Donny Brown and Icecream Skyscraper

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Donny Brown

Donny Brown “Donny Brown” EP

Last year Donny’s talent floored me on his debut EP Hester Street, as his romantic ballads were great examples of songwriting. On his self-titled follow up, the asian strings of “14 Days” keep the pleasant melody from getting dull and “Now You Can Break My Heart” is another good mid-tempo sing along melody.

Then the standouts “Life of A Stranger” and “Just A Friend” take this EP above and beyond the average. The latter is a brilliant ballad about how a friendly kiss only lit sparks for the receiver and not the giver. Catch the slide guitar break midway through this instant classic. “Losing A Part of Your Soul” is another gem with its catchy chorus. “Reach Out” is a lightweight ending here, but this is still a very highly recommended EP.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Icecream Skyscraper “Mercury In Lemonade”

Icecream Skyscraper is the unique collaboration between two power pop icons; guitarist Huw Gower (The Records) and vocalist Michael Mazzarella (The Rooks). The results are surprising, more progressive rock than pop on the opener “Problem.” One of the better songs here is the beautifully layered “Groove Back” with its piano/guitar interplay.

Mazzarella’s distinctive vocal vibrato turn the 7 minute psych-pop “Turmoil” into another treat. However most of the music settles into a mellow space as “Nineteen in 71” and “Mayday” seem like improvisational meanderings. Gower’s guitar will occasionally overpower the melodies, but sometimes it’s just perfect — like on “(Don’t Shoot) The Messenger.” Ending with a fun cover of Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman,” this is an album for the adventurous listener looking for a slow grower instead of immediate gratification.

CD Baby | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

What’s coming in 2016… Part 2

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honeyThe Honeydogs are back in the studio and if you’re an old fan of the band then you’ve come to expect great music with each release over their 20 year career. Adam Levy’s solo debut was a rare non-power pop LP that I added to my top 25 for 2015 list. The band is funding the new LP on Pledgemusic, and I encourage you to support this great band.

Honeywagen

The biggest anticipated release has to be Emitt Rhodes first new full-length release since 1973. Producer Chris Price has assembled a village of power pop superstars to assist: Roger Joseph Manning Jr, Jason Falkner, Taylor Locke, Fernando Perdomo, and guest appearances from Aimee Mann, Susanna Hoffs, Jon Brion, Nels Cline & Pat Sansone (Wilco), Bleu, Probyn Gregory & Nelson Bragg (Brian Wilson Band). Omnivore Records has set the release date of February 26, 2016. Visit Emitt’s Pledgemusic page here.

Also in the works: Sonic Executive Sessions sophomore album and a new Vegas With Randolph album. And after he’s finished with Emitt Rhodes big re-introduction, producer Chris Price will follow up his debut album. Right now we only have this one song, “Uncle John” he made with Fernando Perdomo. Stay Tuned!

John Faye and Les Fradkin

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John Faye

John Faye “Meddling Kid”

With two decades in the music business under his belt, Philly rock veteran John Faye (Caufields, IKE) has truly gone solo where he plays every instrument on his newest LP. Fans of his past work will be glad to know that he’s just gotten better with age, “Mere Mortals” and “Back In The Day” are brilliant pop songs that touch on getting older without sounding old. The wonderful anthem “Keep On Hanging Around” almost dares the listener not to raise a fist in support of Faye. Like another late ’90s icon Adam Marsland, Faye has only mellowed slightly, he’s still got that fire on “Platonic” about ending up in “the friend zone.” Great stuff here that easily would’ve reached my top 25 if I heard it earlier!

CD Baby


Les Fradkin

Les Fradkin “Rehearsals for Retirement”

Guitarist Les Fradkin was one of the original members of the hit Broadway show “Beatlemania” playing lead guitar and the part of “George Harrison” in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago from 1977-79. He’s in good company, with fellow former cast members Glenn Burtnik and Marshall Crenshaw. Since that time Les has been busy making lots of music (20 solo albums,) pioneered a Guitar Synthesizer, and played with many bands including The Ventures, The Left Banke and David Sanborn.

Rehearsals for Retirement is a 30 track retrospective of his career with selections from his many albums. If you like lots of jangle and heavy gloss production, this is for you. The opener “Jangleholic” and its exactly what you expect it to sound like, with 12 string McGuinn styled rhythm. Fradkin’s selections are mostly a mixed bag, some sure sound like long lost hits from the early ‘70s like “I Can Never Saw Goodbye” and  “God Bless California.” There are some CSNY and Bryds influences on “Get It Together” and “Why Smiling.” So if you’re into rock with a unique point-of-view, this may float your boat.

Amazon | CD Baby

 

Happy New Year from Power Popaholic

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Happy New Year I wish you all a good 2016.

Here is a new song by The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club to close out 2015 and its a FREE download. After going through a pile of lists from other sites, I have a few LPs to review that I missed last year. Then its on to new music for January! BTW, this your last chance to enter our FREE CD Giveaway. Winner gets picked tomorrow.