Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Cliff Hillis “Dream Good”

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Cliff Hillis “Dream Good”
Cliff Hillis has done what many power pop artists do after over a decade of solid output, they seamlessly transition to adult contemporary pop. Starting out with the legendary Starbelly, then transitioning to John Faye Power Trip and IKE he drew heavily on the riffs and influences of Matthew Sweet. Once his solo career started with Be Seeing You on Not Lame Records, fans knew what to expect and Cliff has remained a popular artist ever since.

On Dream Good, Hillis continues to show his melodic skills are as sharp as ever on the opener “Keep The Blue Skies” and he still surrounds himself with top notch collaborators like Scot Sax (The Feel), Danny Wilde (The Rembrandts) and Brad Jones. And he hasn’t mellowed that much, as “Ways and Means” packs lots of power into those driving blues riffs. I love the creative “Talking Tree” with its contrasting blend of strings, bass guitar and staccato picked rhythm. The next several songs are along the Fountains of Wayne or Marshall Crenshaw vibe with “When You’re Listening” and “Welcome To You.” More gems include the brilliant “Twin Sisters” and the low key “Just The Same.” Like Mike Viola, Hillis makes each story so compelling you need to listen. Each tune has a refreshing melody line and polished delivery (without filler to be found) that puts this album near my top ten list for 2012.

MySpace  | Amazon | Pre-Order Direct

The Jellybricks and John Lefler

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The Jellybricks “Suckers” EP
The Jellybricks have been the model of power pop consistency, with solid melodic rock since 1997, and with the new EP Suckers, the band continues its terrific tradition. The mood is a bit more downbeat than past albums, with similarities to Superdrag (“Rock n’ Roll Suicide”) and Blink-182 (“Beryllium”) cropping up.

But the bands sound is even tighter and music arrangements are denser, from the opening track to the excellent “Sold” with its shout along chorus. The moving rock ballad “Dead End Girl” shows off the excellent harmonies and the acoustic version of the neurotic “Who Is God,” is a re-make from the band’s debut Kinky Boot Beast. One of my favorite EPs this year, pick this one up.

Jellybricks.com | Amazon

 

John Lefler “Shoutfire” EP
Dashboard Confessional’s lead guitarist returns after his solid debut LP with a more commercial, slicker adult contemporary effort.The ringing guitar chords from the title track remind one of Crowded House or even Toad The Wet Sprocket.

The light strums of “The Good Life” are soothing, and the next track “Shelter In Place” has a killer rhythm that just sticks in your head. Then the tracks just get sparser, more personal, my favorite here is “Broken People” where John’s voice carries the lyrical story about emotional fragility with perfect pitch. Another winner, you shouldn’t miss.

CD Baby | Amazon

The Breakdowns and The Virtues

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The Breakdowns “The Kids Don’t Wanna Bop Any More”
From the UK…. Fans of The Ramones will enjoy this one. The band describes themselves as ‘bubblegum garage rock’ and I have to agree that these tracks are freakin’ sweet. Lead singer Joe has a rough vocal, but it drips with authenticity and energy. Catchy tracks that bring back the “Rock N Roll High School” with great driving beats and buzzsaw riffs with a touch of organ are featured on “Summertime Twist”. Listen to the easy rock of “Hey Veronica” or the Kiss meets Cheap Trick tune “Samantha Jones”. Any way you slice this album, you get awesome rock and roll done right.

Facebook | Amazon | Jam Recording

 

The Virtues “ReRepeater”
From a small town in Sweden, the duo of Per Bergkvist and Flamman took great care in mixing harmonies and guitars to get us ReRepeater. Per has great range in his vocal, sounding like Collective Soul on “No Show” and then shifting to a Ric Ocasek approach on “All The Commotion.” The rock riffs are front and center on “I Go” and then on “Bleak Ways” its all jangle and falsetto. But what each song has behind it is melodic consistency. Even on the pedestrian “Reader” it never gets dull and surprises are in each track, like “Errors of Youth” sounds like a lost Steely Dan song. The variety makes it hard to peg down into a neat single “style” – but that’s also the band’s strength. Definitely worth exploring.

Amazon | Itunes | MySpace

Emerging artists: Sam Page, JP Houston, Live On Brighton

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Sam Page “Waiting  For Another Spring” EP
Californian Sam Page is an unsigned musician who counts Jack White, Matthew Sweet, Blur, and Modest Mouse as influences. Page has definite talent, and all his sounds are “organic” and created without computers. This is his second EP and its getting some great notice by the indie music press, in fact “Lottery” is getting played on twenty podcasts and indie radio stations. I love “Pass Me By” with its simple arrangement and solid riff-beat combos. “Like@firstSite” is similar to Jonathan Coulton and sure to make you tap your feet to the beat. A great little EP – give it a try!
CD Baby | Amazon | SamPageMusic.com

JP Houston “As Long As You’re Here With Me”
JP Houston is a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, based out of Joshua Tree California. As Long As You’re Here With Me was originally done in 2006, but here it’s re-mastered. He does a great job with the opener “Fat Tuesday” – its both catchy and Houston’s vocal shines. As a professional JP’s been working with Brian Bell from Weezer, and Schmed of The Secret Powers. The soft shuffle of “We Make A Murder” is a favorite here, its got touches of XTC, McCartney and Secret Powers with awesome key changes in the chorus. Keep your eyes out for his next album, this is one of the best “hidden” gems this year.
Name your own price on Bandcamp

Live On Brighton “After Hours”
This Toronto band is a bit rough, but with its spirit and passionate sound it reminds me of early Green Day and Weezer. “Passenger Seat” is a blur of echoing guitar riffs and the infectious hard rock come through on “Ten Days Sober” and  “Roll with You.” The song structures are pretty straightforward and they’re not re-inventing the wheel here, but it’s all done in a satisfying way. If you like your rock loud, give this a try.
Bandcamp exclusive

European Power Pop Special: Power Pop Español Parte 2!

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After our first European Special, we got some interest from a few more bands. Most of these are sung in Spanish language, but the sound of pure power pop is unmistakable. Viva  la música! Ole!

Lukah Boo “Calidad DeVida”
Lukah Boo is the solo project of Toni Saenz, former guitarist/vocalist of The Happy Losers (a huge band from Madrid). With a compliment of both horns and guitars, Toni is similar to Michael Carpenter’s sound on “Dejame Salir” and “El Miedo Es Siempre Azul” is done in full Beach Boys mode with hand claps, sleigh bells and muti-tracked harmonies. “Contemporaneo” and “Otra Vez” adds some steel pedal guitar. Not a dud in the bunch, this is a real treat!
Jam Recordings | www.rockindiana.com | MySpace

Desconocidos “Nuevo Plan”
These guys are like a Spanish Spongetones, with the Beatlesque style of “Agarrado A Ti.” The vocal harmonies are tight on “Dia Prestados” and some slower tunes resemble The Rembrandts. The album is full of superb crystal clear jangly sounds, layered harmonies, catchy songs, tasty guitar licks, and good time fun.
Jam Recordings | Pop Club (spain)

The Shake “Try To Get Ready”
Go retro with The Shake….  if you love beat, garage, pop and psychedelia from the 60′s and subsequent decades, this band does it right. The Shake were born in Almería, Spain (home of the spaghetti western) and incorporate early Motown influences like The Foundations and Stevie Wonder into these tracks. And they sing in English!
Amazon (“Trippin’ the whole colorful world”) | My Space | Sunny Day Records

Los Immediatos “4 tickets to Wonderland”
Another great Spanish band, thanks to IceCreamMan for finding this one. Even more psychedelic sounding, it would fit with all your favorite bands on Rainbow Quartz, like The Cynics and The Ugly Beats. Los Immediatos are veterans of the Spanish 60’s scene, they even sell their music in vinyl format with a CD included.
Amazon | Sunny Day Records | Get Hip 

Los Imposibes “En Espiral”
Also from Madrid, reminds me of The Gripweeds alot.  “Volveras” has great harmonies, and jangling riffs like The Byrds. Another great track here is “El Hombre en la Esquina” and the Farfisa organ leads the tune “The Sound Of My Heart” and its one of the tunes sung in English. Fans of classic pop of the 60’s bands like the Zombies or Sgt Pepper-era Beatles will really dig it. 
Sunny Day Records | Direct | Get Hip

Biscuit “Memorabilia”
Hailed as one of the best rock and roll bands in Spain, Biscuit has more muscle and you’ll hear harder influences (Who, Redd Kross, Byrds, West Coast pop, MC5, power pop, garage punk). And of course, memorable hook laden songs all sung in English. Loads of crunchy Who like guitar riffs that will win you over without a doubt.  Now released on La Castanya Records, some call it “Killer Garage Pop at its best.”
Amazon | Kool Kat Musik