Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Pernice Brothers and Project: Ghost Outfit

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Project Ghost Outfit

Pernice Brothers “Spread The Feeling”

This is the Pernice Brothers’ first new album in nine years. And Joe Pernice almost makes it look effortless with excellent songwriting and stellar musicianship. Starting with the simple strums of “Mint Condition,” it flowers into a catchy gem full of richly textured sound. “Lullabye” opens with those ’80s styled guitar notes, resembling Modern English and “The Devil and The Jinn” is a classic Pernice return to form. A story told with lyrics that are more poetry; “Love is a cruel company store, a trans-global disaster it’s a meltdown to the core.”

It’s those emotional notes matched with a compelling melody that makes this album so damn good. Even the simple ballads, like “Evidently So” are so expressive they demand attention. The punchy pop returns on “Throw Me To The Lions” and its jangling perfection with “Skinny Jeanne.” Not a hint of filler here and even the bonus tracks are good.  Joe’s crafted this with a solid cast of musicians; Pernice Brothers alumni (Peyton Pinkerton, James Walbourne, Patrick Berkery, Bob Pernice, Ric Menck) and new contributors (Joshua Karp, Neko Case, and Pete Yorn). It’s like rediscovering the Pernice Brothers all over again, and it makes my top ten list for 2019.

Amazon

Project Ghost Outfit

Project: Ghost Outfit “Project: Ghost Outfit”

A super-group is a rare thing, and when you have all the players on the same page it creates something special. The great Bill Lloyd has teamed up with Cheap Trick guitarist Tom Petersson, guitarist Adam Shoenfeld, and drummer Keith Brogdon. They all met up at a party hosted by Petersson and decided to play together. The result is Project: Ghost Outfit.

The opener “Somebody’s Heart” is pure magic, with Keith’s vocals and the group harmonies in the chorus create power-pop gold here. Lloyd’s guitar leads the anthemic rocker “Hang On” and it’s another catchy rocker with a sweet descending chord progression in the chorus. Throughout the album, you do hear a distinctly original sound although the DNA of Cheap Trick is clearly present on tracks like “Ups and Downs” and “Never Remember.” Lloyd’s influence is most pronounced on “Mess My Mind,” and like all his material – catchy as hell. It took a few spins to appreciate all the details and there is no filler amongst the 7 tracks. The finale “Buying Time” is a good reflection on getting older and remembering days past. I just wish there was more – hope the band considers a sequel. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Dan Israel and Fastball

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Dan Israel

Dan Israel “Social Media Anxiety Disorder”

Minneapolis singer-songwriter Dan Israel is back with his 15th studio LP, and he’s better than ever. While always a reliable roots rocker in the tradition of Tom Petty or Steve Earle, on Social Media Anxiety Disorder he hits it outta the park. “Be My Girl” is a gem that blasts out the horns and guitar riffs with abandon and a solid hook that will stick in your head quickly.

Next “125” is a mellow psych-pop tune that comfortably grooves, and “Just Can’t Take It” is a catchy gem that sounds like Bob Dylan playing with Mark Knopfler. “I’m Still Lost” is a soulful examination of anxiety and facing it head-on. “Another Day” and “Alright” are uptempo rockers that resonate, and he revisits the earlier theme on “Just Can’t Take It Revisited,” and its a clever deconstruction. No filler here, each song brilliantly captures Dan’s emotions and insecurities. This LP is built for multiple listens and highly recommended.

Amazon

Fastball

Fastball “The Help Machine”

Platinum-selling band Fastball is known for smart catchy power-pop and its latest LP is another strong effort that leans heavily on the great songwriting from Miles Zuniga and Tony Scalzo. However, the musical hooks so prominent on past albums are in shorter supply here. While the quality of the music remains excellent, the mood is mainly dispirited.

The world-weary “Friend or Foe” projects a sense of angst with all the uncertainties of life. Scalzo’s “White Collar” is an early highlight, with some terrific shifting chords and tight harmonies, along with its organ melody. “Redeemed” is a bluesy mid-tempo gem that plays like a sermon with a jazzy guitar solo. One of the few uptempo tunes “The Girl You Pretended To Be” is like a bouncy early Elvis Costello song with a steel pedal country vibe. But most of the songs are lovely ballads like “I Go South” or “The Help Machine,” which focuses on that empty existential feeling as Zuniga croons “I don’t want to spend my life chasing money.” A downer, but so well done. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

 

EP Reviews: The Seven and Six, Vista Blue, Dogmatics, Nick Bertling, The Martial Arts

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The Seven and Six is a new band with the ever-talented Lisa Mychols and Tom Richards. This is great power pop with a beat you can dance to. This is Mychols in her natural habitat, each song hits the right notes, kicks ass and with its upbeat tempos, it’s super highly recommended.

Vista Blue dials back its natural punk influences and turns up the Beach Boys-inspired power-pop tendencies. “Summer Wonderland” is a sweet single with some great harmonies and the other tracks are a cut above the usual seasonal music. Get this one now! Available at Amazon

The Dogmatics is a more traditional garage rock and roll band from Boston thanks to our buddies at Rum Bar Records. Fans of The Replacements or The Johnny Thunders will dig this one. And who else will write a song about the current United States Secretary of Commerce? Also available at Amazon.

Nick Bertling made this faithful group of Monkee cover tunes in honor of the late Peter Tork. It even has a cover of a Kellog’s jingle! Not an EP, but a labor of love and it’s a great FREE download.

