Category: Power Pop Review

One of 2005’s best albums was The High Dials “War of the Wakening Phantoms” and now this Montreal power house will unleash more of their neo-psychedelic pop with “Moon Country”. There seems to be more of Radiohead or Coldplay influence here and less overt power pop influence. The band still knows how to write a catchy single, “My Heart is Pinned To Your Sleeve” uses the indie rock model with great results. The riff heavy guitar pop that was part of The High Dials sound is still on “Oisin, My Bastard Brother,” but no other song takes that approach. The newer approach is best represented by “Killer of Dragons” which uses echoing beats and guitar melody to bring this gentle mid tempo song to life. The group still knows how to jangle on “Book Of The Dead” and it resembles U2 and Mother Hips a little here. There is a lot of music (about 67 minutes) to absorb and by the middle of this album the softer ballads like “Angels & Devils” and “Clare” have such a slow tempo and lack of hook, that I was tempted to fast forward these tracks. It finishes strong though, as “Open The Gates” is a cool flowing stoner psyche masterwork with fuzz guitar and echoes that gives The Pillbugs a run for their money. Other highlights include the lovely ethereal “Invisible Choirs” with its weaving harmonies but the dated “Space Hobo” is clearly a misfire resembling a Dandy Warhols outtake. Fans of The Flaming LIps and the above mentioned bands will enjoy this one. Older fans of the earlier stuff may want to skip this, but given a chance the quality of music and skill of the players will win you over.

My Space | Itunes | Insound

Listen to “Killer of Dragons”

This Virginia band agrees that music aint what it used to be. Guitarist/vocalist Grahame Davies takes a trip through inner space here with a very English style, if you can imagine The Brigadier or Neil Finn with a female vocal backup.The album is full of folky melancholy tunes, the only sign of upbeat life here is the brilliant “Edward Learjet” with an interlocking harmonic chorus and biting lyrics that recall last years’ Milton and the Devils Party. In fact, “I Wouldn’t Say I’m Sorry” shuffles along it’s exquisite pop moping and it leads to my favorite song here “Trick Photography” with references to The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. This is one of those albums that grows on you like moss. The jangle of “Craked Leather Seat” recalls John Lennon vividly and most of the songs here are highly appealing guitar ballads. Anne Rogers gets to shine as lead on “Which Way” – a Elvis Costello styled mid tempo song. I couldn’t find a bad track here, despite the somber tone much of the album takes – even the Big Star-like “Finish Line” – the more you hear it, the better it gets. An impressive sophomore release that deserves a late night listen.

My Space | CD Baby

Cynical pop fans take note: Jordan Geiger is a one man band under the name of Hospital Ships. It takes a lead from The Flaming Lips (The group was named after a Lips song) and Arcade Fire or Broken Social Secene. The album opener, “Bitter Radio Single”, is a brief but captivating song with it’s forceful “Screw this fucking city” lyric sung by an angelic chorus. The follow up, “Baby For J” is like a lo-fi indie John Lennon with Geiger’s subtle vocals and piano melody. Fourth track on the album, “The Shots I Drank,” is another warm fuzzy sounding, fully orchestrated confesssional. Throughout the album, the layers of nasally vocals supported by piles of keyboards and organs on top of less dense guitars. Some standouts here are “Sink Your Teeth Into Me” and “Oh, No.” These ballads may be suited to our screwed up times – “Tired Of Growing Old” could be the new theme for a stock broker today “You dwell on all you wanted… it’s all gone, over and done.” Other tracks are just bleak sounding filler here. It’s not for everyone and will turn off those looking for happy bouncy pop music. Listen along with Mike Mazzerella’s folk album for a sobering experience.

My Space | e-music

Listen to the “Bitter Radio”

Mighty Fairly plays indie folk pop with a little edge, and some humor. They hail from the frozen northern tundra of Minneapolis, MN and have been playing together since 2004. The first album was pretty impressive with loud hooks and harmonies (listen to the terrific “Wake Up” on the website), this new album is called “Big Words and Power Chords” and I guess it’s meant to be ironic. Other than the nice opening single “Falling To Pieces,” the other songs are just missing the hooks that keep things memorable. The band does provide a good mix of electric and acoustic songs, male/female harmonies, and neat arrangements, but what is missing here is the energy and freshness that made 2006’s Perfectly Good Airplanes a lot of fun to listen to. The lyrics and themes are still great fun here as  “Overachiever” is sung to someone who is arrogant and “free of mediocrity…” And songs like “Simple Minded” have that early hip REM vibe, but other songs are too busy setting up a storyline (“Shadow”) or setting up a mood (“Alaska”) to encourage repeat listens. This band certainly has talent, and although not as clever as They Might Be Giants, they are less geeky and are sure to improve. 

My Space | Mightyfairly website | Not Lame

I got a opportunity to interview the members of one of the coolest power pop bands ever, Splitsville. We get into a few issues and what’s coming next for the band. As Stimpy would say “I can hardly contain myself!” — so you can read the Splitsville interview here or click on the “Artist Interviews” button on the right.