New music: The Flashcubes, KP Hawthorn, Candice Ivory

In this column I feature a review of a full-length tribute to power pop favorites The Flashcubes as well as collections featuring singer/multi-instrumentalist KP Hawthorn and blues songstress Candice Ivory. 

Artists: The Flashcubes, sparkle*jets u.k., Dolph Chaney, The Armoires, Sorrows, more

Title: Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Cars, Big Star, The Knack, Weezer
Tell me more: The legacy of Syracuse, New York-spawned quartet The Flashcubes is front and center on the stellar new 24-track collection Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes, available now courtesy of Big Stir Records. Formed in the late 1970s, The Flashcubes are in the Power Pop Hall Of Fame rightfully alongside fellow genre champions Big Star, Cheap Trick and Raspberries. Among the slew of great early offerings on Make Something Happen! are sparkle*jets u.k.'s shimmering "Make Something Happen," Librarians With Hickeys' rollicking "Gone Too Far," a collaboration between Graham Parker and Mike Gent on the hearty "Pathetic," The Kennedys' jazzy "Walking Through The Park," and Dolph Chaney's post-punk nugget "Girl From Germany." Make Something Happen!'s delights continue via gems such as The Peppermint Kicks' exuberant "Muscle Beach," The Choosers' tender "Christi Girl," The Armoires' harmonies-draped "You're Not The Police," The Mayflowers' ambitious "Born To Cry," Sorrows' beguiling "Radio" and euphoric disc closing "Nothing Really Matters When You're Young" courtesy of The Spongetones. In addition to all the top-tier readings of Flashcubes classic materials are a trio of new cuts contributed by the Flashcubes; the infectious lead-off single "Reminisce," the soaring "The Sweet Spot" and deeply affecting "If These Hands" are rousing additions to the band's growing legacy and allow each of the band's songwriters — guitarist Paul Armstrong, bassist Gary Frenay and guitarist Arty Lenin — to shine. Information: bigstirrecords.com.

Artist: KP Hawthorn

Title: Til The Glitter End (Mule Kick Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rosie Flores, Beth Nielsen-Chapman
Tell me more: Already celebrated for her signature vocals, sterling songwriting and role as a founding member of both The HawtThorns and CALICO, KP Hawthorn has just released her outstanding full-length solo album Til The Glitter End. The new album — which finds Hawthorn contributing vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, mandolin and percussion along the way — was co-produced by Hawthorn with Steve Berns, and recorded at The Fitting Room Studio in Nashville. The lead-off track "Fool's Gold" immediately highlights Hawthorn's rich soprano, a beautiful instrument that carries emotional weight with each note. The album's parade of splendid cuts includes the rowdy country sortie "High Road" (the latter featuring legendary Rosie Flores on electric guitar), the enchanting "Roll Away The Stone," the irresistible "San Andreas Shake," Americana ballad "Come To Me" and beautifully introspective "The Lone Ranger," as well as a gorgeous disc-ending cover of Led Zeppelin's "Going To California" (the latter featuring guitarist-singer Johnny Hawthorn and violinist San Madigan). Information: https://kphawthorn.bandcamp.com/album/til-the-glitter-end.

Artist: Candice Ivory

Title: New Southern Vintage (Nola Blue Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Janiva Magness, Susan Tedeschi, Mavis Staples
Tell me more: Grammy-nominated blues songstress Candice Ivory's New Southern Vintage takes listeners on a marvelous trip through the richest corners of blues music, her soulful soprano used in the service of more than a dozen outstanding tracks that celebrate the American genre in spades. Fans of traditional and modern blues will be immersed in Ivory's artful approach when showcasing her own material as well as other material featured on the title. Her dynamic vocals are particularly powerful on the blistering opener "Ain't So Blind," the spirited take on Joe Hick's "I'm In Trouble" (the latter featuring the amazing harmonica of Jan Hartmann), the soulful "Look Away," the hypnotic "Catfish Blues" that finds Ivory sharing lead vocals with Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, the tradition-steeped "Corrina," and superlative versions of Memphis Minnie's "World of Trouble" and "Shout the Boogie." Information: nolabluerecords.com.

