Category: Power Pop Review

Tommy Lorente and The Y Axes

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Tommy Lorente “Un cruel manque de tendresse”
It’s rare I hear a power pop musician from France, but Tommy Lorente is a genuine talent. Coming across like a French version of Kurt Baker, the album title translates to “A severe lack of tenderness,” and it bursts forth with a great opener “Ma Dose de Toi.” A little bit of Elvis Costello and Rockpile go a long way to making this a fun listen.

The caveat is that the entire album is sung in French, but even if you don’t comprendre les mots you’ll enjoy the hand clapping, toe tapping “Mirabelle” and sweet strums of “Quelque Part.”  Another highlight is “Katerine,” with its catchy main guitar riff and cowbell beat. No duds here and the production is clean with heavy percussion and horns underneath those riffs. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Itunes

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The Y Axes “Sunglasses and Solar Flairs”
San Francisco Y Axes fall along the lines of ’90s indie pop, so fans of The Primitives or The Sugarcubes will enjoy the bright vocals of lead singer Alexi Belchere on the opening track “Sunglasses.” The lush synth textures mixed with sharp rhythm guitar on “Nothing With You” make this a highlight. But my favorite track here is “Green To Gold” with its textured dance beats and layered chorus.

A little of the Y Axes goes a long way, so more generic tracks like “Loop Machine” and “Rivers” don’t stick despite the slick production work. “Chemicals” is an almost-hit, with its anthem-like chorus that rescues the song. “Artax” is another notable guitar/synth combo with Alexi’s chirping vocal. Give it a try for only $5 on Bandcamp.

Bandcamp

Palmyra Delran and Jimmy Jax Pinchak Band

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Palmyra Delran “You Are What You Absorb”
I was introduced to Palmyra during The Cavestomp Festival last month, and was really impressed, so I picked up her CD. Palmyra takes some elements of garage, power pop to deliver perfect party rock. Her sound is part Debbie Harry with a psychedelic spin, she’s been a member of The Friggs and Pink Slip Daddy – and she’s caught the attention of Little Steven Van Zandt.

“You’re My Brian Jones” was a No. 1 song for Underground Garage’s 2012 list, and it certainly is a catchy gem. But there is so much more here, “Shy Boy” has that great bass reverb and multi-tracked chorus and the high energy on “Lies For You” make it a signature power pop tune. There is enough echoes of the past here, recalling The Animals and The Shangri-Las on “Never To Be Back Again” and “Someday Soon.” Delran keeps things fresh on each song here, using pig latin and bongos on “Sunny Day” and the mid-tempo charmer “Back To You” has some nice string accents. Highly Reccomended!

CD Baby | Amazon

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Jimmy Jax Pinchak Band “Make It Better”
Lots of actors try expanding their resume by becoming musician. Unless you have a Disney pedigree, the road is uphill and very steep. Jimmy Jax Pinchak (recently seen as Peter Wiggin from Ender’s Game) is one of those rare actors who actually have solid musical skills to go with the good looks. His new album “Make It Better.” was mastered by Grammy award winner Erick Labson and contains great influences (The Beatles, Cream, The Blues Breakers).

The opening track “There is More” is a muscular rock track with a sweet guitar hook. Pinchak’s deep vocal reminded me a little of his main inspiration, Johnny Lang with “On The Run” and the guitar stylings on most of the album are straight forward blues-rock. Standouts include covers of Tommy James “Draggin’ The Line” and Santana’s “Soul Sacrifice.”

Amazon

Verskotzi and John Dunbar

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Verskotzi “Lemon Heart”
This came out under my radar last year, but I’m glad I found Joey Verskotzi’s debut now. A young singer-songwriter with terrific vocals and an aggressive power pop sound. “Luck” is solid evidence that he’s got potential with a great guitar hook in the chorus, and the echoing guitar strums of “Brain Rack” is another gem about obsession. “Heartless Songs” is pretty good analysis of the state of soulless corporate rock, as he sings”Doin’ it wrong. Slavin’ away to heartless songs.”  “8th Street Train” is another excellent rocker with a infectious beat and “Honey” is jangle-lead pop single that’s gotten some airplay.

Occasionally we get examples of Joey’s vocal range on the folky “Burnt Yuppies” and crooning “Blue,” both demonstrate his vocal skills and smoldering sex appeal. Holly Hansen of Zoo Animal lends her vocal support on the track “Abandoned Love” and although it loses a little steam at the end, there is more than enough here to have me highly recommend this album.

Amazon


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John Dunbar “Third Guessing”
New York musician John Dunbar was the man behind the Rutles-esque tribute to The Kinks called The Kunks, and this is his third solo LP. Dunbar has immersed himself into 60’s era singer-songwriter folk rock with some nice Byrdsian guitar flourishes on “Putting An End To What Hasn’t Yet Begun.” The lyrics address doubts and self examinations on “Strangers Will Tell You The Truth.” The Turtles-like “Consider It Considered” is another standout — it sounds both apprehensive and compelling.

The sparse instrumentation occasionally works against the songs for example “Sullenly” takes its time taking about depression and regret, but doesn’t build any atmosphere with its light guitar strums and “Reagan/Fagen” is an annoying couplet that sounds really forced. What stood out for me is the psychedelic “Longing For What Never Was” with a message to you aging hippies out there “Watch out for what nostalgia does… You’re longing for what never was.” While some tracks just don’t have the compelling hooks, this does provide some interesting therapy for fans of P.F. Sloan. Give it a try on Bandcamp.

Amazon

Phonograph and David Myhr

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Phonograph “Phonograph Vol 1”
UK based band is lead by guitarist/songwriter team of Paul Campbell and Terence O’Mahony. The opener “She Knows It” is a classic power pop structure, similar in style to Badfinger and Teenage Fanclub. One of my favorites here is  “Waiting For The Sun” with its minor chords and “la do da” chorus, and the Beatlesque “You Don’t Bring Me Down” is another catchy gem. And the “hits” keep coming.

The ballad “Losing My Nerve’ has echoes of John Lennon, and “California” has a driving guitar strum that’s perfect for the road. No filler either as each song earns repeat plays. Overall this band’s sound compares well with Taylor Locke and Cirrone and it deserves a spot in my year end top ten. Interesting fact: Some eagle-eyed readers noticed that the songs were created in 2001, but they are just released this year. Originally these songs were meant to be published on the band’s own label, Big Red Records. But after gaining the attention of some major labels, they put off the idea and started shopping for a big record deal. It fell through and the band broke up, leading to Paul and Terence to finally release the LP on Bandcamp.

Bandcamp

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David Myhr “Record Collection” EP
After 2012’s amazing Soundshine, David Myhr (Merrymakers) delivers a few sticky sweet treats with this EP.  Three of the songs also feature the work of Japanese power pop band Puffy AmiYumi. The title track was originally released on the Japanese edition of Soundshine, so it’s good to finally hear that powerful hook and bouncy chorus, perfect for chasing the blues away. “You Stole My Heart Away” was written specifically for Puffy with a sticky “ba ba ba” chorus and shifting key changes.

“Boom Boom Beat” is a pretty good guitar driven rocker, with the backing vocals it feels like a kids rock anthem. . The 10cc cover of “The Things We Do For Love” was David’s entry for the Drink A Toast To Innocence: A Tribute To Lite Rock  album. An Abbey Road version of “Never Mine” is included here as well, and overall a terrific EP without a wasted note, it’s super highly recommended!

Amazon | Itunes

Fernando Perdomo “Warm”

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The full length debut album from former Dreaming in Stereo frontman Fernando Perdomo is what you’d expect from the veteran producer and musician. The comforting atmosphere of “Photographers in Love” and “Home Is Wherever You Are” both contain gentle melodies that evoke Jackson Browne and Elton John. A big highlight here is “Girl With A Record Collection” with a big hook in the opening chorus, Fernando is looking for a girl who “blew me away without saying a word.” and echos of Big Star follow the strums of the ballad “1970.”

The production is crisp and loose with some excellent musicianship on display. Fernando’s songwriting really shines on the acoustic “California Moon” and the sleepy “Angel Lust.” However the second half of this LP gets a little too laid back, so you may need a shot of espresso to stay awake. Otherwise a quality release for one of Miami’s most talented musicians.

Bandcamp