Category: Power Pop Compilation

Caper Clowns and The Persian Leaps

powerpopaholic
Caper Clowns

Caper Clowns “A Salty Taste To The Lake”

Caper Clowns are a band from Ferritslev, Denmark, and their sunny debut The Buca Bus came out in 2016. The band is Rick Kingo, Peter Højgaard, Christian Højgaard, Henrik Krogh and Søren Daugaard Jensen. Rick, Peter, and Henrik play multiple instruments, and the songwriting is spread out amongst everyone. The group doesn’t suffer from the sophomore slump and has been firing on all cylinders. In addition, the band has played at the IPO Festival in Liverpool at the Cavern Club these past 2 years.

The opener “The Way I Dream” is a wonderfully catchy composition, with its bouncy rhythm it sets the stage nicely. In contrast, “Lifeline” adds some darker guitar riffs but the chords change to sunshine by the end of the harmony-filled chorus. The Caper Clowns biggest strength is its diverse sound akin to The Wellingtons or Roger Joseph Manning Jr. The light acoustic guitar of “Kissing Daylight” is a winner, as well as the Squeeze-like magic of “Pretty & Underwear.” The album is both unpredictable and refreshing without a single filler track. Overall a great album that gets a top ten best nomination for 2018.

Amazon

The Persian Leaps

The Persian Leaps “Pop That Goes Crunch!”

The Persian Leaps from Saint Paul, Minnesota has released this massive 18-song anthology presenting their best work over the years, remastered and remixed. The songs are full of blistering riffs and jangle-pop harmonies, selected by lead vocalist Drew Forsberg and producer Neil Weir. If you are unfamiliar, it will totally appeal to fans of Guided by Voices, The Smiths and Teenage Fanclub.

My favorites here include the very GBV-styled “Fire Starter” and “Picture My Reaction.” The catchy fuzz-guitar dominates most songs, and at times the tracks seem to blend together – but there is enough distinction on several standouts like “About The Lions,” and “Truth=Consequences.” The brand-new track “Time Slips” is a nostalgic song that Forsberg wrote in memory of his grandparents. Overall an excellent compilation that is highly recommended.

Amazon

Artist Profile: KC Bowman

powerpopaholic

Oakland, California multi-instrumentalist KC Bowman has been extremely active recently, to the point that I had to dedicate this entire post to him. He has been described as a studio hermit with Beatlesque tendencies. Comparisons to XTC, The Talking Heads, R. Stevie Moore, and Beck are a good primer for what to expect on his albums, and he’s contributed to many bands including The Agony Aunts, The Corner Laughers, and his own Preoccupied Pipers. A few weeks ago we reviewed his solo masterwork Fresher Tin Villages.

KC Bowman

KC Bowman “Important With A Capital I”

This is a comprehensive “greatest hits” package that covers Bowman’s career from solo works, other bands and rare compilations he’s been in. It opens with some great catchy singles; “The Super Bad Report,” “Mine Called Somebody Else,” and “Palomine Cranes.” It also includes several other bands he’s played with like Vinny’s Vipers and Rhythm Akimbo. With a massive collection of 25 tracks, this is a great “starter kit” for those wanting a good mix of KC in their playlist. It’s one of the best single artist anthologies I’ve heard this year and at $5, it’s a bargain bin special!

Bandcamp

Fireproof Sam

Fireproof Sam and The Network Stars “Get Passive”

KC Bowman gathers a huge assortment of talented friends including power pop favorites like Bradley Skaught, Rhythm Akimbo, The Agony Aunts, Pop 4 and more. Excellent lyrical wordplay highlight “Screwed Over By Stylish Introverts” and “Old Trope Academy.” You also hear some Motown influence on “Tryna Be Bolth” and playful Ska on “Obvious Scarecrow.” “Vaticial Trance” sound like a lost Orange Peels outtake. And with the inclusion of the catchy power pop of “Rev Nine” and “Idiot Rock,” it’s all very good. All sales will benefit Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness.

Bandcamp

The Preoccupied Pipers

The Preoccupied Pipers “Stupid People Going Stupid Places”

In 1992 Bowman began making recordings with members of a pop band called Lawsuit, and shortly afterward collected these homemade recordings and dubbed them The Preoccupied Pipers. Incredibly, this loose collective of friends continues to make catchy eclectic pop. Unstructured but very melodic, the Pipers have amassed a huge collection of music that’s as good (maybe better) than anything Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices) has done.

This latest gem is a fun listen from bouncy opener “Art and Culture” to the multiple lead vocals on “Pirahna.” And the power pop tunes still dazzle, check out “Azalea Divine,” “Truck Bombs” and a crisp cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Sundown.” A few silly fillers here, but it’s a FREE download so I won’t complain. In fact, the entire Pipers catalog (ten albums) is available on Bandcamp for FREE. Enough music for ya?

Bandcamp

Altered Sweet and Cavetown

powerpopaholic
Matthew Sweet Tribute

Various Artists “Altered Sweet: A Tribute To Matthew Sweet ”

If there is one thing I know, Futureman records know how to do great tribute albums, and like the Sloan tribute from two years ago, this one is even better. Matthew Sweet has been one of the best examples of an artist who contributes to the genre with his tributes to his influences through the Under The Covers series with Susanna Hoffs. And it’s fitting to finally have other artists honor his influence. Overall, the guest artist list reads like a festival line-up for IPO or Power Popaholic Fest, so the cream of the power pop crop is playing here.

