The Weeklings and Danny Henry

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The Weeklings

The Weeklings “3”

Those veteran mop tops from Asbury Park, The Weeklings are back with their third effort. The Weeklings are; singer-bassist Lefty Weekling (Glen Burtnik,) singer-guitarists Zeek Weekling (Bob Burger) and Rocky Weekling (John Merjave,) and drummer Smokestack Weekling (Joe Bellia). While the band is likely the most Beatlesque outfit on the east coast, The Weeklings rock with their own unique sound and style.

“I Want You Again” is a great start with Lefty’s hook-filled chorus and tight harmonies, and it’s three minutes of perfection. “In the Moment” is another great song as it shimmers with multiple melody lines. The Rockpile-like “1,000 Miles Away” has rockabilly energy and the three-part harmonies on “Change Your Mind” are pure magic. The originals are so good and the covers too; they breathe new life into the Easybeats’ classic “Friday on My Mind” featuring Herman’s Hermit’s lead singer Peter Noone. The spirit of The Beatles lives in these exceptional musicians and without a note of filler, this becomes my first nominee for best album of 2020. Super Highly Recommended!

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Danny Henry

Danny Henry “Danifest Destiny”

Based in Milford, CT musician Danny Henry started recording this album with help from Adam Marsland, then the following year he met producer Fernando Perdomo and finished the album. Danny favors balladry, and his many influences include, Motown, Elton John, The Beach Boys, and the late Neil Innes.

It starts with a faux dance musical number “The Swoop” which takes a while to get past the jokey parts to the fifties-style chorus and guitar solo. Unfortunately “Crossfading” double tracks Danny’s falsetto, and it will turn off some as he tries to do a 10cc-like parody but doesn’t quite pull it off.

Henry then sings about innocent romance, like “Dearest Thing” or “David Cassidy Day” without a hint of sarcasm, and it borders on schmaltz. Some songs are wonderfully written like “Darling Eyes” and “Maybe We’re In Love” with hints of glam in the guitar, but Henry’s vocal takes getting used to. Ballads like “Cereal Man” and “Hollywood Boulevard” have lovely instrumental setups, and Danny’s vocal style works best here. If you’re looking for something different, give it listen.

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Compilations: Anny Celsi, Ex-Norwegian and Shplang

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Editor’s note: Every year we have a few artists do the “greatest hits” thing as an end to a career or a phase before a new direction. These artists are all highly recommended and should be part of any power pop fan’s album collection. These were my 2019 favorites…

 

Anny Celsi

Anny Celsi “Kaleidoscope Heart – 12 Golden Hits”

Annie Celsi’s music fits in a unique space. Here style is slightly psychedelic folk-pop with Brill Building hooks that’s been compared to Aimee Mann, Jackie DeShannon, Suzanne Vega, and Dusty Springfield. Celsi’s singing is emotional and compelling and with Kaleidoscope Heart, you get a terrific collection of her music, from the jangling gem “Tangle-Free World” to the Motown-like “Au Revoir, My Darling.” Aided by a cast of familiar talents like Nelson Bragg, Teresa Cowles, Amy Farris, Probyn Gregory, Adam Marsland, Robbie Rist, Evie Sands, and Nick Walusko, to name a few. It’s comfort food for your ears!

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Ex-Norwegian

Ex-Norwegian “Something Unreal: The Best Of Ex-Norwegian”

This is an expansive look at the talented duo of Roger Houdaille and Lucia Perez. Early on the band was produced by fellow Miami Beach resident Fernando Perdomo and the results are truly impressive. A massive amount of great music is here, 47 tracks across 2 discs. Roger’s early efforts stand up as the layered indie rock “Original Copy” and Kinks-influenced “Something Unreal” is just as catchy as ever. The band moves across genres effortlessly from psyche-pop to experimental pop, some of my favorites include the grunge guitar of “Jet Lag,” “Unstoppable,” “Initiative Rock” and I’m not even halfway through disc one. If you never checked out this band, this is a perfect primer. Highly Recommended.

