Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Any Version of Me and True Hearts

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Any Version Of Me “A Matter Of Time” 
The French artist known as Any Version Of Me has returned with a new release, and those familiar with late sixties pop will find another treat here. Moving away from the Brian Wilson sound of past albums, it drifts more towards The Beatles, Donavan and the Aerovons. Especially good is the title track, with its simple strum and double tracked vocal.

Each song has its own wry charm, but I really enjoyed “I Won’t Let You Down” with it’s harpsichord chords and catchy chorus. Like his past albums, AVOM doesn’t exactly sing anything at a quick tempo, as “Say You Don’t Mind” plods along like a John Lennon ballad. And too many songs use the same technique, on the other hand it’s well written and performed. Worth exploring and if you reward Beatlesque tendencies you’ll enjoy this even more.

Bandcamp

 

True Hearts “True Hearts”
Its been a while since I could say a power pop treasure has been uncovered from years of obscurity. The True Hearts were a Houston-based band that was born when Gary Littleton convinced Terry Carolan (Just Boys) to move to Texas where they performed in several local bands (The Pinups, The Flirt).

The band recorded a limited release EP under the name, True Hearts in 1977. Heavily influenced by The Raspberries, it found only a limited audience at the time. But listening now I wonder how the majors missed these guys. The Raspberries soundalike single “Not Tonight” has a strong hook in the chorus, and you can hear the bands confidence improve with each song. The impressive musicianship and songwriting on “Talkin’ Bout Girls” and “If I’m Late” will appeal to fans of Pezband, Off Broadway and The Rich Kids. The band is a great example of classic late 70’s power pop sound, and this collection compiles all the songs, so discover this lost album at last.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

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Holmes “Complication Simplified”

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Roy Shakked aka Holmes’ 4th album release is here, and after shaking all the cobwebs out with Covers early this year, he’s ready to express his unique POV on life. The opener “Put A Hurt On Me” starts with a smooth groove and moves seamlessly into a memorable chorus. The introspective “Crawling” is a sweet shuffling melody that brings to mind Elliot Smith and McCartney.

The bluesy “Everything” and banjo strumming ditty “Mosquitos” are great set pieces that stick in your head and deserve repeat plays. The album’s chewy center is “Pressing My Luck,” full of handclaps and guitar arpeggios in the chorus. It’s a catchy high point, followed by the somber “Different Ground” and “Revolving Door” (a duet with Jesca Hoop). The interlude “I’ll do it tomorrow” is pretty funny and another big gem is the radio friendly “Stereo” which gives us the album’s title. A solid release that once again highlights Roy’s amazing talent and artistry, get it and you won’t be disappointed.

Amazon | Itunes

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Tsar and The JAC

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Tsar “The Dark Stuff” EP
Without a doubt, 2012 is the year of the power pop re-union. The L.A. rock band Tsar formed in 1998 and soon won favorable reviews for their energetic gigs and anthemic songwriting, but vanished after 2005. The band now has re-formed, lead by Jeff Whalen (lead vocals/guitar,) with Daniel Kern (vocals/ guitar,) Jeff Soloman (bass) and Steve Coulter (drums).

They haven’t lost the knack for catchy tunes, as the opener “Punctual Alcoholic” has a neat bass rhythm and sharp guitar solo. The high gloss rock of “Police Station” is similar to early Tsar hits, and the brooding “Little Women” is like The Dandy Warhols meeting Weezer in a smokey room. “Something Bad Happened To Me” is little lighter, where they explain “Rock and roll is good for the soul…” Overall, a this is a solid workmanlike effort, with enough to please fans old and new.

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The JAC “Faux Pas”
Okay, you gotta love Joe Algeri (Brittanicas, Jack & The Beanstalks) letting loose his inner psyche to the fans with a “I Play All The Instruments.” It makes a pretty good case for solo musicians “stuck at home, with too much time on your hands.” Joe tells us “I Just Want to be Weird” and to prove it he does offbeat pop like “I’m A Glass Of Orange Juice.” Joe isn’t as obtuse as Robert Pollard, and his rants on “Persistent Man” and “I Refuse” have punk styled DIY charm.

Several songs have a 60’s-fueled psyche pop flavor, but with a modern cynicism reminding me of The Small Faces “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake” or Ray Davies on “Romano The Dog.” It includes an additional disc of 10 covers, so you can’t say The JAC doesn’t deliver.

Bandcamp | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Sunday Sun and Fernando Perdomo

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Sunday Sun “DAY” EP
The Amsterdam band Sunday Sun comes out with it’s second EP. “DAY” once again highlights those gorgeous harmonies on “Ordinary Love” and “Now Is Now.” The sweep of the compositions are grander than the first EP, for example “Summer Holiday” has a fast guitar rhythm with handclaps building layer upon layer of drums and vocals. The slow ballad “You” tones things down quite a bit, but the band roars back with “Take A Left,” a 70’s inspired funk-rock song. Fans of Sonic Executive Sessions and The Beach Boys need look no further, and combined the 2 eps make a top ten LP in my opinion. And a free one for the next 2 weeks! No excuses, just get it.

Free on Bandcamp for 2 weeks only!

Fernando Perdomo “Home Is Wherever You Are” EP
Mr. Perdomo ( Dreaming In Stereo ) is a strong singer/songwriter/producer and with a delicate piano and strum, Fernando brings us orchestral pop with sweeping strings on the opener “Home.” Its a nod to both Burt Bacharach and Nick Drake, expressing both beauty and sadness. The another great song “Smile” is a sweet affirmation similar in tone to the grandiose hit “We Are Young” by Fun. “Fill My Sky” is another winner and the love song “In A World Without You” is both moving and brief, with a catchy “do do do” coda. If you love chamber pop and a change of pace from guitar heavy rock, this will do the trick.

Itunes | Amazon

Honeymoon Stallions and King Washington

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Honeymoon Stallions “Moonlighting”
Andy Goldberg (The Sun Kings, The Goldbergs) returns with a new band and a new album. The Honeymoon Stallions gallop out of the gate with the opener “If It Wasn’t For You,” a terrific melody with a layer of organ under the guitar riffs. “Radio Song” has a touch of Nick Lowe with its solid hooks. “Driftin'” is a slightly mellower Andy, similar to Jeff Larsons bluesy mid-tempo jangle pop. This newer texture continues on “By The Moon…” and the Beatles bounce with Harrison-styled slide guitar surfaces on “Every Now and Then.” Every song is strong here, and its on par with his previous albums. Overall, a welcome autumn present for lovers of great guitar pop.

 CD Baby | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

King Washington “The Gears”
L.A. powerhouse vocalist Tyson Kelly has the best rock vocals since Ed Roland, and proves it with this superb debut. Joined by lead guitarist George Krikes, bassist Dylan Cronin and drummer Kyle Turek, The Gears is a triumph of sparkling musicianship and high gloss production. You’ll hear Badfinger-like harmonies and hooks aplenty on the title track, its just mesmerizing. And the Helter Skelter opening on “Fourth Of July” leads to snappy melody full of awesome harmonies and guitars. But despite the nods to rock gods of the past, the bands sound is totally unique. More potential “hits” are “Animal” and “Anybody Home” but it runs out of gas by the albums end. However you can’t deny the great tracks on the albums first half, so I’d highly recommend this one.

 Itunes | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik 
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