Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

International Power Pop: Tommy Lorente and Cooper

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Tommy Lorente

Tommy Lorente “Stupefaction”

Oui! Tommy Lorente has really come out strong here, and in his native language has produced a classic power pop album. After Tommy’s first LP, I compared him to Kurt Baker and wondered what direction was next. He has matured nicely. “Poor Tchack Pow” is so catchy you don’t even need to know French to sing along with the chorus. “Arthur” is another terrific gem about a pep talk to the heartbroken title character translated to “Tell me, tell me, tell me Arthur” featuring solid hooks all around.

The bouncy “Le Rêve Américain” (The American Dream) is about pursuing his dream in Memphis strutting like “king,” drinking bourbon and listening to rock and roll. It settles into a nice groove with “Pareil Au Même“ (Same At The Same) with another sing-along chorus. “J’ai Connu Mieux” (I Know Better) is part Bo Diddley and part Paul Collins. Its all compelling, without a note of filler – although with the fast pacing we don’t get a ballad, and that could make all this a little easier to digest. Still, this is a highly recommended LP for any power pop fan. And that says a lot! Et ça en dit beaucoup!

Amazon

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Cooper

Cooper “ Tiempo, Temperatura, Agitación”

Álex Diez is a veteran pop artist from Madrid, Spain. He played in the mod band Los Flechazos to great success in the 80s and 90s, and after the turn of the century, he formed the indie-pop band, Cooper. His fifth full-length album focuses on meticulously crafted melodies sung in Spanish with layered harmonies and brass. The title “Time, Temperature, Agitation” refers to the old method of developing photographs.

The big highlight is the opener “El Último Tren” (The Last Train) complete with a fuzz riff ending. Next, “Salto” (Jump) reminds me of that old Katrina & The Waves hit “Walking On Sunshine” in tempo and spirit. “Ya Llegó El Verano” (Summer is here) is a naturally sunny melody full of optimism. You can hear the Beatles influence in the guitar playing, and the production is top notch. If you like your power pop with a touch of español, check out Cooper!

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David Myhr and Dropkick

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David Myhr

David Myhr “Lucky Day”

David Myhr (The Merrymakers) returns after six years and like many power pop legends of the last century, his quest for musical satisfaction continues on a more mature path. He has gathered an all-star group of songwriters to collaborate with him; Bleu, Linus Of Hollywood and Bill DeMain to name a few. He also enlisted producer Brad Jones in Nashville who explains: “My goal was to show David branching out from his youthful power-pop to a more reflective sound.”

David’s harmony-filled opening number “Jealous Sun’” a gem is buoyed by its simple acoustic melody and its sing-along catchiness. This is typical Myhr, and it just keeps coming. “Negative Friend” is full of McCartney-like piano and layered effects (kazoos, even!) “Room To Grow” starts out subtly and then picks up a breezy casual melody with minor keys, it literally grows on you. But the real showpiece here is the catchy and inspirational “The Perfect Place” with swelling strings it is simply brilliant. After this David shows his romantic side, with the soft pop of “Every Day It Rains,” “Lucky Day” and “Lovebug.” Every song hits the mark, no filler and it is on my short list for 2018’s top ten list. The CD version of the album has four additional singles including the sweet ELO-inspired “Spellbound.” Don’t miss it.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

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Dropkick

Dropkick “Longwave”

Dropkick knows how to jangle – they’ve been at it for 14 albums. The band, based on Scotland’s east coast, are Andrew Taylor, Ian Grier Mike Foy, and Alan Shields. Like a mix of Teenage Fanclub, Big Star and The Jayhawks the opener “Out Of Tune” is undeniably catchy and instrumentally precise.  “It’s Still Raining” is another big highlight, with frontman Andrew Taylor’s soft lead cruising on top of a jangling rhythm. Even the sparse ballad “Faraway Places,” showcases Taylor’s soul with the lyrics; “There are ways to grow up without getting older.” 

More highlights include “Come Around,” the warm fuzzy riffs of “Giving Way,” “Fed Up Thinking About You.” Dropkick’s chiming guitar chords and great harmonies make this a highly recommended album.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik