Monogroove's Scintillating Pop is "Here"

One of the benefits of spinning the radio dial back in the day was landing on a song you loved, or discovering one you hadn’t heard before, and digging its vibe. On There’s Something Here, the latest release from the California based band Monogroove, there’s no need to change the station to hear another great song. This talented trio treats us to a baker’s dozen of cool tracks, whose influences range from power pop to garage rock to psychedelia to punk, with a generous helping of folk mixed in for good measure. There’s Something Here is nothing less than a fantastic journey through the various rock and roll sounds of the 1960s and 1970s, imbued with a modern twist, and anchored by the band’s obvious love for the genres they’re celebrating. 

The album opens with “Back Seat,” a Big Star meets Cheap Trick by way of the Raspberries number that perfectly sets the tone for what’s to follow. The rest of the record features a terrific roster of songs, including the harmony-filled melodies of “Can I Take A Chance,” as well as the baroque pop styled “The Looking Glass” and “The Rain.” There’s also the marvelous “God Please,” an earnest plea for peace in these troubled times, and folk-infused tracks like the lovely ballads “I’ll Never Know” and the achingly beautiful, ethereal “Now and Forever.” The band also knows how to rock out when they want to, as evidenced by the electric punk energy of “Up In The Attic” and the 1960s rock meets 1990s alternative rock sound of “Little Miss Cool.”

Monogroove's lineup features the multi-talented Rin Lennon on guitar and vocals, the masterful bass work of Woody Cross and the splendid drumming of Kenny Cratty, both of whom also contribute to the letter-perfect vocals. The band’s marvelous musical chemistry, tight chops and glorious harmonies create music that’s an absolute blast to listen to, and you’ll want to do just that, over and over again. Any band that can not only sound Beatlesque throughout their album, but also manages to pull off a dazzling cover of the classic “Magical Mystery Tour,” (featuring special guest star Probyn Gregory on trumpet) is well worth your time and attention.

The music on There’s Something Here has a timeless feeling, and also sounds fresh and up to date. The songs on this album are masterful compositions that will get stuck in your head, inspire you, and touch your heart. If you love the iconic sounds of the 60s, 70s and 80s, There’s Something Here is essential listening. There are tunes for power pop and rock fans of every stripe on this excellent disc, from lighter fare like the touching “There For You” to the edgy, guitar-driven selections such as “All I Want Is You." Check out the group's music and get more information about the band by following this link to the Bandcamp page for the album: https://monogroove.bandcamp.com/album/theres-something-here. Here are links to the songs "Now and Forever" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IcwqAxtLZg and "Back Seat" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_5Pi4Q9mO4.

Marc Platt's Outstanding Array of "Colors"

Marc Platt is a first-rate singer, songwriter and producer who has been creating superb rock and roll music for a long time now. He was a founding member of the sensational power pop group The Real Impossibles, and has recently been working with The Tearaways, a remarkable Santa Barbara based band whose music echoes the British Invasion sound topped off with a touch of classic California pop. Platt is also an accomplished solo artist, and his 2020 EP, Beat on the Street, was a refreshing combination of tunes which proudly displayed their 1960s rock influences, distilled with healthy dose of power pop. His forthcoming release, Colors of the Universe, is another outstanding collection of songs. The set kicks off with the propulsive, anthemic "Looking For A Change." Aren't we all ready for a change in these difficult times? 

Next up is the power pop meets punk rock tune "Everything Dies" which despite its brief running time, grabs your attention and compels you to turn it up. That track is followed by the crunchy, hard-edged rocker "The Devil's Game," featuring some tasty guitar work. The pop-infused title track is next, and it wouldn't sound out of place on 1960s radio. It's an excellent ballad that includes a plaintive vocal turn by Platt. "Let's Go" is an energetic power pop entry which sounds like it time-warped out of the genre's peak period. "Have It Your Own Way" has a 1970s feeling to it, with a touch of the modern rock aesthetic in the background. The folk-tinged "Had To Be You" memorably closes out the disc with it's strong lyrics and singer-songwriter styled sound.

Platt's knack for crafting exceptional songs is on full display on Colors of the Universe. If you dig pop, rock, folk, power pop and even yearn for some punk flavor in your musical diet, you'll find that these remarkable tunes are a refreshing combination of multiple genres. His marvelous musical talents are a force to be reckoned with, from the emotionally resonant lyrics to the fantastic instrumental work, and the meticulous production on this sterling collection of music. These songs simply demands multiple spins, and Colors of the Universe is a must-have release.

