Category: Power Pop Review

The Airport 77s and Nelson Bragg

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The Airport 77s “Don’t Let Go”

After the phenomenal ‘We Realize You Have A Choice’ in 2022, Guitarist Andy Sullivan crafted his next group of songs for the band, along with bassist Cal Everett and drummer John Kelly. While the power pop charm remains, numerous tracks bear a stronger 80s influence. “Like Falling In Love” has an angular beat reminiscent of The Cars, and it all comes together on the centerpiece “Anyone But You,” which is one of the better tracks here.

If you are looking for the hard punching excitement of the band’s past songs, “1999 (Take Me Back”), “If It’s On, I’m In” and the explosive “She’s Everything” fill that need. But Andy goes in some new directions too, “Make’em Pay (Don’t Make It Easy)” is a story about a Bonnie and Clyde styled outlaw duo makes a great country rocker, if it had some steel pedal guitar it would be perfect. The slower, more mature themes of “The Hands of Time” and the poignant “Satellite” complete a really well-written and pleasant album. Highly recommended.

Amazon


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Nelson Bragg “Mélodie de Nelson: A Pop Anthology”

It’s timely and poignant that Nelson Bragg’s compilation is out now. He has been a part of Brian Wilson’s band for 14 years, including the release of the iconic SMILE album. He is a well-known figure in the L.A. pop culture. This new “greatest hits” compilation features some classic pop gems, rarities, remixes, and the brand-new Squeeze-inspired tune “We’re Gonna Laugh About It” starts it off. A jangling gem with a easy going chorus filled with minor chords and arpeggios.

On many tracks, Nelson’s Beatles love is evident, yet he seamlessly transforms the sound into something of his own. His soft soothing vocal fits well on the bouncy “Tell Me I’m Wrong,” and the double tracked harmonies on “Lived This Life Too Long” and “She Used To Love Me” recall late-era Hollies perfectly. Nelson’s Beach Boys influence come out on the classics “Whitechapel Girl” and “Death of Caroline.” As this is a curated collection, there are no filler tracks and if you never picked up any of his music before, this is the perfect primer. Highly recommended. 

Big Stir Records | Amazon

June Singles: Motorcycle Display Team, John Wlaysewski, Richard Turgeon, Vanilla, Splitsville, The Spongtones

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London rock act Motorcycle Display Team caught my ear this week. I like the recent singles these guys are making and here is a little band bio. Some old favorites are coming back, and they have some great advance tracks for us. John Wlaysewski (Late Cambrian) has this stellar tune that I can really identify with about “Honey Badger.” Richard Turgeon gets rockin on “Shungite,” a Russian mineral(?) and Vanilla is back with another extended album project called ‘Cookiewow.’ “The Besetting Sin” is the new single from that. It’s also so cool that the brothers Huseman are back as power pop all-stars Splitsville with a new LP on the way, so enjoy “Beth Steel.” Speaking pf power pop legends, we have the return of The Spongtones! “Lulu’s in Love” is the next chapter for these guys. Enjoy these, and stay tuned for more reviews and interviews!





The Toxhards and The Humbugs

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The Toxhards

The Toxhards “Your Neighborhood”

Sometimes, the components are greater than the whole. The Toxhards, a LA garage rock band, have a concept LP that doesn’t tell much of a story. However, the band’s unwavering dedication to superb pop and rock is evident here. The band’s wacky theatrical image is compelling, akin to a circus opera at a heavy metal festival, they sound influenced by Pink Floyd, Queen, Tally Hall, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. They’ve already made an impression locally, with a sizable TikTok and Instagram following, so their debut album definitely raises the bar.

The intros are effective in establishing a mood but run a bit too long; then we get the first song, strums of “Beatrice,” a gentle rocker that amps up quickly to heavy Foo Fighter-like riffs. It’s a fun, wild ride to its loud crescendo. Then it dials back dramatically to the quiet title track “Your Neighborhood,” which recall a Roger Waters inner monologue. Then we get “Get Creative! Or Get Radicalized!” with Queen-like harmonies and boisterous chorus, and it’s simply great from the melodic croon to the screaming “Na, na, na, na!” Another gentle gem is “Apple TV” with handclaps and hooks sticking in your head on that chorus.

But the album’s highlight is “DIE! DIE! DIE.” The song begins with a funky rhythm and bass line, and the lead singing, “Don’t you love the feeling when a song comes on the radio, and it sounds like they wrote it for you?” Next, “Satan’s Little Hell Song” is reminiscent of Queen’s “Stone Cold Crazy” in a frenzy. Overall, a thrilling set of tunes, the most schizophrenic rock album I’ve heard in a while. Highly recommended and a top ten contender. Thanks to my brother, Dan, for finding this one.

