Category: Album Preview

Overlooked Gem: The Paparazzi “Rococo” FREE Download

powerpopaholic

The Paparazzi is the musical pseudonym of songwriter and rocker Erik Paparazzi, who has spent the better part of the past decade as a sideman with Cat Power’s Dirty Delta Blues. Made this album back in 2004 it was shelved until 2010 and didn’t get the attention it deserves. His new record Rococo showcases a love for the soulful rock sounds of the 1960’s (“Hi”) with a discernible Beatles and Nilsson influences and a drowsy indie rock sensibility (“My O My”). This lush and quirky daydream pop is fresh from the dryer – soft and warm and it’s a highly recommended free download. Thank you, Erik!

If you want a CD then go to: Serious Business Records | Amazon

The Beach Boys Reunion

powerpopaholic 3 Comments

The Beach Boys, together with estranged sonic genius Brian Wilson for the first time in decades, have the brand-new reunion single “That’s Why God Made The Radio.” You can close your eyes and go back in time… “Tuning in the latest star/From the dashboard of my car/Cruising at seven/Push-button heaven” The song proves without a doubt proof that nobody can replicate their harmonies, even though thousands of bands have tried. This is vintage Beach Boys and with both Brian and Mike Love passing 70 years old, they figured it was now or never.

Listen to the song here with lyrics.

New dB’s album coming soon!

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Wow! Power Pop legends the dB’s will be releasing their first full length album in 25 years. It’s also the first in three decades to feature the band’s original lineup of singer/songwriter/guitarists Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, bassist Gene Holder and drummer Will Rigby, the same lineup that recorded the beloved early-’80s classics Stands for deciBels and Repercussion. It is due to be released June 12, 2012 on Bar/None Records! The new album — produced by the band, with additional production by longtime cohorts Mitch Easter and Scott Litt — finds the seminal quartet reenergized and inspired, delivering a dozen new original songs that rank with the group’s finest and most influential music.

The Willie Wisely Trio “True”

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

After an 18 year hiatus the original members of the Willie Wisely Trio reunite for the enjoyable True. I would call the Trio an amalgam of pop, folk and blues with a twist. Wisely fans will love the catchy opener “Kiss Her And Make It Right” and it’s the peppiest song here. The sweet banjo progressions and trombone start “Dr. Jack” but it slowly fades into Wisely-land after the chorus, with dense violin effects. The excellent “Everybody Fears The Lord” does the same, it’s also got a killer hook and rapturous guitar.

The album also doesn’t take itself too seriously with “National Council Of Jewish Women’s Thrift Store.” Wisely writes about all the junk at the thrift store he sees from Farrah Fawcett to “I’m with Stupid” t-shirts. The acoustic folk tunes like “True” and “Low” are shining examples of great roots pop, like Glen Campbell or James Taylor. Also notable is the 26 minute final track “Surreal,” a long jam that reminds me of Simon & Garfunkel’s “A Simple Desultory Philippic.”  Wisely and his trio let’s it all hang out and I simply loved this album.

Band Website | Amazon