Category: Power Pop Review

Deluxe Editions and Kickstarter News update!

powerpopaholic

One of our recommended go-to power pop artists is Chris Richards & The Subtractions. In addition to this year’s Peaks & Valleys – the band has added new and updated deluxe editions of three earlier LPs. Loaded with demos and alternate takes, check it out:




—————–

Paul Melancon, a critical-darling indie-pop rocker from Atlanta, GA is debuting “Hyperventilate” along with a very Scooby-Doo/Archies like animated video from his forthcoming album. Melancon’s first new music in 13 years tells the story of his struggle with depression.

“Anyone can relate to this feeling of being completely trapped by ongoing discouragement. When under the thumb of depression, my discouragement verged on hopelessness that I couldn’t shake, but couldn’t give into,” Melancon said. “In Hyperventilate, I try to capture that dual sense of both feeling like I’ll have to give up and needing not to give up no matter what.”

Order the album through Kickstarter and help spread the word!

The Nude Party and The Longshot

powerpopaholic
The Nude Party

The Nude Party “The Nude Party”

This North Carolina band actually started by playing at parties while attending Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. After gaining the attention of Oakley Munson (Black Lips,) he helped release this full-length debut.

The band is highly influenced by mid- to late ’60s classic rock, and country music. The catchy “Feels Alright” is like The Troggs jamming with The Rolling Stones, a very loose party atmosphere helps carry things. On “Chevrolet Van” lead singer Patton Magee channels Bob Dylan and Lou Reed in this solid story-song about seizing the moment. The band dynamics are tight and the jamming after the choruses are lots of fun. The band runs out of steam on the second half, but it’s a groovy trip you’ll be willing to go on. Check it out.

Amazon

The Longshot

The Longshot “Love is for Losers”

This side project for Billie Joe Armstrong allows him to fully let his power-pop freak flag fly. There are no political statements or snarling punk pronouncements,  just great rock and roll. Armstrong is joined by Jeff Matika on bass, guitarist Kevin Preston, and drummer David S. Field.

Starting with “The Last Time” it’s like “Please Mr. Postman” was redone by The Ramones, loaded with handclaps and harmonies. “Taxi Driver” is the most Green Day-like, and “Chasing A Ghost” is a full-throated rock anthem about his status as an old punk rocker. However “Body Bag” and “Cult Hero” are different enough to make you realize this not Armstrong’s previous band.  The Replacements-like chugging guitars on “Happiness” and other tunes here are all fun and upbeat with the exception of the ending ballad “Goodbye To Romance.” This labor of love was released with little fanfare but packs a power-pop punch. Highly Recommended!

Amazon

Lisa Mychols and Three Hour Tour

powerpopaholic
Lisa Mychols

Lisa Mychols “Sugar”

The queen of Power Pop is back! Mychols blend of catchy melodies and girl group harmonies are in full swing on the appropriately titled Sugar. Her light vocal blend and psyche pop groove on the opener “One Revolution” does remind me of Karla Kane in spots. Stylistically Lisa visits different directions from the bubblegum of “Loving You Baby” to the coy balladry of  “My Friend And Me.” I did notice that “Endless Daydream” is a medley of three different songs stitched together.

Like most of Lisa’s discography, there is no filler here. The highlights include the rocking “Domino,” the sunshine pop of “Don’t Wanna Close My Eyes,” “Goodbye All Carousels” and the jangling gem “He’s Got Me Dreaming.” It’s tough to pick out favorites here, as the songwriting is strong all around. Highly Recommended and a contender for my top ten list of 2018.

Amazon | CD Baby

Three Hour Tour

Three Hour Tour “You Never Know”

It’s another tour of duty for the Champagne, IL band lead by singer/songwriter Darren Cooper. He’s joined by Adam Schmidt and Brad Elvis (The Elvis Brothers) to create a clean sound that will appeal to fans of Tommy Keene, Matthew Sweet, and The Well Wishers. He’s always created reliably catchy hooks, and starting off with the title track “You Never Know.” The mid-tempo gem describes a meeting with a classic rocker and closes with a sweet guitar solo. “Fallen Angel” is more typical, with a sing-along chorus and descending bass line. The chiming riffs of “Gray Waves” is another highlight, full of beautifully layered guitar rhythms.

