Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic Archives - Page 290 of 358

Bobby Emmett "Learning Love"

December 2, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Bobby Emmett (The Sights) has a new solo album here, and it’s got enough to make power pop fans cheer this holiday. Emmett channels Big Star, John Lennon and The Lolas in this exciting release. The entire album has a very classic 70’s arena rock feel, and “Queen of Hearts” starts out with a riff straight of out of The Raspberries and a tight vocal harmony that resembles Roger Manning Jr.’s multi tracked goodness. It’s the main highlight of this impressive album. The follow up “Broken Hearted” is another catchy melody, with a more modern pop feel. Every track here sounds like a winner, and “Still Wanna Be With You” is a good example. The echoing Dick Dale styled guitar solo and dense vocals add to the tracks wall of sound. Another great tune, “Moving Ahn” has distinct hooks and remind me of The Bay City Rollers or Sweet, but with an extra heavy riff break toward the back end. The songwriting is also consistently excellent, so if you are to complain here it would be that the production sheen is too thick, with Emmett’s vocal being over modulated in spots. But the combination of guitars and melodies will linger long after the last track plays. “Not Gonna Take It” glams it up with rough buzz riffs, and a strutting chorus that takes no prisoners. The bombastic finale “Love Is Real” piles it on really thick with guitars and psyche-pop distortions, but the melody pokes it’s way through to win you over. Overall, a strong contender for this years top ten, no doubt. For fans of the above influences, this is essential listening.

My Space | E-Music | Itunes | Amazon

Anny Celsi "Tangle-Free World"

November 24, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

If you combine equal parts of Laurie Biagini and The Gripweeds Kristin Pinell, you may likely end up with Anny Celsi. Anny Celsi is a west coast musician with links to Brian Wilson band alum Nelson Bragg, who produced the album. The title track is a good example of the Byrdsian jangle and exquisite psyche-pop harmonies perfect for a long car ride. Anny’s follow up song “Thanksgiving In Hollywood” starts slow but grows to a rich folk tapestry of guitars, and then she does a country ballad on “First Love Freezes” with a melancholy, but beautiful vocal lead. The Motown soul balladry of “Now You Can Hurt Me” is a nice change of pace here, that compares well with those classic girl groups of the 60’s. A bit of Bacharach styled pop is visible on “Own Sweet Time,” and it’s a gorgeous tune but I expected Anny to belt this one out, and her voice just stays too gentle and sweet here. A cover of Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra’s “Some Velvet Morning” (with Bragg and additional members of Brian Wilson’s band) is so effective, I would be really cool with a full album of this type of material (okay guys, get to work). Another highlight here is the strong hook of “Piece of Heaven,” full of jangle guitars and floating background harmonies. Anny is super talented here and the production work is superb as well. Fans of classic sixties pop influences should pick this one up right away.

My Space | CD Baby

Sarakula and The Spongetones present Jamie & Steve

November 23, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 2 Comments

Sarakula “City Heart”

Aussie singer songwriter Joel Sarakula is similar to fan favorite Jeff Litman, in that they both started as classically trained musicians and then set forth a mission to pursue pop perfection. The second album (check out the debut Souvenirs) is an excellent radio friendly treat. “Turn It Up” has just a touch of that 70’s Billy Joel vibe mixed with Neil Finn – and it’s irresistible. With it’s strong piano melodies and pretty sweet lyrics, “Matchstick Girl” is another treat that sticks in your head as well. The production is clean, but not overly slick, even though the dramatics are turned up for “Driving With The Devil.” The album sags a little in the middle with “Breathing Again,” and then it goes all Steely Dan with “Better Late Than Never.” If you also enjoy McCartney styled pop, it’s hard not to enjoy this disc. “Caught In The Middle” is another bouncy piano gem, that will make your feet tap and your head bop. And “Marlene” is a fast-paced direct descendant of Billy Joel’s “Laura.” Sarakula is currently on tour with fellow Australian Bob Evans, and what a cool double bill. This is simply another great pop artist that would normally fall under the radar.

