Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

The Best Things In Life Are Free… (Album Edition)

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“…But you can keep ’em for the birds and bees” – Money (That’s What I Want)

While not everything here might be considered power pop, I do consider it great music. These are great albums at a “name-your-price” point. No excuses!

Beauty

Beauty “I’d Do Almost Anything For You”

This Red Bank, New Jersey trio brings the goods on its full length debut. “Alive Tonight” opens with thick guitars and stacked harmonies and moves with confidence and purpose. “Acid Baby Girl” follows as a fuzzy love song built on warm feedback and a relaxed pulse, balancing noise with control. Tracks like “You Always Take Me” and “Daisy” lean into simple melodic structures, pairing heavy guitars with clean, memorable choruses. Fans of Superdrag or The Posies will recognize the balance between punch and melody, though the band keeps its own identity front and center. The sequencing stays tight and focused, with no wasted moments or weak tracks. The result feels cohesive, deliberate, and fully realized. This release deserves serious attention and lands comfortably among the year’s strongest albums. Highly Recommended.

Mommyheads

Mommyheads “No Quietus”

I think the similarity to the cover of last year’s ‘One Eyed Band’ threw me off, but the band keeps pushing its blend of power pop and progressive rock with confidence and precision. “Triumph and Crash” stands out as a sharp nod to classic Genesis, especially the keyboard driven drama associated with Tony Banks, without slipping into imitation. “Black Veins” shows Adam Elk at his strongest as a writer and vocalist, and the song carries emotional weight and ambition, setting a high bar across the record. Tracks like “I’m Your Apocalypse” and “Race Care Brain” expand the scope further, layering ideas, textures, and shifting moods. The album feels intentional from start to finish, built for close listening rather than background play. This release works as a full sonic journey and rewards attention. Highly Recommended.

Static In Verona

Static In Verona “Altered State Lines”

Chicago musician Rob Merz blends ambient textures with power pop in a focused, personal way. The opener “Alright in the Morning” sets the tone with echo soaked guitar lines, thick percussion, and a steady vocal lead. The title track, “Altered State Lines” builds momentum through layered, rhythmic guitars and a forward push. Merz’s approach feels distinct and intentional. “Camera” and “Fearful” slowly create atmosphere, pairing mood with clear narrative intent. “Demons” shifts gears with a heavy, Zeppelin inspired riff that adds weight and contrast. The closing “Back in the Aviary” drifts into a hazy, dreamlike soundscape, bringing the album to a calm and thoughtful end.

Merry Christmas from Power Popaholic!

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If “Gingbread Shitshow” is my favorite cynical new Xmas song this year, then the single “Tchotchkes” by Tchotchke and The Lemon Twigs is on the other end of the holiday spectrum.  A brilliant classic in all its layered Phil Spector-esque glory. Enjoy!

Our last-minute gift here is from Ex-Norwegian! A seasonally inspired remix set of fan faves and deep cuts, never before heard. A holiday FREEBIE for you!

Merry Chirstmas To All. And to All a Good Night!

Vanilla and The Prize

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Vanilla

Vanilla “Cookiewow”

Northwestern band Vanilla returns with ‘Cookiewow,’ a 17-track album released gradually over the past year, following 2024’s ‘Pish Posh.’ The slow rollout fits the record’s reflective tone, which centers on aging, loss, frustration, and resignation. The album opens with “Abney Park,” a jazzy meditation on a lingering ghost. It sounds refined rather than eerie, though the mood stays dark. “Weathered Faces” leans into rock territory, focusing on time slipping by and memories fading. Cultural decline surfaces in “Hand of Glory,” where a strong chorus shines through layered horns and guitars. “Hollow Man” strips things back with shuffling percussion and lyrics steeped in self doubt and surrender.

The second half brings more energy. The bouncy “Pardon Me” takes a blunt swipe at political corruption, while “Boxing Clever” answers with guarded optimism, undercut by the line “nothing’s worth the price we pay.” It stands out as one of the album’s strongest moments. “In the Margins” pushes forward with driving guitars and a sense of resolve. “Beat the Clock” and the seasonal “Gingerbead Shitshow” add more hooks without losing bite. Jayson Jarmon’s songwriting remains sharp throughout, as this album is Highly Recommended.

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The Prize

The Prize “In The Red”

Another classic Aussie debut! ‘In The Red’ by The Prize hits hard from the opening seconds. This record grabs you on first listen and never lets go. The Prize come out of Melbourne, consisting of Nadine Muller on lead vocals & drums, Carey Paterson on lead vocals & guitar, Joseph Imfeld on guitar, Austin Haire on guitar, and Ethan Stahl on bass. Their sound is akin to Redd Kross or Buzzcocks, but I hear the influence of Thin Lizzy and Cheap Trick with plenty of layered melodic riffs. You get tight punk energy, power pop hooks, and straight-ahead rock grit.