The new EP from The Martial Arts (aka Paul Kelly) is a quirky pop romp that is both catchy and idiosyncratic. The other songs are just as infectious and melodic. Get it on Amazon.

 

Richard and The Young Lions, Laissez Fairs, Paul Bertolino

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Nick Frater  Nick Frater

Richard and The Young Lions “Vol 1 & 2”

This cult garage rock combo out of Newark, NJ has long been a hidden gem amongst those late 1960’s bands and in 1998, it was included on the box set version of the definitive ’60s garage-rock compilation Nuggets. In 1966, lead singer Richard Tepp had a chance encounter with producer Bob Crewe (The Four Seasons) who’s studio helped create the hit “Open Up Your Door.” Unfortunately, the band disappeared after a few singles. They had a reunion in 2000, a fan in Steven Van Zandt, and he helped create this definitive collection with Wicked Cool Records.

What we have is a great collection of garage music in the mold of The Animals and Paul Revere and The Raiders. Highlights include “Hurt By Love,” “Nasty,” “You Can Make It,” “You Make Me Lonely,” and “Sick And Tired.” The remastered sound is crisp and the recent cuts blend in seamlessly with the ’60s originals. Not everything sticks, but between both volumes, there is plenty of great music to enjoy.

Amazon (Vol. 1) | Amazon Vol.2 | Kool Kat Musik (Vol.1) | Kool Kat Musik (Vol.2)

The Laissez Fairs

The Laissez Fairs “Marigold”

Las Vegas Psych poppers The Laissez Fairs return with this new LP on Rum Bar Records, and they perfectly recreate the shimmering apex of ’60s psychedelia. The opener “Long Grow The Marigolds” is flush with layered fuzz guitars and Farfisa organ, and it sets the tone. The standout “Phantom Stranger” has a sweet catchy rhythm as it jangles along, and the ballad “My Thursday” Girl” is like early Bowie meets Brian Jones.

The band’s general approach reminds me more of The Stones (especially on “Redundant Beach”) than The Lemon Pipers. Although some modern techniques filter through the rose-colored lenses, the music is consistently good across 16 trip inducing tracks. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Paul Bertolino

Paul Bertolino “Poseur”

Bertolino has a distinct love for the early 1970s sound and production technique. The opener “On The Downslide” emulates Terry Kath-era Chicago with its horn blasts and bass funky beat. “Parade” is another strong vocal by Paul and great use of harmonies. He impresses for the piano ballad “Ghosted” using a falsetto almost like Barry Gibb, and it grows to a neat guitar solo at the coda.

While the melodies miss out on those hooks occasionally, Paul’s use of saxophone, flute, and R&B elements make “All The Way To Chicago” another winner, and “Tap Out” boasts a spirited guitar floating alongside the Matthew Sweet-like vocal approach. The last track “The Antidote” is another gem where he weaves together flowing vocals, rhythms, and instrumentals beautifully. Overall its the most sophisticated and polished set of music Paul’s done. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Nick Frater and The Pozers

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Nick Frater

Nick Frater “Full Fathom Freight-Train”

The UK based Frater has quickly emerged as a power-pop force to be reckoned with. With a leaning towards classic 60s-70s influences he opens with “Sunshine After The Rain,” a deceptively simple melody that worms it’s way into your head quickly, on its strong verse-chorus structure. “Oh, Now Girl” is like an early Teenage Fanclub gem, which also has its heart on its sleeve. “Your Latest Breakup Song” slows down just a touch, like if Paul Simon teamed up with Andrew Gold. These three tunes alone make Frater’s music unforgettable. But there is more.

The dream-like “All Out at Sea” changes the mood and “The Getaway” has this thick early 70’s sheen, like Sweet or Sailor. “Holding On to You” is a perfect song about longing that combines old and new styles of pop balladry. “Strangers on The Bus” and “What Does Good Look Like?” lean toward mid-tempo pop in the mold of Adam Schlesinger. Not a single weak track here, so I’m gonna cut this review short. Last year’s “Goodbye Kayfabe” was a top ten EP, and it’s safe to add this LP to 2019’s top ten LP list.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Pozers

The Pozers “Crybaby Bridge”

Texas-based band The Pozers are back with two distinct songwriters as they sing about nostalgia, youth, breakups, regret, and death. Starting with a hard rock riff and an echoing lead vocal by Kenny Swann on the opener “Goodbye (I’m Gone),” it’s safe, but an uninspiring start. But Jim Richey’s “Two” is a much more interesting tune, as a psyche-pop mid-tempo gem with layered harmonies and a nice instrumental break at the midpoint. Fans of The Pillbugs will enjoy that one. Next, “SoCal” is another Richey song and you’ll hear echoes of Badfinger in this tune about chasing fame. He sings “So tell me how’s the life you’re making? If you cry just say you’re faking.”

“The Only Girl” is an odd one; like a Beach Boys tune played at half speed and it contrasts with Swann’s “Nonstop” with its frantic drum pounding. Some songs with this approach work great like “Teenage Storybook,” and “So Long” but some of the heavy production techniques detract from other songs (“Telling My Secrets”). ”The Obvious Ledge” is a worthy tribute to the late Elliot Smith. There is enough here to keep most power pop fans interested, and I would recommend you check it out.

Amazon | CD Baby