so I intend to take a few days off from music reviewing this weekend to enjoy the last few days of summer. I have many new artists to promote next week and lets not forget September 22, 2012 is Powerpopaholic Fest. I expect all of you have marked your calendars for this awesome show. Click on the ad to your right for more info.
Wanderlust and Dan Miraldi
Wanderlust “Record Time”
The reunited Scot Sax and Rob Bonfiglio bring back this classic 90’s power pop outfit into the spotlight. “Lou Reed” displays the grit and melodic riffs that got them noticed in the first place. Sax and Bonfiglio look back wistfully in “Blow Away” and brings some Raspberries nostalgia on the brilliant “Friend Tonight.”
The album’s theme is no doubt autobiographical, “Fork In The Road,” “Easy Street” and my favorite here, “We Need A Drummer” could be the soundtrack to a rock musical. The song starts slow, then builds to a Cheap Trick styled guitar and keyboard attack… “We need a drummer or this band will suck!” A Ziggy Stardust gospel number “Illuminate” is another sweet tune. The last few tracks don’t quite stick, but it’s worth celebrating another rock reunion – dig in and enjoy it.
Kool Kat Musik | Amazon
Dan Miraldi “Sugar & Adrenaline”
Cleveland rocker Miraldi (Silver Liners) has followed up his 2009 EP , with a pretty good full length album. The improvement in songwriting and vocals are noticeable on “Now Is The Right Time” and “Road Warrior.” A few missteps, like the faux hair metal “Few Rock Harder” and “Revenge” didn’t work for me. But enough does, like the Cars styled “Record Collection” and sneering chorus of “Vampire Girl” bring to mind Tears for Fears. Give it try if your tastes are more the classic rock genre.
CD Baby | Amazon
Lannie Flowers and Dahlmanns
Lannie Flowers “New Songs Old Stories”
Back in 2008, Lannie’s first album Same Old Stories was released. It was more of a medley of good song snippets, buried in a concept album. Well several years later… we get the cream of the melodic crop. The raw vocals on “Another Weekend” is like Stones track with Pete Townshed guitar riffs, and then we get to the brilliant “Come On Girl,” one of the best power pop tracks I’ve ever heard.
Like the new Shoes album, each track resonates with energy and excellent composition – a great example is “I Didn’t Know” with buzzing riffs similar to The Raspberries. “Give Me A Chance” has a Brydsian jangle with multi-tracking lead vocals and a great bass line in the chorus. “Another Boy Like Me” has a touch of Texas flavor, and I could go on and on. No weakness, and unlike the earlier album not a second of filler. Add this one to your top ten this year and you won’t be sorry.
CD Baby | Amazon
Video is from “Circles”
The Dahlmanns “Dumb Me Down” EP
The follow up to their highly successful album All Dahled Up, this EP features the new single “Dumb Me Down” written by Francis McDonald of Teenage Fanclub. The Dahlmanns sound has always been a perfect Ramones-styled rock band, with lead singer Line Dahlmann’s vocals being a combo of Debbie Harry and Liz Phair. “Dumb Me Down” is sounds more like Blondie, but the follow up “Go Getter” is more typical fast paced Dahlmanns rock. Add the pretty ballads “I Want You Around” and “This Time” (with some nice twangy guitar in the break) and you have a pretty well rounded EP. I like that the band has expanded its sound here and look forward to the band’s next full length album.
CD Baby | Amazon
Video is from “All Dahled Up”
A Leaf and Phenomenal Cat
A Leaf “A Leaf”
This psychedelic Seattle band does a great job of weaving melody and sonic texture togther. “Wherever We Go” starts with hushed subtle vocals and light guitar plucks that builds into a majestic trip with handclaps and backwards guitar riffs. The dreamy vocal harmonies of “Into The Light Undreamed” are joined by a lush orchestral chorus. I haven’t heard better pysche-pop since Olivia Tremor Control or The Mother Hips.
The absorbing and ethereal “Spheres” grabs you with a violin sweep and a “Byrd In The Morning” is a slow sleepy lullaby that is perfect for relaxation. Credit goes to guitarist/vocalist trio of Chris Bridges, Nate Daley and Shannon Donahue, with Andy Wamben on bass and Steven Demuth on drums. However after the albums mid point, the tracks stay a bit too mellow even for me. Other than the mid-tempo “Everything,” it actually has a nearly 6 minute song called “I Don’t Know Why I’m So Tired.” Still, a masterful attempt and a mind expanding trip with folky overtones that’s definitely worth taking.
CD Baby | Itunes | Facebook
Phenomenal Cat “Postcards from the British Empire”
This band released a single a month last year, so our pals at Futureman Records have compiled it all together into a single album download for us. I still love the harmonies on “Letters Home From Nazi-Occupied France” and Move-like “Electricity & Volts.” And its “name-your-price” so you won’t break the bank either. FYI – the label is slowly amassing a big collection of previously out-of-print power pop classics that you need to add to your music collection. I will be reviewing them as part of a “Classics” section on power pop (stay tuned).
FuturemanRecords.com
Terry Anderson and The Above
Terry Anderson & The Olympic Ass Kickin Team “More Smooth Jazz and Sweet Sweet Jams”
Terry and the OAK team are back. Terry Anderson is a rock and roller plain and simple, he strives to be the heir apparent to Rockpile and Tom Petty. In other words, perfect music to drink your beer and sing along to. “Too Much Information” opens things up like a Dave Edumunds classic. The take-it-easy rhythm on “Gambled and Lost” is a nice combo of Dylan and The Stones.
My favorites are the hook-filled “Ridin’ Around” with great lines like “My musics too loud, that’s the worst you could say/Just kicking it out after school all day” and “318” with it’s sweet harmonies making it a rootsy Beach Boys/Byrds hybrid. Fans of Greg Pope will like the heavier “Time For You To Go.” Once again, each song shines without any filler. We never get a real ballad, but the tone and tempo vary enough where its not an issue. Highly recommended.
CD Baby | Amazon
The Above “The Above”
This Brooklyn four-piece combo create great rock, influenced by the sounds of British-era R&B – sure to please fans of The Creation, The Pretty Things and early Kinks. “What She Said” opens up with a hard driving rhythm and blistering lead guitar. “Bollywood Woman” gets a bit more mod, with farfisa organ and echoing vocals – it’s also a got a nice hook in the chorus. I have to give major props to David Horowitz superb guitar work here. Clean harmonies on “Walked Out On Me” and David’s vocal on “Don’t Believe in The Light” sounds just like Ray Davies. These are just a few highlights among many here. No filler, all killer cuts and highly addictive!
CD Baby | Amazon