Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic Archives - Page 301 of 340

The Wellingtons "Heading North For The Winter"

December 21, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

The sunshiny goodness that is those Australian wonders, The Wellingtons have returned with an album of pure pop magic. Opening with the winding of a child’s toy “Song for Kim” soars along with twisting riffs and hand claps. The hard driving melodies continue with “Come Undone” which has a Jellyfish meets Rooney vibe, and the utterly charming chorus that is easily one of the best songs this year. “I Get My Heart Broken Everyday” has swelling brass and toe-tapping swagger, and a nice synth coda to each chorus. “Natalie” is another flawless gem, that goes along to Roger Manning Jr. land, with a fresh faced melody supported by layered vocals and guitars. Every song shines here and it’s tough to come up with anymore gushing praise for this album, which hits peaks many times. Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, Heading North For The Winter is everything a great pop record should be – short, sweet and to the undeniably catchy pop point. So stop reading and get this one already — I’ve only a few more days left for regular reviews before the top ten poll starts.

My Space | CD Baby | Lojinx site

Listen to “A Song For Kim”

The Kickbacks, Michael Carpenter and The Davenports EPs

December 19, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

With a big holiday weekend here, I’m getting the 2008 poll ready – here are some great EPs (some free) and new tunes which tell me 2009 will continue to offer great music:

The Davenports “Thinking About You, Maryann”
It’s been way too long a wait for this EP from these NYC favorites. The title track is a gentle McCartneyesque ballad with intricate acoustic picking and upright bass that just hits the sweet spot. The holiday song “Whore for The Holidays” has just a lovely melody and wry wit that recalls Fountains of Wayne and is one of the best new Christmas songs I’ve heard. It’s rounded out by “Don’t Cry Mary” – another winner, if this EP doesn’t perk you up — you’re probably “dead, dead, dead”. Plus on Amazon, you get one song for FREE!
My Space | E Music | Amazon (free song)

The Kickbacks “Even the Blues”
Here’s your chance to get yet another goody this holiday season, The Kickbacks have parts of the new album still available for free download. Tad Overbaugh and Steve Scott, brings quality musicianship to this highly polished rock and roll album. If you are fans of both The Lemonheads and The Gin Blossoms you’ll enjoy these laid back guitar lead melodies. “Figure You Out” has a Westerberg-like growl and steady guitar rhythm. The other songs have a Stonesy feel with a modern twist. The EP is a free download but, I would encourage you to get the whole album.
My Space | Kickbacks website (Download here) | CD Baby

Michael Carpenter and The Cuban Heels “Give the Dog a Bone”
This time we find power pop legend Michael Carpenter has gathered together The Cuban Heels, a loose collective of musicians. The name of the game here is rootsy Americana, evidenced by the Gram Parsons-like “Bad Poetry” and though the guitar and melody of “Wonder Why” is along the lines of Beach Boy song, its got the slide guitar and catchy honky tonk goodness to make it real ear candy. The country shuffle of other tracks (“Bleeding Money”) make me want to suggest he should tour with Gary Louris or Rhett Miller . The sound is as rich as ever and he sounds like he’s having a ball on “Different With You” – you will too with this highly recommended EP!
My Space | Not Lame | big radio

Bos Taurus "It’s Plain"

December 18, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Delaware native Steve Chesser has put together a group of songs he describes as “anatomically correct indie pop.” It started as a group of home-grown demos and they are gathered here. The album starts out exceptionally strong with “Anyway, Anyhow” and one can compare the skilled melodies with multi-part guitars to Jeff Murphy or Todd Rundgren. The song tempo speeds up for the excellent “Dead Inside” which is the catchiest song about nihilism I’ve heard since Nillson’s “One” that isn’t a ballad. The guitar work and harmonies are beautifully composed and performed. “Fool” adds a slightly harder edge, and the juxtaposed guitar and vocals on “What Comes Around” are incredible, kind of like if Dave Grohl joined Sugar Ray, instead of Foo Fighters. The mid tempo ballad “The Day You Left” is another standout (although the metronome beat is annoying). Towards the latter end of the album the tone starts to change to more conventional jangle pop, this starts on “Evermore” and continues through “Some Say” where REM and Sebadoh’s DIY feel start to dominate the sound. Chesser also did everything here, all the instruments, recording and engineering. And that is my only pet peeve here, this album would be truly great if a top notch pop producer, like Jason Falkner got a hold of these tracks. The songs are too good for the lo-fi auteur approach. Don’t let that prevent you from hearing this though. Fans of REM, Shoes, and Smog will love this.

My Space | Itunes | CD Baby

Listen to “Some Say”

Listen to “Fool”

The Respectables "Sibley Gardens"

December 17, 2008January 5, 2025 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

If you could picture the perfect bar band – does a mix of The Replacements and Cheap Trick sound right to you? Well, The Respectables, (Nick Piunti, Joey Gaydos, and Donn Deniston) cover that ground pretty well. The CD starts with the rocker “Charged By The Minute” and it has the piss and sweat pouring out of these guys like classic ‘Mats. This is high powered pop in Detroit “Motor City” style all through it’s 11 tracks. Lead vocalist Nick Piunti recalls a mix of Ryan Adams and Mike Viola. “Could It Be” states “it seems like I know you” with a simple riff and beat track that is both familiar and new at the same time. The Squeeze-like opening guitar jangle of “Spark & Destiny” is my favorite here only because it combines that style with a Tom Petty type of weariness. The group gets a little too cutesy with a bell in “From This Place” and a few tracks seem to coast on a single rhythm. But, you’ll hear nice detailed guitar work from lead Joey Gaydos, where he adds little flourishes to the arena rock sound. Overall an excellent album, if you like bands like The Romeo Flynns, Cheap Trick or The Vines. Very respectable company indeed.

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

Graham Day And The Gaolers "Triple Distilled"

December 16, 2008April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic

Graham Day (The Prisoners, Prime Movers, The Solar Flares) and The Gaolers put out great classic garage with a modern punk appeal. They hailed from the Medway Delta in England, and he Gaolers have the Eric Burdon and The Animals sound down pat on “Better Man.” This is pure gold for fans of the blue-eyed soul groups of the ’60s, like The Box Tops, and R&B rock of The Yardbirds. The White Stripes wishes they could sound this authentic and melodic as well. The rocking “Begging You” will get you moving from the opening piano and guitar riff. And the electric sitar/guitar combo of “Pass That Whiskey” is a great intro to a modern Raspberries-like melody. The aggressive “Wanna Smoke” is typical of the tunes here, with a driving beat and a snarl which has been perfectly captured in a simple arrangement. Yet Graham Day’s lyrics are completely legible and his vocals are tough, but not raspy (a common issue with retro beat bands). They also do a great job with the sound here, no overdone fuzztones or sonic distortions. Like in the the tune “Just A Song” Day sings “Don’t judge me/begrudge me, it’s just a song”- well it’s a damn fine song I’ll give you that. Place a copy of this with your early Who albums, or more recent bands like The Cynics and The Ugly Beats as one of the best in the genre.

My Space | Cargo Records site | E-Music | Not Lame

Listen to “Disown Me” from the earlier album, “The Daily Grind”