Candlebox and Lightships

powerpopaholic 5 Comments

Candlebox “Love Stories & Other Musings”
Candlebox is a perfect example of popular rock band that doesn’t want to be hemmed into a single rock category. With a platinum-selling debut in 1993, they rode the Seattle grunge bandwagon but the wheels fell off in 2000 with numerous personnel changes. They reformed in 2008 and the band now sounds totally ready for a comeback. Opening with “Youth In Revolt” it’s got a loose feel, and like the Foo Fighters, blasts us with guitars and a heavy hook. My favorite here is next, “Sweet Summertime,” its a great power pop track about the difficulty of touring and being away from your family while on the road.

There are many great songs here from the hard melodic “Lifelike Song” to the sweet power ballad “Baby Love.” Lead singer Kevin Martin still has those trademark howls that work best with Peter Klett’s gritty riffs. They are no longer beholden to grunge, although a faithful re-recording of five past hits are included (in case you forgot them). After listening to the entire album those “hits” are the weakest songs here. If we evaluated the new tracks alone it would stand as the best Candlebox album ever. A great re-introduction to a band that plays genuine melodic rock n’ roll.

Itunes  | Amazon

Lightships “Electric Cables”
Gerard Love’s (Teenage Fanclub) new solo outing is a shimmering poppy confection, opening with the lighter-than-air  “Two Lines” and the summery warmth of “Muddy Rivers,” it has more in common with Belle & Sebastian than his former band. Backed by Bob Kildea from Belle & Sebastian (surprise!), Tom Crossley from The Pastels, Dave McGowan and Brendan O’Hare from Teenage Fanclub, Love gets to indulge in sweet melodies and lush arrangements that echo and envelope the listener. There is no better example than “Sweetness In Her Spark” with its quivering rhythms and ethereal vocal. The precious centerpiece is “Silver And Gold” – and it’s got some groovy guitar fuzz to go with harmonies worthy of The Association.

While lovely, the thick atmosphere and flute of “The Warmth of The Sun” could also put you to sleep. But there are enough wonderful harmonies like on “Stretching Out” that prevent things from being a total snoozefest and fans of  gentle chamber pop and psychedelic daydreaming will find this a perfect album. Others may consider it the musical equivalent of Prozac.

Itunes  | Amazon

Smash Palace and Jonathan Rundman

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Smash Palace “Do It Again”
Brothers Stephen and Brian Butler continue to weave melodic magic with this excellent release. The super catchy jangle of “Living It Lonely” starts us off,  then we get the muscular riffs of the Tom Petty-like “It’s Easy.”  Another favorite here is “Do It Again,” as Butler recalls the compulsion to rock from his past influences (The Beatles, Stones, CBGB’s) “before the music was all for free.”  It’s a desperate plea to bring back what made rock and roll matter to so many lives. His vocal reminds me of Ray Davies – both “21st Century Boy” and “Tell Her Now” sounds like a long lost Kinks tunes.

Talk about infectious – both “She’s Never Coming Back” and  “Dreamer” will stick in your head and stay there for good. The chord progressions and organ of “Sympathy Runs Deep” are classic as well. Not a mediocre note here as this album makes my top ten for 2012 list easily. After last year’s “7” made my 2011 list I didn’t think the band could get better — I was wrong. Super duper highly recommended as essential power pop.

Smash Palace website | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Jonathan Rundman “Jonathan Rundman”
I last listened to Minneapolis-based Jonathan Rund­man back in 2008, and he’s one of the most down-to-earth musicians I’ve heard.  This is an overview of his career from the past 10 years, so it’s a “greatest hits” package of sorts. It’s also a great introduction if you’re not familiar with Jonathan’s work. Rundman has a great knack for melody and hooks as evidenced by excellent rockers “Smart Girls” and “Carol Of The Bells.”

