Category: Power Pop Review

NRBQ and The Flywheels

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NRBQ

NRBQ “High Noon: A 50-Year Retrospective”

NRBQ is one of those bands that anyone can latch onto, often called “the world’s greatest bar band,” it never sticks to a single genre; Americana, Rock, Jazz, R&B, Rockabilly and Power Pop are all over the course of its 40 year plus career. Formed in 1967 by pianist Terry Adams and guitarist Steve Ferguson it set itself apart with its a easy going, and heartfelt style. Another amazing thing is that Adams musical vision for NRBQ has stayed consistent over the years despite numerous line-up changes.

This four disc set encompasses all the best of the band, and its multiple styles. This is an instant record collection over the course of 106 songs spread out across the five CDs. From their progressions, melodies, lyrics, production, and overall musicianship, NRBQ is truly an American original. Not every song here will be your favorite, but I guarantee you’ll hear somthing to make you smile as this music grows on you faster than a chia pet on steroids. My pick for favorite box set of 2016.

Amazon


The Flywheels “I’m For The Flowers”

Responding to a fan online, I checked out this San Francisco band. A good find, as they have John Moremen on lead guitar, and the jangly, melodic tunes of the Flywheels echo the essence of such hallowed power-pop combos as Big Star, Badfinger and the Flamin’ Groovies. Originally funded through Kickstarter, this album boasts a dense psych-pop sound, and lots of famous guests contributed (Scott McCaughey, Peter Buck, Dennis Diken, Allen Clapp, etc.)

The opener “Hello Cruel World” and the piano jangle gem “Counting to Eleven” recalls The Bangles or The Corner Laughers. You hear Allen Clapp (Orange Peels) clearly on “Needle of Sunshine” and the huge guitar jam of “Red Tail Lights” is another highlight. Lead singer Kim Wonderley is the glue that holds everything together, her soothing vocal on “Let Me Take You Down (To The Sea)” is a great blend of production and melody. The tracks that don’t feature her vocals suffer in comparison. Still so much great music is here, from the riffs on the wild title track to the punkish “Astronaut Motel.” Highly Recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon

Gone too soon, George Michael.

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George Michael was one of the most successful modern pop stars in the world. Billboard magazine ranked Michael the 40th most successful artist of All Time. I wasn’t a big fan in his Wham! days, but damn the man could sing a ballad like no one else, short of Freddie Mercury. It seemed that when Queen performed again in tribute to Freddie in 1992, George was the only one worthy to sing “Somebody To Love,” and make it a hit all over again.

https://youtu.be/yPJiuqp1LS4

While he produced indelible music with Faith and Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1 his personal life and frequent drug convictions overshadowed his future. On 25 December 2016, Michael died at Goring, Oxfordshire, England. His publicist stated that he had “passed away peacefully at home” He was only 53.

Ho Ho Holiday Singles: Loop Line, Bill DeMain, Cotton Mather, Nicole Atkins

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Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Loop Line is back with a holiday song, but it can’t decide if its a Beach or Christmas tune. I guess its both… get the FREE download while it lasts.

​​Robert Harrison (Cotton Mather) teams up with one of my favorite voices in pop, singer Nicole Atkins for “Faded” a wonderfully written ballad. It is part of the new EP ‘Cotton Mather with Nicole Atkins‘, arriving on December 30th. Get this FREE download now!

New Zealand DIY pop dude Stefan Reyners also has a holiday single. A nice simple statement

While not a Christmas tune, this was way too good not to share. Bill DeMain delivers the goods with an orchestral cover of The Beach Boys “Wendy” for an upcoming album.

The Connection and Pseudonym

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The Connection

The Connection “Just For Fun”

A sweet holiday gift from The Connection – this new set of covers is Just For Fun, as the band paying homage to their musical heroes. Some of these tunes are right up the band’s alley, like using the Johnny B. Goode template for Bob Seger’s “Get Out Of Denver.” Some classics including “Teenage News” (Sylvain Sylvain), “No Expectations” (Rolling Stones), and “Southern Girls” (Cheap Trick) make for a great listen. Even oldies like “I Can Read Between The Lines” by Gary Lewis and The Playboys have a distinct Merseybeat feel, and because many songs aren’t automatically familiar, there’s little predictability. Like the title says, these guys are just having a good time and after listening to these tunes you will too.

Amazon


Pseudonym

Pseudonym “Pack Of Lies”

California Musician Paul Desjarlais with his friends (aka Pseudonym) deliver one of the better LPs this year with Pack of Lies.  Each track is a reminiscing on a painful breakup, guitarist Waylan Solo offers up an interesting story in the “liner notes” on the Bandcamp page related to it. He knows what we power poppers will gravitate to right away, but listen through the entire album to get a better understanding of the story. Its a slow build from the first isolated vocal track of “I’m Fine” to the jangling guitar on “All The Little Things.”

The combo of fuzz bass and harmonies work great on “I Don’t Care About Love,” plus the easy going melody on “Victimless Crime” is super catchy. Then a trio of slow tempo ballads starting with “Don’t Leave Me This Way” show the isolation of the songwriter, but things go back to rocking mode on “Lorraine” and “Round and Round.” On “Foreign Talk” the beat quickens even more, reminding me of The Cure. Overall an excellent album, and on top of all this its a FREE download until Jan. 1st (then buy it on Amazon). Highly Recommended.

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George Usher and Lions In The Street

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George Usher “The End And The Beginning: 1990-2009”

Described by the Village Voice as “one of New York’s best pop craftsmen,” singer-songwriter George Usher has a long, storied history that is expertly curated in this multi-disc retrospective The End And The Beginning. While it doesn’t have everything, its pretty thorough collecting tracks from across Usher’s career. The set starts with the bands House of Usher (1990) and George Usher’s Lazy Gentlemen (1991) where he develops a solid rep doing jangle pop with a baroque style.

When we hit the single “Not The Tremblin’ Kind” from Miracle School (1997), its melodic magic with a strong Beatle vibe that we’re used to. Great songs like “Begging For Rain” and “Days Of Plenty” make you question why Mr. Usher wasn’t a bigger star, but his talent as a songwriter and performer is beyond question. The ballads become more prominent later on, like the pastoral “Love By Any Other Name.” Since much of his earlier work is out-of-print and in some cases hard to find, this collection is essential for power pop fans. Get it directly from George on his website.

George Usher Direct

Lions In The Street

Lions in The Street “The Years”

Playing tough, swaggering ’70s-styled rock & roll influenced by the Small Faces, Eagles and the Rolling Stones, Vancouver’s Lions in the Street are a band that persevered in spite of years of record company interference. The album “The Years” (named after the band’s original moniker) was held up in lawsuits. Recorded for TVT Records(Lil’ Jon, Pitbull) in New York City with Grammy-nominated producer Dave Cobb (Jamey Johnson, Jason Isbell), a legal dispute with the label put the band in debt and stalled any career progress.

Fortunately, this is now finally released and is a pleasant surprise that still holds up. The gentle harmonies and muscular guitars start on “Someday” are almost like a mix of Badfinger and The Faces. The soulful vocals of Chris Kinnon on “Still The Same” and “Carolina” compare well with Mick Jagger. The country harmonies on “Can You Hear The Sea” strongly contrast with the heavy rock riffs of “In Cold Blood” and “I Know You Wanna” is almost AC/DC-like. Strong songwriting and performances sustain all 11 tracks. A lost gem that’s finally uncovered and highly recommended.

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Check out this FREE bonus track from the album.