Category: Power Pop Review

Captain Wilberforce and Your Gracious Host

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Captain Wilberforce

Captain Wilberforce “Black Sky Thinking”

After a six-year break, Captain Wilberforce (Simon Bristoll) returns with his reputation for compelling melodies. He’s got a smoother, more polished sound here thanks to his new bandmates; Carl Banks (drums), Rob Simpson (guitars) and Massimiliano Borghesi (bass/vocals). Opening with the grand sweep of “The Johnny Depp Memorial Cafe,” it has the feel of classic pop, think Elton John, Crowded House or Squeeze. “Good Times, You Said” is more of a McCartney ballad with heavy guitars punctuating the chorus. The very slow building “Someone To Love” makes good use of a guitar break, with acoustic flourishes or its the trickle of piano on “You Can’t Have Me” that gives the melody real depth.

The comparison to The Finn Brothers really stands out on “Lazarus” with its well-crafted harmonies. But my favorite here is the Beatlesque “King Of Decision” that mixes a wonderful piano bridge with layered guitar rhythm. Stylistically it has a little of everything, but the tone is mellow with an undercurrent of dark psyche-pop. Fans will appreciate all the little subtleties here, Simon’s songwriting is like an American version of Martin Newell.  Highly Recommended. Bonus: While it is a “pay-as-you-wish” download, Kool Kat has the album with a 5 Song Bonus EP included. So worth it!

Kool Kat Musik

Your Gracious Host

Your Gracious Host “Boomerang”

Michigan multi-instrumentalist Tom Curless (aka Your Gracious Host) is back with Boomerang, as a rock tune is followed light pop ballad in alternating order. You will hear influences all over the place from Todd Rundgren to David Gilmour and everything in between. The title track is a catchy melody anchored by solid riffs, and “Never Been So Blind” has a booming drum kit alongside the harmonies and guitars.

I just found the heavier stuff more memorable than the mid-tempo stuff, for example, “Sweetness” is like a lost Bob Mould demo from the ’90s with its wall of fuzz sound and echoing beat. Bob Mervak is an equal partner here with his solid keyboard work, especially on the inspiring “You See Right Through Me.” While not everything sticks here, there are other notable tracks like the jangling melody in “Rest of us in the Third World” and the very Big Star inspired closer “Spritely.” This one is a grower, so stick with it and you will be impressed with these gems.

Kool Kat Musik

 

Greg Ieronimo and Robyn Gibson

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Greg Ieronimo

Greg Ieronimo “Never Leaving California”

I’m glad we finally have a new full-length album from Greg Ieronimo, as his debut Bipolar Love several years ago was a favorite and he’s been teasing us with tracks leaked out on IPO compilations. Greg’s sound emphasizes the “power” in power pop with heavy riffs leading the way on each song, comparable to Extreme or Green Day, but with a melodic emphasis and lush production technique similar to Jason Falkner. And unlike the debut, his style is very consistent here.

Opening with “Rewind” its hook-filled bass lead is layered with verses and backing harmonies that make Ieronino’s music so compelling. “Never Leaving California” is a slow building heavy rock standard about his home state, and then “You Love Me” is a piano-led gem with a cascading hook in the chorus. One of the catchiest songs here is “Best Day Of Our Life” brimming with ADD-fueled optimism. In fact, it’s a challenge to find a bad song here from the bouncy gem “Outta Sight” to the mid-tempo rock ballad “Make It Out” it’s all good. One critique you can say is that there may be too many songs (14) to digest very quickly, so take your time savoring each one with headphones. Easily this one is a top 10 nominee for my 2017 best-of list. Super Highly Recommended!

Amazon

Robyn Gibson

Robyn Gibson “Bob of the Pops Vol . 1”

One of the best young voices in pop music Robyn Gibson (The Junipers) created this covers album over a series of six years, produced by Boryng Bison. Gibson’s song selection is especially good, as he provides a perfect male version of Kristy MacColl’s “They Don’t Know” (a big hit for comedian Tracey Ullman).

The album consists of popular rock standards (The Beatles “Nowhere Man”) with more obscure singles (The Rutles “With A Girl Like You.”) The production is crisp and Gibson’s smooth vocal is multitracked for great harmonic moments like Teenage Fanclub’s “Did I Say.” Overall a great audio treat for lovers of great power pop. And hey, it’s a FREE download so pick it up and sing along with Robyn. Hopefully, Vol.2 isn’t that far behind.

Bandcamp only

Singles and Previews: Spirit Kid, Nicole Atkins, Chris Merritt, Lisa Mychols and more.

