Category: Power Pop Review

The Condors and Electrolic

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The Condors “Three Item Combo”
It’s been a while since I heard The Condors, this latest gem shows a band that has improved with time. Gone is the rough garage ethos, songwriter and frontman Pat “Pooch” DiPuccio gives us slicker rock melodies with tighter instrumentation. Influences range from The Kinks, Plimsouls, Raspberries and the Smithereens. Starting with “Here I Go,” it crackles with energy and magical riffs, a song that is definitely a great addition to the music playlist that you should listen to.

“My Slice Of Life” takes us on a great autobiographical study with handclaps and flamenco touches. “Queer Fascination” has great bounce and memorable riff that compares well with The Romantics. No duds here, overall a satisfying “take-out” that appeals to classic rock and roll tastes.

Electrolic “Live On Land”
Scott Gagner‘s new project, a collaboration with long-time friend Steve Enstad is a mix of electronic-synth pop. The catchy “Hello Hello” is a neat introduction, but “Benefit Of The Doubt” is a meandering combination of Depeche Mode and John Mayer.  “Refreshing” is a little psyche-pop treat bathed in synths, and the Cars’ “Drive” is a compelling cover version that displays Scott’s soft vocal. “After The Fall” was another gem buried here with the best combination of synth, guitar and melody. But some of this didn’t work for me, “Flash” tries too hard to be like Radiohead, although it was an interesting listen. If your tastes run more eclectic, you may like this one.

Kurt Baker and Research Turtles FREE download

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Kurt Baker “Band New Beat”
After the several winning EPs, including one a few months ago,  Kurt Baker (The Leftovers) now has his first full length album and as indicated its everything fans have hoped for. Baker has carved out a spot as one of the best young power pop artists in the genre, with his Elvis Costello meets Rooney styled delivery. Brand New Beat literally “Hit The Ground Running” with a fantastic hook and chorus that sticks in your head. Just as memorable is “Don’t Go Falling In Love,” as our lovelorn protagonist continues on his journey.

The guitar tempos are pretty fast paced and relentless, so its nice to get such a sweet ballad on “She’s Not Sorry” that reminds me a bit of Marc Bacino. Easy pick for one of this years best on my top ten list for 2012. Don’t miss it.

Research Turtles “Mankiller Part 2” EP
After a year long wait with Part One, The Research Turtles album  Mankiller finishes up and its available as a FREE download. It sounds a little like a band in transition, with new drummer, Chad Townsend, and keyboardist, Wesley Royer added. Singer Jud Norman gives “The Fancy” a shoegazer attitude full of dark tone that continues on “Break It Up.” The one bright pop song “Into You” has a terrific beat and chorus with smooth backing harmonies.Keep your eyes on this Louisiana band as they continue to impress.

The Doughboys and Michael Andrews

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The Doughboys “Shakin’ Our Souls”
Local New Jersey garage rock legends release their third studio album, reminiscent of The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and The Kinks. At this point the band is a well oiled machine, and playing classic rock and roll sure to please, starting with the opening track “Land.”

The band doesn’t just recycle the old Stones R&B riffs either, with improved songwriting on “One More Time” and “Tuggin’ Me Back.” Lead singer Myke Scavone sounds great and the production is mixed with the help of Kurt Reil (The Grip Weeds). It leans more power pop on songs like “Trail Left Behind” and the Tom Petty-like “Keep Your Dog Off Me.” Another great addition to your rock and roll playlist.

Michael Andrews “Spilling a Rainbow”
If you’re looking for some psychedelic folk pop with a baroque tilt, then perhaps Mr. Andrews will float your boat.  Opening with “The Dentist” our journey begins with cascading harps as the singer goes numb in a dentist chair. It leads to the splendid “Here Are We” with acoustic flair similar to The Zombies or Paul Simon.

Andrews has a light warm vocal that recall Alan Parsons Project’s Eric Woolfson on “My Warming World.” Next we get another gem in “Bubbles In Space,” a mix of McCartney and 10cc filled with trippy wonderfulness. The next several tracks help complete the mood, with some progressive melodies akin to Wind & Wuthering era Genesis, like on  “Breathing His Last” and “Low On Memory.”Overall, highly recommended.

Free Download Monday: Sunday Sun and Young Rival

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Sunday Sun “III”
After parts One and Two, this is the cherry on top. Collectively, Sunday Sun offers us one of the finest releases in 2012 –  like the other EPs it is available as a free download for a limited time. The quartet from Amsterdam features bright cheerful harmonies like Sonic Executive Sessions and the highly melodic ear worms displayed in the chorus of “Better Than That.” Elements of ELO and The Beach Boys mixed with The Jellyfish are stamped on several tracks, my favorites here are “Honest And True,” “Sing” and the Bleu sounding “Light Up The Sky.” If you missed the earlier EPs then get’em on Itunes. Don’t miss this series, it ranks very high on my year end list.

 

Young Rival “Stay Young”
Indie pop out of Hamilton, Canada, includes Aron D’Alesio on vocals and lead guitar, Noah Fralick on drums, and John Smith playing the bass. “Black Popcorn” and “Nothing You Know Well” are pretty good clones of early Apples in Stereo, so you have a good idea where we’re going here. The band has a bit more grit and you’ll hear the clear influence of  The Pixies with “Let it Go” and the raw riffs on”I Don’t Care.” The garage anthem “Two Reasons” is the obvious single here, and just like Locksley’s “The Whip” its just as infectious. Check out the awesomely freaky video below and its a FREE download — so no excuses!

Gavin Guss and Paul Rocha

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Gavin Guss “On High“
Gavin Guss returns after his sharp debut and happy to report there isn’t a sophomore slump. After starting out with the piano ballad “Avenue A,” it reminded me more of Mark Bacino or Elvis Costello. The tempo picks up quite nicely on “Come Over” and its got a sweet guitar hook in the rhythm. This album is a bit more personal, the breakup song “Voice Inside My Head” has an interesting percussive treatment and the slow melodic ballad “Riga In The Fall” is similar to Jeff Larson’s laid back approach.

The rock guitar comes bouncing back on the title track, but it sounds a little forced compared to the other songs. (Note: originally I thought the lyrics were about Jesus, but it’s not. Doh!)  And it gets better as we go forward. The serious subjects of “Wonder Too” and “Invent You Myself” are on par with Mike Viola and the brilliant “Will To Fly” with its solid melody and catchy chorus really impressed me. Overall, a smart showcase for Gavin’s expanding songwriting talents.


Paul Rocha “Crayons”
Paul Rocha starts Crayons with a Beatlesque gem in “Sevens into Nines” sure to warm the heart of power pop fans. British styled hooks and melodies are all over this album, with a psychedelic touch “Peaches and Lemon Line” uses sitar and overdubbed acoustic strums making it sound like a Gripweeds tune. It stays fairly trippy until the acoustic title track, which is full of strings and sweet chord shifts in a pastoral XTC style.

The awesome guitar bombast of “Sunshine Sue” is closer to early Matthew Sweet with its Revolver styled bass line. Then we get to “Fairies in a Yorkshire Glen” with demented sped-up laughter and its repeating melody. Similarly “Amelia Earhart” starts with a 12 string strum, and sardonic lyrics. One of the best songs here is “Tomorrow Soon” with its ascending bridge and looping chorus. The sorrow (?) of losing the names of Adolph, O.J. or Lee Harvey is beautifully described in “Baby Adolph.” Overall a terrific pop album with all the melodic goodies that appeal to fans of Pugwash and Andy Partridge. Too many beautiful melodies to ignore, and it makes my top ten list this year.