Category: Power Pop Review

Friday Freebies: 8×8 and Loop Line

powerpopaholic 2 Comments

The transatlantic duo of Lane Steinberg and Alexander Khodchenko (aka 8×8) had a musical comment to recent events in Ukraine. In fact, Alexander lives in Kiev in the midst of all the current chaos. Listen and get a free download of “Stop The Madman,” and see if you can guess who they’re talking about.

 

Recorded very much like 8×8 is Tides, the debut album of the band Loop Line. Loop Line consists of two members: Luke, who currently lives in Japan, and Paul, who currently lives in the USA. Occasionally they get together in the same room, but for most of the album its been done through internet file/idea sharing. Tides is a massive undertaking with 21-tracks, and you’ll easily hear the Brian Wilson meets Weezer influence on some of the better tracks like “All I’m Waiting For” and “Used To Be.” The vocals are a real standout, and you’ll hear the improvement in harmonies on the latter tracks. It reminded me a little of last years John Hopkins album. A pretty impressive, if overwhelming debut that is a free download on Bandcamp.

Lapland and Ed Woltil

powerpopaholic

Lapland “Lapland”
Lapland is a new project by Brooklyn singer-songwriter Josh Mease. From the opening strums of “Unwise” you feel the full otherworldly texture and mood wash over you. It gets into standard folk pop fare with “Overboard,” but the melodic gift is evidently strong with Josh, as the chords and layered harmonies evoke both McCartney and Paul Simon. Each song structure is tightly woven but slowly paced,”Aeroplane” drifts along like a Nilsson ballad amongst the clouds.

If you like subtle pocket melodies, then this album is for you. “Drink Me Dry” is another casual gem, and then it gets very deep on “Memory.” When Josh veers toward the atmospheric it may set you to sleep, but if you liked 8×8 or Dent May then you’ll just drink it in. The faux western “Metal Lungs” is another highlight. The production is clean and aside from an instrumental or two you’ll just have to listen to it a few times to have it sink in. A real grower.

ITunes |  Amazon

[youtube]R4eq0-nDmDY[/youtube]

20px_spacer

Ed Woltil “Paper Boats”
Acclaimed singer-songwriter from The Ditchflowers steps out with his melodically rich, lyrically nuanced solo debut. The album is built around Woltil’s considerable acoustic guitar skills and warm vocal, as he builds neatly efficient songs. “Algebra” is a fresh, snappy melody along the lines of Joe Walsh or Donald Fagen. The easy going “Random Access Memory” has a wandering verse and hook along the lines of Mike Viola, a pure joy to listen to. “Someone Else’s Life” creates a melody with a wry touch of self-awareness, similar to Randy Newman. “The One and Only Anderson” is a cute, funny portrait of his dog, Andy.

He takes a few more liberties on the LP’s second half. “Open” is a mix of classical influences, and “The Shortest Distance (Between Two Hearts)” is soul-pop ballad. And the skillful lyrical gymnastics on “One in A Row” brings to mind Paul Simon at his most playful. Overall its a fully realized display of superb songwriting and musicianship. Highly Recommended.

CD Baby | Bandcamp

The Jellybricks “Youngstown Tune Up”

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

The Jellybricks have always given us edgy, fuzz driven power pop – and they’re back once again for a Youngstown Tune-Up.  The Harrisburg, Pa.-based band, fronted by lead vocalist Larry Kennedy, sound tighter and better than ever. “About The Weekend” echos classic Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe with its signature choral riffs. “Probably Me” is full of energy, starting up with shouts of “Hey Hey!” and driving chords in the chorus, with an excellent break between verses.

As the band has grown more mature, it focuses less on the growling angst of their earlier sound and focuses on lyric and smart melody.”I’ll Go Mine” is an anthem to a break-up, with a solid guitar structure reminding me a bit of The Goo Goo Dolls or Counting Crows. Lots of great highlights here, “Eventually” is a wonder of harmonies and classic melody,  and “After You” is another great sing-along theme. Bottom line is this is the best Jellybricks album I’ve heard to date, and I’ve been following them since the late ’90s. They definitely deserve a spot in this years top ten list.

CD Baby | Amazon

Mayflowers and Michael Holmes

powerpopaholic

The Mayflowers “Ship Of Theseus”
The Mayflowers are one of my favorite Japanese artists, late last year they launched Ship of Theseus and it arrived here this month. The brainchild of Osamu Satoyama and assisted by Tatsuya Nishimura on drums, the band moves away from the quick three minute pop tunes of Plymouth Rock and spends more time on mid ’70s rock oriented epics. “Detroit Highway” is one such homage, you’ll hear influences from Kiss, Boston, and/or Grand Funk Railroad.

Osamu hasn’t left the psychedelic ’60s behind either, as “Flying Birds” and “That’d Be Nice” resembles the shimmering guitar melodies and swirling Sgt. Pepperisms that fans of XTC and The Wondermints enjoy. His Japanese accent is pretty heavy, so I had a hard time deciphering a lot of the lyrics, but the shimmering guitars in “Love Potion #5” are very much in the mold of Teenage Fanclub. Overall a terrific sounding album with an equal mix of rock boldness and pop flourish.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

[youtube]8kYmWjsD0_8 [/youtube]
20px_spacer

Michael Holmes “In A Lucid Moment”
Hudson Valley, NY singer songwriter gives us a fine example of Adult Contemporary pop. Holmes developed this album as a tribute to his parents, in particular for his father who cared for his mother as she suffered through Alzheimer’s Disease. Despite the difficulties, his dad’s love revealed some special moments, as heard on “Better To Have Known You” and “You And I.” Holmes does a fine job with the instrumentation and he keeps each melody heartfelt, another highlight is the slick opening track “Magic Power.”

The tender guitar song “Boys and Girls” is reminiscent of Jimmy Buffett and “Turned On By Your Body” is a charming and funny novelty song. The album settles into a series of light ballads, some sure to stick with you. Holmes gives you a bit of his heart, so the least you should do is give him a listen.

CD Baby | Amazon | Michaelholmesmusicnow

Bart Davenport and Marshall Holland

powerpopaholic

Bart Davenport “Physical World”
Bart Davenport is one of those musicians that can take past influences and funnel it into brilliant original music. The opening track “Wearing the Changes” is part McCartney and part ’60s Motown. And he doesn’t stick in one era of the musical timeline, “F*ck Fame” is like the lost 80’s classic Spandau Ballet never released – this is damn catchy and will stay on my playlist a while.

Davenport’s vocal is of the silky smooth crooner variety, “Dust in The Circuits” is full of cool and soul in the way Morrisey used to be (before he became a bitter old fart). One of the best songs here is “Pamela,” an earworm with a boss nova beat, and “Every Little Step” is wonderful mix of Stevie Wonder and Glenn Tilbrook. A few tunes get a bit sleepy (“Girl Gotta Way”) but the great songs outnumber the so-so ones. Highly Recommended!

Amazon


20px_spacer

Marshall Holland “And The Etceteras”
Hailing from Salinas, California, musician Marshall Holland has an easy going casual style with a vintage pop touch – think The Zombies, Crowded House or The Cyrkle.  “Take Me” is a note perfect single with tight pop arrangement, and “At 65” compares well with Phil Angotti. One of the albums best is “Oh Please,” it has a touch of Gene Clark with a sweet Beatles-like chorus. After a few listens it just sticks with you. Holland’s slower moody tunes like “Goodbye September Days” are closer in style to Jeremy Messersmith.

I appreciated the tune “Radio Style,” which comments on sad state of contemporary radio; “blame the on the digital DJs” if you don’t hear what you want. I couldn’t find a real weak track, although the albums second half has a few instrumental fillers. Overall this is a textbook example of quality pop music. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp | Amazon

[youtube]IkTxVsCVTzA[/youtube]