Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Reissues: Roy Wood and The Real Impossibles

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Roy Wood

Roy Wood “Mustard” Remastered & Expanded Edition

Roy Wood is the definition of an eccentric cult rock and roll artist. After earning success as a performer and songwriter with The Move, The Electric Light Orchestra, and Wizzard, he released his second solo album in December 1975. My impression of him is if Brian Wilson and Frank Zappa had a baby, and then Phil Spector and Alice Cooper raised it to adulthood. To call Wood’s style eclectic is an understatement; he often combined heavy rock, pop, jazz, and doo-wop (sometimes in the same song)!

While Mustard was a commercial failure at the time of release it deserves a serious look as it’s considered the high point of his career. The idiosyncratic Wood was uncompromising in his vision and sometimes it just works. “Any Old Time Will Do” is a perfect slice of pop-rock full of creative sonic details and a killer hook. The sounds of The Move continue with the heavy drama of “The Rain Came Down On Everything” and “Get On Down Home.” Roy’s love of Beach Boys styled harmonies are all over “Why Does Such A Pretty Girl Sing Those Sad Songs” and pure weirdness on the Andrews Sisters meets the Stones song “You Sure Got It Now.” Unavailable on CD for many years, this has been newly re-mastered and includes seven bonus tracks drawn from singles released between May 1975 and August 1976. Highly Recommended.

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FYI: Pugwash covers this song acoustically.

The Real Impossibles

The Real Impossibles “It’s About Time” Remastered

The Real Impossibles, a band based in Los Angeles is a buried treasure for those who enjoy power pop of the early 1980s era. Marc Platt, the main songwriter and lead vocalist of The Real Impossibles, got local mentions and airplay for a 5-song EP released in late 1983 at the height of the new wave music boom. The opening singles “Burned” and “Cherry Cherry” really exemplify the raw and energetic live sound the band was known for. Platt mentions that “Turn My World” was his “ode to The Plimsouls and The Flamin’ Groovies.”

This compilation was remastered exclusively for Rum Bar Records, and you really hear the evolution of the band’s style from their 2 EPs ‘Get the Big Picture‘ on Atomic Giraffe Records in 1984 and ‘4X4‘ on FKAD Records in 1987. While I liked most of the songs, the band doesn’t really stand out against the bigger power pop acts at the time (i.e. The Knack). My favorites included “With A Girl,” “Guess You Feel It Too” and “Won’t Let You Down.” Check this one out!

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The Greek Theatre and The Proper Ornaments

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The Greek Theatre

The Greek Theatre “When Seasons Change”

Swedish duo Sven Froberg and Fredrick Persson are back, and they inject much-needed energy into their newest release. “Twin Larks” majestically starts with duel acoustic guitars and a flute melody floating by, and then the jangling “Lawrence of Laurel Canyon” bursts forth with a hopeful exuberance. But these psyche-pop artists go totally acidic on “The Post Factual Jam” before returning to the pastoral “Old Jawbone.”

While many influences are present, Greek Theatre has a unique sound and style, from the soulful “Bible Black Mare” to the baroque strings and harmonies of “Open Window.” The band is every bit as versatile as The Moody Blues, which it reminded me of, especially on the wonderful “A Different Place.” This is an album to savor and rewards the listener during repeat plays. Highly Recommended.

Kool Kat Musik

The Proper Ornaments

The Proper Ornaments “Mission Bells”

UK indie psyche-popsters The Proper Ornaments have a hazy dreamlike quality to their music; perfect for early Sunday mornings or late nights. A project of James Hoare (Ultimate Painting, Veronica Falls) and Max Oscarnold (Toy, Pink Flames) the band added bassist Nathalie Bruno for their recent tour. The band was known for their past Beatlesque and Velvet Underground influences, but Mission Bells moves them further away from that signpost.

Adding more electronic textures and electronic drumbeats, they come closer to The Beta Band in style and approach. “Purple Heart” shows a slightly offset group of chords to describe someone “so cold,” and the layered “Downtown” features hypnotic rhythms. “Broken Insect” boasts a catchy bass-led melody where the vocals are buried far into the mix. It’s enough to put the casual listener to sleep. But, the lyrical and melodic brilliance surface on several songs, “Echoes,” “Flophouse Calvary” and “Music of The Traffic.” The patient listener is rewarded here, but you might need a bit of caffeine to stay awake.

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Tributes: John Wicks and Australian Wildfires

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John Wicks

Assorted Artists “For The Record: A Tribute to John Wicks”

The great John Wicks (The Records) sadly passed away in 2018 while he fought a lengthy battle with cancer. During that time he continued to write music and was planning to release a final album. He was gone before he could finish it all himself, but producer Jamie Hoover (The Spongetones), pop journalist Richard Rossi and Kool Kat Musik made sure John’s final songs saw the light of day. Each contributing artist involved had a personal connection to John.  They gave generously of their time and talents, as a tribute to the man who dazzled us with the power-pop hit “Starry Eyes.” Proceeds from all sales go to John’s son Perry and to the American Cancer Society. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Pop

Assorted Artists “Pop! Fights The Flames (benefit album for the people of Australia)”

A special digital benefit album, whereby every artist on this compilation has donated a song to help support the people of Australia where many have been ravaged by the awful bushfires during the Australian Summer. 90% of sales from this album will go to the RFS NSW (Rural Fire Service). Some brilliant music is part of this massive 34 track benefit album; including power pop favorites: Nick Frater, Chris Price, Dana Countryman, Lisa Mychols, Wyatt Funderburk, Eric Barao and many more. Highly Recommended.

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Mo Troper and Dropkick

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Mo Troper

Mo Troper “Natural Beauty”

Mo Troper is back with his third full-length album, where he opines on relationships, obsessions, love and does it with an unmistakable vocal style. “I Eat” opens the set as a slow-building gem about self-destructive habits. The jangling “Your Boy” has a little DNA from The La’s “There She Goes” and it’s every bit as infectious. Each tune builds this picture of a hopeless romantic like “In Love With Everyone” and the multi-tracked acapella “Everything.” Mo goes on about long-distance relationships in “Jas From Australia” and the catchy jealousy of “Your New Friend.”

Few I know can make regret and loss sound so bright and sunny in under two minutes. “Potential” is another lush melody with strong guitars “we had so much potential when
we were young and stupid/but nothing ever came of it/we left it there and now it’s dead.” You almost wish there were more verses here to fill it out and keep those hooks fresh in your head. Eventually, Mo comes crashing back to sober reality on the church organ dirge of “Business As Usual.” Overall a wonderful album, that will get many repeats on my playlist. Highly Recommended.

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Dropkick

Dropkick “The Scenic Route”

After his stint in last years hit The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness, Andrew Taylor returns to his home-band Dropkick to continue making great indie-pop. The band sounds like Elliot Smith fronting for Teenage Fanclub on the jangling opener “Feeling Never Goes Away.” Taylor’s light vocal floats above the rhythms on “Catching On” and the mid-tempo ballad “I’m Over You, Goodbye.”

The slower tempo rockers “For Too Long” and “Disappearing”  emphasize the guitars a bit more, but overall as the title suggests, the band’s tone is mostly mellow here. After the up-tempo catchy “A Matter of Time,” the songs slow considerably. The ballad “Broken From The Start” boasts great guitar solos between the verses and helps make this an above-average album that deserves to be heard all the way through. Highly Recommended.

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Anton Barbeau and Gary Ritchie

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Anton Barbeau

Anton Barbeau “Kenny Vs. Thrust”

Prolific cult musician Anton Barbeau is the melodic dadaist for the 21st century and proves it with his strongest release in a long time. His poetic, freestyle lyrics and unique vocals are supported by solid psyche pop rhythms. It’s tough to categorize Barbeau, but his distinct style falls somewhere between Robyn Hitchcock and Julian Cope. “Wire from the Wall” is a good start with its memorable chorus and tin can percussion, then we get the XTC-meets-The Velvet Underground gem “Beautiful Bacon Dream” brimming with texture and melodic distortion.

“Jingle Jangle” has an obvious 12 string melody that feels majestic and the nonsensical “Clean Clothes in a Dirty Bag” is a slightly goofy rocker that will get you moving.  Other standouts include  the lush “Back to Balmain,” the quirky and catchy “Popsong 99” and “Mahjong Dijon.” The album title refers to Anton’s backing bands; “Kenny” in the US and “Thrust” in the UK. But I couldn’t tell much difference, as Anton (and the listener) is the winner in this bout. Certainly a highly recommended album.

Amazon | Big Stir Records | CD Baby

Gary Ritchie

Gary Ritchie “Head On A Swivel”

Gary Ritchie is a classic power-pop artist, similar in style to Jamie Hoover or Gary Frenay whose music can light up the room, and lift your mood instantly. The Beatle wig on the cover offers a clue, that Ritchie has a fab sense of songwriting. “Maybe It’ll Be Tonight” does this with a Raspberries-like guitar riff and a chorus that sticks fast to your brain. Next, the title track has echoes of McCartney as it bounces along, and “Emergency Time” is another classic melody with handclaps and punchy percussion.

The album continues to deliver excellent music quickly and cleanly with “Here We Go Again” and “False Alarm.” The tone slows down on the semi-tropical “Lean On You,” but it’s a momentary pause as “Arms Around A Memory,” “Matter of Time,” and “You” are brilliant songs that round out this album. “Record Store” is a great little vignette about trying to pick up a girl at the local shop, and it reminds me a bit of Lannie Flowers. Almost every song hits the mark and after a few spins, it will quickly become your new favorite LP. It’s hard to argue that this shouldn’t be in the top ten for 2020 — and of course, Highly Recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby