Brad Peterson video premiere and some singles

powerpopaholic

Brad Peterson is an indie-pop singer-songwriter from a wooded area near Lake Michigan north of Chicago. There, he built a little back-yard garden shed – where he writes and records his songs. He has shared stages with Jeff Buckley and Radiohead but stopped making music after a spinal injury left him unable to record or perform for several years. Now he’s come back with “The Ellipsis Album.” And it’s not a melancholy project, just check out the video – full review Monday!

Corin Ashley found some unreleased music from his first band Atlas Shrugged, and decided to share it with us! Very cool pop from 1993 that’s available for the first time!

UK mellow popsters Wilson have gone through some line-up changes. “Right Here” is the first Wilson recording made by the newly reconstituted band which now includes Marco Rossi. Enjoy!

Another unrelated Wilson, is Mikah Wilson. And he’s influenced by 60’s/70’s sunshine pop, with his high easy going vocal on “Sunshine Groove” fans of Free Design or The Mamas and The Papas will dig this single.

Freebie Friday: Mitchell Adam Johnson, Diamond Hands, Vista Blue and The Tomboys

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Mitchell Adam Johnson is a Minneapolis artist with impeccable taste in chamber pop, using classical composition and an ethereal vocal on the opener “Through A Mood Indigo.” Akin to Elliot Smith or Bell & Sebastian in approach, the melodic “Keeping Secrets” is a soothing gem that sticks with you through its carnival atmosphere.You are bound to find a favorite ballad here. The instrumentation is also top notch, check out “At Another Stop,” “Losing Sleep” and the rich piano melody on “Tourniquet Love” reminded me of Pet Sounds a little. Highly Recommended and a FREE download.

Diamond Hands made my top album list last year and was definitely one of the best free albums then, so here we go again! Written, performed and recorded by Jon Flynn and Joel Wall, it is a pure pleasure to hear the opener “PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)” with its rich, layered chorus. Hints of The Beatles, psyche-pop and other power pop influences are all over the LP. Great examples are “Now or Never,” “San Francisco,” and “Nowhere” all have lush harmonies and layered rhythms with tinkling piano flourish. And the 60’s styled garage guitar comes out on “Caught Up In A Memory,” it could’ve been a lost hit for The Animals or The Stones. The power pop blast of “Underground” and “Not Sorry” cranks up the energy too. Highly Recommended and a FREE download.

Vista Blue remains a very reliable contributor to our Freebie posts. The band plays sports themed punk-pop in the tradition of The Ramones. They also have a recent single I liked “Why Doesn’t Jimmy Wanna Play?” The new LP “End of The Season” features nine tracks, each representing an inning of a baseball game. You can read the whole story on the band’s Bandcamp page, where you’ll also find a full scorecard from the game as a free download with the music.

For fans of 80’s styled power pop, The Tomboys are back with Vol.3,  download the album free on their website. Check out “Two in Love” and “Tonight.”

Nick Batterham and The Junior League

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Nick Batterham

Nick Batterham “Golden Boy”

Melbourne singer-songwriter Nick Batterham collects his experiences to deliver a mature chamber pop album that recalls the introspective melodies of Nick Drake or Elliot Smith on “Golden Boy.” The title track is a lush lullaby that stops you in your tracks. The follow up “Nothing Lasts” is an upbeat jangling gem about living in the moment, but most of the album is content to stay in delicate folk-pop mode.

The ethereal piano ballad “Perfect Cloud” or the acoustic “Never Write a Love Song” have minimal production and rely on Batterham’s hushed vocals. What makes it work is Nick’s well-developed lyrics and subtle layered rhythms, the best examples being “Impossible” and “Lost in L.A.” The songs are short and don’t wander off topic. This is an album that deserves serious listens over a glass of whiskey (or wine). Cheers to you, Nick.

Pop Boomerang Records


The Junior League

The Junior League “Eventually is Now”

Joe Adragna is back with a new Junior League LP and with the help of Scott McCaughey (The Minus 5, REM) he brings us a strong collection of folk rock. McCaughey has been recovering from a stroke he suffered last year and is currently on an enforced hiatus from recording and touring.   

