Category: Power Pop Review

The Pinecones and The Saltshakers

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The Pinecones “Ooh!”
After I heard the opening track on this 70’s styled rock band, I exclaimed the title and made an effort to listen to more of “Gloomy Monday.”  Then the the light harmonies of “Its Always On Her Mind” recall late-era Hollies, with a rousing chorus and hand claps. The jangle magic comes back on “Kimberly Keeps” with singers Paul Linklater and Brent Randall doing an effective contrasting lead vocal. Sometimes the lyrics are a bit simplistic, like on “She’s So Confident” but it sounds so damn cool, like The Grass Roots playing Herman’s Hermits.

The band starts to move backwards in time, and “Come On Back” is a psychedelic 60’s gem, and then Linklater channels Gilbert O’Sullivan perfectly on “That’s The Way I Wanna Do It.” If you are a fan of this early lite rock style, The Pinecones will fit your music collection like a glove. Each track is expertly performed, the only fault being it doesn’t distinguish itself enough from the era it emulates. But I suspect the retro-lovin’ audiophile will be very forgiving.


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The Saltshakers “Change The Channel” EP
Milwaukee indie rockers have lost that rough edge and are a now finely tuned band with excellent singles. The melodies are driven by crunchy guitars and a hook-filled chorus on the opener “Change The Channel” and the shredding on “Triple Word Whore” is another gem. Then we get an even richer sound on the mid-tempo “Astrology” and that’s it. Short and sweet, but I admire a band that goes for quality over quantity as they did the same thing last year with the Halley EP. Both EPs are highly recommended.

Jackdaw4 “Dissecticide”

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I found out that Jackdaw4 was calling it quits last month, and with the sadness there was the anticipation of the band wanting to leave on a high note. When I think about the bands discography, they are the closest thing we have left to a UK version of Jellyfish. Head honcho Willie Dowling throws everything and the kitchen sink into this one, and its really compelling. “Abagail’s Last Hurrah” is a fast and furious melody with crunchy guitars and awesome harmonies.  “Coming Up For Air” ups the tempo and is a sweet rock anthem that Jeff Lynne would approve of.

“Foundations” is where Willie lets his venom out, not unlike Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) or Bryan Scary. This dark theme is continued on “Life’s a Celebration For The Few,” an ultra cynical lament about todays ubiquitous technology. “Melanoma” is a dramatic ballad about that “God-shaped hole in your life.”  This leads to the big hook on “Ministry of Fools,” with Queen-like guitar flourishes. Like 10cc, you’ll get wild shifts in tone and melody as heard in “Why Don’t You Come and See Me When She’s Not Around.” Each track hits it right — and it makes for a great power pop experience. It makes my top ten list for 2013, and if you want to get the Jackdaw4 concert experience, checkout Live (Before Dead?).

Brass Bed and The President Lincoln

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Brass Bed “The Secret Will Keep You”
Louisiana based band Brass Bed’s new album The Secret Will Keep You mixes ambient streams with its pop song craft. “Cold Chicory” is ringing echo filled garage tune with dissonant creepy backing sounds. There are many layers to each song here, “Please Don’t Go” has a harsh noisy opening but sweet melody lies underneath – and that’s the template here.

The standout “How To Live In A Bad Dream” marries these contrasts in the best way. Another gem “Back and Forth” is one of those depressing stories of loneliness set to a bouncy beat. The hooks here make each dark vision accessible, even on the slower songs like “I Guess I’ll Just Sing.” The hazy last track “Have To Be Fine” drifts along, but makes its impact. The patient listener is rewarded here, so let it grow on you.

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The President Lincoln “The Sinking of The President Lincoln”
Named after an early 20th century ocean-liner, and like the journeys of the great ship itself, the songs of The President Lincoln are all over the map. Written and performed by Alex Maws, his nasal approach reminds me immediately of Anton Barbeau. The opener “A Year in Photographs” is good alt. rock anthem with an Americana styled rhythm.

