Author: powerpopaholic

Yorktown Lads and Watts

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Yorktown Lads “Songs About Girls and Other Disasters”

The buzz for this release was so long in coming, that many added it to their 2014 best-of list. It started as a Kickstarter campaign, endorsed by author & drummer John Borack, it was quickly funded and finally released to the public this year.

Yorktown Lads are Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts grads Cameron Lew, Addison Love, and their teacher Michael Simmons (SparkleJets*u.k.). They start off with a note perfect Beatles-Beach Boys hybrid “Something To Write About,” that will knock your socks off. The album doesn’t stay retro but it stays melodic; “Before You Leave” is a laid back Belle and Sebastian styled pop that sticks in your head nicely. “La La” is the textbook template of a great power pop song; an upbeat and catchy melody about giving up on love until you meet that perfect girl. This is one example amongst many. The styles vary from the sullen pep talk “Dear Ethan” to louder Cheap Trick riffs of “He Got It Down” and “Cool Shoes, Bro.”

While not everything here works (“Make Her Smile” is eerily like The Spin Doctors,) most of this album hits the mark and earns its 2015 “best of ” nomination. Don’t miss it!

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CD Baby | Amazon


Watts

Watts “Flash of White Light”

When we last heard Watts, it was an impressive collection Stones-y rockers similar to The Doughboys or The Satisfactors.  Glad to hear things haven’t changed much, its still straight-up rock n’ roll full of hot licks and high-powered riffs, with more of a modern nod to bands like Aerosmith and AC/DC. While the opening title track is traditional, “The Mess is The Makeup” has a heavier rock vibe. “Sidewinder” has a touch of Allman Brothers or Bob Segar in its DNA with some awesome guitar work here.

The tendency of heavy rock is to get ponderous, but Watts avoids this with catchy riffs like on “Wasted Angels” and also smartly trying different lead vocalists for many of the songs. Between John Blout, Dan Kopko, and drummer Johnny “Rock” Lynch you never fall into predictability. More highlights include “Better (For A Girl Like You)” and the very Guns ‘N Roses inspired “Flying Over With Bombs.” Check’em out now!

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Amazon

Colman “Play To Lose”

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Colman play to lose

Colman is the solo project from former member of Insanity Wave, Colman Gota. Recorded with the help of Mitch Easter (REM). It’s got a solid Tom Petty vibe (his vocals are similar in style too), Colman does a great job on the opener “Bad Rerun” with hooks all over the place. “Hospital Bed” is equally impressive with a swirling guitar and organ during the chorus. The title track starts with a “twilight zone” intro that leads to the thick guitar riffs.

Most of the album goes through a narrative of facing the adversities of life, on “Straight Face” it suggests you run and hide from it all. About mid-way through it talks about watching life pass you by on “No Other Way” with steel petal guitar. “Just Around The Corner” is another good guitar tune about waiting for your luck to change, but the structure of many songs are similar. A little more variety would’ve helped, but this is still a really good album that deserves multiple spins.

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Amazon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skdpsa7p2gg

Video: Two Gallants “We Are Undone”

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Yeah, I know. Not power pop, but I love the guitar work here. Two Gallants are Adam Stephens (guitar, harmonica, piano and vocals) and Tyson Vogel (drums, guitar and vocals) and they’ve been making music together since the age of 12 and performing around San Francisco. Two Gallants’ fifth studio album is We Are Undone and to celebrate the release, the band performs the title track on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” Check it out or you are the Goofus here.

Everet Almond and The Fraidies

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Everet Almond

Everet Almond “Four Tracks” EP

Everet Almond is the drummer for one of our favorite bands, Evil Arrows. Everet proves he’s got major songwriting chops from behind his kit with this short EP. “Start Again” is a Lennonesque piano ballad that’s a real charmer and the steady guitar beat and melody of “Are You A Man?” is very much in the vein of Emmitt Rhodes. This little DIY gem is very much inspired by early 70’s folk rock style and recorded with an iphone. Maybe he should lobby Bryan for a song or two on the next Evil Arrows LP. Best of all, it’s a FREE Bandcamp download, so give yourself a treat and grab it!

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Free Download on Bandcamp

The Fraidies “Try Again”

Seattle-based indie/alt-rock outfit, The Fraidies, released a debut last year and now I’d be remiss if I didn’t review it. Produced by Gary Reynolds, the band crafts a perfect mix of power pop melodies and late 1990’s/early 2000’s alt-rock. The dual guitar riffs and infectious verse on the great opener “X’s On Your Eyes”  keep this song stuck in your head.

The happy tempos contrast the general misery of situation, concentrating on goofy lyrics on “You’ve Got A Brand New Calculator” to “cheer up” from the “same ole blues.” This theme continues on the alt country influenced  “The Powers That Be”  or the rock-synth combo “Never Love Again (It’s Doubtful)” with its catchy la-la chorus.  More highlights include the anthemic chorus of  “Your Mouth is a Radio” and “You’ve Got Nothing But Love.” It takes a sad turn with the long ballad “Gold Miner” but fans of The Lemonheads and Matthew Sweet are sure to love this band.

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CD Baby