Cooper gets notably Who-like on the brilliant instrumental “Pascal The Hypnotist,” and the starry-eyed hero worship of “The Ballad of Buddy Rich,” reminded me of Weezer a little, but overall there isn’t any real filler. This is a Three Hour Tour you’ll want to repeat often. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Vinyl Skyway and Alex Bloom

powerpopaholic

The Vinyl Skyway “Long Cool Journey”

Cambridge, MA band The Vinyl Skyway (singer/songwriters Michael Hayes and Andy Santospago) are back with another fine album. It opens strong with the catchy gem “She Don’t Worry,” where they almost brag “I got my hooks in you / What are we gonna do?” It indeed hooks you. It then steps back to a more thoughtful indie ballad on “Old Route 9,” it’s a beautifully subtle composition about wandering the Boston streets with bitter memories. The next few tracks are sparse but emotionally resonate, notably “Wasteland” and the country folk of “Reach into My Heart.”

Midway through the guitars and tempo pick up again on the fine “Travel King,” which has some ELO-like echoes. Santospago’s vocals have some nice double tracking on the sad portrait of an ageless hipster on “Subterranean Hearts” and the acoustic “Indian Summer” is very reminiscent of Paul Simon or Tom Petty. The rich sound on “Everbody Wants To Say Goodbye” is another highlight, with the added vocals of Kristin Cifelli. Stylistically, it doesn’t always work – it feels like 2 different albums mixed together. But the songwriting earns your respect with repeated listens. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp Only

Alex Bloom

Alex Bloom “Blue Room”

Roger Manning Jr. recommended I listen to Alex Bloom (he is currently helping produce his next album). I wasn’t disappointed, as Alex is a singer-songwriter very much in the mold of Elliot Smith or Chris Price. He’s got a distinct melodic gift and high vocal register that really impresses. The soaring harmonies and ageless melody of “Eyes In The Back of Her Head” is a real keeper and the ethereal pop gem “I Don’t Know You Anymore” will stick in your head for days.

The aching piano ballad “Change Your Mind” is another huge highlight, but the remaining tracks on this short album struggle to reach those lofty heights of greatness.  “It’s Alright” injects a little indie soul, the slow-building “One More Shot” has a fine chorus, but it drags out a bit long. With what I heard, I expect greatness on his next album (No pressure, Alex).

Amazon

The Spindles and Talkie

powerpopaholic
The Spindles

The Spindles “Past and Present”

Chicago band The Spindles have everything you look for in a power pop band. The debut album has a distinct sound that marries the British Invasion and ’70s power pop bands together. Fans of The Raspberries, Hollies, and The Records will really enjoy it. They starts with the catchy “Prisoner of War,” driven by the steady percussion and jangling guitars. Next, a sweet cover of The Hollies “Look Through Any Window” lets us know where the band’s heart lies, and the excellent “Whenever We’re Together” is a big highlight with its rich harmonies and tight composition.

It evens out towards the middle, and the music is consistently good. The title track “Peace With The Past” teases us with the world’s most famous opening chord, before it goes into its compelling case for nostalgia. More highlights include “Annette,”  “If I Fall In Love” and the Elvis Brothers cover “Santa Fe.” Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik | CD Baby

Talkie

Talkie “Fundamental Things”

San Francisco pop band Talkie is back. It starts out on a low key, piano version of the old pop standard “As Time Goes By.” Then it shifts into the funk-pop “Fuzzy Disco,” a catchy track with a thick bass line that leads everything. The easy-going “Marcy” has a sun-soaked melody line, with a neat fuzz solo.

“Sorry, Shy” is another bright shimmering tune, but things slow considerably with “Costa Rica,” that plods along with its aimless rhythm guitar. It devolves from that point. You’ll hear influences like Air and Maroon Five as it wades into this ambient territory. None of the stellar harmonies that marked the band’s debut are present. Hopefully, we’ll hear some on the next LP.

Amazon