European Power Pop Special: Power Pop Español Parte 2!

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After our first European Special, we got some interest from a few more bands. Most of these are sung in Spanish language, but the sound of pure power pop is unmistakable. Viva  la música! Ole!

Lukah Boo “Calidad DeVida”
Lukah Boo is the solo project of Toni Saenz, former guitarist/vocalist of The Happy Losers (a huge band from Madrid). With a compliment of both horns and guitars, Toni is similar to Michael Carpenter’s sound on “Dejame Salir” and “El Miedo Es Siempre Azul” is done in full Beach Boys mode with hand claps, sleigh bells and muti-tracked harmonies. “Contemporaneo” and “Otra Vez” adds some steel pedal guitar. Not a dud in the bunch, this is a real treat!
Jam Recordings | www.rockindiana.com | MySpace

Desconocidos “Nuevo Plan”
These guys are like a Spanish Spongetones, with the Beatlesque style of “Agarrado A Ti.” The vocal harmonies are tight on “Dia Prestados” and some slower tunes resemble The Rembrandts. The album is full of superb crystal clear jangly sounds, layered harmonies, catchy songs, tasty guitar licks, and good time fun.
Jam Recordings | Pop Club (spain)

The Shake “Try To Get Ready”
Go retro with The Shake….  if you love beat, garage, pop and psychedelia from the 60′s and subsequent decades, this band does it right. The Shake were born in Almería, Spain (home of the spaghetti western) and incorporate early Motown influences like The Foundations and Stevie Wonder into these tracks. And they sing in English!
Amazon (“Trippin’ the whole colorful world”) | My Space | Sunny Day Records

Los Immediatos “4 tickets to Wonderland”
Another great Spanish band, thanks to IceCreamMan for finding this one. Even more psychedelic sounding, it would fit with all your favorite bands on Rainbow Quartz, like The Cynics and The Ugly Beats. Los Immediatos are veterans of the Spanish 60’s scene, they even sell their music in vinyl format with a CD included.
Amazon | Sunny Day Records | Get Hip 

Los Imposibes “En Espiral”
Also from Madrid, reminds me of The Gripweeds alot.  “Volveras” has great harmonies, and jangling riffs like The Byrds. Another great track here is “El Hombre en la Esquina” and the Farfisa organ leads the tune “The Sound Of My Heart” and its one of the tunes sung in English. Fans of classic pop of the 60’s bands like the Zombies or Sgt Pepper-era Beatles will really dig it. 
Sunny Day Records | Direct | Get Hip

Biscuit “Memorabilia”
Hailed as one of the best rock and roll bands in Spain, Biscuit has more muscle and you’ll hear harder influences (Who, Redd Kross, Byrds, West Coast pop, MC5, power pop, garage punk). And of course, memorable hook laden songs all sung in English. Loads of crunchy Who like guitar riffs that will win you over without a doubt.  Now released on La Castanya Records, some call it “Killer Garage Pop at its best.”
Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Dan Kibler and Peter Baldrachi

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Dan Kibler “Dan Kibler”
Pennsylvania native Dan Kibler was a singer/songwriter who took his cue from the power pop of the Dwight Twilley Band and the country excursions of Neil Young. Dan is assisted by co-producer Michael Giblin (Cherry Twister/Parallex Project) here. What you get is a mature jangle filled pop, as displayed on the excellent “The Misunderstood” and Tom Petty-like “When Johnny Comes Home.” The twang and pedal steel comes out on the timeless “Another Day” and roots pop of “Broken Bent and Bound.”

And Kibler’s rough vocal reminds me of Bono slightly and his uncommon songwriting really break out on the inventive “45 Seconds More.” where a Raspberries riff  floats along with the chorus. The remain tracks are all good alt. country styled pop similar to The Jayhawks, another standout is the multi-tracked vocals and chiming guitar on “Never Good News.” A highly recommended release, and of course Kool Kat Musik is offering a bonus disk of “hits” from Dan’s previous releases with each order.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

Peter Baldrachi “Back To The Start”
Just in case you missed Baldrachi’s release last year,  he mentioned to me that he felt the album was kind of rushed out and wasn’t too happy with the mixes. Well… Back To The Start is a re-boot for Baldrachi. All the tracks have been remixed and mastered by  Ed Stasium (Ramones, Mick Jagger, The Smithereens, Reverend Horton Heat, Nada Surf) at The Kozy Tone Ranch. Plus a new song “Picture On My Wall” is included and like the rest of the album it’s excellent. Read my older review for more…

