RecommNeds | Bop English & Sam Cohen

Words By: Aaron “Neddy” Stein

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Old Friends, New Digs

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Bop English: Constant Bop

 

Bop English is a new solo project from White Denim’s lead guitarist James Petralli and the resulting album, Constant Bop, on first impression, sounds a bit like, well, White Denim. That’s Petralli’s telling-you-a-story-without-sparing-the-details vocal style. But halfway through the opening track, you’ll notice a lot of new sounds: keyboards, a little funky pop flavor, maybe some soul-revue horn charts as well? Where WD would flaunt a jaw-dropping guitar jam, Bop English finds a concise groove, hustles it for all its worth and then it’s on to the next one. “Constant bop” is actually a pretty good descriptor. This is addictive fun: White Denim’s younger, hipper, always-smiling cousin.

Rdio: http://www.rdio.com /artist/Bop_English/album/Constant_Bop/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com /album/7JJA08DQxSmuaKsnCIRD2y

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/bop-english/album/constant-bop-downtown-records

Bandcamp:: https://bloodandbiscuits.bandcamp.com/album/constant-bop

Soundcloud:: https://soundcloud.com/bop-english/sets/constant-bop

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Sam Cohen: Cool It

 

Sam Cohen was once one third of the ahead-of-their-time Apollo Sunshine; then he was the frontman of the psych-out Yellowbirds. Now he returns with his first go-it-alone LP released under his own name. It may seem like he’s kinda restless, but his music is anything but. The album is called Cool It and indeed Cohen does: with 10 sunny-day, laid back Spirograph jammers that find a comfortable new equilibrium for his personal sound. Within the first minute of opening track “Let the Mountain Come To You,” you’ll know all you need to know about Cool It: melodies soaked in magical reverb and narcotic vocals framing Cohen’s artistry perfectly.

Rdio: http://www.rdio.com/artist /Sam_Cohen/album/Cool_It/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com /album/6hSHYVNjQWuNxTgNYolhCC

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/sam-cohen/album/cool-it-easy-sound-recording-company

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/easysoundrecordingco/sets/sam-cohen-cool-it/s-ZGQ4H