As the decades go by, the influence of the Beatles does not seem to diminish. Arguably the most influential and popular band of the 1960s, they left an indelible mark, not only as a kind of cultural phenomenon, and what the Sixties represented, but in terms of their lasting influence cultivating a kind of sophisticated but melodic pop style. Granted, that approach was a kind of trademark of several of the British Invasion bands of the day, like the Hollies, the Zombies, the Dave Clark Five and numerous others, but the Beatles were, in many ways, the first to create the style, thanks to great writing, first-rate vocal harmonies, and their innovative ways of using the studio, thanks to their producer George Martin, who came with a background in both classical music and comedy.

It seems that every generation brings forth more Beatles-influenced bands, and increasingly, groups influenced by the bands that were influenced by the Beatles. This week, we have a great example. It’s new recording by Northwest Pennsylvania singer-songwriter Jay Byham, titled Postcards Along the Way.

Jay Byham grew up in a musical family, and his biography says that he has studied voice for several years. He has performed frequently in venues around his hometown, and he teaches at his guitar studio. For the new album, he collaborated with someone from the opposite end of the state, Steve Butler from Southeast Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Butler is the leader of the long-running power-pop band Smash Palace, who performed on the WVIA Homegrown Music series. Another collaborator on Byham’s album is drummer David Uosikkinin of the popular band the Hooters, and the bassist is Greg Maragos also from the Smash Palace band. Byham co-wrote all the songs on the album with Butler.

They create a kind of classic retro sound with ringing guitars, hummable melodies, an inviting beat, and Byham’s attractive tenor vocals, often reminiscent of the British invasion bands. The influence of the Beatles is there, but one can also hear hints of successor bands like XTC, Marshall Crenshaw, Fountains of Wayne, and the short-lived power pop band the Merchants of Venus. It’s a winning combination that delivers musically intelligent pop with some of the sophistication and little harmonic and melodic twists that marks the best of the genre. While it’s not particularly profound, especially lyrically, it has much going for it.

The short 33-minute album nevertheless has ten compact songs, with no jamming to extend things.

Opening is a song that exemplifies Jay Byham’s melodic pop, is a song called Never Meant to Last. The jangly guitars and peppy beat provide a nice setting for the lyrics about impermanence. <<>>

Taking a somewhat different direction is the tune called Going Going Gone, which is also about impermanence in a way. <<>>

Showing the influence of the Fab Four is song called Lonely Kind of Life, a sort of breakup song, or at least one trying to prevent a romantic breakup. <<>>

From the opposite lyrical standpoint is Love Comes Shining Through celebrating a thriving love. The music reflects the celebratory nature of the lyrics. <<>>

The same goes for the song Can’t Quit You also showing some of the melodic tricks of the Beatles and people like Marshall Crenshaw. <<>>

Jay Byham’s music is at its best with bright, upbeat, tuneful songs. That is underscored on the track Live a Lie which rather falls short of much of the rest of the album with it slower, old fashioned ballad-style approach. The lyrics also tend toward stereotypes. But it does serve as the obligatory slow song. <<>> And Byham and company get in a good George Harrison style slide guitar solo. <<>>

On the other hand with upbeat optimism is the song called Just Keep Breathing which urges a positive attitude, and the musical accompaniment echoes the mood. <<>>

The album ends with a solo acoustic piece called Keep on Rolling which by its nature takes a distinctly folky direction. It shows how well Byham’s music translates into a solo setting. <<>>

Jay Byham’s new album Postcards Along the Way is a first rate recording of retro melodic pop that shows how the traditions set forth by the Beatles sixty years ago continue to have relevance. There’s really nothing on this album that has not been done before in concept, by the Fab Four and their stylistic successors, but what we have here is a quality product, that is by no means slavishly imitative, but instead Byham and his producer Steve Butler draw on classic ingredients to make a thoroughly pleasing album.

Our grade for sound quality is close to an “A,” with a nice mix, clean overall sound and a warm vocal quality. By its nature, music like this does not have a lot of dynamic range, so its rather flat, compressed sound is not much of a hindrance.

Jay Byham joins a stream of artists for whom upbeat, tuneful pop holds sway across the generations. It’s an impressive album from an emerging performer.

(c) Copyright 2024 George D. Graham. All rights reserved.
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