Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Party Leftovers and new classics: Singles I missed

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There are a few more notable singles from 2023, but we start with something new for 2024. The Weeklings have a new album coming out on Jan. 19th, and we’ll feature the music video “Brian Jones,” about some dude who was in some band back in the olden days (wink!) Also new, The Lemon Twigs prove to you they have the best harmonies of any living band with “My Golden Years,” a true power pop gem that should not be missed. A big retro 60s sound comes from Jamie Turner with “A Girl Like You,” and he’s got a few singles sprinkled out there of equal quality. Douglas Diamond reminds me a little of Richard Butler (Psychedelic Furs) with his bass-driven “Sound of Music.” Melbourne’s hottest new addition, The Prize has big riffs on “First Sight,” so check out last year’s EP. Marc Valentine had this killer single this past October with “Skeleton Key,” so I’m glad to get this out. Brothers Tom (vox, guitar) and Ethan (guitar) Carroll work together as Captain Starlet, and “Self Portrait” makes a great impression. Finally, a new LP from Bebopalula is due this year, and a few singles have leaked, like “Overtures.” A few more LPs that should’ve made my top 25 list will be reviewed next.


Bill Lloyd and Jim Basnight

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Bill Lloyd

Bill Lloyd “Look Into It”

There is no doubt about the skill that Bill Lloyd possesses; nevertheless, after hitting a tremendous home run with Working The Long Game, he is satisfied to figuratively stop and smell the roses with his latest release. He explores a few different styles on this album, but it starts with the impressive low-rhythm title track “Look Into It.” This is Lloyd’s bread and butter, with a terrific riff in the chorus and a strong lyric. The curious “This Ain’t My Parade” recalls his earlier works, with a dreamer looking back on his career. Bill moves along with strange stories in “Aroma Dollerhead” and the pounding “Number System.” One of the better songs here is “Keep the Place Clean.” You can almost see the music video in your head; it’s so well done. “Road Trip Betty” is a great car-driving song; you can picture the signs just passing on the highway.

Check out “She Cheated on Her Pain” and “We Can Drive.” The depressing mood of these songs doesn’t diminish their narrative power. There are folk ballads (“Half Mast” is a nod to John Prine) and country acoustic (“Bunny in the High Grass”). There are weird attempts at reggae (“Don’t Watch Me”)  and an instrumental (“Game Show Stars of the 70s”) But make no mistake, Lloyd’s music is a treasure, and most of his tunes hit the mark. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Jim Basnight

Jim Basnight “Summertime Peculiar”

Within the span of a double album consisting of 21 tracks, Jim Basnight has crafted what is arguably his most eclectic record to date. The album features elements of pop, rock, jazz, bluegrass, and blues.  The best music here swings across several levels, starting with the swaying horns of “Summertime Again” to the light, goofy “Lattes.” The play “Little Rock” by Basnight served as the inspiration for many of the songs, and Suze Sims’ female backing vocals plus some strings give some of them a distinct adult jazz-pop feel. For the best of this style, check out “The Heart” and “Stars in Time.”

There are good rock songs (“What I Wouldn’t Do” and “We Rocked We Rolled”), but his best work here is on “Guilty” and Stones-like pop like “Stay To The End.” Another silly sing-along “Cameltoe” (doing a play on “Happy Trails”) and some country bluegrass and jazz notes (“Elma” and “Something Peculiar”), and there you have it. While the album theme doesn’t necessarily tell a story, the emotional delivery of most of these songs is strong and gets better with replays. This is music that deserves to be heard.

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The Power Popaholic Top 25 albums of 2023 + More

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Because of its infectious melodies, catchy hooks, and guitar-driven rhythms, power pop has always had a special place in the hearts of music fans. This year saw a significant shift, with performers openly embracing a diverse range of inspirations, changing the genre’s sonic terrain. From indie rock to jangle, electronic elements to noise pop, the once-narrowly defined genre has broadened its horizons and welcomed new sound aspects. There is still a contingent of retro or Beatlesque rockers on this list, but they are not the majority here. Only one album here has not been officially reviewed in this list (you get a “no-prize” if you can spot it!) The EP list will be coming later this week! I look forward to a busy 2024.

  1. The Summertimes “The Summertimes”
  2. The Anderson Council “The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon”
  3. Kurt Baker “Rock ‘N’ Roll Club”
  4. The Small Square “Ours & Others”
  5. Erik Voeks “It Means Nothing Now”
  6. Cupid’s Carnival “Rainbow Child”
  7. Tamar Berk “Tiny Injuries”
  8. Mike Viola “Paul McCarthy”
  9. Uni Boys “Buy This Now!”
  10. Ryan Allen and His Extra Arms “The Last Rock Band”
  11. Rinehearts “Full Bloom”
  12. The Tearaways “And For Our Next Trick”
  13. Ryan Hamilton “Haunted By The Holy Ghost” 
  14. Ransom and Subset “Perfect Crimes”
  15. Hurry “Don’t Look Back”
  16. The Midnight Callers “Rattled Humming Heart”
  17. Lemon Twigs “Everything Harmony”
  18. Nick Frater “Bivouac”
  19. The Pink Spiders “Freakazoid”
  20. Dave Kuchler “Love & Glory”
  21. Thomas Walsh “The Rest is History”
  22. Meyerman “Happy To See You”
  23. Justin Levinson “Collamer Circle” 
  24. Mothboxer “Breathe”
  25. Onesie “Liminal Hiss”
  26. Duncan Reid “And It’s Goodbye From Him”
  27. The Rallies “It Must Be Love”
  28. Lunar Laugh “In The Black”
  29. Eyelids “A Colossal Waste Of Light”
  30. Brad Marino “Grin & Bear It”
  31. Somerdale “Let’s Get Started”
  32. The Flashcubes “Pop Masters”
  33. Salim Nourallah “A Nuclear Winter”
  34. The Blood Rush Hour “Sanity Fare”
  35. Diners “Domino”
  36. Parthenon Huxley “As Good As Advertised”
  37. Semisonic “Little Bit of Sun”
  38. Arthur Alexander “…Steppin’ Out!”
  39. Vanity Mirror “PUFF”
  40. Miss Chain & The Broken Heels “Storm”
  41. Dave Cope and the Sass “Killer Mods From Inner Space”
  42. Steve Stoeckel “The Power of And”
  43. Ed Ryan “A Big Life”
  44. Dropkick “The Wireless Revolution”
  45. Lane Steinberg “Headspace”
  46. Star Collector “Attack, Sustain, Decay​.​.​. Repeat”
  47. The Radio Field “Don’ts and Dos”
  48. Chris Church “Radio Transient”
  49. Paul McCann “Alter Ego”
  50. Super Cassette “Continue?”

