Category: Power Pop Review

Dave Bash’s Top 125 albums of 2015

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DavidBashAs you might know, International Pop Overthrow CEO and Founder David Bash has an extensive list of the years best power pop music in several categories. I will showcase his “top 125” on this post. He also gets into the Top EPs, Top Live albums,  Top Compilations, Tributes, Re-issues, etc.  so definitely check out his complete list on Facebook.

Many of these albums where on my top 25 and if I had a top 50, I would easily add them, but Dave does a great job each year and I have to review a few I missed! Here it is:

  1. The Grip Weeds-How I Won The War (Jem)
  2. Ryan Hamilton-Hell Of A Day (Fannypack)
  3. Pugwash-Play This Intimately As If Among Friends (Omnivore)
  4. Martin Courtney-Many Moons (Domino)
  5. The Butterscotch Cathedral-The Butterscotch Cathedral (Trouble In Mind)*
  6. John Howard & The Night Mail-John Howard & The Night Mail (Tapete)
  7. The Gurus-Espacio Abierto (Rock Indiana)
  8. The Stereo Twins-Good News (Self-Released)
  9. Jimmy Haber-Joy Acid Pact (Self-Released)
  10. The Turnback-Are We There Yet? (Self-Released)
  11. The Wellgreen-Summer Rain (The Barne Society)*
  12. The Nines-Night Surfer and The Cassette Kids (TAS Gold)
  13. Yorick van Norden-Happy Hunting Ground (Excelsior)
  14. Reno Bo-Lessons From A Shooting Star (Electric Western)
  15. The Maureens-Bang The Drum (Self-Released)
  16. Elvyn-Valley of the Kilowatt Hour (Little Wagon)
  17. The Junior League-The Also Rans (Kool Kat)
  18. The Belltowers-Day Breakaway (Proper)
  19. Serpent Power-Serpent Power (Skeleton Key)
  20. The Wind-Re Wind (Self-Released)
  21. The Cherry Drops-Life Is A Bowl Of Cherry Drops (MuSick)
  22. Greg Pope-Fanboy (Octoberville)
  23. Daniel Wylie’s Cosmic Rough Riders-Chrome Cassettes (Daniel Wylie)
  24. Pop 4-Summer (Satellites Group)
  25. Squeeze-Cradle To The Grave (Virgin)
  26. Ex Norwegian-Pure Gold (Dippy)
  27. Taylor Locke-Time Stands Still (Lojinx)
  28. Groovy Uncle & Suzi Chunk-Life’s A Gift (Trouserphonic)
  29. The Most-Invasion Completed (Copase Disques)*
  30. Zombies of The Stratosphere-In Technicolor (Self-Released)
  31. The Connection-Labor of Love (Rum Bar)
  32. A Fragile Tomorrow-Make Me Over (Mpress)
  33. Mikal Cronin-MC III (Merge)
  34. The On and Ons-Calling (Citadel)
  35. C. Duncan-Architect (Fatcat)
  36. Junebug-Pongo vs. Corporate Vampires (Planet 8)
  37. William Duke-The Dark Beautiful Sun (Familiar)*
  38. The Corner Laughers-Matilda Effect (MLM)
  39. Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab-Beyond The Silver Sea (Sugarbush)
  40. The Beatophonics-The Beatophonics (Echophonic)
  41. Sam Vicari-Giving Up (Sick City)
  42. Jordan Andrew Jefferson-The Only Way Out Is In (The Oxide Shed)
  43. Brandon Schott-Crayons & Angels (Curry Cuts)
  44. David Divad-Healing Hands (Self-Released)
  45. Susan James-Sea Glass (Self-Released)
  46. Cloud Eleven-Record Collection (West Coast)
  47. The Magnetic Mind-…Is Thinking About It (Heavy Soul!)
  48. The Ravines-Everything’s Fine (Self-Released)
  49. Fireking-Double Trouble (Blueberry Pie)
  50. Summer Fiction-Himalaya (Burn Brightly)
  51. Nic Hessler-Soft Connections (Captured Tracks)
  52. Mark Pountney-Mark II (Inner Smile)
  53. Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab-Coconut Summer Drop In (Canteen)
  54. Tommy Sistak-Short Songs (Self-Released)
  55. The London Souls-Here Come The Girls (Feel)
  56. The Guise-Forthcoming (Sound Ideas)
  57. John McCullagh and The Escorts-New Born Cry (359 Music)
  58. The Modulators-Try Try Try (Kool Kat)
  59. The Weeklings-Monophonic (Jem)
  60. Zach Jones-Love What You Love (Pioneer)
  61. The Shakers-A Whole Lotta Shakers! (Soundflat)
  62. Jacco Gardner-Hypnophobia (Polyvinyl)
  63. Three Hour Tour-Action and Heroes (Martian Record Corp.)
  64. Leaders In The Clubhouse-Won (Self-Released)
  65. Glamweazel-The Art of the Meltdown (Self-Released)
  66. Tame Impala-Currents (Interscope)
  67. Honeywagen-Jamboree (Rock O Plane)
  68. The Lunar Laugh-Apollo (Lekites)
  69. Kurt Baker-Play It Cool (Rum Bar)
  70. Steve Robinson & El Woltil-Cycle (Sunshine Drenchy)
  71. Eureka Machines-Brainwaves (Wrath)
  72. The School-Wasting Away and Wondering (Elefant)
  73. Mama-Estandar (Rock Indiana)
  74. Onions-Shame of The Nation (Self-Released)
  75. The Parkas-In Stereocolour (Self-Released)
  76. The Webstirs-Now You’ve Really Done It (Ginger)
  77. The Stoneage Hearts-Hung Up (On You) (Off The Hip)
  78. The Loons-Inside Out Your Mind (Bomp)
  79. The Kennedys-West (Self-Released)
  80. Wilson-Old School, New Rules (Pink Hedgehog)
  81. Dave Rave & The Governors-Sweet American Music (RaeBeat)
  82. BC Camplight-How To Die In The North (Bella Union)
  83. Tobias Jesso Jr.-Goon (Arts & Crafts)
  84. The Supernaturals-360 (Satchel Britchett)
  85. Slim Loris-Love Fear (Self-Released)
  86. Kontiki Suite-The Greatest Show On Earth (Self-Released)
  87. Nick Piunti-Beyond The Static (Self-Released)
  88. Peter Fedofsky-The Sound & The Fury (Self-Released)
  89. Steve Thompson & The Incidents-Rainbows & Arrows (Self-Released)
  90. Jeff Lynne’s ELO-Alone In The Universe (Columbia)
  91. Simon Love-It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time (Fortuna Pop!)
  92. Gordon Weiss-It’s About Time (Gornpop)
  93. Vanilla-2.0 (Self-Released)
  94. Split Sofa-Thornby Park (Daisychain)
  95. The Flower Machine-Tangerines and Opium Trees (Self-Released)*
  96. Cameron Lew-Welp… (Self-Released)
  97. Dana Countryman-Pop 3! Welcome To My Time Warp! (Sterling Swan)
  98. Dot Dash-Earthquakes & Tidal Waves (The Beautiful Music)
  99. Pseudonym-Revolving Door (Trivial Pop Songs)
  100. The Sunchymes-Present… (Calliope)
  101. The Orange Peels-Begin The Begone (MLM)
  102. The Cool Whips-Goodies (Self-Released)
  103. The Ballantynes-Dark Drives, Life Signs (La-Ti-Da)
  104. The Allrightniks-Two Places At One Time (Grandin Road)
  105. Paul Starling-The Wild Wolf (Self-Released)
  106. Autos Detroit-Startup Completed (Self-Released)
  107. The Unswept-Today! (Draco)
  108. The Lilac Time-No Sad Songs (Tapete)
  109. The Piper Downs-Heartbreak’s A Disease (Couldn’t Get Signed)
  110. The Ace-Riot Of Sound (We Dig This)
  111. All Day Sucker-Denim Days (Big Wow)
  112. Kyle Vincent-Detour (SongTree)
  113. Lips & Sticks-Songs From The Shelf (Self-Released)
  114. Koes Barat-Koes Barat (Sub Pop)*
  115. Caddy-The Better End (Kool Kat)
  116. Larry O. Dean-Good Grief (Zenith Beast)
  117. Marston-The Invisible Girl (Self-Released)
  118. Brian Wilson-No Pier Pressure (Capitol)
  119. Steve Baskin-Dead Rock Star (Self-Released)
  120. Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms-Heart String Soul (Two Brains)
  121. Magic Bus-Transmission From Sogmore’s Garden (Self-Released)
  122. Ronnie D’addario-A Very Short Dream (Homburg)
  123. The Seasongs-Buscando El Sol (Self-Released)
  124. Suite 100-The Only Cure For Gravity (Self-Released)
  125. One Two Die Four-Another (Self-Released)

Donny Brown and Icecream Skyscraper

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Donny Brown

Donny Brown “Donny Brown” EP

Last year Donny’s talent floored me on his debut EP Hester Street, as his romantic ballads were great examples of songwriting. On his self-titled follow up, the asian strings of “14 Days” keep the pleasant melody from getting dull and “Now You Can Break My Heart” is another good mid-tempo sing along melody.

Then the standouts “Life of A Stranger” and “Just A Friend” take this EP above and beyond the average. The latter is a brilliant ballad about how a friendly kiss only lit sparks for the receiver and not the giver. Catch the slide guitar break midway through this instant classic. “Losing A Part of Your Soul” is another gem with its catchy chorus. “Reach Out” is a lightweight ending here, but this is still a very highly recommended EP.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


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Icecream Skyscraper “Mercury In Lemonade”

Icecream Skyscraper is the unique collaboration between two power pop icons; guitarist Huw Gower (The Records) and vocalist Michael Mazzarella (The Rooks). The results are surprising, more progressive rock than pop on the opener “Problem.” One of the better songs here is the beautifully layered “Groove Back” with its piano/guitar interplay.

Mazzarella’s distinctive vocal vibrato turn the 7 minute psych-pop “Turmoil” into another treat. However most of the music settles into a mellow space as “Nineteen in 71” and “Mayday” seem like improvisational meanderings. Gower’s guitar will occasionally overpower the melodies, but sometimes it’s just perfect — like on “(Don’t Shoot) The Messenger.” Ending with a fun cover of Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman,” this is an album for the adventurous listener looking for a slow grower instead of immediate gratification.

CD Baby | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

John Faye and Les Fradkin

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John Faye

John Faye “Meddling Kid”

With two decades in the music business under his belt, Philly rock veteran John Faye (Caufields, IKE) has truly gone solo where he plays every instrument on his newest LP. Fans of his past work will be glad to know that he’s just gotten better with age, “Mere Mortals” and “Back In The Day” are brilliant pop songs that touch on getting older without sounding old. The wonderful anthem “Keep On Hanging Around” almost dares the listener not to raise a fist in support of Faye. Like another late ’90s icon Adam Marsland, Faye has only mellowed slightly, he’s still got that fire on “Platonic” about ending up in “the friend zone.” Great stuff here that easily would’ve reached my top 25 if I heard it earlier!

CD Baby


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Les Fradkin

Les Fradkin “Rehearsals for Retirement”

Guitarist Les Fradkin was one of the original members of the hit Broadway show “Beatlemania” playing lead guitar and the part of “George Harrison” in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago from 1977-79. He’s in good company, with fellow former cast members Glenn Burtnik and Marshall Crenshaw. Since that time Les has been busy making lots of music (20 solo albums,) pioneered a Guitar Synthesizer, and played with many bands including The Ventures, The Left Banke and David Sanborn.

Rehearsals for Retirement is a 30 track retrospective of his career with selections from his many albums. If you like lots of jangle and heavy gloss production, this is for you. The opener “Jangleholic” and its exactly what you expect it to sound like, with 12 string McGuinn styled rhythm. Fradkin’s selections are mostly a mixed bag, some sure sound like long lost hits from the early ‘70s like “I Can Never Saw Goodbye” and  “God Bless California.” There are some CSNY and Bryds influences on “Get It Together” and “Why Smiling.” So if you’re into rock with a unique point-of-view, this may float your boat.

Amazon | CD Baby

 

Happy New Year from Power Popaholic

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Happy New Year I wish you all a good 2016.

Here is a new song by The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club to close out 2015 and its a FREE download. After going through a pile of lists from other sites, I have a few LPs to review that I missed last year. Then its on to new music for January! BTW, this your last chance to enter our FREE CD Giveaway. Winner gets picked tomorrow.
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Major Label artists releases in 2015 – Part 2

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The big stars of rock/indie (some with power pop leanings) have come out of the woodwork this year and here are mini-reviews of some that I follow. If you missed it check out Part 1 of this.

 

Ben Folds

Ben Folds “So There” – Ben has slowly made his journey from piano popster to orchestral composer. He addresses this change on the poignant “Not A Fan.” But he still can make thrilling pop music buried under all those strings. Some good songs, but he eventually he goes to the full Concerto. At least Danny Elfman did it on separate albums. Listen to: “Phone in A Pool”, “Yes Man” Get it here.
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The Fratellis

The Fratellis “Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied” – Huge shift in sound for the band; if you’re looking for another “Chelsea Dagger” go elsewhere. The grander, more dramatic  “Me and The Devil” and “Baby Don’t Lie To Me” sound a little like Supergrass. “Thief” is another standout here, and the funk bass on the circus-like “Dogtown” keeps it interesting. Unfortunately, it doesn’t consistently hit the mark. A good album, but it needed editing to make it great. Get it here.
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Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams “Get Up” – The amazing Jeff Lynne does for Adams what he did for Roy Orbison; making him relevant to audiences again. Adams gets the full Wilbury treatment here with great catchy singles like “Go Down Rockin” and “That’s Rock and Roll.” Plus amazing ballads like “We Did It All” takes advantage of Adams sandpaper-vocal delivery. Its easy to see why Absolute Power Pop blog added this to his top ten. Proof Lynne always has the magic touch (with other artists.) Get it here.
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Sleater-Kinney

Sleater-Kinney “No Cities To Love” – Legendary punk all-girl band returns. It’s a little more structured, less grungy, a decent reunion that delivers plenty of radio friendly songs that will appeal to the indie pop crowd. Bitching about the state of affairs on “Price Tag”,”Surface Envy,” and the catchy “A New Wave” are highlights.  Old fans will note it doesn’t reach the highs of 2008’s The Woods, but that’s okay – it’s a great starting point for new fans.  Get it here.
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