Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Music veteran Rick Altizer having previously produced an impressive array of power pop albums, has made this new concept album that shares a bleak mood with Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” Opening with a heartbeat, “Hello World” sets the stage for the birth of a selfish soul named Sam. The impeccable guitar melody of the mid-tempo “Don’t Let Me Cry” leads to the bleak heaviness of “Feed Me” where Sam craves attention, “I hold you responsible for all the crap in my life,” he snarls before the chorus. “I Want My Whatever” is yet another wonderful anthem of overindulgence that compares well with Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good.” Another standout is the bouncy guitar of “Star” where the lyrics and melody strut it’s protagonists conceit with abandon. The albums second half shows our anti-hero wants “More” but his insatiable appetite breeds discontent in the heaviest tune here, “Is That It?” Ending with the slow building epic “Take Care of Me” it spirals toward the end of the life cycle in “Assisted” and finally another reprise “Goodbye World.” My biggest knock here is that the album’s second half leans too much on reprising earlier themes (4 reprises). Is “Sam” a rock star in the mold of Roger Water’s “Pink” or just a political analogy for spoiled Americans who crave the nanny-state? Either way its pretty heavy handed here, but the music is typical Altizer, full of hooks, and hypnotic themes. Overall, a welcome change of pace from your typical melodic rock. And it’s a music bargain, only $6 directly from Rick’s site.

My Space | www.rickaltizer.com | CD Baby (past albums)

Ontario based Elvyn was formed by Joel and Ryan Beerman in 1998 and it has spend a few years under the radar, but with “The Decline” it’s a strong release that will break the band through to the next level. Joined by Jason O’Reilly (bass) and Jeremy Knibbs (guitar) the band plays as a tight unit, all on the same wavelength. Starting with the stellar “Those Were The Days” it’s got a jangle similar to Teenage Fanclub and those rootsy folk harmonies like The Jayhawks. “Lotta Lies” continues the soft sounds of relaxed melody and Rickenbacker guitars. Fans of the alternative country pop sound (The Byrds, The Pernice Brothers, Wilco) will embrace this album wholeheartedly, as every song is perfection here. “I Guess I Was Wrong” has more of a softer Burrito Brothers vibe and “Don’t Fall In Love” mines the classic sounds of J.D. Souther or early 70’s Eagles. This vibe follows through on the title track as well. The consistent quality of the musicianship and songwriting is what puts this band over the top. It’s not to be missed.

My Space | CD Baby | Amazon

Listen to “Lotta Love”

If you are ready for a retro-summer 60’s style, then Laurie Biagini’s latest girl-group, surf pop album, is the far out place you want to be! Laurie continues the Honeys meets Bangles style that made her first album “Ridin’ The Wave” so much fun. You can’t go wrong with Lauire’s “oo-wah, oo-wah” chorus in the Beach Boys-styled “Another Old Lazy Lyin’ On The Beach Afternoon.” And it’s not all sand and surf, as “A Beautiful Dream” weaves complex harmonies and psychedelic rhythms into a package that could’ve come off The Mamas and The Papas first album. The instrumentation is also improved here as she tackles other subjects from “Crazy People On The Internet” and spiteful naysayers on “Not What It Seems.” When the beat remains uptempo it works best like on the Beatlesque “Happiness Looks Good On You” and punchy hooks on “Gonna Do It My Way.” On some slower tunes (“Sweet Dream Symphony”) Laurie’s voice tends to blend a bit too much, but the production is so stellar you may not notice. It closes out on the wonderful “I’ll Be Back Again” with a composition reminiscent of Gary Zekley’s Yellow Balloon. This will take you back to that simpler time when the California sun was king and golden harmonies ruled the AM airwaves. Sit back and let it wash over you.

My Space | CD Baby | Amazon

Bourgeois Heroes “Musical Postcards” EP

The duo, which is split between Massachusetts and Texas, sings ’60s-inspired pop in the vein of The Beach Boys, The Monkees and Harpers Bizarre but with a twee sensibility like modern bands Belle & Sebastian or The Ladybug Transistor. The orchestral pop and wide ranging influences are a treat for the pop fan looking for clever melodies with whimsical character. The easy going strum of “The Boy At The Record Store” could be a theme of my childhood (sigh). The elaborate baroque “I Wanna Be Nice To You” is a period gem that fans of sunshine pop and The Kinks will be thrilled with. Overall an excellent EP that will brighten your day, so when is that full length comin’?

My Space |  CD Baby  | Bandcamp | Amazon 

The Bulletproof Vests “Attack!”
Memphis Brothers Jake and Toby Vest put together a solid roots rock album full of riffs that the late Alex Chiton would approve of. And with the help of Argent studios engineer Adam Hill, they mix together power pop, rock, R&B with a southern attitude. Opening with the strong “Magic Wand” it’s lead by a mean slide guitar riff and solid pop rhythm, that recalls Duane Allman at his poppiest. “Darlin’ Wait” is a perfect example of catchy backbeat and sing along chorus that makes for excellent repeat listens. Every song here is good, from the glam-style rock of  “Queenie in Trouble” to the slow blues ballad “Don’t Cry.” “To The Moon” has a big T-Rex vibe and the band takes it to the next level with the anthemic “Hitchhiking To Hell” complete with a blistering guitar solo. A perfect impulse music buy that gets better with each listen.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik | Amazon