Caddy "Electric Hero"

Caddy is also known as Tomas Dahl (The Yum Yums) who has been called a Norwegian Dave Grohl, and plays his power pop loud. Really loud – the opening track “Hanging On To Nothing”is chock full of fuzzed distorted chords that belt out right away. Immediately I thought of Superdrag or Coward (Joey Sykes old band). Dahl approaches a pop nirvana with the title track, where the melody works brilliantly with the guitar assault. “Turn Up The Radio” is another three minute gem with the riffs at metal levels and catchy melody. It’s tough to keep that level of quality for an entire album, but just when you think it will get laborious – Dahl hits you with another winning track. “Dumb Angel” is a rare song about Brian Wilson without doing an obvious Beach Boys rip-off (although he ends it with flowing harmonies). And “This Good Feeling” puts it all together in a strong hook filled package that fans of The Posies will also appreciate. Highly recommended, although it could have used a ballad or mid-tempo tune to let us catch our breath.

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Poplord "Poplord vs. The Universe"

Central California’s Poplord have created several notable power pop albums in the past, now they return with Poplord Vs. The Universe. The album’s space theme/concept is loosely followed here. “Flower Bomb” is a formulaic, but pleasing opener with smart harmonies and neat jangling rhythms. “Miss Universe” follows as an apt spacey themed love song, that has a garage styled duel vocal bridge and echoing chorus. It’s a charming melody that has a great guitar outro. “Descending” is a majestic piano tune, that is parts “Whiter Shade of Pale” and John Lennon. Another highlight is “Save The Monkey” with it’s bright melody and Jagger-like falsetto chorus.

The album’s second half doesn’t hold as much attention, but it’s never boring as the band has it’s own quirky worldview. A special treat is the gentle narrative of “Mr. Wesley” with a descriptive lyric and lovely melody. Some influences are easy to spot (Beatles, Alan Parsons, Fountains of Wayne,) and the ever present synths find an empty space in each song to flourish. The band matures like a fine wine here and I look forward to future releases.

Vinnie Zummo "Swinging Guitar Sounds of Young America Vol 1 & 2"

New York City musician Vinnie Zummo is a top session player who spent years with Joe Jackson and other major artists. Armed with skills as a guitarist, producer, arranger, etc. it was easy for him to enter the studio and create whatever sound he wanted. Zummo is a musical chameleon that can emulate all his musical heroes. On his latest SGSOYA Vol.2 he opens with a Beach Boys styled prayer, and jumps into “Homicidal” a Lennonesque ditty similar to “Instant Karma” and then his wife Janice sings lead vocals on the Patsy Cline like “Don’t Wait Too Long.” You also get jazz, polka, pyschedelic, and other genres, as Zummo’s whole raison d’etre (as he sings in “I Love Conjunto”) is “it all sounds good to me.” More favorites on Vol.2 are “Special Thing” (it could’ve fallen off The Beach Boys’ Sunflower) and the nostalgic tribute “John Lennon.”

On Volume 1, Beatlesque highlights include “Fab Gear” and “Ringo.” But I also enjoyed the Satriani-like guitar licks on “Retro Fuso” and the Claptonesque “Take The Cream.” Zummo jumps around the musical spectrum like it’s his own personal top 40 mix tape. Each album is bursting with 20 tracks and it’s a great example of his versatility and songwriting skills.

The Wind "Harum-Scarum" FREE Album download

The Wind are a quartet from California. Together they’ve spent the last five years touring and writing their ever-unique, vocal harmony textured, sixties inspired rock music. Their sound has elements of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Queen with a healthy dose of modern indie-rock. Add to this it’s a double album chock full of grand sweeping melodies and quirky musical sketches.

One thing that struck me was the pristine production work so similar to Abbey Road – it’s as if Geoff Emerick was on the board himself. The contrast of whimsy and thematic grandeur covers the entire package, similar to a Klaatu, 10cc or Stackridge album. The flowing prog opener is not unlike ELP or Ambrosia on “Shellwhite” that takes a turn to “Hathor,” a bouncy melodic British flavoured tune. “Marvel Me” has a 70’s easy listening style with building chorus, but the next atmospheric gem here is the lovely “Oh Hadihu,” like Brian Wilson singing in Bread. The guitars assert themselves in the rhythm on “Lucy” with flawless harmonies on the chorus ” ohh, such a pretty pretty girl.” Then we hear a slow blues rock number “Come On” and a theatrical number “Unless, I’m A Liar.” The variety of styles here is very impressive.

Disc 2 continues with the 10cc-like “An Astral Dance And A Shared Dream,” but a few songs here (“Some Place,” “Yankee Brig”) seemed stretched out too long and don’t add anything new. Fortunately, a theatrical scene “I’ze Born a Rich Man” and an effective country rocker “27 Cent Blues” are added delights. The quirky “This Is The Modern World” is like 10cc doing Smile’s “Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow.” The remaining tracks are effective but don’t raise the bar any further. There are enough good tunes here to rate this is a excellent album, but with so many you’ll find yourself picking out favorites. A daring debut, and the band is so confident you’ll love it it’s offering disc one for FREE at http://www.thewind.us/share/

The Silver Liners, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart and Sklyer

The Silver Liners “s/t” EP
A terrific band just gets better here. Washington, D.C. based Silver Liners have merged the catchy pop of Maroon 5 with the guitar assault of Foo Fighters on their new self titled EP. Starting with the danceable rock of “Runnin’ Through My Head” the melody hooks you and keep you around for the brilliant riffs on “Hot Mess.” Every single track shines here, my favorites being “Without A Face” and the funky “Just Like The Rest” with a beat guaranteed to make you move. Highly recommended and  if you’re looking for the new vanguard of guitar based power pop – this is it. I can’t wait for the full length album as this is the best new EP I’ve heard this year.

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart  “Heart In Your Heartbreak” EP
Neatly described by Rolling Stone as a “Bell & Sebastian/Smashing Pumpkins collaboration.” This is an infectious slice of chunky power-pop with a great beat, sweeping synths and well-placed guitar jangle, it’s immediately obvious that the a production team has brought out the best in the band. Both songs on this short EP are great and would sit just fine next to Teenage Fanclub on your ipod. The band has been releasing material at a feverish pace so check out the earlier EPs and hear them evolve.

Skyler “Long Gone” EP
It’s rare that I look at a teen prodigy but Skyler is a better than most, and he’s got a little Beatle in him on the catchy opener “Hold My Hand.” Plus he knows loads about rock hooks on the arena ready “Any Stupid Thing” and the anthemic jangle of “It’s Just The Night” recalls DelAmitri melodies with Bon Jovi bombast. Each tune here boasts solid songwriting and strong production. A few countryfied miscues on “Stephanie” aside, it’s no surprise that this is Skyler’s fifth EP. He’s already a veteran musician and only a freshman at the Berklee College of Music, so this is your chance to hear a future star.