Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Gothic Chicken and Javier Escovedo

powerpopaholic
Gothic Chicken

Gothic Chicken “Lift The Cobweb Veil”

Pink Hedgehog Records put together Gothic Chicken, a psyche-pop super group with members from The Lucky Bishops and Cheese; Marco Rossi (Guitars), Alan Strawbridge (Bass ), Tom Hughes (Keyboards), and Luke Adams (Drums) with all members contributing to vocal duties.

The production here is high quality, a mix of Schnauser and Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd on the big opener “Overthrow.” Next the baroque pop gem “And As For Me” is like a Left Banke composition with smooth harmonies, but it dives into prog-land shortly after the chorus. This follows through for many songs, setting up a solid melody and then going ADD with it by flying into a Zappaesque direction. Gorgeous composition sets-ups like “The Mousetrap” and “Priest Hole” will demand repeat listens. “Westward Ho?” is another amazing gem; like a lost 10cc track floating through Pepperland. If you like psychedelic rabbit holes, this is an excellent album to turn on and tune in to. Highly Recommended.

Amazon
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Javier Escovedo

Javier Escovedo “Kicked Out Of Eden”

This is the second solo release by Javier Escovedo (The Zeros, True Believers) and Kicked Out Of Eden is pure unfiltered rock’n’roll with touches of twang and garage thrown in. Staring with “Downtown” the riffs smacks you between the eyes and doesn’t let go till the boogie-woogie piano break.

The catchy “It Ain’t Easy” and “Beaujolais” are both filled with heavy rhythm and blues guitar lines and Javier’s world weary vocal. The tempo shifts on “Drivin’ Around” with its gentle backing harmonies (Javier and Chrissy Flatt). The McGuinn-like vocal delivery and 12 string chime of “Just Like All The Rest” is another winner. Escovedo doesn’t exactly color outside the lines of the rock template but overall its a heartfelt effort that’s easy on the ears. Highly Recommended.

Amazon
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Weekend Freebies: Nato Coles and Static In Verona

powerpopaholic

Both these albums are available for a “Name-your-own-price” and fit proudly in my collection. You could also give the artists a little money and get these great power pop/rock LPs, perfect for a snowbound weekend!

Nato Coles

Nato Coles “Promises To Deliver”

Nato Coles LP isn’t new, but to me it was and I was super impressed by the talent of the man and his Blue Diamond Band. If Meatloaf played power pop it would sound just like the opener “See Some Lights.” Coles songs are anthems to the unsung – like the catchy “Julie (Hang Out A Little Longer)” is a blue collar rocker on par with Springsteen or Bob Seger.

Elements of country guitar and barroom rock are the primary style and done very well, from the driving odes to his van “Econoline” and the road in “Rudes and Cheaps.” Another standout is “The True Blue Rocker” a catchy anthem reminiscent of the Allman Brothers “Ramblin’ Man.” No filler here and absolutely highly recommended rock and roll.

Bandcamp | Amazon


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Static In Verona

Static In Verona “Odd Anthem”

Chicago band Static in Verona (aka Rob Merz) has certainly changed over the years, and Odd Anthem is a solid addition to their catalog, but now they bring the high gloss synths to their indie pop productions. This doesn’t always make things better, as it tends to drown the magic of the harmonies in white noise. “Heavy Hands” is an excellent catchy song that could’ve used a lighter touch.

Some songs have a Coldplay-type of feel like “Future Ghosts” and “Shudder to Think,” with dramatic flourish in each chorus. It does have some successful experiments like “Wait, Wait” and “Then A Hush” with its unique percussive structure. “Forgetful” is my favorite song, with its upbeat chorus and successful blend of synths and bass guitar. I would’ve loved to hear the demos for this album. Some have added this LP to best-of lists, so its definitely worth repeat listens.

Bandcamp | Amazon

Jordan Andrew Jefferson and Bertling Noise Laboratories

powerpopaholic
Jordan Andrew Jefferson

Jordan Andrew Jefferson “The Only Way Out Is In”

This artist was pretty high on David Bash’s 2015 list and I had missed it. Jordan is a singer-songwriter multi-instrumentalist from West Virginia. A variety of influences can be heard, most from the mid 70’s and Jordan has great ear for melody and a killer falsetto when he needs it. Mostly this is heart-breaking love songs that stick in your head. Starting with “Ghost By The Water” it has a gentle keyboard, rising, melody and inspiring lyrics similar to Gerry Beckley (America) or Jeff Larson.

The harmonies are the big highlight on “White Light,” and “Beyond Words” sounds like it fell off America’s Homecoming LP with its echoing strums and multi-tracked chorus. “One Step At A Time” is a unique song with some nice jazzy guitar lines, and “It Is What It Is” has that Surf’s Up styled Beach Boys balladry that soars. Each song is a wonderful mix of melancholy and relief, even the 5 minute plus “The Party’s Over” is compelling. Highly Reccomended.

Amazon | CD Baby

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Static In Verona

Bertling Noise Laboratories “The Flehmen Response”

Chicago musician Nick Bertling’s solo project Bertling Noise Laboratories has an album called The Flehmen Response named after the behavior of animals who grimace and bear their teeth. It starts with the dramatic piano melody “my opening remarks” which is similar to Ben Folds in style, but then we get “Radio,” a catchy single with a neat hook in the chorus.

The next several songs are mid tempo rockers that plough along, bringing to mind Toad The Wet Sprocket in spots. Some interesting chord shifts on “You Won’t Know Me” keep it interesting, and the rhythmic work of “I Don’t Want to Rock” is a Rundgren-like repudiation of a Led Zeppplin trope. “For Roy, Jefferey, and I” is a wonderful Move tribute full of lyrical and melodic references. Not everything works, but enough keepers here to rate this as a recommended pick-up.

Amazon | CD Baby

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Rocket Bureau and Co-Pilgrim

powerpopaholic
Rocket Bureau

Rocket Bureau “Phantoms Ringing 67-73”

Is it possible to be so good at recreating an era’s sound you fool even veteran audiophiles?  Contrary to what the title of the album suggest – that these are not tracks from the late 60’s/early 70’s, but a new release by musician Kyle Urban on his 8-track reel-to-reel.

The energetic guitars start with “Silhouette” and it brings to mind bands of the past (20/20, The Plimsouls, Rubinoos) along with touch of the modern (The Well Wishers.) The song “Go Away Girl” has such classic beats and chord changes you’d swear it was a undiscovered hit single.  “Night Time” has a 50’s vibe similar to Sam Cooke, and “She Dreams In Colors” is a trip “Rain” styled jam. “Choozy Suzy” is another potential sure-fire hit and “Along Comes Sam” has a roots rock vibe with its layered guitars. Other songs have a similar Allman Bros. vibe like “Tuscaloosa Woman.” This is a “greatest hits” of sorts for Rocket Bureau and its diversity of style just proves Kyle is versatile as hell here. Not a single note of filler, and proof that DIY analog artists can rock it old school. Super Highly Reccomended.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon
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Co-Pilgrim

Co-Pilgrim “Slows To Go”

I missed this one late last year: Oxford band Co-Pilgrim has a distinct folk Americana influence, with California styled harmonies and slow tempo melodies. Fans of The Byrds, CSNY, and Teenage Fanclub are sure to enjoy this. “Slows To Go” swells into dreamy pop land right from the title track.

Lead vocalist Mike Gale glides through each track, “You Come Over, You Go” is a great example of crisp singing and the harmonies are especially good on “Flood Of Tears.” Some songs have a county feel, “Its A Blue Moon” makes use of lap guitar and gentle acoustic strumming. The style here is very consistent and lack of variety may seem frustrating to some listeners, but the vocal arrangements are so lush they are worth revisiting. Highly recommended.

Amazon

Torbjorn Petersson and Paul Melancon

powerpopaholic
Torbjorn Petersson

Torbjorn Petersson “Kool as a Kat”

A series of song fragments sprinkled in with some genuine great tunes, Petersson shines on the shimmering melody of “Lisa Love.” And the layered “Shades of You” has a bit of a Traveling Wilburys vibe with Torbjorn’s understated vocal (which reminds me a little of Pete Shelley.) Although the song sketches are short, they are distractions here, so thankfully most of music that turns out to be full songs are really good.

This was all a project where Torbjorn was challenged to write and record an album in only one month. I’d say it was a success. More highlights include “I’m Telling You Now, ” the McCartneyesque “The Trouble With Love” and the epic closer “What If I Was Wrong.” As another huge bonus, this album is FREE download, so pick it up now!

Bandcamp only

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Torbjorn Petersson

Torbjorn Petersson “Summerbound” EP

The following month, Torbjorn produced this follow-up EP and no surprise its just as good as the music made earlier. “Absent Minded Me” has an easy going melody and the catchy “What In The World” has shades of Jeff Lynne that make it a big highlight here. The backing “ba-ba-ba” vocals are also in “Love Went To Paris” a light romance story, and the fast paced message about the power of music are in “Two Minutes of Your Time.” No filler here and Highly Recommended!

Bandcamp only

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Paul Melancon

Paul Melancon “Super Rocket X​-​1” EP

Its been a long time since I’ve heard from Atlanta musician Paul Melancon. Well he shakes off the rust and is working on his third solo LP. This EP is just a taste of Melancon’s magic — and its only 2 bucks. “Super Rocket X-1” boast a wicked guitar opening riff that repeats in the chorus that seems influenced by the following artists he covers here. A faithful cover of Pink Floyd’s “Time” and Radiohead’s “Airbag” follow. Also impressive is the Bowie cover “Rock n’ Roll Suicide,” sure I’d prefer more originals here, but now that I’ve heard some I’m on the look out for more. Stay tuned.