Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

The Offbeat and Nick Vernier Band

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The Offbeat “In Love Field”
The Beatlesque band takes all the tracks from the great EP “To The Rescue” and adds a few more to make it even better. Since I already raved about those tracks, the band pretty much continues where it left off with “Where is The Girl” complete with it’s McCartney styled melody and crisp harmonies.  A country-folk harmony leads the warm sing along “Whern You Got Love” and this easy feeling continues on “A Love To Last.” The band has gone beyond just sounding Fab, but stretching to include other bands of the era like The Hollies, Herman’s Hermits, and even the closing track “Jennifer Says” recalls The Moody Blues. You have to give the boys (Darren Finlan, Tony Cox, and Nigel Clark of Dodgy) full credit for serving up such sweet slices of pop nostalgia to close out the summer with.

CD Baby | Amazon

The Nick Vernier Band “Sessions”
Nick Vernier is an alias for musician-producer Eric Van Den Brink, and he’s put together an eclectic treat by teaming up with several well known artists on each track. Starting with Paul Jones “I’m Your Kingpin” it has a funky sax and harmonica that recall classic Steely Dan. Next comes the album highlight, “I Send Up My Prayer” done with Probyn Gregory (Wondermints) full of rich melodic texture and hints of the old Mints are easy to hear. Next a collaboration with Emitt Rhodes on a sitar version of “Time Will Show the Wiser” with Iain Matthews (Fairport Convention) will mellow you for sure. The strangest song here is a reworking of The Monkees “Zilch” with musical accompaniment and the actual song samples – it kind of works as “Mister Bob.” Another notable track is “Now Sue” a Gerry Beckley (America) original mid-tempo charmer, with beautiful backing harmonies from Jeffrey Foskett (Brian Wilson’s band). Other tracks experiment with jazz, world music, and blues – but the pop tracks standout nicely and are welcome on my ipod.

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International Pop Overthrow "Vol. 13"

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Once again, David Bash’s labor of love comes together on IPO Vol.13 featuring a mind numbing 66 songs dedicated to the newest and best power pop from around the globe. This being a 3 disc affair, I’ll try to highlight my favorites off of each disc. But overall this year’s crop is a considerable improvement from last year, where Mr. Bash has decidedly pushed the boundaries of what power pop sounds like. Including a solid representation by female power poppers.
Disc 1 features a pile of notable tracks, The Royalites “Bring It On” is a great riff-driven song and the Beatlesque track “Rain Parade” by Mayflower will have you humming along.  Deadbeat Poets contribute a stellar Kinks like track “People These Days” and The James Clark Institute contributes a jangle-filled “Splinter In The Soul.”

Disc 2 gets a bit heavier with a classic rock styled “What are We Gonna Do?” By the Stanleys and Rob Bonfiglio’s excellent “How To Mend A Heart.” A pair of energetic tracks are Popgun’s “All Messed Up” and “All Systems Go”by Smash Fashion. Tiny Volcano contributes a catchy piano melody with “Emily” and we are treated to Buddy Love’s greatest and newest single “Crying Town.”

Disc 3 starts with Zoe Scott’s “Hard Habit,” a radio worthy hit single that arguably deserves major media attention. Unconventional sounding rockers in “Gilded Frankenstein” by Hijinx and  “Please Operator” by Pounders are interesting, but a gorgeous mid-tempo “I Want It Anyway” by The Afternoons recalls Gerry and The Pacemakers. The driving tempo and guitars of The Wags “Just Keep Movin’ On” will encourage repeat listens. A few novelty tracks here and there (like Cosmo Topper’s “Hippy Christmas”) keep the mood playful between the “serious” tracks. Every year Mr. Bash discovers power pop gold nuggets throughout the IPO festivals and this year is no exception. Keep mining Dave, and we’ll keep our ears glued to the headphones. 

