Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

The Squires of The Subterrain and Toxic Melons

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The Squires of The Subterrain “The Squires of The Subterrain”
Christopher Earl is back to his Beatles-Merseybeat fetish on this new self-titled album. Similar to DIY pop of Guided By Voices and Chris Breetveld, Earl starts us off with “The Windows” a trippy track with a really cool chorus of echoing harmonies. The “Penny Lane” styled horns lead “History” with its melodic catchiness and single note piano rhythm, then “This Charming Place” adds cellos and rich Kinks-like lyrics about a local bar. The songs early on are wonderfully layered and XTC fans will savor the first 3 songs. Earl runs into complete parody with “Private Gherkin’s Psychedelic Silly Mustache Band” along the lines of They Might Be Giants.

Clearly no filler here, from the catchy “Attitude and Altitude” to the Lennon inspired “Jet-Black Sunrise.” Then,”Dr. Van Der Jagt” goes into full “Dear Prudence” mode with Earl’s nasal vocal fitting perfectly. Unlike earlier Beatles-centric offerings this one really concentrates on the Fabs late 60’s psychedelic style. Highly Recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon

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Toxic Melons “Bus Therapy”
I heard an advance demo of “Take Me Back” from Bus Therapy and was blown away by the crisp harmonies, rich-pastoral melody and knew it was something very special. For this new LP Pablo Melons has recruited some top notch talent to help; Eric Dover, Chadwick Salls, Taylor Locke, Chris Price, Linus of Hollywood, and Fernando Perdomo. And several tracks are just outstanding.

But Melons inconsistency is just maddening, “More or Less” is a defiant piano-organ rant that sets the stage and its a decent start. Unfortunately, next comes the sleep-inducing 4 minute instrumental “Journey” and then the low vocal “Let Me Sleep” that didn’t quite wake me up. Thankfully the Jellyfish-styled “Change The World” is next and its one of the highlights. But then comes “Disco Balls, ” a Zappa-influenced synth-guitar mess. For each good song (“Take Me Back”) we get a rotten one  (“Getting Old”). My advice is to cherry-pick this effort for maximum enjoyment.

Bandcamp only

Pete Molinari and Crystal City

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Pete Molinari “Theosophy”
I’ve not heard Pete Molinari before, but this new LP is a great introduction. Pete’s influences are vast; ranging from Bob Dylan and The Beatles to John Coltrane. The opening track “Hang My Head In Shame” is a flawless mix of rock and blues that compares well with early Oasis and the rolling strum on “I Got Mine” recalls classic Beau Brummels crossed with Dylan and its totally infectious. “I Got It all Indeed” is another richly layered pop gem with 60-era percussive accents and Molinari’s crisp vocal is similar to Phil Everly or Ricky Nelson.

The slower ballads like “When Two Worlds Collide” and “Dear Marie” are also well done, as Pete’s folk and blues-training bleeds through each chorus. Fans of Rick Nelson will gravitate to the highlight “What I Am I Am” with its bass accents and sweet harmonies, as the spiritual chorus sings “Find my way back to you, Lord.” Cooler than cool blues finds its way on “So Long Gone” with a slow heavy tempo and wicked guitar solo. Highly Recommended to fans who enjoy a blend of folk, blues, pop, and country flavors.

Amazon

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Crystal City “Change”
Crystal City is the fruitful collaboration between Iowa musicians Dave Helmer and Sam Drella. The bands sound is best described as a mash-up of The Replacements, Wilco and Lana Del Rey. The opener “The Best Way” is the most energetic, fast paced rock tune. The lyrics are well written and the albums theme is about the ins and outs of a love affair. “Dynamite” is a brilliant turn for vocalist Drella, as she melts through this torch-rocker singing “I’m not trying to be so wicked/I’m just trying to fall in love.”

“Change” is another gem, with a 90’s styled garage riffs and laid back attitude. Helmers midwestern lovelorn approach is influenced by Paul Westerberg and Tom Petty mostly, as “Give Me A Kiss” and “Where The Treasure Is” rely on a simple strum to get us started. Thankfully, “Change” has variety as “Pink Bayonet” introduces horn accents and a hook in the chorus, and “Little Italy” is a great example of loud/soft dynamics in a catchy rock song. Only a few missteps here, like the slow “Tangled Down” but it doesn’t take away from the effective narrative built up by this charming duo.

CD Baby | Amazon

Updates from Hot Nun, The Nines and Radio Ready

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While Jeff Shelton is working on new tracks for a new Well Wishers full length album, his harder edged side project Hot Nun with Braden McGraw  and Pete Bohan (Headslide),  released a lone single this week. The new Well Wishers LP is due out in September, you can always go get the Dunwoody EP in the meantime.

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Also Steve Eggers of The Nines is hard at work on live album. Due out end of the month. Here is a bonus track from Nine Lives, a little cover tune written by an ex-Beatle…

 

Last summer we reviewed a compilation of rare power pop from Texas called Radio Ready, Vol.1, and this year another equally impressive collection has been released. This time Vol.2 goes north to Wisconsin and finds hidden gems that beg for re-discovery. Included in this are The Wigs – a classic power pop band that needs to be heard.

Galileo 7 and Grahame Steinberg

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The Galileo 7 “False Memory Lane”
The Galileo 7’s new album False Memory Lane is loaded with acid-tinged pop goodies across its 11 tracks. Lead by bassist-singer-songwriter Allan Crockford, he proudly displays his love of late sixties pop influences. The opener “Don’t Follow Me” demonstrates this with vintage Farfisa organ and fuzz guitar across a snappy melody. The slow building “My Cover is Blown” reminded me a bit of Schnauser’s psychedelic power pop. Each tune makes its mark, including “You’re Not Dreaming” with its catchy rhythms and “Nobody Told You” with its swinging “ba-ba-ba-da-ba” chorus.

The excellent “I’m Still Here” dials down the fuzz, with its Byrds meets Hollies chorus sure to stick in your head. “Don’t Want To Know” is another gem that soars with some excellent vocal/guitar interplay. Fans of The Creation and Dukes of The Stratosphere will dig the riff heavy “Little By Little.” Overall not a wasted note here and a very worthy addition to your retro music collection. Highly Recommended!

Amazon

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Grahame Steinberg “Grahame Steinberg 2”
The supremely talented Lane Steinberg and reclusive pop genius David Grahame delivered an amazing first album with indelible melodies. So what happened? Unlike their first effort, the lead vocals fall on Lane Steinberg, which isn’t a problem but the compositions are maddeningly inconsistent. This sounds like a collection of 23 demos and ideas polished up for release, most of them less than a minute and a half. Some of the songs work, but several fall very flat.

“Do Nothing Day” shambles along with discordant piano and guitar feedback. I guess that’s the song’s concept, but its not enjoyable. Better is Lane’s vocal styling of “Are You Inside,” almost like Stevie Wonder meets R. Stevie Moore. “Flash Flood” finds Lane doing his best Lou Reed, with a great combination of banjo and electric guitar. Highlights include “Evening Swim,” the soulful “Heirs To The Throne,” and “Interceding Hands.” I would have loved these songs to go longer than a single chorus, and eliminate crap like “Eternal Chicken.” There is enough here for me to recommend to fans of the duo, but I’d direct newcomers to the debut or Lane’s other collaboration, 8×8.

Exclusively at Dog Turner Records

Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab and Dropkick

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Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab “Ever Evolving Lounge”
Joe Kane (The Owsley Sunshine, Them Beatles) and Stu Kidd (BMX Bandits, Wellgreen) do a great job capturing the spirit and sound of late sixties bubblegum pop with Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab. Fans of The Monkees, The Ohio Express and The Strawberry Alarm Clock will really love this album. The duo faithfully re-creates the swinging sound, but the music itself is something wholly original, so you won’t be simply playing a game of “spot the influence.”

“A Sting In The Tale” has funky beat and a catchy, suggestive chorus perfect for go-go dancing. “Adopt A Rabbit” has plenty of vocal gymnastics and moog effects that one up Syd Barrett, then “Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?” chugs along like those Turtles hits with silly lyrics and key changes. You can break out the incense for the psychedelic “The Secret Of The Tibetan Grapefruit Is…?” And the fascinating “Trading Time” plays out like a lost High Llamas track. Overall, not a filler track to be found. Highly Recommended to all those with a healthy love of nostalgia and sunny melodies.

Amazon | Bandcamp


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Dropkick “Homeward”
Scotland’s Dropkick delivers their most polished effort to date with it’s strong compositions and heavenly harmonies, it will please fans of The Jayhawks, Wilco, and The Pernice Brothers. “Come Home” starts with simple strums and some steel pedal and sweet West Coast styled harmonies. “When It Starts” has a jarring discordant chord that gives way to brothers Andrew and Alastair Taylor’s sorrowful balladry.Then “Halfway Round Again” bounces in, with its hypnotic, rhythmic riff. The best tune here is the superb “Jump Start” with its soulful organ melody and rich layered sounds.

The remaining tracks on the second half are almost as memorable, the quality musicianship keeps your attention with “Style” the poppiest track on the album and the catchy percussive rhythm of “Wishing” brings a glimmer of optimism to a fairly melancholy album. The band puts its heart on its sleeve here, as one of those great sad albums you listen to in a darkened room.

Amazon | Bandcamp