Tyson Leslie and Evil Arrows

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Tyson Leslie “Train Wrecks, Havoc & Heartbreak”
 Tyson Leslie has been a vibrant part of the Kansas City music scene for over twenty years, playing in various bands now steps out of the sideman role with his debut LP.

Leslie is a rarity, a guitar shredder who actually cares about melody. The Beach Boys used to sing simply about cars and girls, and on “Little Green Honda” he updates the formula and its a damn catchy single. “Crazy All Over You” is a semi-honkey tonk road song that displays Leslie talent for amazing licks. A smooth rock duet with Lyndsey Lou is next on “She Danced Under The Lights” and “Selective Amnesia” recalls Dave Edumnds and Rockpile.

Leslie also has amazing range, from catchy pop of “Suckerfish” to epic rock ballads like “Goodbye To The Rain.” More highlights include “Wasted Time” and the Beatlesque ender “The Last Words.” I couldn’t find any weak tracks, and with precise production values I have to add this to my top ten albums list this year. A real hidden gem.

Amazon | Bandcamp

 

Evil Arrows “2” EP
 As a follow up to January’s “1” EP Bryan Scary is back with an Evil Arrows sequel. Scary is a distinctive voice that is immediately accessible, a rich combination of glam rock and power pop.

“Gods of Light” is a mid-60’s Stones-style tune, but at the chorus it goes into a multi-tracked, dense production of “ba-ba-ba” vocals. “Last Living Doll” is a quick tempo gem lead by staccato guitar riffs and Bryan’s playful lyrics. “A New Age Holiday” has some inventive chord shifts and “Shadow Lovers” struts along like T.Rex and is the standout track on this “side”. Between the 2 EPs, you get one of the best albums this year.

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Jeff Lynne of ELO and Doug Fieger of The Knack confirmed for Power Popaholic Fest!

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Doug_Jeff_together Jeff Lynne of the famed Electric Light Orchestra is all set to perform with Doug Fieger of The Knack at this summer’s Power Popaholic Fest set for Friday August 29 at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn, NY. A full line up of power pop bands from across the country will also perform, the doors open at 7:00pm.

The live announcement drew a traffic-stopping throng to pack the stretch of 4th Avenue in front of The Rock Shop, Jeff took his place behind the microphone, while Doug stood on his left as Mr. Lynne relished their roles in this one-time-only concert event. “We are overjoyed to be supporting this Festival, and hope the fans will spread the word.” said Lynne. The duo will play selections of hits from both The Knack and ELO at 8:00pm sharp. Click for more details.

Phil Ajjarapu and Sonali

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Phil Ajjarapu “Sing Along Until You Feel Better”
Firstly a big thank you to my friend Elizabeth for finding this artist for me. Phil is an Austin, TX based songwriter. He’s session musician and perennial sideman, and was finally prompted to make his solo album after a near fatal motorcycle accident in March of 2012. During his recovery the process was set in motion, meeting producer Ken Stringfellow (Posies, Big Star) and putting together a successful Kickstarter campaign.

The title track is a perfect Beatles-Beach Boys inspiration, with Phil’s vocals multi-tracked over a Jellyfish-styled melody. While the remaining tracks don’t have the same dense production, “Angie” is another bouncy mid-tempo song just brimming with optimism. “The Wedding Song” is blissful acoustic love ballad and “Talk” is a catchy quickie similar to Marshall Crenshaw. Some of the tunes compare well with another DIY artist, Glenn Case as it goes from earnest hope to heartbreak, even ending with the slow self-pity party “I Fail Myself.” A thoroughly enjoyable debut, I can only hope Phil will follow it up.

Amazon


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Sonali “Wake Up” EP
Sonali Argade is a multi-instrumentalist who wields an impressive arsenal of instruments including lead guitar, keyboard, drums and bass. She’ll been hard at work on her sophomore EP. Produced by Kazumi Shimokawa and Justin Tracy, its an  eclectic mix of folky pop-rock, with an emphasis on melody. The title track shuffles along with banjo and drums, as Sonali has a bit of a Paula Cole vibe. “Who We Are” is the big flashy single with a great chorus that showcases her solid vocal talents. On the soft ballad “Find Your Way,” she’s just angelic and “Holding Pattern” makes a great story song, about how flying from place to place changes your perspective on things. Overall a solid EP that has encouraged me to visit previous releases.

CD Baby | Amazon

Temples and Greg Ieronimo

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Temples “Sun Structures”
In a year filled with classic pysche-pop revivalists, add Kettering, UK based Temples to the list. This band is positioned well with Noel Gallagher of Oasis, proclaiming them “the best new band in Britain.” Well I wouldn’t go that far, but they certainly have excellent technique and musicianship down pat. “Shelter Song” is a hip-shaking Byrdsian beat with a nice hook that effortlessly resonates.

The duo of singer/guitarist James Bagshaw and bassist Tom Warmsley skillfully reproduce the sixties ambiance throughout the album with a cerebral and artsy bent. The lyrical obsessions with misty metaphysical puzzles and Eastern meditations also bring to mind the grandness of the era with “Move With The Season” and “The Golden Throne.” Bands from the now defunct Rainbow Quartz Records (Outrageous Cherry, The High Dials and The Grip Weeds) would fit perfectly alongside Temples. Lots of highlights here, “Mesmerize” and “The Guesser” both seem to sound like The Searchers or The Zombies. And “Test of Time” has that expansive wall of sound enveloping your senses.  The only thing that you could complain about is that Bagshaw’s vocal can get buried on a few tracks, as they go overboard on the mellotron and echo effects. Otherwise get this and New Electric Ride LP, paint yourself up in florescent body paint, turn on the black-light and get your groove on. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

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Greg Ieronimo “Bi-Polar Love”
If you’ve been missing Sugar Bomb’s Bully or Enuff Z’nuff and asking yourself, “Why doesn’t anyone make this kind of rock anymore?” Well, Greg Leronimo may be the fix you are looking for. From the opening chords of “Roller Coaster Ride” you are taken on a ride through power pop perfection, with fuzzy chords and dizzying hooks.

Greg’s vocal is mostly double tracked like Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) to help support his lower register. “Catch Me,” while not as immediate boasts a great chorus above a wall of guitars. “Lucky Day” takes a few tips from Jeff Lynne (ELO) with its vocal style and backing vocal techniques. Although this is a short 7-track album (maybe it counts as a EP for some) not a single dud is to be found. “Outer Space” has a strong riffs anchoring everything and “Goodbye Love” is another mid-tempo gem that echos Jellyfish.  The last track “Act Two” is another fast-paced love song that recalls both Weezer and Cheap Trick. Get this FREE from Bandcamp, or order the CD. Highly Recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon

Blow-Up and The Jac

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Blow-Up “Teenage News 1976-1980”
Before Pat DiPuccio joined The Condors, he was in the L.A. band Blow-Up – a fixture at Bomp Records till about 1990. At the time the band was loved by local critics who called them “the best garage-pop band in L.A.” and included Tommy Dunbar (Rubinoos) on a few demo tracks. The unreleased title song showcases the raw punk pop of “Teenage News.” A nostalgic look back in “(It isn’t) 1965” and “Armed Robbery” is pretty standard punk in The Velvet Underground mode.

Things get a bit more sophisticated with the Stones-like “Souvenir” and “Local Hero,” and lead singer Jody Worth exhibits an attitude that is both Lou Reed and Mick Jagger. The most accomplished singles the band was known for was “Beat The Devil” and “Kicking Up A Fuss,”  both featured in the Mad Magazine movie Up the Academy (1980). Fans of The Ramones, Mott The Hoople and Sex Pistols will appreciate this curio of a long forgotten band more than most. Thanks goes to DiPuccio for compiling this piece of pop history.

CD Baby | Amazon

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The Jac “Love Dumb” EP
Joe Algeri and crew, Dave Wallace (guitar), Jason Clearly (bass) and Mark Eaton (drums) are back! After the success of Faux Pas the band concentrates on an organic power pop sound and they sound great on the title track. Likewise the Byrdsian “Wherever You Go” is full of jangling goodness and true proof of Algeri’s awesome talents. Yet another cover of Big Star’s “Thirteen” is always welcome, and just to prove he’s loose — he does a corny electro pop tune “Frantic Romantic” better suited to the next Berlin or Kraftwerk album. Gotta love ’em, as we await more from The Jac.

Bandcamp