The Goods and Ventilator

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The Goods

The Goods “Goodbye Summertime”

Oakland’s The Goods have been steadily raising their game, and this might be their strongest showing yet. The echoing verses of “Lazy” open the album with a neo-psychedelic shimmer, its layered production immediately establishing a warm, summery mood. “Love You More” keeps things sweet, with a lightness reminiscent of The Lemon Twigs. The repeated line, “strip the leaves from the trees, steal the honey from the bees,” becomes a mantra as the song chugs and jangles along. From there, each track builds naturally on the last, pulling from CSNY, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Teenage Fanclub without getting trapped in any one influence.

“Minor Key” sways along on a light beat, while “Don’t Worry” carries plenty of Beach Boys emotional touch points without sounding like a carbon copy. The title track shifts toward jangly folk, recalling Scotland’s Dropkick, while “Driving” is another fresh pop nugget with its own character. With 14 tracks, The Goods maintain an impressive batting average. The songs have different tones and moods, yet the album never loses its sense of identity. The Goods have put together an album filled with one good pop song after another. It’s going on my Top 10 list for the year.

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Ventilator

Ventilator “Reseda Spleen”

The ’90s left behind plenty of great records, but some disappeared so completely you’d think someone buried the master tapes. ‘Reseda Spleen’ is one of those albums. Matt Devine came to Ventilator fresh from his run with L.A. power pop band Permanent Green Light, alongside bassist Michael Quercio (The Three O’Clock). After the band dissolved, Devine bought a Tascam recorder and began working on what would become ‘Reseda Spleen’ in 1996, with mixing handled by legendary producer Earle Mankey (Sparks, The Runaways).

Ventilator draws a direct line to Alex Chilton’s half of Big Star, blending fuzzy guitars with a melodic sense of gloom. “The Tailor’s Lament” opens with thick guitar riffs, immediately revealing the album’s lineage, with shades of The Posies and Velvet Crush. “Landsdowne” shifts gears into something quieter and more emotional, carrying an easy going California feel. The aching “Happy New Year” continues in that reflective vein before “In Mysterium” brings the fuzz back in, landing somewhere in Matthew Sweet territory. The album’s ebb and flow works well, moving between heavier guitar-driven moments and softer, more introspective songs. While this isn’t grunge, the darker mood of the era hangs over the record, giving it a distinctly ’90s atmosphere. The remastered edition adds two bonus tracks, making this overlooked release worth another look. Highly recommended for a dark and stormy night.

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Power Popaholic Interview: David Myhr

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It’s been 5 years, and once again I sit down with the former Merrymakers songwriter to talk about his remarkable 30+ year career, his new album “Everything Is All About You,” and his continuing obsession with melody, harmony, and timeless pop songwriting. David talks openly about the making of his third solo album, working with an incredible cast of musicians and songwriters, and why collaboration has become such an important part of his creative process.

David also explains how songs begin for him, why he prefers to work with lyricists, and his philosophy of making music he himself wants to hear. “Everything Is All About You” features everything David Myhr fans have come to expect: soaring melodies, layered harmonies, sophisticated arrangements, and a deep love for the great pop records of the past, while still sounding fresh.

We also get into some of the standout songs, including “Summer Summer Summer,” “Take a Run at the Sun,” “Say Yes,” “Continental Drifter,” “Someday Soon,” “Milk & Coffee,” and the album-closing “Finally,” which David jokingly describes as a follow-up to “Yesterday.” Visit the review here

The Cocktail Slippers and The Feeders

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The Cocktail Slippers

The Cocktail Slippers “Joyride”

This Norwegian all-female band lands somewhere between Heart and Vibeke Saugestad, with a dash of Kiss-style theatricality. ‘Joyride’ might be Wicked Cool Records’ strongest release from the band yet, mixing hard-rock muscle with enough pop sparkle to keep things from getting too heavy. “Back Where You Belong” comes roaring out of the gate with a traveling guitar riff, heavy bass and a tightly packed rhythm section.

The title track follows with a seductive “na na na na na” sing-along chorus that practically demands audience participation. But “123” is where the band separates itself from the template. Its story of dumping a loser boyfriend and refusing to keep “wasting all my time” gives the song some personality beyond the usual rock posturing. “This Town” takes a more melodic pop approach, and its chorus is arguably the strongest moment on the album. The band knows how to write a chorus, even if some of the lyrics occasionally settle for rock ’n’ roll clichés. Thankfully, the vocals, harmonies and sheer enthusiasm keep the formula from feeling stale. The band delivers big guitars, strong harmonies, and enough attitude to make the ride worthwhile. Definitely music that deserves to be heard.

