Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Whitejacket “Hollows and Rounds”

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Chicago-based Musician Chris McDuffie has been part of Apples In Stereo since Tone Soul Evolution, but now he’s moved to Chicago and created his own band, Whitejacket (a reference to a literary influence of his, Herman Melville) that wears its Beatlesesque influences on its sleeve.

Opening with the low key “Versus Angel” its got all those vintage sounds and ghostly choruses that the Apples are famous for. White Album fans are sure to hear the cues in “The Modern” and “Easy Now.” Chris also claims more obscure influences like Margo Guryan and Billy Nicholls. “The genesis of the record came from my long-standing admiration of the baroque pop of the late sixties and seventies,” McDuffie explains. “I guess I’ve always been fascinated with the arrangement and production from that period, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve come to appreciate it even more.” We appreciate it too. The overall tone of the album is slow and measured, be sure to soak it all in.

 CD Baby  | Amazon

Eytan Mirsky and Astra Via

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Eytan Mirsky “Year Of The Mouse”
The perpetual optimist Mirsky is best known for the songs he contributed to the indie films “Happiness,” “American Splendor” and “The Tao of Steve.” His approach is often compared to Nick Lowe or Marshall Crenshaw, with a strumming rhythm guitar  as his constant backdrop.

The album benefits from compelling songwriting and hook filled choruses like in the opener “This Year’s Gonna Be Our Year” and the fast paced “Positive Energy.” Lots of heartbreak tunes like “Another Week Or Two” and “I’m Losing You.” Eytan throws in a ballad or two, my favorite being the inspiring “Don’t Forget.” He even gets a bit honky tonk on “A Little Heartache,” so overall a thoroughly enjoyable album.  Eytan sells his catalog on CD Baby and Amazon, but this new album is on Bandcamp only.

Astra Via “Folie a Deux” EP
Astra Via is the music of Olivia Mancini and Jarrett Nicolay. They remind me a of Abba, and you’ll hear the similarities on “Fame” with its layered instrumentals. The next few tracks are more roots oriented, with “be Where You Are” and “Lone Traveller.” I’m not sure who’s singing on “I Don’t Mind” but it’s also very pretty in a Paul Simon way. Ending with a cover of The Beatles “I’m So Tired” it makes an impressive debut. And its practically free, so get it now!

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