Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Hornal and Mothboxer

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Hornal

Hornal ”The Game Begins with the Lights Out”

Iain Hornal is a UK singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who lives in London, UK. Known as an in-demand session player for Jeff Lynne’s ELO, 10cc, and The Feeling he felt it was time to put his experience towards a solo album. He enlisted a large collective of musical talent to help polish the effort (a guest list too long display here).

Starting with “Staring At The Sky” the honey-voiced harmonies float along a cloud of synths and guitar melody. “Running Away” with added vocals from Sophie Ellis-Bextor makes for a solid adult pop chorus. “Jennifer” showcases all the influences above into another stellar single. “Caledone” shows off its ELO roots as a brilliant pop ballad and “She Doesn’t Have Anyone” is as catchy an ear-worm as anything. Much of the album is mid-tempo without a single misstep or wasted note. In fact, 10cc almost reunites here on “Say The Word” with Graham Gouldman and Kevin Godley adding vocals and inspiration. It’s an amazing closer with spoken poetry midway through by actor Matt Berry (The IT Crowd). Overall one of the best albums I’ve heard this year – it’s earned a spot on my top ten list for 2017.

Amazon

https://youtu.be/G19_4IGsLX4

“Mothboxer“

Mothboxer ”The Secret Art of Saying Nothing”

Mothboxer burst onto the power pop scene ten years ago, and its still got the “goods” all these years later. Lead Moth Dave Ody continues to dazzle with the help of Robbie Burley, Phil Davies and Jon Hawes on the opener “Get It Right,” a solid anthem with a great hook. You’ll hear the clear ELO-Move influence on “Don’t Forget To Breathe” and “Everyone Knows” with its expansive echoing guitar sound.

The band does explore other styles; “Right Time To Say Goodnight” and “Rest My Mind” have more of a prog rock vibe, with the six-minute-plus “Half Light” mixing hard rock and psych-pop (reminding me of early Yes.) Toward the album’s end, it gets back on track with the Beatlesque guitar licks of “I Don’t Mind” and the title track. It’s good that Ody indulges his inner Pink Floyd, but it doesn’t compare with the catchy gems earlier on. Still a very highly recommended album.

Amazon

Andy Oliveri and the Mountaineers and Brian Jay Cline

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Andy Oliveri and the Mountaineers

Andy Oliveri and the Mountaineers “Call Them Brothers”

The music slowly fades in on “Where The Wild Flowers Grow Fondly,” the layers of bass, guitar and vocals build as Oliveri’s approach is a little like a shoegazer Echo & The Bunnymen where the mood sinks in across the steady rhythm and buzzing drone. Next the big single “Sky Candy Apple” is a nod to Husker Du, although the catchy chorus and crackling textures make this a winner.

The next several tracks are more soundscapes with Oliveri’s subtle emotions interrupted by solo guitar distortions (“Ohio” is a good example).“Through The Leaves” is a romantic folk-pop gem that’s a memorable standout, so if you seek a mix of the accessible and abstract Call Them Brothers may float your boat.

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Brian Jay Cline

Brian Jay Cline “Writer’s Block”

One of the most underrated artists I can think of, Brian Jay Cline can seamlessly move from power pop to country, rock, folk and back again. This is easily the most well-rounded release by BJC. “Bomb Threats” is a solid hook-filled rock and roll melody, “Buy This Car” sounds a lot like Paul Westerberg, all about buying a used car with a rock swagger like no one else.

“Fire In The House” gleefully recreates classic 50’s rockabilly and then he slides into the sweet pop of “Paula Part Time,” recalling classic Elvis Costello. No filler throughout this release, with plenty of highlights. There is also the expected steel pedal and twangy guitar on “Stranger Than Fiction” and “The Heartbreak Moon.” Highly Recommended.

Kool Kat Musik

V-Sparks and Goodman

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V-Sparks

V-Sparks “New Sensation” EP

It has been a long time since this Chicago band has had some new music. The group is lead by Alan Lewis (Vocals, Keys) and Prescott Kagan (Vocals, Guitar) are joined by Zach Duran (Guitar), Sam Libretti(Bass),and Adam Long (Drums). What follows is a dizzying amount of rock n’ roll energy and pop smarts similar to The Strokes and Vampire Weekend. “Hey Love” is a hyper-catchy anthem similar to Locksley’s “The Whip.” But it’s no one-hit wonder, as each tune mines the best earworms of the past, as “New Sensation” slowly builds from synth beats and keys into a riff heavy gem similar to The Cars.

