Category: Power Pop Review

The Three O’Clock “The Hidden World Revealed”

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Back in the 80s, the sub-genre of power pop known as “Paisley Underground” movement took shape from the idle comments of  Three O’Clock’s bassist/lead vocalist Michael Quercio. They all belonged to a clique of musicians including The Bangles, Rain Parade and Dream Syndicate who were influenced strongly by the sixties’ psychedelic sound and the jangle of The Byrds guitarist Roger McGuinn.

The band (Quercio, drummer Danny Benair, and guitarist/vocalist Louis Gutierrez) only made four albums. The last one on Prince’s Paisley Park label Vermillion included future Jellyfish guitarist Jason Falkner and is a fascinating story unto itself. Well fast-forward to now and the band reunited to play Coachella last April and then released this 20 track retrospective on Omnivore Records.

It’s a bright shiny revelation to hear the hit “With A Cantaloupe Girlfriend,” with digital clarity and “Jet Fighter” the catchiest of the early hits. What makes The Three O’Clock special and not a retro band, is that they embraced new wave synthesizers and rich production techniques to go with those classic melodies. About 8 tracks have never been heard before and they blend in well with the original material. The fuzzy garage influence is felt only on the earlier demo material like “Jennifer Only” (as the band was originally called The Salvation Army, the best of this material is found here.)

More highlights include the brilliant “Stupid Einstein,” and the hymn turned into a acid trip “Regina Caeli.” They even do a cover of The Byrds “Feel A Whole Lot Better.” This disc does concentrate on the first two LPs, Sixteen Tamborines and Baroque Hoedown – so I expect a second volume is in the works. Overall this is a great intro for new fans and the long time Paisley Underground followers have plenty of alternates and demos to enjoy.

Spider72 and Son of Skooshny

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Spider72 “Seven”
Neo-Psychedelic musician Simon Berry is the force behind pop band Beaulieu Porch and Spider72, so for those of you looking to tune in and trip out, you can’t get much better. “Fathermother” oozes sugary pop goodness on par with Olivia Tremor Control or The Pillbugs and each track following gets groovier. “Devolution” sports a layered riff with multiple vocals hitting each region of the speaker. Simon’s vocal isn’t the strongest, a bit too twee with a touch of Lennon but the melodies and guitar rhythms carry each tune. Taken from a variety of influences with lush production, some real standouts include “Thursday Night Revival” which adds a touch of The Who, and the Pepper-ism “It’s Good To Be Bad.” Occasionally the dense composing gets too thick (“Salavador’s Friends”) but if you love 60’s psyche-pop this is a “must buy.”

Bandcamp only

20px_spacer

Son of Skooshny “Mid Cent Mod” EP
Skooshny frontman Mark Breyer with producer–collaborator Steve Reflingby returns with a damn fine example of roots oriented pop. Starting with the REM meets Elms like “Dizzy” it displays a memorable melody with a full rich sound. The title track “Mid Century Modern” has a touch of that SoCal sound that flows beautifully from one verse to another and the slow deliberate jangle on “Sorry” is an ineffectual plea “three strikes you’re out… I’m no good at apologies.” Each tune tells a vivid story,  the production is flawless and that’s about all you need here. I just wish Mark picked a better band name. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp | Amazon | CD Baby

Lisa Mychols and Travel Lanes

powerpopaholic

Lisa Mychols “Above, Beyond & in Between”
If power pop ever crowned a queen, my vote goes to Lisa Mychols.  Originally “discovered” by The Wondermints, Darian Sahanaja and Nick Walusko who helped release her debut in 1991. She has since been in several bands (The Waking Hours, The Masticators and Nushu) and was usually the best part of them, incorporating her love of 60s and 70s classic pop.

Her latest Above, Beyond & in Between continues the tradition of superb power pop with instrumentalist Tom Richards. The bouncy “Heart Beats In Stereo” is a confident song of girl power, with Tom’s terrific guitar solo in the break. “Taken” has a catchy melody that reminds me of ELO’s “Turn To Stone,” but Lisa really knows how to update the sound of those classic 1960s girl groups. “Make Believe,” and “Summertime Dream” both fall into that category. “Foolin’ The World” has an irresistible rockin’ beat, and “She Lied” is an atmospheric theme that wouldn’t sound out of place in a James Bond title sequence. Each tune resonates, fans of other female power pop artists (The Bangles, Kelly Jones, etc.) will want to get this one. Easily one of the best albums this year with “the melodies that kick your ass in stereo.”

Travel Lanes “Hey, Hey, It’s Travel Lanes!” EP
This Philadephia band follows in the footsteps of Tom Petty and Elvis Costello, as evidenced by the energetic opening “Scared of Girls.” Led by Frank Brown (Flight of Mavis, Buzz Zeemer) he has a knack for melodic songcraft and intelligent songwriting. Even a deceptively simple tune like “Rainy Day” is compelling with its tropical rhythm. “Delinquent” is a very much in the Costello /Nick Lowe style and invites repeat listens. “Let You Down” adds a heavier Deep Purple-type of riff to close things out. Overall an excellent EP you need to hear.

CD Baby  | Itunes
icon

Nick Piunti and Paper Holland

powerpopaholic

Nick Piunti “13 in My Head”
Nick Piunti earned my respect when I heard his old band The Respectables. Starting with the anthemic riffs of the title tracks its a collection full of multi-layered guitars, and it continues on “On The Way Out” where Nick reminds me of Paul Westerberg crossed with Bryan Adams. He slows slightly for the excellent “Good Thing Going,” with its great chord shifts and harmonies in the chorus. “It All Comes Down” is a heartfelt and simple rocker “as it all comes down to your friends,” reminding me of The Candy Butchers.

“We’ll be Together” and “She’s a Good Time” amp things up again, and not a note of filler anywhere among the ten tracks. Even the heavier guitars on “Sleeping on The Pavement” remember to keep it melodic. No ballads here, but the tempo varies enough to keep things from getting routine. I hope Nick stays “13” and gives us more of this excellent melodic rock.

Paper Holland “Happy Belated”
It took 4 years for Paper Holland to release this debut, which falls into the alternative rock category with Death Cab For Cutie and Nada Surf. Vocalist and songwriter Joe Tomcheck starts out with the pensive “While You Still Last.”  But it picks up steam with “Follow Script” a catchy theme that sets the tone and is one of the best songs here. The title track sounds a little like Field Music, with a nice guitar arpeggio leading the melody.

Some tracks feel a bit tacked on, like “No Going Back” is more instrumental exercise, until the chorus hits at the songs end and “Before You Go” sounds like a song snippet. Still plenty of nice songs are here, some standouts include “Rory” and “As Bright” boasts a nice melodic progression. Lets hope we don’t have to wait another 4 years for the next LP.

Bandcamp | CD Baby | Amazon

Glenn Case “Throw Money”

powerpopaholic 4 Comments
Glenn Case

Glenn Case is a great example of everything I love about home grown power pop. He’s an artist that just loves creating music, damn the popular trends. He’s been creating tunes for years, toiling away many years and after some Kickstarter funding, we have an albums worth of great songs.

Opening with the fast paced guitar and organ melody of “Bullseye Girl” is very reminiscent of Marc Bacino’s early work. “Glutton” and “OK Cupid” move in seamlessly, and both are deliciously catchy. “Georgia’s Hand” is similar to Toad The Wet Sprocket’s acoustic melodies, and the easy going “Think It Over” is another gem. In fact there are so many great melodies here its hard to single out just one, but “Pencil Me In” (with Craig Northey) is a brilliant one full of awesome hand claps and minor chords with a perfect lyric about insecurity and shyness. Then “Need Stilts” a duet with Rachael Layne gives us a shift in tone and tempo. Glenn also displays some slow slide guitar on “Sister” before the bouncy chorus chimes in.

Each tune stands on its own, with hooks aplenty and it doesn’t lose steam through it’s full length. If you’re gonna “throw money” at a musician, Glenn is one who earns every penny. And it earns a 2013 top ten nomination as well.

Amazon | CD Baby