Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Goodfellows “The Name of These Girls”

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Normally I would not recommend an album that isn’t available in the US, but for the power pop fanatic this one is worth seeking out. From Madrid, Spain the Goodfellows have a history of inventive packaging, and excellent songs. The latest LP, The Name of These Girls disc is lovingly packed in an actual denim jean pocket.

Musically, the band follows a traditional power pop template, very similar to Teenage Fanclub and The Gin Blossoms. Starting with “Virginia,” it isn’t revolutionary, but a steady jangle pop opening. The band ups it’s game with “Rocket Girl” by getting an assist from the legendary Paul Collins adding his vocals/guitar in the second verse. Lead vocalist Gabriel Palmer doesn’t have the strongest pipes, but the song composition and instrumentation go a long way on the Beatlesque “I’m Coming Back to You” and the guitar crunchiness of “Marianne.” The highlight of the album for me is “Just A Minute,” with a perfect chorus worthy of The Wonders. Lots of references to musical nostalgia are themes to songs like “Happy Days,” “Good Old Days” and even the lone short ballad “Times Are Never Changing.” Keep up the great work amigos!
power pop review score 9

Goodfellows.es | Rock Indiana

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This is footage from a recent concert in Madrid, to listen to the album visit Rock Indiana.

Loveland Duren and The Breakup Society

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Loveland Duren “Bloody Cupid”
This is the eclectic combination of musicians Vicki Loveland and Van Duren. Starting with “Crash Landing” it features a cool bass line, Loveland’s soaring vocal (similar to Heart’s Ann Wilson) and guitarist Jim Duckworth shredding solo. Next track is more melodic, “Lines in The Sand” has both Van and Vicki in a duet with a memorable chorus and snappy pop hook. “Now Will Do” has more folk elements, with violin and mandolin featured as a country tune.

You really can’t pigeon hole this LP in one genre, but I’m gonna focus on the more pop oriented tunes, so I recommend “Birthmarks,” the romantic “There Goes The Floor” and the sobering “Losing My Mean Streak.” The soulful rock of “Sins Of The Father” is a highlight of Loveland’s moving vocal, and the soft-shoe “Kiss Me Slowly” is another jazz tune with Van Duren’s easy going lead. Like a fine wine, you’ll want to sip in this albums variety and charm.

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The Breakup Society “So Much Unhappiness. So Little Time…”
This passed under my radar early this year, but I wanted to call it out as a great soundtrack for life’s disappointments. Opening with the title track, it sets the stage with the words of Ed Masley “it’s a struggle making lemonade, when life gives you limes.” The band skillfully navigates the Beatle influenced “Invitation to Quit” and Masley approaches it with his Midwestern heart on his sleeve. Each tune is an impressive blend of The Kinks and Paul Westerberg in his prime, with no filler.

The album follows the sad losers in Masley’s world, from the dude waiting for “The Next Reunion” to impress old classmates to the old groupie trying to meet the band in “Another Day in The Life.” Even the upbeat “Upward Spiral” where the narrator sees the path out of the pity party,  he “can’t seem to wrap his head around it.” The standout here is the rocking power pop gem “Here Comes Floyd.”  And Masley isn’t quite like the characters he sings about, on “Mary Shelly” where he “appears to be the fool he plays in each song” he’s really not, just like “Shelly wasn’t Frankenstein”. The dense guitar psychedelics close out “She Doesn’t Cross Against The Light” like an Oasis finale, and overall its excellent album. I hope Masley doesn’t take another five years for the next one.

Amazon

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Kelly Jones and Little Anchor

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Kelly Jones “Alta Loma” After thrilling us with her collaborations with Mike Viola on SheBang! and Melon,– Kelly Jones bares her soul on the personal Alta Loma. Starting with “Right Hand Man” it evokes the sensitive spirit of Dan Fogelberg and Joni Mitchell with its acoustic guitar lead and subtle slide guitar accents. The album is full of intimate musical musings, a perfect example is “Limbo” with dreams “rolling out the window.” The melodies are subtle, and invite contemplation with rich lyrical imagery. “Idyllwild,” “Love Dynamo” and “Funny Old Way” are the thoughts of a mature woman’s point of view on romance. Other songs deal with the passage of time (“Old House”) and spiritual faith (“Unanswered Questions.”) So cuddle up with a hot cup of tea and listen to Kelly’s angelic voice. Highly Recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon

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Little Anchor “Floating Bridges” Miss the summer weather? I know I do, but Brooklyn-based foursome Little Anchor has a new album that will bring those summer memories back. Lead vocalist Alexa Cabellon has a clear smooth voice that brings each tune to life, starting with “Alive” it showcases the angular guitar progressions and sing along chorus. The songs gradually get more personal, with the ethereal ambiance of “Carolina Waits” and the slower duet of “Mailman.” The tempo is more playful on “If I Wanted To” as Alexa’s joyous voice “couldn’t hide it if I wanted to” chorus make it a catchy gem. “Over and Over” is a grand dramatic tune, with sweeping piano chords that tell me this is a band to keep your eye on.

