International Power Pop: Cola Jet Set, The Seasongs, and Liquid Breakfast

Cola Jet Set

Cola Jet Set “Fin Del Mundo” single

In Madrid, Spain Elefant Records has a lock on girl bands with influences in British sixties sound (The School, Primitives) but Spanish band Cola Jet Set is special in that they get the era perfectly. Fans of The Byrds and Jackie Del Shannon will enjoy it immensely.

Guitarras Y Tambores (last album)

The Seasongs

The Seasongs “Buscando el sol “

The Seasongs were featured a few years ago and they have a new album ready. The band decided to record this album entirely in Spanish (with the exception of “Mr. Porfidus & The Dream Bakers”) and a lighter sound is what makes makes this one different. “Alguna Vez” boasts some nice harmonies and chord shifts, and the late ’60s is still a big influence on “Eres Cruel” and “Sin Ti.”

Amazon


Liquid Breakfast

Liquid Breakfast “Let it Be 77 Again/Do it No More”

The states aren’t the only place where old rockers come out of retirement. Ronald “Rebel” Welgemoed is a singer/songwriter from The Netherlands who was in several late ’70s bands (Rotjoch, Rebel) but got together with some friends to form Liquid Breakfast.  Check out the new single! Fans of The Stiffs and The Beat may like this one.

Amazon

The Seasongs, Vinnie Zummo and Sounds Like Digging

The Seasongs “Out Of The City”
This Madrid-based band gives us a heavy power pop sound similar to The Who and The Posies. Lead guitarist and vocalist Óscar Granero’s riffs on “New Love” are brilliant, but vocally he does struggle to stay on key in spots. On the title track, he does a much better job and if you can get past the European accent, you’ll hear echoes of The Kinks and The Byrds on “Lonely Room”. “She’s Gone” starts quietly, then breaks into a garage styled riff similar to The Cynics. Fans of the 1960’s Nuggets style will enjoy this album, as all the compositions are well done, if a bit overlong in spots. Others may be put off by the vocals, but I enjoyed the native Spanish “Si tú quieres” and the defiant “A guy from New York.”

NOTE: Yes, these are singles below and I don’t review singles. But I made an exception here, as I personally know these people and think that you will love these songs.

Vinnie Zummo “Didn’t Get The Memo”
This is a sweet catchy tune from Zummo & Elizabeth Racz, I first heard it on Radio New York International and it takes Zummo to his Beatles meets ELO place. A relaxed strum and straight forward lyric lead to a key change in the chorus that sits in your head and encourages repeat plays. A nice change of pace after listening to his non-power pop, jazz album. Get this song on CD Baby.

Sounds Like Digging “Do or Say”
Another surprise from The Boogieman’s radio show, Tom Parisi and his cousin Paul Costanza met up with each other on Facebook and decided to join forces because they became fans of each others’ music. Paul is featured as lead vocalist and synthesizer/pianist. Tom is featured as lead guitarist and back-up harmonies. Like The Shoes, or The Modulators you get clean guitar riffs over a memorable chorus in a superb DIY production. Get this song on CD Baby.