My Space | Not Lame Records | Amazon
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Circe Link and The Cinnamon Fuzz

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Circe Link and the Discount Candy Family Band “California Kid”
Although she has put out several albums under her own name I found very little information on Circe Link. Produced and assisted by Christian Nesmith (yes, son of The Monkees guitarist Michael) so you know this group has experience right out of the gate. Circe’s got a strong blues-pop vocal approach, much like Sheryl Crow or Natalie Imbruglia. This works great on the fantastic opener “Salvation” with it’s bar room piano melody. “Random Acts of Kindness” is a sweet mid-tempo song with country guitar flourishes and great lyrical message. Things get trippy fast on psychedelic “Getting High (On Your Own Supply).” Clearly the main influence on the majority of tracks is blues-rock like The Allman Brothers and Tom Petty. Lots of acoustic strumming pop with a slight country feel and the title track is a good example. The best track here is the easy going “Shangriladeeda Farm” with a tight beat and catchy chorus. Another standout is “Tiger Swami” with Circe’s beautiful multi-tracked vocal harmonies and guitar rhythm by Nesmith. A great roots rock album that definitely grows on you after a few listens.

My Space | CD Baby | Amazon

The Cinnamon Fuzz “Cruise of The Century”EP
Remember the 80’s? I lived through that era. This Boston band has passing musical resemblance to Duran Duran and Orchestral Maneuvers in The Dark on the first few tracks. But that’s just the start, as the band goes into power pop territory with heavy guitar riffs on “Now I Know” and the slinky Depeche Mode meets Bryan Scary styled “Strangers.” This EP is available at a “pay-what-you-like” price from Bandcamp. I would encourage the band to continue on the power pop path, as the production and musicianship is top notch and Jonah Burstein vocals remind me of both Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) and Andrew Eldritch (Sisters of Mercy) simultaneously.

MySpace | Itunes | Bandcamp

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Geoff Smith "That’s Gravity"

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Nashville popster Geoff Smith has done it all musically from artist, musician, producer, actor to ringtone guru. Geoff has had some notable past releases (solo, and with The Tonewheels) but his latest album is a great potpourri of melodies that qualify him as the American version of Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze).

The funk rhythm, horns and brass greet us on “I Wanna Dance” as Geoff gives us a solid party anthem. Then he breaks out the Beatlesque guitars for “A Little Rock and Roll” and the tinkling piano “Gravity” has a really wonderful vocal harmony with “bah, bah, bah” background vocals weaving in and out. The McCartney-like “This is The Song” is a heartwarming melody that builds to a sweet crescendo. The remaining tunes show off Geoff’s composition skills and it’s no accident he’s written commercial jingles. Another sweet rocker is “Foolin’ No One” that will make you pick up the air guitar for sure. A few tracks aren’t as good by comparison, but nothing here could be called filler. As sure as gravity exists, this album will put a smile on your face.

Geoff’s Site | CD Baby  | Amazon

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Paul Collins "King Of Power Pop"

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If ever an artist has fully embraced the spirit of power pop and evangelized the merits of the genre, it’s Paul Collins. This is a full fledged return to his roots with a sound reminiscent of The Nerves and The Beat in it’s prime. With help from Dave Shettler on drums, Wally Palmar (of the Romantics) on harmonica and harmonies, and Nikki Corvette on backing vocals it’s as solid as you can get. The quick tempo and distinctive guitar riff of “C’mon Let’s Go!” gets  off to a great start. Paul is just ageless here as he rocks out “Do You Wanna Love Me? and the built in crowd pleaser “Doin’ It For The Ladies.” The Merseybeat jangle of “Hurting’s On My Side” is another in a line of tracks that are both short and sweet.
It’s not all Beatles meets Ramones styled guitar songs either. “Many Roads To Follow” has a steady strum and Spector-like Kettle drum, and in honor of the recently departed Alex Chilton is a note perfect cover of “The Letter.” The title track “Kings Of Power Pop” is loving look back on Collins career and other bands like The Beat. A few tracks are a bit repetitive (“Off The Hook”) and “This Is America” seems a guitar version of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start The Fire.” But there are so many excellent tracks here, it earns a nod for top ten album of 2010.  All Hail The King!

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