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Shplang

Shplang “Los Grandes Excritos (1994​-​2019)”

Shplang was always a great power pop band, rooted in influences like the Beatles and Kinks, but it also included a unique point of view. The duo of Peter Marston and John Krause were eventually joined by drummer Brian Cannizzaro. With 17 tracks, it pulls from over 20 years of music. They go the full gamut of styles; opening with the sweet and catchy pop of “Spanish Galleons”  to the new wave-influenced “I Don’t Know I Don’t Care.” The band’s quirky highlight “Delacroix” takes the Fab’s “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” in a blender with Serge Gainsbourg. “Little Star” is another brilliant example of taking a simple lyric and crafting it into pop genius. “Sway” shows that these guys also know how to crunch those power-pop chords as good as anyone. Overall a highly recommended collection of songs that any power pop fan would be proud to own.

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International Power Pop: Super Ratones, Tommy Lorente, Star Trip, m.a.p.a.

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Editor’s note: Power pop remains an international genre, but non-English bands don’t always get attention. Here are some great bands from outside the USA that have 2019 releases that you should listen to — even if you don’t speak Spanish!

 

Super Ratones

Super Ratones “Carreras de Aviones”

Super Ratones is a veteran power pop band from Mar del Plata, Argentina. They’ve been influenced by The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Who, Hollies, Kinks and the Byrds. They were nominated for Grammy Award in 2001, and they still continue to produce excellent Spanish language power pop to this day.

They continue the musical journey in 2019 with their tenth album, Carreras de Aviones which translates to “aircraft races.” The band still has the melodies and vocal harmonies that command attention as evidenced by the title track. The catchy melody of “Un Minuto es Mucho Tiempo” and guitar attack of “A Remar” are awesome examples of these talented guys. Highly Recommended, so check it out!

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Star Trip “Salto al vacio”

Star Trip is from El Altet, Alicante, Spain. They have a great power-pop sound, the opening title track “Salto al vacío” is a dense jangling guitar gem with heavy percussion, and most of the album follows this lead. I couldn’t find a weak song anywhere, and if these guys made an English language version of this LP it would be in my top 20 for sure. Very accessible and beautifully done. Highly Recommended.

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m.a.p.a. “So Simple and So Clear”

This band from Madrid actually sings in English, and if you want to know what the band name means, check out my last post. The band has a jangling sound with the light vocals of Ana, and takes its influences from West Coast pop. Check out “Always Again,” “I Look Around” and “Different in Mars”

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Tommy Lorente “Tommy Reltone”

Tommy Lorente does some of the most dynamic garage-rock-meets-power-pop I’ve ever heard from France. His latest double single is a Kinks-like gem, full of irresistible riffs and energy. I hope this leads us to a full-length LP soon!

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Singles: Myles Josephh, The John Sally Ride, The Dowling Poole, Brad Marino, Go Outside, m.a.p.a

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Kai Danzberg is working with a new artist, Myles Josephh. The harmonies are terrific and Kai knows a great melody when he sings it. The team is working on a new EP for this year.

The John Sally Ride is another artist poised to make a big comeback this year. Here is the first impressive single, love those riffs!

The Dowling Poole is back, Willie Dowling and Jon Poole have a  new album, “See You, See Me”, to be released on 28 February 2020. These are the first 2 singles. XTC fans will dig it!

Brad Marino plays this Buddy Holly classic. Hey, it’s a FREEBIE!

The new band Go Outside is more of an emo/alt. rock band, but they hit this single correctly when they shout “I swear to God if I ever play Power Pop… Give me something to make my heart stop!” Kinda reminds me of Superdrag. Album is on Bandcamp, and this single is a FREEBIE!

A band from Madrid, Spain – m.a.p.a stands for the first names of the people in the band; Manuel, Ana, Pepe, and Antonio. Plus they do a sweet cover of “Mean Mr. Mustard,” it’s a FREEBIE!

Brand New Singles: Sunshine Boys Premiere “Infinity Girl”

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Chicago’s Sunshine Boys (featuring Freda Love Smith of Blake Babies, Dag Juhlin of Poi Dog Pondering and Jacqueline Schimmel of Big Hello) is releasing the politically-charged single “Infinity Girl” on Friday, Jan 10 and Power Popaholic has the exclusive premiere! Sunshine Boys’ sophomore album, Work and Love, will be released on Friday, May 1 via Pravda Records and follows 2018’s critically acclaimed Blue Music. 

 

BTW: In case you missed last Sunday’s radio show on 11L Radio NY International – I played a song from each of the albums in my top ten for 2019. Here it is recorded for posterity and your convenience.

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