Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Keith LuBrant and Mooner

powerpopaholic

Keith LuBrant “Who I Am”
If you weren’t sure who LuBrant was based on his last album, “Wide Awake and Alive” leaves little doubt. Energetic drums and driving riffs bring to mind Cheap Trick with a touch Bon Jovi, but underneath all the flash is a good hook. “She Always Finds A Way” and “Call Off The Search” are a good follow ups with some inventive song writing and amazing guitar touches along the way.

His clear vocals allow a good mid tempo number like “Breathe” to shine, sometimes the pop gloss is thick as “Good For The Girl” reminds me of The Gin Blossoms. Keith does have some Jellyfish like moments on the title track, and then adds some nice bluesy guitar flourishes on “Sunshine In The South.” Not every song has a hook, but enough do to make this a solid melodic rock entry.

CD Baby | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik | Jam Recordings
[youtube]viWtG-OJkeY[/youtube]

20px_spacer

Mooner “Unpronounceable Name” EP
Chicago based Mooner has a terrific sound on this short EP. Thanks to brothers Lee and David Ketch, they share a love of both power pop and alt. country – which means they emulate early Wilco, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Joined by joined by drummer Adam Bonich and bassist Dann Morr they give us some meaty baseline riffs  on “Shapeshifter” and a slow build to a steady ramble on “White Lines” about truckin’ down the highway (fans of Bob Seger would be proud). This is a talent band that we look forward to hearing more from.

Graham Alexander and The Hi-Risers

powerpopaholic 4 Comments

Graham Alexander “Graham Alexander”
When I hear someone tell me that power pop is for “older” bands, I shake my head and say listen to Graham. He’s very much in the pop mold of McCartney, but with a hip, youthful approach. And unlike some contemporaries, Graham reeks of authenticity and talent.

There is enough nostalgia to impress an old fogie like me, but fresh compositions to charm a legion of new young fans. “Don’t Give In Tonight” has some rock n roll muscle, and “Biggest Fan” has both amazing vocals and an irresistible hook. “Only Fools Rush In” is pure Beatles music hall, and he sounds most like Macca here. Just to prove he’s not all pop ditties, “Replace Me” has a riff best suited to Collective Soul, and Graham makes it work splendidly. It touches all the bases, with no filler to be found. Best young pop debut album I’ve heard in along time.

Amazon | Itunes

[youtube]1f-ZS66Ghck[/youtube]20px_spacer

The Hi-Risers “Hang Around With You”
Classic rock trio from Rochester are Greg Townson (vocals and guitar), Todd Bradley (vocals and bass) and Jason Smay (drums). The band has a sound that pays tribute to those early rock bands like The Crickets, The Beatles, Peter and Gordon and The Dave Clark Five.

For older music fans, the most identifiable tune ever is “I’m In Love With My Record Collection” with its Rickenbacker jangle and harmonies. You can play “spot the riff” for most of the album, like “Fire Hazard” is built from The Kinks “All Day and All Of The Night.” But as a retro collection it’s the high quality musicianship  that’ll win you over. Sit back and enjoy.

Bandcamp | Artists Website

Livingstone Daisies and Golden Bloom

powerpopaholic

Livingstone Daisies “Don’t Know What Happiness Is”
Thank you Pop Boomerang Records! The Livingstone Daisies have crafted a record that is authentically Australian yet tips it’s hat in appreciation to bands like Teenage Fanclub, Tom Petty, The Jayhawks, and Big Star.

The superb opener “Wednesday” jangles through with those heavenly harmonies thanks to lead singer/guitarist Van Walker. “Redhead” is another gem that recalls Jeff Lynne magic in the chorus, and Wilburyesque ballad “Safety In Numbness” has Walker gruffly evoke Bob Dylan. “Everything has Got To Go” and “Keep Searching” keep those hooks coming. Each song has a strong melody, with the exception of a morose organ finale “I Still Believe In You,” which improves down the stretch. Overall an exceptional debut.

Bandcamp | Amazon

20px_spacer

Golden Bloom “March To The Drums”
Singer/songwriter Shawn Fogel returns! The light “Rhyme the Reason” flows along at leisurely pace, and a sunnier point of view than Fan The Flames. The best track is the hook filled melody of “You Go On (and On),” it has a bouncy Coldplay-like quality. The second standout is “We Have Grown” with rich harmonies and a majestic anthem that you’ll be humming along to at some point. The music stays in the realm of guitar and keyboard, with some synth noodling here and there. While the EP lists six tracks, three of them are clearly instrumental padding. But those three real songs are pretty impressive.

Goldenbloom.net | Amazon | Bandcamp

A Tribute To Lite Rock

powerpopaholic

The obsession of Andrew Curry is now a Kickstarter project I gladly endorse called Drink A Toast To Innocence: A Tribute To Lite Rock. You remember all those lite rock hits of the late 70’s and  80’s right? Mostly from one hit wonders that ended up on a K-Tel records collection, like Player’s “Baby Come Back” or Rupert Holmes “Escape (The Pina Colada Song).” Well now Andrew is gathering up a TON of power pop talent to cover all these hit songs on one massive album. Talent like Bleu, Eytan Mirsky, Mike Viola, Linus of Hollywood, Kyle Vincent and many more. Sign up now and reserve your copy today!

A Fragile Tomorrow and The Honest Mistakes

powerpopaholic

A Fragile Tomorrow “Be Nice Be Careful”
What started as an alt. rock band with a few good songs on Tripping Over Nothing has moved decidedly to the more popper side of genre. That’s a good thing, as well as enlisting Mitch Easter (REM, Let’s Active, Sneakers) as co-producer. Leader Sean Kelly does a wonderful job on the opening track “Don’t Need Saving,” full of minor chords and chiming guitar strums.

The earnest melody of “Cooked Smiles and Greedy Hands” is a fine composition that echoes The Lemonheads or Toad The Wet Sprocket, with hooks and harmonies in all the right places and a guest vocal with Don Dixon. It loses a little momentum with the bland “Loyalty Lies,” but the steady jangle in “Blank Paper” helps make it an excellent tune about the songwriting process. Clearly the country influence is still here with “Intentions” and “My Home.” Another standout tune is “Kernersville” and doing the background harmonies are The Bangles (Vicki and Debbi Peterson), Susan Cowsill with Mitch Easter on guitar. “Three More Hours” is another fantastic song. With 14 tracks, there is a lot to like here, but it still sounds like a band in transition in spots. The band has been touring with many top-name headliners (Drivin’ and Cryin’, The Bangles and Matthew Sweet) so I expect great things from future AFT releases.

Amazon | Itunes
[youtube]qd1j0_zwkcE[/youtube]
20px_spacer

The Honest Mistakes “Sundowning” EP
After a good debut album, this Baltimore band fine tunes it’s sound. Near perfect opening on “Cry” with hand claps and solid riffs, the band has a much better command of melody than ever before. Vocalist Joylene Dalia effortlessly harmonizes on “The Leaves” and guitarist Chris Ehrichs ever present strum make it a casual breezy single, and then on “Put Those Things Away” the pounding percussion and angular rhythm take center stage. This is a highly recommended EP, fans of 10,000 Maniacs and Blake Babies will thoroughly enjoy this one too.

CD Baby | Amazon | Itunes