Liam Gallagher and The Brixton Riot

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Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher “As You Were”

Those in need of an Oasis fix certainly need look no further. Where Noel got high flying, Liam has stayed grounded and put the mantle of Oasis on his shoulders with all the John Lennon influences intact, albeit less retro than his previous work on Beady Eye. This is in fact the best post-Oasis work of either Gallagher. Ad: Great discounts and offers are now available from CouponsMonk.

“Wall of Glass” delivers the upbeat echo and solid beat, Liam’s vocal stands out on each song here. One of the early gems “Greedy Soul” is very catchy and is a great tune to work out to. Other highlights include “Paper Clown”, “For What It’s Worth”, “Universal Gleam,” “Chinatown” and “I’ve All I Need.” Overall there are no filler tunes, with a good balance of rockers and ballads and most every track had my full attention. As Liam states “sometimes we lose our way,” so I’m glad he’s back and free from Noel’s shadow. With so few “mainstream” power pop artists left in the public eye, it is nice to have that brief spotlight. Highly Recommended.

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The Brixton Riot

The Brixton Riot “Close Counts”

Veteran New Jersey power-pop band The Brixton Riot deliver “Close Counts,” their sophomore LP release, a bit older, wiser and definitely louder. The band’s influences are a diverse group from The Jam, The Replacements, Elvis Costello and Nirvana. The openers “Can’t Stop Now” and “Slow Evolution” boast driving percussion and steady guitar melodies. The more subtle “Hector Quasar” is a bit like The Lemonheads, and the fuzzy jangle of “The Ballad of Pete Best” is a fun tribute to the ex-Beatle drummer “who should’ve learned to play the guitar.”

The faster, grungier guitars of “Maybe Tomorrow” are contrasted by the optimistic vocals as there is no drop off in the quality of musicianship on the album’s second half.  “Little Spark” about the love of music on vinyl and boomboxes, and “Talk About Nothing” are resonant rockers about being “so bored.” But you will not be bored because this is damn good power pop. Overall, the lack of consistent hooks brings this album down a notch, but as the title states, close counts and this music definitely deserves to be heard.

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No Tricks, Lots of Treats (Singles and EPs)

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The Connection “(Its A) Monsters’ Holiday”
One of our favorite bands has a timely holiday single available, so give “The Monster Mash” a break and try this NEW classic.

The Zags are back! Portland artist David Ricardo delivers a monster single in “A World Away,” a really catchy gem! And it’s a FREE download!


Stay “Always Here”
Brilliant jangle psyche-pop from Minneapolis, Minnesota also delves in a few covers like The Bee Gees “Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You” and The Kinks “Where Have All The Good Times Gone.” Produced By Owen Morris and featuring guitarist Andy Bell on “You Know It’s Right.” Highly Recommended.


Walty “I’m in Love With Everything”
Philly band goes all over the place from New Wave, Disco, Hard Rock and everything in between. Variety is the spice of this EP.

Hidden in the vaults of Capricorn Records USA for over 50 years, we found lost ’60s band Stone Ridge only has a single available. Fortunately for us, we also have a tribute EP featuring Vinnie Zumo, Jose Estragos and Joe Ricardello (The Modulators) that really make that song shine. And no trick folks, it’s Power Popaholic’s treat; A FREE download for your goodie bag!

Dana Countryman and more

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Dana Countryman

Dana Countryman “The Joy Of Pop”

Dana Countryman is a treasured talent that has devotes himself to the lost art of 70’s styled AM pop, his songwriting and compositions are a perfect amalgam of Richard Carpenter and Neil Sedaka on his latest Joy of Pop. The opener “Perfect Sunny Day” is a excellent example of Beach Boys styled sunshine pop, full of bubblegum and rainbows. “No Other Guy” is a great follow up, a sugary mid-tempo love song with great rhythms and criss-crossing harmonies. Dana gets help from Dee Long (Klaatu), Matt Tyson, Chad Quist, Mike Marinig and his wife, Tricia Countryman.

Most of the songs are romantic yearnings, like the near-obsessive “Can’t Stop Thinking ‘Bout You” and “Oh, Roxanne” about crushing shyness. Dana goes doo-wop “With All My Heart” and “Hang On Little Girl,” so you’ll hear some Four Seasons influences too. A harmony duet with Tyson “Tell Me That You Love Me” is a very Everly styled gem. Unfortunately, with 14 tracks Dana loses steam towards the album’s end as the songs get more saccharine, and overly sentimental. Like gorging on cotton candy, you can only take so much. However, a majority of the music is pure magic. Get it!

