Category: Power Pop Review

International Pop Overthrow, Vol. 15

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After you’ve stuffed yourself full of turkey and cranberry sauce, it’s nice to know you can satisfy your musical hunger with IPO. Another year, another 67 tracks spread over 3 CDs from a variety of bands known and unknown, as selected by power pop guru David Bash.  As always, a great way to discover new sounds at a great price!

Disc 1: The immortal Shoes begins our journey with “Head vs. Heart,”  and it’s matched by the Byrdsian guitars on Fireking’s “So You Say You Lost Your Baby.” Old favorites are on hand like Lisa Mychols (“Taken,”)  Private Jets (“Speed Of Sound,”) and the recently reviewed Condors (“Queer Fascination.”) But what I look for are the rookies, like the playfully seductive “Crush On A Girl” by The Jooles, and the frantic punk-pop “Square Pegs” by The Issue and “Yesterday” by The Secrets.

Disc 2: King Washington‘s epic “The Gears” starts us off. The Afternoons “Wait Til You See Her” has a bit of Oasis’ echoing beat and the new track from The Sunchymes “Revelations In Her Mind” adds its light 60’s pop touch. My favorite track from the new Spygenius LP is here (“K is Menatlly ill”) and Nushu’s cover of The Cars “My Best Friend’s Girl” is a blast. A new Vegas with Randolph track here “Nikki’s Plan/Broadway” and Robin Stanley’s “Make Up Your Mind” are also highlights.

Disc 3: Strong tracks are all over this one. I really liked the harmony filled opener “Summer’s Green” by The Tor Guides, and “Never Stop Wooing You” by Sweet Diss and The Comebacks is a perfect follow up. “Get Her Off My Mind” from Throwback Suburbia thrills, and even Japan’s Mayflower is on here with “Cat’s Boro Blues!” The bluesy rock of The Pengwins (with Lannie Flowers) leads on “Naive” and The Pozers “My Maze” add a Beatles-ELO influenced gem. Overall, you’ll be coming back for repeat listens on this compilation… I guarantee it!

Pop Geek Heaven | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik
One disk 3 is Ashbury Keys “Wake Up” – This performance was filmed at IPO Liverpool 2012.

Giving thanks to bands like Big Star and fans like you.

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Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a feature-length documentary film about the dismal commercial failure, subsequent massive critical acclaim, and enduring legacy of pop music’s greatest cult phenomenon, Big Star. The film opened last week at the SVA theater in NYC. Probably the most important power pop band that ever existed. More info here.

ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK VOL.1 UPDATE

I am proud to say that our fundraiser for Hurricane Relief has been a success! The Power Popaholic Fest Original Soundtrack Vol.1 has raised $152.32 for The American Red Cross this month. At this point it we will be expanding distribution to CD Baby, Amazon and Itunes by this Monday. I would like to see if our sales can increase for the holiday season so we can make a second donation to The Red Cross for Christmas time.

I would like to thank all of you who donated to the Soundtrack, and a Happy Thanksgiving to power pop fans everywhere!

New Talent: Asbury Keys, Didn’t Planet, Hi Electric

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Ashbury Keys “Wake Up” EP
Texas brothers David and Darwin Keys are joined by bassist and vocalist Bill Walter on this new EP. It’s got a blended sound,  just add equal parts of Foo Fighters, Noel Gallagher and Taking Back Sunday.  Each of the five tracks give us solid hooks and loud guitars, starting with the pounding drums and guitars of “Swimmer.” And these guys can still do the melodic as evidenced by “Hero” with its great minor chord shifts. The bands versatility is displayed through the punk beat of of “Oh My God” or the ballad-like start of “Break.” And if you want to hear more, then listen the full length LP Growing Up.

