Category: Power Pop Review

Valley Lodge “Use Your Weapons”

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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.

CD Baby | Amazon

The Junior League and Gary Ritchie

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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.

Bandcamp | Amazon | CD Baby


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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!

CD Baby | Amazon

Pete Donnelly “Face The Bird”

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Figgs bassist/songwriter Pete Donnelly, has quietly gone about establishing his solo career with inventive melodies and soulful rock without the Figgs harder punk edge. Like a younger, more playful Paul Westerberg, Donnelly starts out with the quick beat and bounce of “Face The Bird,” its truly infectious and will have you tapping along right away.

The catchy piano melody “Always Something” follows, and the Lou Reed meets Springsteen “Got Caught Up” just radiates cool. No fillers here, as easy going rhythms like “Going On This Way” ooze soulful street charm. Another gem is “Hear It From Me First,” which feels like a Van Morrison classic single. The tone and style vary enough to keep things from getting predictable, making this album a highly recommended collection of songs. Best of all, Donnelly sounds like he’s having just as much fun making this music as you are listening to it.

CD Baby | Amazon

Coke Belda “Coke Belda I”

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Coke Belda “Coke Belda I”
 Coke Belda is part of the power pop covers band Cokeroque, doing awesome things (like a mashup of Badfinger and Jellyfish). This is a guy who know his way around every musical cliche to craft something totally original. His new solo album has been produced by Anders Hellgren (The Merrymakers) and it shows. Beldas style is mainly baroque-styled pop, flowing across a massive 16 tracks.

It all starts with the epic “Last Show (part 1)” which has an ELP/Pink Floyd concert vibe. Then “Vero Suite” blasts us with a sweetly layered mix of chords and harmonies. “18 Miles” is a bedroom suite that takes from Brian Wilson, and “I Understand” is like a mix of Richard X. Heyman and Gilbert O’Sullivan. Plenty of great songs are here, from the fast-paced “Roses” to the orchestral Left Bank meets ELO “Daylight.” Not everything here is a catchy classic, but enough tracks succeed to make this album a highly enjoyable treat. This is a Bandcamp download only.

Free Music Monday: The Kavanaghs, Salt III, The Kimballs, Dot Dash

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The Kavanaghs “Need A Pity Day” EP
FREE 2013 EP includes the single “Need A Pity Day”, from the critically acclaimed Love Conquers Pain album, plus 3 unreleased tracks that were going to be part of the album but were not included on the final version.

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Salt III “Salt III”
A collaboration of American Michael Zwecker (The Poster Boy) to sit down with Russian Oleg “Toof” Zubkov (Kollaps) to hammer out a new pact under the guidance of Hungarian diplomats Zoltan Kovary (The Trousers) and Imre Poniklo (amber smith). Stockpile these tunes, they are awesome!

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The Kimballs
The Kimballs are Tom Burns (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion) and Michael Mark (drums, percussion, vocals.) The indie rock duo grew up in suburban Colonia, New Jersey, where they met as drummers in their high school marching band. They have been recording and performing together for over a decade. Earlier releases available on CD Baby.

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Dot Dash
The new album Half Remembered Dream comes from this ever improving, ever impressive band in a few weeks. As a personal favor, they are letting you have their first song “(Here’s to) The Ghosts of The Past” for FREE. Get it and look forward to the rest. So far the band is on track for an album each year. If you want to hear last years release, check this one out.