Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Cheap Trick and Screamfeeder

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Cheap Trick

Cheap Trick “We’re All Alright!”

Cheap Trick is considered one of the longest running power pop bands ever but they have decided to let loose with more of hard rock and roll album than anything in their storied past. Like last year’s Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello the band’s direction is less melodic and runs more on manic energy. Ever since Daxx Nielsen replaced Bun E. Carlos as the band’s drummer – he’s seemly given the entire band a shot of youth serum.

Starting with the guitarist Rick Nielsen’s monster riffs of opener “You Got It Going On,” it’s a sing out loud anthem that rocks the socks off bands half their age. And it doesn’t let up as “Long Time Coming,” and “Nowhere” keep the energy level high. “Radio Lover” is a shelved single from the late ’90s that also fits right in here. Robin Zander takes a glammy turn on “Lolita” and his vocals are ageless too. More consistent and less studio gloss than Bang, Zoom… the band sounds like it’s having fun again. No duds here either, and so get the deluxe edition with extra tracks. On these, the band takes The Move’s “Blackberry Way” and makes it their own, plus a brilliant power ballad finisher “If You Still Want My Love.” Highly Recommended.

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The Naturalas

Screamfeeder “Pop Guilt”

Heavy indie pop band Screamfeeder was born in the ‘90s and became one of Australia’s most-loved bands, its youthful fuzz riffs tempered by catchy melodies. For over 20 years the band has made the transition to adulthood seamlessly. Like other veteran bands of the era (Redd Kross, The Figgs) they have improved with age and Pop Guilt evokes that early punk spirit with high energy riffs and explosive drumming.

Starting with the guitar buzz of “Half Lies” is a great start, “All Over Again” combines leads guitarist Tim Steward and bassist/vocalist Kellie Lloyd very much in the mold of Hüsker Dü with a droning rhythm under each melody. Highlights include “Got A Feeling,” “Alone In A Crowd” and “Karen Trust Me.” Not everything sticks and the band admits this lyrically on the generic sounding “Making It Up,” the lack of variety on some tunes allow them to sonically blend into each other. However, we end with the defiant “I’m Fighting” and overall fans of ’90s alt. pop punk will enjoy this.

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Ward White and Punch Punch Kick

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Ward White “As Consolation”

Ward White left the cozy confines of New York City to the sunny Paperchaser Studios in Los Angeles for his latest album As Consolation. Thematically the album deals with loss and moves to new experiences. White also has one of the most distinctive high tenors I’ve heard since Kevin Godley (10cc).

There is a laid back California feel to the album as a whole, with White working in subtle sonic cues as a compelling storyteller on the opener “Here’s What Happened With Heidi.” Next, “Crater” features a catchy chorus over a galloping rhythm. This is not immediate gratification, but after repeat listens it will stick with you. White’s more melancholic work like “Dude” and “Parking Lot” are also memorable.

The instrumentation is also exceptionally good, and standouts include “Spurs,” “Weekend Porche” and “The Crows” which states “Sadness will drive you insane…” with a warbling guitar flourish. Not everything here resonates, but enough does. Check it out!

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Punch Punch Kick

Punch Punch Kick “Punch Punch Kick”

Produced by favorite Linus of Hollywood, Punch Punch Kick have spent lots of time crafting lean hooks and youthful lyrics for their debut album. And these guys do it without pre-programmed beats or autotune. Each song has that burst of joyous guitars similar to early Weezer, Bowling For Soup or Jimmy Eat World.

“Licking My Wounds” starts with the rant about our fast-paced lifestyle “Where did all the time go?” sings vocalist/guitarist Phil McDonald. “What the Kids Don’t Know” is a great critique about mass marketing to kids today; “I don’t want to raise my hand in the air/because I care.” Each song is a gem here, even “When You Hang Around” references Cheap Trick. The band’s sound is very consistent, staying with similar tempo throughout – and that’s my only beef here. They could’ve added ballad or transitional tune to prevent this from sounding like a collection of singles. Highly Recommended.

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Matthew Sweet and Talk Show Host

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Matthew Sweet

Matthew Sweet “Tomorrow Forever”

Matthew Sweet has endured as one of power pop’s elder statesmen, owning album charts for most of the 1990’s and infrequently surfacing over the past decade or so. But no longer tethered to a record label, Sweet decided to go the Kickstarter route and the result is a sprawling 17 track songfest that throws together everything we love (or not love) about his music.

Matthew has undergone many life changes since 2011’s Modern Art. Following the passing of his mother, he returned to his hometown in Omaha, Nebraska to live and finish this album. It opens with “Trick,” a familiar chiming guitar gem that is a return to his classic style. It’s the distinctively layered leads, and hook filled chorus that sticks with you. The formula does get tweaked as we continue listening, Sweet adds muscle to “Pretty Please,” and ups the psyche-pop elements on “Circle.”

