Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

The Blank Pages and Kurt Baker

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The Blank Pages

The Blank Pages “Is This Real?”

In today’s political chaos New Jersey’s Blank Pages start their new album with “Authenticity,” clearly stating that the truth is under assault, as we struggle to make others trust what is “real.”  “Hang Up” speaks to the isolation we feel, and the melodic “Your Generation” hopes our younger people can “save us all.” Bandmates Greg Potter (guitar, keys, lead vocals,)  Jason Brown (bass,) and  Ed McCaffrey (drums) craft songs with an intimate, friendly approach.

Standouts include “Nagging Feelings,” and “Uncomplicated.” The band resonates emotionally, but the social commentary songs (“Robots Will Not Win”) aren’t as memorable. The guitars come alive on “Laugh,” a terrific tune played with gusto. Some nods to ’80s pop are sprinkled throughout, so fans of The Police, Bourgeois Tagg, and Joe Jackson will enjoy this. Check it out.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Kurt Baker

Kurt Baker “After Party”

Kurt Baker’s back! After a few years on other projects, Kurt returns to power pop form with help from songwriter Wyatt Funderburk. The opener “New Direction” is a catchy start full of effortless hooks. Geoff Palmer (The Connection) on guitar, Kris Rogers on keys, and Craig Sala on drums make the group complete. Each track is quick and punchy, like an Elvis Costello/Donnie Iris hybrid as the hits pile up quickly; “I Like Her A Lot,” “Over You,” and “Used To Think” with its Beach Boys-inspired backing chorus.

The sweet ballad “Waiting For You” boasts some nice harmonies. The punk guitar fuzz shows up when needed and doesn’t take over the songs, plus the style varies to some degree with the new wave “Keep Dreaming” and lounge jazz of “A Song and a Drink.” But it’s the guitar gems here that standout; “She Don’t Really Love You, Dude” and “Should’ve Been The One.” A great album that deserves many repeat plays. Highly Recommended.

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New Book Coming Soon!

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This is it, folks! The culmination of 15 years worth of research, interviews, and music critiques. I am nearly finished with a NEW book that will be the “modern guide to power pop music.” This book exclusively looks at power pop bands from 2006 up till today. It is LOADED with reviews, rare artist conversations, and more. But I need your help finishing this… (pick your favorite cover)

 

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Get a FREE sample!

Sign up to get a FREE excerpt from my NEW book “Songs Stuck in My Head” before it goes to the printing press. You will also get the opportunity to pre-order from the rare short-run due early in 2021.

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Mom, Richard Turgeon, and Geoff Palmer & Lucy Ellis

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Ice Cream Hands

Mom “Pleasure Island”

This trio from Sweden has a lot going for it. The guitars sound like a mix of The Raspberries and The Cars, the songwriting is also pretty great with hooks all over the place, especially in singles “Better Than You” and “Ordinary Girl.”  No filler here, it’s a terrific celebration of retro power pop at its finest. Fans of The Bay City Rollers, Nick Gilder, and The Records will enjoy each cut.

Out of the three guys (with obvious pseudonyms) the vocals are the band’s only weakness. Even double-tracked, the lead vocal is very nasal and seems better suited for new wave more than power pop. It prevents this debut from taking a top spot, but thankfully the vocals are receded in the mix compared to the guitars. Still, this album is highly recommended.

Bandcamp

Richard Turgeon

Richard Turgeon “Sea Change”

Richard Turgeon has been working at a manic pace compared to his peers. On top of regular album output, he’s produced multiple singles. Sea Change explores themes of transformation, from COVID to political revolution. Opening with the anthemic rock of “Never Leaving California” it resonates with influences from The Who to Pearl Jam.

The percussive “Summer Revolution,” “Still Not Ready To Die” and “Car Crash” are also standouts. The hooks and harmonies are added to the excellent “Higher,” and “Sunset” recalls Richard’s earlier works. Not everything sticks, but enough does and the production is highly polished. Despite the volume of work, Turgeon never compromises quality. Highly Recommended.

