Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Zach Jones and The Unswept

powerpopaholic

Zach Jones “Love What You Love”

Portland native Zach Jones is an extremely versatile musician with an encyclopedic knowledge of late British Invasion and Motown artists. His fifth album is loaded with catchy harmonies and hooks, the opener “Everything’s Fine” is a sweet amalgam of soul and pop strongly reminiscent of Todd Rundgren’s Something/Anything period. “Hate What You Hate” is a poetic mantra played on a dance hall piano, with a very Kinks-like sing-along chorus. “Away From You” is another strong melody rooted in ’70s classic soul. Jones high tenor stands alone on the sparse “Song in The Sunshine” and “Nothing’s Changed” reminding me of David Gates(Bread) in spots.

The rock guitar riffs lead “Lucky One” and “Some Other Day,” both are very Big Star-like compositions, so there is plenty of variety throughout the album to keep you interested and listening to the end. No filler to be found here, but the albums first half boasts the strongest songs. Zach has the support of a cast of orchestral players and percussionists that also give the album a rich, full sound. I hope we hear more music from him like this. Highly Recommended. Bonus: Check out Zach doing an excellent cover of Brian Wilson’s “Love and Mercy” Here.

Amazon


“Unswept

The Unswept “The Unswept Today!”

Chicago band The Unswept continues its heart felt love affair with classic pop sounds on its sophomore LP. Charlie and Ryan O’Brien are British transplants who brilliantly recreate those retro arrangements and harmonies. “Super Sad” is a jangle-tastic single here, the catchy hand-clapping gem “Peace of Mind” is next and the ballad “Please, Please Look My Way” is all about stalking a pretty dept. store associate. Fans of Byrdsian Rickenbacker guitar will enjoy most of the short songs here, and a special tribute to a favorite band “Surf Song (I Wish I Was a Beach Boy),” is here just in time for summer.

Amazon | CD Baby

Cameron Lew and Andrew Gold

powerpopaholic

Cameron Lew “Welp.”

Cameron Lew is the bassist from The Yorktown Lads. He puts forth his first DIY solo effort Welp as singer-songwriter and producer. It starts out strong with the breezy “Adieu,” followed by the power pop gem “White Wall,” chock full of thick chords and multi-tracked verses like early Posies. “Season Four” has very catchy chorus about binge watching TV, then the simple ballad “Change” changes the tone from happy to melancholy.

Next, the fast-paced “Picture Show” recalls The Orange Peels sunny but anxious attitude, then the quirky “Goodnight” boasts some inventive mixing and lyrics about the awkwardness of a breakup. Overall, a playful indie pop snack with some fun songs worth your attention. Give it a try.

CD Baby | Amazon


Andew Gold

Andrew Gold “The Late Show – Live 1978 Live”

When I tell you Omnivore Records has pulled out Gold from the vaults, I ain’t kidding here. Andrew Gold was an amazing performer and songwriter. The Last Show was recorded in the Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood at end of his 1978 tour, with his big hit “Lonely Boy” in the music charts top ten. This concert recording is Gold’s first official posthumous release.

The sound quality is excellent for an archival performance and showcases Gold’s biggest hits, as well as classic album tracks. Tracks like “Thank You for Being A Friend,” “Oh Urania (Take Me Away)” and “How Can This Be Love.” His Beatles influence shines on a version of their “Doctor Robert” and he ends the concert with a cover of “Roll Over Beethoven.” A great time for Gold fans and anyone who loves classic rock and pop.

Amazon

Caddy “The Better End”

powerpopaholic
Caddy

Caddy “The Better End”
It’s been a long time since the last Caddy album, but Swedish one-man-band Tomas Dahl makes the wait worth it. On his third Caddy album Tomas moves away from the aggressive sound to something gentle and sun soaked. The first song “Here it Comes Again” states the intentions “searching for perfect harmonies,” and the denser “Something About Carina” is very much like Teenage Fanclub or Rick Gallego’s Cloud Eleven.

You’ll also hear influence of Tom Petty on “Into The Sun” with its steady bass drumbeat and jangling rhythm. The dreamy California summer is the main theme of the Beach Boys influenced “Fangblenny” and “The Better End” with its sleigh bells and echoing harmonies. The songs get better as we move forward, highlights include: “Bring It Back, “Chasing Clouds,” and the multi-layered harmonies in the chorus of “Saint Cyr-Sur-Mer.” While there really isn’t any filler on this album, the songs tend to sound more homogeneous toward album’s last half. But, overall this is a perfect album for those long summer nights. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik | vinyl on Sugarbush Records

The Honest Mistakes and Susan James

powerpopaholic

The Honest Mistakes “Get It Right”

Baltimore band continues to push out great music, lead by Joylene Dalia and guitarist Chris Ehrich.  The strong chords and catchy beat dominate the opener “This Is Where I Gave Up” and Joylene hits it out of the park with an emotional chorus. Her vocal inflections on “Get It Right” are distinctive, alternating soft and powerful here. “Don’t Leave Me Alone Too Long” is a lyrical treat about dealing with relationship problems before they get worse.

The songs settle into a comfortable groove with long jangling guitar rhythms on “Sun Tea” and “Free,” but they pick up the tempo on “We Used To Be Friends” and then “It’s Hard,” with it’s simple message “it’s hard to know what we do this for…” Another terrific song is “Anybody’s Girl.” While the harmonies are kept to a minimum, and the arrangements are pretty simple throughout, its anchored by Joylene’s powerful voice. Definitely worth repeat listens. If you would like to see The Honest Mistakes LIVE, they will be playing Power Popaholic Fest this September!

Amazon

Susan James “Sea Glass”

Susan James musical influences are from a variety of strong singer-songwriters from Joni Mitchell to Tori Amos. Her delicate ethereal vocal and angelic harmony is what stands out in “Posiedon’s Daughter,” a folk pop tune about a mermaid’s plight, as this message is all about saving our seas from pollution (“Is there nothing you can do for her?”).

“Awful Lot” is another bittersweet story, but the magic really starts with “Hey Julianne” using a Brian Wilson styled composition, full of beautiful orchestration courtesy of Sean O’Hagan (High Llamas). The Spanish “Ay Manzanita” is another highlight about female empowerment, and “Tell Me Cosmo” is a wonderful psychedelic tribute to the hippie era with its shimmering chords and echoing chorus. Overall a highly recommended folk pop album that impresses with each listen.

Bandcamp | Amazon | Itunes

Singles: The Jangle Band, Hidden Pictures and Angelo Celli

powerpopaholic

Some of my favorite free music downloads!

The Jangle Band – a new project by Joe Algeri, songwriter and producer from Perth, Western Australia. He is also a member of Jack & the Beanstalk, The Britannicas  and one listen explains the band name here. Joe teamed up with Jeff Baker and Ian Freeman at the 2015 In The Pines Music Festival to create the band. Heavily reminiscent of the member’s key B-band influences – Byrds, Beatles and Badfinger – the single is a chime and harmony festival typical of the group’s sound. A perfect start to your week its a FREE download, we can’t wait for a full album guys!

Hidden Pictures – one of our favorite bands from Oakland, CA have quietly released several great albums for a name your price download. 2012’s Rainbow Records made our top 10 list that year. These guys are just amazing, with clean crisp melodies — so just get this!

Angelo Celli – the lead singer from last years acclaimed band Bracket. Here it’s just a simple ukelele, I love the approach and writing here. If you liked his bands last album, then download the follow up single, “A Choke of Grief (Heart Hardened)” as it sounds like a bonus track from Hold Your Applause.