The Connection and Kurt Baker

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The Connection “Seven Nights To Rock” EP
Those boys from Portsmouth NH continue to burn through classic rock and roll with a little rockabilly bend here on the title track.  “I Think She Digs Me” is a simple retro rock tune that’s all about teen innocence, with it’s “yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah” chorus.  If you loved the debut album, then this will be a great addition to your track list.

CD Baby | Amazon

Kurt Baker “Want You Around” EP
Another young gun in power pop circles is Kurt Baker and he continues to impress with this EP, the title track cracks with energy and bouncing riffs – part Elvis Costello, part Paul Collins.

Kurt’s faithful cover of Billy Joel’s “Sleeping With the Television On” is so good my ears did a double take. The other tunes,”News At 10″ goes at very rapid tempo and the defiant “Hollywood (Down On Your Luck)” adds some angular guitar and synths. Say hello to the new “Angry Young Man” of melodic rock.

CD Baby | Amazon

He’s Back! Jeff Lynne’s new single…

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Jeff Lynne (ELO front man, fifth Beatle, Wilbury Brother, etc.) will release a new solo album Long Wave on 10/9.

He also will release Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra, a collection of ELO hits that have been re-recorded by Lynne. Why re-record these classics? According to Lynne, “When I listen to the old versions they don’t sound the way I thought they did when I first wrote and recorded them. I wanted to use the experience I’ve gained producing records ever since and have a completely new try at them.”

The last weekend of summer…

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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

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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

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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”