Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

The guitar pop of the Histrioniks have much in common with the Garage Rock Revival movement. Like a lot of other bands with echoing fuzz guitar leads and tambourine (like the Cynics and the Ugly Beats) they can be traced down to the late sixties. Now add to this mix the Lene Lovich-like vocals of Cat Levy. What comes out isn’t as retro sounding as Outrageous Cherry, but the organic minimalist quality of the songs make good listening. Immediately you’ll recognize this is great Beatnik pop music highlighted by the amazing “Too Black” with furiously pounding drums, monster guitar rhythms and Cat’s spoken/sung lyrics about suffocating memories “too black to see in.” The album is consistently good, “Shattered Youth” has elements of dance pop, and very much in the spirit of the B-52’s (without all that shiny optimism). The mystical “Miss” enters a more goth place and lovers of Bauhaus will appreciate the mope rock lyrics of “Misery.” The guitar work here is so compelling you get a reprise at the albums end. Well crafted, “Thin” is the epitome of music for a smokey dark room.

MySpace | The Histrioniks Website | CD Baby | Not Lame

Nelson Bragg normally spends his time as a drummer and percussionist for Brian Wilson’s band. While working on the legendary SMiLE album tour, he put together his solo CD “Day into Night.” It’s got a great opening with the rich harmonies in “Forever Days” that combine The Hollies and the California sound to something unique and wonderful. He tops that with the pristine “Tell Me I’m Wrong” with lush production and a hook that won’t leave your head. The album is split into two sides (“Day” and “Night”) and the folk-rock-pop combo is primarily on the Day side. The shimmering rhythm of acoustic guitar is hard to resist in “Return the Love You Take” and is comparable to the sweetness of The Posies’ “Dear 23” in feel. A Beach Boys-like vocals tribute makes it’s way on the Night side with “Death of Caroline” – it’s a beautiful song, about recovery from depression. The remaining tracks here, while very good don’t quite reach the highs of the earlier tracks, even though the ending “Turn The Darkness Into Gold” weaves CSNY and George Harrison into richly orchestrated ear candy. Overall an excellent release that shouldn’t be missed. 

MySpace | CD Baby | Itunes

Listeners, let’s go back, way back to those thrilling days of Beatlemania… The Fore are a group that sticks to the Beatles tribute formula to come up with original tunes, done in the Fab style circa 1964. Hey it worked for the Spongetones and several other bands, so another is not going to hurt. In fact it makes it tougher for them, because we judge them based on the Merseybeat template and how well they bend it. Lead by Spencer John Hannabuss (bass) and Matt Hardy (lead), the recreation is near flawless – in two minute power pop gems, like the opener “Love for Sale” with it’s “Ticket To Ride” guitar riff and smooth three part harmonies. After hearing “A Girl Like You”, you’ll swear this is a Beatles single that was lost in time. The group then breaks out into some skiffle and blues in “Little Louisa” and “If I Show You Love” echos “This Boy” quite nicely. If you miss the old Mersey sound, then The Fore fit the bill perfectly. The songs are well written and not just stolen riffs – “You’ll Be Mine“ is a swinging, screaming jangley slice of sweetness. Later on a few songs resemble The Searchers, and Gerry and The Pacemakers. It’s not the most original way to make power pop, but it sure sounds great. Soak in this nostalgic guilty pleasure with your early Spongetones and the Mop Tops. A real gem to be treasured here.

The Fore Web site | MySpace | CD Baby | Not Lame

Brooklyn native Gordon Weiss is a guy who knows what he likes. His influences (Elvis Costello, Squeeze, XTC, Crowded House, Jellyfish and the Beatles) are worn on his chest like medals of valor. The first song on “Sum of All Parts” is called “Fountains of Weezer” and it combines two of his favorite bands sounds (Gee, I wonder who…) Like a chameleon he struts his inner Jagger in “Too Much” and while it’s good, the better songs follow. “It’s Easy” is close to a Wisely or Rembrandts song with it’s smooth California strumming. The Elvis Costello tribute “Red Shoes Revisited” is a catchy song with the perfect instrumentation and dead on 80’s period feel, and “Half of Harry” is an XTC-like bit of Anglo-jangle pop. Gordon’s vocal style is similar to Marshall Crenshaw in the country flavored “Hook, Line and Singer.” The piano lead “Match Point” resembles a Joe Jackson ballad with a touch of Andrew Gold. The ending songs “Suspiria” and “Listening” are very tuneful songs that round out this debut album, not a weak song to be found here. Give a listen, as songs are streaming from his website “Gornpop”.

Gornpop | MySpace | CD Baby