Happy Friday! Now some sunny power pop from a rainy city. The Candy Strypers are an unsigned band from Manchester, UK – they are the creation of lead singer/guitarist Paul Hughes, and he’s got a good retro pop sound. Luckily for us he’s giving away an entire album for free on Soundcloud.
One Like Son and Vinyl Floor
One Like Son “Start The Show”
The unique method of One Like Son, is that they recorded their 3rd album, Start The Show entirely on an iphone 3GS. Band members Stephen Poff (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Organ) and Bill Rester (Vocals, Bass) dealt with the tedious details and restrictions of recording apps, but it sounds just like they cut it in the studio. So much for the novelty — what about the music?
One Like Son has a classic fast paced rock sound, the heavy guitar riffs of the title track and “For a Good Time Call” remind one of The Gin Blossoms, Rooney and the Strokes. “Buried” has some nice harmonies in tandem with the guitars and “L.A.” was another highlight that tells a compelling story. While the guitars carry each melody here, by the time we get to “Father” it starts to sound a bit generic, with few hooks to keep me interested. But the energy level is high and sounds great in your car with the windows down.
Facebook | Amazon
Vinyl Floor “Peninsula”
Vinyl Floor is a 4-piece rockband which hails from Copenhagen, Denmark. The band combines both symphonic and indie influences to create epic compositions. Comparable to Coldplay, Travis, Fun., and Oasis, the sound shifts around, but generally stays dramatic and melodic. The album’s concept is split between Utopia and Dystopia, and there after the long symphonic rock overture (“”Frames & Orchids”) I was impressed.
The piano pop of “Ghosts Of England” is ambitious in its scope, and develops into a grand anthem. “What Lies Ahead” has the guitar riffs leading the way here, and its the best song on the LP. The sweet acoustic ballad “Written in the Cards” with organ chords and strings supports the layered vocals. After this the album labors a bit with “Car In The Sky” as the vocal gets a bit lost here. Progressive elements in the next few compositions take over and “Diverging Paths” sounds like Chris Martin doing Procol Harum. “In The Air” has a solid hook in the melody here, but the remaining tracks struggled to hold my attention. That said, Peninsula is pretty good album, and an interesting musical find.
Sweet Diss and the Comebacks “Emerald City Love Song”
From Washington state comes a daring sophomore album from Sweet Diss and the Comebacks. The brainchild of Nate Reinauer and its so good, you’ll need many repeat listens. The band has vocal skills similar to The Beach Boys or The Sonic Executive Sessions, with the melodic guitar fuzz of Weezer and Green Day. It also reminded me a little of Kara’s Flowers (later they became Maroon 5). The album’s sole concept is about “getting the girl” and opening with the crisp a capella “Twenty-Something” it shows off stunning four part harmonies.
Then we get the hook filled “Never Stop Wooing You,” full of minor chords and sunshine. Next the guitars get heavier, and tempo gets faster on “Maybe Someday.” The focus of all this attention is on an “Indie Girl,” a mid-tempo ballad where the singer worries his songs are “lame” cause she’s into folk “and I’m still playing power pop.” Every track here is polished melodic gold. A musical suite named “Seattle’s Best” ends things off, with some quirky movements as our twenty-something protagonist falls in love with his Barista. However, it does end abruptly with anti-climactic demo “Nobody But She.”
When the seminal Beach Boys album Pet Sounds was released in 1966, it had a unified theme in its emotional insecurity and deep seated longing that defined a generation. To my ears, Emerald City Love Song serves up those very same emotions to a new generation of pop fans in its own way. Essential and a contender for one of the best power pop albums of the year.
CD Baby | Amazon
Free Downloads: Phenomental Cat and Alright Alright
Once in a while I’m given a hot tip about a band I can’t keep a secret. I just need to share it with you. The band Phenomenal Cat’s new album “Postcards From the British Empire: 12 singles in 12 months” is a project where they are set to release a brand new track each and every month for the whole of 2012. And it’s all free on Bandcamp.
Alright Alright is an unsigned band from Toronto, Canada. They asked themselves “Whatever happened to those classic two-minute-fifty second rock ‘n’ roll songs we used to know and love?” Then they put one together themselves for free download. Not bad, eh?
The Marmalade Army and The Mayflowers
Marmalade Army “All Tomorrows Yesterdays”
On the followup to 2008’s “Johnny Cake and Moon Pies,” the band moves away from 60’s pastiche and leans more on its XTC’s influences. But it starts out with a surf guitar instrumental before it dazzles us with the brilliant “Persephone.” It tells the story of falling in love with an eccentric as the falsetto intones “All the children point and snicker/ but she makes my heart beat quicker.”
“Bumped My Head On The Sky” is also impressive, with a catchy melody and Andy Partridge styled bridge. “I Think You Know” has some beautiful musical ideas, and another keeper is the frantic “Myclonic Jerk.” The bouncy beat and handclaps of “Unglued” contrasts the wicked guitar solo – its my favorite here. The band has definitely improved, but could have edited the album better (tons of filler you’ll want to skip). However, the gems are worth digging for. Fans of Pugwash and SugarPlastic will definitely want to get this one.
CD Baby | Amazon
The Mayflowers “Plymouth Rock”
Power pop bands get plenty of respect in Japan, but rarely do they get coverage here. The Mayflowers have appeared on IPO compilations vol. 9 and 10, but the latest album Plymouth Rock really caught my attention with the excellent “Cat’s Boro Blues.” Lead vocalist and guitarist Osamu Satoyama really puts together a gem with drummer Tatsuya Nishimura.
The opener “Beat Stone” sounds a lot like Cirrone with a swirling lead amid solid harmonies. “Maybelline” starts with the same guitar jangle as The La’s “There She Goes” but adds a different melody. The Japanese accent isn’t really noticeable, until you get to the Ringo-like country song “Lodi.” Another gem is “Let Me Roll” with its hard charging guitar rhythm and sweet chorus. It finishes up with a Beatlesque tribute, and at 8 tracks not a trace of filler here. Japanese power pop is really tough to find in the USA – thankfully Jam Records has all 3 albums for sale!
P.S. Very funny misspelling on the bandcamp page – see if you can spot it!