Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Astral Drive and Rob Bonfiglio

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Astral Drive

Astral Drive “Astral Drive”

Oh boy, if you ever were a fan of Todd Rundgren’s Utopia then have I got an album for you. I heard a lot of buzz about this album from several people, and in some sense, it does live up to the hype. Astral Drive (aka Phil Thornalley) creates a sonic love letter to all those Todd fans who pine for those late ‘70s early ‘80s grooves. The opener “Love Is Real” uses all those classic synth lines to create a sunny slice of perfect pop. “Wishing I Could Change” is almost Phil Spector-ish in its grand production, but it also reminded me of ’90s one-hit wonders New Radicals and this sound is also quite evident on the catchy “Summer of ‘76” with a soulful pop sound that deserves to be a huge radio hit. If any complaint can be made, it sticks a little too close to its original influences.

The album slowly moves away from catchy singles to longer glossy, cosmically themed indulgences. The blissful harmonies start out on “Walls and Bridges” before it heads into the title track “Astral Drive,” a multi-layered epic that you can get lost in with its extended guitar solo that drifts off. “Child Of The Universe” and “No One Escapes” sounds like they fell of Utopia’s POV album. Overall, no filler tunes here and after several listens, you will find the magic of the melodies below all that studio wizardry. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Rob Bonfiglio

Rob Bonfiglio “Trouble Again”

Rob Bonfiglio (Wanderlust) has been making great music since 2006, and his experience as musical director and guitarist for Wilson Philips has only helped focus his own musical vision. On his fifth LP, he really hits it out of the park, with his rich multi-layered harmonies and catchy radio-friendly melodies. From the opener “Passenger Seat” and title track “Trouble Again” it centers on the big guitar riffs and a style that marries 70’s Southern California rock with 80’s melodic pop.

A big highlight is “Spread This Feeling,” a joyful love song that brims over with “Ooh La La” Beach Boys-styled harmonies and brilliant guitar rhythms. Rob has a soulful lead vocal that’s designed for cranking the volume up and jamming with air guitar. He gets all AOR funky on the breezy “Gone” and then comes “Tears” with its mix of soft pop and a heart-tugging chorus that demands multiple listens.  And it doesn’t let up, without a hint of filler. Music Critic Bob Leggett mentioned that this is a “must-get” album and I wholeheartedly agree.  In fact, it’s an easy pick for my top ten album list of 2018.

Amazon | CD Baby

Dave Sheinin and The Supahip

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Dave Sheinin

Dave Sheinin “First Thing Tomorrow”

Noted author and Washington Post sportswriter Dave Sheinin has a not so secret life as a musician. His debut album First Thing Tomorrow has earned kudos from his fellow writer and podcaster Matt Nordlander. Oh, it also doesn’t hurt that he’s got a crew of great musicians assisting him (notably Andy Bopp).  Sheinin has a fondness for Jellyfish in his opener “Lies,” however most of the music sticks to an easy-going pop jangle like on “Oh Amelia.”

“Little California” has pleasing Beach Boys influence, but he hits it out of the park on the power-pop gem “Talking To Myself” which is a well written Carpe Diem message with a solid guitar melody. The ballads don’t resonate as well, and Sheinin’s vocals aren’t remarkable, but the honest lyrics often elevate the production. “City You Left Behind”  and “Goodbye City” are additional highlights. Check it out!

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


The Supahip

The Supahip “The Two Sided Face”

Sydney power pop musician Michael Carpenter may have “retired” from solo records, but he’s been extremely busy these days. He’s done a Tom Petty tribute, and he dusted off one of his older projects with musician Mark Moldre, called The Supahip. Last heard back in 2007, Carpenter makes it sound like little has changed, and he plays with a relaxed confidence here. The timeless Beatlesque qualities are evident from the very start of “Running Blind,” with its swirling guitar chords.

The winning rumble of “Motor” is a layered guitar gem, with some great reverb-heavy rhythm. “When I Started Falling Apart” sounds like a lost Travelling Wilburys tune. The heavy country guitar riffs on “Let It Go, Brother” suit Carpenter well, and the growing catchy bluegrass like stomper “Got To Keep On Moving” is another toe-tapper. The weary ballad “You Can’t See Me” and the Kinks-like “The Only Living Boy In New York” have just as much care and heart as anything The Honeydogs have ever done. Not a single note of filler here, and considering the quality of the tunes it makes my top ten list for 2018. Super Highly Recommended.

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Matthew Sweet and Cut Worms

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Matthew Sweet

Matthew Sweet “Tomorrow’s Daughter”

The classic Matthew Sweet style of pop gems continue, as these songs were written during the sessions from last year’s Tomorrow Forever.  Sweet has the same team helping out on his 13th release, with Debbi Peterson (Bangles), Ric Menck, Paul Chastain (Velvet Crush) and John Moreman (The Orange Peels). The openers “Belong To You” and “Run Away” recall the Girlfriend era and these memorable melodies are sure to please longtime fans.

