Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Anchor & Bear and Dan Israel

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Naturally, I miss quite a few 2022 releases. This week will feature several of them…

Anchor & Bear

Anchor & Bear “No More Nights On The Roof”

Katy Pearson and Brian Bringelson the duo known as Anchor & Bear. I’ve been following Brian since his early days as Paul Starling, and it’s nice to find that Katy is a perfect match for him musically. “Earthquake On The 4th Of July” hits it right away, as Katy’s gentle harmonies and the catchy chorus make it a great start. The follow-up “Hospital Song” is so low-key, it loses some momentum, but luckily it picks up the tempo with the breezy “Red Letter Days” and playful “Cool Water” with Katy on the lead.

“Glad it’s Over” and “She’s A Robot” takes time to build momentum, but they are also fine tracks. The dynamic is very much along the lines of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) or Carl Newman and Neko Case (New Pornographers). The bouncy “On The Deck Tonight” is another highlight, and while it sometimes feels inconsistent – it more often hits than misses. Definitely, music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Dan Isreal

Dan Israel “Seriously”

Dan Israel has been very active these last few years. Like a mix of Elvis Costello and Tom Petty, he weaves tales of woe and emotional frustration to a solid guitar melody. Starting with the workman-like effort of “Happy For Now.” It’s all about the nature of his pessimism, with a blistering guitar break. The title track is a bit heavier, with his Dylan-like vocals asking “Should I write another song that nobody hears?” It all seems rather sour but, “I’m In New York” is a chugging melody with harmonica accompaniment offers some relief, leading seamlessly into the acoustic “Taking The Fall.”

The album is consistently good but the best standout tracks are reserved for the end of the album, the defiant “I Quit” and amazing “Hang Of It” make this triumphant.  It did make my top 50 list (#40) last year, so do not hesitate. I would also check out his earlier album Social Media Anxiety if you are a new Dan listener. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Don’t panic! The mainstream didn’t forget power pop.

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In general, mainstream artists don’t always consider themselves in the power pop genre, but last year these artists made us proud. If you missed these albums check them out, my favorite mainstream albums of 2022…

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello “The Boy Named If”

I did a full review of this album earlier in the year. It is a magnificent comeback for Elvis after years of experimentation with Jazz, Spanish translations, and other things. Each track shines and he hasn’t sounded this good in years. No highlights – listen to the entire album from beginning to end and soak it in.| Amazon

Panic! At The Disco

Panic! At The Disco “Viva Las Vengeance”

Ever since 2008’s Pretty. Odd. singer Brendon Urie’s charismatic, cross-pollinated brand of pop moved away from his emo roots toward something resembling power pop, as that album was Beatles-influenced. But Viva Las Vengeance, produced by power-pop fave Mike Viola, was a love letter to glam, rock, and power-pop. Highlights: “Middle Of A Breakup,” “Local God,” and ” Sugar Soaker.” Highly recommended. | Amazon

Collective Soul

Collective Soul “Vibrating”

The band has become a rock and roll institution, 30 years after the hit single “Shine” and it continues to roll on with this new collection of music. Ed Roland and the guys have laid down another solid album. One of the rare touring bands that offer new music on par with their established hits, at least for the album’s first half. Highlights: “Cut The Cord,” “Reason,” and “All Our Pieces.”  Full review here | Amazon

Collective Soul

Weezer “SZNZ”

A new EP has been released at the dawn of each season of 2022, and it totals 28 tracks when it’s all done. Rivers Cuomo is a unique talent who is both amazing and frustrating in equal measure. A fitting coda is “Iambic Pentameter” where even though he doesn’t know what’s in his “messed-up head” it still sounds great.  Like most post-Hurley Weezer, there are enough diamonds to be found once you dig deep, past the musical sketch fluff. Highlights: “Dark Enough To See Stars,” “Francesca,” “A Little Bit of Love,” and “Records”  are starting points. | Amazon

The Power Popaholic Top 25 albums of 2022 + More

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This was a difficult year, as the flow of good music increased exponentially from 2021. All those COVID themes (lockdowns, isolation, etc) continued, but artists had more time to produce more material, and make it sound even better. I could’ve easily made a top 100 this year, but I’ll stop at 50 (after my traditional 25). A lot of notables came in late this year, and many others I listened to earlier in the year didn’t stick in my head as much. Note, a few of these did not get an official review but I will do a mini-review of these. In addition, I also removed a few big major label artists (i.e. Elvis Costello) that really came through because they already get plenty of promotion, and I’ll post on that very soon.