The songs are more autobiographical here with “Off The Farm” and “Come Correct.” The excellent  “Haunted” and acoustic led “Country Girl” with Gary Louris (The Jayhawks) helping on harmonies are standout tracks. But the meandering jams “The Searcher” and “Finally” shows that his album could’ve used some editing. Despite the hopeful gem “Music for Love,” the last track “End Is Near” has a weariness to it and feels like the artist’s swan song. We hope not, as Matthew Sweet’s music has adopted a timeless quality, a perfect melding of melody and guitar. Highly Recommended.

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Talk Show Host

Talk Show Host “Not Here to Make Friends” EP

Toronto band Talk Show Host does a great job delivering punk-inspired power pop and opening with the fast riffs of “Dead Meat” it wouldn’t be out of place on a Green Day album. Then the band embraces a snarl with its melody on the excellent title track, as they reference office politics; “We’re not here to make friends/ we’re just here to win.” The next song “I Hate Men (I Hate All Men)” could be an anthem for angry women, but sung by a dude sounds like extreme self-loathing. Overall a solid EP with no filler, but without much variety either. Still, if you dig punk pop this is a great find.

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Cliff Hillis and Richard X Heyman

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Cliff Hillis

Cliff Hillis “Many Happy Returns” EP

The reliable Cliff Hillis is back with his new EP, starting off with “Time An Evangelist,” a riff powered gem about the times we live in, where “a sad politician don’t know right from wrong/and every day he changes what side he’s on.” The catchy title track is another winner built from a steady rhythm, infectious melody, and smooth guitar solo at the break.

From there Cliff takes it down a notch to the understated blue-eyed soul on “Superfluous” and subtle pop of “With All The World” with its sweet horn section. The power pop comes back with “Never In A Million Years,” and while each song is perfectly fine, it doesn’t hit the highs of last years Make Love Not War. Still, an excellent EP worthy of purchase.

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Richard X Heyman

Richard X Heyman “Incognito”

One of power pop’s DIY pioneers Richard X Heyman continues his musical journey. At the same time Richard works with The Doughboys, his 11th solo album was being prepared. Unlike his semi-autobiographical double album Tiers, the musical focus here is primarily on short guitar melodies. The jangling psyche-pop opener “Incognito” is a mood piece with some nice layered rhythms. Next, “A Fool’s Errand” is a great Heyman original, very much like his past solo work.

Heyman doesn’t rush things, and his craftsmanship is what sets him apart from other indie musicians. A multitude of bouncy, interesting songs are standouts; “And Then” utilizes Heyman’s skillful harmonies and Motown-influenced “So What” has its playful horn flourishes. And when it comes to solid pop-rock check out “Her Garden Path,” “Lift” and “Terry Two-Timer”. Like many veteran artists, he thinks about aging (“Miss Shenandoah Martin”) and political dysfunction (“Everybody Get Wise”). Overall a good representative of Heyman’s work and highly recommended.

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The Return of Big Star

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Big Star

Big Star “The Very Best of Big Star”

If you are a casual fan who only wants to know what all the big deal is over this early 1970s cult band, then start here. Although modern audiences rediscovered Big Star through the theme to That ’70s Show, the band’s short lifespan burned bright enough to earn the belated respect and influence generations of power pop artists.

From Memphis, Tennessee founders Chris Bell and Alex Chilton created a style that was part Beatlesque melody and part southern soul music, under the watchful eye of Ardent studio wizard John Fry. Most of the essential cuts are here, taken from all three studio albums fully re-mastered with liner notes authored by Robert Gordon. The perfect gift for your musically challenged friend when he asks you “What is Power Pop music?” Music snobs (you know who you are) should stick with the Keep An Eye On The Sky boxset.

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Roots of Big Star

Chris Bell and More “Looking Forward: The Roots Of Big Star”

We all know Alex Chilton was the leader of The Box Tops prior to Big Star, but less is known (or heard) about the origins of singer-songwriter Chris Bell. This album collects many of Bell’s “lost” recordings from his previous bands; Rock City, Icewater and The Wallabys. And for the hardcore Big Star aficionado, this is pure musical catnip.

Bell’s pre-Big Star output foreshadows what was to come  (“My Life Is Right” and “Try Again” were included in Big Star’s #1 Record).  Extensive liner notes interview Bell’s bandmates at the time, and a few nascent tracks like “Think It’s Time To Say Goodbye” and “All I See Is You” could’ve been Big Star hits. Mostly this is a fascinating collection, expertly produced by the folks at Omnivore Recordings. Highly recommended to Big Star fans.

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