Holiday Music: Kool Kat and Grumpy Cat

powerpopaholic

Various Artists “A Kool Kat Kristmas Vol. 2”

Ray at Kool Kat Musik did so well with last year’s Christmas compilation that we now have “Vol.2.” The 13 tracks include some exclusive ones. The Pencils actually re-formed to contribute their track plus other power pop bands like The Honeymoon Stallions, The Split Squad, The Bottle Kids (featuring Captain Storm), The Connection, Shake Some Action, and others are included. Some of the proceeds will be donated to The Susan Giblin Foundation for Animal Wellness and Welfare which was formed to honor the memory and continue the work of  the late Susan Giblin (wife of Parallax Project/Split Squad bassist Mike Giblin). So you get great music and contribute to help cats in need.

The opener “Christmas is Coming Again” is a new classic, and we hope The Pencils stays together for more music. Other standouts include the soulful ballad “You Always Come Back Home” by The Genuine Fakes, “Beatles Vinyl” a fantastic jangling single by The Tor Gudes and “Glad Its Christmas” by fan favorite Stephen Lawrenson. Another favorite of mine is Wyatt Funderburk’s “Cold” with its slow deliberate falsetto, which captures the mood perfectly. Highly Recommended.
power pop
Listen at Soundcloud | Buy at Kool Kat Musik

Grumpy Cat Christmas

Various Artists “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever OST”

Since we are talking about cats… I won’t talk about the movie, other than this internet star’s debut is vilified by critics, therefore its sure to be a smash hit amongst kids and Cat people. There are 14 full tracks and 3 bonus tracks on this CD, a combination of original and classic tunes (most not part of the movie). We then get the best stuff early on, KT Tunstall doing a “Sleigh Ride,” Brian Setzer’s “Jingle Bells” and the ever commercial Pomplamoose’s “Up On The Housetop.”

Most of the originals are done by House of Breaking Glass, done in a style very similar to Tom Waits. “A Very Grumpy Christmas” is the highlight here, a light rant about the holiday. There is a lot of filler in between, but other highlights include the jazzy Johnny Reid doing “White Christmas” and the cool “All I Want for Christmas (is My Two Front Teeth)” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Also worth noting is the bonus tracks featuring other internet cat memes Keyboard Cat and Nyan Cat. Worth adding to your Xmas Music collection, even if you are kind of grumpy.
power pop
Amazon

 

Lunchbox and Wild Party

powerpopaholic
Lunchbox

Lunchbox “Lunchbox Loves You”

Oakland, California duo Tim Brown and Donna McKean are Lunchbox. The band is very much in the style of Apples in Stereo with its twee vocals and compact bubblegum melodies. Starting with “Everybody Knows” it sets up the sound with multi-layered harmonies and instrumentation, next “Tom, What’s Wrong” is like a teenage poem with its rhyming lyrics and minor chord shifts.

There is a punk spirit underneath each pop confection, “Will You Be True” with its fuzz guitar and distorted vocals shimmers along. The simple love songs also recall The Beach Boys with its innocent attitude and composition, a good example being “It Feels Good To Lose.” Each song is wonderfully realized without a hint of filler. Like hearing lost AM pop classics through an indie-rock lens, it really impressed me with its consistency and quality. Highly recommended.
power pop

Amazon

Wild Party

Wild Party “Phantom Pop”

I was told by a long time reader to check out this band. This band is what “the music industry” calls “power pop.” In the mold of Maroon 5 and (dot)Fun, it is full of dance synth lines, upbeat drumming and the guitar parts are buried real deep. No doubt some younger folk will love this, as it leans more on the “pop” side of things. Songs here would fit effortlessly on any Top 40 radio station playlist alongside bands like One Direction. What makes it stand apart from the pop pablum are the bands finely crafted melodies.

Wild Party is a San Antonio, Texas band formed by lead singer Lincoln Kreifels and guitarist Lucas Hughes. “When I Get Older” is a great, catchy and irresistible single, that will have you humming the chorus long after its over. “Outright” is another fast paced, high beats-per-minute track. The entire album does make for a great aerobic workout, and no slow songs break up the pace. My favorites are “Violet” and “Chasin’ Honey” where the guitar actually takes the lead with a great message about following your muse. Some songs risk sounding too homogenous, but if you want radio ready (for 2014) this LP is highly recommended.
power pop

 
Amazon

International Power Pop: El Inquieto Roque

powerpopaholic
The Intercontinental Rip Off Artists

El Inquieto Roque “3D”

On occasions I’ve reviewed foreign albums, but this one is special.  Translated the name is “Restless Rogue” and he’s an inspiring and talented musician from Valencia, Spain. This wonderful melodic pop magic is like a Spanish mix of ELO and Jellyfish. If someone wants know how power pop translates outside of the USA, this is a textbook example of the genre at its best. Even if you don’t know a word of español, you will still find yourself humming the melody to “Hay Algo Muy Dentro De Mi” (roughly translated to “There’s Something Inside of Me”).

The production is professional and crisp throughout. Whet your appetite with the multi-tracked vocals of “Chiliburguer” reminding me of both ELO and Pilot singing about their favorite lunch. “Cada Dia” has a jangle similar to Teenage Fanclub, and the Beatlesque Rickenbacker guitar makes “Tengo Algo Que Decirte” another “must-listen” song. The three part harmonies on “Coffee Break” (which include a few words of English) is another modern, catchy gem. Honestly, no filler here  and I swear if this was in English it would be in my top ten for 2014 easily, but I can confidently call this my favorite foreign language power pop album this year.

power pop

Get this album only at Rock Indiana Records
In this country El Inquieto Roque’s 2011 album Plan B is available.

We Are Catchers and The Yorktown Lads

powerpopaholic
TWe Are Catchers

We Are Catchers “We Are Catchers”

If the Beach Boys grew up a stone’s throw from Liverpool they might have sounded like We Are Catchers. The smooth echoing piano leads the opener “Water Edge” as lead vocalist Peter Jackson’s melody captivates. Next, “Tap Tap Tap” and “If You Decide” employ the Phil Spector Wall-of-Sound technique very effectively.

The Coral’s Bill Ryder-Jones gives Jackson an assist on several tracks, and when things slow down on “Over The Hill” its just mesmerizing with those harmonies and bass guitar. Nothing here is that innovative, but when the old techniques are done with this much care, it makes it all worth it.
power pop
Amazon

Yorktown Lads

Yorktown Lads “$200” EP

During the kickstarter campaign for The Yorktown Lads debut LP “any patrons that donated $200 got a ‘reward’ of a special song in their honor. First is a song about Tall Boy Records entrepreneur “Anna Borg,” really a catchy gem and all the lyrics were based on her Facebook profile!

“Ping Pong” highlights the band’s soft vocal harmonies and “Carpet Kit” is a dead ringer for a Fountains of Wayne song. “Best Side Of Me” was written by Howard Herrick (Minster Hill) and has a great jangle vibe. Listening to this really has me excited to review the upcoming debut. Bandcamp Only and highly recommended.
power pop

Thursday Freebies: Quiz Kids, Smile Factory, The Rationales, Cosmos Tape Factory and Declan Snowden

powerpopaholic

Before all the holiday singles hit your inbox,  I wanted to share some great FREE bandcamp music with you — enjoy!

Brooklyn, New York, based musicians Jason Korenkiewicz and Lisa Klimkiewicz (both of Boy Genius) are joined by Northampton, Massachusetts’ Jason Bourgeois (Bourgeois Heroes) to form the trio called Quiz Kids. This EP gives you great catchy DIY bedroom pop “I Want You To Know” is a  great example.

Smile Factory is the collaboration of Torbjorn Petersson (guitars and vocals), Bill Shaouy (keyboards), Lee Wiggins (drums), Zeus Henderson (bass), and the celestial choir of angels Keith Klingensmith, Brandi Ediss and Karen Basset. Love that Swedish power pop!


Boston band The Rationales have been doing some charitable music, an LP to help Animal Rescue of Boston contains a cover of Mary Lou Lord’s “Some Jingle Jangle Morning.”  They are also releasing this single as part of the Keep Safe Boston campaign benefiting Planned Parenthood. Check it out!


Cosmos Tape Factory (Stu Kidd and Joe Kane) give us this hilarious single about a lobster dude who can’t wipe his butt! Yeah, this one isn’t free but its so much fun I had to add it. You’ll be humming this one all night!

Declan Snowden is a Dublin-based singer/songwriter hailing from Galway. This stunningly good EP was recorded at the famous Westland Studios in Dublin and its a treat for those who love classic pop. “Getting My Hopes Up”  and “Believe In Me” are a brilliant singles. Tell’em you heard it here first. 

Go to top