Corin Ashley (The Pills) - Songs From The Brill Bedroom

Corin Ashley is the leader of Boston`s great indie power pop band, The Pills who are now on hiatus while Ashley flexes his creative muscle with material such as what we have here on "Songs From The Brill Bedroom" which is sounds like long lost John Lennon and Paul McCartney(early 70`s solo style!) and Neil Finn songs in many spots here. Well, most of the 14 song here, actually! There are songs here that remind us of The Rooks` "Wishing Well" and David Grahame finest, too (The thought of that sound make you drool? Check out Grahames` "Supergenius", one of the finest pop statements in indie power pop!). Also, I cam struck by the thought of `if Rufus Wainwright were to make a more straightforward song driven pop record` it might sound like Corin Ashley`s debut here. His rich tenor has special color, texture that truly covers the material here in a warm, intimate blanket of musical inventiveness that keeps things, always, simple. But this is material of such high caliber, few can write this well.

Ashley`s band, The Dirty Ticket, features Not Lame fave Dave Aaronoff and the interprative spirit they bring to this material reveals not only a refreshing new direction for Ashley, but a fascinating, deeply nuanced listen from beginning to end.

There`s a rich, warm space that breathes over all the songs. Every single one. I`m on my third listen in the last few days and it`s clear, this CD has many layers to peel back and savor and will grow in almost every listeners` esteem. Listen to Finn-esque perfection on "Gin & Panic" below. Ashley pushes straight forward soul-stirring lyrics up front alongside a simple, (mostly) acoustic driving, yet commanding sound. But it`s all great. We pick what we feature and tell you about very carefully. If more albums were as genuine and filled with inspirational spark as "Songs From The Brill Bedroom" our jobs would be much easier. Truly Stunning and Special!

File Me Under Regret - mp3

Ladybug - mp3

The Royal Standard - mp3

Gin & Panic - mp3

Her Mercury Smile - mp3

Foolproof - mp3