His simple harmonies and straight forward pop arrangements are an easy fit with anyone who enjoys early REM jangle, and Old 97’s styled Alt. Country with the smartly written “Librarian” and “Ashes.” His music does have a Christian point of view, but it’s not the type to put off any secularist. It’s all about the music – and Rundman easily weaves between indie rock (“Surgical Precision”), low key country (“581”) and fast paced honky tonk (“747”) with adept precision. No filler here as the long track list bounces along from start to finish.

CD Baby  | Amazon

European Power Pop Special: Spain (Power Pop Español)

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Since we focused on Japan a few weeks ago, I wanted to concentrate on some European countries who do power pop right… and all the music is sung in English too. Spain is the main focus of this post. Notable labels Rock Indiana and Jam Recordings have provided me with these featured bands:

Wolrus “Wooden Tapes”

From A Coruña, Wolrus wear their influences on their sleeves from Buffalo Springfield, The Hollies, and The Jayhawks. The band has some serious guitar jangle and banjo chops plus lots of harmonies too. Opening with the impressive “Summer of 10’s” it’s got a catchy foot stompin’ rhythm. “Stone & Roses Blues” is pure late era Beatles, (“Two Of Us”) and the summery pop of “Clearer Than Me” is Beau Brummels-styled country.
Facebook | Jam Recordings | Rock Indiana

The Phantom Keys “Real Sounds of The Phantom Keys”

Old school mod-garage basically. This band does its best to emulate the looks and sounds of those ‘no hit wonders’ who made it onto all the obscure 60’s punk compilations, such as ‘Nuggets’ and ‘Pebbles.’ Fans of The Pretty Things, The Sonics, Downliners Sect and any Mod Surf band will enjoy this. So get your go-go boots on and do the hippy shake shake.

My Space | Jam Recordings

Goodfellows “Happynitol 150mg”

The Goodfellows are a Spanish band whose musical inspiration is undeniably American power pop bands (like The Shoes and The Spongetones) they’ve made appearances on IPO compilations but here is their debut LP, inventively designed like a prescription drug (“10 Power Pop Revitalising Pills: Not a Fix but a Relief. A Boost of Good Vibes”) and overall this musical ‘medicine’ is sure to cure your blues with some excellent tracks like “Susanne” and “You Know The Secret We Hide.” Occasionally the vocals get buried by the jangle and  the accent can get distracting, but ultimately I’d refill this prescription.

Facebook | Amazon | Rock Indiana | Jam Recordings

Higgins “Straight A’s”

powerpopaholic 2 Comments

Lead singer-songwriter Kevin Fish gives us a subtly crafted pop album, that sounds both old and new, the melodies slowly-burn into your brain here. Fish opens up the low key “Paranoid Trails” with a gentle hook and layered melody. The real goods come on the Byrdsian “Slap or Pinch” with its sweet jangle, and fans of the Autumn Defense will love it. The choral harmonies of “Stach-Lab” bring us to a 70’s moog “Easy-Thing” and it revels in the trippy bass lines and slow grooves. Fish mines the instrumentation of the past with considerable skill.

The soft and sensitive “Do You Still?” is a achingly lovely ballad about memories of a lost love. In direct contrast is the goofy “You Don’t Like What I Do” full of multiple harmonies and “oompah” brass and on “When I See Her” we add a Ray Davies styled ballad. And that’s as wild as we get, as most of this album is reflective – fans of Brian Wilson, Todd Rundgren and Field Music should give this a spin on the ipod. A real grower for you that needs multiple plays to sink in.

Facebook | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Overlooked Gem: The Paparazzi “Rococo” FREE Download

powerpopaholic

The Paparazzi is the musical pseudonym of songwriter and rocker Erik Paparazzi, who has spent the better part of the past decade as a sideman with Cat Power’s Dirty Delta Blues. Made this album back in 2004 it was shelved until 2010 and didn’t get the attention it deserves. His new record Rococo showcases a love for the soulful rock sounds of the 1960’s (“Hi”) with a discernible Beatles and Nilsson influences and a drowsy indie rock sensibility (“My O My”). This lush and quirky daydream pop is fresh from the dryer – soft and warm and it’s a highly recommended free download. Thank you, Erik!

If you want a CD then go to: Serious Business Records | Amazon