"Sincerely" by the Dwight Twilley Band (released 1976)
In a year polluted by disco and overproduced schlock there were a precious few debut LPs to savor; The Ramones, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and maybe most of all this amazing feel-good slice of shiny power pop from the Dwight Twilley Band. From the initial slinky guitar groove of "I'm on Fire" you can tell this album is destined to be something special. Each song is flawlessly crafted with memorable Beatlesque melodies and rich harmonies (courtesy of drummer/musical accomplice Phil Seymour). Twilley's voice hits the sweet spot between crooner and rocker. He summons just the right tone and phrasing each song demands from the slapback rockabilly Elvis yelp of "TV" to the haunting lushness of the closing "Just Like the Sun". Lead guitarist Bill Pitcock IV shines throughout with biting solos and sparkling fills. Other highlights are the rocking "England" and the title track which serves up some tasty backwards guitar breaks. This is power pop at it's finest and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Big Star, The Raspberries and Badfinger. Dwight Twilley never quite scaled this musical peak again but has many excellent songs in his catalog worth searching out, especially on the follow up release "Twilley Don't Mind".
"Meadowlands" by the Wrens (released 2003)
Occasionally an album comes out of nowhere that absolutely blows your mind! What did I just hear? Could it have possibly been that good? How could I have missed this? "Meadowlands" is that kind of experience. This quartet from New Jersey's third release starts with a prelude of summer night sounds before guitars slowly creep in trading and echoing lines back and forth, building to a stuttering chord progression you wish would go on ad infinitum. Ah, but if that were true you would miss so much. Themes weave in and out of multiple songs throughout the record (the chopping guitar and plaintive melodies of "This Boy Is Exhausted" and "Per Second Second"are Cheap Trick meets the Pixies) This band is masterful in it's use of tension and release (listen to "Faster Gun" and "Hopeless" to feel the push and pull of rhythm and melody. The driving chords of "Happy" reappear in "Ex-Girl Collection" like a long lost friend. The songs are richly layered with the vocals deep in the mix creating a sprawling melancholy feel through much of the record. The ballads "She Sends Kisses" and "Thirteen Grand" are achingly beautiful with piano and strings on the latter. Ending as calmly as it began this album is truly a stunning work of art meant to be listened to in it's entirety. This is an incredibly rewarding CD as every trip through these songs brings new discoveries. A brilliant achievement on every level!
