Category: Power Pop Review

John LT “Suburban Superstar”

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Cockeysville, Maryland singer/songwriter John LT has exceptional storytelling skill only matched by his melodic instincts. “Lottery Ticket” tells us that the apocalypse is coming, but he’s got that winning lottery ticket (“someone’s got to win”), told with gusto very reminiscent of Billy Joel.

“Petty Angel” is a blues pop gem about breaking the ice with women. LT’s melodies really stick fast, “The Sound of My Tears” is a classic pop single that shouldn’t be missed. Those little Beatle-isms on “Nowhere To Go” keep things moving along,  even the slower ballads like “The Driver’s Song” sound like a lost Paul Williams hit, with its “Cheers” like chorus. It even does a good job at 70’s funk with “Mr. Wonderful” and triply narratives “Nothing But Nines.” This came out in December, and would’ve made my 2012 list.

Toxic Melons and Michael Faherty

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Toxic Melons “International Accident” EP
Pablo “Melons” new EP is more realized than 2011’s Melon Jam. The four minute piano ballad “Diffidence” is full of yearning and key changes, almost like a Millenium tune, with guitars coming in on the last verse. “Passing Reflection” is a similar styled, almost madrigal guitar plea for world peace. Former Jellyfish guitarist Eric Dover adds his skill to the chanting “Ode To Procrastination” but the vocal performance here isn’t quite right. The a cappella “Alex’s Song” is a fun little coda that mentions she’s “more precious than the rarest Jellyfish single.” Short and sweet.

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Michael Faherty “Space in Your Heart” EP
Brooklyn born Faherty is the real deal, a true talent with “Space In Your Heart” he sounds part Bon Jovi and part Paul Collins. “Orthodox Girl” wonders if an Irish Catholic has a shot with her, but it could really use a middle eight to breakup the choruses. “Give It Good” once again gives us a really nice guitar riff, but the song needs more of a hook. Michael is working on his first solo LP at this point so he can take his time “baking the cake.” If this EP is a beginning, I look forward to his next development.

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Frank Bango and Neil Nathan

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Frank Bango “Touchy Feely”
 Frank Bango was has emerged from a long hiatus after The Sweet Songs of Decay, this album was entirely funded with Kickstarter. It’s also a wonderful comeback for Bango to the positive melodic goodness of “Defenseless,” full of layered McCartneyesque touches. Bango’s nasal vocal  works perfectly on the psychedelic melody “Not A Word” and the yearning ballad “Night Song” is almost like Elvis Costello. Overall a great album with barely any low points (although the ballads tend to drag), easily could’ve been added to my top 30 list. Other highlights include “Too Lazy Too Love You,” “What Kind Of Saturday” and the jangly treat “Astronaut I’m Not.” Note: I was told this is an official 2013 release – so its the first candidate for the top ten in 2013.

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Neil Nathan  “Sweep The Nation”
After an awesome debut, Nathan moves toward a hard rock concept album, although it reminds me a bit of Pink Floyd’s The Wall mixed with Styx Mr. Roboto bringing us a dystopian plutocracy message. The both the title track and “Jumpstart” drives the thematic melody forward, much like Collective Soul. Then “Comin’ Round The Bend” is more like classic Meatloaf.  “I Aint No Company Man” has a solid KISS riff and his voice deepens as he plays a different character. Both “There Is No Time” and “Everybody Everywhere” relentlessly blasts you, almost into submission. Fans of late 70’s styled bombast will love this, others be warned it doesn’t tone down till the last track “All We Need Is So Much More.”

More album favorites for 2012

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This was an excellent year for melodic rock and indie-alternative pop. I didn’t have time to rank everything, but I did want to make another list for you, these are albums that I’ve enjoyed but I didn’t have time to review. More overlooked gems will be reviewed this week.

A message from Sunrise Highway musician who says “support indie artists!”