powerpopaholic, Author at Powerpopholic

Tim Butler "That’s The Way You Want Me To Be"

November 19, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Tim Butler has a gentle pop sensibility, not far from his friend Cliff Hillis who plays guitar on “That’s The Way You Want Me To Be.” There is a personal honesty reflected in the lyrics as well, and the catchy, “Special Plan” is like Black Crowes lite, with a perfect blend of guitar and vocal melody. Tim’s vocal often carries the tune with a minimum of flash, just a simple clean production. The wonderful “Christine” is another mid-tempo pop gem that features an ascending bass line. Some nice vocal textures are brought out on “Tryin” with a Hillis guitar solo in the middle of the song. “Building Me Up” has more good musicianship but the hooks here are lacking til we get to the heavier guitar sound on “Every Little Thing.” As a light pop record, it succeeds but the addition of three acoustic guitar songs here makes the whole thing even lighter and less memorable. These songs are even more confessional, to the point where on “One More Try” I’m thinking… Okay Tim, I get it. You are a sensitive soul spilling it for your significant other. While it makes for an intimate live performance — you lose some of that feeling on CD. With repeated listens it does compare well with the guitar pop of The Rembrandts, and if you like that style go for it.

My Space | CD Baby

OK GO new album due out January.

November 18, 2009September 5, 2024 powerpopaholic

OK Go | MySpace Music Videos

The band’s new album, “Of The Blue Colour of the Sky,” will be out in stores on Capitol early next year. This is the long-awaited follow-up to their acclaimed “Oh No” which spawned the 2007 Grammy-award-winning video hit “Here It Goes Again” (Yes that’s the song with all those treadmills). Here is the first single “WTF?”

The Beat Rats and The Sunny Boys

November 18, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

The Beat Rats “A Cellar Full Of Rats”

They made quite an impression at IPO, making Kenny’s sound like The Star Club in Hamburg, Germany. This is Mersey inspired garage rock in all it’s glory. Opening with the instrumental “Beat Rats Theme” is as catchy as The Surfari’s “Wipeout.” This is not so much a Fab Four tribute, as a scruffy, raw re-creation of the British sixties combo, so fans of The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Big Three and The Dave Clark Five would love this as well. The guitar riff and snarl works wonders on “Mine All Mine” and “I Can’t Wait.” The poppy straight “No Good At Love” is another gem that follows closer to the early Beatles style. The vocals could use a bit more polish on the slower numbers like “Only 16,” but it’s the Duane Eddy/Link Wray instrumental genius of “Rat Fink” that will give surf guitar enthusiasts the goosebumps. The band also has loads of energy to go around, and the songs are short and sweet. What else do you need? Only for sale at Kool Kat Musik, it comes with a bonus 5 track live performance EP.

MySpace | Kool Kat Musik

The Sunny Boys “Beach Sounds”

In the cold of winter, it’s best to listen to music that’s warm and reminds me of those summer nights. And that’s exactly what this Italian Beach Boys tribute band is. They started their surfin’ safari at the end of 2003 when the long time hardcore fan Gianluca Leone (aka Brian The Captain) finally got the opportunity to form the band. All the dedication pays off, as even Jeffrey Foskett (Brian Wilson’s band) gave high praise for the song “Mahalo“. Beach Sounds aren’t straight covers but original songs with it’s own style, and includes pitch perfect harmonies and huge hooks. The arrangements are notable on the ballad “She’s My Summer Dream” where it weaves the vocals together seamlessly. It’s so gorgeous it goes above and beyond the typical tribute band. If you’re not listening carefully for the accents you’d swear this was a lost Beach Boys album circa 1964. It’s essential listening for fans of this style of pop. Eccellente!

Sunny Boys Site | MySpace | CD Baby

fun. "Aim and Ignite"

November 16, 2009January 5, 2025 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Nate Ruess (The Format) has decided to push some musical buttons here, much like Bryan Scary and The Shedding Tears by layering dense instrumentation, gospel choirs, electronic pulses and the kitchen sink. That kitchen sink includes pop god Roger Manning Jr. and producer Steven McDonald (Redd Kross). Opening with “Be Calm” it’s deceptively sweet ballad opening ironically turns into loud theatrical melodic chaos. Along with with ex-Anatholla member Andrew Dost and Steel Train frontman Jack Antonoff, the band is relentlessly accurate in it’s name. But I would add a capital “F” for fantastic. “Benson Hedges” continues the multi-instrumental grandiose pop chorus, a mix of Queen’s vocal harmonies and Tally Hall’s quirky soundscape. “All The Pretty Girls” is a killer single, and steals Mika’s old thunder this year. It’s catchy as hell as they tell you “the eighties is old” and with that violin following the melody. The over the top approach works beautifully in spots, like “Light A Roman Candle” which Jellyfish fans will just flip for. After hearing “Walking The Dog” I am reminded of the goofiness that Sugar Ray used to get away with when people took them seriously. The melodies shift so many times, on a few songs (“At Least I’m Not As Sad”) the hooks can get lost in the shuffle. But Nate’s vocals are so strong here, it’s hard to find fault with many songs, although the faux gospel can overwhelm listeners on “Barlights” and the Billy Joel-esque “The Gambler” is a welcome respite. The quite moments here are also bit too infrequent, but you’ll get carried away by this musical circus too quickly to notice. Epic pop this lush should not be overlooked.

My Space | Itunes | Amazon

New Interviews: Curtains For You and Golden Bloom

November 13, 2009January 5, 2025 powerpopaholic

I was so taken with the new album from Seattle band, Curtains For You – I got to interview both Matthew Gervias and Peter Fedofsky for Power Popaholic. You can click on the Artists Interview button or go to this link: Curtains For You interview. If you didn’t catch the album review you can find it here.

In my busy travels before IPO I got the chance to pose some questions to Shawn Fogel, aka Golden Bloom. He’s got some pretty interesting things on his mind and a great link to a funny concert mishap. Here is the direct link: Golden Bloom interview. Check out the album review here. I also updated a few interview pages from earlier this year, so you can now listen/read the interview with Ken Stringfellow (Posies).