Verskotzi and John Dunbar

powerpopaholic

Verskotzi “Lemon Heart”
This came out under my radar last year, but I’m glad I found Joey Verskotzi’s debut now. A young singer-songwriter with terrific vocals and an aggressive power pop sound. “Luck” is solid evidence that he’s got potential with a great guitar hook in the chorus, and the echoing guitar strums of “Brain Rack” is another gem about obsession. “Heartless Songs” is pretty good analysis of the state of soulless corporate rock, as he sings”Doin’ it wrong. Slavin’ away to heartless songs.”  “8th Street Train” is another excellent rocker with a infectious beat and “Honey” is jangle-lead pop single that’s gotten some airplay.

Occasionally we get examples of Joey’s vocal range on the folky “Burnt Yuppies” and crooning “Blue,” both demonstrate his vocal skills and smoldering sex appeal. Holly Hansen of Zoo Animal lends her vocal support on the track “Abandoned Love” and although it loses a little steam at the end, there is more than enough here to have me highly recommend this album.

Amazon


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John Dunbar “Third Guessing”
New York musician John Dunbar was the man behind the Rutles-esque tribute to The Kinks called The Kunks, and this is his third solo LP. Dunbar has immersed himself into 60’s era singer-songwriter folk rock with some nice Byrdsian guitar flourishes on “Putting An End To What Hasn’t Yet Begun.” The lyrics address doubts and self examinations on “Strangers Will Tell You The Truth.” The Turtles-like “Consider It Considered” is another standout — it sounds both apprehensive and compelling.

The sparse instrumentation occasionally works against the songs for example “Sullenly” takes its time taking about depression and regret, but doesn’t build any atmosphere with its light guitar strums and “Reagan/Fagen” is an annoying couplet that sounds really forced. What stood out for me is the psychedelic “Longing For What Never Was” with a message to you aging hippies out there “Watch out for what nostalgia does… You’re longing for what never was.” While some tracks just don’t have the compelling hooks, this does provide some interesting therapy for fans of P.F. Sloan. Give it a try on Bandcamp.

Amazon

Concert Review: The Bell House Power Pop Festival

Barry Dreyfus
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One didn’t need Mr. Peabody’s Wayback Machine this past weekend if one yearned to return to the heyday of 70’s power pop. One merely had to purchase a weekend pass to The Bell House’s 1st Power Pop Festival (May 9 & 10). For one glorious weekend, we all were transported back to 1978 watching legendary 70’s power pop stars Dwight Twilley, Shoes, Pezband and Paul Collins. The iconic music mag Trouser Press promoted the shows and brought back to NYC these legendary bands, 3 of which haven’t played in the city for decades.

Friday night opened with the Pezband’s original lineup (Mimi Betinis, Mick Rain & John Pazdan). They mixed classic Pezband (“Stop! Wait A Minute”, ” Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, “Please Be Somewhere Tonight”) with well-chosen covers (“Not Fade Away” and “Hippy Hippy Shake”) all with meaty hooks and well-crafted, punchy songs they proved to be a truly potent musical force still.  Dwight Twilley was next and he still has one of the most recognizable voices of all the 70’s power poppers and aided by 20/20 mainstay Ron Flynt on bass (and harmonies), Twilley had the sell-out crowd galvanized from the start. Pulling tracks primarily off his first 5 albums, Dwight’s set displayed the full range of his influences, melding rockabilly, British harmonies and basic ol’ rock n’ roll.

On Saturday it was time for Paul Collins to haul out a treasure trove of iconic songs from his vast catalog. He played earlier chestnuts like “Rock and Roll Girl,”as well as later gems like “Ribbon Of Gold”. And to cap off an already stunning weekend were power pop pioneers Shoes. From the first notes of opener “Head Vs. Heart” you could hear the excitement and joy from the crowd  soaking it all in like a sponge. After the show the throng staggered out into the rain of a late Saturday night feeling nothing but elation; protected by nothing more than the lingering melodies and memories of a weekend in Brooklyn in May of 2014.

Concert Review by Barry Dreyfus | Photos by Joanna Ente

The Power Popaholic Interview: Terry Adams of NRBQ

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Over the course of four decades, NRBQ (short for the New Rhythm and Blues Quartet) has done musical genres from power pop to barrel-house blues to free jazz. Terry Adams has been the constant, playing with a rotating set of musicians for decades. Even a bout of throat cancer in 2004 couldn’t slow him down, and after a short break he recovered and reformed the band in 2007. I was privileged to talk with Terry about the new NRBQ album “Brass Tacks” which is due for distribution on June 17. But you can get an advance copy here.

Phonograph and David Myhr

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Phonograph “Phonograph Vol 1”
UK based band is lead by guitarist/songwriter team of Paul Campbell and Terence O’Mahony. The opener “She Knows It” is a classic power pop structure, similar in style to Badfinger and Teenage Fanclub. One of my favorites here is  “Waiting For The Sun” with its minor chords and “la do da” chorus, and the Beatlesque “You Don’t Bring Me Down” is another catchy gem. And the “hits” keep coming.

The ballad “Losing My Nerve’ has echoes of John Lennon, and “California” has a driving guitar strum that’s perfect for the road. No filler either as each song earns repeat plays. Overall this band’s sound compares well with Taylor Locke and Cirrone and it deserves a spot in my year end top ten. Interesting fact: Some eagle-eyed readers noticed that the songs were created in 2001, but they are just released this year. Originally these songs were meant to be published on the band’s own label, Big Red Records. But after gaining the attention of some major labels, they put off the idea and started shopping for a big record deal. It fell through and the band broke up, leading to Paul and Terence to finally release the LP on Bandcamp.

Bandcamp

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David Myhr “Record Collection” EP
After 2012’s amazing Soundshine, David Myhr (Merrymakers) delivers a few sticky sweet treats with this EP.  Three of the songs also feature the work of Japanese power pop band Puffy AmiYumi. The title track was originally released on the Japanese edition of Soundshine, so it’s good to finally hear that powerful hook and bouncy chorus, perfect for chasing the blues away. “You Stole My Heart Away” was written specifically for Puffy with a sticky “ba ba ba” chorus and shifting key changes.

“Boom Boom Beat” is a pretty good guitar driven rocker, with the backing vocals it feels like a kids rock anthem. . The 10cc cover of “The Things We Do For Love” was David’s entry for the Drink A Toast To Innocence: A Tribute To Lite Rock  album. An Abbey Road version of “Never Mine” is included here as well, and overall a terrific EP without a wasted note, it’s super highly recommended!

Amazon | Itunes

Fernando Perdomo “Warm”

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The full length debut album from former Dreaming in Stereo frontman Fernando Perdomo is what you’d expect from the veteran producer and musician. The comforting atmosphere of “Photographers in Love” and “Home Is Wherever You Are” both contain gentle melodies that evoke Jackson Browne and Elton John. A big highlight here is “Girl With A Record Collection” with a big hook in the opening chorus, Fernando is looking for a girl who “blew me away without saying a word.” and echos of Big Star follow the strums of the ballad “1970.”

The production is crisp and loose with some excellent musicianship on display. Fernando’s songwriting really shines on the acoustic “California Moon” and the sleepy “Angel Lust.” However the second half of this LP gets a little too laid back, so you may need a shot of espresso to stay awake. Otherwise a quality release for one of Miami’s most talented musicians.

Bandcamp