Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Danny Echo and The Chemistry Set

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Danny Echo “Danny Echo”
The first impressions from Vancouver powerpop/alt-rock band Danny Echo was that distinct deep raspy rock vocal that reminds me of Cheap Trick mixed with The Rolling Stones. The first couple tracks, “Out Of Style” and “Killing Me” are strong and slick productions that would be well suited for a big arena. Danny delivers the rock and roll goods with loud guitars, keyboards and soaring falsetto. Even better is the anthemic chorus on “Tomorrow Today” which approaches Oasis for delivery and tone. Lots of added instrumental goodies are sprinkled in songs like the horns and interwoven vocal parts in “It’s Up To You.” You’ll hear a lots of other influences here from the Cars, U2, and even Garth Brooks in places. The music has a professional polish and style, but by trying to please several different audiences at once, it loses it’s punch after the first half. However it’s worth sticking through it to hear the majestic orchestration of “Barely Getting By” which would sound great in concert I’ll bet. My lighter is ready.
MySpace | CDBaby| Danny Echo site


The Chemistry Set “Alchemy#101” EP
This UK band gets lots of props for doing psyche pop the right way and deserves a spot on your shelf next to your Gripweeds and the High Dials albums. Band members David McLean and Paul Lake have plenty of good vibes and harmonies flowing across this debut EP. The opening “She’s Taking Me Down” features rich instrumental textures, the ever present rhythmic vibrato and flowing Rickenbacker guitar leads. The follow up “Seeing Upside Down” have that Bryds meets Bob Mould atmosphere, with a wicked guitar break that will get fans of XTC’s Dukes of the Stratosphear excited. And all those psychedelic sound cues are in no way gratuitous. Turn on the black light and tune out on “Look To The Sky” with a smooth Farfisa organ lead.  But my favorite here was the jangle fest of “If Rome Was Meant to Fall” — it’s got the hooks, harmony and layered guitars aplenty. Not a bad track here and definitely worth seeking out. Expected to be released on CDBaby any day now I was told. 
MySpace | HeyDay Mailorder | Kool Kat Musik

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The Luxury "This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things"

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With the new U2 album making the rounds and getting good reviews, I wanted to post a vid by a band that came out in 2007, with plenty of big hooks and melodies. The Luxury have a full rich sound that compares well with Bono and crew, on the opening single “Let Go.” Thankfully, this is not the only style the Luxury emulate. The brainchild of Boston frontman/guitarist Jason Dunn, the band specializes in anthemic rock with a big stadium sound. You hear it right away, the full guitar buzz on “Seven Stories” that brings to mind Oasis and Bob Mould’s Sugar to the dramatic piano lead power ballad “Rockets and Wrecking Balls.” Even the melodic vocal and guitar phrasing of “So Easy” will win over pop purists and the cool layered riffs of  “Malcontent” recall a mix of  Badfinger and Coldplay. By the album’s mid point it gets a little self indulgent along the lines of Tonic with “Simple” and “Covered in Smiles,” but this doesn’t spoil anything after it. At the end of the album, the majestic eight minute epic “Commonplace” has a vibe similar to the Police mixed with Radiohead, as things get all Kid A on us. Though the ending may wear you out, there is plenty to like here. Fans of Ed Harcourt should be all over this one too.

CDBaby | The Luxury website

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The Krayolas "Long Leaf Pine (no smack gum)"

