Category: Power Pop Review

Jingle Jangle Pop, Shake Some Action, Dropkick

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“Jingle Jangle Pop”

Holiday music from the guitar & pen of Andy Goldberg (the driving force behind The Honeymoon Stallions, The Goldbergs & The Sun Kings). This 5 song EP compiles holiday songs from each of the bands mentioned, all remixed by Paul Umbach. Some of these song have been “missing” for many years, so it’s great to have them back for the holiday season.

CD Baby


Shake Some Action

Shake Some Action “Christmas in The Sun”

One of my favorites, Shake Some Action delivers a great holiday single for FREE download. But I would like you to pay for it. All proceeds from the sale of this single go to the Toys For Tots Foundation, a top rated charity that provides toys, books and other gifts to less fortunate children. Bandcamp only.

Dropkick

Dropkick “25th December” EP

British band Dropkick certainly has been very active this year, and this goody is a small collection of holiday themed songs for FREE download. Love the jangling melody of “When Santa Comes Round” — you will too. Bandcamp only.

Coke Belda and The Expected

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Coke Belda

Coke Belda “Nummer Zwei”

On his debut album German musician Coke Belda proved his mastery of power pop style and production techniques. Belda takes the next step by crafting irresistible ear candy on Nummer Zwei (Number Two).  The illustrious Alan Haber introduces the very Jeff Lynne-like “Rainbow”  with its layered harmonies and strong synth lead. “You’re Not in Love” has a shimmering guitar rhythm and a catchy melody. And each song that follows keeps the quality high, “Hold Me Tight” is another winner that recalls Pilot.

The joys and frustrations of songwriting are part of the ballad “Songwriting” and “Another  ****ing Song,” the latter ending with high falsetto harmonies. While the musical techniques are sharp, its the song composition that really impresses here, “Where I Am” is a great example that hits all the right dramatic notes with George Harrison styled guitar flourishes. Belda is also fairly consistent with his style, there is no doubt that this makes my top ten list this year. As a bonus, if you buy Belda’s new LP, you’ll get a free download of his debut album!

Bandcamp only


The Expected

The Expected “Radio Night” EP

The Expected is a melodic rock/power pop band from Finland. The opener “Free Me” is a model of quiet/loud contrast with a riff heavy chorus of “Free Me Now or Forever Be Damned.” It’s a great single that deserves a spot on your playlist.  The title track “Radio Night” is a showcase for lead singer Janne Äyräväinen and his layered harmonies with echoing guitar goodness are in the chorus. “Songs Of Hate” has a more anthemic chorus and is driven by drummer Tero Rikkonen’s beats.  The European accents are barely noticeable and overall we have a great start for this rocking quartet. Check it out.

Amazon | CD Baby

Ex-Norwegian and Alphanaut

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Ex-Norwegian “Pure Gold”

Roger Houdaille is a genuine pop savant, and after a near death experience, he took to the studio with his band Ex-Norwegian to work on his 6th album. Classic influences are all here; the Beatles, the Kinks, Bowie and the Move. Notable guest stars are Fernando Perdomo on slide guitar and Chris Price on organ. What you end up with is pure rock and roll bliss.

“It’s A Game” has those beats, but also got strong melodies and the guitars are everywhere. And the follow-up “Asking Too Much” has thick glam riffs across a chorus of Roger and Michelle Grand’s vocals. “Beeside” is another gem with slower droning rhythm and the frantic chords and beat of “On The Sidelines” is a little Ramones and Blondie combined. Each track carries a stylistic shift, “Keep Under Cover” is brilliant lyrical twist which asks “What good is art when it hurts your head?” It stays unpredictable throughout, and each track is compelling. This is the best Ex-Norwegian album in a while and earns a spot on my top ten list this year. Yes it’s “Pure Gold,” Roger!

Bandcamp only

Alphanaut

Alphanaut “Meanwhile Back on Earth”

Alphanaut was conceived as a musical collective by Los Angeles-based songwriter Mark Alan, coordinating the talents of a wide variety of musician friends and acquaintances. Like a cross between OMD, David Bowie, and modern electro pop, the opener “Think Too Much” has a great hook in the chorus.

If you’d like a slow disco groove “Electricity” plays a lot like George Michael without the crooning. Lots of nice retro synth experimentation here (not something I normally listen to) but “Is This My Country?” is a standout. Similar to The Art of Noise, its subtle and keeps you hooked. Also recommended are “The Catalyst” and “Father’s Day.”

Amazon

The Db’s and Friends Christmas and The Genuine Fakes!

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The Db's Christmas

The Db’s & Friends “Christmas Time Again”

When the Christmas Time EP appeared in 1986, it was a joyous occasion. It shouldn’t be surprising that it’s endeared and has been expanded for generations to come! The dB’s & Friends’ Christmas Time Again! enters its third decade of holiday fun with an incredible mix of what’s been previously cherished and adds new tidings of comfort and joy. Chris Stamey (Sneakers, The dB’s) has revised this gift of seasonal music for under your tree and into your ears. Classic tracks from Stamey, The dB’s, Whiskeytown (with Ryan Adams), and Alex Chilton are joined by new performances by Yo La Tengo & Jeff Tweedy, Marshall Crenshaw, Robyn Hitchcock, and Big Star’s Third (featuring Mike Mills of R.E.M. taking lead vocals on Big Star’s “Jesus Christ”), among many others. It’s not just Christmas time, it’s Christmas Time Again!

Amazon

Ho ho ho! Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? Maybe the Genuine Fakes can help you build a snowman with the popular theme from Disney’s Frozen! As the b-side, they’ve included last year’s “You Always Come Back Home (for X-mas)”, which was previously only available on the CD A Kool Kat Kristmas Volume Two. Get these singles now on iTunes

Hemmit and Mono In Stereo

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Hemmit

Hemmit “Straight Outta Nowhere”

Portland, Oregon rock duo of songwriters Adam Rohosy and Keith Fleming are the hard charging band Hemmit. Opening with “Brohemoth,” it references the Beatie Boys with its power chord and cow bell anthem. Next is a perfect cover of The Rolling Stones “19th Nervous Breakdown,” sounding almost better than the original. The sound shifts to a poppier vibe on “Thank You” with its tightly crafted melody. The late’ 60s influence is mixed with 90’s hard rock on “I’m The Man” and “ADHD,” and it never gets predictable, “So Deluxe” is another riff busting gem that’s sure to please. You know these guys are fun, as “Happy Friday” mixes wah-wah bass and synth chords with the those meaty guitar riffs. Nothing really mediocre here, and the band’s enthusiasm and talent goes a long way to making this LP one of my highly recommended picks.

Amazon


Mono in Stereo

Mono in Stereo “Long For Yesterday”

Rockford, Illinois’s Mono in Stereo falls somewhere between the lines of punk rock and power pop but they’re not too far stylistically from Watts or The Satisfactors. “Late Night Confessor,” opens with fast riffs and a throaty delivery that sets the template for most of the album. “Long For Yesterday” is rant of regret that recalls The Ramones with its fast tight melody and stripped punk vocals. “Start Again” is another song that treads the same ground thematically. Slowly the sound gets grungier and songs get much longer like “Never Coming Down” and “Feels Alright.” I felt the songwriting loses its way a little here, but it still sounds good. My favorite on the LP is the power pop gem “Bakersfield” with its simple catchy chorus that I couldn’t get out of my head, like a Kinks classic. Hopefully future releases will have more of this.

Amazon