Sweet’s psychedelic jangle suits the lovely Lisa Mychols just fine on the opener “Looking At The Sun,” and the faithful approach works well for Andy Reed on “Where You Get Love,” The Well Wishers “All Over My Head,” and Greg Pope’s “Not When I Need It.” But for me, it was tough to pick out standouts because everyone does such a great job with the songs. Some touches are subtle, like Chris Richards & The Subtractions “Someone To Pull The Trigger” adds a bit of sadness that’s missing in the original or Simple Friend’s acoustic folk version of “Sick Of Myself.” Even the man behind this comp, Keith Klingensmith hits it out of the park on “You Don’t Love Me”

To some, this will be a great introduction to Sweet’s musical genius — hopefully, it spreads the love to fans who enjoy great rock and roll. One of the best tribute albums of 2018 so far.


Cavetown

Cavetown “Lemon Boy”

Cavetown is the brainchild of young UK musician Robin Skinner, and his latest Lemon Boy is essentially a soundtrack that would be perfect for a Wes Anderson flick. Done in DIY acoustic style, its like chamber folk-pop with an emphasis on the emotional and quirky lyrics.

The title track has a flowing easygoing chorus full of obscure references. “Green” is a look back on a lost love, and most of the songs are simple but intimate love-lorn ballads. Standouts include “It’s U,” “Poison,” and “10 Feet Tall.” Robin’s skill in composition and sound mixing is commendable with simple ukulele and double-tracked vocals. Give it chance.

Amazon

Travis Bretzer and The Red Button

powerpopaholic
Travis Bretzer

Travis Bretzer “Bubble Gum”

Edmonton native Travis Bretzer created this infectious album of bedroom pop that grows on you faster than weeds in the sun. Bretzer’s approach is very simple melodies filled with little hooks and sparse arrangements, similar to Apples in Stereo or early Brendan Benson. The quirky “Heart and Soul” has a fast tempo and a smooth synth for its chorus of “away, away.” It then delivers a brilliant faux country gem “Up In The Morning,” reminding me of The Monkees with its simple lyric,”Up in the morning/not much to do.”

“Are You Ever Gonna Change?” introduces a little psyche-pop guitar to the melody, and the follow-up “Evergreen” gets even more trippy, with acoustic guitar and echoing harmonies, like a lost Beta Band single. The centrepiece here is the gorgeous ballad “Peace, Love and Harmony,”  and on the latter half, we get lots of false endings and the tempos slow with each song that follows. By the time we get to “Vamanos” we get more instrumental, and eventually “A Song For Rashy” is simply a lullaby to doze off to. Oh, yeah this is also a “name-your-price” download, so reward him generously. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

The Red Button

The Red Button “Now It’s All This!”

When Seth Swirsky teamed up with Mike Ruekberg in 2007, it’s hard to believe the massive impression they left on the power pop scene. Jem Records picked up the band retrospective —Now It’s All This! featuring a new 6-song EP, bonus “unplugged” rarities, and newly remastered versions of the first two Red Button albums on 2 CDs.

Firstly, let me say the list of artists that can correctly capture the pure pop spirit of The early Beatles is very short. While many can emulate the sound, few can compose original material that stands alongside McCartney and Lennon. I count The Weeklings and The Wonders. The Red Button can also generate the same excitement with its music.

The new material is absolutely consistent, “Can’t Let Candy Go” and “Tracy’s Party” has the Rickenbacker riffs, and hook-filled melodies that never get old. The gentle jangling ballad “Tell Me It’s Over” is a heartbreaker about waiting for expected rejection. Seth’s winsome “Solitude Saturday” has a rich orchestral approach, and the title track is a fitting finale. The unplugged tracks are very close to the originals, but “Genevieve” actually sounds much better without the studio mixing. We have already reviewed The Red Button’s She’s About To Cross My Mind, and As Far As Yesterday Goes and it goes without saying this talented duo is essential listening.

Amazon

Compilation Fridays: More bands! More music!

powerpopaholic

Power Popaholic Fest is coming on June 16, 17 (next week) at Bar Matchless in Brooklyn, NY. Each year we have a soundtrack made with songs by some performers and like-minded artists. Your purchase helps fund the continuation of this long-running music festival dedicated to power pop artists. This year’s soundtrack features Somerdale, The Successful Failures, Lisa Mychols, Lannie Flowers, Cirrone, The Brittanicas, Jose Estragos and The Pop-Coop. Note: Limited time! Some tracks will only be available during the month of June.

Another compilation that we promote regularly is the Coop Communique, championed by artist/writer Dw Dunphy. This is the third and most impressive volume yet. With an array of favorites including Josh Fix (!!), The Ravines, Greek Theatre, Son of Skooshny, Brandon Schott, Andy Klingensmith, Vegas With Randolph and much more. Best of all its a FREE download!  Between Dunphy and Ice Cream Man, you can fill up the old music player on my phone really fast!