JoDee Purkeypile and Richie Fontana

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JoDee Purkeypile “Messenger”
This is the second solo album by JoDee Purkeypile (The Alice Rose) and starting with the piano melody of “Cruel Movements” its full of double tracked vocals and Elliot Smith styled isolation. “I Think It’s Alright” breaks out a fantastic guitar riff, with various variations of the chorus.

Purkeypile brings his English power pop influences to the forefront so if you like Squeeze, Crowded House, Nick Lowe and Badfinger you’ll enjoy this. The bounce of “Wired Wrong” and Elton styled piano of “She Can Ride A Bike” are real gems. JoDee’s mastery of the classic instrumentation and layered arrangements invites repeat listens on many tracks, notably “Storm On The Sea of You and Me.” Things slow down towards the albums end, but overall an excellent album to dig into. Highly Recommended!

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Richie Fontana “Steady On The Steel”
Studio journeyman guitarist/drummer Fontana has a long and impressive career.  Getting his start in Piper (Billy Squire’s first band,) Richie then worked with Paul Stanley (Kiss,) Laura Branigan and many others. Eventually Richie made the commitment to step out with his first solo LP. It should also be noted that, although Richie has Multiple Sclerosis, he’s carried on and done everything himself on the album (including mixing, producing and arranging).

Steady On The Steel has a classic 80’s power pop sound, and his vocal cadence resembles Billy Joel on the catchy “Every Time I Dream.” The production here is clean and the musicianship is flawless, as the title track demonstrates. I’m sure if some of these songs made it to the radio back then, you’d have several big hits – “Be My Shadow” and “Tomorrow Never Comes” being prime examples.

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Red Jacket Mine and Baby Scream

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Red Jacket Mine  “Someone Else’s Cake”
Seattle band headed by songwriter Lincoln Barr (also in Stag), who’s smart lyrics and casual style are a mix of both Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. Red Jacket Mine also has a hint of pub rock and Memphis soul, shown on “Amy” with its tight composition and wild outro. The big hooks come out on “Ron Nasty” as the guitar and harmonies are in perfect form.

“Engineer” boasts a sax and drum rhythm and shambling Bowie-like chorus that really wins you over too. Add a touch of Steely Dan and you get “Skint City” and “Listen Up (If the World is Going to Hell)” with its 70’s lounge vibe. It’s also got a Elvis Costello styled cynical streak that runs throughout each track. Each song is solid (no filler) and it varies the style enough, adding alt-country on “Have You Got A Permit To Preach On This Corner.” It ends with the infectious beat of “Bellar & Bawl.” Highly Recommended for sure.

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Baby Scream “Baby Scream” Special Edition
Of all the bands from Argentina with songs in English, Baby Scream has had the most power pop success. Lead by Juan Pablo Mazzola, the band has produced several good albums, and has decided to revisit and re-release the debut LP, which I reviewed back in 2010. And Juan has added some original mixes by producer Muddy Stardust (Chris Robinson Brotherhood, LA Guns, Col. Parker). Lets not forget the band also has a FREE album of covers called “Lost Balloons” you can pick up here.

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The Power Popaholic Interview: Graham Alexander

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I had a great conversation with Graham Alexander. We talk about his beginning as a musician and I learn about his fascinating background. Did you know his dad is Fran Smith Jr., bass player for The Hooters? And he grew up listening alongside Eric Bazilian, Glen Burtnik and Marshall Crenshaw? And his first major musical influence was The Compleat Beatles [VHS]. Oh and yes, he’s working on a his sophomore LP. Listen here and for even more video goodies, go to Graham’s Interview page.

The Paul & John, The Bolts and Swim Atlantic

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The Paul & John “Everything Comes Together” EP
The Paul & John is not a Beatles tribute band. Nor are they particularly big followers of the Papacy. Their name tells it like it is, they are the combined songwriting and performing talents of Paul Myers and John Moremen. Produced by Allen Clapp (Orange Peels) its technically a single in advance of the new album “Inner Sunset,” but this is so good – I wanted to give you readers a heads up now. The B-side “Long Way Back” is a more rock oriented song – only two bucks on Bandcamp.

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The Bolts “Wait Til We’re Young”
The Bolts waste no time in pushing out a new LP (with tracks from the EP included here). The polished slick sound of “Tell Me” is radio-ready pop rock, but without a hook and over 4 minutes long (ugh!) Once again “Walk Away” has a much better command of rock melody but the band moves away from this guitar heavy sound on most of the album. On the title track, “Wait Til We’re Young” the guitars help support the lead vocals, and the melody is compelling. The band pulls off some impressive 4-part harmonies in a dance rock format, think The Killers meets The Click Five on “Caving In” and “Play The Music” has the synths and dance beats “That make the ladies sigh.” Then it mimics Queen/Mika vocally on “This Can’t Be Real” with heavy guitar riffs. It’s this dual nature (rockers/dance popsters) that makes The Bolts stand out.

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Swim Atlantic “Swim Atlantic” EP
Portland, OR based group that loves harmonies. The opener “Seam To Seam” is a terrific single with a catchy melody which sounds like Weezer meeting up with The Explorers Club. “Cripple The Villian” while ambitious with a great bassline, lays it on thick and doesn’t work until the chorus. Those gorgeous harmonies come back on the short “We Will” which leads to the sweet surf tune “Runaway,” a Beach Boys homage that works nicely (even if the falsetto is used a bit too much). The multiple melody lines in “Closest to Perfect” is another demonstration of the band’s ambition and talent, with Spanish styled guitar breaks. Clearly these guys need better producing and mixing to prosper – I’m hoping some label will come to the rescue. This band deserves it!

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Honeychain and Dynamo Bliss

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Honeychain “Futura”EP
Honeychain is the solo project of Hillary Burton from the band Nushu, and the first thing you notice is the fuzzier and heavier guitar sound of “The All-About-Me Girl.” Burton’s clean mutli-tracked vocals keep the melody together and make it closer to the rock of Jana Peri or Joan Jett, without the growl. “Easy To Forget” is a highlight as the melody here really sticks, and the fast paced rhythm and climbing baseline hooks you. “Two Fools” is a catchy break-up tune with some great minor chord shifts that keep you wanting more, thankfully one slower tempo song, “Than You” allows us to catch our breath and ends in an echoing finale. Overall an excellent EP that proves Hillary’s sweet vocal can deliver rock and roll spice.

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Dynamo Bliss “Poplar Music”
Dynamo Bliss floored me with their debut of prog-influenced, conceptual pop rock in the tradition 10cc. In retrospect it’s a much better album than I gave it credit – and now Swedish brothers Stefan and Peter Olofsson, with Mikael Sandström returns with Poplar Music.

This is a much lighter affair, sounding more like Andrew Gold with tight vocal harmonies on “Can You Hear The Sound.” And ELO fans will love “And Forever” with its magical synth melodies and bright chorus. “Over The Rolling Hills” provides a longer narrative with a banjo accompaniment in the chorus. “Savage Minds” is another highlight with 70’s pop overtones, along with the faux boogie of “Panic In Their Eyes” and melodic chorus of “Running Out Of Mind.” Although there isn’t a driving LP concept, this collection highlights the stellar musicianship of the band. Highly recommended, of course.

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