Phil Everly of The Everly Brothers passes away.

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Phil Everly, who with his brother Don formed the duo The Everly Brothers passed away today (Jan. 3, 2014) He was 74 and died from complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The duo had dozens of hit songs, and it was their pristine harmonies that influenced a generation of rock artists from The Beatles, Beach Boys and The Byrds. The reason harmonies are so prominent in rock and power pop is because The Everly Brothers did it first.

When people ask me if I liked and listened to any musicians from the early days of Rock and Roll (pre-Beatles era), my list is very small.  I’m not a big Elvis fan, but I really liked Del Shannon, Bobby Darin, Jerry Lee Lewis and The Everly Brothers. I had the big box set of hits in my car CD player for years. Their influence is so great even today’s artists pay tribute – The newest duet album from Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) and Norah Jones is Foreverly.  So bow your head in thanks and respect for Phil. He’ll never be forgotten.


Even 30 years after the heyday of their fame, they could still kick ass in concert.

 

Highly Recommended: Favorites from 2013

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With so many albums to listen to each year, I’m still sorting through favorites. Here is a list of bands that were all on my “Highly Recommended” list that deserve some love. Some were on other bloggers “best of” music lists, so give these artists a listen and you won’t be disappointed:

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The New Trocaderos and The Rationales

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The New Trocaderos “Money Talks/The Kids” EP
The New Trocaderos are Brad Marino and Geoff Palmer from The Connection and fellow power popper Kurt Baker in a wild collaboration with songwriter/producer Michael Chaney.  “Money Talks” is straight from the Connection template of fast tempos, solid guitar riffs and harmonies all the way through. “The Kids” is sung by Baker and comes closer to the Ramones/Elvis Costello style. Either way this is a really nice EP and great way to start the year. Any chance a full LP will be on its way?

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The Rationales “Dream Of Fire”
Even after giving myself a rest after my top 25 last week, I will find lots and lost of music I missed. The Rationales’ latest EP, Dream of Fire,  features 5 tracks recorded with producer Ed Valauskas (Juliana Hatfield, Graham Parker)and showcases the improved songwriting and skilled musicianship that make them a band that belongs on your radar. “Drunk all the Time,” and “Radio” are hard driving pop tracks that have plenty of melodic muscle. The remaining tracks allow the band the get denser, anthem-styled rock songs out, and I look forward to more from this talented band in 2014.

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Eric Carmen brings in the New Year.

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One of the most enduring power pop legends is Eric Carmen (The Raspberries). Just in time for the start of 2014, “Brand New Year” is Eric Carmen’s first new recording in over 15 years, finding the Artist in a reflective and optimistic mood for the future, both lyrically and sonically. This new song is the first premiere from the upcoming Legacy Recordings 30 track career retrospective, “The Essential Eric Carmen” – set for release March 11, 2014.

The Power Popaholic Top 25 Best albums of 2013

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Here is the full list:

  1. Wyatt Funderburk – Novel and Profane
  2. Corin Ashley – New Lion Terraces
  3. Secret Friend – Time Machine
  4. The Nines – The Nines
  5. Nick Piunti – 13 in My Head
  6. Lisa Mychols – Above, Beyond & In between
  7. Glenn Case – Throw Money
  8. The Connection – Let It Rock!
  9. Stephen Lawrenson – Obscuriosity
  10. The Junior League – You Should Be Happy
  11. The Grapes of Wrath – High Road
  12. The Candle Thieves – All’s Well That Ends Well
  13. Gleeson – Gleeson II
  14. Greg Pope – Pop Motion Animation
  15. Agony Aunts – Big Cinnamon
  16. The Bye Bye Blackbirds – We Need The Rain
  17. Eric Barao – Eric Barao
  18. Shake Some Action – Full Fathom Five
  19. Valley Lodge – Use Your Weapons
  20. Vegas With Randolph – Rings Around The Sun
  21. Et Tu Bruce – Suburban Sunshine
  22. Magic Eight Ball – Sorry We’re Late But We’re Worth The Wait
  23. Parthenon Huxley – Thank You Bethesda
  24. Frank Bango – Touchy Feely
  25. The Orange Peels – Sun Moon

Notable mentions/favorites (yes I loved these albums too in no special order):

Top 5 EP releases of 2013

  1. Nick Capaldi – The Golden Summer
  2. Honeychain – Futura
  3. Timmy Sean – East Coast Girls
  4. Justin Kline – Doormat
  5. The Paul and John – Everything Comes Together

Top Compilation albums of 2013

  1. Drink A Toast To Innocence: A Tribute To Lite Rock
  2. International Pop Overthrow – Volume 16
  3. The Beatles – Live At The BBC

This was a very tough year as I didn’t want to go over 25 albums on the main list. And for all purposes, you could swap out any of those notable mentions for anything on the list not in the top ten. I hope you support the artists mentioned above by purchasing their music. After all, you’ve got to do something with all those gift cards after the holidays!

If you’d like to hear some complete versions of songs from my top ten and more be sure to tune-in to internet radio 11L Radio New York International on Sunday evening (12/29/13) at 7:30pm EST.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.