Starting with the jangling chords of “Teenage Bigstar,” it speaks about those nostalgic trips to the record store because “music is your friend.” The orchestral ballad “The Wrong Kind of Blue” is another highlight with its lush Phil Spector treatment. Next is “You Didn’t Miss A Thing” and with McCaughey’s vocal, it’s a shimmering psyche-pop gem. After the mid-tempo “I Only Want to Begin Again” things get a bit uneven. Still, this is a worthy listen with plenty of emotional resonance, so check it out.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Michael Simmons and KC Bowman

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Michael Simmons

Michael Simmons “First Days of Summer”

Simmons was the guitarist for powerpop band Sparkle*Jets UK and was last heard on The Yorktown Lads. “Do Your Best to Care” is Michael’s promise to give you quality music as a “normal guy,” and he does in a very matter of fact way on the mid-tempo opener. “Get Back What You Put In” is a highlight with a terrific pop melody and great harmonies that deliver a powerful message. “Fuzzy Green Hat” is wonderful quirky Harry Nilsson-like pop gem about writer’s block and “No More Girls” is like a lost XTC gem about getting that “teenage feeling” when you are an adult.

The second half slows down with the calming Beach Boys-like title track, then out of nowhere “EP’s Are Weak” delivers a rap that answers the question “Why is this fat old white dude spittin’ out rhymes?” Well, it turns out to be great advice for the young artists out there and a good argument for the full-length long player. The album does wander a bit into cheesy 80’s moments like “Let’s Fall In Love” and “It’s My Fault.” I liked the more guitar oriented “Bucket List” with its honky-tonk beat and the grungy shredding on “Dirt Nap.” What makes this album really work is that you see the humor in Michael’s lyrics and his day job philosophy (as a teacher) in the music. In addition, the skilled production and composition are also great. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp only


KC Bowman

KC Bowman “Fresher Tin Villages”

KC Bowman is involved in many groups (Agony Aunts, The Corner Laughers, Preoccupied Pipers) but in 1997 Bowman’s Fresher Tin Villages was a huge feature in Bruce Brodeen’s Not Lame catalog. And for good reason.

Bowman delivers a power pop classic here with piano gems (“Palomine Cranes”), guitar brilliance (“Cuban Illness Anxiety”) and each tune flows into the next. Fans of Emitt Rhodes, XTC, and Ben Folds will love this, but if this is new to you — wow, you struck music gold here. The twenty songs pass by so fast, you will be compelled to repeat it over and over. The original CD is a high priced find on Amazon, but I recommend this remastered version on Bandcamp. Proceeds from all sales will benefit Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness.

Amazon (original) | Bandcamp

The Magic Gang and K7s

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The Magic Gang

The Magic Gang “The Magic Gang”

After a long build-up, Brighton UK band The Magic Gang are finally gaining stream with their new LP. They are influenced by Teenage Fanclub, Jon Brion, and others. But I really hear Weezer in the opener “Oh, Saki.” Most of the music concentrates on relationships and how there is always a little hope on the horizon. The standouts “All This Way” has a high energy melody and it leads us to “Getting Along,” about pouring out your frustrations to a soaring chorus. The guitars chug away bringing forth catchy chords and highlighting each hook.

The anthemic “Alright” is another gem with the quiet verse, then loud chorus and the perfect amount of guitar fuzz. After this, the album calms down a little but still draws on those smart melodies. The band’s classical influences come out on the ballad “Take Care,” like a boy band without the schmaltz. The album displays quirky earnest on “I’ll Show You,” and the Beach Boys-like harmonies are brilliant. There isn’t a dud on the album and the crisp vocals are highlighted in a few unplugged versions. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

K7s

K7s “Take 1”

While Kurt Baker is involved with several other projects (Bullet Proof Lovers, New Trocoderos, The Kurt Baker Combo) he’s found another band in Spain to rock around with called the K7s. Their hyperactive power-chords fuse elements of garage punk and power pop. “Running Back To You” is a solid opener and fans of Green Day, The Ramones, and Shonen Knife will love it.

“Listen To My Heart” fights to get that melody past the buzzing rhythm guitars but “Every Night” is another bouncy gem that hooks you good. Each of the songs is short and sweet with a punk spirit that’s stronger than most pop bands, as “I Want You To Know” and “All About Me” shred aplenty. Not everything works, but most of the music will find a place on your playlist. With Kurt’s vocals and direction, this band is poised to chew bubblegum and kick ass. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik