Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

The Britannicas and Pujol

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The Britannicas “High Tea”
The power pop trio, comprised of  Herb Eimerman (USA),  Magnus Karlsson (Sweden), and Joe Algeri (Australia) are back! “Got A Hold On Me” starts our jangley Byrds-Beatles power pop goodness, written by Eimerman. Karlsson’s “Talkin’ ’bout Summer” is reminiscent of Chris Stamey till it gets to the harmony-filled chorus and Algeri’s hard guitar fuzz dresses up “The Moment Passed.” The psychedelic “Bleed Between The Lines” has a trippy retro Rickenbacker rhythm line. Unlike the debut, the tracks don’t feel forced into any Merseybeat template, and it feels like more of a group effort doing what they like and sounding natural at it.

Ironically none of the band members are British, although late ’60s rock is clearly the guiding influence. “A Shag and A Cup O’ Tea” could’ve been a real funny novelty song, but instead is a whimsical come-on. Each band member brings unique qualities for their respective songs, they work well on Kinks inspired “I Work At The Post Office” and Mod flavored gem “More Like Than Different.” The echoing production of “Will Someone Cover Your Fall” chugs along, then add to this an excellent cover of Del Shannon’s “I Got You,” and there are plenty of gems here to place this in the highly recommended category. Get it now!

CD Baby | Amazon


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Pujol “Kludge”
Tennessee punk rocker Daniel Pujol lays down a stylistic DIY styled punk pop album with frantic beats, distorted guitar chords and sound effects. The slow building “Judas Booth” leads to a the fuzzy glam chorus “The world don’t know my feelings” as it makes a confident melodic noise.

Next “Manufactured Crisis Control” is a classic punk ballad, but the big standout is “Pitch Black” a collection of crunchy chords and melody set to a toe tapping beat. “Circles” is another catchy song that’s slightly more pop (reminded me of Pretty & Nice). You’ll hear influences ranging from Slade, AC/DC, Cheap Trick and Redd Kross. The quirky, detailed production can be distracting but beneath the punk pastiche are some damn fine tunes. One of the most creative indie/rock/punk albums this year and worth exploring. Get a FREE sampler from Noisetrade.

Noisetrade Sampler (FREE) | Amazon

[youtube]http://youtu.be/wBSkhlRRFfc[/youtube]

The Paul and John “Inner Sunset”

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No, its not any Beatles or biblical Apostles, but Paul Myers (The Gravelberrys) and John Moremen (The Orange Peels). Written over the past three years in San Francisco, then recorded at Allen Clapp’s Studio in Sunnyvale, CA. The Paul & John’s new LP is anchored by the excellent single “Everything Comes Together” with its SoCal hook and catchy sing-along melody. “Long Way Back” is a bit rougher rock, like Springsteen meets The Smithereens. The harmonies work well there, but they really shine on the slow tempo ballad “How ‘Bout That.” The title track is another winner, full of optimistic lyrics and layered guitars, its Brit-pop melody pleads “don’t let the darkness drag you down.”

Myers lyrical prowess is solid with the jangle-filled “Brickland,” a wonderful picturesque song and Moreman does a brilliant job on the multi-chorded “Can’t Be Too Careful.” Nothing here misses the mark, and its all conceived an a very deliberate way, with the album being bookended by two short ballads, the Paul Simon-ish “Inner Sunrise” and “Inner Sundown.” Highly Recommended and added to my top ten list for 2014.

Bandcamp | Amazon

Live Concert Albums: Lannie Flowers and The Sharp Things

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Lannie Flowers “Live in NYC”
I’ve been a huge advocate for Texas popster Lannie Flowers over the years, and his new live concert album is perfect for fans. It selects songs from the current discography, and in a live setting has that spontaneity and energy that the studio tracks lack, improving each song like “Come On Girl” and “Give Me A Chance” as well as a great cover of Big Star’s “Back Of A Car.” The set was recorded at The Trash Bar in Brooklyn on November 19, and the band is really tight here. This is also the closest thing to a Lannie Flowers “Greatest Hits” LP, so if you’ve never listened before this is an excellent place to start.

