Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic Archives - Page 297 of 353

Skidmore Fountain "Cloudless Blue"

June 9, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Brooklyn’s Skidmore Fountain is a collection of eclectic musicians, Randy Bergida (vocals/guitar), Topu Lyo (cello/vocals), and Steven Cohen (guitar/vocals) who produce alternative pop that has plenty of soundscapes with orchestral touches. If The Flaming Lips and Coldplay teamed up with Jeff Lynne adding a rare flourish, you’d get close to this band’s sound. Opening with a combination of violins and guitars, “Asylum” boasts an impressive array of instrumentation and driving beat to Bergida’s vocal. The highlight early on for me was “Drive By Reflection” where the simple guitar rhythms merge from a Cure-like narrative to a rich orchestral tapestry. The ghostly harmonies, handclaps and guitar breaks of “When The Sun Comes” is a loose series of sketches, rather than a structured song. It’s almost like a pop version of free form jazz. Too often, despite the musicianship, we are missing the hooks here on long winding tracks. Sometimes this doesn’t hurt a song like “Cloudless” or “Whole World” where the melodies and musical textures hold everything together fine. The gorgeous harmonies are upfront on “Sun In The Sky” with a vivid image of beach heat making this my favorite track. Other tracks like “Anyone Around” get too loose, and it almost becomes an extended reggae jam – some listeners will appreciate all the sonic details, but if you’re looking for quick pop songs under three minutes look elsewhere. I have to admit the songs have a soothing quality I don’t find in most pop music.

MySpace | CD Baby

First IN Space "This is Not Here"

June 9, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic

First in Space was formed in 2006 by Johnny Stanec and Dolus McCormick. After touring the Midwest, they honed their sound and recorded this album in 2007. As a debut the music is polished and professional and makes an excellent impression. These guys play straight up rock and roll here, “Jenny” opening the album with strong guitar chords and drumming, but it gets even better as the album plays on. I took notice of the melodic “Taken For Granted” which remind me of both Tom Petty and Joe Jackson. The awesome “What You Need” has a Posies flavor to it that was just catchy and irresistible. The band brings classic rock harmonies to these tracks that help make them true pop gems. With the longer cuts “Anything At All” and “I Let You Down” it tends to get more standardized in sound. But the power pop comes through in the richly detailed “Lock It Away” and those great builds to a chorus in “Wasted Time” will definitely be appreciated by music connoisseurs. Other songs have varied influences, “In The Water” and “Last One” have a slight REM vibe, but the group has a sound that merely touches these influences without sacrificing any originality. Worth the effort here, and a new album is already in the works!

MySpace | Itunes

J.P. Cregan "Man Overboard"

June 5, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

ESPN basketball writer John Cregan’s alter ego, J.P. Cregan has put together a stellar collection of pop songs. And he’s no rookie either, having been guitarist for alt. country band Parklane Twin. With the help of Highland Park-based wunderkind-ace producer Nik Freitas, J.P. opens with “Carolyn (The Pledge Drive)” a very Nick Lowe-ish styled pub rock with a hint of country. The smooth “Count to Three” is like Glen Tilbrook at his catchiest, with a jaunty piano and guitar melody. The Elvis Costello/Marshall Crenshaw influence is all over the album (and J.P.’s vocals are very similar) but it works best on “Barbara is Strange” and I wonder out loud why those rock “legends” don’t write like this anymore. The jangle guitar and chorus makes “Atmosphere” a real pop delight. More gems here are the chiming “Jeni” and “Miss Highland Park” with hand claps and minor chords that will have you playing air guitar in no time. A few ballads here don’t spoil the party either, as “Searched For Me” and the title track aren’t as memorable, but still highly listenable without a filler in sight. This is high quality pop that really rocks and deserves a top ten for 2009 nod. What else can I say but “Man Overboard” is a Slam Dunk (pun intended – ouch).

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

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The Simple Carnival "Girls Aliens Food"

June 3, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

The Simple Carnival does not rock. Pittsburgh based singer/songwriter Jeff Boller couldn’t agree more. After all “there are a million musicians who play rock better” he says. Instead Boller excels at sunny pop melody so sweet and bubbly, you may even think you’re listening to a kids album. But you’re not, and like Mitch Friedman’s “Game Show Teeth,” it’s good natured and inventive pop melodies that are a joy to listen to. Try to imagine if Harry Nilsson and Brian Wilson collaborated on Sesame Street and you get the idea. Opening with the gentle harmonies on “Really, Really Weird” it sparkles with it’s catchy chorus. The impressive “Caitlin’s On The Beach” shows off for you Beach Boy fans out there. “Flirt” has a ’70s styled piano pop bounce similar to Seals & Crofts that is just infectious. The angelic a cappella overdubs on “Nothing Will Ever Be As Good” are so crisp, that it’s comparable to Jeffery Foskett. The mid tempo “Misery” is another story-styled song that reminds me lyrically of Andrew Gold or Henry Gross. Even the last track, “Hey Lancaster” builds to a shimmering crescendo of vocals and keyboard overdubs. Boller plays all thirty or so featured instruments himself, layering their sounds one at a time in his basement studio. Every track is solid throughout and “Girls Aliens Food” should rightfully be called a soft pop masterpiece. It’s a precise musical craftsmanship that shouldn’t be missed.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame | Amazon

Greg Pope "Pete" EP and interview

June 1, 2009November 16, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Greg Pope had arguably the best power pop album last year with Pop Monster. Well, the follow up is finally here with the “Pete” EP. And like Pop Monster it still has those wonderful layers upon layers of heavy guitar, evidenced by the opener “Fall into Your Arms.” The melodies continue to evoke Badfinger, The Who, Led Zepplin, Guided By Voices and his last band, Edmund’s Crown. With the next song “Help Yourself” it continues the melodic guitar assault. “How Do You Do It” has a 70’s-era bass line mixed with a funky rhythm. The big melodic single “Roll With It” is very much in the Emitt Rhodes mold with a dash of Pope’s multi-layered Beatle touches in the chorus, and even the “Lady Madonna” bassline. “Let it Roll Off” has a gentle country strum and bouncy rhythm. Even the ending track “In My Head” does exactly what the title says, and remains “in your head” long after the song ends with a looping Zepplin riff. I could be picky and mention that the vocals are a bit overshadowed by the guitar work, so figuring out the lyrics aren’t that easy. The fact remains that every song here is simply brilliant and I am ready blast this music on my car stereo this summer. In other words, Pete is most worthy follow up to Pop Monster — and just as impressive. I don’t really rate EPs in a top ten at the end of the year, but I’m ready to declare this the best EP I’ve heard so far.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

PETE – Greg Pope

I decided to strike while the EP was hot off the presses and interview Greg about his solo career and the future of Edmunds Crown. Read the interview here or click the Artists Interviews button on the right.