Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Chris Stamey and Willie Nile

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“Chris

Chris Stamey “Anything Is Possible”

Chris Stamey, a songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, and producer from North Carolina, has a long and illustrious history in indie rock, including co-founding the power pop band the dBs, playing with Alex Chilton, Jody Stephens’s Big Star Quintet, and recording with the Salt Collective. Stamey has also broadened his focus in recent years to encompass contemporary interpretations of the Great American Songbook and various other genres. This album mixes several distinct styles.

The glorious “I’d Be Lost Without You” opens things. Not your average Beach Boys pastiche, it’s given life through a variety of guest stars like Mitch Easter, Probyn Gregory, and Rob Ladd. And when the Lemon Twigs entered the picture with their harmonies, it grew into something more. The Twigs influence flows through a few other tracks, like the hopeful title track “Anything is Possible,” a powerful mantra that sticks. Next, it shifts to “After All This Time,” a lovely contemporary interpretation of a pop standard. “Meet Me In Midtown” has a Brill Building-style New York themed melody, loaded with character and nice flourishes.

The only cover here is of Brian Wilson’s “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” given a more orchestral treatment. “Done with Love” is another pop gem that shows being burned by love can prove to be inspirational. Brian Wilson wrote the pinnacle of “teenage symphonies,” but Chris approaches the topic with an obviously adult perspective. Overall a great listen for the wistful and lovelorn. Highly Recommended.

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“Willie

Willie Nile “The Great Yellow Light”

NYC rocker Willie Nile is survivor, and on his 21st album he starts our ride with “Wild, Wild World” a bouncy sing along on the precarious state of our planet with climate change, and inaction in Washington. Loaded with handclaps and amazing riffs, the bridge is very much like Cheap Trick. He then raises his fist in defiance with the strong anthem “We Are, We Are,” and keeps things rolling with boogie woogie rock of “Electrify Me.” These tracks are classic Willie Nile in fine form.

Things quickly slow down in tone and style on the very keltic folk of “An Irish Goodbye” with Paul Brady, and the title track is very much a story of Willie looking to the future generations with “wonder in her eyes, thunder in her heart.” On “Tryin’ To Make A Livin’ In The U.S.A.” to be honest, Willie sings “There’s nothing wrong with me a hit record wouldn’t cure” and “Fall On Me” is a great Dylanesque song of support. He closes it out with the patriotic “Wake Up America” and “Washington’s Day,” a solid message for the country to pay attention to what’s going on. Overall a solid effort with no filler and a worthy addition to his stellar catalog. Highly Recommended.

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The Toxhards and The Humbugs

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The Toxhards

The Toxhards “Your Neighborhood”

Sometimes, the components are greater than the whole. The Toxhards, a LA garage rock band, have a concept LP that doesn’t tell much of a story. However, the band’s unwavering dedication to superb pop and rock is evident here. The band’s wacky theatrical image is compelling, akin to a circus opera at a heavy metal festival, they sound influenced by Pink Floyd, Queen, Tally Hall, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. They’ve already made an impression locally, with a sizable TikTok and Instagram following, so their debut album definitely raises the bar.

The intros are effective in establishing a mood but run a bit too long; then we get the first song, strums of “Beatrice,” a gentle rocker that amps up quickly to heavy Foo Fighter-like riffs. It’s a fun, wild ride to its loud crescendo. Then it dials back dramatically to the quiet title track “Your Neighborhood,” which recall a Roger Waters inner monologue. Then we get “Get Creative! Or Get Radicalized!” with Queen-like harmonies and boisterous chorus, and it’s simply great from the melodic croon to the screaming “Na, na, na, na!” Another gentle gem is “Apple TV” with handclaps and hooks sticking in your head on that chorus.

But the album’s highlight is “DIE! DIE! DIE.” The song begins with a funky rhythm and bass line, and the lead singing, “Don’t you love the feeling when a song comes on the radio, and it sounds like they wrote it for you?” Next, “Satan’s Little Hell Song” is reminiscent of Queen’s “Stone Cold Crazy” in a frenzy. Overall, a thrilling set of tunes, the most schizophrenic rock album I’ve heard in a while. Highly recommended and a top ten contender. Thanks to my brother, Dan, for finding this one.

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The Humbugs

The Humbugs “AM Operetta”

Veteran Minneapolis band The Humbugs are Adam Marshall (guitar, lead), Tim Formanek (bass), and Matt Baccoli (drums), with an assist from Kristin Marshall and Mike Senkovich. Some nice power pop and a few folk tunes here, many pulled from Adam’s songwriting archives in a homage to the many different styles of music that was being played on AM radio in the 1970s. However nothing here sounds like it came directly from that era, it’s all original music.

The opener “Be Careful What You Wish For” is a solid start, with lots of jangle and a nicely constructed, distinct verse. The catchy “Take Out The Trash” is my favorite here, with great hooks and harmonies. The styles vary from here, Kristin’s lovely vocal leads on the pensive “Further From Yesterday” and “Never Noticed Me.” Highlights include “Tearing Me Up” and the bouncy ender “Doing Something Right.” Overall, a really good album with minimal overindulgences. Technically released last year, but the band recently posted their catalog on Bandcamp (also worth checking out.) Highly recommended.

