Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Wanderlust and John Larson and The Silver Fields

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Wanderlust

Wanderlust “All A View”

From 1992 to 1998, Wanderlust had it all; they opened concerts for The Who, and their debut album ‘Prize‘ was one of the rare power pop albums to break through to mainstream success. But like many bands, they lost their major-label contract and despite a terrific follow-up album through Not Lame Records, the band disappeared for a while. They had saved a few songs for a third album that never arrived… until now. Scot Sax found a DAT tape featuring acoustic recordings of those songs. And so, Sax, Rob Bonfiglio, Mark Getten, and Jim Cavanaugh reunited this year.

Opening with a near instrumental title track, it’s almost like you are stepping into a time machine, and it leads to the heavy guitars on “Black Currant Jam” a densely packed rocker, with plenty of layered riffs that come together nicely towards the coda. But then the magical “Something Happens” reaches out like a lost hit single with a strong hook that keeps you locked in. “Corduroy Moon” is just as strong, and “Trick of the Light” is another iconic single with a magical chorus sung by Bonfiglio. Compared to earlier Wanderlust, the band is mellower, but they take chances; “Critical Mind” is a beautifully creepy tune about stubbornness, and “Inspiration” is another winner with a bit of an Eagles vibe. Highly recommended and it gets a nod for my top ten of 2021 list.

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John Larson and The Silver Fields

John Larson and The Silver Fields “The Great Pause”

‘The Great Pause‘ refers to last year’s Pandemic and John Larson (formerly of The Marlowes) and The Silver Fields decided to step it up, and each song here is compelling. “Perfect Crime” is a catchy little song with a neat little verse about guilty thoughts. The songs vary in style and substance, and it all feels very DIY, but it’s got an authentic heart.

I also enjoyed character-based songs about frustration and dreams, like “Blue Mind” and “I Hate To Wait.” Larson also has a love of classic rock, and “Are You Willing To Move?” is designed to get you dancing. Those looking for traditional power pop will enjoy  “Painting In The Rain,” “Told Ya,” and the Rickenbacker jangle of “Progress.” Highly Reccomended.

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Summer Singles and EPs: D.A. Stern, Kerosene Stars, Everet Almond, The Amplifier Heads, Gentle Hen, B.U.D., The Maladaptive Solution, Cult Stars from Mars, You Filthy Dog, Daryl Bean

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And the flood of summer music just washes over you… This is the biggest haul in a long time, as bands are releasing all that music created during lockdown last year. Let’s start with a new EP from Los Angeles-based, New Jersey-raised D.A. Stern. Stern is one of those young artists that can legit be called upon to carry the torch of power pop into the future. The first single “I Look A Every Face (Cindy)” has that brilliant harmony-drenched approach. The video was directed by Dom Costabile and Andrew Narvaez. Pre-order here.

Many bands are back from self-imposed exile: Chicago rockers Kerosene Stars has a new single that asks “Where Have You Been?” a good question considering the chorus rocks! Then we get Everet Almond with a bouncy piano gem that sticks to you pretty nicely. The Amplifier Heads are “Summer Dazed” with its Beach Boys “Do It Again” vibe. Love those “mm-bop-did-its.” Gentle Hen did a summery re-mix of its memorable “She’s Got It Bad,” and it’s really good, so check out the LP it came from originally. Want some power? Get B.U.D.‘s single “What’s the Point of This (If I’m Not Into It)” it’s a bit Weezer-ish with a crashing chorus. It’s been a long time since I heard The Maladaptive Solution (how did I miss this single?) but info is sparse on them, so enjoy “Consort (Queen of Everything)” an epic mid-tempo rocker, and Jim Bacchi’s Cult Stars from Mars shows his “Funny Face” and its pure power pop greatness (I want an LP, Jim!) UK band You Filthy Dog is another EP that collects music from the past year, and “Face The Wave” and “Loved” remind me a bit of Carl Newman’s old band Zumpano. Similarly, with a ’90s vibe Mr. Strangelove (aka Daryl Bean) sings love songs for “Phoebe Waller-Bridge” and it’s all good.

Radio Days, Watts and David Myhr

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Radio Days

Radio Days “Rave On!”

Italian power pop band Radio Rays returns with a new LP, and like comfort food, it warms the soul with a catchy sound that combines the energy of The Beatles, The Knack, and Paul Collins Beat wrapped into three-minute jangling gems. “I Got Love” is a classic power-pop single with a signature riff repeating throughout. The party continues with “Lose Control” and its dense guitar attack similar to The Ramones. Even better is the catchy “Walk Alone” which layers its guitar line perfectly, and builds into a harmonic chorus. It’s likely the best tune here, but there’s plenty more to enjoy.

The angular guitars on “Til The End Of The Night” boasts a gentle quiet verse, followed by a loud chorus about love. “What is Life?” is a fun tune full of guest stars ( Paul Collins, Kurt Baker, The Yum Yums, and The Psychotic Youth). Nearly every track hits the mark, and it sets itself up as a contender for top power pop LP for 2021. Highly recommended, of course.

