Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Credit goes to a Power Popaholic reader for turning me on to this Swedish band with a super eclectic pop style. Dynamo Bliss was formed in 2005 in Umeå, Sweden by Mikael Sandström (vocals, guitars), Stefan Olofsson (vocals, bass) and Peter Olofsson (drums, percussion). They perform a blend of progressive pop that draws heavily from classic rock, jazz, folk and psychedelia.

Opening with a classical grand piano and synth altered harmonies on “Junk/Fear of Clouds” it sounds like a lost 10cc track for the first 2 minutes, and then transforms into a Dire Straits styled rocker. The wondrous “No Sense In It” has a compelling series of chords with a Zombies/Beach Boys styled harmony in the chorus. The bands’ gift of melody is no accident, as both Stefan and Peter had been in a Beatles cover band prior to Dynamo Bliss. “Closer To The Heart” adds a bit of Pink Floyd atmospherics, before we get to the gorgeous vocal harmonies, theremin and strumming guitar. The ballad “Thin Air” brings us a Dark Side of The Moon styled guitar solo sure to impress.

“Bird of Passage” recalls Alan Parsons and Genesis in spots, and an awesome electronic clavichord meeting a Spanish guitar is featured in “White Cherry Hill.” Being a pop-prog album it does have a tendency to meander in long elaborate passages well over 4 minutes on several songs. But that’s okay, 21st Century Junk is one great headphones album that deserves attention. Don’t miss it.

Facebook | Bandcamp | Amazon | CD Baby

I don’t know how I missed this one last year, but I heard the gorgeous harmonies on the Japanese Relief Compliation and knew they deserved a review. This Swansea UK based band is a trio of vocalists: Christian Phillips, Ryan Aston and Tim Hamill. Opening with the slick “Someday Maybe” it recalls the heyday of the boy band era (which is still very popular in Japan).

What makes these “boys” stand out is a concentration on catchy melody with superior a cappella skills. On the terrific single “You’ll Never Be Happy,” it sounds like the second coming of The Wondermints. “Make Do” is another gem with a vintage lounge feel, and you’ll hear techniques of The Beach Boys harmonics in the backing vocals. The piano ballad “For You” slows things down to a crawl, but “Somewhere Else” builds to a gorgeous chorus that would make Roger Manning, Jr. proud. “The Only One” and “For All That I Know” don’t quite make it to that level of memorability, but does make it comparable to the power pop band, Taxiride. There are far too few of these masterful harmonic bands out there, so this is a welcome addition.

Facebook | Itunes | Amazon | CD Baby

The Cynics “Spinning Wheel Motel”
Pittsburgh based power pop punkers The Cynics never disappoint in cooking up a tasty slab of garage rock and roll. This latest album starts off with an instant classic with the jangle fueled “I Need More.” Next, “All Good Women” is punk nod that gets your attention with its sarcastic and misogynistic lyrics. More beautiful harmonies and jangle greet us on the catchy “Gehenna.” And the retro-surf rock genius of “Zombie Walk” stand right alongside the Ramones-like rhythms that punctuate “Rock Club.”

Plenty of great tracks are here, and after ten albums (!) I have to say this is the most balanced between pop jangle goodness and raw punk energy.  Highly recommended for sure.

Get Hip | Amazon

Ray Paul “The Charles Beat”
Boston native Ray Paul runs Permanent Press Recordings, but back in the late 70’s and early 80’s he was a local power pop sensation as Ray Paul & RPM. The Charles Beat collects the singles and album tracks that are as timeless today as they were back then. The album opens with “Some Sing Some Dance” an unreleased song recorded with the legendary Emitt Rhodes. “How Do You Know?” is a classic single that recalls both The Raspberries and Pezband in its guitar melody. Ray’s vocal is similar to McCartney and his chiming guitar licks are a perfect compliment on a song like “Lady Be Mine Tonight.”

Other highlights include “Won’t You Take A Ride” with it’s James Gang styled slide guitar and organ and “Hold It” in both album and single versions. It also has several demos and unreleased cuts of various quality. For fans of Badfinger, Artful Dodger, Grass Roots and that early power pop era, this is essential listening.

Ray Paul’s Page | Amazon

Shake Some Action “White Lies and Bloodshot Eyes”
James Hall has put together a collection of B-sides, demos and tracks that never quite made it on previous albums. The quality work here proves that many of these really deserved release. “One Way Ticket” is a first class single with equal helpings of The Kinks and The Jam. Surprisingly these songs hold together as an album quite nicely. “Wherever You Are Tonight” and “Get It Together” are solid rockers with the latter track’s organ leading the way. “I Get Tongue Tied” is about shyness and the lovely harmonies here make it a gem. Some songs seem to have the elements of greatness (“Let Me In”) but don’t quite click. Included is a terrific cover of The Velvet’s “WhiteLight/White Heat.” Easy to recommend to your play list.

shakesomeaction.net | Emusic | Amazon

John Amadon “Seven Stars”
Portland Oregon singer-songwriter John Amadon has a sweet folk acoustic rock sound, like Elliot Smith jamming with Neil Young. “Empty Fiction” opens with John’s earnest vocals and clean guitar strumming. Highlights here include the brilliant “All Patched Up” with its simple acoustic start and growing electric riff to a brilliantly layered chorus. The echoing keys on “Bitter Prayers” and steady rhythm make the soft vocals all the more poignant, and it’s really moving.

The album gets a little peppier the further in you go, with nice gems in “Tired Man Spinning” and “Palace of Ruin.” Then it settles in with the slow moving title track, and the slower ending on “Knocking Down Doors,” with a touch of alt. country along the lines of Buffalo Springfield. A really good album, and very much worthy of your attention.

Bandcamp | CD Baby | Amazon