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April Showers: Corin Ashley, Chris Stamey, The Lemon Twigs, Geoff Palmer, Rocket Rules, Crossword Smiles, The Supernaturals

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A massive amount of quality music is coming out now: Firstly, check out the return of Corin Ashley with “Empathy Centre,” with it’s guitar crunch and free wheeling lyric, “The Commandant of kindness would like a word with you…” Next the biggest surprise; a super team up of Chris Stamey and The Lemon Twigs doing a gorgeous Beach Boys styled ballad, and the album is expected this summer. Geoff Palmer returns with his punk pop perfection on ‘Kodak Flash’. Each song here is a winner! Next, this month’s freebie is the dense, lush dream pop of Rocket Rules. Give it a listen with headphones. Another new gem is Crossword Smiles latest “Falling All Over Myself” and the consistently good band The Supernaturals with a new pair of tunes destined for the upcoming album “Show Tunes.” Enjoy the sun, popaholics!




Mike Delevante and Strange Neighbors

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Mike Delevante

Mike Delevante “September Days”

Although Mike Delevante is from New Jersey, he has spent a lot of time in Nashville. Like his idol Bruce Springsteen, they both have a talent for spotting the lyrical qualities in everyday situations with a resigned romanticism. The opening track “The Rain Never Came” is the big highlight here, a superb jangle pop tune and compelling verse akin to The Jayhawks Gary Louris.

“Whenever You’re Around” does conjure up a brisk fall day reminiscing about the past. His mellow voice and unpredictable chord changes work best on “Good Cry” and the bouncy “I Wrote To You.” The other songs, while well done are a bit indistinguishable from each other. Mike does tell a good story, with a big drum opening on epic ballads like “Sunset,” about ending life like an old movie. “Too Far Gone” is also a surprisingly catchy tune, with a bass line akin to The Hollies “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” but way slower in tempo. If you are in the mood, I would give this album a chance to seep into your brain.

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“OK

Strange Neighbors “People Pleasers Pleasing People”

Strange Neighbors were a breakout band last year at the International Pop Overthrow in NYC last year, with the hit “Skeleton Boy” and the band has stepped up in terms of songwriting, production, and performance for their new LP. Starting with “Crush” its got everything you need to know; catchy, risqué verses and Aidan Strange’s strong vocal performance. The angular guitar compositions continue with “Without A Head,” and it sets up some nice guitar breaks.

Additional highlights include “Silk and Cyanide,” “Influencer” and  “Whenever We Fall.” The honky tonk ending “Your Last” is also a ton of fun with a great bass line and plenty of country twang.  Overall a strong effort and musically mature one too. I hope for many more neighborly encounters in the future. Definitely highly recommended. 

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OK Go and The Bablers

powerpopaholic
“OK

OK Go “And the Adjacent Possible”

OK Go has always been at that rare intersection of indie rock musical innovation and commercial success. The new album while it adds more electronica and other modern tropes, can still claim to be at its heart a well made pop album. “Impulse Purchase” oozes cold cool with its deep buzzing bass beat, and Damian Kulash’s unique vocal.

On the lovely melody for “A Stone Only Rolls Downhill,” he laments “it’ll all be all right” and “it’ll all be just fine,” but fails to convince us. Much better is “A Good Good Day At Last” which has plenty of Prince-like funk, and on the bouncy “Take Me With You” he embraces his inner Bowie. The album’s center piece is “Love,” a swirling gem with strong harmonies, angular guitar riffs and an unmistakable arrangement. The soulful “Going Home” and wistful closer “Don’t Give Up Now” offers a mellowness that contrasts with most of the album, and the finale feels like an acceptance of present tragic events and a warm hug.  Definitely highly recommended. 

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The Bablers

The Bablers “Like The First Time”

If you want to make a name in power pop, go big or go home.  Finland’s The Bablers were promoting singles in the US since their Beatlesque debut ‘What’s All About’ in 1980 (a long sought after gem,) but most of the release action took place in Finland, until 2022’s highly recommended ‘Psychadilly Circus’ came out. The group is led by Arto Tamminen (guitars, vocals) with Janne Haavisto (drums), Pekka Gröhn (bass, keys) and Hannu Pikkarainen (guitars). The band has continued to tease with it’s singles, but now the proper follow up to their debut (previously only available in Finland or Japan) has arrived. And it’s big, as it was remastered and new tracks added as well.

The opener “You are The One for Me” has all the hallmarks of excellent power pop, as the music is both catchy and timeless. Those Beatlesque guitar chords are also back with “One of Those Dreams” and “Thinking of You,” and these gems could give the Spongetones a run for its money. But the band doesn’t hold back on romantic themes like “Holding Me Tonight,” and the ELO-ish “Sometimes.” The melodies are easy going and the sentiment is genuine, as opposed to sappy. (although “Together Forever” comes close). The second half is almost as good as the first, but with longer pop epics, for example “Like The First Time” and “In This World.” Additional highlights include the jangling “Here I Come,” and the finely orchestrated strings and woodwinds on the baroque “Where the Wind Blows Free.” Overall, a great album that’s long overdue here. Highly Recommended and a contender for top ten album of 2025.

Amazon | Big Stir Records