Category: Power Pop Review

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.

CD Baby | Amazon

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…

Amazon | CD Baby

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.

Amazon | CD Baby

Keith LuBrant and Mooner

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Keith LuBrant “Who I Am”
If you weren’t sure who LuBrant was based on his last album, “Wide Awake and Alive” leaves little doubt. Energetic drums and driving riffs bring to mind Cheap Trick with a touch Bon Jovi, but underneath all the flash is a good hook. “She Always Finds A Way” and “Call Off The Search” are a good follow ups with some inventive song writing and amazing guitar touches along the way.

His clear vocals allow a good mid tempo number like “Breathe” to shine, sometimes the pop gloss is thick as “Good For The Girl” reminds me of The Gin Blossoms. Keith does have some Jellyfish like moments on the title track, and then adds some nice bluesy guitar flourishes on “Sunshine In The South.” Not every song has a hook, but enough do to make this a solid melodic rock entry.

CD Baby | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik | Jam Recordings

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Mooner “Unpronounceable Name” EP
Chicago based Mooner has a terrific sound on this short EP. Thanks to brothers Lee and David Ketch, they share a love of both power pop and alt. country – which means they emulate early Wilco, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Joined by joined by drummer Adam Bonich and bassist Dann Morr they give us some meaty baseline riffs  on “Shapeshifter” and a slow build to a steady ramble on “White Lines” about truckin’ down the highway (fans of Bob Seger would be proud). This is a talent band that we look forward to hearing more from.

Film Review: Paul Williams, Still Alive

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Yes, I fondly remember when I was a kid and Paul Williams was everywhere on TV. I never was a big fan of the actor, but loved his music whole heartedly. He was one of the most influential songwriters of the 70s next to Burt Bacharach. Then he vanished with the end of decade and I always wondered what happened to him.

Well that’s partly what the movie is about. Director Stephen Kessler inserts himself in the documentary as a starstruck fan trying to convince Williams that he is a worthy subject to film. And he is definitely worthy of a bio with all the amazing music and stuff he’s done. However the film barely touches this and is more of a documentary of how Kessler became Williams “friend.” He follows him around where Williams makes his rounds as an oldies act and uncomfortably probes Williams’ past drug problems in the 80’s and fall from celebrity status. Other awkward moments when Williams clearly doesn’t want to be on camera takes up too much of the films running time. When things get slow, Kessler gives us some great archival clips and musical performances to keep us interested.

So I recommend this film to anyone who loved Williams with a simple caveat, this isn’t a proper bio but a candid look at his life now and that he’s a better man without all that celebrity crap. Rent it on Amazon or Buy the DVD.

Graham Alexander and The Hi-Risers

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Graham Alexander “Graham Alexander”
When I hear someone tell me that power pop is for “older” bands, I shake my head and say listen to Graham. He’s very much in the pop mold of McCartney, but with a hip, youthful approach. And unlike some contemporaries, Graham reeks of authenticity and talent.

There is enough nostalgia to impress an old fogie like me, but fresh compositions to charm a legion of new young fans. “Don’t Give In Tonight” has some rock n roll muscle, and “Biggest Fan” has both amazing vocals and an irresistible hook. “Only Fools Rush In” is pure Beatles music hall, and he sounds most like Macca here. Just to prove he’s not all pop ditties, “Replace Me” has a riff best suited to Collective Soul, and Graham makes it work splendidly. It touches all the bases, with no filler to be found. Best young pop debut album I’ve heard in along time.

Amazon | Itunes
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The Hi-Risers “Hang Around With You”
Classic rock trio from Rochester are Greg Townson (vocals and guitar), Todd Bradley (vocals and bass) and Jason Smay (drums). The band has a sound that pays tribute to those early rock bands like The Crickets, The Beatles, Peter and Gordon and The Dave Clark Five.

For older music fans, the most identifiable tune ever is “I’m In Love With My Record Collection” with its Rickenbacker jangle and harmonies. You can play “spot the riff” for most of the album, like “Fire Hazard” is built from The Kinks “All Day and All Of The Night.” But as a retro collection it’s the high quality musicianship  that’ll win you over. Sit back and enjoy.

Bandcamp | Artists Website