Amazon

The Melismatics and Breaking Laces

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The Melismatics “Rising Tide”
Produced by Jon Auer (The Posies, Big Star) The Melismatics are a maturing alt. rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The opening track “Crawl, Baby, Crawl” is a combination of solid male-female vocals (husband/wife team of Ryan and Pony Smith,) guitar riffs and synth chords. It’s the catchy chorus that keeps things interesting, then on “Halo” the synths increase and dance beat reminds me of The Orion Experience.

In fact, the next few songs bring a new wave vibe to the melodic “Cocoon” and “Close 2 The Vest” that make a good impression. But some of the remaining tracks just aren’t that memorable, even though the guitar riffs are more prominent. The wonderful falsetto that opens “Rising” gets closer to what this band could be and the vocal harmonies are perfect here. Give it a chance to win you over.

CD Baby | Amazon

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Breaking Laces “Come Get Some”
It’s really frustrating to finally discover a great band only to find out they’ve just broken up. The Brooklyn-based trio of Willem Hartong (singer/guitarist), Rob Chojnacki (bass), and Seth Masarsky (drums) have somehow managed to play for over ten years under my radar (my bad.) The band’s style of melodic alt-rock falls somewhere between The Gin Blossoms, Soul Coughing and The Lemonheads.

The ringing guitars and epic hooks on “Better Than Me” easily qualifies as an A-side single that should’ve taken off. Then in a tonal shift “Be Hammer” uses Foo Fighters riffage in the sing along chorus, another shift as the church organ opens the reflective “When The Lightning Comes.”  The semi-serious rock ballad  “Before You Down” hooks you early and the Jellyfish-like “Extra Time” is another welcome gem. The band doesn’t take much that seriously on “Mr. Curry Is A Cop,” a funny tune – very much in the Fountains of Wayne mode. Lyrics are free flowing irony and full of attitude, especially the Beck-like rap “I used To Be A Boy Scout.” No real filler here, so now I highly recommend you get this and work your way backwards through the discography.

Amazon

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International Pop Overthrow “Volume 16”

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international pop overthrow

It’s always been essential that I get the new IPO compilation, because each year IPO guru David Bash knows what makes great power pop. And once again we get a bountiful 68 song, 3 CD set of bands who have played IPO festivals from all over the world. We’ll do a disc-by-disc review:

Disk 1: Dave always finds gems I’ve missed and the first track is a perfect example with Mothboxer “Shame It Always Rains,” and its nods to ’60s garage pop. Beatlesque David Minchin is another find with “Please Don’t Go,” and the crisp guitars of The Maladaptive Solution “Abacus” impressed me too. More notable newcomers include Irene Pena, Cronin Tierney Band and Stephen Bunovsky.

Disk 2: The definition of power pop isn’t strict, and we get dabbling in melodic folk pop with Mustache Fable (“Two Truths One Lie,”) and punk pop with The Baghdaddios (“No Big Deal”). Lisa Mychols new trio does a great tribute to another power popper “Bruce Foxton.” Nostalgia buffs will love The JAC’s “Record Store” and the bubble gum garage of The Cool Whips “Boom-Shang-a-Lang.” This disc’s pleasant Anglo-styled surprises includes Warm Morning Brothers, Logan Squares and The Newds.

Disk 3: Swim Atlantic does a masterful job with harmonies on “Seam To Seam” and Jared Lekites gives us a the catchy “Too Far Gone.” More gems include “Look At The Girl” by Dan Markell, and Gooey’s “Watch Out” which brings to mind the late great Lou Reed. This disc has plenty of quirky pop like John McMullan (“Mrs. Reginald”) and the Blake Jones & The Trike Shop tribute to Frank Zappa. Its the most eclectic disc in the collection, and it ends with a standout song, “Destination Unknown” by Private Jets.

As usual, this compilation is essential listening, and a perfect addition to your IPO collection.  If you don’t have an IPO collection, get this one and work your way backwards. Don’t forget that the International Pop Overthrow festival continues year-round, and is expected in New York on Wednesday, November 13 through the 17th. As always I will be there, soaking in all the musical goodness.
power pop review score 8

Kool Kat Music | Jam Recordings | Pop Geek Heaven | Amazon
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