Author: powerpopaholic

Expo, The Silver Liners and Meshugga Beach Party

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Since we’ve been on a beach theme this week…

Expo “She Sells Seashells”

John Lane is the driving force behind this finely crafted tribute to The Beach Boys “Smile” era pop. Comparisons with The High Llamas are inevitable here.  This is primarily an impressive instrumental display with different players doing light vocal harmonies on tracks like “The Ghosts of Montreal.” Songs are lead by slow organ and orchestral percussion with textural vocal standouts on “My First Umbrella” and “Good Good News.” Some tunes seem to ramble on too long, but the layered harmonies and rhythms are a thing of beauty. Even the legendary Hal Blaine said to Lane,”Anyone that hears your album will be impressed.” I know I was.
My Space | Bandcamp

The Silver Liners “Just Like The Rest” EP

The Silvers Liners, a five-piece from Washington, D.C, has seven songs on its new EP which they recorded with Kyle Downes (The Dance Party, Greenland, Casper Bangs). These guys are rising stars for sure, being finalists for DC101’s Last Band Standing contest. With the opening riffs of “Inside Your Head” it blends modern power pop and melodic rock in a perfect combination. Fans of Nada Surf, Harvey Danger and The Flying Machine will love this band. Each track has a catchy melody and great beat, and just when they threaten to get heavier on “Cheer Up Alex” it speeds up to a bouncy feel good chorus. I am really looking forward to the full length album!
MySpace | Amazon

Meshugga Beach Party “Let’s Go Shleppin’!”

Using every Yiddish pun they can find they combine the best of Dick Dale and Jewish folk music. Is it a just a gimmick? yes — but it’s still lots of fun. Meshugga Beach Party has been a fixture around the San Francisco area since 2003 and “Hava Nagila /Misirlou” is a classic. Even the liner notes are hilariously written and designed. Much “mazel tov” has to go to guitarist “Meshugga” Mel Waldorf for making the concept work. Highlights on this album are “If I Were A Rich Man” and “Dark Eyes.” And like rye bread, you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy this instrumental surf music.
Meshugga Website | CD Baby

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Laurie Biagini "A Far-Out Place"

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If you are ready for a retro-summer 60’s style, then Laurie Biagini’s latest girl-group, surf pop album, is the far out place you want to be! Laurie continues the Honeys meets Bangles style that made her first album “Ridin’ The Wave” so much fun. You can’t go wrong with Lauire’s “oo-wah, oo-wah” chorus in the Beach Boys-styled “Another Old Lazy Lyin’ On The Beach Afternoon.” And it’s not all sand and surf, as “A Beautiful Dream” weaves complex harmonies and psychedelic rhythms into a package that could’ve come off The Mamas and The Papas first album. The instrumentation is also improved here as she tackles other subjects from “Crazy People On The Internet” and spiteful naysayers on “Not What It Seems.” When the beat remains uptempo it works best like on the Beatlesque “Happiness Looks Good On You” and punchy hooks on “Gonna Do It My Way.” On some slower tunes (“Sweet Dream Symphony”) Laurie’s voice tends to blend a bit too much, but the production is so stellar you may not notice. It closes out on the wonderful “I’ll Be Back Again” with a composition reminiscent of Gary Zekley’s Yellow Balloon. This will take you back to that simpler time when the California sun was king and golden harmonies ruled the AM airwaves. Sit back and let it wash over you.

My Space | CD Baby | Amazon

power pop reviews, power pop and rock and roll opinions. Power pop and even more power pop and rock and roll.

The Well Wishers "Post Modern Romantic"

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With a total of 10 albums under his belt Jeff Shelton of The Well Wishers continues his stellar output. Our last encounter was on the brilliant Jigsaw Days. Fans of The Posies and Cheap Trick style of power pop will be on board with the opener “Run Away.” A quick strong melody in the chorus and driving guitar riff is all Shelton needs. Vocally he even sounds just like Ken Stringfellow in places. Assisted by drummer Nick Laquintano (Spinning Jennies) the punchy rhythms continue on “Hanging On” and “All For Nothing.” The entire album follows through on the typical power pop formula with the precision of a surgeon. Another standout is the descending scales and harmonies on “Someone Else” about the end of a relationship. The band turns it up to 11 on the punk-pop “Grammareater” and again on a cover of The Nils “Fountains.” The band dials it down slightly for the albums mid-tempo reflections, the shimmering “Consequences Of Love” and “As You Are.” On the whole the album it feels more like collection of singles, and takes a few listens to absorb. Not a single note or hook is wasted here – and fans of Nada Surf, Bob Mould, Redd Kross will also love this. Another top ten contender for 2010.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

power pop reviews, power pop and rock and roll opinions. Power pop and even more power pop and rock and roll.

Bourgeois Heroes and The Bulletproof Vests

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Bourgeois Heroes “Musical Postcards” EP

The duo, which is split between Massachusetts and Texas, sings ’60s-inspired pop in the vein of The Beach Boys, The Monkees and Harpers Bizarre but with a twee sensibility like modern bands Belle & Sebastian or The Ladybug Transistor. The orchestral pop and wide ranging influences are a treat for the pop fan looking for clever melodies with whimsical character. The easy going strum of “The Boy At The Record Store” could be a theme of my childhood (sigh). The elaborate baroque “I Wanna Be Nice To You” is a period gem that fans of sunshine pop and The Kinks will be thrilled with. Overall an excellent EP that will brighten your day, so when is that full length comin’?

My Space |  CD Baby  | Bandcamp | Amazon 

<a href="http://bourgeoisheroes.bandcamp.com/album/musical-postcards">The Boy At The Record Store by Bourgeois Heroes</a>

The Bulletproof Vests “Attack!”
Memphis Brothers Jake and Toby Vest put together a solid roots rock album full of riffs that the late Alex Chiton would approve of. And with the help of Argent studios engineer Adam Hill, they mix together power pop, rock, R&B with a southern attitude. Opening with the strong “Magic Wand” it’s lead by a mean slide guitar riff and solid pop rhythm, that recalls Duane Allman at his poppiest. “Darlin’ Wait” is a perfect example of catchy backbeat and sing along chorus that makes for excellent repeat listens. Every song here is good, from the glam-style rock of  “Queenie in Trouble” to the slow blues ballad “Don’t Cry.” “To The Moon” has a big T-Rex vibe and the band takes it to the next level with the anthemic “Hitchhiking To Hell” complete with a blistering guitar solo. A perfect impulse music buy that gets better with each listen.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

<a href="http://thebulletproofvests.bandcamp.com/track/darlin-wait">Darlin Wait by The Bulletproof Vests</a>

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The Power Popaholic Interview: Seth Swirsky

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With one of the best albums this year, Watercolor Day – I got a chance to interview Seth Swirsky and ask him questions about the album, baseball and more. What is pretty cool if you haven’t seen it before on Seth’s site is an 11-minute trailer for a documentary called “A Year In The Life.” It’s essentially stories about The Beatles by Beatle fans and celebrities and it’s fascinating. Check out my interview with Seth on Virgin.com

power pop reviews, power pop and rock and roll opinions. Power pop and even more power pop and rock and roll.