Power Popaholic Interview: Steven McDonald
Steven McDonald (Redd Kross)
I had an extended interview with Steven McDonald(Redd Kross) about the new self titled album, film, and band autobiography. We talk about the new self-titled album, and how he developed a thick skin on stage, he’s been playing since age 11 after all. Plus we touch on band dynamics with his brother Jeff, The Beatles, and more. Read the album review here. | Buy the album here.The Cle Elum and The Yum Yums
The Cle Elum “It’s Ok If It Falls Apart”
Tennessee band The Cle Elum is the duo of Sarah Sargent Pepper and Ian Lee. Stylistically, it is all over the place, but it’s got some great songs here. The opener, “Handclaps & Harmonies” is a perfect rocker for fans who don’t trust the singer and “don’t care what the words mean.” The style and tone change to Elvis Costello for “…Remember When,” and then 80s-styled rock on the memorable “I am a Robot” with singer Matthew Caws.
“Old Folks” is another quality tune that gives great advice with a hook. It does best with the layered arrangements and synth melody on “Did I Get High” and the Tom Petty-esque “I Wanted To Sleep.” While not every song here maintains the quality, there are enough worthy songs to rate this album highly recommended.
The Yum Yums “Poppin’ Up Again”
Norwegian band The Yum Yums is likely one of the most underrated power pop bands playing today. Next to Japan’s Shonen Knife, I can’t think of another band that does buzzy, Ramones-derived pop better. But more than applying the hook-filled three-chord aesthetic, the Yum Yums approach their music with a dynamite sense of melody, harmonies, and bubblegum sweetness those boys in black leather never had.
Poppin’ Up Again continues a great run of albums since 1993, led by Morten Henriksen. The first three songs stick closest to the Ramones template; “Vitamin U,” “Got Me Good,” and “Do You Like Me” are brilliant high-energy pop. The band adds Beach Boy-styled harmonies on “Baby Doll,” and many tunes have an old-fashioned innocence (like “Dance,” “Candy”) with a sincere sentiment, and buzzing guitars. It’s hard to find a single bad track here, although “Foxy” sounds a little too much like Rum Bar Records labelmate Brad Marino. But despite that, this album is highly recommended and added to my Top Ten list for 2024.
Mid August EPs and singles: Cliff Hillis & Dennis Schocket, The Laissez Fairs, Jamie Turner, Sorry Monks, Scott Roberts, Shake Some Action!
It is a joy to hear Cliff Hillis and Dennis Schocket play for “fun” and deliver this amazing new EP. Every single song is a gem and deserves a space on your playlist. While summer is still here, check out the retro-fuzz of The Laissez Fairs, “Living in The Summer,” and the song “Idiot Proof.” Speaking of retro-sounding new artists, Jamie Turner has popped out another single “Hum Drum” that sounds like a lost Beatles single from 1968. The bedroom pop of Sorry Monks has been hit or miss for me, but he scores on “Young Man.” Scott Roberts reached out to me with his music, and I enjoyed the Big Star-like “After We Go.” Finally Shake Some Action! gives us another echoing single “Spend Your Days In The Sunshine.” Good advice for the remainder of August.
Kevin Robertson and The Martial Arts
Kevin Robertson “The Call Of The Sea”
Kevin Robertson (Vapour Trails) has done it again with a decent album full of jangly power pop, opening with the Byrdsian “Ghosting” and bouncy “The Guilt Trip.” He neatly positions himself stylistically between CSN, Teenage Fanclub, and Big Star. Both songs are great openers on different ends of the pop-rock spectrum. Guest players include Scott Robertson, Nick Bertling, and Nick Frater.
Traditional country is also a large influence here, as “Windows of the Sun” shows. Still, the gentle twang on “Search for Replies” with Frater and Ahren Buchheister (steel pedal) is a great example of his subtle but catchy songcraft. Kevin’s 60s-inflected techniques don’t dominate the album entirely. But the album’s second half moves back towards the psyche pop of “Rain Again,” “Ode to Stephen,” and “Fortune Teller Lied.” Another gem here is “Long White Feathers,” with its magical bridge and “ba ba ba” harmonies to make it a standout. The production is warm and the mix is crisp-sounding (thanks, Nick!) You’d have to admit Kevin’s songs here are a step up from last year’s ‘Magic Spells Abound,’ which makes this album highly recommended.
Amazon | Kool Kat Musik
The Martial Arts “In There Like Swimwear”
Paul Kelly (BMX Bandits) has a lot of talent and lets it show on his latest Martial Arts LP. “Hold On Full Of Hope” has a jaunty guitar, and quirky piano melody, a mix of rock and roll with elements of musical theater and bedroom pop. The song dovetails directly into the similar sounding “Empty Out Here.”
Next, “The Attractions” boasts some terrific harmonies in a composition that brings to mind early ’80s Elvis Costello with its organ lead. “No Victory” is another great song with so many catchy details. The theatrical approach resembles Sparks on “Something in the Water.” The clever percussion also leads to a massive chorus on many slow building songs like “Working On My Eyes” and the ELO-esque gem “No Coming Down.” But nostalgic touches are mostly the window dressing, as Paul Kelly creates music in his own unique style and it deserves a much bigger audience. So many highlights it’s easy to see why this one is highly recommended.