Colors of the Universe comes out January 18th on Rum Bar Records. When you order the disc, you'll receive the tracks from the Beat on the Street EP as a free bonus. Here's a link to the album: https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/colors-of-the-universe-the-nice-price, and also links to the videos for the songs "Everything Dies," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyb7L8wL33Y, and the title track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuUe1KMy1jo. Head over to Rum Bar Records now and check out his superlative work. If you dig artists like The Kinks, The Mamas and the Papas, The Ramones, Elvis Costello and Peter Case, Marc Platt will quickly become one of your new favorites.

The Rebirth of Coppola's "Godfather III"

The Godfather and The Godfather, Part II are rightfully celebrated as two of the greatest films of all time by both critics and cinema fans. Director Francis Ford Coppola and writer Mario Puzo's epic story of the Corleone family is masterful movie-making, brought to life by a superb cast including Marlon Brando, James Caan, Talia Shire, Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, whose rise to power as the head of the family, and eventual fall from grace, is charted across both films. For a long time, it seemed like that was the end of the Godfather saga. Despite Coppola's reluctance to do another sequel, rumors had circulated for years that there might be a third chapter in the series. Then in 1990, Coppola and Puzo returned to the story with The Godfather, Part III. Reportedly, Coppola decided to move forward with the film due to financial troubles with his Zoetrope Studios, and the failure of a few high-profile projects like One From The Heart.

Coppola was able to sign Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, and several other members of the original cast to reprise their roles, but Robert Duvall declined to return when he and Paramount couldn't come to an agreement over his salary for the film. Duvall felt he should be paid something closer to what Pacino was receiving to return to his role, as he was an integral part of the cast. Winona Ryder was set to play Mary Corleone, but she dropped out prior to the start of filming due to illness, and was replaced by Coppola's daughter Sofia. Andy Garcia was cast as Vincent Mancini, the illegitimate son of Michael's brother Sonny, played by James Caan in the original film. When the film was released in 1990, it was successful at the box office, but critical reaction was mixed, and many reviews slammed the performance of Sofia Coppola, the film's serpentine plot, and the addition of actors such as George Hamilton, who played the family's new lawyer, replacing Duvall.

Coppola recently released a new edit of the film, now titled The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone. He has cut a few scenes from the movie, shifted some around, and trimmed a few others. The running time of the film is now about five minutes shorter. The restructuring by Coppola allows the story to flow a bit more smoothly. The plot line regarding Michael's quest for redemption, and the resulting fallout to his family due to his sins of the past, takes center stage. There's also a smoother resolution to the story arc for Vincent, Andy Garcia's character. Of course, there are some issues with the labyrinthine plot that can't be fixed even with a re-cut of the movie. As for the casting, George Hamilton certainly can't hold a candle to Robert Duvall, who's definitely missed in the role of Tom Hagen. I was never as bothered by Sofia Coppola's acting as some critics and fans were when the film was originally released. It's an unpolished and inexperienced performance, to be sure, but it's hard for her to compete with the likes of Pacino and Garcia. She's okay in the part, and has gone on to become a talented director in her own right.

Pacino and Keaton are terrific in their roles, and their scenes together are some of the best in the film. Garcia shows flashes of James Caan's manic energy as Vincent, and Talia Shire ups the ante in her role as Michael's sister Connie, who clearly has no problems taking action against the family's enemies when necessary. Eli Wallach and Joe Mantegna are effective in minor roles, and it's nice to see supporting players such as Richard Bright, who returns as Michael's bodyguard Al Neri. Ace cinematographer Gordon Willis shot the first two films, and he does another wonderful job here, adding to the movie's melancholy tone with his beautiful imagery. Coppola's direction is solid, and the film is undeniably well-made, but it never quite hits the heights of the first two movies in the series. The character arcs seen here were already explored to some degree in Parts I and II, so in some ways the story covers familiar ground.

The Godfather III: The Death of Michael Corleone may not be quite as good as it's predecessors in the series, but it's still an involving, emotional and often powerful film. Coppola has said in interviews he considers the film a coda or epilogue to the story of the Corleones. That's an apt description, as the movie is one of the last entries in an old-style, romanticized view of the gangster as an anti-hero and tragic figure. The year that Godfather III was originally released was also the time that Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas hit cinemas, and that film helped re-define the style, pace and look of gangster movies for a new generation of filmmakers. If you're a fan of the Corleone saga, this new cut of the third film in the series is worth a look. The Godfather III: The Death of Michael Corleone is now available on Blu-ray and for digital download. Here's a link to the trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=relO5a2wzsI.