Robert Kinsler

American music takes front and center on new releases

This coming weekend marks the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock so it's the perfect time to celebrate that legendary festival with a listen of Creedence Clearwater Revival's aptly-titled Live at Woodstock. Three other essential albums from American artists are also featured this week.

Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Title: Live at Woodstock (Craft Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: John Fogerty, Creedence Clearwater Revival
Tell me more: One of the biggest names to appear at Woodstock in Bethel, New York in August 1969 was North California-based Creedence Clearwater Revival. The quartet — better known as Creedence or CCR —delivered an inspired set that has finally been released in its entirety. Live at Woodstock includes many of the band's most beloved tracks. The Aug. 17, 1969 performance fully stands the test of time with singer-songwriter/guitar great John Fogerty leading the rock outfit through 11 classics. The Delta-friend "Born on the Bayou" opens the set, with the band kicking up the energy for "Green River," "Bad Moon Rising," "I Put a Spell on You," the blistering blues-flavored "Keep on Chooglin'," and an extended take on the set-ending "Suzie Q." Information: CraftRecordings.com.

Artist: The HawtThorns
Title: Morning Sun (Forty Below Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Civil Wars, the Jayhawks, Kasey Chambers
Tell me more: Shimmering songwriting and top-tier vocals take center stage on Morning Sun, the brilliant debut from the HawtThorns. Featuring the talented husband and wife duo of singer-acoustic guitarist KP Hawthorn and singer-guitarist Johnny Hawthorn, the HawtThorns somehow blend the best of the Laurel Canyon California sound, modern Americana and melodic rock without missing a beat across 11 winning tracks. The luxurious melodic gems "Shaking" and "Morning Sun," tender countrified ballad "The 405," ambitious dream pop of "Come Back From The Stars," and amped up folk rockers "All I Know" and "Steady Fire" are among the terrific songs on the disc. Information: TheHawtThorns.com.

Artist: Blue Highway
Title: Somewhere Far Away (Rounder Records)
You might like if you enjoy: bluegrass, Infamous Stringdusters
Tell me more: Bluegrass music lovers will find plenty to love and discover courtesy of the outstanding new Blue Highway album Somewhere Far Away. The group's gifted lineup features Tim Stafford (guitar, vocals), Wayne Taylor (bass, vocals), Shawn Lane (mandolin, fiddle, guitar, vocals), Jason Burleson (mandolin, banjo, guitar, vocals) and Gary Hultman (resophonic guitar, vocals). From the beautiful harmonies-adorned "Dear Kentucky" and wonderful instrumental "Orville's Webb" to the driving  "Cochise County" and haunting "A Place I've Never Seen," the original songcraft and stunning virtuoso musicianship makes listening to "Somewhere Far Away" pure joy. Information: BlueHighwayBand.com.


LOST CLASSIC

Artist: Psychic Rain
Title: World Ironic (Greico Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Gin Blossoms, Goo Goo Dolls, Toad the Wet Sprocket
Tell me more: In the 1990s Orange County, CA had an explosive music scene that generated countless artists ranging from punk and ska to power pop and Americana. While No Doubt, Sugar Ray and Lit scored platinum album sales, the region's most talented acts included art rockers Altered State, singer-songwriter Michael Ubaldini, countrified power pop greats Walter Clevenger & the Dairy Kings, genre-defying duo Bright Blue Gorilla and melodic rock quartet Psychic Rain. Led by singer-songwriter/rhythm guitarist Greg Stoddard and master guitarist Brian Stewart, Psychic Rain was championed by local radio station KLOS-FM and was briefly signed to Warner Bros. Records. The band's masterwork is the 1996 LP "World Ironic," a nine-song effort featuring a band able to rival contemporaries including the Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket. Like those better-known troupes, Psychic Rain's sound is built around songs that are literate, feature incredible arrangements and are bolstered by glorious choruses, top-tier lead vocals and musicianship. There are nothing but should-be hits on this collection including the unforgettable "Without a Sound," irresistible "Spun Out," yearning rock ballad "Whisper" and driving "Wrong." It is difficult to track down this rare title but it's well worth it. Information: amazon.com.


Robert Kinsler