Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Dynamo Bliss and Nat & Alex Wolff

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Dynamo Bliss “Circadian Rhythm”
I have a solid policy of not reviewing singles, yet this Scandinavian band has an 11 minute opus that’s longer than most EPs, so I’ll let it pass. Stafan Olofsson and Mikael Sandstrom creates this awesome follow up to the highly acclaimed 21st Century Junk. It starts out a soothing blend of synths and launches into Andrew Gold guitar styled ballad with impressive harmonies, and shifts to a dreamscape of flutes and keys. Cleanly produced with a nod to studio prog along the lines of Alan Parsons early work, its simply mesmerizing.  While you enjoy that, you can also check out is a wonderful cover of Stackridge’s Dangerous Bacon.

Bandcamp  | CD Baby

 

Nat & Alex Wolff “Black Sheep”
Musicians/actors Nat and Alex Wolff starred on the hugely popular Nickelodeon series “The Naked Brothers Band” from 2007-2009. Now the brothers are prepared to grow up musically with their first album released under their own names. Much like Drake Bell did years ago, the boys need to go into a more mature direction and it helps that they list the Beatles, Weezer and Nirvana as influences. A standout is the first single “Thump Thump Thump” as it actually reminds you that love songs about girls should be sung by teens (as opposed to middle-aged dudes). The best song here, “Disappointed” is a very authentic theme for a young teen, “I’m not mad at no one else/I’m just disappointed in myself” regarding his place in the world. The harmonies and melody here are great – and its more of this and the rebellious “18” that make a very clear statement to the music audience  –“we are not kids anymore!” The album comes out this October.

Somerdale “Brighter Than Before”

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Right away you get the feeling Somerdale spent a lot of time with old school power pop and rock records. The trio consists of Chuck Penza (bass), James Caputo (guitar) and JJ Fennimore (drums) and the opening track “That’s Over Now” sounds like it fell off a classic Raspberries album. The band has the ability to channel its influences with stunning accuracy. “Bent On Napalm” has a bluesy riff similar to the Stones “Street Fighting Man” as Caputo belts away.  The bands approach is similar to 70’s influenced retro outfit Vinyl Candy, but with much less glam and a stronger songwriting approach. And it boasts two good singers, as Penza and Caputo share the lead duties.

You gotta love the beautiful opening chords and harmonies on “Sugar Valley, CA” as the chorus recalls The Bryds and Sloan. The guitar gets even heavier with the handclaps and cymbal on “We Are All Together.” It brings to mind KISS minus the makeup and with an even catchier chorus. The nicely timed ballad “Like A Rainbow” is Penza’s best moment as it recalls classic Frampton. It has a few misses (“If I Knew The Words” and “Oklahoma”) but includes a good cover of The Left Banke’s hit “Walk Away Renee”  and a very Bay City Rollers-ish “Best I Can.” Overall, there is more than enough here to recommend to melodic rock enthusiasts.

Billy Burnett and John Holk

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Billy Burnette “Rock and Roll With It”
Burnette has a long and proud history in rock and roll. And I’d be shocked if anyone else short of Brian Setzer can play Rockabilly better, as Billy’s dad helped invent the genre. He’s played with rock legends Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart, Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more. The title track of the new album “Rock and Roll With It” is a bona-fide classic with a catchy rhythm that doesn’t quit. “My Love Will Not Change” is an uptempo country rocker that has a highly polished sound that will impress the most jaded critic. “Beautiful Distraction” is a honky tonk theme suitable for the NFL or NASCAR and each following track is solid twang-fest thereafter. “I really felt like it was time. I really like this music. I didn’t get into my dad’s whole Rockabilly thing until after he died.” Burnette says, and we’re all the better he’s carrying on the family business. One listen to the autobiographical “Hot Rod Billy” and you’ll be shakin’ all the way home.

John Holk & The Sequins “If You See Her”
In country pop music, subtlety is a premium that is often hard to come by, but John Holk uses his mellow vocal and melodic approach to win you over. The band’s sound is in the vein of Gram Parsons, The Byrds, or The Scud Mountain Boys. The pop goodness shows up in the lush second track, “If You See Her” with its tight harmonies akin to The Association, floating on top of the jangling guitar rhythm. Carrie Shepard joins Holk for a sweet duet on “Lady Jane” and another great pop moment is on “Autograph” with its ear-worm worthy chorus. Another standout is “If She Were You” with a superb guitar solo at the break. The album breaks into bluegrass and traditional country in the latter half which slow it down quite a bit, but it recovers with the easy going guitar of the ender “The Mountain” with its “Proud Mary” bass line. Overall a nice gem of an album with solid performances.

Hans Rotenberry & Brad Jones “Mountain Jack”

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This came out earlier this year, and despite almost no PR effort at all it has managed to become a favorite amongst music bloggers. It’s also been really tough to get ahold of. Shazam frontman Hans Rotenberry, and Shazam’s former producers Brad Jones unite to forge a Americana album with a sweet power pop spin. The compelling jangle of “Count On Me” and “A Likely Lad” have Jones (Guilt Flake) fingerprints all over them.

Rotenberry’s “Froggy Mountain Shakedown” and “Back To Bristol” have a Kinks “Muswell Hillbillies” flavoring. The melodies shine brightly and both artists work to make the album as repeat-friendly as possible. These two titans of Nashville power pop have also kept things understated enough on tracks like “Puttin’ On Airs Tonight” and “Buffalo Daughter” to keep things poppy, but still clinging to those country roots. Also one track alone doesn’t carry the album, nor does one songwriter dominate – each track just sounds great. Simply put, the best musical collaboration this year and yes – it makes my best of 2011 year end list.

Gary Ritchie “Hum, Sing, Repeat!”

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Some power pop has the same effect as your favorite comfort foods, it may not be too fancy but it really satisfies that craving. Gary Ritchie has done some great lo-fi pop previously, and this all-new album does an even better job. The songs are all short melodic gems that follow the Beatles meets Nick Lowe template. In fact Gary tells us in the liner notes who the influence is for each song, like “This Time Around” has a touch of Tom Petty and The Who. Some tunes fall very easily into the Merseybeat revival like “Pretty Little Gina” and “Hear From You.” The melody lines and composition is really strong here, “Alright” being a really good hook-filled example in the Pezband-Kinks mode.

And Gary simply doesn’t recreate the riffs, but builds his own songs along the classic guidelines. The song “When I Grow Up,” really hits home to aging pop fans with lyrics; “will I age like a vintage wine/ or be a drunkard in my prime when I grow up?” and the defiant “I won’t” over the chorus answer the question. There are a whopping 18 tracks here, and just about every song resonates fun and nostalgic warm feelings. And its not all one style, “Fancy Two Tone Car” is a countrified rocker that combines the Bryds and Eddie Rabbit and the Rick Springfield styled “Could Have Been Love” are both catchy nuggets. Great job, Gary!