Author: powerpopaholic

Bewitched Hands “Birds & Drums”

Unlike French brethren Phoenix, the Bewitched Hands have a touch of Apples In Stereo and Moody Blues mixed well with a dose of Partridge Family. Compositions have big harmonies in the choruses on “Happy With You” and “Underwear,” both are filled with intricate guitar rhythms and psychedelic retro-distortions. “Birds & Drums” brings to mind Family of The Year with its loose campfire melody. And if you can get past the accents, you’ll have a ball with this album and its faux-punk “So Cool” and clap-along theme “Kings Crown” that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Big Audio Dynamite album. There is a sense of fun and experimentation with pop format that makes listening totally unpredictable, a good example of this is “2 4 Get.” The slower tunes tend to get bombastic and don’t hold interest, with the exception of the lovely glam influenced “Sahara Dream” which builds to a full “Spiders of Mars” styled crescendo. Go to Facebook to hear a sample.

Facebook | Amazon

Chris Marshall “August Light”

Rarely do I tolerate any pure country album that isn’t “alt”, but Portland-based Chris Marshall just grew on me. “Every time The Wind Blows” has a soulful sound that is both genuine and tells a compelling story. A catchy beat is part of “Look Out Your Window,” one of many gems here. The albums theme is on mortality and god (“Thirty Pieces of Silver”) delivered with Chris’ powerful vocal. The messages here resonate just as strongly as the melodies. Highly recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon

The Rationales “The Distance In Between”
The Raionales had an impressive EP years earlier, and here is a more mature full LP. “Real Life” is a great opener with its faux blues guitar riffs and lush orchestration. The sound of the band comes closer to Wilco meets Dave Matthews in spots. “Braedon” is the albums’ early standout here, with singer-songwriter/guitarist David Mirabella wailing the chorus “Hey little B, dressed up an army suit where you going with my popcorn?” The song is just infectious and the distorted riffs just drive things along.

Other tracks are equally impressive, like “Jaded,” and “Another Moon” with Mirabella’s distinct vocals taking center stage here (an acquired taste much like Blues Traveller). And no filler here either. More gems here include “Slower-Faster” and the summery “Tongue Tied”. Solid roots syled power pop that fans of REM, Tom Petty and Jayhawks will treasure.

The Spanish Channel “Brooklyn, off Atlantic”
The album title even tells you exactly where the band lives, as this earnest uptempo pop/rock band aims to please. Led by singer/guitarist Jamie Garamella it opens with “People Pleaser” a rocker with an interesting lyrical hook about how to get along with everybody. The guitar riff on “Strapped For Cash” kinda mimics “Hazy Shade of Winter” but the timely subject is relevant to any newly minted college grad. And that’s what makes The Spanish Channel stand out, as the lyrics and hooks are far from boilerplate.

The band also stylistically resembles The Spin Doctors on tracks like “MIssed Opportunity” and “Be A Dog” but keeps things fresh with a variety of rockers that are really unique in sound. The best song here is the Fountains of Wayne-like “Trivia Night” with a crackling riff and catchy chorus that builds around a wonderful guitar and harmony break. The band chugs on all cylinders here, and also the impressive ballad “Everything’s Gone” displays another side of this unique band.