Category: Power Pop Review

Fauna Flora and The Feels

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Fauna Flora “Fauna Flora”
Fauna Flora is the new project of Steve Ward, formerly of Cherry Twister. Along with bassist Joe Pisapia, keyboardist Matt Thomas, and drummer Paul Murr, they formed the new band, and its a rich and vibrant gem. Recorded and produced at Ward’s barn studio in Marietta, Pennsylvania, it starts off quietly enough and then dives into the gorgeous “Happy Hour,” if Coldplay knew what it was doing it would sound this good. Ward has moved towards a grander chamber pop (so fans of Eric Matthews, please get this one).

The orchestral swoon of “The Arms of Winter” then gives way to the gentle “Belle Of Blue Road,” a roots-influenced ballad. “As The Story Goes” is a ghostly gem, echoing 10cc or Alan Parsons Project in spots, with Ward’s whispering vocals. Unlike Cherry Twister, the guitars aren’t the main focus, and the composition and songwriting are more important. In fact the entire album is a study in the simple and complex, from the bouncy “Sunday, AM” to the richly melodic “Head of Fern.” Its great to see this creative band spread its wings. Not a dud here and one of the best albums you’ll hear this year.

CD Baby | Amazon

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The Feels “Dead Skin”
New York based “The Feels” is a sweet pop revelation, sounding current with smart melodies, and a shredding guitar riff. It follows the tradition of The Click Five and Weezer. “Dumb or 21?” is a great intro that touches all the bases here. “Purple Heart” is a pensive melody, you expect a big chorus but it goes small instead, on “Maybe” it has a fast-paced guitar buzz closer to Green Day.

What makes this band above the average is lead singer Christian Stefos Migliorese formerly of Candy Hearts. He just has the chops to lead a melody hard or soft. “When Things Were Good” is a perfect stoner love song, with a simple strum and Christian’s impressive pipes. The poppier aspects of this short 8-track album remind me of Wyatt Funderburk or The Sonic Executive Sessions, each song is well composed, usually about love and leaving love. “She’s Gone Away” is another highlight among many, with some beautiful 3 part harmonies. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp Only

The Unswept and Goodman

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The Unswept “The Unswept”
The Unswept are the O’Brien cousins, Ryan, Charlie and Liz from Chicago, playing and singing power pop with plenty of jangle and enthusiasm. We reviewed the band’s debut last year. The band does pick some choice covers. You gotta love the fun, poppy spirit here on Nick Lowe’s “So It Goes,” and Marshall Crenshaw’s “Cynical Girl.” And the La’s “I Can’t Sleep” and The Rutles “I Must Be In Love” are well played. Originals like “She’s So Cool” and “Certain Flowers” seamlessly integrate here, next time I hope to hear an entire album of originals. This makes good weekend music for sure.

Bandcamp | CD Baby (EP)

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Goodman “Isn’t It Sad”
NYC’s Michael Goodman sophomore LP packs some big punches, just the title track is part Paul Collins and part Ben Kweller. “Isn’t it sad to be goin’ it alone?” he chimes and much of the tracks are the interplay of loneliness and longing for the “Blue Eyed Girl.” This is your bread and butter of power pop and it’s done well enough to merit repeat plays. “I’ll Live Without Your Love” has some nice intervown vocals and good composition. “This Is Our Youth” boasts some solid guitarwork and makes a pretty good anthem. It runs out of hooks in the second half with the notable exception of the rocking’ “Like What They Like.” After this the tone of the last three tracks adds more subtlety and atmosphere. Pick and play your favorites here.

Bandcamp

Roto’s Magic Act “Into The Unknown”

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Roto’s Magic Act is the project of James Rotondi (Mr. Bungle, The Cringe) is one of those sleeper albums that crossed my playlist. The circus theme is pretty ambitious, and the opener “Circus Clown” is a study in subtleties, with jazzy rhythm guitars that lead to the hook in the chorus. Its over 4-minutes, mixing influences as diverse as Dire Straits, Collective Soul and The Doors. “Hearts In Flight” is a country flavored mid-tempo song, and then it shifts gears to a glam-infused rocker “Faraway Lands.”

The power pop of “Happier Than Ever” has the wry sarcastic approach of Jellyfish, and both “Hot News” and “South” have wicked skilled guitar work. The style here is closer to those beloved late 70’s bands (Styx and Meatloaf), also on the most memorable tracks here “The Old Trapdoor” and “Strays.”

The potpourri of styles may initially be off-putting, it fact I would encourage multiple listens on shuffle mode for best results. You are likely to find a favorite track here be it power pop, hard rock, country-rock or folk. Roto’s Magic Act will be released May 13.

Amazon

Archie Powell and The Exports “Back in Black”

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If you were expecting Archie Powell and The Exports to go back to the happy-go-lucky mood of Skip Work, you’ll have to keep waiting. Back In Black doubles down on the punk/hard rock leanings and is closer to classic Nine Inch Nails, The Pixies or Nirvana than anything else. But the band still has a knack for catchy melodies, “Everything’s F*cked” is a solid single despite Powell screaming out the lyric. My favorite here is “Tattoo On My Brain” with its snappy downbeat, and inventive lyric; “Just tattoo on my brain/ remind me how you made my agenda for going insane..”

After some scream therapy exercises (“Lean” and “Scary Dream”) we get the workman-like “Holes” and “The High Road.” This high energy album gets across the emotions of hitting rock bottom when you’ve been dumped, best described in “I’m Gonna Lose It.” The hard edged arrangements lead to our protagonist ready to “Jump Off A Bridge” and then reins it in, and realizes “Everything’s Cool.” Overall a great anger album, all about frustrations and settling in a dark place. I just hope the band has a sunnier disposition on the next release.

Bandcamp | Amazon

Nine Times Blue and Tiny Volcano

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Nine Times Blue “Matter Of Time” EP
After a solid debut, Kirk Waldrop and the band continue to forge ahead with melodic rock in the tradition of The Gin Blossoms, Fountains of Wayne and Matthew Sweet – heavy on the guitar licks and earnest on the lyrics.

The band sounds even tighter here, with a more balanced sound than before. “Falling After You” is a pretty mainstream single that non power-pop fans will gravitate to. “Matter of Time” is the collaboration of Waldrop and Cliff Hillis, but my favorite track here is “Only Lonely (The Shovel Song)” where Kirk has a terrific guitar solo under the chorus. Give it a spin.

Bandcamp | Amazon


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Tiny Volcano “Tiny Volcano”
This is a blast from the past, around 2003 Tiny Volcano was featured in the Not Lame Catalog, this Washington state band was led by Scott McPherson. Critic Eric Sorensen called the single ” ‘You Wanna Go’ a perfect combination of Beatlesque and jangly pop as I have heard since the Spongetones were recording material in this genre.” Well, now its re-released on Bandcamp and if you missed it years ago here’s your chance to get it.

The album touches on all the genre’s influences from piano pop bounce of “Loaded Gun” lead to the heavier guitar melodic gem “Mary Goes Around.” How cool is it to have a song named “Liam Gallagher” sung in the Oasis style and “Wonderful Sun” done in “Blackbird” finger picking style, just trust me and re-discover this lost gem.

Bandcamp | Amazon