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The Feeders

The Feeders “Dark Days”

I’ve missed Sam Vicari, so seeing him back in action is a welcome surprise. Sam has been a steady power pop presence for years, building his sound around what The Big Takeover once called “effortless melodicism” and “punky, crunching guitars.” For The Feeders, he’s teamed up with Chicago guitarist Alex Rackow (Winona Driver), bassist Eli Caterer (Smoking Popes), and drummer John Perrin (NRBQ), and the chemistry is immediate.

“Back to Indiana” opens with crunchy guitars and romantic longing, hooking you before the first chorus is over. “Congratulations, By The Way” keeps the momentum going with another sharp, compact gem. “Mrs. Duluth News Anchor” has an early Radiohead edge, while “Out to Rot” brings in some of that jangly Teenage Fanclub magic. The Feeders specialize in raw, fuzzy power pop, where crunchy guitars and tight arrangements give the melodies plenty of bite. The songs are lean, melodic, and rarely crack the three-minute mark, so there’s little room for filler. There’s not much to complain about here. The Feeders know exactly what they’re doing, and they do it damn well. Sam Vicari is back, and he hasn’t lost his touch. Highly Recommended.

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Sept singles, EP, and such: Willie Dowling, Stephen Kohler, Geoff Palmer, Gentle Hen, Mitch Easter, Kurt Baker, Chris Church

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We start off with Willie Dowling being a “Rat in a Maze” with a jaunty bounce about how small the world is, and how modern life is really a mess. Next, Stephen Kohler shares an energetic single “Step Into Your Shoes” with some interesting key shifts in the melody, and unexpected breaks. Very cool! Then, everyone’s favorite punk popper Geoff Palmer wonders about Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) and “Where Did His Hair Go?” complete with a conspiratorial rant midway through. Then we have a jangling gem from Gentle Hen. “Comfort Zone” is a freebie single in advance of the new album ‘Wink.’ It’s been ages since I heard some solo work from the legendary producer/musician Mitch Easter, but “Wall of Mist” does the job, and kept me engaged. Next Kurt Baker rips out a 70-styled rocker about “Wonder Woman” and I’m so glad Gene Simmons is retired! Finally, the determined Chris Church is back with a Suprise EP. The opener is a banger and “New Way Down” features cascading riffs and deep percussion. A great EP indeed! Enjoy!

David Myhr and Love Hearts

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david myhr

David Myhr “Everything Is All About You”

David Myhr has been a reliable presence since his days with The Merrymakers, and his solo albums have shown he has plenty of melodic firepower of his own. On “Everything Is All About You,” he turns outward, offering a collection of songs about taking chances, moving forward, and making the most of life.

“Say Yes” gets things off to a strong start, with a joyous carpe diem message, catchy horn lines, and Myhr’s trademark layered harmonies. “Take a Run at the Sun” follows with the same positive outlook at a slower pace. “Summer Summer Summer” has plenty of bounce, though the song feels somewhat lightweight. “Milk and Coffee” is more substantial, a Gilbert O’Sullivan-style gem about the small details of starting a new phase of life. The whistling melody gives it plenty of charm and makes it one of the album’s standouts.

The second half takes a sharp turn, slowing the pace and moving away from straightforward power pop into adult-oriented pop territory. “Continental Drifter” heads into ’50s lounge, while “Doodlebug” is a cute song for his child. These departures show Myhr is unwilling to stay locked into one formula, though some of the stylistic experiments feel less essential than the stronger material earlier in the album. Even when the songs wander, Myhr’s melodic instincts remain intact. There’s enough personality and songwriting craft here to keep his solo journey worth following. Highly Recommended.

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radio days

Love Hearts “Love Hearts Forever”

Norwegian punk-pop with enough sugar to rot your teeth and enough energy to get you moving. Love Hearts kick things off with the fast-paced “Sugar Sugar,” while “Smile” follows the Ramones template, adding enough harmonies and melody to keep your head bopping. They take things up another notch with “Occupy My Heart,” where his love “is stuck in my head, like a catchy pop song.” The chorus delivers a hook that sticks.

Between the sub-minute-and-a-half punk blasts, the band slips in some stronger pop tracks, including “Be Good,” “Crush On You,” and “With You.” This isn’t rocket science, and some of the short, chorus-free punk tunes start to blend together. Still, the better songs rise above the noise and show the band has a knack for melody. Fans of Vista Blue will want to add Love Hearts to their playlist. A fun, energetic album that deserves to be heard.

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