Didn’t Planet “We’re Goin’ Nowhere”
Why didn’t I hear about this band? Maybe its the horrible pun for a name, but this Massachusetts group won me over with its light-hearted intro “the Fat Albert theme.” Then it rocks right into “Maryanne” with ringing guitar riffs and harmonies. The  POV with “Any Requests?” is a band struggling to play at venues “going nowhere” and doing covers. The narrative on “Bitter” is that of a resigned musician “out of touch with the kids” wanting to play what he wants. I’m sure every power pop artist can relate to this song. However there are too many self-pitying songs, fortunately most of them are pretty good. Recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon

Hi Electric “Hi Electric”
Indie band from Memphis,TN that references garage, soul, rockabilly is lead by  singer Neil Bartlett. Influenced by Big Star, Queens of The Stone Age and The Grifters it starts off with the subdued but effective “Bicycle Blades,” that has almost a grunge redux with snarling guitar solos after the chorus. It shuffles along like a softer version of Soundgrarden, but never really impresses until the mid-point with the catchy tracks “Open Cuts,” “Foolin’ Myself,” “It’s Not You” and the mid tempo shimmering “Come Down.” After additional listens, the melodies help the fuzzy exteriors take shape, so overall it’s a grower… why not give it a try?

Amazon | Artist Website

Lite Rock Preview and Interviews

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It’s coming up in the Spring of 2013, the ‘Monsters Of Lite Rock’ Tribute album. And one of the artists featured is Michael Carpenter, doing a great job on the Cliff Richard classic “We Don’t Talk Anymore.” To find our more about this awesome tribute go to the Monsters of Lite Rock Facebook Page.

 THE POWER POPAHOLIC INTERVIEW:

It’s been a few months since I interviewed some artists so I’m trying to make up for some lost time here. First I reached Roy “Holmes” Shakked. He is still promoting his 4th album ‘Complication Simplified’ and I got to talk with him here. Then the very next day I contacted my old friend Vinnie Zummo who just finished three albums in the last six months! I recently reviewed the last volume of his trilogy called ‘Swinging Guitar Sounds of Young America’ – our conversation is here. Of course you can navigate to our interviews section and find them there too.

Vinnie Zummo and Nine Times Blue

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Vinnie Zummo “Swinging Guitar Sounds of Young America Vol 3”
Once again Vinnie Zummo gives us a collection of stylistic homages in several different genres. The melody of “I Wanna Love You” features bright Breach Boys styled harmonies, and Vinnie’s compelling lead.  The slide guitar and jangley melody of “Play Paul McCartney” sure to warm the hearts of power pop fans everywhere. He uses retro Beatles song structure on “Can’t You See,” and a vintage Stevie Wonder harmonica for the soul pop of “Funky Games.” He even does Steely Dan on “Howd This Happen,” the man is the definition of versatility.

His wife Janice really stands out as the vocalist for the country tune “Pocket Full of Soul.” You’ve got a massive twenty of tracks of music and I have to say that Vinnie’s songwriting and production have continued to improve. Recommended tracks are “Heartless,” “Just For You,” “Living On The Sun,” and with “George Harrison” he’s got a song for each Beatle! Update: Just finished an interview with Mr. Zummo. Read it here.

CD Baby | Vinnie’s Blog
 
This tune is from Vinnie’s second album “Swinging Guitar Sounds of Young America Vol.2” and its for sale here!

Nine Times Blue “Falling Slowly”
The band is named after a Michael Nesmith song and is based in the Washington DC area. Lead by Kirk Waldrop (vocals and guitar) and joined by Greg King (guitar), Jeff Nelson (bass) and Jason Brewer (drums) opens with the title track, and I could sworn it was the Goo Goo Dolls or The Gin Blossoms. It’s rock with a high jangle content and familiarity. In addition, a cadre of power pop stars have minor roles (Joe Giddings, John Faye, David Myhr) on the LP.

The strongest material is early on, the most impressive being “Crazy To Think” and the title track. The instrumentation is exceptional, as evidenced on “Grace” and “Silent Words.” Other than a few heartfelt melodies like “Fun and Games” and some guitar acrobatics on “So Much Time,” it just didn’t move me like the first three songs here. But, if you like contemporary rock with a emphasis on strong guitar playing, this is for you.