soon: another new contributor with a hankering for the new burst of pop goodness from the canucks and a soft (hard?) side for the likes of Slipknot. Spit it out.

Five Excuses for No New Updates

1. Final exams
2. Children
3. Lack of interesting pop music news
4. Or rather, lack of initiative in seeking interesting pop music news
5. Sleep, or lack thereof