Michael Rault and Daisy House

powerpopaholic
Michael Rault

Michael Rault “It’s A New Day Tonight”

Toronto musician Michael Rault has a great knack for solid ’70s riffs and classic power pop style. Opening with some nice guitar work on “I’ll Be There” it’s like a glorious mix of Badfinger and T-Rex. The careful arrangements and simple structure allow Rault’s melodies to come through. The album takes its inspiration from the act of sleeping and dreaming. “Sleep With Me” is like a lost Emmit Rhodes single with fuzz rhythm guitar, lush harmonies, and a sweeping string section.

“Oh Clever Boy” is McCartney styled gem, and the pace slows up on “Sitting Still” although the neat bassline makes that tune work. Things seem to stall a little on “Dream Song,” but I get that the next few songs act like REM sleep snippets. The full Beatlesque melodies come back on “Out of The Light,” its got a scratchy vibe – like an old 45 you found. “Sleeping and Smiling” has a dreamy 10cc quality and the sprawling closer “When The Sun Shines” has some nice George Harrison styled slide guitar. Overall solid execution and the ear-catching melodies make this the equivalent of power pop comfort food. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Daisy House

Daisy House “Bon Voyage”

The Southern California folk-rock duo of Doug Hammond and his daughter Tatiana are back after last year’s successful Crossroads. The vocal dynamics of the songs remind one of the late 60’s harmony bands Mamas & Papas or CSN, but the songs are thoroughly modern and touch folk, rock, and country genres. Bon Voyage continues the band’s sophisticated songcraft on the title track, a strummed gem with a Spanish-styled rhythm. “Stop Looking’ At Me” is a topical song about sexual harassment. You kind of expected Liz Phair to do something like this, but Tatiana pulls this off perfectly. The apprehensive shuffling “Persephone” is along similar cynical lines.

The chamber pop of “A.I. Girls” makes good use of Doug’s higher vocal range and on “Let’s Do it Again” Tatiana channels Chrissie Hynde with its catchy power-pop chorus. Of course the Byrdsian folk jangle returns on “Over The Hill” and the trippy “Like A Superman.” It takes a few chances, as “Heavenly” feels overproduced, but the classic ballad “Til The End Of The World” is near perfection. The songwriting is top notch, along with the multi-layered instrumentation. Highly Recommended.

May Singles: Richard Turgeon, Cosmos Sunshine, SA Reyners, The Golden Rail, The Ego Ritual, Dan Rico

powerpopaholic

The opening track from Richard Turgeon‘s upcoming LP, “Lost Angeles.” It’s a big-sounding, California-tinged power pop track with lots of harmonies. And it’s a FREE download.

Cosmos Sunshine sounds pretty hippie-dippy, right? But no, this is a big rocker with hooks and an angst in the groove. Fans of Neil Young will like this one.

New Zealand’s SA Reyners gives us one sweet single. A bouncy piano is layered with rhythms and counter melodies. Very impressive! If you’d like another SA Reyners single, Lexiconographer was released last month and it’s a FREE download. When is this guy gonna make a full album already?

The Golden Rail is an Australian supergroup of sorts. Members have come from various bands: The Palisades, The Rainyard, Header, Summer Suns, DM3 and The Jangle Band. The singles here are simply great covers. “Shouldn’t Get Hung Up About It” was originally recorded by The Village Idiots and “Fined For Wrestling” was originally recorded by The Tokyo 5.

The Ego Ritual is a new psyche-pop band that’s about to debut on Kool Kat Musik. This is an advance single that’s very groovy and a FREE download too!

Dan Rico is just “Hot To Please” and with this FREE download, he definitely pleases.

