Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Kurt Baker and The Nines

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Kurt Baker

Kurt Baker “Play It Cool”

Proving to be one of the most productive artists today Kurt Baker is like the Energizer bunny (going and going) quickly moving from his collaboration with The Connection on The New Trocaderos, and he’s back with his favorite producer Wyatt Funderburk on a new high energy album.

It all starts with “Sends Me To Mars” setting a manic pace; its written by Kip Brown (The Wild Hearts) and it fits the Kurt/Connection/Trocaderos style like a glove. “Enough’s Enough” is more straight Kurt Baker style, catchy as hell and deserves multiple repeat listens. The tempo is still speeding when we get to “I Got You” and “Just A Little Bit.” Kurt’s restlessness comes through on his party theme “Monday Night.” The NFL may want to buy this one (my tip, Kurt)!

“Can’t Say No” is like a marriage between Elvis Costello and Green Day, and finally we get a slower (mid-tempo) love song on “Talk Is Talk” with a wonderful Beatlesque chord progression. “Back For Good” has what I hear as a Funderburk-influenced love song with yearning lyrics and a magical middle eight. There are a few songs that tread the same ground, but overall this is another home run for Kurt. Makes my top ten list (was there any doubt?) for 2015.

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The Nines “Night Surfer and the Cassette Kids”

The Nines are back with a rougher, tougher sound and the keyboard is no longer up front. Steve Eggers is still at the core of this Toronto band with the help of Bill Majoros (the Foreign Films). “It’s All in the Head” opens with deep garage rock riffs, and siren effects creating a rough car chase theme. “Just Another Party” has echoes of early XTC, Adam Ant, B-52s and the ’80s dance rock movement, and its great fun. Steve’s melodic composition skill comes out on “Never Take You For Granted” with it’s killer hook in the chorus.

The best impression is with the driving riff attack on “Wasted,” my favorite here – and very much a power pop classic. The tone slows a bit on “Sweet Tangerine” but picks up with the infectious “She Knows It’s Free,” again with the guitar riff in charge here. “Cathy” is another gem that is the best XTC song you never heard. Attempts to go darker, like on “Jimmy’s Girl” set a mood with descending riffs or synths, but don’t compare as well to the earlier tracks. Fans of early ’80’s sound will love it and its definitely highly recommended.

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Nick Flora and Miracles of Modern Science

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Nick Flora

Nick Flora “Futureboy” EP

Nick Flora is an unsung talent who has been releasing records for years and I’m shocked he fell under my radar. Vocally he sounds like the love child of Peter Gabriel and Beck singing catchy melodic songs with plenty of bite. Starting with a swaggering glam riff and beat Nick makes “The Business of Breaking Hearts” an unrepentant lothario’s theme music.

Next is “It’s All Coming Together,” a slow build to a harmonious chorus that sticks to your brain. “Take it From The Top” has a rock shuffle and guitar sounds mixed with sparse balladry in the lyrics. The plaintive ballad of the title track is akin to Elliot Smith’s double tracked vocals across acoustic guitar and the final track “For The Sake of Conversation” is another winner. I will begin to explore Nick’s back catalog of work, and I have a feeling I will really enjoy it.

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Miracles of Modern Science

Miracles of Modern Science “Mean Dreams”

If you are looking for eccentric chamber pop with brainy approach then MOMS may be for you. Formed at Princeton University, this guitar-less quintet stands out with doublebass, mandolin, violin, cello and drums. “Follow Your Heart (Or Something)” approaches the song as part dance track and part anthem for the insecure.

The violins lead “Don’t Feed The Party Animal” is like orchestral B-52s and the finger-plucking “Mothers in Jeans” builds to  a compelling chorus. This pop occupies the same space as Field Music, and fans of that band will enjoy this as well. While the stories are compelling, it strays from the melodic midway through, it remains interesting to listen to. If you’re in an experimental mood – this could float your boat.

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The Ravines and Sports Fan

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The Ravines

The Ravines “Everything’s Fine”

The Ravines is the brainchild of songwriter, producer and front man Chris Corney (The Contrast, The Quireboys) and drummer James Crossley (The Contrast). They burst on the scene years ago with “Manifesto of a Broken Heart,” and Chris returns with a new album, assisted by Andy Hawkins (bass guitar) and backing vocalist Susanna Benn.

Starting off with the title track it brings to mind Crowded House and The Gin Blossoms. It’s got a great hook that sticks in your head and a chorus that deserves repeat listens. It settles in a mid-tempo dense wall of jangle on “Blue Eyes” and Tambareen” with Corney’s multi-tracked vocal really strong here. Both “Dead Letters” and “Working Class Girl” have a hint of Tom Petty and its gorgeous layered harmonies blend with the guitar lead seamlessly. Not everything sticks in your brain, but most songs here do. Highly Recommended.

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Sports Fan

Sports Fan “Minor Hits In Major Keys”

Sports Fan is the combo of Dion Read (Piano, Lead Vocals,) Ben Webster (Bass, Harmonies) and Vincent Kemp (Drums, Harmonies) whose brainy piano pop are patterned after Ben Folds Five. “This Is Goodbye” could’ve fallen off of Folds’ first album; it uses some baseball metaphors and has plenty of energy. “Wake Up” jumps around in its composition, with Dion pounding his keys to the rhythm. The love song “Shallow Water” has sweeping chords and “Little White Lies” sharp storytelling that bring to mind the work of Chris Merritt.

Occasionally overly melodramatic, but never boring – a good example being the erratic meter and chords on “It’s Not a Science” and Kemp’s beat keeps pace with each shift. Lots of interesting songs to dig through, and worth exploring. I look forward to hearing more in the future.

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The Turnback and Key Frames

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The Turnback

The Turnback “Are We There Yet?”

After the strong Beatlesque debut, the Turnback move more toward a heavier sound on this sophomore effort, “Are We There Yet?” Opening with the hard charging riffs of “Faketown” its a cynical rant about the music industry, and bands will have to “cut through the bullshit with a sharper knife.” Even with a harder edge, The Turnback still sings those exceptional 3 part harmonies throughout the album. The standout single “Five Days A Week” has a soaring chorus that will make you a fan after the first listen. And the band still dabbles in 60’s psychedelics with “Revolution Girl,” but often I hear musical cues of late 70’s album era (i.e. Boston) in “A Long Way Home.”

“Unmotivated” slows thing down to a power ballad tempo, as Kenny Sherman leads the vocal to a brilliant layered melody with its descending chords asking us “is the song outdated?” The bright “A Place For Me,” is a proud theme for anyone who’s ever felt out of the mainstream. Uptempo tunes rule here as “July” and “First Song of Summer” follow a theme, and the unconventional “If I Were God” is a response to biblical misinterpretations with a deity telling us to “stop spreading these stories about me.” Each track is solid, including a cover of The Beatles “Tomorrow Never Knows” and overall exceeds expectations from the first album. Makes my top ten of 2015 list for sure, so pre-order it now!

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The Key Frames

The Key Frames “Monophone Heart” EP

Toronto’s Key Frames are a driving roots-rock outfit with a strong melodic sensibility, starting with the soaring harmonies and banjo of “Won’t Miss It.” The song has the clear influence of Big Star here. Next the fuzz guitar combines with the banjo for “Tidal Wave,” another ear-worm full of big beats and riffs. “Road To You” takes a trip through the back country, the swagger of Johnny Cash is front and center.

But the power pop gold is found in “True Believer” with its two-minutes of sweet melody and “la la la” backing chorus. Each song is a high quality production and makes this a highly recommended EP without any filler. I look forward to the full length album in the near future.

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Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab and Gregory Pepper

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Miracles of Modern Science

Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab “Coconut Summer Drop-In 432”

The Coconut Summer Drop-In 432 is brilliant parody-homage of The Beach Boys Party!, Smiley Smile, and Surf’s Up albums with ukuleles, bongos, casiotone keyboards, and gorgeous harmonies. Studio chatter and party atmosphere on the opener “Ready Steady Beach!” ring with authenticity.

Next the brilliant “Too Hot To Sleep” is a slow stoner theme with Spanish verses, and lovely Smiley weirdness. More gems include “She’s Crazy” and “Andiamo” which are catchy and fun. “High Inside (The Lost Frontier)” channels the song “Surf’s Up” perfectly. The album is peppered with atmospheric filler, but for Beach Boys fan this is a special treat. Highly Recommended.

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Gregory Pepper & His Problems

Gregory Pepper & His Problems “CHORUS! CHORUS! CHORUS!”

I love the honest emotion of this new Gregory Pepper LP. Like a mix of Ben Folds and Weezer, each song is a tightly constructed arrangement with a catchy melody. “Crush On You” is fuzz guitar anthem to teen hormones and the hilarious un-PC bitterness of “Smart Phones For Stupid People” and “I Wonder Whose Dick You Had To Suck” make it stand out (and tons of cursing helps).

The irony of “Chorus! Chorus! Chorus!” is that each song only has a single chorus and the music is so quick (most songs are under a minute and a half) it feels like fleshed-out demos. They Might Be Giants did this on “Fingertips” to comedic effect too, but I’d love to hear a second verse at least. Still — this is a sweet distraction worth getting into.

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