powerpopaholic, Author at Powerpopholic

Gladshot "Burn Up & Shine"

June 24, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic

Gladshot is a New York City band lead by Debbie Andrews and Mike Blaxill, two musicians who’ve gotten together to prove that literate, finely-wrought pop can spring from the combination of two quite distinct musical minds. The opening tune “Fabulous Friends” is packed with charming harmonies in the chorus. Blaxhill’s roots-rock vocal and understated rhythms on “Early Light” leave room for his well played guitar riffs to stand out. Andrews beautiful vocal takes center stage with “He Was Gone” a slow torchy pop song. It’s Andrews’ stage experience here that gives a few tunes a jazzy finish. Much of the album is best exemplified by the duo singing together on “All I Want Is You” which has a sweet innocence that sounds genuine and is loaded with enthusiasm. The Motown-like “Like The Angels Do” offers a contrast of soft keyboard chords and sharp guitar riffs. The music bounces along like a soft breeze and Burn Up & Shine is one of those albums that make for great summer driving.

My Space | CD Baby | Lala

“Fabulous Friends” conceived and directed by Matthew K, featuring Joe Butler of the Lovin’ Spoonful as infomercial host

Looking for tickets at a concert?

June 23, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic

Some of the best music is notoriously difficult to get good seats for. In some cases a ticket broker can help you find what you’re looking for. One example is the Coldplay show on July 25 in Alpine Valley Music Theatre in Wisconsin. You will have a hard time unless you try a broker with Alpine Valley Music Theater Tickets.

Sometimes you can plan ahead, like at the Cape Cod Melody Tent, in Hyannis, MA. the best shows are coming up in July and August. The new wave party band, B-52’s will be there on Saturday August 1st. And those old men, The Beach Boys (i.e. Mike Love and Bruce Johnston) make an appearance on July 19th. If you’d like tickets for these shows check out Cape Cod Melody Tent Tickets.

One of the biggest summer venues is the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston. Classic rock acts like Debbie Harry and Blondie on August 8th, The Moody Blues are there on August 25 and The Pretenders are showing up on August 12th. Some of these bands will not be around forever, so get a chance to check out the Back Of America Pavilion Tickets.

This post has been sponsored by acheapseat.com

Bob Evans "Goodnight, Bull Creek!"

June 23, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Bob Evans is one of those rare imported artists that is worth searching for and treasuring. The Australian singer/songwriter Kevin Mitchell, frontman for the Aussie band Jebediah took on the name “Bob Evans” for his solo material. His last album, Suburban Kid was a year end favorite a few years ago, produced by Brad Jones (The Shazam, Marshall Crenshaw). The album was recoreded in Nashville, Tennessee with Jones producing once again. Bull Creek is the name of the southern suburb of Perth where Mitchell grew up. The opener “Someone So Much” is majestic farewell to a childhood friend. Much of the music is instantly catchy and full of those jangling guitars, as evidenced by the single “Pasha Bulker.” The theme of the album is growing up and out, “Hand Me Downs” has smart hooks in the chorus that draw you in and keeps you listening. The wistful “Wintersong” is a lovely ballad that leads to the brilliant “We’re A Mess” – with flowing psyche-pop guitars, multi-tracked vocals and hand claps, all in the name of insecurity. The light and breezy “Power Of Speech” is a sweet bossanova duet with vocalist Melissa Mathers. Every track is wonderful here and it’s recommended to seek this album out. Right now it’s only available as an import (not even on Itunes in the USA yet), hopefully it will find it’s way stateside soon.

My Space | Amazon | Bob Evans Website

If you’d like to hear the older material, check out lala.com which has
Crying in my Sleep and Suburban Songbook

Vegas With Randolph "Vegas With Randolph"

June 22, 2009June 22, 2009 powerpopaholic 2 Comments

A new Washington DC band where no one is actually named Randolph. Lead by John Ratts (Vocals/Guitars) and Eric Kern (Keyboards/Vocals) they approach the music with a smart enthusiasm reminiscent of Fountains of Wayne and early Joe Jackson. The opening track “Be The One” starts the party atmosphere going (you can easily imagine this live) with strong lead guitars, keys and a beat that recalls The Isley Brothers “Shout.” The next tune “Happy” is a straight ahead power pop song, and the harmonies between Ratts and Kern are tight. The next few songs, “Milky Way Girl,” “The Same” and “When” seem to channel mid-nineties college rock pretty well. The tracks slow down a bit after the Oasis meets Sloan “Versailles” with changes in both tone and tempo. Both “Arizona Blue” and “Yours and Mine” have almost an alt. country earnestness. The album ends with a huge song cycle called “Longplay” which is almost a whole different album. Highlights here are the stellar “Got To Have Your Love” and piano ballad “Dreams of The Night” could be a full musical show tune. When you add it up that’s almost 18 tracks – a lot to absorb here. Maybe too much – as the throw it out and see what sticks method doesn’t always produce a cohesive album experience (sometimes it does work). But you’ll have to judge that yourself. Either way you’ll get an excellent value for your musical dollar.

My Space | CD Baby

R.I.P. Jeff Winfield of The Left Banke

June 20, 2009June 20, 2009 powerpopaholic 5 Comments

Here is a vid (with SIMS) of my favorite Left Banke song “She May Call You Up Tonight” in honor of Jeff.

Left Banke guitarist Jeff Winfield died of pneumonia on June 11th. Winfield joined the group soon after its formation and after some adjustments in the lineup. He was brought on board to take over when guitarist George Cameron switched instruments and became the band’s drummer. While Winfield was only with The Left Banke for a short time in the mid-’60s, he played on the group’s biggest hits — “Walk Away Renee” and “Pretty Ballerina.”