Quick Takes: Reno Bo, Perilous, Semisonic, Shplang

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This is the last of my 2023 reviews. No doubt (as in previous years), I will continue to review the albums I missed in January.

Reno Bo “Never Night Time On The Sun”

With this album, Reno owes more to singer-songwriters of the mid-70s. Influences here include Eric Clapton, Grand Funk Railroad, and Supertramp. Reno recreates the era’s sound perfectly, “Magic Key” is a memorable highlight, and “See You In The Morning” is like vintage Hollies. “That’s Just The Way It Goes” has a nice little hook, and “Easy On Me” moves it up a decade or so, a la Blue Oyster Cult. Bo’s originals feel so familiar; it’s like putting on a comfortable old slipper. Highly Recommended. Buy it on Amazon.


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Perilous “Yeah!!!”

With “Rock & Roll Kiss,” this female-fronted band from Buffalo follows in the footsteps of Bebe Buell, Joan Jett, and The Runaways (although there are a few guys in the group as well).  The retro narrative “Name in the Paper” is another standout, and Perilous gives us the requisite shout-out to their NYC heroes in “Last of the Dying Breed,” like Joey Ramone. This is meat-and-potatoes rock and roll, so if you’re in that mood, check it out. Buy it on Amazon

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Semisonic “Little Bit of Sun”

An interesting thing happens to a band after 22 years (the last time Semisonic had a full studio release) Lead singer/songwriter Dan Wilson got a job with some major pop stars (Adele, Taylor Swift), and the band has matured. Semisonic can still effortlessly blend elements of rock, indie pop, and country. “The Rope” is a great example. Although the band is mellower (what do you expect?) they still have great chemistry and do a fine job with “So Amazed,” “Grow Your Own,” “Don’t Fade Away,” and “Little Bit of Sun.” Then bassist John Munson wrote and performed “If You Say So,” a melancholy reflection on their brief moment in the spotlight.  It’s good to hear these guys again, even if it’s “under the radar.” Highly Recommended.  Buy it on Amazon

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Shplang “Thank You, Valued Customer”

With an emphasis on innovative arrangements and a mischievous spirit, Shplang performs alternative pop music that fuses psychedelia, pop, and folk. The band may have started as a standard power pop band, but they’ve evolved into their skin (much like label mates, Spygenius) over the years. Shplang incorporates a lot more psychedelic and eclectic sounds but keeps the pop melodies. “Understood” is an early bouncy standout (love the horns!) and the mellow encouragement of “Everyone Can Change” is heartfelt. There is lots of experimental stuff, but “Little Mushroom Men from Mars” stuck with me most. Adventurous listeners will be rewarded. Buy it on Amazon

Quick Takes: Ex-Norwegian, Armchair Oracles, Buddie, Dogpile on the Rabbit

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The amount of music that I have to listen to causes me to miss out on a lot of wonderful material, and every year I feel like I’m going to be crushed around this time. That being said, rather than apologize, here are four mini-reviews. Another one will be out before the new year!

Ex-Norwegian “Sooo Extra”

The band leans more into its psyche-pop roots, and Roger Houdaille knows how to jam. The cool “Photograph” and “Send Nudes” are Kinks-meets-Pink Floyd hybrids, but the big single here is the catchy “Real Bad Bunny.” You’ll see visions of rabbits playing guitars. Great music for chillin’ out. Buy it on Amazon


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Armchair Oracles “Nothingeveris”

It’s been over ten years, but this Norwegian band can still bring the goods: Cheap Trick-ish guitars on the powerful “Addicted to the Ride” and relax to the dreamlike ambient mood of “Across the Divide.” The band doesn’t stick to one format and maintains compelling songwriting throughout. I love the comparisons and similarities between the two pop icons on “Nilsson Wilson.” Highly Recommended. Buy it on Amazon

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Buddie “Agitator”

Vancouver rockers surprised me with their strong guitar-based melodies, starting with “Break of The Sun.” Fans of Posies will enjoy this album. With the excellent “Class Warfare,” heavy fuzz rules, and almost Nirvana grunge on “We’ll Never Break” and “Ugly in The End,” Guaranteed the best $1 you’ll spend this year. Highly Recommended. Get it on Bandcamp

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Dogpile on the Rabbit “Way Back Now”

This New Jersey band reminds me of The Successful Failures from years ago. The main influences are The Replacements and The Clash. The opener, “Gettin’ So Old,” grows on you despite the simple lyrics. Songs about drinking and hanging out are here: “Back of the Bar” and “Help Me Stand.” Next, “Running Partner” has a little Springsteen in its DNA. “Good Old Dead and Gone” is pure Lou Reed. There is a good mix of rock styles here. Great music for chillin’ out. Buy it on Amazon