Category: Power Pop Review

The Krinkles are a Chicago punk-pop band in the great tradition of Flaming Groovies and Cheap Trick. They do a pretty good job on this, their third album. We have a big emphasis on scorching guitar and rough hewn harmonies. They have a loose playing style that mixes early Beatles energy with Rick Nielsen guitar stylings. “Gimme Gimme” is good tune with choruses that remind me of the early Raspberries. “I want you” is another guitar heavy slice of rock riff heaven and my favorite on this album. “Stay with Me” is a catchy mid-tempo delight with a touch of The Records. More standout tunes include “Friday Night” and “Best Friend” The Mordorlorff Collection is a long sixteen tracks. And unfortunately a few of them should have been left off. When the band tries to be too hardcore or attempt a soft ballad it just doesn’t work as well. The good news here is there are still plenty of good tracks here to make this a recommended album. This is sold only through CDBaby.com, so far. Earlier albums are available on emusic.

My Space | CD Baby | Emusic

Listen to “Stay with Me”

Earlier I posted Fratellis with Pete Townsend. This is another case of current power pop artists honoring their pop elders. It’s a cute version of “Calendar Girl” where Neil actually forgets some of the lyrics. FOW are great and having fun on stage with him.

On the Eisenhower’s site they mention they are “a loose collection of people who sometimes make a noise with musical instruments.” Well, if lots of neat harmonies and catchy guitar riffs are noise, then bring it on. Raymond Weir, primary force for the band does a great job here. “Useless Love” is a low key rocker that remind me of a lost Dream Academy track. “Novelty Act” is a flat-out great song that evokes Crowded House with a great chorus, biting lyrics and amazing guitar. “… And Consequently” is another great track along the lines of Jellyfish. Both these tracks are awesome. Elsewhere the other songs on the album try hard to match it. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. When the electric guitar wasn’t in a song it tended to not be as distinct. “Jigsaw” is a song with a great hooks and melody worthy of inclusion. It recalls the best singles of The Rembrandts. “If Satellites Should Fall” has beautiful arrangements and flows along like a lazy river. “Constantiople” seems like an adult pop indulgence, not unlike a Finn Brothers solo tune. Little influences of Squeeze, Elvis Costello and XTC appear in places, so this will not dissapoint most power pop or AOR fans. Enjoy this one.

Eisenhowers Site | My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

Quentin Tarantino continues to assert his influence with movie soundtracks. Much like when he generated loads of attention for Dick Dale with Pulp Fiction, Quentin has unearthed Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, an obscure sixties group that was better known for “Zabadak” and a number of great overlooked performances. “Hold Tight” is featured prominently in the new film “Death Proof”

Alan has a long musical career that spans several decades, as a session man with The Left Banke, The Standells and The Birth of Spring. This CD is a collection of his own tunes created over the years. “This is my Life” and “Living on the Edge” sounds like a long lost pop singles from those classic early power pop bands 20/20 or The Flaming Groovies. In fact there is some great jangly guitar and folk-rock that you thought they just don’t make like this anymore. “Great Accuser” is an amazing slice of “retro” rock and roll, if you close your eyes you can image a combination of Eddie Money, Boston and Simon & Garfunkel. Speaking of S&G, the pristine version of “Sounds of Silence” is just amazing. Because these songs were recorded at different times with different session men it feels like a collection of singles, instead of a cohesive album. Most of the time it does a great job “Friend of Mine” is a priceless mix of Bob Dylan, The Kinks and Pink Floyd all rolled into one. The album ends with “Resolution” – and it is the strongest track in my opinion, with great guitar and harmonies, almost like what The post-Michael Brown Left Banke may have sounded if they had not broken up. This song also features Steve Coronel (ex-Wicked Lester, with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS). Ahh the sweet smell of nostalgia…Visit the Cherry Bomb site to hear this album streaming.

Cherry Bomb Records | My Space | Kool Kat Records | Not Lame