Free Download Monday: Sunday Sun and Young Rival

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Sunday Sun “III”
After parts One and Two, this is the cherry on top. Collectively, Sunday Sun offers us one of the finest releases in 2012 –  like the other EPs it is available as a free download for a limited time. The quartet from Amsterdam features bright cheerful harmonies like Sonic Executive Sessions and the highly melodic ear worms displayed in the chorus of “Better Than That.” Elements of ELO and The Beach Boys mixed with The Jellyfish are stamped on several tracks, my favorites here are “Honest And True,” “Sing” and the Bleu sounding “Light Up The Sky.” If you missed the earlier EPs then get’em on Itunes. Don’t miss this series, it ranks very high on my year end list.

Bandcamp | Artists Site | Itunes

 

Young Rival “Stay Young”
Indie pop out of Hamilton, Canada, includes Aron D’Alesio on vocals and lead guitar, Noah Fralick on drums, and John Smith playing the bass. “Black Popcorn” and “Nothing You Know Well” are pretty good clones of early Apples in Stereo, so you have a good idea where we’re going here. The band has a bit more grit and you’ll hear the clear influence of  The Pixies with “Let it Go” and the raw riffs on”I Don’t Care.” The garage anthem “Two Reasons” is the obvious single here, and just like Locksley’s “The Whip” its just as infectious. Check out the awesomely freaky video below and its a FREE download — so no excuses!

Gavin Guss and Paul Rocha

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Gavin Guss “On High“
Gavin Guss returns after his sharp debut and happy to report there isn’t a sophomore slump. After starting out with the piano ballad “Avenue A,” it reminded me more of Mark Bacino or Elvis Costello. The tempo picks up quite nicely on “Come Over” and its got a sweet guitar hook in the rhythm. This album is a bit more personal, the breakup song “Voice Inside My Head” has an interesting percussive treatment and the slow melodic ballad “Riga In The Fall” is similar to Jeff Larson’s laid back approach.

The rock guitar comes bouncing back on the title track, but it sounds a little forced compared to the other songs. (Note: originally I thought the lyrics were about Jesus, but it’s not. Doh!)  And it gets better as we go forward. The serious subjects of “Wonder Too” and “Invent You Myself” are on par with Mike Viola and the brilliant “Will To Fly” with its solid melody and catchy chorus really impressed me. Overall, a smart showcase for Gavin’s expanding songwriting talents.


Paul Rocha “Crayons”
Paul Rocha starts Crayons with a Beatlesque gem in “Sevens into Nines” sure to warm the heart of power pop fans. British styled hooks and melodies are all over this album, with a psychedelic touch “Peaches and Lemon Line” uses sitar and overdubbed acoustic strums making it sound like a Gripweeds tune. It stays fairly trippy until the acoustic title track, which is full of strings and sweet chord shifts in a pastoral XTC style.

The awesome guitar bombast of “Sunshine Sue” is closer to early Matthew Sweet with its Revolver styled bass line. Then we get to “Fairies in a Yorkshire Glen” with demented sped-up laughter and its repeating melody. Similarly “Amelia Earhart” starts with a 12 string strum, and sardonic lyrics. One of the best songs here is “Tomorrow Soon” with its ascending bridge and looping chorus. The sorrow (?) of losing the names of Adolph, O.J. or Lee Harvey is beautifully described in “Baby Adolph.” Overall a terrific pop album with all the melodic goodies that appeal to fans of Pugwash and Andy Partridge. Too many beautiful melodies to ignore, and it makes my top ten list this year.

CD Baby | Amazon

 

Moldy Oldies: Boyce and Hart

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A new documentary is being produced on the duo of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Best known as the ace songwriting team of the 60’s that produced The Monkees biggest hits “Last Train To Clarksville,” “(theme from) The Monkees,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” and “Valleri.” But did you know they were instrumental in the movement to lower the national voting age to eighteen? Find out more here. Thanks to Andrew Sandoval for posting on Facebook.

Three Minute Tease and The Sensibles

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Three Minute Tease “Three Minute Tease”
Three Minute Tease is the collaboration of California psychedelic cult hero Anton Barbeau with Andy Metcalfe and Morris Windsor (Soft Boys, Robyn Hitchcock). Barbeau organized and wrote songs for the band as early as 2010, and they recorded with Kimberley Rew (Katrina and The Waves) at her studio in Cambridgeshire,UK.

Barbeau has that XTC meets Robyn Hitchcock quality, angular melodies with beautiful obtuse lyrics. If you ever wondered who is the modern day equivalent to Syd Barrett — Barbeau fits it perfectly. “Love Is Onion” is a great opener with its paisley 60’s bass line and great guitar solo.  “Milko II” is a  reminded me of Julian Lennon with its slower delicate rhythm. The bouncy “Thanks For Lifting My Leg” is a highlight with its trippy lyric and driving chorus. While not immediately catchy,  it is accessible. From the jaunty “Dig My Bones” with the pastoral “Queen of Apples” its clear mood and texture are equally as important as melody to Anton. Dive right in and savor it.

Artists Website | Amazon

 

The Sensibles “7 inch” EP
Hard charging Italian punk pop not unlike The Dahlmanns or Vibeke, The Sensibles roar to the forefront on “Open Book” with strong guitars and Stella’s wailing vocal. The accent is really noticeable on “John Bambi” but it doesn’t detract from this hard charging guitar pop. Each tune here is solid, I really liked the proto power pop “Denny” which reminded me a little of Shonen Knife with its overdubbed chorus of “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” At only four songs you can’t go wrong here, they have an even more straight punk sound on another EP.

Bandcamp only | Facebook

Power Pop Classics: Lisa Mychols and Starbelly

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Lisa Mychols “Sweet Sinsations”
Lisa Mychols (The Masticators) got her influences from both the 60’s and 70’s and got her start with a holiday album produced by The Wondermints. Word of mouth spread fast, and her funky pop beats on “Turn On The Radio” are one of many memorable songs. Her vocals have been compared to Jill Sobule or Gwen Stefani. Not only an accomplished performer, but a great songwriter as well Lisa is one of the few female mega-stars in power pop.

Get the expanded edition on Futureman Records

 

Starbelly “Lemon Fresh “
One of the strongest albums from 1998,  Lemon Fresh is a best of breed in power pop, a trio where each member contributed equally. The band led here by the amazing Cliff Hillis, included bassist Dennis Schocket.  It’s fully stocked with memorable hooks, melodies, and melt-away background vocals. Andy Bopp (Myracle Brah) produced this masterpiece. If you don’t have this in your classic power pop collection – where have you been?

Get the expanded edition on Futureman Records