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A long-time favorite group of this blog has been The Krayolas. I reviewed La Conquistadora and Best Riffs Only, and found that the band thrives on that razors edge between latino and British pop influences. Once again, Hector Saldana and the group make catchy merseybeat melodies with trademark horns on the opener “Marie Laveau.” This third album gets very topical with the single “Corido Twelve Heads In A Bag” which starts with a festive accordion intro, and turns into a Dylanesque comment on the Mexican drug wars. “So Happy” is a transitional, rough rock song that sounds anything but, with some great guitar riffs here, although the vocals get lost and the harmonies are a bit off (on purpose). But this is just a diversion from the traditional songs about girls and falling in love. The best ones here “Chola Song” and “Hurting Me Baby” are straight out of The Monkees playbook and a a joy to listen to. We come back to the Bob Dylan blues on the title track “Long Leaf Pine” and even a little bit of Elvis Presley on “Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.” But by the albums mid-point, we get to the Krayolas we all know and expect. The gentle “Fish Out Of Water” and bar room harmonies of “I Wanna Fall in Love Again” have those great chord changes and Beatley melodies you cannot resist. The Dave Clark Five styled “Matter Of Time” is another standout here. It ends with the lounge jazz stylings of “Every Little Heart” on a weary note, but the band does successfully explore new sounds without losing it’s core audience. I also love the fact that the cover parodies The Rolling Stones “Out Of Our Heads” album design. No matter the style, The Krayolas prove they can make it sound good and catchy. Once again, Viva La Krayolas!

My Space | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik | Itunes

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The Webstirs "So Long"

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Preston Pisellini and Mark Winkler have formed the Webstirs’ backbone for 16 years, and after 2000‘s indie-pop gem, “Radio Racket,” they moved on to other projects. Well, after seven long years, Chicago’s Webstirs have roared back to life. Opening with the wistful piano chords of “Summer Fades” it nods tribute to Brian Wilson’s “Smile” and then blasts into the dual guitar and horn attack of “Wesley Station” that draws from The Jellysfish, Queen and The Posies, and it will have power pop fans pulse racing — amazing melody with a multi-instrumental celebration of sound. Preston and Mark are helped by former Redwalls drummer Jordan Kozer and bassist Charlie Short to round out this excellent album. This continues with “Somewhere To Start” and “So Long” as the party just keeps going, with some great piano support, to the incredible riffs and harmonies. I was waiting for a low point on this album.. and there isn’t any. “Malaise” is a great Beatlesque romp, with that rolling baseline and Penny Lane era horn arrangements. And that doesn’t mean these guys don’t rock hard either, the next song “Apparition Shine” is an amazing Green Day meets Weezer inspired single that draws together a wall of guitar sound that will sonically mow you down. It’s followed by the ELO-inspired “Big Break” full of rich synths and echoing vocals that Jeff Lynne would be proud of.  On “What Do You Believe” it goes back to both Wilson and Bacharach with it’s gorgeous harmonies and horn flourishes. “Still Drowning” mentions the frustrations of the current state of music industry, and surviving in it. Much of the songs deal with the experiences of the past eight years, and it requires multiple listens to really appreciate it. And the music here doesn’t just have obvious influences, it transcends that to form something unique. This is what many pop fans have been waiting for all year. The Webstirs have delivered genius. Don’t let this one pass you by.

My Space | CD Baby | Webstirs.com



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The Junior League "Smile Shoot Smile"

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Hailing from St Augustine, Fla., The Junior League aka Joe Adragna once again has delivered some pop goodness to follow up his debut “Catchy”. The new album has plenty of sharp pop craft along the lines of REM jangle and The Beatles, with a touch of Toad The Wet Sprocket. Joe is more than a one man band here, as the opener “Everybody Loves Me (But You)” has much in common with Buffalo Springfield and Brian Wilson. The songs are cleanly produced and well written – “It’s The End” pumps up the volume in this traditional break up song with forceful guitar riffs. The melodic and mellow tunes do the best here, from “What I Am” to the sunny “Memories” remind me of Stealers Wheel in the baseline. The lower key songs “Sundress” and “What If I Am,” touches on adult contemporary pop. But it goes the other way as “Princess Stephanie” is true pop gem, with a soulful vocal and toe tapping chorus and “Hey, Pop Life” brings to mind The Ramones. Some deep lyrical work in “I Never Thought” refer to the struggle with letting go, as he sings “I never thought I’d be so tired..” Well, I don’t think I will grow tired of The Junior League anytime soon.

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

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