More impressive is the glam punk “Death of Star” with wild dramatic guitars, strings, and piano, bringing to mind Queen meeting Green Day. You’ll hear the T-Rex/Bowie strut in “Sebastian,” with Brian May guitars ringing along. It effortlessly blends the old and new without sounding like a cheap homage. Each song is a winner and my only beef is that it’s merely a 6-song EP. Get’s my first nod to the top ten EP list of 2017. Get this one!

Amazon

Goodman

Goodman “Vicissitudes”

NYC’s Michael Goodman is back after a year-long break with a new LP. The title is defined as “a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.” Despite the amateurish cover art,  “She Sez” is a deceptively brilliant opener that moves from dissonance to melodic rock quickly, with its fuzz guitars picking up the catchy chorus. But it’s also clear these are break-up songs, “Modern Girl” talks of “misdirected rage and sexual anxiety.”

Each song is well-structured, as Goodman has found his sound here on “Weathervane” a mix of anthemic melody and post-rock distortion. Lots of highlights here; “Hourglass,” the catchy bass backbeat and handclaps of “Hiccup” and the Velvet Underground meets Brit-pop gem “Love Alone.” Highly Recommended.

Amazon

The Simple Carnival and Timothy Monger

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The Simple Carnival

The Simple Carnival “Smitten”

Pittsburgh musician and animator Jeff Boller has returned and like his last album Girls Aliens Food, it is heavy on melody and simple romantic charm.  Smitten is a meticulously crafted group of love songs similar to early Todd Rundgren. The title track is a romantic soft pop gem perfect for a slow dance, then “Lunch For Dinner” ups the tempo and sophistication with layered harmonies in the chorus.

It’s easy to dismiss the soft and simple “Everything That Grownups Know,” until you listen to the lyrics about anxiety and shyness. In fact the upbeat pop of “Go Away I Like You Too Much” is rare amongst the self-depreciating tracks “Geek Like Me” and disco-lite “Kiss Her You Dummy.”  While not as immediate as Boller’s last effort, it still has enough honest emotion and craftsmanship to make this LP a highly recommended one.

CD Baby | Amazon


Timothy Monger

Timothy Monger “Amber Lantern”

Timothy Monger is a Michigan musician with a great sense of mood and melody on Amber Lantern, a concept LP about a weekend gig. The brilliant “Power Trio” is a great song about playing in a dive “tired of feeling shitty all the time,” with a terrific jangling melody and guitar break. I wish there were more of these tunes! The production is crisp and rich, it comes across well on “Everything” and the slow building “Heyward” with its fuzz guitar solo and horn flourishes.

Most of the album is folk-pop (“Sleepless”) with acoustic and strings, the melodies occasionally rising to triumphant moments as in “Outside The Venue” and “Requiem for a Ramp.” Give this one a try as you may find it resonates emotionally and definitely deserves to be heard.

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Road To Ruin and The New Trocaderos

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Road To Ruin “Heartbeat from the Next Step”

Brooklyn band Road To Ruin is a dynamic stew of power pop, glam, electro funk and weirdness. The brainchild of musician Miles Stenhouse, it starts with the Alex Chilton-ish “She’s A Good Idea” featuring a solid harmony in the chorus. Next, the bass minimalist “Useless” plays out with vocalist Katie Ortiz’s seductive delivery.

There are mellow synth-pop tunes, weird stylistic explorations like the Zappaesque “Residue” or the catchy gem “Glad It Wasn’t You” pops up. The funky “Bad Dream Blues” has Ortiz leading again with a swagger that matches the catchy bass, and my favorite “Ossipee” is a little mix of Mott, Ween and Les Claypool. Props go to bass players Sam Lubin and  Mike Haldman. Like a box of chocolates, you never quite know what you’ll get but its still sweet. If you are like me you’ll pick and choose the best goodies here.

CD Baby

Armchair Oracles

The New Trocaderos “New Trox” EP

The New Trocaderos (Kurt Baker, Geoff Palmer, Brad Marino, Kris Rodgers and Rick Orcutt) have a few bonus tracks off the Thrills & Chills album from 2015 that never released until now.  They made it a cheap bandcamp download that fits nicely into your New Trocaderos/Kurt Baker/The Connection collection. “You Broke My Heart” is classic power pop with a hook filled chorus about not getting the girl. “The Air” is a classic R&B rocker and “Come On Girl” features Geoff and a smokin’ piano solo at the break. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp