Category: Power Pop Review

Honeychain and Dynamo Bliss

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Honeychain “Futura”EP
Honeychain is the solo project of Hillary Burton from the band Nushu, and the first thing you notice is the fuzzier and heavier guitar sound of “The All-About-Me Girl.” Burton’s clean mutli-tracked vocals keep the melody together and make it closer to the rock of Jana Peri or Joan Jett, without the growl. “Easy To Forget” is a highlight as the melody here really sticks, and the fast paced rhythm and climbing baseline hooks you. “Two Fools” is a catchy break-up tune with some great minor chord shifts that keep you wanting more, thankfully one slower tempo song, “Than You” allows us to catch our breath and ends in an echoing finale. Overall an excellent EP that proves Hillary’s sweet vocal can deliver rock and roll spice.


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Dynamo Bliss “Poplar Music”
Dynamo Bliss floored me with their debut of prog-influenced, conceptual pop rock in the tradition 10cc. In retrospect it’s a much better album than I gave it credit – and now Swedish brothers Stefan and Peter Olofsson, with Mikael Sandström returns with Poplar Music.

This is a much lighter affair, sounding more like Andrew Gold with tight vocal harmonies on “Can You Hear The Sound.” And ELO fans will love “And Forever” with its magical synth melodies and bright chorus. “Over The Rolling Hills” provides a longer narrative with a banjo accompaniment in the chorus. “Savage Minds” is another highlight with 70’s pop overtones, along with the faux boogie of “Panic In Their Eyes” and melodic chorus of “Running Out Of Mind.” Although there isn’t a driving LP concept, this collection highlights the stellar musicianship of the band. Highly recommended, of course.

Bandcamp  only

Radio Days “Get Some Action”

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Radio Days are Milan’s premier power pop band and like another Italian band, Radio Days took some time to find it’s sound, but with Get Some Action it’s reached near perfection. Opening with the clean melody line of “Burning Together” it’s part Weezer, part Rubinoos, with a dash of The Wonders.

“Girl, Girl, Girl” continues the sunny smooth ride, each melody more contagious as we go along. The title track emphasizes simple three chords, handclaps and a bouncy chorus of “yeah, yeah, yeah.” The slower “One Thousand Miles Away” brings forth dreamy harmonies, and “Love and Fun” uses a familiar Joe Jackson bass riff to great effect, guaranteed to make you dance. Lead vocalist and chief songwriter, Dario Persi doesn’t go for any complex poetry here, like the early Beatles it’s all about getting the girl. Then losing the girl. The minor key masterpiece “Goodbye My Lover” makes it clear that even if you break up with him, he “just wants to see you smile.” It may be simplistic, but rarely are the basics of power pop done so well. Easily makes my top ten list for 2013.

Bandcamp | Amazon | Out on CD March 6.

Gerry OKeefe and Andy Stone

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Gerry O’Keefe “Whatever Suits You”
Chicago musician Gerry O’Keefe was lead vocalist of the power pop band The Hideouts. This solo effort enables Gerry to explore several styles of pop. The simple guitar melody of “Your Brand New Beginning” is a catchy folk pop tune with nice laid back harmonies. Vocally O’Keefe resembles Cat Stevens, and it works well in the Country melody of “Darlin’ Divine.”

Many of the songs are mid-tempo gems but the slow ballads really stand out, “Lovingly” is a touching song by a dying man who serenades his “precious one” and “Dream Like I Used To” is a wistful acoustic surrender. The pop jangle of “In Your Closet” is another highlight sure to impress and “The Road That Doesn’t End” reminds me of Richard X Heyman‘s recent work. This refreshing collection ends with “We’ll Call It Hope,” and I hope we hear some more from Mr. O’Keefe in the future.

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Andy Stone “This Giant Awoke”
Andy Stone returns with his third LP, very much like his last one. Starting with the very bouncy piano tune “Another Rainy Day,” very much in the McCartney/Emitt Rhodes mold. “I Am The Adopted Kid” is clearly trying to be Andy Partridge, with quick changes in tempo and melody. When he goes into Ray Davies mode on “Topsy Turvy” and “Understanding Me” things definitely click.

Clearly Stone is an excellent songwriter, with clear hooks and strong lyrics, but his vocals just fall short on “The Couple Sitting Next To Me” and “Welcome To Your Love.” But the melodies are adventurous and compelling enough that fans should give it listen.

Shake Some Action! and The Junipers

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Shake Some Action! “Full Fathom Five”
More than previous efforts, James Hall has remained consistent in his love of guitar oriented power pop. He’s touched on the Manchester sound in Fire and Ice and the garage elements in Sunny Days Ahead.

Now with Full Fathom Five, James continues with his 60’s Brit pop style. The unmistakable Rickenbacker 12 string jangle greets us on the opener “Lost In Space.” Without missing a beat the magic continues on “Nothing Can Stop Me Now.” “Soul On Fire” is a fantastic single with its goose bump inducing chorus, rivaling Supergrass or Oasis (at their peak). Even the mid tempo “Lost Without You” has great big hook, and no filler anywhere. The Merseybeat ” I Didn’t Know What To Say” is so good, it sounds like a lost track from those Liverpool lads. It also varies its sound enough to prevent falling into a rut, making each of those 14 tracks fly by. More than other albums, the vocals are better and the songwriting is rock solid. It’s a retro treat and a definite contender for best album in 2013.

Bandcamp | Soul on Fire single only

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The Junipers “Paint The Ground”
 The Junipers are a psychedelic pop group with a new line up following 2008’s Cut Your Key. Paint The Ground is one of the best sunshine folk pop LPs ever with sweet harmonies and shimmering guitars similar to Curt Boettcher and Millennium. “Willow and The Water Mill” is a song that paints a vivid picture of a summer day in the country.

The gentle “Phoebus Filled The Town” is a heartbreaking melody with a prog-folk sound that will remind many of Steve Hackett era Genesis.  Each song seamlessly blends into a perfect tapestry of mood, as in “Antler Season,” the ethereal chorus rides along an acoustic melody. The only issue is that these songs tend to be indistinguishable from each other. Using a full load of instruments from Mellotrons to Zithers, it perfectly evokes the sunshine pop era without blatantly ripping it off – a true musical treasure.

Catching up with… Jamie and Steve

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Jamie and Steve “The Next Big Thing” EP
When we last heard of Jamie (Hoover) and Steve (Stoeckel), formerly with The Spongtones, they had become a duo with a English Afterthoughts. After much acclaim the two decided it was time for more, and in 2011 it was their Next Big Thing. The guys still have that Beatleseque style and it opens with the XTC-like “Seaside Sparrow,” full of pastoral plucking. “Can We Start Again, Girl?” once again is classic ‘Tones with an amazing middle eight. “Dancing On Ice” has a breezy chorus, but then the guys take a few chances on “Half A Mind” – where an angry rant contrasts with the singers sweet thoughts. An excellent group of songs, that’s followed up by…

Jamie and Steve “Imaginary Cafe” EP
“Imagine a place,” Jamie said, “where our guitars are always in tune, our voices in great shape, the audience smiling after every song…the perfect gig. What would we call it?” That’s the premise of the title track, with a few Pepperisms thrown in. “Gold Mine” has a country rhythm, with fantastic beat and banjo picking. The gentle “Tokyo Sleeping” has some sweeping Brian Wilson styled harmonies at the song’s end. But unlike the previous EP experiment, “A Dangerous Man To Know” doesn’t quite work. They redeem themselves with “We Two,” a creative song that should be theme music for the duo whenever they take the stage. A highly enjoyable EP that makes a perfect pair.