Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic Archives - Page 296 of 353

Vegas With Randolph "Vegas With Randolph"

June 22, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 2 Comments

A new Washington DC band where no one is actually named Randolph. Lead by John Ratts (Vocals/Guitars) and Eric Kern (Keyboards/Vocals) they approach the music with a smart enthusiasm reminiscent of Fountains of Wayne and early Joe Jackson. The opening track “Be The One” starts the party atmosphere going (you can easily imagine this live) with strong lead guitars, keys and a beat that recalls The Isley Brothers “Shout.” The next tune “Happy” is a straight ahead power pop song, and the harmonies between Ratts and Kern are tight. The next few songs, “Milky Way Girl,” “The Same” and “When” seem to channel mid-nineties college rock pretty well. The tracks slow down a bit after the Oasis meets Sloan “Versailles” with changes in both tone and tempo. Both “Arizona Blue” and “Yours and Mine” have almost an alt. country earnestness. The album ends with a huge song cycle called “Longplay” which is almost a whole different album. Highlights here are the stellar “Got To Have Your Love” and piano ballad “Dreams of The Night” could be a full musical show tune. When you add it up that’s almost 18 tracks – a lot to absorb here. Maybe too much – as the throw it out and see what sticks method doesn’t always produce a cohesive album experience (sometimes it does work). But you’ll have to judge that yourself. Either way you’ll get an excellent value for your musical dollar.

My Space | CD Baby

Boatclub "boatclub"

June 18, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Boatclub is a five piece rock band that has a wonderfully organic sound that reminds me of Buffalo Springfield crossed with The Lemonheads. The band boasts a potent line up Mark Hanley flanked by grizzled Rain Parade veterans Matt Piucci and John Thoman, bassist Tommy Carns and drummer Stephan Junca. The loose harmonies of “I Used To Fly In My Dreams” is a brilliant Dennis Wilson styled intro to this album. The laid back follow up “Love” has that Neil Young meets Byrds expansive guitar sound. “My Bad Self” compares well with Evan Dando’s catchiest tunes and the ever present guitar rhythm drives everything forward. “Never Gonna Let You Down” then takes guitar textures to the extreme with this Beatles meets Pink Floyd jam, which uses the “Dear Prudence” riff across a dissonant chorus. The ballads approach Robert Pollard-land with great experimental distortions and minimalist melodic beauty. Examples of this contrast are the oppressive “Close” and majestic “Reason for Living.” After a few more listens, you’ll appreciate all the great sonic details stuffed into songs like “Peace and Quiet” and “Tell Me Things,” where they sing “it’s all good fun until someone loses an eye..” It’s almost a revolutionary approach on this massive 18 track beast of an album. The quality of songs don’t drop off here and get both surreal (“Mouse’s Head”) and psychedelic (“Complacent Americans”). In other words, the band’s batting average is pretty good. Find a nice low lit room, headphones and lose yourself in the boatclub.

My Space | CD Baby | Boatclub band

Big Star Box Set and Book

June 17, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Big Star inspired a fevered allegiance among fans of power pop, giving rise to a cult of believers who spent decades spreading the gospel. Their enthusiasm turned this obscure Memphis pop band-one that got little airplay, sold few records, and only played a handful of times- into a remarkable rock and roll resurrection story. Big Star’s trek from obscure Memphis band to standard bearers for an entire genre of music has never been fully mapped-until now. Rhino presents the definitive look at the definitive power-pop band with a four-disc boxed set divided between key cuts from Big Star’s three studio albums and unreleased music. KEEP AN EYE ON THE SKY is available now at Amazon

On a related note, Bruce Eaton has released a new book on the subject of Big Star titiled “Radio City (33 1/3).” In it he examines the key ingredients of Radio City’s lasting appeal- and through extensive interviews gets to the heart of the cult of Big Star. It explores the origins of classic songs like “September Gurls” and “Back of a Car” and has plenty of anecdotes of the recording process from people who were actually there. A must for Big Star devotees and Powerpopaholics. Bruce also has a blog with interesting tidbits about Big Star that didn’t make it in the book.
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Roger Klug "More Help For Your Nerves"

June 15, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

The new, and greatest release from Roger Klug— ten years in the making, is everything power pop fans have been waiting for. Fans of Roger Manning, Steve Eggers, Bleu, Mike Viola, will find everything to love about this album. Full of variety and complex melodies, it will take many listens to really appreciate everything here. Opening with the ringing guitars of “Tinnitus” it establishes Klug’s early volley of guitar heavy brilliance. It’s followed by the aggressive “Dump Me Hard” which end in a screaming eenie-meeny-miney-moe! The Partridge-styled “An Artist in the Field” is followed by the jangling highlight “Girl After My Own Heart.” Other songs have incredible guitar breaks (“About Time”) or turn out a perfect musical bridge (“A Girl Like That”) similar to The Wondermints. Other gems include “The Day I Had My Brain Removed” and the stunning “Hi-Hat” and “Bi-Curious” are full of dense riffs that give Greg Pope a run for his money. Even “Man’s Man” will recall Joe Jackson’s early spirit and energy. The eight minute ending song “Your Diary” didn’t drag at all and reprises a few of the album’s earlier melodies, like a grand finale should. A few don’t float my boat, like the show piano ditties “Witch From Hell” and “Bogeyman,” but that’s me being picky. There are more highlights here that I can mention, and Klug really mixes his tuneful melodies with a deft touch I’ve not heard since Andy Partridge himself. Like manna from heaven, it should be savored again and again.

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

Michael Carpenter "Redemption #39"

June 11, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic

In his first solo album of new material since 2004’s “Rolling Ball,” it’s refreshing to hear from Michael again in vintage form. As one of the top power pop talents on the globe, Carpenter here gives a clinic on how to write, perform and record a great album. Starting with the highly catchy “Can’t Go Back,” the song showcases his Beatlesque percussion and strong melody. Written between 2006 and 2008 at his studio in Sydney, Australia, the lyrics reflects the dark mood and somber themes of creative despair, lost love and failure that contrast with the familiar upbeat rhythms. For example on the title track, he intones “Heaven help the fool who falls a victim to desire…” Being a one man band, the guitar work on each track is strummed to perfection. The honky tonk flavor on “Workin’ For A Livin” makes for perfect toe tapping theme to the drudgery of employment. Michael then combines elements of Jellyfish and Queen to create the creative “The King Of The Scene.” After such a stellar first half, we slow down with a ballad (“Don’t Let Me Down Again”) before he boils down his life to the “Middle of Nowhere” where his soul just pours out. This track is the pinnacle of the album and a personal highlight for me. The remaining tracks are almost as strong lyrically as well as melodically. “Falling Down” is an uplifting confessional gem with a clean multitrack vocal chorus. Clearly, this is the strongest Carpenter album since his debut “Baby.” For a limited time, a bonus disc version of the album will be available. Entitled “The Stripped Redemption #39”, it presents the whole album with minimal accompaniment, highlighting the vocal arrangements of the material. If you aren’t that familiar with Carpenter’s work (what rock have you been hiding under?) this is a fine place to start, as well as last year’s compilation “Up Close.”

My Space | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik | Rhapsody | Big Radio