This was one of the great covers from Holmes album “Covers” and the animation by Pete Michail is pretty cool too. Enjoy!
Best of 2011 Update: There are a handful of albums left that need reviews before my list is compiled. And then comes the reviews of my favorite new Christmas albums by power pop bands, so you better not shout and better not cry.
The Cry “The Cry”
The CRY! is not fu**ing around! We ARE simply the BEST new POWER POP band in the World! – such is the hyperbole mentioned in my initial introduction to this youthful band from Portland, OR. Opening with the bouncing riffs of “I Think I’m In Love With You” it’s kinda like a mix of Thin Lizzy and The Rubinoos, where the guitar melody is supported by the punky vocals of Brian Crace. The influence of The Ramones is all over “Such A Bore,” as they kick the energy level up a few notches. The music merges the do-wop vocal arrangements of the 50’s and jangling hooks of the 60’s quite well on “Sleeping Alone” and “Be True.”
The band’s perfect blend of styles also works on the melodic “Forget It,” and its my favorite track here. Each song is quick and many are under 2 minutes long. But no misfires here and the band blew the doors off during an impressive live performances at this years IPO festival, so I’d say they are well on the way to living up to their motto.
The Cry Website | ReverbNation | Facebook
Laurie Biagini “A Go-Go Girl in a Modern World”
The Vancouver singer is on her third album at this point, and once again she is a one woman version of The Honeys. Laurie stays retro here, with a clear 60’s Beach Boys influence, multi-tracked vocals and Phil Spector production values.
The songs are well composed, as standouts are the descriptive “A Ride on the Train” and the surfin’ car tune, “My Little SUV” with just the right guitar by Richard Snow. She also gets some help from guitarist Fabrizio Serrecchia (from the Italian group Soundserif) on the faux-Bond theme “The Invisible Guy.” But for the most part Laurie’s vocals are center stage, and just when it starts to get monotonous, the best song emerges. “In The Eyes Of A Little Girl” is a thrilling mid-tempo look back at childhood co-written and performed with the brilliant Maxi Dunn. So if you want to return to those innocent days of AM radio pop, close your eyes and let Laurie take you back.
Ryan Allen is singer and guitarist for the band, The Friendly Foes and he is a wonderfully bi-polar rocker. His power pop debut is “Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms” an excellent selection of terrific guitar pop. Opening with the melodic “Oh Yeah” it showcases his solid songwriting chops and excellent guitar work. Next the handclaps, tambourine and harmonies are all over the amazing “Why Can’t I Sleep?” The dense production on “That’s How I Came To Be” doesn’t disguise the strong melody. And his frustrations about shyness are fully evident on the ballad “Kids R Dicks” in best Big Star mode. Every song here is impressive — it’s one of the best releases this year easily! This album alone earns a top ten nod, but there is more…
Ryan has a darker side, shown in his second project Destroy This Place with “Resurrect The Mammoth.” Here Ryan gets a bit louder, with the opening thunderous feedback and pounding chords on “Safe To Say” similar in style to Guided By Voices. The music remains catchy here on the solid “All That Glitters” and “Hold Tights” so fans of GBV, Ted Leo and The Eels will find plenty to enjoy here. And as a special holiday gift, Ryan is giving both albums to you all as a FREE download.
I can think of no better gift this holiday season for the power pop fan than this Michael Mazzarella 4-CDR “Songwriter” collection. The set represents all of Michael’s released material to date, covering his songs with The Broken Hearts, The Rooks and solo albums. Michael is best known as leader of the cult power pop band The Rooks, yet his solo work is full of lovingly crafted melodies and heartfelt lyrics. The discs were purposely not sequenced in order but, as varied compilations to showcase his consistent and different (yet compatible) styles as a songwriter. So what is new here? Exclusively through Kool Kat Musik, Mazzarella is offering a BONUS DISC of 21 previously unreleased demos. Many were written either for The Rooks (“Christine Obscene”, “Shine Your Light On Me”, “To Tell The Truth”, “Crimson Girl”) while others (“Save Me Baby”, “Out Of The Rain And The Thunder”, “Metropolis Mine”, “We’re Gonna Move”) were written for Michael’s current band Sonic Blue Sound Revue.
For fans, the bonus disc is essential listening, my favorites include “A Great Prentender” and “Save Me Baby.” Even IPO founder David Bash called this collection “…the most beautiful and frank songs this side of John Lennon.”
My Space | Facebook | Kool Kat Musik
My top ten for 2011 is coming up during the holiday week. But maybe you know an album or artist that I haven’t reviewed yet that deserves top ten consideration. Please mention them in the comments….