Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Cliff Hillis (formerly of Starbelly and IKE) pulls together his third solo record. After he left IKE, Hillis worked on some songs for movie soundtracks and even won last year’s Chili’s contest with his Beatles-style take on the eatery’s “Baby Back Ribs” jingle. This new Hillis album has a more mellow spin here, with the pleasing tight melodies that sound like Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) mixed with John Mayer. The smooth catchy opener “She Sees” shuffles along at a casual pace that switches to the guitar buzzing goodness of the great “Never Understand” with those great “ooh ooh” vocals in the chorus. The album boasts a cadre of pop experts including his band The Thinkers, as well as Eric Bazilian(The Hooters), Danny Wilde (The Rembrandts), and Willie Wisely. The song “Elevator” is another standout of awesome light pop melody and tempered beat that flows right into the chorus. “Northern Lights” echos back to earlier albums and flirts with a Posies-like sound with heavier guitar. The Beatlesque mid-tempo “Ought to know” is another great tune with an unusual synth break during the main banjo melody. Every song here is good, and even the ballads don’t get too weepy. The songs delve into subjects about maturing relationships and marriage – without the usual gloom and doom you hear with other artists. This is a good solid album you are sure to enjoy.

My Space | Tallboy Records | Not Lame

I found a few good songs on Minnesota native Jeremy Messersmith’s Alcatraz Kid. The Elliot Smith comparisons are still apt here, but the musical growth and songwriting development has really exploded with “The Silver City.” And Jeremy partnered with Dan Wilson (Semisonic) to paint a vivid picture of heavenly Suburbia. The opening track “Welcome to Suburbia” is a celestial pop triumph, with shimmering melodic chorus and George Harrison-like guitar accents that compliments Jeremy’s soft vocal. Much like the futuristic travellers on the cover the listeners will be treated to “Dead-End Job,” a great ballad with a lovely horns and more descriptive narrative. The next track “Franklin Avenue” is the shinning gem on this album, rich with instrumentation about a passerby “Waiting for that sinking feeling.” The production on the album is sparse, but dynamic with “The Commuter” resembling a the REM track “Man on The Moon” in feel and tone. And a bit of good electronica pop sneaks in with “Miracles” after this. The album sags a bit in the middle, but comes back strong on a version of Paul Westerberg’s “Skyway” and a very bouncy pop tune “Virginia” that demands repeat listens and I dare you not to tap your toe to the beat here. The closing track “Light Rail” continues the ride, with a McCartney styled ditty that’s a worthy followup to “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La -Da.” The album is like a great cup of coffee; rich, dark and sweet – but ultimately very soothing. Mmm… drink this one up.

Jeremy’s Site | My Space | Itunes | Emusic

Listen to “Miracles”

Straight from the east side of Detroit, The Romeo Flynns burst on the scene with a sound along the lines of Sweet and Cheap Trick. It starts out as a concept album about a painful breakup. The lead track “Pictures of You” has an almost Meatloaf meets Kiss quality with horns playing accents around heavy guitar riffs. The next track “Gonna Feel Alright” is easily one of the best songs on the album, with a stomping beat and a rock energy and swagger that compares well Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers. Lead singer D. Lawrence Lee’s vocals sound like both Petty and Bruce Springsteen in places. “Better Man Than Me” keeps the rock train rolling with smart riffs and a catchy chorus. It all has a retro 80s and 90s feel in places, but it delivers the goods if you want a good classic rock album. “Wasting my Heart” is more melodic than the earlier tracks with the addition of background strings and is the closest track here to traditional power pop. “Just Fade Away” is another standout track with a rich harmonic chorus. I wasn’t so thrilled with the power ballad “Kristine” – which is a bit too similar to the Kiss song “Beth” but it ends strong with a terrific cover of the Kink’s “Better Things.” A very enjoyable rock album that will thrill if you like Detroit Rock, Brit Rock and the huge sound that comes with it. You won’t be disappointed.

Romeo Flynn’s Site | My Space | CD Baby

Long mentioned on a musical “where-are-they-now?” list was acclaimed indie band The Mommyheads (Adam Elk, Dan Fisherman, Michael Holt and Jeff Palmer) and even though their debut on Geffen Records turned heads among critics, they’ve been silent for ten years since. Well, as fate would have it, the death of The Mommyheads’ original drummer, Jann Kotik, in 2007, helped bring the band back together and they decided to reform to honor their friend. They resemble less the old emo-pop tunesmiths, and a more mature Death Cab for Cutie without all the indie drama and a heaping of XTC influence. I was a bit sour on the opener “Work” – a moody excercise, suited to an albums end. But this is an album that takes a few listens to fully stick. And stick it will, from the great single “Help Me” with it’s wonderful chord changes and guitar strumming. The follow up “Angels and Weathermen” is almost as catchy with some smart lyrics as well. The songs are a complex weave of melody and meaning, for example the mid-tempo “Washing Machine” where lead singer Adam pleads “Devils grinning/my souls spining/in your washing machine” – this is an excellent track and a highlight. The quick simple pop song is still a strength here with the “Stupid Guy” – a light keyboard lead song of melodic ear candy. The rest of the album doesn’t sustain the momentum as well, but it still has moments of brilliance sprinkled throughout. A welcome reunion that deserves your attention. I expect wider distribution of the album soon.

My Space | Bladen County Records

Listen to the “Help Me”

Listen to the “Stupid Guy”