The Beths and Everet Almond

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The Beths

The Beths “Future Me Hates Me”

Auckland, New Zealand indie-rockers the Beths have a terrific debut that checks all the right boxes. Lead by the angelic vocals of lead singer Elizabeth Stokes, she hooks you right away and keeps you listening. The album focuses on her lack of confidence, self-doubt and does it with tight songwriting and punk-fueled energy. Prior to forming the band, all four members studied jazz at the University of Auckland, but this ain’t jazz. It is pop perfection.

It starts out slowly with the unassuming “Great No One” but by the chorus, you are hooked. The title track is a mainstream “hit” if ever there was such a thing with buzzing riffs underneath Stokes high chirp and soft emotions. “Uptown Girl” is a frantic power pop gem with innocence and fun riffs that don’t quit about “going out tonight.”  Jonathan Pearce is an excellent guitar lead as his riffs on “You Wouldn’t Like Me” and “Happy Unhappy” push the narrative along. The chaotic “Little Death” is more introspective, as the longer songs here tend to be. “Whatever” is the final catchy gem. There are so many good tunes here, all memorable, that grow on you very quickly. This makes it a nominee for my top ten of 2018 list.

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Everet Almond

Everet Almond “Everet Almond”

New York singer-songwriter and drummer Everet Almond was on my radar in 2015 with his first EP, but this year he has released a boatload of music. This self-titled LP starts with a very Beatlesque gem “Local Magistrate” full of big piano chords and harmonies. The bouncy “I Love You” is another pop gem that’s got some McCartney DNA and the easy strumming style of “I Saw Her In The Morning” is another compelling acoustic tune with a sweet middle eight.

The piano tunes “Beautiful Neighbor” and “Anytime You Need” recall late era Stories with its harmony-laden choruses. Most everything here works, and he continues to produce EPs that are worth exploring. And if you want to explore the whole bag of Almond’s past work, Kool Kat Musik has several other collections including Windsor Field and Introduction to Everet Almond. So far everything here is highly recommended.

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The Genuine Fakes and Vegas With Randolph

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The Genuine Fakes

The Genuine Fakes “Issues”

The Genuine Fakes is an indie rock band from Stockholm, Sweden. While it has been nearly a decade since the solid debut, they finally are ready. With Jon Auer (The Posies) as a collaborator, the band produces stellar power pop with Johan Bergqvist (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards,) Mårten Bengtsson (bass,) and Johan Sundin (drums).

“Even With You” is a very good start with its quick tempo melody, requisite guitar rhythm and harmonies. The positive vibes of “Everywhere and All Around” recall The Wellingtons or David Mhyr, as the band stretches its emotional and musical range. The band works on both the soft and hard sides of the power pop spectrum, “Wither Away” is a lovely flowing melody and a highlight that will have you singing along. On “I Won’t Be Home Tonight”  Johan offers a very Jellyfish-like a bit of contrarian advice, about going out to see your favorite band and its brilliant. “In Color” gets a little heavier with bombastic riffs in the arena-like chorus, all about a soldier looking at a black and white photo as his thoughts drift. “My Very Best,” “In It For The Chase” and “Sorry” are additional highlights that hit the mark. Hard to argue that this shouldn’t fit somewhere on my top ten list. Super highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Vegas With Randolph

Vegas With Randolph “Legs & Luggage”

Vegas With Randolph’s fourth full-length album marks the band’s tenth year, and they are as sharp as ever. The guitars are quicker and rock a little bit more than past work. “You Could Say Yes” sets the tone with a very dense layer of guitars and percussion. Next “Jacob,” tells the story of gaining the courage to ride a “roller coaster” and another highlight would be “The Girl Holding Out For Me” with hooks aplenty and magical chord changes. There are no duds here, and the buzzing guitars rule each song but a handful standout amongst them. The sing-song catchy “Women In Airports” and Cars-like gem “Three Red Hooks” are a cut above the rest.

The core of Eric Kern and John Ratts songs are the anchor here with Brock Harris (guitars) and Andy Hamburger (drums) adding the power to it all.  Guests on the LP include Fountains of Wayne’s Jody Porter on “Chick Fighter” and Texas popster Lannie Flowers on his cut “The Weekend’s Coming.” Unfortunately, bassist Dan Aylestock passed away last year from liver cancer. The remaining band members dedicated their efforts to him, notably the ballad “I Have You.” Amazing work, and of course highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Valley Lodge and LowRay

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Valley Lodge

Valley Lodge “Fog Machine”

Since 2013 Valley Lodge was mostly recognized as a really good power pop band who supplied the song “Go” as the theme to John Oliver’s HBO show Last Week Tonight. However, with Fog Machine we need to bump up their status a little more. While the same flashy guitar riffs of that song appear in “Stand,” lead singer-songwriter Dave Hill goes the extra mile here to deliver a truly great power pop LP.

