Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

The Black Watch and Splitsville

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The Black Watch “For All the World”

John Andrew Fredrick is a real treasure. The man’s prolific catalog is in a small way comparable with Bob Pollard (Guided By Voices) in that he has a vision and sticks with it. The Black Watch’s 25th album is a glorious bit of ambitious moody pop that should be embraced. Longtime collaborators Andy Creighton and Misha Bullock add their dense orchestration of strings, keyboards, Mellotron, guitar and bass.

It establishes the neo-psychedelic tone with the droning guitars of “Mal de Mar.” From sparkling jangle to thick, shoegaze-influenced textures, the record goes through different phases. “Surely You Rally” and “Lord Marchpane” are fuzzed-up power-pop with a hint of melodic sweetness, while “Much More” delves into darker, more psychedelic garage rock territory. My highlights include “Mapcap Girl,” “Bright Blue Sun, Gold Sky” and “If Only.” At more than an hour, the album may appear daunting, but if you skip around through these 21 tracks, you are likely to find some favorites here. Highly Recommended.

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Splitsville “Mobtown”

Power pop Hall of Famers Splitsville are back after a 20 year hiatus, and they set their sites on an ambitious concept album about their hometown of Baltimore, MD. Brothers Brandt and Matt Huseman (Greenberry Woods) and crew weave in the city’s landmarks, history, and their personal narratives into the overall story. “Cold Open” is an uncharacteristic synth opening but the aggressive guitars take over song right away as they intone “Let’s Start a Riot!” It shows the band is just as sharp as ever, and “A Glorious Lie” is the first big highlight here, full of fantastic harmonies and a killer hook.

“Federal Hill” is an orchestrated rocker loaded with layered instrumentation about the local neighborhood. Another highlight “I Hate Going to Hutzler’s” is a bouncy commentary on consumerism, it sounds like prime-era Splitsville and carries you along with wicked guitar solo. There is no filler here, but it may take more than one spin to appreciate the artistry. For example “Fallsways” is piano led gem that stylistically is a change of pace from the more familiar sounding “Beth Steel.” Overall, it’s an ambitious, painstakingly put-together concept album that pays homage to Splitsville’s past while moving on with more mature songwriting. Not as immediate as past albums, but that’s okay. Let this one grow on you. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Big Stir Records

July singles: Bill Lloyd, Sloan, Trolley, Original+, Jonathan Rundman, Mary Strand

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July is hot and rainy, but the music keeps on coming. First a really cool AI video from my buddy Bill Lloyd on “Miles Behind” with the moody jazz sax, and lounge percussion, it’s a smooth instrumental, very different from the usual country or power pop. But hey, we are a power pop blog, so let’s not forget it. Sloan returns with something cinematic as well, “Live Forever” is a typical gem with a great chorus from the upcoming album. Another dramatic preview is Trolley and “A Carnival of Grey and White” that boasts a great song with a cool synth and bass rhythm. The guitars punctate each verse here and it sails. New Jersey band Original+ has an energetic EP just check out “Can’t Hang” and “Fraidy Cat.” Jonathan Rundman’s new single is kinda like vintage Mojo Nixon, about getting fireworks. Finally, Mary Strand gets to the point of it all with “Does any of it really matter?” Sometimes I ask myself the same thing. Enjoy.

Iain Hornal and The Grip Weeds

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Iain Hornal “Return to the Magic Kingdom”

Iain Hornal has likely the best pedigree I’ve seen for an artist, as he’s a long-standing touring member of both 10cc and Jeff Lynne’s ELO, including touring with prog legend Yes. On his third album he swings for the fences, and it does not disappoint. There are some stylistic parallels between these songs and those of ELO and 10cc; however, it is important to highlight that they are original songs that have been meticulously crafted by Hornal.

Starting with “Little Bit More” is a blast of guitars and chugging piano with classical ascending chords and overlapping harmonies. The glam rhythms of “Positive People” are next. Loaded with those “la la la” vocal touches and handclaps, it’s like a wicked monologue from a charismatic cult leader. The catchy “Already Dead” is a perfect diagnosis for modern anxiety disorder, but the crown jewel of this album is “Love Your Enemies.” It starts out a little like an Andrew Gold piano gem, but grows into something so much more, with its layered earworm of a chorus and a solid biblical message to stop “pointing fingers at those twisted fools on the news.”  Additional highlights include “If It Were You”, a co-write with 10cc’s Graham Gouldman (who also features on the track) and the very ELO-like break up song “Over and Out.” Overall one of the catchiest albums I’ve heard this year. It makes my top ten list for sure. Super Highly Recommended.

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The Grip Weeds “Soul Bender”

At this point The Grip Weeds are not contented to stand still. On ’Soul Bender’ they create a kaleidoscope of sound by combining garage rock, paisley pop, and baroque psychedelia. The title track marches out like a combination of late ’60s The Moody Blues and The Who. It sets the mood nicely, and next we have “Flowers for Cynthia” and “Spinning The Wheel.” These fuzz-laden psychedelic power pop tracks juggle garage rock tenacity with Byrdsian jangle in a strong, powerful hook. The Rickenbackers are up front, and the distortion pedals are less of an issue. Kurt Reil makes sure the vocals don’t get lost either, and it makes great listening.

“Conquer and Divide” and “Wake Up Time” seem direct descendant of Moby Grape, and the band still has that Beatlesque blend with The Byrds to dazzle with “Column of Air” and the Kristen vocal led “If You Were Here.” Another pop confection is “Someone in Love,” which reminds me of The Aerovons. Overall, no filler or a trace of indulgent psychedelic bombast get in the way of each melody. A great band continues to impress with a great album. Highly Recommended.

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Chris Stamey and Willie Nile

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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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