Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

The Summertimes and Meyerman

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The Summertimes

The Summertimes “The Summertimes”

So a new Aussie power pop band has arrived this summer, appropriately called The Summertimes. Guitarist Ashley Naylor (Paul Kelly and The Church), drummer Stephen O’Brien (Tumbleweed), and bassist Steve Bull (Icehouse) joined songwriters David Beniuk and David Challenger in the studio. Right from the start they hit the ground running with “Inside,” and influences like Teenage Fanclub, The Go-Betweens, and You Am I are evident. The production is flawless here thanks to ARIA award-winning producer Paul McKercher (The Hoodoo Gurus, Midnight Oil).

The tight guitar playing on “Password” and the melodic chorus of “My Beautiful Girl Harbour,” makes them instant classics. The chugging lead guitar on “White Pointer,” and the jangling gem “Love (It’s A Word)” are very much in the mold of Ice Cream Hands. The tone shifts mellower on the back end of these 10 tracks, but it doesn’t break the flow of the album. “Athens, GA” is a solid romantic tune flowing with a rich melody. Even the ending track “The Perfect Wave,” is an Aussie beach anthem that recalls the Yardbirds, and references Midnight Oil. Unabashedly Australian in scope and style and Highly Recommended. Makes my top ten nominee list for 2023.

Bandcamp

Meyerman

Meyerman “Happy To See You”

Twelve years after their exciting debut, Meyerman finally returns with a sophomore album. Theo Meyer’s vocal sounds a bit rougher on the title track “Happy To See You,” but he’s lost none of his melodic skill as its hits a vibe similar to The Posies. New bandmates Jeff Preischel (bass), Rob Sadowski (guitars), and Danny Diaz (drums) are supported by fine production from Kurt Reil (The Gripweeds). The guitars are soaring on the brilliant “Katie Wong,” an early highlight here.  Then it slows considerably on “Witchita” and the next few songs are done in a ’90s hard rock style. While this sounds fine, it’s the lack of hooks that are concerning here.

I need not worry too long, as “WWDAT” is a pretty cool tune, with an unexpected style shift towards the end. At this point “Meyerman” is the perfect theme song (why didn’t they lead with this?) that rocks (turn it up!) and Theo is on a roll at this point. “Princeton Bells” has a cool swirling harmony during the chorus, and “Nova” is another great rocker that’s just infectious, akin to Enuff Z’nuff. Each song from this point hits the mark, “T-Shirt,” “Hello, Hello,” and “Handclaps and Tambourines” all focus on band life. This is the rare instance where the album’s backend is much stronger, and it brings things over the finish line. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Arthur Alexander and Parallax Project

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Arthur Alexander

Arthur Alexander “…Steppin’ Out!”

Arthur Alexander is back after last year’s successful Sorrows reboot “Love Too Late… the real album” and he’s just as immediate with the driving opener “Woman,” a frantic rocker that pulses with energy. The melodic “It’s Not Love Anymore” is essentially a top-notch ballad turned into a compelling rocker. “One Life (Is All You Got)” has a touch of The Who, with a blissful sitar break midway through. Music like “Ashes” and “Humming The Blues in Four” display Alexander’s talent for delivering emotionally charged performances, making it difficult to not feel a strong connection to the music. His vocals are given ample space to shine thanks to the simple yet powerful arrangements.

Arthur also takes on prog rock (“Why Can’t You Come”) and even electro-pop (“A Little Too Much”) with less success, as I think his vocals are better with fewer digital alterations. But “Oh Lulu, Won’t You Be My Girl” is a welcome shot of whimsy, in the form of an old-fashioned dance hall number. A sequel to the Beatles’ “Honey Pie,” anyone?  Overall, more hits than misses. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Big Stir Records

Parallax Project

Parallax Project “Autologous”

Michael Giblin (The Split Squad, Minus 5) is the main honcho behind The Parallax Project.  The debut was a power pop classic, but after 2009’s I Hate Girls, the band disappeared. This time he’s enlisted Joe Adragna (Junior League/Minus 5) to come back with Autologous (a medical term for being derived from the same individual). Giblin has this biggest hook first with “Put It Out,” a mantra that will be hard to “put it out of your head.” Next, “I’ve Got To Change My Life” is like Ric Ocasek (The Cars), who describes his issues in verses, and the chorus brings it home. “Mary Houdini” is a rich single with classic harmonies and tambourines.

By the second half, the songs deal more with universal topics like heartbreak, disappointment, and becoming older. The guitar ballad “Anything Like Me” is very heartfelt, and the steel pedal tone of “You Were Never There” and “This Is So Easy” recalls Marshall Crenshaw. While not as catchy as the album’s first half, Giblin’s songwriting is better here. The end boasts a strong Who-like theme, “Nobody Cares,” and there are just enough gems here to make this Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The PInk Spiders and Dwight Twilley

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The Pink Spiders

The Pink Spiders “Freakazoid”

This is a Nashville band that wants to make a bold statement. Influences from power pop, glam, and indie rock are all mixed in a musical stew. “Gold Confetti” is a great start, with its upbeat, sing-along chorus dripping in attitude. But even better is the follow-up single “Let’s Go Home” with its super energetic hooks, and its quiet verse builds to a catchy chorus. The guitars here bring it all together as the band uses classic song structures (that are out of vogue today) to form something quite unique, and “Devotion” is another winner with its Cars-like synths.

