Category: Power Pop Review

Eytan Mirsky and Field Music

powerpopaholic
“Golden

Eytan Mirsky “Funny Money”

Eytan Mirky has long been a strong writer of pop songs that explore insecurity and hopeless love. Starting with “I’m Gonna Fight It” its got a bluesy hook that recalls a small scale Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe or Jonathan Richman about the everyman struggles with a “one true love.” The laid back pop smarts of “Somebody Played A Joke on Me” is almost like a Jimmy Buffet hit single, with a sweet guitar break by Jon Gordon. Its about small victories, as he tells a friend “You Got It Made” and recognizing the wrong girl in “I Saw Something In You.” Even tender ballads like “Watching Dawson’s Creek” are great, as it relates an old relationship to an old TV show. In a rare moment, “Good Hair Day” is an uncharacteristically happy and buoyant song that urges you to seize the day. These are all solid gems and most of these songs hit the mark. Super highly recommended.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon


“Golden

Field Music “Commontime”

Field Music has never been a band that grabs your attention immediately, but the clinical musicianship mixed with nerd quirkiness shows occassional flashes of genius. The brothers David and Peter Brewis seem intent on experimenting here. The opener “The Noisy Days are Over” is a great microcosm of the band as a whole, with inventive percussive effects, a solid melody and a grand theme. You will hear influences from David Bowie, Todd Rundgren and the Talking Heads. “Disappointed” is a funky single that sounds like a lost 80’s classic, and the deliberate horn flourishes and piano melody on “But Not For You” bring to mind Steely Dan in its prime. “I’m Glad” has a warped time signature that few can make a single from. But its the meticulousness of their melodic structure that have won over a small cult of audiophiles. Some great examples include “They Want You To Remember” and “Indeed It Is.” The album could have used some editing, but overall its a rare treat. Highly Reccomended.

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Tribute To Sloan and Rude Awakening

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Dany Laj

Various Artists “If it Feels Go Do it: Tribute To Sloan”

The amazing thing about this tribute is that most of Sloan’s songs aren’t as well known or played out as other more popular artists (i.e. Beatles) and this frees the artist from adhering to a strict interpretation. Also Sloan has some gorgeous compositions that fit perfectly with these artists, and its sure to draw attention.

Stereo Tiger not only starts us off with “C’mon C’mon (We’re Gonna Get It Started),” the band is also offering up a quick EP of added covers FREE here. Andy Reed crushes “I Love A Long Goodbye” and The Dead Girls delivers a solid take on “Friendship.” Lots of today’s best artists contribute: Fireking, Chris Richards, Nick Piunti, Pop4, etc. I could continue to list favorites, but with 31 tracks this post would go on too long. Simply stated this is the best tribute album of 2016 so far! So get it from our friends at Futureman Records!

Bandcamp


Rude Awakening “Rude Awakening”

Rude Awakening was formed in Winnsboro, TX in 1985 and disbanded in 1989. They were never signed to a record label, thus never released an official CD, but the band members (Jim Richey, Jeff Hamm, Kenny Swann and Jeffrey Galloway) continued to play together eventually becoming The Pozers. The band specialized in guitar rock based on ’70s and ’80s similar to Cheap Trick, Kiss, AC/DC and Van Halen.

Its worth noting that the musicianship here is solid and the era is re-created perfectly. “First Impression” really rocks out and “One More Cry” sound like lost hits from the proto-metal hair band era. Ballads like “For Angie” and “Traci” remind me of Extreme a little and the speed-metal “Leather and Lace” pulls out all the stops as the drummer goes wild. The album stays stylistically consistent throughout and even if they do go past the four minute mark on songs, it sounds like the band is having fun. “17” is a dead ringer for a lost Kiss single, and you’ll find plenty of favorites to add to your listening mix.

CD Baby | Amazon

Emitt Rhodes “Rainbow Ends”

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Gothic Chicken

That the legendary Emitt Rhodes can come back 40 years after abandoning the spotlight is simply an amazing triumph in itself. This was a man who’s short solo career would influence generations of artists in power pop. Emitt’s self-titled debut in 1971, gave him the moniker “one-man Beatles,” by writing, recording and producing the album alone in his home studio. After several failed attempts to return, an army of dedicated fan-musicians (Fernando Perdomo, Aimee Mann, Susanna Hoffs, Jon Brion, Nels Cline from Wilco, Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. and Jason Falkner of Jellyfish, Bleu, Probyn Gregory and Nelson Bragg from Brian Wilson’s band) came together as his band with producer Chris Price to help release Rainbow Ends.