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Some of my long time favorite artists are coming out with new material, so I figured I’d break protocol and share some singles and videos:

It’s been too long, but Spirit Kid is back with a kick-ass single “To My Romeo,” and hopefully a new album cannot be far behind.

Nicole Atkins has been touring a lot lately and after some notable collaborations, she’s started a funding effort for a new album Goodnight Rhonda Lee.

Chris Merritt is a classically trained pop wunderkind and after a series of innovative albums, he took a career break. But now he’s working on”Be Minor” from the upcoming album Time Is Real. Give a listen.

The lovely and talented Lisa Mychols always seems to have something cooking. Her great vocals are featured on the new single “He’s Got Me Dreaming” and it’s available on CD Baby.

I predicted it and it came true! R. Stevie Moore and Jason Falkner backed by the British indie band Happyness at SxSW 2017

Berwanger and Armchair Oracles

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Armchair Oracles

Berwanger “Exorcism Rock”

Debut album from Kansas artist Josh Berwanger (The Anniversary, The Only Children) delivers a great single in the title track which blurs the lines of power pop and classic rock, with a chorus worthy of ’70s guitar hit. “Rats & Cats” is another good song with assorted tempo shifts before it settles on a catchy chorus. Berwanger’s voice fits the style well, similar to Joe Elliot’s (Def Leppard) mid-tone rock vocal.

“Booty Shake” resembles a Tom Petty song with its phrasing, “Black Sun” and “I Want You Bad” both feature a killer guitar riff and fast-paced tempos. What makes Berwanger stand out is the seamless ability to go from Ramones-like “Slutty Skin” to standard rock and roll on “Forever” but keeping those hooks in place. The last two songs are “Spirit King” which resembles a mix between Kiss and Extreme, and the glammy epic “Space and Time.” Overall it’s got more than enough here for multiple listens and a great example of melodic rock. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Armchair Oracles

Armchair Oracles “In Machina”

One of David Bash’s faves from 2016, Norway’s Armchair Oracles offers up their sophomore LP entitled In Machina. It’s a solid effort, as “Considerations” opens with a jangling rhythm, heavy guitar riffs and minor chord chorus that sticks in your head. “Sound Sleep Sound” is a sweet ballad with delicate acoustic lead featuring Atle Skogrand’s gentle airy lead vocal. The band offers a contrast of the soft jangle atmosphere with a heavy rock riff lead often layered over it, as “Jitterbug” is a good example here. This is the style that rock bands like Radiohead and Coldplay used to be so good at, thankfully Armchair Oracles are just as impressive.

Even better this band knows when to let go and rock heavier like on the powerful “Utility Man.” Some of the music comes close to generic arena rock, (“Here Comes The Feeling”) but the melodies have that little twist to keep it from becoming cliched. “Climbing The Walls” is a nice break with its simple piano riff and slide guitar, almost ELO like. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby

The Popravinas! and The Drywall Heels

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Armchair Oracles

The Popravinas! “California Sonic”

The Popravinas! are back almost ten years later, as Eddy Sill (The Mutts) is joined by John Adair (Guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin, Vocals) Dean Lyons (Guitar, Vocals) and David Rogers (Drums). The band has its own roots-based California pop sound, sure to appeal to fans of The Connection and/or Whiskeytown. “She’s Going South” is like an updated Beach Boys theme about disaster during summer break as they sing “It gonna get ugly, ugly.”

Eddy has a really unique deep vocal, and it makes the ballad “Santa Monica Moon” both catchy and romantic, with a touch of twang. That country-style covers most of the songs here, “Wow” smartly references the movie Days of Wine and Roses and the Rockpile-like gem “Alone Ain’t So Bad” is another good one. The band then does some good ole honky-tonk on “Great Western Fiasco” and “Checked Out Love,” but all the efforts aren’t as lyrically creative; “I Gotta Hope” and “Sent Callin” seem to just drone on. However, if you enjoy the country rock genre this is definitely a great addition to your playlist.

CD Baby

The Drywall Heels

The Drywall Heels “The Drywall Heels” EP

What a nice surprise! This Toronto band dazzles us with its subtle melodies and sweet harmonies.The band is the combo of Mike Ciani, Jesse Mirsky, Shane Weir, and Matt Goldman. And boy, have they got the hooks. From the first listen of “You Should Know,” it has that jingle jangle guitar and the crooning “uh-uh-oh” played to minor chords. Then they layer on the harmonies and you have a winner.

“Richmond Hill” and “Questionable” follow a similar style, and “Claudia” is a mid-tempo ballad that recalls those perfect DIY melodies The Toms were famous for. And on top of all this, it’s a FREE download. Highly Recommended and no excuses.

FREE Download