Category: Power Pop Review

FREE EP Downloads: Sons of Great Dane and The Susan Constant

powerpopaholic

Sons of Great Dane “You Can’t Lose It All At Once” EP
Sons of Great Dane have been busy since the last time we reviewed them. Consisting of Brent Windler ( Guitar, Vocals), EvanJohn Nash McIntosh (Guitar), Nolle Bond (Bass) and Brendan Culp (Drums) they are producing some excellent music, showcasing both alt. country and power pop.

The opening track “To A City I Have Known” is a solid example of how they build a riff-filled, harmonic gem. Then the laid back “Love, Desire, Failure”shuffles along to the Big Star like chorus and guitar fill between each verse. “Approximately 18th St.” is a stream of consciousness rant that runs out of breath… and starts again. Look for a new full length soon, as this is an excellent appetizer to make you hungry for more.

Name your own price on Bandcamp | CD Baby

20px_spacer

The Susan Constant “Shapes” EP
Boston’s The Susan Constant continue to write impressive indie pop, and the new EP Shapes goes the extra mile, drawing from the live shows they are known for – it building excitement with epics like “Draw Us All” or short rocking blasts like “Locked Up.” The sounds are textbook alt. guitar led goodness similar to REM. It ends with “Midwestern You,” a U2 styled arena ballad that builds to a vocal crescendo. And you can’t beat the price.

Name your own price on Bandcamp | Artist Website

 

The Sun Sawed in Half and Magatha Trysty

powerpopaholic

The Sun Sawed In Half “Elephants Into Swans”
It’s great to have one of my favorite bands from the 90’s return to form – The St. Louis based group led by guitar-loving brothers Ken (bass) and Tim Rose (lead). Back in the Not Lame heyday, they were a similar to Crowed House (another brotherly duo) but with a Jellyfish-like sense of melody and pitch perfect harmonies.

Well with Elephants into Swans, the band picks up where it left off, “You’re Into Something” gives us a minor chord melody with glorious horn flourishes. The title track is another jaunty melody with the kitchen sink thrown in – harmonies abound, almost to prove they haven’t missed a step. I did notice many more key changes in these songs, the lively chorus of “Brittle Star” being one example. The songs are great ear candy, but won’t exactly stick in your head immediately. Of course the exceptions are everywhere – the dreamy “Countess I Fear Something’s Wrong” with its chorus “they stole your song” oozing subtext. And the joyous “She Offers Her Heart” and amazing “You’re Getting Warm” are high points for me. Its not all perfect, the ambitious “Hobby Horse” doesn’t quite work. However, the Rose brothers stuff this LP with just enough gems that it merits inclusion into my 2013 best of list. Spend at least a week with this one.

CD Baby | Itunes

20px_spacer

Magatha Trysty “Your Clothes Will Wear Themselves”
This Chicago band is the husband-wife team of Catherine Louise and Chris Bevard. This debut is a sure footed indie pop with a shared male-female vocal, that opens with the bouncy “Want To Stay,” with its catchy hummable chorus.

It also reminded me of 90’s bands like Velocity Girl, Til Tuesday or The Crash Test Dummies (without the Brad Roberts bass-baritone). On “Clairvoyant” Catherine really channels early Aimee Mann, and both “Brighter” and “Be Safe” are excellent songs. The group lets loose on “Sunday Dress” with new wave beats and shimmering guitar riffs. Uncommonly strong debut that deserves your attention.

CD Baby  | Amazon

Stephen Lawrenson and Hot Nun

powerpopaholic

Stephen Lawrenson “OBSCURiOSiTY”
Stephen Lawrenson makes a huge impression here, starting with “Your Karma” it channels early pysche-pop of The Idle Race and The Move. The title track runs at a faster tempo, adding a fantastic chorus worthy of The Pillbugs. Then chiming 12 string Rickenbacker strums greet us on “Words to Say” with George Harrison-style slide guitar flourishes. “Small White House” is a SMiLE-styled character study tribute to Brian Wilson, and the jangley “Ordinary” is like a lost Gripweeds track. Stephen slows down for the moving “Forever And A Day,” with its West Coast feel and banjo backing – very much a treat for fans of The Autumn Defense. It closes out with the early-ELO inspired ” Pale Yellow.” So as you can see from all the links, this becomes a mix tape of power pop influences from across four decades. It’s hard to find fault here, as the songwriting and musicianship are top notch. It’s another addition to my new top ten for 2013.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon | CD Baby

