Matt Whitby is a power pop critic who lives in England and writes about music for popunderground. Recently he started a wonderfully simple site called www.disbandables.com The site tracks down some of my favorite power pop bands who have disbanded, then finds the lead musician(s) involved and has them answer a exit questionnaire. I love the idea that these defunct bands can be re-introduced to “new” power pop fans who never heard of them when they made an impact. Read the interview here.
Category: Power Pop Review
Bryan Scary is now Evil Arrows
Bryan Scary (formally of Bryan Scary & The Shredding Tears) has a new band called Evil Arrows. The newest track is a free download, so give it a spin on the ole ipod and be ready for a new LP soon (I hope). Follow the Evil Arrows: facebook | twitter
Free Music Monday: Grant Lindberg, Jesse Brewster and The Cheap Speakers
I am still recovering from the wild night at Power Popaholic Fest, this past Saturday. In the meantime, here are some cool free music to enjoy:
Grant Lindberg is a one-man band recording rock music in the vein of Superdrag, Cheap Trick, Jason Falkner, Nirvana and Ash. His album is a free download on bandcamp.
Jesse Brewster has a mission, and that’s a single each month for a year. In the end the tracks will be compiled into an album called March of Tracks in January 2014. Click on the Soundcloud link and it will take you to several free tracks.
The Cheap Speakers meld indie songcraft, alt-rock howl, and classic-rock riffs into a sound all their own. Formed in 2007 by Brennan Gault (bass, vocals) and Natalia Manzocco (guitar, vocals), the Speakers have grown into an explosive live act. Here’s the first single free!
Valley Lodge “Use Your Weapons”
Dave Hill and Valley Lodge return with a burst of high energy power pop that made their debut such a success. The opener “Go” is a hook-filled slice of catchy hand-clapping goodness and sets the stage for the rest of the tracks. “Sweet Elizabeth” is very much in the mold of The Sweet with an awesome percussion/guitar combo. Hill’s wry humor and vocals on “Kiss Me I’m Drunk” speak volumes with the pathetic pickup lines “I’ll love you till my dying days, or at least until my memory fades.”
The best tune of the album is also the strongest single I’ve heard all year, “Make Up Your Mind” channels Cheap Trick, and fits neatly into your Greg Pope mix. Lots of impressive guitar work all over “Waiting In The Rain,” however the funk-ed up “Gimme Gimme” got on my nerves by the 3rd chorus. A slower tempo tune here would’ve been nice, but overall this album is a fun, air-guitar encouraging listen. Highly Recommended.
The Junior League and Gary Ritchie
The Junior League “You Should Be Happy”
After a few solo projects, Joe Adragna puts his sweat into a new Junior League album. Starting with “Keep It Home,” its an excellent roots rocker, assisted by buddy Scott McCaughey (The Minus Five). “Hey Misery” is a Beatlesque piano tune with Pet Sounds styled bass and horns, and even a sax solo. The next song, “One Step Forward (Another Step Back)” has even more Beach Boys styled instrumentation and harmonies.
Adragna then shifts back to a strumming acoustic guitar on the excellent “Samantha Smile,” with a hook filled chorus that reminds me of The Autumn Defense. The heartache ballad “Charming” has a very distinct Queen-like quality in the guitar and strings coda. In fact, the best written ballads I’ve heard this year are found towards the albums end. No filler here, its exceptional all the way around and makes my top ten of 2013 nominee list.
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Gary Ritchie “Near The Alley”
Chicago based Gary Ritchie gives us a follow-up to Hum, Sing, Repeat from 2011. This time we start with the title track from his last album “Hum, Sing, Repeat,” a loving nostalgic look at rock back in Richie’s childhood. With his partner in crime Jeff King (bass, guitar, keys) they play through a terrific collection of songs. “Victimized” and “Charming Life” are catchy melodies that compare well to The Romantics.
The band takes on early Beatles simplicity for “Hear My Pleas” and then it’s back to the guitar riffs of “Midnight Lovers,” which sounds like a lost Raspberries tune. Clearly Ritchie knows his classic power pop, as “Back To You” has some Badfinger-styled guitar. The quality of tracks vary after the mid point, but standouts include “Invisible Man” and “Pull Your String.” Rock on, Ritchie!
