AMERICAN PANCAKE: Billy Conquer and the alt rock / power pop brilliance and romance of "Mirror Eyes"

"feeling like a do or die guy..."

More often than not the heavy new wave / indie rock bands of the late 70's and 80's (20/20 and The Quick come to mind) blended Brit pop, proto punk, glam and punched up the sound. It wasn't pop but back in the day was called power pop. I thought of this sound, this aesthetic when listening to the thoroughly engaging "Mirror Eyes" by Colorado based Billy Conquer. Of course, Billy Conquer amps up the sound, I am digging the absolute dominating bass sound, the down striking guitar maneuvers at the begging that made me think of The Clash a bit, the both melancholy and romance wave vocal aesthetic, the ultra chunky guitar sound and utterly nimble, jammy guitar shapes / leads / squeals.

Love the sound here and in many ways this sound feels like a collision of alt rock and doo wop punk (why did The Cars flash in my head, maybe it is the awesome inspired guitar work that feels like a more alt rock Elliot Easton. There is something that feels so nostalgic but absolutely fresh as well.