Hot Nun “Hot Nun”
Jeff Shelton (Spinning Jennies, The Well Wishers) opens up 2013 with more than just a new album. He has a new band called Hot Nun. Still the crunchy riffs and catchy melodies remain the focus, as “Brave New World” the opening track blasts through the headphones. A bit harder rock than The Well Wishers, reminding me of the Posies or Velvet Crush. Lots of great tracks here include “Thank You For That” and “Who Do You Love,” “Queen Bitch” where you’ll hear a distinct glam (Sweet) influence. No ballads to balance things, but its a very short album. Only 8 tracks here but they are all killer examples of great power pop, so crank it up to 11 mate!

Bandcamp Only expect CD release in February.

International Power Pop from Japan: Calendars, Hajimepop and Hello

powerpopaholic

ハロー·アゲイン！Here are some new Japanese power pop bands I’ve heard recently… Enjoy!

Calendars “Everything Changes”
Sounding similar to Weezer, this Japanese band gives us a catchy hooks on the opener “You Read Me.” Sung in English, this band should very accessible to American audiences with its energetic youthful approach to guitar pop. The driving power riffs on “Tight Rope” make it stand out, despite the heavy accents. Worth checking out if you like J-rock.

Hajimepop “Melodies”
 Tokyo popster is heavily influenced by Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson and ELO, evidenced by the sparkling synths on “Kira Kra Star.” Sung in Japanese, the melodies and echoing harmonies of “White Piano” and “Mabataki” are light and soothing. But other tunes like “Unforgettable Love” and “Hi” sound a bit too kitschy even for me.

 

Hello!  “Unmastering Vol.1”
 I featured this band last year, and if you love Jellyfish styled power pop – this band follows the template perfectly. I’m not really sure if Unmastering is a single or the first track of a new EP, but thankfully we have a sweet video of the single and I can’t wait to hear more from this trio.

Thistime Records Japan | Hello! Website | Facebook

The Figgs and Rosie Abbott

powerpopaholic 4 Comments

The Figgs “1000 People Grinning” Anthology

If you’re not familiar with The Figgs, then shame on you as they’ve been in the melodic rock business for 25 years. I am guilty of neglect here too, as I’ve lost track of the band after its earlier punk pop beginnings, represented by “Favorite Shirt” and “Wasted Pretty.”

This anthology can be considered a primer and a re-introduction to band with a hard core cult following that deserves another look. The songwriting tandem of Mike Gent, Pete Donnelly, and Guy Lyons have plenty of crunchy guitars and undeniable hooks. Gents vocals are comparable to Adam Marsland, but with less strain and more sneering confidence.The band has evolved from melodic punks, with occasional Rolling Stones and Replacements worship, to a tight unit with impeccably crafted rock gems. There are more than enough tracks here (25!) to make you a full fledged convert. I’ll be picking up plenty of the bands back catalog now ..so consider me schooled.

20px_spacer

Rosie Abbott “Rosie Abbott”

Rosie Abbott, a UK talent from Nottingham, really caught my ear with “If Everything Was Up To Me” a melodic couplet repeated on a old sounding piano, kind of like Martin Newell mixed with Jen Oliver. Her focus then goes to atmospheric composition, matching a owl’s hoot to the melody of “Woodpigeon Translation,” but the sound effects tend to sound forced.

“Hard To Sleep” does better as a showcase for Abbot’s clear vocal. “All Skies Are Blue” feels like a Lesley Gore ballad and I wasn’t thrilled with the punk attempt “Victim Of My Imagination.” However the remaining album won me over, from “Winter’s Over” with its rolling pastoral melody. Rosie has fun with the very Bryan Scary-like “If You’re Happy And You Don’t Know It” with its theatrical organ flourishes. Like the song “One More Glass,” the best song about getting smashed from a female POV, you’ll want more than one listen to Rosie’s self-titled debut.