  1. Amoeba Teen
  2. The Airport 77s
  3. Dungeon of Skeletons
  4. John Larson & The Silver Fields
  5. Dave Scarbrough
  6. Sloan
  7. Extra Arms
  8. Emperor Penguin
  9. Maple Mars
  10. The Well Wishers
  11. The Speedways
  12. Uni Boys
  13. The Happy Fits
  14. Nick Piunti
  15. Bird Streets
  16. Tamar Berk
  17. Lannie Flowers
  18. Fuzzbubble
  19. Chris Lund
  20. Eytan Mirsky
  21. Dot Dash
  22. The Cheap Cassettes
  23. Dave Cope and the Sass
  24. Seth Swirsky
  25. The Split Squad[su_divider top=”no” divider_color=”#c5112c”]
  26. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard
  27. Shake Some Action
  28. Crossword Smiles
  29. More Kicks
  30. The Nervous Eaters
  31. Kai Danzberg
  32. Chris Church
  33. Tom Curless
  34. Phil Angotti
  35. Dowling Poole
  36. The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness 
  37. Young Guv
  38. The Bye Bye Blackbirds
  39. Phil Thornalley
  40. Dan Isreal
  41. Gymnasium
  42. The Mike Bell Cartell
  43. Goodman
  44. Action City
  45. Self-Cut Bangs
  46. Geoff Palmer
  47. Phil Yates & The Affiliates
  48. The Cleaners From Venus
  49. Cheap Star
  50. Speedfossil

Ho-ho-holiday music: More presents under the tree for y’all

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More brand new Christmas music. Love the collaboration by Coke Belda & El Inquieto Roque here, more traditional goodies from Dropkick, and Riverboat Gamblers, We have the youth vote with The Linda Lindas, and the sexy “Hey Santa” by Cindy Lawson. The Light Music Company is Mr. Martin Newell (The Cleaners From Venus) of Essex and Ms. Rachel Love of Sussex, whose combined talents have concocted this small oeuvre of their compositions to help facilitate your enjoyment of the festive season. Before we get too dignified, The Stompers gives us what we really want for Christmas, and punk princesses The Dollyrots do the “Chipmunk Song” — OK? A last-minute addition is Kai Danzberg‘s “Last Christmas” with a different melody.

 

While not a Christmas tune, this is a rare one by Jamie Hoover (Spongetones) hosted by fellow blogger Richard Rossi. Lots of fun!

Dot Dash and The Nervous Eaters

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Dot Dash

Dot Dash “Madman in the Rain”

This may be Dot Dash’s seventh album, but Madman in the Rain almost feels like a debut. Remember the thrill of late 80’s alternative rock? R.E.M, The Connells, The Windbreakers? You get that giddy feeling with the jangling opener “Forever Far Out” and its breezy follow-up “Space Junk, Satellites.” “You Gotta Have A Heart, To have a Heart Attack!”  is the melodic phrase on “Tense & Nervous”  that jumps out at you in celebration.

Additional highlights include “Airwaves,” and “Everything = Dust,” and while not everything here sticks, most songs do. Guitarist/vocalist Terry Banks and bassist Hunter Bennett are joined by drummer Danny Ingram on this terrific album. It’s both immediate and engaging. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Nervous Eaters

The Nervous Eaters “Monsters + Angels”

The Boston-based punk rock band The Nervous Eaters may be old geezers, but they play a mean mix of garage rock, with grizzled bravado and energy. I mean, Mick Jagger is 79, and Neil Young is 77, so you’re still allowed to rock the house.

While more guitar pop than punk, Monsters + Angels is a superb showcase for songwriter Steve Cataldo’s thoughts on aging and other reactions to a world in crisis. An early standout here is “Superman’s Hands” with its jangling verses and forceful hook. “Hop Sing Said” is another chugging rhythm about the city, and “Chad” is a dramatic rocker about the ingenue that got away. Overall a very, very good album without a hint of filler, even the slower “Evilynn (Zombies and Sapphires)” recalls Procol Harum at points. A terrific comeback for a band that never should have left. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik