The On and Ons and Richard Snow

powerpopaholic
“The

The On and Ons “Come On In”

I was late to the party, but this Sydney, Australia band signed with Jem Records and made their debut in January. The On and Ons are comprised of keyboardist John Hoey, bassist Clyde Bramley, brother Brian Morris (drums, vocals), and singer-songwriter-guitarist Glenn Morris. Last year, they produced a number of noteworthy EPs, and the album ‘Come On In’ is an excellent compilation of their songs. “Let Ya Hair Down!” was honored by Little Steven’s Underground Garage as one of the”Coolest Songs In The World,” so I would be remiss if I didn’t check out the additional songs on the album.

The album’s opening track, “Roller Coaster,” is very much like a Plimsouls tune with great jangle and echoing harmonies. “Been There” is pure ‘60s British Invasion bliss with reverb, and “Sunny Jim” is a dense guitar attack akin to The Guess Who with an Aussie garage vibe.  Another gem is “(Scare Me) Outta My Mind,” with its wicked solo, and those “ooh, ooh” backing harmonies, it has a very Halloween party feel to it. Plenty of good melodies here make this one Highly Recommended.

Amazon

“The

Richard Snow (& The Inlaws) “Look Back In Manga”

From Nottingham UK. Richard Snow and The Inlaws are Richard (Snow) Hattersley, Phillip Edmundson and Justin Monkton. Richard started his musical life in a Beatles cover band, and has solo several albums in the recent past and ‘Look Back in Manga’ is a new compilation with some recent singles added. Richard’s bright jangle starts us with “Equinox,” a sweet melody that sets a very Beatlesque tone. This continues with the ironic “I Never Liked The Beatles” about an old curmudgeon named Ron who hates the Fab Four.

The songs feel like personal experiences, and some work very well (“Double Act” and “Not Gonna Take It”) and others just aren’t as memorable. My favorite on this album is the mid-tempo love song “You Can’t Have It All,” with a great hook and solid vocal performance. This album will be hit-or-miss for most, and that’s okay. It still is music that deserves to be heard, so check it out.

Bandcamp only

The Nines and Kevin Robertson

powerpopaholic
The Nines

The Nines “Echoes of Past Future”

It’s been too long, but The Nines have returned at last. Steve Eggers with some help on drums from Bill Majoros records an alternative universe 1970s-era album using vintage Tascam and Yamaha consoles. He succeeds in getting that vintage sound, and there is no denying Eggers songwriting and compositional talent, even through lo-fi speakers.

Starting with “Give Your Heart Away,” it’s a solid, catchy gem with layered harmonies. And his familiar Jeff Lynn style returns for “Summer’s Never Been The Same.” For those who remember listening to a worn cassette tape, the fidelity is eerily accurate, especially on the psychedelic jam “Open Book.” The songs are so good here, you’ll be clamoring for more, like “Hit The Ground Running.”

“Sailor Girl” and “You Get By” are brilliantly period accurate and very memorable. “Away from You” is a worthy spiritual successor to 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love.” The soulful pop of “How did we get it all so wrong?” feels like a different album, and is that actually sung by a different duo? Steve tells me it’s studio trickery to change his voice. Wow! Not every idea here is fleshed out musically, but the ones that do, make this album another highly recommended Nines album.

Bandcamp

“Kevin

Kevin Robertson “Yellow Painted Moon”

Kevin Robertson (The Vapor Trails) has quickly produced a prolific collection of albums, and his latest treads familiar ground. ‘Yellow Painted Moon’ starts with the jangling gem “We Found the Summer,” a song with echoes of classic bands like The Byrds, America, and Neil Young. The album follows this template and with “Message of Love,” it gets into a very relaxed groove.

“Of the Night” is equally enjoyable with its Western harmonic touches and harmonies. Another gem is “Traveling Band,” with a really sweet Rickenbacker rhythm that gives way to a wicked solo break. Fans of The Beau Brummell’s will really enjoy that one along with “Quicksand,” which sounds like a lost track from that band. Robertson’s rich melodies and charming approach set a great mood on “Feelings Show,” a catchy folk-rock tune. Overall, a really good album that deserves repeat listens. For the fans, he’s got a group of alternate bonus tracks in a separate album. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Interviews Update: YouTube archives and new interviews coming

powerpopaholic

Just a heads up to check out my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@powerpopaholic

I will be doing a lot more interviews, and I have about 25 archived interviews that are stuck on an older account I am updating for easy access. Be on the lookout for these new and old interviews. Archived interviews include original conversations with Joe Satriani, Terry Adams, Nicole Atkins, Susanna Hoffs, and more. And it would really be nice if you subscribed, that way you are notified the minute they are posted.

More August Music: Tamar Berk, doubleVee, FOND, The Spongetones, Elena Rogers, Fernando Perdomo, Broken Glass Kid

powerpopaholic


August heat continues. The talented Tamar Berk has a new video single and she’s got a new album coming up in September. doubleVee has a great EP that I want to feature here, starring Allan Vest (ex-Starlight Mints) and Barb Vest. The opening track “Submarine Number Vee Three” is a richly produced gem with strings leading a cool melody!  FOND is a heavier rocker, akin to a DIY Weezer check out “Complacent” and “Hooking Up.” They’ve got spunk to spare. I’m especially excited for the return of power pop hall-of-famers The Spongtones. They do the “Honest Work” and I can’t wait to hear the rest of the album. Next, Elena Rogers is a singer/songwriter from North Carolina with a beautiful voice and melodic skills displayed on “Song About Me” and it’s a real gem. I’ve always enjoyed Fernando Perdomo’s work, and here he’s got a rare Billy Joel tune that he put’s his stamp on. Finally, I’ve got a new item off-the-beaten-path from Broken Glass Kid, check out the moody atmosphere of “Unravel.” It’s perfect for those hot summers when you just want to cool off.