International Power Pop: Tommy Lorente and Cooper

powerpopaholic
Tommy Lorente

Tommy Lorente “Stupefaction”

Oui! Tommy Lorente has really come out strong here, and in his native language has produced a classic power pop album. After Tommy’s first LP, I compared him to Kurt Baker and wondered what direction was next. He has matured nicely. “Poor Tchack Pow” is so catchy you don’t even need to know French to sing along with the chorus. “Arthur” is another terrific gem about a pep talk to the heartbroken title character translated to “Tell me, tell me, tell me Arthur” featuring solid hooks all around.

The bouncy “Le Rêve Américain” (The American Dream) is about pursuing his dream in Memphis strutting like “king,” drinking bourbon and listening to rock and roll. It settles into a nice groove with “Pareil Au Même“ (Same At The Same) with another sing-along chorus. “J’ai Connu Mieux” (I Know Better) is part Bo Diddley and part Paul Collins. Its all compelling, without a note of filler – although with the fast pacing we don’t get a ballad, and that could make all this a little easier to digest. Still, this is a highly recommended LP for any power pop fan. And that says a lot! Et ça en dit beaucoup!

Amazon

Cooper

Cooper “ Tiempo, Temperatura, Agitación”

Álex Diez is a veteran pop artist from Madrid, Spain. He played in the mod band Los Flechazos to great success in the 80s and 90s, and after the turn of the century, he formed the indie-pop band, Cooper. His fifth full-length album focuses on meticulously crafted melodies sung in Spanish with layered harmonies and brass. The title “Time, Temperature, Agitation” refers to the old method of developing photographs.

The big highlight is the opener “El Último Tren” (The Last Train) complete with a fuzz riff ending. Next, “Salto” (Jump) reminds me of that old Katrina & The Waves hit “Walking On Sunshine” in tempo and spirit. “Ya Llegó El Verano” (Summer is here) is a naturally sunny melody full of optimism. You can hear the Beatles influence in the guitar playing, and the production is top notch. If you like your power pop with a touch of español, check out Cooper!

Amazon

David Myhr and Dropkick

powerpopaholic
David Myhr

David Myhr “Lucky Day”

David Myhr (The Merrymakers) returns after six years and like many power pop legends of the last century, his quest for musical satisfaction continues on a more mature path. He has gathered an all-star group of songwriters to collaborate with him; Bleu, Linus Of Hollywood and Bill DeMain to name a few. He also enlisted producer Brad Jones in Nashville who explains: “My goal was to show David branching out from his youthful power-pop to a more reflective sound.”

David’s harmony-filled opening number “Jealous Sun’” a gem is buoyed by its simple acoustic melody and its sing-along catchiness. This is typical Myhr, and it just keeps coming. “Negative Friend” is full of McCartney-like piano and layered effects (kazoos, even!) “Room To Grow” starts out subtly and then picks up a breezy casual melody with minor keys, it literally grows on you. But the real showpiece here is the catchy and inspirational “The Perfect Place” with swelling strings it is simply brilliant. After this David shows his romantic side, with the soft pop of “Every Day It Rains,” “Lucky Day” and “Lovebug.” Every song hits the mark, no filler and it is on my short list for 2018’s top ten list. The CD version of the album has four additional singles including the sweet ELO-inspired “Spellbound.” Don’t miss it.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Dropkick

Dropkick “Longwave”

Dropkick knows how to jangle – they’ve been at it for 14 albums. The band, based on Scotland’s east coast, are Andrew Taylor, Ian Grier Mike Foy, and Alan Shields. Like a mix of Teenage Fanclub, Big Star and The Jayhawks the opener “Out Of Tune” is undeniably catchy and instrumentally precise.  “It’s Still Raining” is another big highlight, with frontman Andrew Taylor’s soft lead cruising on top of a jangling rhythm. Even the sparse ballad “Faraway Places,” showcases Taylor’s soul with the lyrics; “There are ways to grow up without getting older.” 

More highlights include “Come Around,” the warm fuzzy riffs of “Giving Way,” “Fed Up Thinking About You.” Dropkick’s chiming guitar chords and great harmonies make this a highly recommended album.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik