Angela Tini

Here Comes Trouble

(Rum Bar Records)

Downtown streets must have been calm; all the cool cats were makin' the studio scene to raise up this bonfire.

Their swingalong-matches rank included Carl Sonny Leland (piano/organ/production/arranger), Deke Dickerson (bass/sax/backing voice), Tommy Harkenreider (guitar), Zander Griffith (upright and electric basses), and Josh Collazo (drums). The ace Dynaflos happened by, too, and flipped tops on their own Ronsons.

Local fire-fighting boys were on standby.

Star Miss Angela wove her elegant witchcraft betwixt all the motivatin' Jazz and Rhythm & Blues airs. Hers is a magnificent fashion that punches across the cool-to-hot spectrum, with smoky glamour whispers, mellifluous sailings, and Ruth Brown-caliber beltings that could scorch holes through cement-brick walls.

Asbestos alligators are presently opening their wallets.

Recommended: "Can't Stop Me," "Too Many Secrets," "Honey Never Spoils," "Forty Cups of Coffee," "Tout Doucement," "Every Night," "Turn Me Loose," "Here Comes Trouble," "Don't Let Me Down," "Never No More," "Good Thing," "Confess," "Not Lonely for You"

Videos: "Can't Stop Me,"   "Too Many Secrets"   "Tout Doucement"   "Here Comes Trouble"

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The 66ers

Have More Fun

(Rum Bar Records)

I call it the "Ramones formula" - the seamless union of chewy-chewy Pop that once blared from cheap transisters teens pressed to their ears while shooting sidewalk curls, and 'fun times for everyone' slam-bounce. It's difficult to pull off. The combo before us not only succeeds, but the originals (penned by guitarist/singer Steven Brookfield) turn listener musings to Boyce/Hart compositions or Freddy Cannon's shoot-the-chute, along with Dee Dee and Joey's beach-parties-idealized-from-tenement-fire-escape ones. Worth stressing is that heaping spoonfuls of personality lend piquance; exquisite harmonies fill blue skies, buoyed by knowing instrumental recreation. Beneath sunniness revs muscle. Fun is the word.

Recommended: "Holiday," "Southern Girls," "Malisandre," "Miss Summertime," "This Girl is Rude," "Veronika," "If I Could Surf," "Anything You Wanna Be"

Videos: "Holiday"   "Southern Girls"   "Miss Summertime"   "If I Could Surf"

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Tad Overbaugh

Farther From Near

(Rum Bar Records)

The wise calculation of the Sherman Brothers' "Spoonful of Sugar" applies here. The communication of accomplished lyricism is facilitated by mellifluous architecture; indeed, so sweeping is the music - Roots and Pop earnestness that reminds many of Minneapolis Punk personages the Replacements - that one's consciouness benefits, even as glasses are tipped and feets do their happy business.

Recommended: "Mended Man," "14873," "Only Happy at Happy Hour," "July"

[No Farther From Near video clips available at presstime.]

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DiabloGato

Snake Oil Salvation

(Rum Bar Records)

It wouldn't surprise if these maulers' mugshots adorned post-office bulletin boards. Elements of open-throttle Rockabilly snake through Punk furiousness that sneers its coldness toward virtue. Upon listening closely, one discovers that darkly sophisticated wordplay elbows space in this land of advanced intrumental furor.

Recommended: "Heaven's Gate," "Fire and Powder," "July 1969," "Lost Highway"

Videos: "Fire and Powder"   "Lost Highway"

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