Starting with “Dog On A Chain” the album tells the story of bitterness and hope. Rhodes ability to turn a phrase to a simple hook remains as strong as ever, as the chorus kicks in with full force and the beaten down protagonist emerges. All the players here insure that the instrumentation is just flawless. Equally impressive is the blues-pop number “If I Knew Then” with its strong bass lead and piano melody, but the sweet spot is the love ballad “Isn’t It So” a perfectly succinct melody that elevates the song above the norm. Unlike some songwriters, Rhodes doesn’t layer his compositions excessively, but strips them down to bare essentials. “This Wall Between Us” and “It’s All Behind Us Now” are soulful pleas with subtle harmonies and economical guitars backing his crisp vocal.

His balladry is closer to James Taylor than McCartney on this album, “Someone Else” is another gem that sticks with you and deserves multiple listens.  In fact, nothing here falls flat and each song reflects Emitt’s struggle, like “I Can’t Tell My Heart” he intones “When you love someone so much it hurts you, you learn to love the pain…” The storyline tells of moving on after a painful divorce, with a sliver of hope on “Friday’s Love” and the inspirational title track. This album was certainly a grower with me, and while it lacks the punch of immediacy after the first few songs, it’s melodic narrative is very strong from beginning to end. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

To learn more about Rhodes, check out his page in the Power Pop Hall of Fame, penned by producer Chris Price.

Initially this project was created with a Pledge Music campaign that is still very much active. If you’d like the extras that accompany this album, this is the only way to get them.

Golden Daze and Cait Brennan

powerpopaholic
“Golden

Golden Daze “Golden Daze”

Golden Daze was formed by Midwest musicians Ben Schwab and Jacob Loeb, totally inspired by 60’s melodic psyche-pop and contemporaries like Cass Mccombs and Brian Jonestown Massacre. Golden Daze drenches their songs in shimmering guitar reverbs and ethereal wall of sound effects.”Ghost” is like Donovan meets The Electric Prunes, with a textural drone running over the melody. Highlights includes the bright echoing “Never Coming Back” with its bouncy melody and the strong beat on “Sleeping In The Sun.” But my favorite here is “Salt” with its jangling rhythm and long guitar fade out. If you have any pet peeves about vocals being fuzzed out too much you may have issues, but otherwise this acid-dripped LP is Highly Recommended.

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“Cait

Cait Brennan “Debutante”

Cait Brennan spent the better part of 20 years writing power-pop and glam-rock symphonies in secret. Discovered and championed by legendary producer/musician Fernando Perdomo, the thunderous glam piano opener “Good Morning and Goodnight” mixes the classical ’60s approach with modern lyrics about today’s soulless media, bolstered by a great bass line.

“Underworld” has a Brydsian jangle that supports Cait’s soulful croon. The ballad “Dear Arthur” is like a lost Procol Harum confessional. That Brennan is a transgender person explains her deep vocal, but that is beside the point. These are great songs about love, loss, hope, identity, struggle, and ultimately survival. The trials of Brennan’s difficulties are described in “Showman” and “Father McKenzie” is another masterwork that recalls classic Elton John. No filler here either, a very highly recommended debut.

Amazon

Check out a longer documentary about Cait Brennan, the remarkable journey is here.

EP Reviews: Loop Line, Suntrodden and Animal Daydream

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Loop Line

Loop Line “Wakes” EP

We covered Loop Line’s debut not so long ago, now Luke and Paul return with another catchy EP. “Nothing About You” features blistering guitar spurts with echoing harmonies which fans of Weezer would appreciate. Next we get the pensive rhythm of “Grin” where the two vocals and instruments (guitar and keys) collaborate uneasily. “Parts Unknown” has a lovely fuzz guitar sound and Beach Boys-like backing vocals, but the lead melody doesn’t quite standout. “Dusty Keys” fares much better, and overall this is worth checking out. Get a “name-your-price” download at Bandcamp.

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The Expected

Suntrodden “Suntrodden I ” EP

Atlanta native Erik Stephansson (aka Suntrodden) delivers minimalist pop of  with a light vocal that recalls Elliot Smith or Beach House. “Sunrise To Sunset” uses simple guitar chords, shakers and tambourines to build the warm atmosphere. “Float Away” is a wistful ballad about the loss of control, but hope emerges in “It’s Never Over” a gentle lullaby for Erik’s infant son. The relaxed sounds feel like the calm before a storm brews — and the music has that sense of anticipation. Experience it.

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The Expected

Animal Daydream “Citrus” EP

Animal Daydream is Daniel Fridlund Brandt and Alexander Wahl, a soft rock duo from Gothenburg Sweden. The highly addictive West Coast style of the jangling guitars on the title track are very much like a hybrid of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Teenage Fanclub. “Sun (Turn Around)” has a magical pop-pysche chorus with its cascading bass line and “All That You Can Give” has rich thick harmonies and a deep percussive sound that recalls The Association. “In My Room” gets a little more into spacey folk rock, but overall this is a band to keep your eye on. Highly Recommended.

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