I got an advance copy of Marykate’s new album “Underground” which is the follow up to the MK Ultra EP. In addition to one of the better tracks from the earlier EP like “Green Street” – we find Marykate leaning away from power pop a little into a full use of her singer/songwriter talents. “Easy To Believe at First” you hear a gentle Carole King vibe until the chorus explodes with melodic optimism and cool harmonies. “Saved” is another great song with some excellent lyrics about being proselytized. This formula also shows up on the dynamic and poignant “Mr. Friedman.” Then Marykate embraces her inner Joni Mitchell on the folkie ballads “Me, The Bee, The Miner” and the title track “Underground.” The latter track really shines and uses Marykate’s expressive vocal range. Lest we forget, we want some cool pop too, so we get a stellar cover of Joe Jackson’s “Different for Girls” and the bouncy fun of “One Thousand Times A Day.” The coda is the fitting “So Long” with a smooth melody and some nice slide guitar work. Overall a more mature direction that benefits the fans of Marykate for the better. Unfortunately, you will need to wait until February for this one. And yes it’s worth the wait, I will update the links at that time.
Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic
Friendly Foes "Born Radical"
A Detroit-based 3-piece that sounds like they are having a blast playing “My Body (Is a Strange Place To Live)” with it’s quick guitar riffs and Mother Hips-styled dense psyche touches. By getting down to the early 80’s DIY essence of the punk/pop movement, the Friendly Foes raging diatribes on rock and roll’s currents state of affairs are done with just enough sugar to help this medicine go down. Coming from other bands, Ryan Allen (Thunderbirds Are Now!), Brad Elliott (Satin Peaches), and Lizzie Wittman (Kiddo) hit the ground running. Opening with “Full Moon Morning” it’s a template for the best of this album, with angular guitar riffs and Ryan leading the charge. Friendly Foes’ sound best compares with The New Pornographers, but it’s not all fey pop sweetness here. Using sunny boy-girl harmonies and bouncy major chords on “Criminal Justice” it’s got a catchy swagger that is hard to ignore. This album takes no prisoners and doesn’t let up either. So if you’re looking for a ballad somewhere, you’ve got the wrong album. Wittman gets to shine on a few songs, notably “Get Ripped” which resembles The B-52’s and The Ramones combined. All this energy goes to good use as almost every song here kicks ass. Some highlights include, “Get Yr Shit Together”, “Couch Surfing”and the epic “Lil’ Tiger” all with excellent melodies and great musicianship. On “Dying To Survive” and “Breakfast Burritos” gets a bit too typical, but that is being picky here. This is like power pop with an extra shot of caffeine. Make mine a double.
My Space | CD Baby
Steve Caraway "Hurricane Season"
This was an album that I’ve been meaning to listen to since the summer, and Steve recently played in NYC, so I was finally able to get a hold of “Hurricane Season.” Steve Caraway has a very eclectic approach to pop. His vocals are a great strength and this evidenced on the opener “Before You Run Away” which has a Spongetones meets Michael Carpenter vibe. The sound runs from 70s arena rocker to contemporary soul pop, if you can visualize Dave Bickler’s (Survivor) range with Frank Sinatra training – that’s about right. “When I Change Your Mind” is another great song with lots of jangle and a good hook-filled chorus. The title track, “Hurricane Season” brings to mind Adam Marsland’s style of aggressive pop. Then he shifts into soulful balladeer on “Something New” and “No Looking Back” – this is where his really vocal chops shine and carry the song. That’s not to say the jangle pop songs aren’t damn catchy though, “Rabbit” has a sticky chorus with sweet chord changes. “Gone, Gone, Gone” gets his Beatles mojo in overdrive with sitar leading the way on the song. My favorite song here though is “Sausage Factory” about the cynical and destructive music industry (“Golden handshakes/Smiles so phony”). “Scented Letter” makes good use of overdubbing and recalls The Smithereens best. The stylistic changes on some songs may be jarring at first, but you’ll be humming these song over and over. It’s most welcome on my ipod in repeat mode.
Kelly Jones "SheBANG!"
I must state: This is a banner year for female power pop vocalists. Between great albums by Marykate O’Neil and Vibeke, you get a brilliant release from Kelly Jones too. So how is she different? Well, if The Bangles, Susanna Hoffs and Marshall Crenshaw had a love child it would sound just like Kelly Jones. The album is a practically flawless 28 minutes of power pop. It helps that she’s supported by Mike Viola and Ducky Carlisle (fresh from The Major Labels) and even Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne) co-wrote a song with Kelly for the album. Kelly’s vocals are both fresh and forceful, as she glides through these songs effortlessly. It starts with the bouncy pop of “There Goes My Baby” which reminds me of The Pretenders “Don’t Get Me Wrong” a little, but it’s got all the little things right with great harmony, hand claps and Mike Viola doing the backing vocals. Possibly the best romantic pop tune about my love of power pop is “Same Song” with great lyrics to match the music (“In all the major keys, which reminds me of you when you’re not around”). Kelly has toured with Mike this past summer, and the closest comparison I can make here is Sam Phillips at her peak, with Viola playing the part of T-Bone Burnett. Every song here is a winner. Even the unusual Schlesinger penned “Crazy Talk” makes good use of the contrast in Kelly’s vocal with the low octave guitar bursts. The ballad “I Can’t Help You” is another wonderful standout, with Viola’s music and Kelly’s angelic vocal. No need to scrutinize further — just pick this one up! We are a few short weeks from the year end Top Ten of 2008 poll. This one slides in to make it an even 32 albums to choose from.
My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame
Listen to a sample of “There Goes My Baby”
The Slingsby Hornets "Whatever Happened To…" (Includes Bonus EP "Knee Deep In Glitter")
Jon Paul Allen has graced us with another Slingsby Hornets album. That means it’ll ooze glam guitar and thickly arranged melodic rock. Opening with pomp and majestic orchestral synths, “Way Of The World” is almost like Trevor Horn meets The Sneetches, with layers upon layers of jangle, upon a layer of dense rock guitars. Jon has dialed up the Brian May meter up to “11” here as those chiming guitars are front and center on the next track, “Rock N Roll Love Letter” and is the one of the best songs here. It’s dense and well suited to the slick production, so Queen fans will want to get this album for sure. The Hornets album still has plenty of covers, with the over-produced touch that makes T-Rex’s “Children of The Revolution” a lot of great fun, although Jon’s vocal gets buried here. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work as well with the ballads, “Flying Tonight” and the Cars-like “The Long Way Home” plods along and could use a lighter production touch. This is done much better with the heartfelt “This Song,” and the best cover here is the spacey “Suspension,” the theme from the old Buck Rogers TV show (Jon exposes his geek cred here)! What’s extra cool here is the bonus EP “Knee Deep In Glitter” – the songs here really shine, as Jon lets his Glam flag fly and does Abba’s “Does Your Mother Know” in the style of Sweet. The other tracks here are excellent, from strutting guitars on “My Coo Ca Choo” to the awesome slick version of Cliff Richard’s “Devil Woman.” With only 5 originals, the covers here make this 2 disc combo worth the wait.
Slingsby Hornets website | My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame | Kool Kat