Rewind to 1994 and check out “Nothing Between Us” (The Grays Ro Sham Bo) a ballad of the first order of love. Jon Brion evokes some of the Paul McCartney feel and sound, which wouldn’t be a bad thing for other young singers and performers. Brion’s high, clear voice presages a number of new-century male singers as well.

In fact, Brion makes no effort to hide the influence of The Beatles. “Oh yeah… and that’s the primary obvious one. And I’m embarrassed by how inescapable it is for me.”

Now based in Los Angeles, Brion hails from New Jersey. He made the long trip to the California city years ago and along the way worked with Fiona Apple and Sean Lennon, among many others. If you want a good taste of what Jon Brion is all about, try “Hook Line Sinker” from Meaningless. This fellow plays a number of instruments and is a solid studio presence as well. His recordings are indicative of the professional ear Brion has.

Keyboards play a huge part in Brion’s music, of course. Check out the Eleanor Rigby sound on “Here We Go” or the honky-tonk feel of “Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me.” Fiona Apple must be proud of this one!

Jon Brion on MySpace
[tags]Jon Brion[/tags]

Depending on who you talk to, where you live or which Web site you land on, Aphasia is a “California-based alternative rock band” (Wikipedia), “a female heavy metal/hard rock band from Japan still active today” (Wikipedia), or, as AphasiA, a death-metal, grunge group from Toronto. Check out this last collection of musicians on www.toronto-goth.com.

Most listeners in the U.S. and the surrounding area who have heard of Aphasia would say the band is the group from California formed in 1999 that played its last notes in 2007. The members – Jeff Harber, Drew Hall (later – Aaron Prim), Jayce Basques and Nick Allen (later – Will Peng), apparently decided about a year ago that they would go their separate ways.

The Goth group from the eastern part of Canada includes Brett Carruthers (vocals), Darren Campbell (guitar), Kevin Oliver (bass), James Toth (guitar) and Jim Davis (drums). This band is reportedly quite proud of its stage energy and activity that borders on violence among fans. The Goth Web site reports that in the past two years AphasiA has benefited from a strong following in Toronto and London, Ontario. Most of the music from this collection of musicians has been played at “self-organized” shows in rented halls.

Aphasia on MySpace
[tags]Aphasia[/tags]

When some people see the word “ambient” in a music description, they think of elevator music or doctor’s office music. While the tunes of Trespassers William are rather easy to listen to and do provide a soothing atmosphere, this is hardly music for occupying the mind on a ride to the 27^th floor of a skyscraper.

“catch not break” from the natural order of things has the water-gurgling style and electronic effects that some search for in ambient/background music. It is not a particularly involving song. It’s more an engaging song, one that catches the ear.

Band members and sound contributors are Matt Brown (guitar, keyboards, bass), Ross Simonini (bass, guitar, keyboards), Nathan Skolrud (drums) and Anna-Lynne Williams (vocals, guitar). Hailing from Seattle, Washington, this group not only chooses to sound a bit different by making ambient music, it also chooses to use lower case letters in all the titles. While e.e. cummings might be pleased, this listener still doesn’t get the significance. Rebelliousness, I guess. Flipping the bird at the man, and all that.

“lie in the sound” (different stars 2004 Nettwerk) is a nice ballad featuring the voice of Williams. This is one of the more “traditional pieces from the band out of the northwest.

Trespassers William on MySpace
[tags]Trespassers William[/tags]

Effects on voices. What a nice idea. I guess if the lyrics are strong enough, this can work. If the vocals are solid enough, this can work. If you are the artist and combine effects on voices with straightforward singing, it can work. The most interesting piece of trivia here is that the “effects” are reportedly the contribution of Angie Aparo’s voice through a small, harmonica mike.

In “Spaceship” from The American, Angie Aparo provides a dreamy sound that does use vocal effects. The lyrics are interesting to listen to, a bit heavier than the pop sound would suggest. “She’s Alright by Me” from For Stars and Moon, is another sweet ballad, but this time with background keyboards and clear vocals that take things in a slightly different direction.

Those who make electronic contact through blogs and myspace continue to sing the praises of this indie pop artist.

But the real question is: Who is Angie Aparo?

This male singer/songwriter has been plying his craft on the road for 15 years or more, working with a couple of bands and as a solo artist. His 2008 CD will be produced by none other than Tim McGraw. He is also, reportedly, working with a group called The Infidels. Angie Aparo calls Atlanta, Georgia his home base.

Angie Aparo on MySpace
[tags]Angie Aparo[/tags]

This Tulsa, Oklahoma artist offered some comfortable listening tunes with Chasing Chimaera (Nobility EP 2006). Case in point – “Landings.”

There are two things about The Hero Factor that are immediately noticeable: the strong singing voice on the above tune and the photo displayed on the Web site. The guy is playing a Fender bass! He’s not at the piano or holding an acoustic guitar. That’s news.

“unfinished jem” from blackwatch sessions (Nobility 2007) is certainly that. Listeners will find this music excellent for those low-key days. It ain’t dance music, baby!! Well, “Come Down” is a bit more upbeat. But I don’t think these fellows intended The Hero Factor to be a popular on the disco-club circuit.

Member list for The Hero Factor includes: Ben Kilgore – Vocals; Eric Arndt – Bass, Vocals; Matt Fisher – Guitar, Chad Copelin – Keyboards, Nathan Price – Drums. They report, in Web bio, that they have “battled “societal pressures” for six years as well as working through “major lineup changes.” But the current mix seems to work, with keyboard and electronic sound used selectively.

The Hero Factor has some summer 2008 dates and is attracting hundreds to regional shows. Quality rock/alternative music is to be found here.

The Hero Factor on MySpace
[tags]The Hero Factor[/tags]