MySpace | CD Baby | Itunes | Not Lame

The Spongetones present Jamie and Steve “English Afterthoughts”

I’m not sure why Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel needed to release this under their own names, but it’s a typical awesome Spongetones album. The Beatle-isms continue here, with great melodies and Jamies’ amazing guitar grooves. Quickly it starts off the ground with “Emily’s Ghost” and “Fly Girl” which highlight the duos angelic harmonies. “Let’s Don’t Count This One” is a Tom Petty styled pop guitar jangle and the Gerry & The Pacemaker styled Merseybeat ballads like “English Afternoon” and “Let Me Back In” are both short and sweet. The standout track here is “Between The Lines” with a daring dual melodic leads and a pile of hooks. The only small misstep might be “Do Be Cruel” as the song seems a bit strained, despite the wonderful background vocals. “Feeling You Are Watching Me” is another stroke of melodic brilliance and when you listen to it all, it’s consistently excellent – so once again no filler anywhere. I hope Jamie and Steve keep pumping out music. I can’t get enough of these guys, so it’s an easy recommendation.

MySpace | emusic | Amazon

Family of The Year "Songbook"

November 20, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Channeling Fleetwood Mac’s musical stylings with a hint of late-era Beatles, Family of the Year braid catchy melodies, stellar male/female vocals and personal folk tales to create some of the happiest and saddest music you’ve ever heard. Opening up with “Feel Good Track Of Rosemead” it’s a delicate harmony and rock guitar combo, very much like The New Pornographers, or The Polyphonic Spree. Actually, it’s singers Joe Keefe (formerly of The Billionaires) and Vanessa Long who harmonize and get lots of milage out of their pop chemistry and aural dynamics. Fans of The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds who hear the gems “Let’s Be Honest” and “Summer Girl” will find a connection there for sure. The folky guitar balladry of “Putting Money and Stuff” recall classic Mamas & The Papas, both “What a Suprise” and “No Good At Nothing” excel at telling a story musically. Hey, nobody else I’ve heard can toss off a great song about your favorite pair of blown-out blue jeans in “Intervention (Staple Jeans). “Castoff” and “Psyche Or Like Scope” moves into a synth heavy, new wave styled pop, with Vanessa leading the dance grooves, along the lines of Sinead O’Connor. The band was handpicked by Ben Folds to open for him and The Boston Pops at Symphony Hall. SPIN.com has selected the band as one 25 Must-Hear Artists from the 2009 CMJ Festival. I happen to agree – this is one of those “must get” pop albums. Another bonus: this album is available on a “pay-what-you-want” basis on the band’s website. Note: Coming soon, a full interview with lead singer Vanessa Long.

My Space | Family Of The Year Site

fun. "Aim and Ignite"

November 16, 2009January 5, 2025 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Nate Ruess (The Format) has decided to push some musical buttons here, much like Bryan Scary and The Shedding Tears by layering dense instrumentation, gospel choirs, electronic pulses and the kitchen sink. That kitchen sink includes pop god Roger Manning Jr. and producer Steven McDonald (Redd Kross). Opening with “Be Calm” it’s deceptively sweet ballad opening ironically turns into loud theatrical melodic chaos. Along with with ex-Anatholla member Andrew Dost and Steel Train frontman Jack Antonoff, the band is relentlessly accurate in it’s name. But I would add a capital “F” for fantastic. “Benson Hedges” continues the multi-instrumental grandiose pop chorus, a mix of Queen’s vocal harmonies and Tally Hall’s quirky soundscape. “All The Pretty Girls” is a killer single, and steals Mika’s old thunder this year. It’s catchy as hell as they tell you “the eighties is old” and with that violin following the melody. The over the top approach works beautifully in spots, like “Light A Roman Candle” which Jellyfish fans will just flip for. After hearing “Walking The Dog” I am reminded of the goofiness that Sugar Ray used to get away with when people took them seriously. The melodies shift so many times, on a few songs (“At Least I’m Not As Sad”) the hooks can get lost in the shuffle. But Nate’s vocals are so strong here, it’s hard to find fault with many songs, although the faux gospel can overwhelm listeners on “Barlights” and the Billy Joel-esque “The Gambler” is a welcome respite. The quite moments here are also bit too infrequent, but you’ll get carried away by this musical circus too quickly to notice. Epic pop this lush should not be overlooked.

My Space | Itunes | Amazon