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Watts

Watts “Shady Rock and Rollers”

Boston’s local guitar heroes Watts are back with an album that turns it up to “11”. The first track says it all “Loud & Fast,” as lead vocalist Dan Kopko’s grizzled shout describe “that’s how I want my rock and roll!” In the early days of Watts history, the band’s template was The Rolling Stones, and they still have an R&B core sound on a few tunes, like “The Night The Lights Went Down.” But when I heard “Queens,” it was definitely a call out to the band KISS, even the lyric mentions “queens of the nighttime world.” Additional influences like Guns N’ Roses and Cheap Trick are heard as well.

Lots of highlights here, including “Heavy Metal Kids,”  “Seventeen,” and “All Done With Rock and Roll.” The music doesn’t falter and is consistently great. There are more than enough gems here to make this a highly recommended pick.

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David Myhr

David Myhr “And Now This” EP

David Myhr is a treasured power-pop artist from Sweden, whose band The Merrymakers was one of the best examples of the genre in the late 90s. David has continued to produce high-quality music over the years, and this EP is no exception. The opener “We Wanted To Shine” is a look back to his time in the band and its too short career. The soothing “You Spin My World Around” is a classic mid-tempo love song with bells and harmonies, and my favorite is the electric sitar gem “Egyptian Blue.” With only 4 songs, it’s a short and sweet EP. It only makes me want more Myhr music, and it’s also a top EP for 2021.

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Del Amitri and Caper Clowns

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Del Amitri

Del Amitri “Fatal Mistakes”

If you only know band Del Amitri from their big hit single “Roll to Me,” then you should recognize they are a more talented band than their one-hit-wonder status would suggest. And considering it’s been 19 years since the last album, they sound damn good. Lead singer Justin Currie’s vocal hasn’t lost its power and the songwriting is sharp and insightful.

The opening track “You Can’t Go Back” is a reminder that they’ve still got some magic left. “Losing the Will to Die” is another highlight that clicks wells, and proves that the band’s melodies still resonate. But it’s the sobering mature topics; the bitterness in “Musicians and Beer” and the wry sadness of “Otherwise” that dominates the album. There are a few bouncy moments with “It’s Feelings,” but most songs lack the hooks needed to make it essential. Fans will still enjoy this album, but newbies will want to pick up Hatful of Rain first.

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Caper Clowns

Caper Clowns “Abdicate the Throne”

Denmark’s Caper Clowns has been a consistently great band over the years. Often characterized as a cross between The Merrymakers and Crowded House, the band continues to expand its sound on its third album. Opening with the wistful rocker “Pineapple Songs” it does a fine job, and the bouncy “CAPS LOCK ON” is a story about the anxiety of life online. The lovely “Bonsai Tree” moves from conventional to great with a swaying chorus chock full of sweet chord changes.

But these Clowns expand their sound, loving the piano-led gem “Be There (The Ever-Changing Tone)” as each vocalist (all four of them) brilliantly harmonizes. And the hooks are all over “April Fool,” another great single. And these dudes rock out on “In Your Kaleidoscope” or can get dramatic and spacey for “Under Your Command.” Each track offers something interesting, like the ELO-like ballad “Valley of the Queens.” Overall, there is more than enough variety here to please the most discriminating pop fan. Highly Recommended.

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Perry Serpa and The Bablers

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Perry Serpa

Perry Serpa “Laying Low in the Highlands”

Like many musicians, Perry Serpa went to work when COVID hit, and this album is the result. Opening with the instrumental “Out Of Purel” kinda says it all, I think. The time of isolation allows Serpa’s sparse chamber pop to focus on how events felt in 2020, and it offers a sobering view on loss and confusion.

The darkness of “Shadow Of The Delacorte,” feels like a walk through empty streets, and jazz-inflected “I Got A Fever” is a compelling dual-meaning tune. The cover of the Gilbert O’Sullivan nugget “Alone Again (Naturally)” fits here like a glove, and it’s not all gloom as “Now I’m Not So Sure” is a hopeful gem with a touch of soul. Not everything here is as catchy either, but there is enough variety to make this a good representation of the time we were in. Check it out.

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The Bablers

The Bablers “Psychadilly Circus”

An accomplished group of Finnish musicians, The Bablers are songwriter/vocalist Arto Tamminen (bass, drums, guitars,
keyboards, cello, percussions, vocals), Janne Haavisto (drums, vocals), Pekka Gröhn (bass, keyboards, vocals), and Hannu Pikkarainen (guitar, vocals). The opener is a Lennonesque ballad “Love Is Everything!” which signals a decidedly retro direction, from there the title track brings more energy, and despite fuzzed-out (unintelligible) vocals, the rhythm is simply infectious.

“Queen Of Yesterday” is a lonely character study, a successful hybrid of “Elenor Rigby” and Pink Floyd’s “Have A Cigar.” The power-pop sound comes out on the jangling “I Hope It Wouldn’t Rain Tomorrow,” a terrific single, and “All Because of You” is a familiar, yet heartfelt ballad that swells up during the chorus. From there it goes off in different directions, some interesting (“Angry Young Man”) and others not so. The production is crisp and clean and allows the music to shine, some additional gems include “Walking On A Sunny Beach” and “When You Were Growing.” While it could’ve used some editing, with 15 tracks, there is enough to pick through to make this one highly recommended.

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