Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Mayflowers and Michael Holmes

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The Mayflowers “Ship Of Theseus”
The Mayflowers are one of my favorite Japanese artists, late last year they launched Ship of Theseus and it arrived here this month. The brainchild of Osamu Satoyama and assisted by Tatsuya Nishimura on drums, the band moves away from the quick three minute pop tunes of Plymouth Rock and spends more time on mid ’70s rock oriented epics. “Detroit Highway” is one such homage, you’ll hear influences from Kiss, Boston, and/or Grand Funk Railroad.

Osamu hasn’t left the psychedelic ’60s behind either, as “Flying Birds” and “That’d Be Nice” resembles the shimmering guitar melodies and swirling Sgt. Pepperisms that fans of XTC and The Wondermints enjoy. His Japanese accent is pretty heavy, so I had a hard time deciphering a lot of the lyrics, but the shimmering guitars in “Love Potion #5” are very much in the mold of Teenage Fanclub. Overall a terrific sounding album with an equal mix of rock boldness and pop flourish.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

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Michael Holmes “In A Lucid Moment”
Hudson Valley, NY singer songwriter gives us a fine example of Adult Contemporary pop. Holmes developed this album as a tribute to his parents, in particular for his father who cared for his mother as she suffered through Alzheimer’s Disease. Despite the difficulties, his dad’s love revealed some special moments, as heard on “Better To Have Known You” and “You And I.” Holmes does a fine job with the instrumentation and he keeps each melody heartfelt, another highlight is the slick opening track “Magic Power.”

The tender guitar song “Boys and Girls” is reminiscent of Jimmy Buffett and “Turned On By Your Body” is a charming and funny novelty song. The album settles into a series of light ballads, some sure to stick with you. Holmes gives you a bit of his heart, so the least you should do is give him a listen.

CD Baby | Amazon | Michaelholmesmusicnow

Bart Davenport and Marshall Holland

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Bart Davenport “Physical World”
Bart Davenport is one of those musicians that can take past influences and funnel it into brilliant original music. The opening track “Wearing the Changes” is part McCartney and part ’60s Motown. And he doesn’t stick in one era of the musical timeline, “F*ck Fame” is like the lost 80’s classic Spandau Ballet never released – this is damn catchy and will stay on my playlist a while.

Davenport’s vocal is of the silky smooth crooner variety, “Dust in The Circuits” is full of cool and soul in the way Morrisey used to be (before he became a bitter old fart). One of the best songs here is “Pamela,” an earworm with a boss nova beat, and “Every Little Step” is wonderful mix of Stevie Wonder and Glenn Tilbrook. A few tunes get a bit sleepy (“Girl Gotta Way”) but the great songs outnumber the so-so ones. Highly Recommended!

Amazon


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Marshall Holland “And The Etceteras”
Hailing from Salinas, California, musician Marshall Holland has an easy going casual style with a vintage pop touch – think The Zombies, Crowded House or The Cyrkle.  “Take Me” is a note perfect single with tight pop arrangement, and “At 65” compares well with Phil Angotti. One of the albums best is “Oh Please,” it has a touch of Gene Clark with a sweet Beatles-like chorus. After a few listens it just sticks with you. Holland’s slower moody tunes like “Goodbye September Days” are closer in style to Jeremy Messersmith.

I appreciated the tune “Radio Style,” which comments on sad state of contemporary radio; “blame the on the digital DJs” if you don’t hear what you want. I couldn’t find a real weak track, although the albums second half has a few instrumental fillers. Overall this is a textbook example of quality pop music. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp | Amazon

The American Professionals and Donnie Vie

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The American Professionals “We Make It Our Business”
No, its not an global business conglomerate or a Power Point template. The American Professionals are a a San Francisco power pop band lead by Chuck Lindo who has keep the band alive though several personnel changes over the years. The band still cranks out the thick power chords on par with Cheap Trick, The Knack and The Replacements as demonstrated with the opener “Other People.”

“Dr. Holly” is a quick high energy gem about a therapy session with an awesome guitar break mid way through. Bassist Cheryl Hendrickson takes the vocal lead on “Meltdown” and “The Mist” with mixed results. Her sweet voice contrasts with the heaviness of the guitars, which is a bit jarring. It works a little better when she moves from soft to loud on “Healing.” Lindo sure knows catchy rhythms, he’s joined by Hendrickson in a duet on the Gillian Welch cover “The Way It Goes.” “Champion” is a football pep talk with an anthem-like chorus and “Happening To You” is another inspiring melodic song. Highly Recommended.

Itunes | Amazon

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Donnie Vie “Goodbye Enough Z’nuff”
After over 20 years with legendary power pop band Enuff Z’nuff, it looks like lead singer Donnie Vie is finally saying farewell. The band is moving on with Johnny Monaco as lead singer, and Vie has released this solo record with the help of Baz Francis (Magic Eight Ball). It’s mostly done in the “unplugged” style with Vie going through a selection of hits, some live and others in studio. In this case the sadder tunes like “For Now,” “Holly Wood Ya” and “Someday” seems more poignant than the originals, and other tracks lose the power that made them memorable (“These Daze.”) The live tracks do have a few flaws in instrumentation, but Donnie’s voice is clear and expressive.

Donnie Vie and Chip Z’nuff have done acoustic shows in the past, and this is a worthy companion album for fans. I feel the band will never get the recognition it deserves only because it falls in-between the cracks of two fan bases. Too melodic for heavy-glam metal fans, and too much shredding for the Beatlesque power pop fans, but it’s a cult band that you should appreciate as the songwriting is some of the very best out there.

Amazon

 

FEATURED IN THE “HELP A MUSICIAN SECTION”

‘The Slingsby Hornets’ Ltd Ed (250) 7″ Vinyl Single
The Hornets are putting out an exclusive 7 inch picture sleeve single, featuring exclusive cover versions of The Beatles ‘All You Need Is Love’ and ‘Hey Bulldog’ performed in the Slingsby Hornets style (Yea! Brian May styled guitars!). It will come lovingly wrapped in a psychedelic 60′s inspired full colour sleeve.

Orgone Box “Centaur”

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Normally I don’t review re-issues, but in this case its a rare classic that didn’t get promoted properly to the power pop community. Quoted by critics as “…power pop perfection from the legendary Rick Corcoran that sneaked out in the ’90s. The missing link between Teenage Fanclub and The Beatles!” Cocoroan felt that the original album was badly mastered, and Sugarbush Records decided it was time that the world had another chance to digest this exquisite psychedelic pop treat.

This gave Corcoran the opportunity to tweak, remix and re-record some vocals. What we have now is a definitive version. The slowly building “Anaesthesia” is a sweeping psychedelic pop anthem with new wave elements embedded within. Corcoran does the perfect power pop single with “Ticket With No Return” containing a hummable earworm in the chorus. Tough to pick a few highlights, as every track rocks. Unlike the original releases DIY approach, these new mixes sound both startlingly contemporary and far more authentically vintage sixties at the same time. For fans of Cotton Mather, Anton Barbeau and Beaulieu Porch this is an essential “must-have” album.

Bandcamp | SugarBush Vinyl | Amazon

The Maureens and New Electric Ride

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The Maureens “The Maureens”
If you love melodic ’60’s pop then catch this debut of The Maureens from Utrecht, Holland. The charming instrumental “Zuma Beach” opens things up, and the harmonies of “Brother” are just fantastic. Fans of The Hollies and Beach Boys should take notice, the subtle harp accompanies the guitar jangle on “Early June.” The hand-clapping, harpsichord and “la-la” chorus of “Captain’s Holiday” will remind plenty of listeners of The Cowsills. The simple vocals and guitar of “There Goes My Love” is an intimate campfire ballad that dazzles as well.

Each song chimes along with only short bits of filler (“Radio”). More highlights include “Freeway,” “Desert Song” and “Mary-Ann.” Overall this is an excellent example of using the vintage rock influences to make great new music. The Maureens are even offering you a free track here. Don’t miss the best debut this year!

Exclusively at Kool Kat Musik | Amazon UK


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New Electric Ride “Ballon Age”
After starting life out as a pub-rock band from Northeast England the New Electric Ride decided to go into the time machine. They set the dials to “1968” and have been staying at Sgt. Pepper’s house ever since. After a classical instrumental intro, we are sucked into the psychedelic pop jam of “Here Comers The Bloom,” with a groovy bass lead that recalls Olivia Tremor Control. The wicked guitar lead on “Marquis De Sade” is another highlight, similar to King Crimson or Iron Butterfly.

“Bye Bye (Batin Rogue)” and “Bring What You Expect To Get” are very much in the style of The Move with some impressive vocal harmonies and densely layered instrumentation. And you’ll have a fun time playing “spot the psychedelic influence,” for example “In Chains” follows the muse of Spencer Davis Group. Fans of XTC alter-ego Dukes of The Stratosphere will also want to tune into this full immersion of 60’s psychedelic pop. Even Austin Powers would say “Yeah, baby! Yeah!”

Amazon