Category: Power Pop Review

Roger Hodgson back in the US for the “Breakfast In America” Tour

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Roger Hodgson helped propel Supertramp to international superstardom in the 70’s with album sales of well over 60 million, including 1979’s stellar blockbuster, Breakfast in America, which alone sold upwards of 20 million copies. Timeless in nature, his songs have played on the radio continuously for more than thirty-five years. Now, in concert, Hodgson reignites memories and emotions with a heart-stirring voice that both critics and fans declare is sounding better than ever. This is an experience you do not want to miss.

He’s visiting the Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York area.

Mitch Friedman “Sing Sing”

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Somewhere between They Might Be Giants, Allan Sherman and XTC lies the world of Mitch Friedman. After he’s shown us his Game Show Teeth a few years ago, he is now sent to Sing Sing (a prison for the musically weird I guess).

Opening with a muppets like chorus of prisoners singing “Me Not Right,” it leads to the bouncy and quirky “Previously Unreleased.” Mitch’s vocal shifts make him an ever changing chameleon – like a Robin Williams routine, you never know which “voice” will pop up in the chorus. While some will find it endearing, others may hear it as over used novelty. In any case the music is interesting enough, “Ice Me Nice” is an over-the-top reaction to global warming and “Hazy Recollection” is a nicely done story of criminal arrogance. A faux Bond theme with Jude Cown “The Spy” is full of so many cliches I was waiting for a punchline (that never arrived).

Eventually the goofiness recedes and straight catchy pop shows up with “Spring (Is Waiting For A Chance To) Spring” and impressive “The Last Nice Day” with its shifting styles from acoustic to heavy rock. Most entertaining is “Tribute Band” an enjoyable tune about a musician “in a tribute band to myself.” Add to this special musical guest stars Dave Gregory (XTC), R. Stevie Moore, Adam Elk (The Mommyheads), Andrea Perry, Lane Steinberg (The Wind), Jude Cowan, Indigo Street (Shy Hunters), and Daryl Bean. Overall a very entertaining listen.

Amazon | CD Baby

Vegas With Randolph “Rings Around The Sun”

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Vegas With Randolph has been a bright spot on the power pop landscape since their debut, now they ramp up the talent on Rings Around The Sun. Getting help from a star-studded group of musicians like David Myhr, Brandon Schott, and Andy Reed to name a few, its likely that this is the best VWR album to date. Starting with “You Set The World On Fire,” John Ratts and Eric Kern burn through its high energy tribute to modern scientists.  Then it pushes the guitars to “11” with “Salt Water Taffy,” a catchy single that reminds me of Myracle Brah with its smooth harmonies.

And the band has lots of fun too, notable is “Cool Things” a hummable garage sale list (“boombox, CD Stand, Cup from 7-11”) sung with an excitement that compares well with Bowling For Soup. The pace moderates a bit with “Empathia,” another great short story set to music, however my favorite track here is “Everybody Wants An Atom Bomb.” It’s an over-the-top melody with a killer riff that drips of chauvinistic patriotism and fireworks. More light fun is on “Snow Day” and the grand finale “Rings Around The Sun” is more than satisfying. The additional single “Drops of Gold” and bonus track “Cool Change” are great, but maybe belong on different LP. You get a packed 15 tracks and all without any filler. Highly recommended.

Amazon | Bandcamp

Free Music Tuesday: Gleeson, Ghost to Go and Hector & The Leaves

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I got a late start to the week, but the goodies are here, and all this music is available as name-your-price, or free download from Bandcamp:

Gleeson is out of Austin, Texas this band has been quietly toiling away for over 3 years on this massive 22 song album. Lead singer Ty Chandler gives us a great multi-faceted approach, “Pro Tool” is similar to Sloan, “Queen of Boulevards” channels ELO strings with a Fountains of Wayne. They prove to be adept at alt. country with “Out Of My Mind,”similar to The Jayhawks.  “Meanwhile Back At Home” shifts around like a Jackdaw4 or Bryan Scary song. They even cover Guided By Voices'”Smothered In Hugs” and Big Star’s “Blue Moon.”

They are all over the map stylistically and prove they can do it all. The bottom line is that each song is melodically sound and demands repeat listening. It makes my top ten list this year, so you have no excuse not to get this and spread the word. You can also get it from CD Baby, if you wish to donate $9.99


Ghost to Go is a Brooklyn based garage pop band, and they approach “Icy” with the same gusto as Jet’s fave “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” Influences include The Rolling Stones and The Replacements.


Hector and The Leaves gives us some great power pop, starting with the catchy “Problems” its the kind of debut that gets noticed. “Goodbye” has those  light harmonies that float above the guitar and piano. Fans of Elliott Smith, The Beach Boys and Paul McCartney will just love this. One of my favorite EPs this year. It will make my top ten too!

The Bongos “Phantom Train”

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Richard Barone and the Bongos were a staple of the New York scene in the early 80’s, and one of the best guitar pop bands ever.  So good they are listed in John Borack’s top power pop albums list twice! So imagine finding the legendary “lost” Bongos album. After Beat Hotel, the band split apart being pulled away by solo projects and although Phantom Train was recorded in 1986 it was never released. Until Barone revisited the album and decided to share it with the world now.

Opening with “My Wildest Dreams” it certainly brings back memories of a simpler time with its catchy chorus and new wave synths. The 80’s echoing production sound is a little distracting, but the Bongos raw talent overcomes this. A nice cover of Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman,” leads us to the angular guitar riffs of “Diamond Guitar” and “Run To The Wild.” The tight melody of “River To River” is another gem with bouncy beats, saturated in reverb. Fans of Barone’s solo work will recognize the echoing “Tangled In Your Web.” Another good track is “Town of One” and although this may not win over new fans to The Bongos, it is definitely welcomed by the faithful.

Amazon