Peter is assisted by guitarist, bassist, and arranger Gary Rand, keyboardists Dave Lieb (The Vinyl Skyway) and Peter Linnane (The Farewells), backing vocalists Alice Austin (The Lavas, Stark Raving Mad) and Amy Fairchild, 2012 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee keyboardist Ian McLagan (Faces, The Rolling Stones, Billy Bragg), singer/songwriter Amy Rigby (solo, Wreckless Eric), multi-instrumentalist Ian Kennedy (Reverse, Dennis Brennan), and cellist Aristides Rivas. The songs shine just as brightly as before, if not more so with the new mastering. It made my top ten list last year. You have no excuses! Get this one!

CD Baby | Amazon

Moldy Oldies: The Beach Boys and Joe Walsh

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With all the hype around the Beach Boys coming out with a new release, I decided to give in to my impulses and listen to these old dogs do some new tricks…

The Beach Boys “That’s Why God Made The Radio”
Rather than re-hash what others have already written, here is my take on the music itself. With Wilson back at the helm, it is easily the strongest BB album in over 20 years, with the title track balancing nostalgia and heavenly harmonies. Like BB albums of old, we get a sunny side and an introspective “dark” side. “Isn’t It Time” captures each of the band’s principal singers (with Al Jardine’s vocals sounding the best of the bunch). The backing crew of Brian’s “SMiLE” helps keep things smooth and tasteful, and other than a throwaway (“The Private Life Of Bill and Sue”) its sure to please fans. Recommended here are the sweet love ballad “Shelter” and heart-breakly gorgeous “From There to Back Again.” It feels like a swan song. Maybe it is… “Pacific Coast Highway” is an acceptance of that, as Brian croons “It’s time to move along… sunlights fading and there’s not much left to say.” A satisfying coda for a legendary band.

Joe Walsh “Analog Man”
Rock and roll’s “ordinary average guy” Walsh (ex-Eagles) sounds like your dad ranting on the title track of Analog Man. Walsh still has the guitar chops, and he’s given the full “Wilbury” treatment courtesy of Jeff Lynne (ELO). “Wrecking Ball” is an awesome catchy track, with Walsh’s trademark sound over Lynne’s orchestration. “Lucky That Way” is like a sequel of sorts to “Life’s Been Good” and “Band Played On” is another great sitar/riff heavy rocker. A few songs are a bit too slickly produced, the touching “Family” is nearly ruined by synth effects.”One Day At A Time” starts to sound too much like a Wilbury track, thankfully “Funk 50” and “India” are riff heavy returns to form albeit with thick production values. Nothing really throwaway here, as your analog dad goes full digital – did we mention those big guitar riffs? Yeah, I love ’em too.

Ex-Norwegian and Charlie Maxton

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Ex-Norwegian “House Music”
After the “Sketch” LP last year, the band personnel changed leaving leader Roger Houdaille to take the music in a new direction and give us a FREE digital follow-up. It’s less ambiguous, with a tight melodic focus. “Ginger, baby” is a sweet Kinks meets Dandy Warhols song that really rocks. The energy of “Original Copy” and “Not A Mouse” both have touch of grooviness (thanks to Fernando Perdomo).

The album is also more consistent than past efforts, as “Initiative Rock” has some great minor chord shifts. You’ll hear a little Marc Bolan in “Spin Win It” and then soothing harmonies on the California styled “Rearrange It.” Overall a terrific album that delivers superior melodies along with adventurous arrangements. Highly recommended, and after all it’s “name-your-own-price” on Bandcamp, so what’s not to like?

Charlie Maxton “Teletype” 
Maxton is a Portland based musician, his buddy John Amadon helps out on this solo LP. “While I Was Away” has a cool Nirvana-like riff, but the melody doesn’t seem to get off the ground. The punkier “Go You One Better” also didn’t sit well either, and thankfully the remaining tracks lean more alt. folk pop. “Deep Water” is a great tune that has a Neil Young meets America tone.

Another standout, “Bullseye Girl” has an REM vibe, with a great lyrical chorus and “Sandy James” is another effective character portrait. The further along the stronger the album gets, my favorite is the cynical “Millionaire” that rails against major label celebrities, “No one wants to hear the music of a millionaire… get in and make a killing while you can.” An effective debut.

CD Baby  | Bandcamp