CD Baby | Amazon

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The Sharp Things “Live At Galapagos Art Space ”
Perry Serpa’s orchestral pop creation The Sharp Things was crammed onto the small stage at Brooklyn’s Galapagos Art Space last September.  The live environment allows all the players to add even more personality to the sprawling musical epics and detailed arrangements. The great thing about this concert is most of it is posted on You Tube. The performances have a warmth seldom seen and its highly recommended. Check out the excellent “Goodbye To Golders Green” and “An Ocean Part Deux.”

Bandcamp | Amazon

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OK Go and EXPO

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OK Go “Upside Out” EP
Ever since their 2002 self titled debut, OK Go has been one of the most visible power pop bands in the mainstream. After the noise pop experimentation and funk on Of The Blue Colour Of the Sky, it’s great to have the band back to form with this new EP.

Damian Kulash and co. are back to making catchy pop with real punch and “Turn Up The Radio” is a great single with its mid tempo hook. But If you’re looking for the standouts its the hypnotic “The Writing’s On The Wall” and the unstoppable dance beat of “I Won’t Let You Down.” Both tracks recall their breakout LP Oh No and its sure to bring you back on the bandwagon. And it just wouldn’t be OK Go without a viral You Tube video.

Amazon

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m86ae_e_ptU[/youtube]
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EXPO “Hydrogen, Helium & Other Songs”
Baltimore alternative pysche-pop band EXPO is the brainchild of  Christian Lipski & John Lane. EXPO uses vocal rhythms, harmonies and textures similar to The Beach Boys but to create a totally new sound. The wordless “Up We Go” is a perfect example with its soaring melody lines, and “Like We Do” mixes organ and sparse instrumentation to allow the vocals to build up. “Best Part Of The Day” and “Sun Shower” are pure Wilsonesque magic similar to the textures created by The High Llamas or Matt Mahaffey (Self).

Occasionally the songs don’t stick (“Let’s Grow Something”) but the touching melodies of “Old Friends Don’t End” and “Stars In Our Eyes” proves its not only textures but lyrics that make the song work. I feel a bit more polish would really put EXPO on the map (especially the finale “Paper Trumpets”), but this is a fine intro to their work.The band has 2 other albums on Bandcamp worth exploring.

Bandcamp

The Bobbleheads and The Lost Boys

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The Bobbleheads “Make Yourself Happy”
After 2004’s excellent album, I haven’t heard from The San Francisco based trio called Bobbleheads till now. What a great come-out-of-nowhere power pop album. If you took the cheerful vocals of Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies) and married it to hard driving riffs of The Connection, it would sound a lot like “Prove Yourself,” a non-stop riff attack of Rickenbacker melody, and dense production. “Mean Girls” is just as good, and not a second of filler anywhere.

Highlights are numerous, although it is missing a quieter ballad to break things up. I dare you not to play air guitar to “Who’s Gonna Love You” or not sing along to “Turn The Radio On.” Fans of The Smithereens style of power pop will love this and I’m gonna shut up because you just need to hear it. It will stay locked into my daily playlist for a while and without a doubt, gets my nod to be considered for my top ten album list of 2014.

CD Baby | Amazon

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6idBOTVvic[/youtube]
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The Lost Boys “Answers on a Postcard” EP
Another “lost” band that passed me by until now is Southampton, England’s The Lost Boys. Last years EP Answers On A Postcard is the follow up to 2011′s debut Not Arf It’s…The Lost Boys. Lead by Daniel Ash (not the Bauhaus and Love And Rockets guy) its full of compelling melodies and polished production techniques.

Opening with the fast tempo of “I Fall For Everyone” it reminded me of Zumpano with its echoing surf guitar tones and cheery vocals. Another gem here is the “Moving Pictures” with its hook filled chorus, chock full of great key transitions. This style is a winning formula that’s repeated on “From Love To Hate,” and it connects each melodic clip in a way that recalls XTC. The slow ballad “Broken Story” follows Daniel’s echoing lead over a methodical acoustic melody. Overall its a winner, and between the two EPs you have a band deserves to be heard. Highly Recommended.

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