There are plenty of potential “hits” here. The layered harmonies and guitar melodies of “Stars Won’t Fall” start us out, and the super catchy “Come Back To Bed” is like a power pop version of Aerosmith. “I’m Gone” has sleigh bells, giving this gem a holiday feel. The glam guitars return for “It’s Alright” as “Keeping This World Alive” recalls The Raspberries. The band tunes go from testosterone-fueled chords to jangling rhythms but don’t fall into predictability with hooks everywhere. Honestly, not a dud amongst the 14 tracks here. Hard to find a single standout track, as each one is a jolt of high energy.  Not only highly recommended, but it makes my top ten of 2018 nominee list.

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Extra Arms

LowRay “Friends and The Fakers”

Minneapolis-based Americana rock duo LowRay, featuring singer/guitarist Daniel Fowlds and drummer James Irving produce a solid debut with more than its fair share of catchy rock and roll. The opening title track is a strong melody buoyed by chugging riffs and crisp harmonies. “Western Song” slows the pace a little, as Fowlds vocals resemble Jon Bon Jovi through its steady rhythm. The ballad “I’m Sorry” is a true emotional gem as he earnestly sings “doesn’t matter who’s right.” The catchy “8 Track Tapes” and “Waiting For You” both benefit from excellent guitar hooks.

While it can’t maintain the same level of catchiness all the way through, the musicianship is top notch. The ’70s styled strut of “Sooner Or Later” will have you yelling for more cowbell, and most of the songs here deserve repeat listens. Check out this talented band as they are officially highly recommended.

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Singles and EPs: Kai Danzberg, Leafy Seadragon, Jollys, Tad Overbaugh, Air For Ants, Winston-Salem

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Kai Danzberg (he knows all the right people) teams up with the queen of power pop Lisa Mychols for this awesome single.


Leafy Seadragon is like Florence + The Machine meeting Captain & Tennille, and the odd result is created by Allen Clapp (The Orange Peels) with Alison Faith Levy and Ray Newkirk. Very interesting!

The Jollys are a thick bass reverb-drenched rock group that sounds like you are literally in the garage inhaling the fumes. Great stuff here and it’s a FREE download.

Tad Overbaugh & the Late Arrivals are a 5-piece, heartland inspired, Rock ‘n’ Roll band from Boston, MA. Mixing their rock and classic country influences, driving down that highway of Americana, Alt-Country, and Southern-accented power-pop. Check out this FREE download!

We loved “Did You Know You’re Gold,” from Air for Ants. The remaining songs on their new EP Once Again with Feeling kind of wander around a bit, but we also really enjoyed “The Loner” and the gorgeous epic “CLG.” Excellent mood music. Amazon

Winston-Salem is a UK-based band in the proud tradition of classic folk-rock, power pop & alt-rock Americana. Think R.E.M mixed with a little Tom Petty. Single is out on Amazon

International Power Pop: The Innocents and Tommy Lorente

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The Innocents

The Innocents “Teardrop Kiss”

The Australian band the Innocents started out in Tasmania circa 1975. Originally called Beathoven, they achieved some fame and were considered the Aussie version of The Raspberries until they split up in 1981.  But now they are reunited and with producer Michael Carpenter onboard.  Teardrop Kiss proves that you can always come back home.

The original members & high school friends Charles Touber, Greg Cracknell and David Minchin form the core of the band, and because they have not broken through to US audiences, they remain a well-kept secret to many power pop aficionados. That might change, as the opener “Every Moment Matters” is a classic gem with jangling guitars and hooks similar to The Shoes recent comeback.  The styles shift slightly as “Strangers In The Park” has a rousing middle eight and “Teardrop Kiss” is led by a wicked bassline. The gorgeous ELO-like harmonies are a highlight on “You’re Not The Man” and “Change Of Scenery” boasts a very Jellyfish-like composition. The band seems to defy age until the weary final track “The Mouse That Roared.” This is a great album, highly recommended and worth seeking out!

Amazon.uk

Tommy Lorente

Tommy Lorente “Tommy Lorente & La Cavalerie”

There are few pure power pop artists from France, but Tommy is so busy we may not need more. Lorente knows how to rock, and shows it with each riff filled song with his band The Cavalry (La Cavalerie.) Unlike his recent solo work, this is all in the French language.  I’ve compared him to Kurt Baker, as they both take from the same rock influences. Even “J’ai Connu Mieux” starts with a “Johnny B. Good” riff, and “Ne Paire Pas de Nous” sounds like a French version of the Ramones.

But the limitations to this approach are clear, as lyrics become more important if the melodies aren’t that distinguishable. And if you don’t understand French, it just feels less compelling. I found a few standout tracks (in particular at the albums second half) like “Conquistador,” “Katrine” and the fuzzy filled guitar solo on “L’Opportuniste.” This is a great LP for Tommy fans and Francophiles, others may find that Stupefaction is more to their liking.