Next, lead singer Matt Friction sings “Can’t Stop Letting You Down” and seems to channel Marc Bolan without the falsetto. The band wants this to be a party album, as each hook takes a winding stylistic shift in the second half. The band can go “hard rock” anthem with ease on “Stoned To The Bone,” and the next few songs go straight party rock, and you’ll never get bored here, and no filler. The closest analogy I can come up with is Sweet meets Panic! At The Disco. Yes, it could’ve used a ballad to break things up, but this deserves attention and is highly recommended for sure.

Amazon

Dwight Twilley

Dwight Twilley “The Best of Dwight Twilley The Tulsa Years 1999​-​2016 Vol 1”

Dwight Tilley had a revived sense of purpose after releasing several collections of rarities (Between The Cracks) at the end of the 20th century. He began the journey to elder statesman status in power pop with 1999’s Tulsa and continued to be very productive for the following 15 years. This new compilation of Twilley’s later work proves he was not only a great songwriter but also remained a potent force in melodic rock and roll.

Nothing in the collection sounds dated, as it’s timeless rock. Check out these new Twilley classics; “It’s Hard To Be A Rebel,” “No Place Like Home,” and “Speed of Light.” With 20 tracks there are plenty of gems to choose from.

If you’re a fan of Dwight Twilley’s work, The Best of Dwight Twilley: The Tulsa Years 1999-2016 Vol 1 is a must-have. There are previously unreleased songs from albums like Tulsa, The Luck, 47 Moons, Green Blimp, Soundtrack, and Always. Dwight’s 12-page booklet with photos and notes about his inspiration and the songs’ backgrounds is included. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Lane Steinberg and It’s Karma It’s Cool

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Lane Steinberg

Lane Steinberg “Headspace”

Lane Steinberg(The Wind, 8×8) is back with his current Headspace. Steinberg is an excellent songwriter, and although this isn’t as dense as his 8×8 compositions, it’s just as infectious. Opening with the strong title track a sweet piano-bass combo with a creative guitar break, its influences are equal parts Rundgren and Nilsson. “Under Summer Skies” is an elegant lounge melody that layers its vocals on a bed of jazzy pop piano and strings. Another similar gem is “Lovesick Jones,” a tale of a self-destructive romantic, and a “kid that’s fully grown.”

A more Bacharachian shuffle is “The Best Part” with its subtle orchestral touches, and Lane has his quirkiness in overdrive on “Finally Next To You” and “Super Flumina Babylonius.” While he loses a little momentum after this, his last track “Antidote” is a bouncy, guitar gem that finishes this highly satisfying listen. Steinberg is a unique talent and one that deserves to be explored. Highly Recommended for sure.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

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It's Karma It's Cool

It’s Karma It’s Cool “Thrift Store Troubadours”

UK band It’s Karma It’s Cool has evolved over the years. While the band’s point of view remains delightfully unique, the melodic elements are subdued in favor of densely layered psyche-pop fuzz and percussion. The opener “How Be You Be Blue?” has a lovely harmonic chorus, as the guitar echoing distortions contrast with the verses. Unfortunately, it becomes an issue on “Warmer Climes,” as the lead singer Jim Styring gets drowned out by the rhythm section.

Thankfully, the next few songs are better, “Old Bones” has a good guitar melody, and “Winter Coats” has guest Peter Holsapple(DBs) on Mandolin. The band leans more into progressive territory with “Broken Hearted Foundations” and “Vacations in a Taxi Cab.” My favorites here are “The Terms of Letting Go,” a novel way of grieving a lost love, and “Roll The Credits,” a paean to a supporting guitarist “in that power pop video.” Overall, I would’ve liked more musical hooks, but still a decent album, worth exploring. Check it out.

Amazon

July Singles: The Worriers, Tamar Berk, Vanilla, Tommy Sistak, The Slip-Ons, Hurry

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It’s July! Trust Your Gut, the latest album by The Worriers (due in September) have this cool video for now. The band, led by lead singer Lauren Denitzio, has a highly approachable songwriting style full of folksy flourishes and driving guitars. Tamar Berk is back after her winning turn last year on Start At The End. She hasn’t missed a beat, and I look forward to more strong memorable melodies, as the preview shows. Vanilla also comes back with new music from the Pish Posh collection recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. Speaking of Abbey Road, local Beatlesque troubadour Tommy Sistak wants to “Take Me Along.” Next, Singer Brock Pytel (Canadian pop-punk band The Doughboys) and Brian Minato (Sarah McLachlan) are  SLIP~ons, and they bring GBV energy with them. Finally, I don’t know much about Philly power pop band Hurry, but they have nice harmonies – kinda like Teenage Fanclub and the album is due in August. Enjoy the fireworks!