Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Still getting to a few albums that slipped by last year. Rainbow Quartz regulars The Telepathic Butterflies returned with their fourth album. Both guitarist/vocalist Rejean Ricard and super drummer Jacques Dubois are in high gear, and the band has been consistently excellent. Whether they do straight up power pop, retro-garage or psyche-pop each tune carries those awesome chord shifts and quick tempo beats. One listen to opener “Circle Man” and you’ll be hooked. The ringing guitars of “Lilacs” and “The Dillinger Plan” showcase the superior songwriting and musicianship here. “Like Esme” is a great mid-tempo love song with  Rejean’s vocal fitting perfectly alongside the guitar strums. In fact, every song is a winner, especially a very Teenage Fanclub-sounding gem “Elegy” with sweet hooks on every verse. It doesn’t vary too much from it’s fast pace from one song to the next, but it all goes by so fast you may not even notice. Reminiscent of The Kinks and Beatles with a touch of Sloan for good measure, it’s what I call exemplary power pop and not much else needs to be said.  It deservedly made it to #11 on Dave Bash’s best of 2009 list, what else do you need?

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Green River Ordinance “Out Of My Hands”

Out of all the pablum that the music industry throws out to the public, sometimes quality musicians can emerge. Ft. Worth, TX rockers Green River Ordinance are being increasingly recognized as headed to stardom with their debut album “Out Of My Hands.” With a big push by label EMI/Virgin Records, the band has been making the rounds and getting good reviews. If you are into today’s modern rock sound (The Fray, Matchbox 20, or Third Eye Blind) then listen to the single “Come On,” driven by a powerful melody and slick production values. The songwriting is consistent and the group’s performance isn’t extraordinary, but they are still better than most modern rock bands trying to make it out there. Brothers Geoff and Jamey Ice, Josh Jenkins, Joshua Wilkerson and Denton Hunker have been playing since high school and have finally graduated here to the big time, touring with David Cook and getting airplay on MTV and other TV shows. Highlights include “Out Of My Hands” and the power pop tune “Goodbye L.A.” with soaring background harmonies and the power ballad “Last October.” On “Sleep It Off” lead singer Josh Jenkins croons “The best is yet to come…” The band is definitely pointed in the right direction.

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The Fore “Run and Hide”

When we last left The Fore, I found it to be the very best Merseybeat revival band I’ve heard since the early Spongetones. After all, very few artists are willing to tackle the genre mastered by The Beatles themselves. As expected, the band does not disappoint on it’s sophomore album as we are treated to fifteen bouncing, rocking melodies. Simple guitar based songs with those fab hooks all over the place, you’ll swear this was a lost classic collection. For fans of all those old Liverpool bands of the British Invasion (Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Searchers, The Cryin’ Shames) this is a no-brainer – just go and get it now. With so many songs, some tunes stuck out as exceptional here: “We Were Meant To Be,” “Have Me Back Again,”It’s You Girl” and “Leave Me Alone” – but there are no duds here either, it’s all just pure rock and roll excitement especially when the band starts screaming on “Tell Your Friend”.  It would’ve been nice if the band tried a few variations from the formula, as the album has a homogeneous quality that may put off some listeners. But other than the new album from Alan Bernhoft, you’re not going to find a better tribute to the era.

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A very straight forward concept album here from the duo of Chris Ehrich and Joylene Dahlia (joined by bassist Adam Kivisaari and drummer Frank Corl). The bright bouncy opening of the title track contrasts with ironic lyrics from the ex-lover’s POV. In fact given the depressing theme, there is not a single slow heart wrenching ballad to be found. The guitars and beat are well done and Joylene’s vocals have a little Liz Phair meets Carole King quality. This comes through on the excellent mid-tempo “Roses” which is really an angry song played like a up-beat folkie freedom anthem.  The very entertaining jam continues on “Long Way Around” with a tight lead guitar weaving around the vocal track. One of best songs here is “Sidekick” with it’s rolling drum beat and guitar break, about a shoulder to lean on after things fall apart. The song is also the perfect lead-in for the stellar gem “Stay” with a killer guitar riff rhythm and more hooks than a bait shop. You gotta love the long pause and key change towards the songs end – that’s the most fun you can hope for in a break up.  Each song is solid with no filler here and fans of Marykate O’Neil and Fountains of Wayne should grab this release. Makes a great Valentine’s Day gift (no, really!)

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