Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Buddy Love “s/t”
When we last left Buddy Love, they had a gem of a single “Crying Town” which combined lead singer Joey Kelly’s rich baritone and Doug Khazzam’s jangle pop mastery. This brilliant song took the band to the next level, and the follow up tune “Almost In Tears” nearly matches it, with solid guitar work and sax touches. You’ll still hear the tint of 80’s style pop, but it’s got more sophistication, and this is evidenced in the terrific “Tearing You Down”  with Beatlesque guitar licks and musical key shifts after the chorus. “Intersection” seems to borrow a bit from “Sweet Child O Mine,” but its still impressive. Other highlights here are “Hard To Get” and “Idle Hands.” Both songs are catchy and have been an essential part of  Buddy Love’s live show. Add to this a few odds (“Set You Free”) and ends (“Waiting”) – and you have a great introduction to Buddy Love. Highly recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon

Trent Dabbs “Southerner”
Dabbs is an accomplished indie singer-songwriter from Tennessee. His sound is a mix of romantic dream pop with steady rhythms and folk styled melodies. Although pleasant, it didn’t impress me until the bouncy “Don’t Blame Love,” where Dabbs ethereal vocal floats above a twanging guitar and toe-tapping beat. Like a southern version of Elliot Smith on “Catch Me Up To Speed,” it’s subtle horns, catchy chorus and detailed composition win you over. A nice tribute song “Neil Young” basically lets you know “it won’t reach the heart unless its in the blood.” The gentle ballads like “Me & God” and the title track have a wonderful spiritual quality and slightly countrified “Can I Cross Your Mind?” linger in your head and make up for the rare misstep (“Paper Trails”) here. Fans of Lindsey Buckingham, Elliot Smith and most acoustic indie pop will find a new favorite in Trent Dabbs.

Amazon | Itunes

Gerry Beckley “Unfortunate Casino”
Gerry Beckley (America) has been serving up stellar pop for most of his adult life. After recent work with Jeff Larson, a haunting concept album emerges with Beckley’s trademark warm melodic style. The gentle “Always” starts us off with a simple hushed vocal, guitar strum and horn accents. “Feelings Flow” is another sentimental soft shoe melody that easily brings us a smile.

The title track is a simple tune that builds into a rich complex theme, but a real gem is the upbeat “Remembering” with its hook filled harmonies and handclaps. The slower numbers really resonate too, “Dark River” and “Cup Of Rain,” being especially moving. In addition, a pair of wonderful songs (“Hello” and “Simpson Sky”) written by both Gerry and Bill Mumy are perfect pop in the Andrew Gold mold. No throwaway tunes here make this album an essential purchase. I look forward to more Gerry Beckley each year.

CD Baby | Amazon

Snowbirds “s/t”
The Snowbirds are a six piece Americana/Rock band from Wisconsin with a gentle confidence and knack for making majestic melodies. Lead singer Jason Berken has a sweet soulful vocal and the rest of band does a great job bringing out each songs emotional heart. The steel lap guitar and harmonies on the opener  “Current State” impresses and “Old Wall” is another roots pop gem. Things get bumped up with the Gary Louris styled “Cody Cody” full of gorgeous chords. The barroom anthem on “Shakedown” balances the album out between slower ballads and Tom Pettyesque mid tempo songs like “So Long.” Fans of alt country style like The Jayhawks, Ryan Adams and The Autumn Defense will really enjoy this one.

Snowbirds site | CD Baby | Amazon

Ivan Julian is one of punk’s unsung talents as long time guitarist for The Voidoids. He’s jammed with the Isley Brothers, The Clash and Matthew Sweet, so it’s a bit surprising we are finally hearing a solo album. The album is classic pop punk with a relentless energy and Julian’s distinct vocals. “Waves” opens the doors with a Ramones-like chorus, but the big standout is “A Young Man’s Money” with it’s pitch perfect riffs and lyrical rants.

The title track is a dark urban love song filled with grit and distorted guitars. Julian is assisted by the Argentinian indie band Capsula, who does a great job here fleshing out the compositions. The beat and ringing guitars of “Hardwired” and “Constricted” are also standouts that recall the heyday of the CBGB’s era. “The Beat” adds a touch of psychedelic drone and “Godiva” will appeal to your inner Hendrix for sure. For fans of Iggy Pop, Velvet Underground and Lou Reed this is an essential album to add to your collection.

Ivan Julian’s site | Amazon

Marc Robillard “Left London”
A Canadian transplant living in L.A., Robillard delivers a solid sophomore pop album that focuses on recollections of failed relationships. The production team of Andrew Bojanic and Liz Hooper keep things crisp and it suits Marc well. Marc’s tortured delivery on “Love Song” is similar to Chris Martin, yet with a warmer demeanor. Next, “Unfold” is an acoustic guitar gem similar to David Mead and “Ghost” is a haunting ballad that slowly burns into your consciousness. Once again we follow the theme on “Everstop” with those perfect “break-up” lyrics.

While each song is beautifully rendered, the protagonist Marc creates is essentially a moping broken heart with no escape from his depression. By the time we get to “Crazy” he asks “is there anybody there who cares?” ‘Left London’ is a brilliant album – each song is finely crafted, my favorites here being pop goodness of “Conclude” and “Bleed.” No filler here as this album stays with you long after the final track plays.

CD Baby | Amazon

John Laprade “World Class Faker”
John Laprade adds to his EP from 2008 with this full length debut that adds a pile of new tracks. The opener “Soul Shaker” is a standout with its up-tempo, positive message and solid melody. Many of the newer songs have a slower tempo that fit solidly into the singer-songwriter vibe, a good example here is “World-Class Faker” where the production is clean and sentiments are genuine. Fans of James Taylor will really love the gentle “Infinity,” as it provides a nice contrast to the rocker “Knock You Down.” My favorite new song here is the bouncy piano of “Anytime” which resembles Michael Carpenter in the chorus. A really good album that rewards with repeat listens.

CD Baby | Amazon

This Lafayette, Louisiana quartet are often described as sullen, sarcastic and full of sunshine.  I enjoyed the eclectic 60’s pop of Midnight Matinee a few years ago. But now with ‘Melt White’ they take their game to the next level, full of symphonic psychedelic power that recalls the best of the Elephant 6 collective. A great headphones album that is not to be missed. Read the full review at The Rock and Roll Report.

My Space | Amazon