Ken Sharp and Siberian Death Crash

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Ken Sharp

Ken Sharp “New Mourning”

Veteran musician Ken Sharp has a special place in power pop history as both a top notch music author and singer songwriter. But we haven’t heard his music in over ten years so its a lucky day when we get the 14-track New Mourning. Add to this special guests Fernando Perdomo, Rob Bonfiglio, Prescott Niles and Rick Springfield. “Dynamite & Kerosene” is a sweet opener with Raspberries styled riffs, jangling rhythm and backing “oohs and ahhs” under the chorus. “Let’s Be Friends” continues the party with a layered combo of vocals, guitar and synths. “Solid Ground” is a Philly soul gem, vocally like a Smokey Robinson or Chairman of The Board song it evokes smiles all around. And the rocker “Crash & Burn” is a glam-tastic earworm that recalls both Queen and Badfinger together — truly a goosebump inducing song.

The album is a song cycle chronicling Sharp’s life with references to a musician’s regettable choices on “Bad News” and “LA Can Be Such A Lonely Town.” And even after the midpoint the quality of songs don’t dip, “Satellite” as an example with ELO-like synths and dense drumwork. Its all killer tracks here as the story arc continues from the acoustic ballad “1000 Guitars,” to the neat Beatlesque “Put The Blame On Me.” Easily this makes my top ten list, the best Sharp’s ever sounded and if it takes another decade to follow up, I’ll be waiting with open ears.

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Siberian Death Crash

Siberian Death Crash “The Trojan Cow”

Two brothers (Robert Turner, William Turner) and two friends (Peter Sargent, Benjamin Galinsky) from Manchester, UK put together this understated gem. The opener “Messengers of Faith” is a lo-fi piano ballad similar to The Eels, but the gentle “The SomnAmbulance” is a dreamlike melodic song with compelling harmonies. “Self-Excavating Prophecies” keeps a similar feel, mixing a Beta Band like psychedelic feel to the guitar riffs.

“Donna Lousie” is a little indie bubblegum song that ends too soon, fortunately the band gets retro with a 60’s soul popper about gameplay on “4 Outta 4 (On The Risk Board).” It goes all over the map after that, (with the 9-minute “Shit Tip” sounding like a lost Dandy Warhols track) but this is still one of the best FREE download album I’ve heard so far. You’ve got nothing to lose, so get it!

Bandcamp FREE download

New Artists and Freebies: Hailee Rose, The Boys Themselves, Vista Blue and Sally Stitches

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Hailee Rose

Hailee Rose “Introducing Hailee Rose”

One of the biggest treats of last week’s Powerpopaholic Fest has been a visit from Dave Rave and his protegee Hailee Rose.  Her debut album captures some of her fantastic voice with help from Rave and his band mates on a series of covers. A classic blues tune “My Babe” is nice opener, kudos to guitarist Chris Wheeler. But Hailee really shines when she belts one out like The Beatles “Oh! Darling” and Aretha’s “Respect.” The recording is crisp and sparsely produced, but doesn’t quite capture the electricity of her live performance. “All Of  The Love” comes closest. Hopefully we’ll hear a lot more from Hailee soon.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfNukdXihHE

The Boys Themselves – A power fuzz trio from Ann Arbor, Michigan and right away they get props for doing a Jeff Lynne cover. Thank you Christian Anderson, Caleb Dillon and John Fossum, you got my attention – now work on an album next. This A/B single is a FREE download too.

Vista Blue is a collective rock band with members in Nashville, New Orleans and Cincinnati. Members have played in The Loblaws (Mutant Pop), Second Saturday (Excellent Records), and The Robinsons (One Eye, Mooster, Killer Records). Some nice three chord power pop here — all baseball themed! Another great FREE download.

Oh and on top of that collaboration, Mike (leader of Vista Blue) teamed up with members of The Hons and 35 PSI to form this quickie band Sally Stitches. The band’s new EP “End Up on 98” starts off with a Beach Boys meets Weezer styled car song “My Cherokee” and it sets the tone for the rest. Overall lots of fun and also a FREE download.

Glenn Case and Beverly

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Glenn Case

Glenn Case “Noble Stuff”

Glenn has been very busy since he impressed us with his brilliant Throw Money LP in 2013. He put forth several albums since, and each has its own distinctive indie charms. Noble Stuff is the latest release and he continues to put his inner narrative to music with great results on the opener “Today is a Song” with its rich fuzz guitar rhythm and a melody about singing a song off key. Then he’s wishing he could write an ear worm like his idol, “Andy Partridge” that “sticks in your mind.”

The guitar work varies in styles from the Rundgren-styled pop of “I Offer You The Broadside of My Jaw” to the folk and rap of “One More Reason” with rapper Sum. He experiments with fuzz sound on the catchy piano pop of “Flood Victim” and “Failure is Always an Option.” While this album is missing the sharp humor we’ve heard in past projects, Glenn’s music is super entertaining and his back catalog is always worth exploring.

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Beverly

Beverly “The Blue Swell”

Catchiest space pop I’ve heard this year, Drew Citron’s ethereal vocals lead Beverly with shimmering noise pop of collaborators Scott Rosenthal (The Beets, Crystal Stilts) and Kip Berman (The Pains of Being Pure at Heart). Its a fuzzy sugar rush on the opener “Bulldozer,” and then the jangle shimmer of “Crooked Cop” is another catchy gem. “Victoria” is another obvious single, with the guitar lines trailing Citron’s vocals as if Enya fronted The Ocean Blue.

“South Collins” is darker and the guitar is heavier, like an oppressive fog over everything. The next few songs have more distortion and are less melodic, “Lake House” and “Contact” feature Citron’s lead buried a bit, until we get to “The Smoky Pines.” A little more easy going, and mesmerizing – its solid dream pop that is highly recommended.

Amazon

The Well Wishers and Dot Dash

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The Well Wishers

The Well Wishers “Comes And Goes”

Jeff Shelton (aka The Well Wishers) is one of the most consistently relaible power pop artists with a sound that is firmly rooted between REM and Bob Mould. On his 8th release Comes and Goes stays the course, it will please followers and earn new fans along the way. “Impossible To Blame” is a great example of what makes Jeff so irresistible; buzzing guitar rhythms, upbeat tempo and a catchy melody. He delves into hard rock and psyche-pop passages through several songs like “It’s On” and “Love Lies Last.” Lisa Mychols adds her vocals to the shimmering “Comes Around.” Its hard to come up with more superlatives for this band, and all I can tell you is pick this album up. Highly Recommended (as usual).

Amazon

Dot Dash

Dot Dash “Searchlighs”

Washington DC based Dot Dash has gradually shifted its sound over the years from a power pop band on 2011’s spark>flame>ember>ash to the fuzz alt. Brit-rock of Earthquakes & Tidal Waves. The band has now gone to a punk garage sound with Searchlights. There is a wild energy that is attractive on the opener “Dumb Entertainment,” and the PIL meets The Jam approach on “Lonely Serenade” and the title track are also enjoyable. But they careen off the rails on “10,000 Days” where you barely hear Terry Banks melody above the din.

The band still can crank out a classic  — “Wishing Star” is great songwriting, with sweet chord progressions and solos. A few more standouts include “Holly Garland” and “Fading Out.” The rest of the album was a little more challenging to stick through only because the songs tend to blend into each other. Still worth a listen and including on your playlist.

Beautiful Music

Free Singles and more: Duerte Sanchez, Preoccupied Pipers, Powder Blue Tux and those darn Aussie guitars!

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Duerte Sanchez is the alias of Californian songwriter Jared Lekites (Lunar Laugh) and here is a sweet little ballad that is a FREE download for you all.

Preoccupied Pipers do a nice cover of Guided By Voices “Now To War.” The band is a collective of California musicians like Ned Sykes, KC Bowman, and others. The band also has a slowed down version of Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy.” Both are FREE downloads. Check it out.

Powder Blue Tux is Barney Hurley from Samuel Purdey‘s new project. And if you love Steely Dan — you’ll flip for this. Jazz-pop that rides the coolness wave with ease. Great single here.


Popboomerang’s latest sampler “The Melbourne Divide” is chockful of great music for a mere $5. Guitar pop band Oscarlima, power pop genius Michael Carpenter, Bryan Estepa and The Wellingtons are featured. All will be featured in a show on July 9 at the Yarra Hotel. Not a bad track here, it’s a highly recommended peak at the music down under.