Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

8×8 “Azalea’s Room”

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I have a real affection for Lane Steinberg and Alex Khodchenko’s band 8×8. The debut was one of my top ten last year, so I couldn’t wait to immerse myself in the newest album. And while the immediacy isn’t there, the duo still manages to take you on a fantastic musical journey.

After the subtle opening “Ice Wings,” we get the psychedelic title track full of fuzz guitar and eastern rhythmic beats.  Lane slowly reveals the melody in “Laws Of Attraction” in an orchestral flourish, like a combo of Alan Parsons and Jeff Lynne. Another standout is the narrative “I’m A Werewolf, Baby,” with its simple piano melody and shifting chords. Another fast paced gem is “The Tie In” with soaring harmony and I loved the song “Dr. Winkler’s Hands,” a rich tapestry of harpsichord and layered instrumentation.

It ends with a Dylan cover,”Tears of Rage” and it reminded me of Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” with its organ and gospel approach. What makes this LP great is a deliberate attention to each tone and verse, and it will grow on you quickly. Bravo Lane and Alex, we can’t wait for the next one!

Amazon | CD Baby

Vegas With Randolph “Rings Around The Sun”

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Vegas With Randolph has been a bright spot on the power pop landscape since their debut, now they ramp up the talent on Rings Around The Sun. Getting help from a star-studded group of musicians like David Myhr, Brandon Schott, and Andy Reed to name a few, its likely that this is the best VWR album to date. Starting with “You Set The World On Fire,” John Ratts and Eric Kern burn through its high energy tribute to modern scientists.  Then it pushes the guitars to “11” with “Salt Water Taffy,” a catchy single that reminds me of Myracle Brah with its smooth harmonies.

And the band has lots of fun too, notable is “Cool Things” a hummable garage sale list (“boombox, CD Stand, Cup from 7-11”) sung with an excitement that compares well with Bowling For Soup. The pace moderates a bit with “Empathia,” another great short story set to music, however my favorite track here is “Everybody Wants An Atom Bomb.” It’s an over-the-top melody with a killer riff that drips of chauvinistic patriotism and fireworks. More light fun is on “Snow Day” and the grand finale “Rings Around The Sun” is more than satisfying. The additional single “Drops of Gold” and bonus track “Cool Change” are great, but maybe belong on different LP. You get a packed 15 tracks and all without any filler. Highly recommended.

Amazon | Bandcamp

Free Music Tuesday: Gleeson, Ghost to Go and Hector & The Leaves

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I got a late start to the week, but the goodies are here, and all this music is available as name-your-price, or free download from Bandcamp:

Gleeson is out of Austin, Texas this band has been quietly toiling away for over 3 years on this massive 22 song album. Lead singer Ty Chandler gives us a great multi-faceted approach, “Pro Tool” is similar to Sloan, “Queen of Boulevards” channels ELO strings with a Fountains of Wayne. They prove to be adept at alt. country with “Out Of My Mind,”similar to The Jayhawks.  “Meanwhile Back At Home” shifts around like a Jackdaw4 or Bryan Scary song. They even cover Guided By Voices'”Smothered In Hugs” and Big Star’s “Blue Moon.”

They are all over the map stylistically and prove they can do it all. The bottom line is that each song is melodically sound and demands repeat listening. It makes my top ten list this year, so you have no excuse not to get this and spread the word. You can also get it from CD Baby, if you wish to donate $9.99


Ghost to Go is a Brooklyn based garage pop band, and they approach “Icy” with the same gusto as Jet’s fave “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” Influences include The Rolling Stones and The Replacements.


Hector and The Leaves gives us some great power pop, starting with the catchy “Problems” its the kind of debut that gets noticed. “Goodbye” has those  light harmonies that float above the guitar and piano. Fans of Elliott Smith, The Beach Boys and Paul McCartney will just love this. One of my favorite EPs this year. It will make my top ten too!

John Brodeur and Dana Countryman

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John Brodeur “Little Hopes”
The culmination of several years of work,  Brodeur moves beyond Tiger Pop, to a more mature sound. Brodeur starts with the minimalist hand claps “Be Careful,” but quickly rocks out the confident guitars on “One Man Army.” The next few songs have a modern sound, like Matt Pond meets Arcade Fire, or Liam Finn. Both “Neil Young” and “Oh My” have a touch of roots rhythm and the echoing vocals here are similar to Mark Oliver Everett (Eels), but the album really picks up steam mid way through.

“Favorite Feeling” has a great bass riff and fast paced chorus, then “Old Wounds” is an amazing confessional tune full of great composition. But my favorite song here is “You Kill Me,” a slowly building power pop gem with layered chords and an killer hook in the chorus. Then”Spit It Out” gives us another fantastic guitar gem about “happy endings all around.”  Trust me, you’ll want to play this LP over and over. Don’t miss it.

Amazon

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Dana Countryman “Pop! The Incredible, Fantastic Retro Pop World of Dana Countryman”
Countryman is one of those musical chameleons like Vinnie Zummo,  who can play several different genres with ease. He’s done a ton of commercial TV work including a song that appeared in South Park. This album is a smorgasbord of pop styles, starting with “Every Night” and “Thrill Me” its a glossy mix of The Carpenters combined with The Buckinghams. Crisp harmonies are part of “Tricia’s Song,” a achingly good romantic ballad. “I Still Get Shy” is like a long lost Neil Sedaka tune, and “Peanut Buttery Gumdrop Girl” recalls the bubblegum era pretty accurately.

Countryman also has guest musicians including Dee Long (Klaatu) and Wally Reddington III(The Explorers Club) to name a few. Then he explores some 80’s AOR soul and even manages to throw in a country tune in (“Throw My Heart In The Garbage Can”). So its pretty safe to say fans of retro pop will enjoy this.

Amazon

Schnauser and The Brigadier

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Schnauser “Where Business Meets Fashion”
Welcome to the world of Schnauser – a place where Canterbury prog, 60s psych and melodic pop gently collide. After the impressive Sound of Meat, the band picks up where it left off albeit at a less manic pace. It’s about contrasts for lead singer/songwriter Alan Strawbridge (Lucky Bishops). “Showers of Blood” cheerfully describes a gory scene with a sweet chorus. “Good Looking Boy” is another winner about a computer nerd who sees nothing special in “good looking girls.”

The Byrdsian jangle starts off “Dinner Party,” its a highlight with many key changes to delight. “Pigeons” and “Waterloo Teeth” channel Ray Davies through bright Floydian glasses. A Schauser album is always a treat for listeners who re-visit the album. It’s got a dark psychedelic trip just underneath that sugary coating. You’ll always hear a passage that catches you, or a twist that loses you (often midway through a song). A musical maze awaits for the smart audiophile!

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

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The Brigadier “Suburban Incubation”
Welsh musician Matt Williams (The Brigadier) once gain showers us with melodic pop-rock full of intricate chord changes and lighter than air melodies. He starts with the up tempo “It Needed to be Sunny” chock full of fuzz guitar goodness. The pastoral compositions are still here, “Don’t Want To Think Anymore” and “Little Boba” are perfect for a lazy Sunday in the park.

Some of the songs stick to the theme of getting older, from the insecurities of the love song “Do You Want Me Too?” to the look back at “The Middle Ages.” The Brigadier continues to dazzle us with the excellent “Music Makes The Pain Go Away.” Is there anything else more truthful? Highly Recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby