One of my favorite Tulsa rockers with a classic. And yes Twilley is quite active, thank you. He’s covered in The Beatles, Rarities Volume One and Out Of The Box. All are quite good.
Author: powerpopaholic
Lollipop Factory "Away In A Trailer" and "Eat Cake" EP
With their debut in 1997 “Soon”, The Lollipop Factory quickly establish themselves as disciples of 70’s-era rock. Guitarist/vocalist David Tweed and drummer/vocalist Bekah Manning sound a lot like a marriage of Queen, Jellyfish and T Rex. Almost ten years later the band has roared back with “Away In A Trailer.” The band has pretty much toned down the pop sound here and replaced it with more metal, albeit in a carnival atmosphere. “Song For Robert Schuller” is a glorious opener with the Freddie Mercury multi-layered vocal harmonies wrapped in a forceful guitar attack. As a metal-pop album, it will earn plenty of raves. Another standout is “Crashed and Crucified,” and the killer riff leading “JumpJet.” The Jellyfish influence comes through on the excellent “Objective Man” and the classic “Somewhere My Love.” Unfortunately the band seems to concentrate more on texture and tone than any hooks or melody. “Lovers Leap” and “Tore My Heart in Two” are both a metal mess and “State Of Distraction” is off-key to the point of near unlistenable. Thankfully there is enough here to bang your head to.
A new EP “Eat Cake” was released this year, and the songs are more pop oriented, like the ambitious title track, full of complex chord progressions. “Freeze Pop Holdup” has Bekah’s vocals up front and it sounds like a totally different band. “Rigor Mortis” adds a vaudeville-styled “eulogy” break, and is a ton of fun to listen to (fans of Bryan Scary take note). The band has been touring the midwest in support of the album and EP. Overall this a band going through a creative growth spurt – and we benefit musically. They just need more focus and consistency to sustain a full albums worth of tunes.
My Space | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik
Listen to “Song For Robert Schuller”
The Power Pop Radio Stations
I really wanted to dedicate a page to the internet podcasts and radio stations that have power pop bands as the primary playlist. If your favorite power pop internet radio show isn’t listed here, just let me know in the comments. The best stations and podcasts are only a click away!
Internet Power Pop Radio stations
Emerging Artists Albums and EPs
Here are some indie debut albums, EPs and unsigned talent this past month that you might want to check out…
Poison Control Center “Sad Sour Future”
Upbeat indie pop by way of a lo-fi Weezer style with dissonant rhythms and cooing teen harmonies. A little like a junior version of Guided by Voices. The albums massive 17 track list is hit or miss, but you’ve got enough stand-outs to make it worth your time. I’ve posted the video for “Being Gone” a week ago, but other tunes not to miss are: “Calling Card”,”Two Mountains” and “Friends in the Band.”
MySpace | Amazon | Listen to “Being Gone”
MySpace | Amazon | Listen to “Being Gone”
Galapaghost “Neptunes” EP
Galapaghost is the conception of singer/songwriter Casey Chandler. Being from Woodstock, he’s been making music since 14 and recently has released an EP of breezy folk tunes. “Aloner” is an effective opener, that recalls the Beach Boys and The Shins. The simple guitar and ukulele tunes work best here, and it loses some stream when he breaks out a synth for the title track. Listen to the gentle “Human Unkind” and “Don’t Go & Break My Heart.”
MySpace | Amazon
MySpace | Amazon
Annie Stevenson “2010” EP
Glasgow Scotland band that has a rotten name, but an interesting sound, equal parts of Blur, The Happy Mondays and The Clash. “Country Killer” is the most melodic tune of the bunch, with a steady beat and melodic chorus that builds very nicely. “TV Took My Soul” is a bit of punk pop with excellent buzzing guitar riffs. “I’m The One You Hold” has a nice composition, but production is a bit rough. This is a band worth exploring and the EP is free online too, so give it a try.
MySpace | Free Download of “2010” EP
MySpace | Free Download of “2010” EP
Shakedown at The Majestic EP
Shakedown at the Majestic features Chris Vermillion on guitar and lead vocals, Stephen Frandsen on bass and vocals, and Taylor Nimtz on drums and also providing vocals. We get catchy, danceable, stick-in-your head songs courtsey of this energetic unsigned Brooklyn band. The harmonies and minor chord shifts on “Bria” are sweet and compare well to Weezer, with gorgeous three part harmonies. The songwriting is strong on “Please, Lucia!” with it’s Beatles meets do-wop style that compares well with Teenage Fanclub. I was very impressed!
MySpace | Facebook | YouTube video of “Please Lucia!”
MySpace | Facebook | YouTube video of “Please Lucia!”
Bodyface “Bias”
The combination of Jared Kerr, Joe Brennan and Dan Marsh bring you a heavy rock band that tries hard to channel Superdrag, but sounds closer to Extreme in spots. Either way “Get Away” is the album highlight, with a combination of heavy riffs and solid vocals. The intense “Kill Her” and “I Love You Vampire” also have it’s moments, and the power ballad “Future No Hope” with it’s soft/hard vocal contrasts will impress you for sure.
MySpace | Album release TBA
MySpace | Album release TBA
Lawrence Arabia "Chant Darling"
Lawrence Arabia, better known as New Zealander James Milne wraps his bright baroque melodies together with a thick retro-60’s bow. “Apple Pie Bed” is the sugary pop sing along single that starts us off, and it’s got a jangling hook, and steady tambourine beat . The Lennonesque treat “Look Like A Fool” continues on this precious path of both desolate longing and sweet melody. “The Undesireables” features lush multi-layered vocal harmonies, and it’s perfectly hypnotic. You get some forgettable hometown shout out on “Auckland CBD Part Two,” but most of the album does it right and has lots of repeatable tracks, fans of Jim Noir and The Ruby Suns will love this. “The Crew Of The Commodore” is a psychedelic pop dreamscape worthy of Outrageous Cherry. The Kinks’ styled mid-tempo “I’ve Smoked Too Much” is another highlight here, that shows Milne takes his influences and songwriting seriously. It ends off with the effective Beach Boys “In My Room” styled clone “Dream Teacher.” A satisfying album that shows plenty of growth potential for Lawrence Arabia. Get the MP3 of “Apple Pie Bed” FREE from Amazon
“Apple Pie Bed” was directed by Luke Savage.