The strong opener “Connie” sets the table, and we are off to the races. The three guitarists trade riffs and solos without excess on “Don’t Need ‘Em.” Not a note of filler and the energy stays high across the full run time. The vocalists work equally well too, both Nadine and Carey carry each song and the songwriting keeps things compelling. The tempo finally moderates on “Silver Bullet,” so a ballad would have made it perfect. However, it still makes my Aussie dominated year-end list. Super Highly Recommended.

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International Pop Overthrow Vol.26 and more comps for a cause

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International Pop Overthrow: Volume 26

Various Artists “International Pop Overthrow: Volume 26”

Every December, readers tell me the same thing. You enjoy discovering new power pop bands here, yet the volume feels overwhelming. These compilations solve that problem. David Bash’s IPO festival releases an annual soundtrack on CD, and it works as a smart filter. You get a mix of familiar artists and new names without digging through hundreds of releases. The strongest moments come from bands I had never heard before. Those surprises make each disc feel like finding an overlooked record while digging through the bins at a local shop. Here are some highlights:

Disc one sets the tone fast. Forte Sterra’s “Jennifer Says” opens with clean, direct power pop. Thom Hell follows with “All Good Things,” leaning into an Andrew Gold style hook. The Flower Machine adds “Wensleydale Road,” full of clear Beatles influence. Micah Gilbert’s “Fly Away” channels Harry Nilsson in both melody and feel. Andras Jones wraps the disc with “Hating the Haters,” sharp and direct.

Disc two keeps the quality high. Miniscule 605 delivers a catchy beat on “I Cried All Night.” Joe Dilillo’s “When It Comes To Us” stands out through strong songwriting and structure. “On The Radio” brings together Danny Wilkerson, Lannie Flowers, and Nick Frater, blending Texas roots with British pop sensibility. A rare track you will not find anywhere else.

Disc three leans into variety. The Lemon Clocks’ “Seventh Wave” pulls from 1960s psychedelic pop. The Samurai Seven add energy with “Duck and Cover.” And Geez Louise with “Mexico,” adds a smooth bossa nova flavored beat. Overall, highly recommended (as usual).

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“Pop

Various Artists “Pop Aid: Volume 2 and 3”

Songs for a cause also deserve attention, and Pop Aid delivers. Any serious compilation discussion includes Kool Kat Musik. They stand as one of the strongest distributors of power pop and indie rock, and they back it up with action. Alongside quality music, they release compilations tied to real support efforts. The first volume focused on the Ukraine war. These volumes shift the focus to people affected by hurricanes and wildfires. You get strong songs while knowing the project supports people who need help. That combination gives these compilations extra weight and purpose.

Ice Cream Hands, Smash Palace, and Seth Timbs

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“Icecream

Icecream Hands “Giant Fox Pineapple Tree”

Icecream Hands have been an Australian institution since 1992, and here they aim to make another statement LP similar to 2020’s ‘No Weapon But Love.’ The themes of gratitude and hope are all over this one, “Leaving Nobody Out” is a fine theme about inclusion and “Mercy” is all about self care. And while the band still has those melodic gifts, they don’t quite hit the highs of the last LP. Still this remains a highly recommended album, highlights include; “Do Ya Feel It” and “Here and Now.”

Kool Kat Musik

““Smash

Smash Palace “87”

The number “87” refers to the year the band’s sophomore album on Epic Records should have come out. Things fell apart back then, and the band continued on indie labels after 1999 — but these “lost” songs finally get their due 38 years later, with brothers Stephen and Brian Butler leading the charge. While they are a long way from the debut hit “Living On The Borderline,” the songs here would’ve been a solid sequel. Opening with “Bitter Blue,” it’s a strong tune that has some great jangle and “I’ll Be There” has plenty of great solid riffs and a catchy chorus. Many songs have elements of the 80s era, particularly “Centipede” and “Along For The Ride,” which have percussive echoes. “Stranger Than Strange” is another noteworthy song that uses small chord changes to create a dramatic effect. You’ll appreciate this if you like mid-80s rock or are a fan of Smash Palace.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

“Seth

Seth Timbs “Idle Hands”

Nashville songwriter Seth Timbs (Fluid Ounces) has been compared to Ben Folds in the past, but his distinctive style is of a warmer persona. The infectious hooks of “You Don’t Want To Go To The Dance” sets the stage, and there are plenty other highlights here. The light strums of “Upstate Girl” has some clever lyrics, and “Half Life” feels like an earnest Billy Joel homage. Most songs are mostly sparsely produced piano, but I really enjoyed the easy pop of “Everything’s a Joke To You” and soulful ballad “Hesitation.” Timbs gift for melody is always worth the price of admission. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik