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.

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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.

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Video is from “All Dahled Up”

A Leaf and Phenomenal Cat

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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.

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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).

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Terry Anderson and The Above

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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.

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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!

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The Seasongs, Vinnie Zummo and Sounds Like Digging

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The Seasongs “Out Of The City”
This Madrid-based band gives us a heavy power pop sound similar to The Who and The Posies. Lead guitarist and vocalist Óscar Granero’s riffs on “New Love” are brilliant, but vocally he does struggle to stay on key in spots. On the title track, he does a much better job and if you can get past the European accent, you’ll hear echoes of The Kinks and The Byrds on “Lonely Room”. “She’s Gone” starts quietly, then breaks into a garage styled riff similar to The Cynics. Fans of the 1960’s Nuggets style will enjoy this album, as all the compositions are well done, if a bit overlong in spots. Others may be put off by the vocals, but I enjoyed the native Spanish “Si tú quieres” and the defiant “A guy from New York.”

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NOTE: Yes, these are singles below and I don’t review singles. But I made an exception here, as I personally know these people and think that you will love these songs.

Vinnie Zummo “Didn’t Get The Memo”
This is a sweet catchy tune from Zummo & Elizabeth Racz, I first heard it on Radio New York International and it takes Zummo to his Beatles meets ELO place. A relaxed strum and straight forward lyric lead to a key change in the chorus that sits in your head and encourages repeat plays. A nice change of pace after listening to his non-power pop, jazz album. Get this song on CD Baby.

Sounds Like Digging “Do or Say”
Another surprise from The Boogieman’s radio show, Tom Parisi and his cousin Paul Costanza met up with each other on Facebook and decided to join forces because they became fans of each others’ music. Paul is featured as lead vocalist and synthesizer/pianist. Tom is featured as lead guitarist and back-up harmonies. Like The Shoes, or The Modulators you get clean guitar riffs over a memorable chorus in a superb DIY production. Get this song on CD Baby.

Jon Lindsay and Kjarr

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Jon Lindsay “Summer Wilderness Program”
Portland musician Lindsay now makes his home in North Carolina and gives us a unique pop vision with his latest Summer Wilderness Program. Opening with “Oceans More” – it has guitar and synth chord shifts along the lines of Apples in Stereo and 10cc. Exciting hooks seem to come easy to Jon with the angular melody in “Tiny Violins” and the accessible “Margot” shines with its catchy lyrics and simple guitar strums.

“King Of The Offseason” a nod to the beach in a sing-song daydream. The momentum is cut off at the LP mid point with “Where Love Goes To Die” with heavy synth bass and lagging rhythm. Like The Black Keyes meets Field Music, the next big stroke of genius is “Princess Street” and perfect mix of storyline and sweet harmonies. I have to be honest, this one is a real grower and requires a few listens to stick. But stick it does and that makes it a indie gem you shouldn’t miss.

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Kjarr “Kjarr”
Kjarr is a new psychedelic pop project by Kjartan F. Ólafsson, formerly songwriter and producer with acclaimed Icelandic group, Ampop and currently keyboard player with Icelandic rockers, Leaves. This is pop on a grand orchestral scale with a huge range of influences from Abba and Eno, The Beach Boys to ELO, so it’s a very eclectic mix. The opener is in native Icelanic, “Beðið eftir sumrinu” rings forth like a Wondermints or Paul Steel epic pop track. This got my attention, and I didn’t expect the vaudeville piano and blues horn of “Lottery,” like a Ray Davies dirge with Broadway gloss.

It’s all a pleasant surprise, and the low key space ballad “The Shelf” is stuffed full with horns, orchestral echo, and reminded me of Smash Mouth’s “Waste.” The ambitious compositions don’t always work, on “Quantum Leap” its got swelling harmonies with bells and whistles but it’s missing a memorable hook. “Confide In You” does a much better job, with it’s Beatlesque guitar break and anthemic chorus. Fans of the above influences will definitely want to get this as it hits more often than it misses. Highly Recommended.

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