Glad to finally get an interview with Michael Carpenter. This was a very candid profile of his work, including his recent success with The Cuban Heels. He also talks about his newest album Redemption#39 and how the Australian pop scene is different from this side of the globe. Click here to read the interview. (or check out the button on the right). You will also see a hint in the menu on the next Powerpopaholic interview.
Scott Brookman "A Song For Me, A Song For You"
If you enjoyed the light pop touch of The Simple Carnival then there is a very good chance you’ll like Scott Brookman. Scott writes sweet melodic piano pop in the tradition of the 60’s and 70’s with a Tin Pan Alley touch. The title track is an intro to “This Little Samba” a bossa nova beat driven tune that recalls those light Burt Bacharach songs with a wry humor about a wandering mojo. Todd Rundgren fans will surely appreciate the bouncy “The First Assault Upon My Day” which sounds like it fell off of Something/Anything. Scott’s diverse influences are both immediate and enjoyable. The wonderful “Real Estate” shows off some excellent arrangements that recall mid 70’s McCartney with true affection. Other highlights include “Getting Involved” with subtle harmonies blended in the chorus and the very Steely Dan-ish “Home School,” with some fancy keyboard work. The lyrics are also very emotional stories that fans of Andrew Gold and Randy Newman will gravitate to as well. “Lemon Lane” is a warm and fuzzy pop gem that has a solid hook and even a kazoo solo at the midpoint. Even with the hilarious ending song “Start the Day” you can’t help think of Brain Wilson in the sandbox making up the words as he goes along. The album starts and ends with the crackle of record vinyl and if you ever owned a record collection, this one would be a welcome addition (on CD).
Mike Viola sings "Virginia" by Steve Eggers
No caption needed. Just play it.
Chickenfoot vs. Extreme
Step right up folks! It’s a battle of the bands — both have heavy guitar cred and both feature vocalists who worked previously with Van Halen. Let’s get it on!
Extreme “Saudades De Rock”
Beyond the fact that this is Extreme’s first album in thirteen years, we have both singer Gary Cherone and guitarist Nuno Bettencourt taking this record very seriously. For the band, it’s a welcome return to form on par with the group’s masterwork Three Sides to Every Story as the band proves that they still “got it.” Saudades De Rock boasts Cherone’s forceful vocals and Nuno’s incredible guitar licks on the opener “Star,” about a musical divas fall from grace. Nuno’s guitar brilliance shines on “Take Us Alive” another trademark fast paced rocker full of swagger and bar room funk. The riff on “Comfortably Dumb” sticks in your head, and doesn’t let go either. While the ballad “Interface” won’t make you forget the #1 hit single, “More Than Words”— it does sound melodic and the soulful piano ballad “Ghost” is sincere. And the band is excited to be back together and playing to their collective strengths. And clearly, the accomplishment is not lost on them. “It didn’t take long for us to be reminded of what we were capable of,” Cherone enthuses. “We always knew Extreme was special. We always knew it was a matter of time.” It’s nice to see a reunion that actually works — it’s like they never left.
Chickenfoot “Chickenfoot”
It’s a new “supergroup” featuring Joe Satriani, Chad Smith (from the Red Hot Chili Peppers) and two former Van Halen members, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony. The majority of the Van Halen/Sammy Hagar fan base will enjoy this, as it’s by-the-numbers corporate rock. And let’s face it, Chickenfoot are just slumming it – they are an bunch of aging rockers who used to kick ass, and now they’re just jamming for their own amusement. They aren’t playing poorly, but they aren’t even remotely close to making it sound more than a well-produced garage jam session. Guitar deity Satriani prevents disaster here by adding a few well placed riffs as the skeleton for several songs. “Soap on a Rope” and “Get it Up” prove Satriani and drummer Smith are able to deliver, but the songs simply don’t move beyond a few bars. Anthony’s bass does his best not to upstage, to the point where he’s invisible. The same riff is repeated over and over, while Hagar does his best David Lee Roth impersonations. Most of the music is lifeless and unmemorable – and puts it in the category of generic rock and roll background music.
Winner by a knockdown: Extreme!
The Brownies "Ourknife Yourback"
If liked the punk pop of Brody Dalle’s Spinerette, you’ll love this Norwich, UK 5-piece The Brownies. It’s a female fronted band with plenty of ballsy, loud guitars and it’s not afraid to hurt your feelings. Lead vocalist Sophie Little gets your attention right away with the opener “Dance Romance.” The song kinda trends toward Elastica with punchy riffs and excellent bass work provided by Nathan Pounds, Stevie and Maxie Gedge. The album highlight here is the snarling pop of “Cougar” where Little starts yowling “You mark me like you mark your territory / I’ll ride you and you can claw me/ Slash slash it turns me on” pumping up the sexuality with each knife sharp riff. It’s this hostile combination of feminist aggression and gin soaked sex appeal that makes The Brownies so damn exciting. This is followed by the excellent tandem of “It Kills” and “Fight Night.” These first four tracks are as energetic, fresh and exciting as anything out there. Then it seems the band loses it way a bit as the other tracks can’t seem to ante up until “Cry Yourself To Sleep”which combines a synth dance beat with frantic guitar, drum combos and Little’s bold vocals. Fans of Be Your Own Pet, Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs and Blondie will definitely dig this. So, If you like honest attitude with your power pop, blast this one through the speakers, why don’tcha.
