Yesterday I rolled out a widget (on the right) to sell some CDs from my old collection. None of them are promos — and all are gently used from my personal collection. I will post more eventually — including rare and out-of-print CDs that you will not find anywhere else (or at least not easily available). Just know these are power pop classics for the most part. Prices include shipping – so get them while they’re here – each album is limited to one copy for sale.
Category: Power Pop Review
Soft Gong "Pretend You Need Me"
From Boise, Idaho comes a band that sparks excitment – Soft Gong. If Bon Jovi ever decided to start a Jellyfish inspired bar band, then it would sound like this. This band began as a team building whim for a marketing agency. The agency had some musically talented creative people and started this band together. Many songs were written by Bill Coffey and some here standout, an example being “Cover Band” with catchy choruses and consistent beats. A real winner here is also “Ninety-nine Percent” – a perfect power pop tune with great guitar riffs and a great melodic hook. “The Mirror is Lonely” is a cool 70’s styled rock tribute (more cowbell fellas!) that is easy on the ears. The band is definitely inspired by Cheap Trick as well, if you listen to “Break Me.” Unfortunately, it’s not without some weakness here. In the latter song and in a few others the backing vocals are just badly done. In some cases, the material isn’t better than your average cover band (“Night School Sweetheart”) trying a bit too hard to rock. Coffey has a great voice that can redeem most of the tracks though. It definitely is better than any other “creative group” turned rock band and worth a listen or two. They would easily blow away the competition here.
My Space | CD Baby | Itunes
Hammer No More The Fingers "self-titled"
Reviewed by Mike Z.
Let’s get this out of the way: the comparisons between Hammer No More the Fingers and either Presidents of the United States of America or Weezer are inevitable, and pretty much apt. But this band, especially after a few listens, brings even more to the table. That may be a bold statement for such a young act, but it’s difficult to disagree. To start, HNMTF not only rock but also know how to write a hook, which is a requisite for any good review. More importantly, they have a lyrical sensibility that deserves close inspection and reveals that they are a noteworthy notch above your typical college party band. Okay, no one’s going to confuse these guys with a latter day Baudelaire, but they strike an uncanny balance in their lyrics. There is a pronounced sense of humor to what they offer, and even though the lyrics are pro orgy, mushrooms, and vodka, they are not unapologetically so. So this is a party band with at least a little bit of a conscience. Use this as a litmus test and see if you agree: regarding said “Mushrooms,” lead vocalist Duncan Webster sings, “They’re pretty fucking tasty/Give them water, give them fertilizer, give them love/Just don’t give them to you kids.” Maybe that sort of wry parallel construction will go unnoticed by all but the English majors in the house, but when you factor in the well-crafted over-driven guitar licks, there really are the makings of something approaching great here.
HNMTF Site | My Space | Emusic | Itunes
Listen to “Listen to “O.R.G.Y.”
The Hives "Fall is just something that grown ups invented"
As I mentioned before, power pop bands just lend themselves to Cartoon Network and get some great exposure. The Hives look like they are having fun here, as they play this vid about 100 times a day (beats ole’ MTV exposure). Ok Go please take note, it will take more than jumping on treadmills to built your fanbase.
Depressive Art "Bye Bye Dear Everything"
Here is a group from Sweden, a country that has a great power pop tradition (i.e. Favorita). Depressive Art, whose album “Bye Bye Dear Everything” is a real creative melding of psyche-garage rock, indie pop and punk shoegazer influences. A hightlight here is “How to Breathe,” with it’s driving riffs, and wall of sound production. Lead singer Klas Bohlin’s deep vocals reminds me of Joy Division playing with Pulp. Using everything from pianos, synths, percussion, and harmonicas to get that dense sound and then grounded by dual guitar riffs that cut through the clutter. On the ballads, like “Old Man’s Quarter” it really mines a mix of Radiohead and Blind Faith. My favorite track here is “Season For Regret” with a pounding drum you won’t easily forget and a howling lead guitar. The last track “On Solid Ground” devolves into a prog-rock organ filled jam. This is good album worth checking out if you like Psyche. If you order this album, tell them Powerpopaholic.com sent you and you’ll get a FREE sample CD single of another band from Wonderland Records in Sweden!
Depressive Art Site | My Space | Wonderland Records | Klicktrack
Listen to “Listen to “How to Breathe”