Kool Kat Musik

Geoff Palmer & Lucy Ellis

Geoff Palmer & Lucy Ellis “Your Face Is Weird”

Geoff Palmer (The Connection) has found an ideal collaborator with Lucy Ellis (Lucy & The Rats) as they create a series of songs that combine power pop with a rootsy rock feel. The opener “In A Town This Size” has very much the Connection-styled chugging guitar lead and climbing bassline, with Geoff’s low gruff tones contrasted to Lucy’s light sweetness.

The big single here is “SWIM” featuring a catchy chorus and makes the best use of both artist’s style and talent. Occasionally they harmonize, but they are more effective trading verses within a song. Overall a fine short album that fans of both Geoff and Lucy should check out.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Brad Brooks and Joey Molland

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Brad Brooks

Brad Brooks “God Save The City”

Brad Brooks’s latest album was in process when he got a cancer diagnosis that nearly ended his career, and he channeled that renewed passion into each note. The title track rocks with gusto, sax solos, pounding drums, and guitars riffs drive the glam-styled melody. Then it transitions to ’70s influenced blue-eyed soul on “Feel The Might” and “Why Do You Hurt.” Fans of Motown pop and Hall & Oats from that era will enjoy this.

Brooks sings with an authenticity that resonates. “Strange Fruit Numb,” continues the funk and groove, akin to a lost Lenny Kravitz hit. The rock-style returns on “Lee Marvin’s Uzi” a strong layered composition, and other highlights include “Angel of Angles” and the brilliant melody on “Do The Same For Me.” Brad deals with his mortality directly on the piano ballad “Scared Was I.” Highly Recommended.

Amazon

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Joey Molland “Be True To Yourself”

At 73 years old Badfinger’s Joey Molland is the sole surviving member of the band’s power-pop legacy, and he’s teamed up with famed Ringo Starr producer Mark Hudson. The collaboration is so natural, I wonder why this didn’t happen many years ago. An added bonus is the star-studded support in the studio; Steve Holley (Wings, Ian Hunter), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Micky Dolenz, and Julian Lennon.

Molland sounds good for his age, and the approach on “This Time” is chocked full of great sonic details; overdubbed harmonies, horns, and a bluesy guitar solo that fits like a glove. Like Ringo’s recent past successes, Hudson’s slick production lifts these songs to greatness, for example, “Better Tomorrow” is a catchy gem that looks to a positive future, as Joey is an eternal optimist. But the shining jewel here is the Beatlesque “Rainy Day Man,” with its winning riffs and backing harmonies. This is the best Molland song I’ve heard since his Badfinger days.

There are little “easter eggs” all over the album for fans, with familiar guitar signatures and flourishes. “All I Want To Do” is the type of song we wished Paul McCartney would do again. “I Don’t Wanna Be Done With You” is yet another great highlight. On the ballads, Joey’s grizzled age comes out a bit more on “Heaven” and “Shine,” but the songwriting is consistently excellent all around. This successful comeback is worth more than a Highly Recommended status, but a spot on the year’s top ten. Don’t miss it!

Amazon

Joey Molland also did a recent interview about his years in Bandfinger and his bandmates.

Happy Halloween! Videos, Singles and Downloadable Treats!

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Mike Viola is back, as a hip vampire in the new video for ‘Drug Rug,’ a track off his upcoming LP Godmuffin. Directed by Caitlin Gerard, the video opens with Viola lying on a float in Mandy Moore’s pool. It gets weirder from there. Godmuffin arrives on 12/11/20.
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Muck and The Mires have a less sophisticated video, but “Six O’Clock Baby” from the new LP Take Me Back To Planet Earth is a really catchy tune and the monster theme means it gets posted here today! Get the album on Amazon

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The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco charms us with this piano melody about getting married 29 times. “Monogamy will be the death of me” he sings. I agree with that one! It’s a free downloadable treat and the bands got a cool video too!

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This lockdown is scary enough, but back from the dead comes The Feels with a new single to die for. A perfect package of power-pop riffs and a deadly hook!

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Ken Sharp has another gem with “Mr. Popularity” joined by the always great Fernando Perdomo. It’s got a little ’70s funk too! Enjoy!

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Ward White has this very creepy version of The Beatles classic “Helter Skelter” featuring a ghostly reed organ played by Grammy-winning engineer/producer, John Spiker (Tenacious D, Beck), perfect for a Halloween night!