“This Could Be Our Country”and “Middle Distance,” feel like lyrically dense speeches set to music. The bluesy “Things We Don’t Talk About,” a duet with Stephanie Morgan that details an office affair is the albums best track. It unfolds like a scene from musical drama, and builds to a beautiful crescendo. Unfortunately, the other songs lack both drama or the hooks to sustain interest for long. Let’s hope TPL resurfaces with a bit more consistency.

The Cherry Bluestorms and Bryan Estepa

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The Cherry Bluestorms “Bad Penny Opera”
The Cherry Bluestorms are the duo of Glen Laughlin (The Dickies) and Deborah Gee, and both shared a love of 60’s guitar-based melodic rock. Its been a long time since I heard a full length rock opera concept, and this LP is epic in scope – the story is roughly about a girl leaving behind her home in 60’s Britain and trying to find a fresh start. Starting with an “Overture” past the 5 minute mark, it highlights Laughlin’s guitar mastery, evoking Pink Floyd and The Beatles simultaneously.

Then it transitions to acoustic guitar and the dual vocals of “By Your Leave” similar to Jefferson Airplane or Dreamboat Annie-era Heart if it was lead by Amiee Mann. “A Better Place” is a packed with horns backing up Gee’s crisp vocals. Next is a fast-paced cover of Donovan’s “Wear Your Love Like Heaven.” Gee’s vibrato sounds great on “Sunday Driving South,” a mid-tempo gem. “The Country Man” is Glen’s vocal highlight, a neo-hippy guitar anthem. Other tracks need a few more listens to appreciate, but the back half of the album drags a bit. Parts of songs are just brilliant, like the opening chords of “To Love You is A Crime,” or the chorus to “World Going Mad.” Definitely worth a place on your music playlist.

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Bryan Estepa “Heart vs Mind”
Sydney based singer songwriter, Bryan Estepa shows us a bit more of his easy listening side here. The acoustic “(if you follow) We just might get near” is a statement similar to Jackson Browne where he “heads for the great unknown.”

And the 70’s styled melody of hope in “Seachange” is the centerpiece here, with Estepa longing for “the simple life.” Then the louder “Them Fighting Words” is a solid melodic pop gem, with “In a Minute” quickening the tempo. Both “Nothing At All” and “Nobody Has To Know” are glossy ballads in the style of Bread, with soulful guitar and keyboards, the latter tune feels almost like a spiritual. A solid release.

The Solicitors and The Bamboo Trading Company

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The Solicitors “Made To Measure” EP
From our good friends at Pop Boomerang Records, you’ll have a blast with the Melbourne based Solicitors. Nice 80’s styled hook-filled melodies with a bouncy joy in “Pretty Penny” and “I Love Your Love.” The guitar riffs  are fast and full of energy, and you’ll hear influences from Big Star, The Knack, Nick Lowe and Cheap Trick. No duds either, and each tune will put you in a good mood or at least have you singing along. Even the laconic drinking ballad “Feeling Is Believing” has a touch of 50’s era rock n roll tragedy. I can’t wait for the full length LP. Get it on Bandcamp, as the CDs aren’t due till June 25.


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The Bamboo Trading Company “The Bamboo Trading Company”
A musical project from the members of The Beach Boys touring Band: Randall Kirsch, Gary Griffin, and Philip Bardowell, and in the case of Matt Jardine, a son of an actual Beach Boy.  Included are Miami Dan Yoe and Chris English, so you have a talented bunch launching this Beach Boys meets Jimmy Buffett styled summer album.

The good news is the vocal harmonies are beautifully done, the album’s mood is light and enjoyable. Some tunes are perfect for your tiki party and catchy enough, like “Kitty Hawk” and the Pet Sounds-lite “Tweet (Don’t Talk Anymore).” And even David Marks and Probyn Gregory contribute guitar to “Star Of The Beach” which sounds like it came off Al Jardine’s solo LP. However many of the songs are about as memorable as The Beach Boys own M.I.U Album (pretty disposable) especially the campy “Shrewd Awakening” promoting a cheesy horror movie! Fans of the Beach Boys will still enjoy this, some additional highlights include “I’ve Always Loved The Ocean” and “Don’t Say Its Over.” Now pass me a Mai Tai and call me when you find a place called “Kokomo.”