“Lady Frankenstein” churns along, along with its fuzzy guitar rhythm, and “Out of My Misery” keeps those hooks coming. Like the previous LP, nothing here breaks from the conventional, nor does Matthew visit the textured experimentations of Modern Art.  But that’s okay because you get a solid group of songs that fit perfectly into Sweet’s impressive discography.”Now Was The Future,” speaks to Matt’s state of prolific status, “Maybe ’cause I was born here, I’m also harder to kill…” Other highlights include “Ever After” and “Passerby.” Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Cut Worms

Cut Worms “Hollow Ground”

Power pop often is referred to as music that worships the relics of the 60’s classic rock era. With that caveat, Max Clarke eagerly wears these pop influences on his sleeves. Clarke recreates the sound of The Everly Brothers perfectly on Hollow Ground. It’s a fine balance of authenticly produced sound and original songwriting.

“How Can It Be” has those steel pedal lap notes and precise harmonies that make it irresistible. “Don’t Want To Say Goodbye” has a twang and jangle melody and the sweetness of “Til Tomorrow Goes Away” displays a catchy casual bounce.  The country blues of “Think I Might Be In Love” and doo-wop rhythm of “Cash For Gold” are also memorable highlights. Fans of retro-pop rejoice, this one is highly recommended.

Amazon

Ruler and Smash Palace

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Tommy Lorente

Ruler “Winning Star Champion”

Ruler is the project of Seattle-based singer and songwriter Matt Batey, a seasoned veteran of Seattle’s music scene. The debut full-length album Winning Star Champion starts with “Petrified” a song about dealing with anxiety about the future punctuated by a strong beat and strong layered vocals in the chorus. The title track is another ode to self-doubt and fear of failure set to a catchy indie rock chorus.

The production and composition of the first 4 tunes are all very strong, “Cars and Houses” is another standout single with a buzzing riff about travel on the road. The style is modern indie rock, and it reminded me of Paul Westerberg’s early solo work, especially when we get to the jangling melody on “Unhindered Pace.” Matt manages to shift gears to mid-tempo effectively on “The Cure” and I didn’t hear any filler here. Overall, Ruler is an impressive new talent who’s highly recommended.

Amazon

Smash Palace

Smash Palace “Right As Rain” EP

Philly brothers Stephen and Brian Butler are once again joined by longtime bandmates Fran Smith Jr. on bass and drummer David Uosikkinen (of the Hooters) and Cliff Hillis on guitar and Wally Smith on keyboards. And just like that, Smash Palace returns with another EP that’s just as tight as Some Kind of Magic.

It starts with the jangling “It Happened To Me” as it lays down a memorable chorus and “Love Light Shining” is like a lost McCartney single. It adds a little Americana on “Heart of A Loving Man” as a message to your girl to “come back home,” with a smooth guitar solo during the break. The finale “Love Surrounds You Now” is an epic melody that echoes Tom Petty with some great harmonies. Don’t miss this one, it’s highly recommended!

Amazon | CD Baby

Michael Rault and Daisy House

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Michael Rault

Michael Rault “It’s A New Day Tonight”

Toronto musician Michael Rault has a great knack for solid ’70s riffs and classic power pop style. Opening with some nice guitar work on “I’ll Be There” it’s like a glorious mix of Badfinger and T-Rex. The careful arrangements and simple structure allow Rault’s melodies to come through. The album takes its inspiration from the act of sleeping and dreaming. “Sleep With Me” is like a lost Emmit Rhodes single with fuzz rhythm guitar, lush harmonies, and a sweeping string section.

“Oh Clever Boy” is McCartney styled gem, and the pace slows up on “Sitting Still” although the neat bassline makes that tune work. Things seem to stall a little on “Dream Song,” but I get that the next few songs act like REM sleep snippets. The full Beatlesque melodies come back on “Out of The Light,” its got a scratchy vibe – like an old 45 you found. “Sleeping and Smiling” has a dreamy 10cc quality and the sprawling closer “When The Sun Shines” has some nice George Harrison styled slide guitar. Overall solid execution and the ear-catching melodies make this the equivalent of power pop comfort food. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Daisy House

Daisy House “Bon Voyage”

The Southern California folk-rock duo of Doug Hammond and his daughter Tatiana are back after last year’s successful Crossroads. The vocal dynamics of the songs remind one of the late 60’s harmony bands Mamas & Papas or CSN, but the songs are thoroughly modern and touch folk, rock, and country genres. Bon Voyage continues the band’s sophisticated songcraft on the title track, a strummed gem with a Spanish-styled rhythm. “Stop Looking’ At Me” is a topical song about sexual harassment. You kind of expected Liz Phair to do something like this, but Tatiana pulls this off perfectly. The apprehensive shuffling “Persephone” is along similar cynical lines.

The chamber pop of “A.I. Girls” makes good use of Doug’s higher vocal range and on “Let’s Do it Again” Tatiana channels Chrissie Hynde with its catchy power-pop chorus. Of course the Byrdsian folk jangle returns on “Over The Hill” and the trippy “Like A Superman.” It takes a few chances, as “Heavenly” feels overproduced, but the classic ballad “Til The End Of The World” is near perfection. The songwriting is top notch, along with the multi-layered instrumentation. Highly Recommended.