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Video Album Previews

Canadian music icon and former Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page will be touring again, here is the video from his recent solo LP “Surprise, Surprise”
They Might Be Giants are back with “I Like Fun” and they sound better than ever. Album drops on January 19, 2018.

The Stanleys and The Sighs

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The Stanleys

The Stanleys “The Stanleys”

The Stanleys, a power pop band from Perth, Western Australia have a sound solidly rooted in the late ’70s and early ’80s. The band is Mark Di Renzo (Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar, Keyboards), Jamie Horsburgh (Guitars, Vocals), and Tomas Dahl (Drums, Guitars, Vocals). Fans of The Rubinoos, The Producers and The Modulators will simply love this. I reviewed the group’s debut EP years ago and now that has been incorporated into this full release. The opener “Amy” is a perfect example, with its fast tempo and hook-filled riffs that just beg for repeat plays. “Cigarette Glow” is another infectious gem, oozing style with its layered crunchy guitars.

Earlier songs fit right in, with standout “My World,” full of fuzz and jangle. It would pass for an oldie if not for all the lyrics that mentioning “clicking a mouse” and “Facebook.” Another notable track is the very timely “Hefner” coming recently after the Playboy mogul’s passing, which looks back in envy at his life, “the old guy’s got it made,” croons lead singer Di Renzo. Another song “Say You Will” has some nice harmonies and key changes. One pet peeve I had was the mixing, that tends to make the vocals blend into the rhythm a little too much but otherwise, it’s all killer, no filler. Highly Recommended.

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The Sighs

The Sighs “Wait On Another Day”

More than two decades after releasing their last album, The Sighs return with a new full-length album. We premiered the video last month, and the famed Massachusetts band consists of Tom Borawski (drums), Matt Cullen (lead guitar, vocals), Robert LaRoche (lead vocals, guitar) and Tommy Pluta (bass, vocals). The album starts with the foreboding opener “It’s Real” with layered atmospheric production and sharp guitar chords. Fans of late 90’s grunge rock will enjoy this and the follow up “Words Of Love” which has an arena rock feel to it, but it’s not until the title track “Wait On Another Day” that we really get true power pop, with the jangling Rickenbackers and hooky chorus. The strong effort includes the sitar intro and swirling psyche-pop of “Love From Lisa,” one of the strongest songs here with a heavy dose of Beatlesque musical cues. “Summertime Roses” also echoes those Fab roots with its keyboard rhythms and trumpet flourishes.

With all those retro stylings, it still never feels stuck in any one mode, and sounds modern enough to not classify as a nostalgia act. The heavy chords of “Socialite” and “Into The Light” indicate the darker side of pop is part of The Sighs DNA as an alternative rock band that plays great power pop. A live experience ends the album with “Think About Soul” combining both styles into a perfect example of what makes this band special. Check it out if you’re into original music with a twist.

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Freebies, Singles and More: Dan Rico, Everet Almond, Justine and The Unclean, Andy Reed, YYY

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Chicago musician Dan Rico’s take on glammed-up blues pop is solid here on “Flesh & Bone,” sure to bring up memories of Marc Bolan. “Gold Volvo” also features some nice guitar work.

Everet Almond delivers a demo EP, “The Starlight” is a good acoustic number with attitude. “Summertime” has that McCartney bass line, and “Call My Name” features piano by his son Waylon (age 6). A fun little EP that’s a FREE download.

Brand new single from the upcoming Rum Bar Records release Justine and the Unclean ‘Get Unclean’ has lead singer Justine Covault pleading with her idiot boyfriend, also check out the related “Love Got Me Into This Mess” both are FREE Downloads and both rock!

The super talented Andy Reed released this single under the moniker The Reed Brothers featuring Jason Reed. This advance single will be part of a full-length concept album in 2018.

Minneapolis synth player YYY does the whole Pet Sounds album. Features many guests and to some, this is interpretation may be sacrilege. On the other hand, it’s tough to mess up Brian Wilson and some of this is quite lovely (“You Still Believe In Me” and “Caroline No”). A FREE download.