Amazon


The Humbugs

The Humbugs “AM Operetta”

Veteran Minneapolis band The Humbugs are Adam Marshall (guitar, lead), Tim Formanek (bass), and Matt Baccoli (drums), with an assist from Kristin Marshall and Mike Senkovich. Some nice power pop and a few folk tunes here, many pulled from Adam’s songwriting archives in a homage to the many different styles of music that was being played on AM radio in the 1970s. However nothing here sounds like it came directly from that era, it’s all original music.

The opener “Be Careful What You Wish For” is a solid start, with lots of jangle and a nicely constructed, distinct verse. The catchy “Take Out The Trash” is my favorite here, with great hooks and harmonies. The styles vary from here, Kristin’s lovely vocal leads on the pensive “Further From Yesterday” and “Never Noticed Me.” Highlights include “Tearing Me Up” and the bouncy ender “Doing Something Right.” Overall, a really good album with minimal overindulgences. Technically released last year, but the band recently posted their catalog on Bandcamp (also worth checking out.) Highly recommended.

Amazon

The Mayflies USA and Tasmo

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The Mayflies USA

The Mayflies USA “Kickless Kids”

The Mayflies USA are power pop heroes from North Carolina, combining big electric guitars and big pop hooks. Chris Stamey of the dB’s produced the group’s first two albums, ‘Summertown’ (1999) and ‘The Pity List (2000)’. After 23 years, these guys are back, produced, recorded, and mixed by Tim Harper (The Connells) and Chris Stamey helps out again as well. The band’s indie cred is intact with the opener “Thought the Rain Was Gone” with band members Matt Long, Matt McMichaels and Adam Price realizing they “can’t go back in time,” but they can still write a musical hook that sticks. “Calling the Bad Ones Home” is equally impressive, balancing the catchy chorus with a solid layered rhythm and a sober vocal approach akin to Old 97’s. The title track continues this pleasant Southern journey, as it slows a little on “Less Lost,” but things pick up again on the solid “Cabbagetown.”

If you grew up on a diet of the Chapel Hill focused sound (The dB’s, Peter Holsapple, Don Dixon, REM) this is pure comfort food.  Its got a nice mix of power pop, alt. country and rock. While it doesn’t quite recall the rocking days of old, this is a more mature group and the mellow vibe is the primary sound here. Highly recommended. 

Amazon

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Tasmo “Keeps Me Up at Night!”

Tasmo is an indie rock band from Seattle that crafts catchy, short DIY songs. Kicking off with “Maryanne,” it serves as a strong introduction with its lively vocals and guitar highlights. The blend of early ’80s power pop and ’60s songwriting simplicity is a familiar reference, yet Tasmo’s lead singer Duffy Graham maintains a limited vocal range, particularly on the subsequent track “Wha’ Do I Care?” While this style is reminiscent of Uni Boys, it tends to stay true to its unique sound without much tonal variation. The album improves when they incorporate more rhythm guitar in “Only Got One,” featuring its dynamic stop-start key changes.

I enjoyed the dreamy “I’m Getting A Band Together,” which is filled with that pure enthusiasm reminiscent of the early Beach Boys albums (though lacking the harmonies). The story “The Day That Tatie Got Shot” about a hunting mishap almost comes off as a parody or novelty tune, and it concludes powerfully with “This Time it’s For Real.” Although this is a solid beginning, I eagerly anticipate more from Tasmo.

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More May goodies: Autos, Vanilla, Best Bets, Mustard Service, Gentlemen Rogues, The Modbeats

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Where did the time go? Listening to good music is a passion, and Autos from Santa Cruz, California is a “too-cool-for-you” band, with a tracks like “Stay Clean” and “Drive” I will follow these guys and see where the GPS leads me. Crunchy guitars, and a lead that reminds me of Richard Butler (Psychedelic Furs) are a good mix here. Plus hard working musicians Vanilla keep working it after their massive ‘Pish Posh’ with “Abney Park,” a crisp traditional pop gem with jazz accents. This month’s freebie is Best Bets tribute to the 40th anniversary of Prince’s classic album ‘Around The World in a Day’. Next, I’m very excited to feature Mustard Service from Miami and “Going Nowhere” a bright, slightly chaotic love song with great energy that ends way too soon. Rockers Gentlemen Rogues are also back, with a heavy teaser for their next album, and The Modbeats latest faetures a nice slice of catchy power pop “Hold Me Roll Me.” Enjoy!