Dynamo Bliss and Nat & Alex Wolff

powerpopaholic

Dynamo Bliss “Circadian Rhythm”
I have a solid policy of not reviewing singles, yet this Scandinavian band has an 11 minute opus that’s longer than most EPs, so I’ll let it pass. Stafan Olofsson and Mikael Sandstrom creates this awesome follow up to the highly acclaimed 21st Century Junk. It starts out a soothing blend of synths and launches into Andrew Gold guitar styled ballad with impressive harmonies, and shifts to a dreamscape of flutes and keys. Cleanly produced with a nod to studio prog along the lines of Alan Parsons early work, its simply mesmerizing.  While you enjoy that, you can also check out is a wonderful cover of Stackridge’s Dangerous Bacon.

Bandcamp  | CD Baby

 

Nat & Alex Wolff “Black Sheep”
Musicians/actors Nat and Alex Wolff starred on the hugely popular Nickelodeon series “The Naked Brothers Band” from 2007-2009. Now the brothers are prepared to grow up musically with their first album released under their own names. Much like Drake Bell did years ago, the boys need to go into a more mature direction and it helps that they list the Beatles, Weezer and Nirvana as influences. A standout is the first single “Thump Thump Thump” as it actually reminds you that love songs about girls should be sung by teens (as opposed to middle-aged dudes). The best song here, “Disappointed” is a very authentic theme for a young teen, “I’m not mad at no one else/I’m just disappointed in myself” regarding his place in the world. The harmonies and melody here are great – and its more of this and the rebellious “18” that make a very clear statement to the music audience  –“we are not kids anymore!” The album comes out this October.

Facebook | Amazon

The Power Popaholic Interview: John Taylor of Ocean Grove

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Take a listen with me as I interview John Taylor from the band Ocean Grove. Not only does he lead a pretty solid group of guys with the new EP Another Place To Stay, but he’s also been the Music Director for The Jonas Brothers. After many years as the backup band for these legendary teens, John has taken those lessons learned and created the Ocean Grove – and yes a full length album is in the works.

Somerdale “Brighter Than Before”

powerpopaholic

Right away you get the feeling Somerdale spent a lot of time with old school power pop and rock records. The trio consists of Chuck Penza (bass), James Caputo (guitar) and JJ Fennimore (drums) and the opening track “That’s Over Now” sounds like it fell off a classic Raspberries album. The band has the ability to channel its influences with stunning accuracy. “Bent On Napalm” has a bluesy riff similar to the Stones “Street Fighting Man” as Caputo belts away.  The bands approach is similar to 70’s influenced retro outfit Vinyl Candy, but with much less glam and a stronger songwriting approach. And it boasts two good singers, as Penza and Caputo share the lead duties.

You gotta love the beautiful opening chords and harmonies on “Sugar Valley, CA” as the chorus recalls The Bryds and Sloan. The guitar gets even heavier with the handclaps and cymbal on “We Are All Together.” It brings to mind KISS minus the makeup and with an even catchier chorus. The nicely timed ballad “Like A Rainbow” is Penza’s best moment as it recalls classic Frampton. It has a few misses (“If I Knew The Words” and “Oklahoma”) but includes a good cover of The Left Banke’s hit “Walk Away Renee”  and a very Bay City Rollers-ish “Best I Can.” Overall, there is more than enough here to recommend to melodic rock enthusiasts.

iTunes | Amazon

Hotel Lights and Sondre Lerche

powerpopaholic

Hotel Lights “Girl Graffiti”
Hotel Lights lead by Darren Jessee (Former Ben Folds drummer), has produced a nuanced indie sound that adds colorful layers of shoegazing-pop to the mix of alt. country guitar rhythms. The hushed vocals blend into the chords on the opener “Falling Down” but the chorus sticks with you, filled to the brim with orchestrated guitars and bells. The title track lumbers along, but the band really impresses with the catchy “Dave Sharkey to the Dance Floor,” similar to the talk-narrative of Squeeze’s “Up the Junction” – the chorus lingers on in your head, and its my favorite track on the album.

“Super 8MM,” with its tinkling keys and swelling violins, recalls Ben Folds doing a Roger Waters song. The next few songs sap the energy level previously build up, till the smartly written ”Through the Crowd” and “My Pretty Quirk,” brings back a Wilco-like groove. This reaches a fuzzy high with “All My Asshole Friends,” a perfect rip on all those band hangers on in the early days he “can’t remember” who talk about “irrelevant things.” Fans of both Ben Folds and Wilco will love this, although Jesses too-soft vocals could put you to sleep on a few tracks here.

Facebook | Amazon | Itunes

icon

Sondre Lerche “Sondre Lerche”
After what I like to call a few years where he’s done some experimenting, Sondre is back as the pop songwriter extraordinaire – like a 21st century Paul Simon. The sparse opener “Ricochet”  builds to a subtle harmonic choir. Then it kicks in with the anthemic “Private Caller” with its punchy chorus and energetic guitar strums. “Go Right Ahead” is a wonderful tune that rides a bass line until it shifts keys and tone on a dime, it’s a great headphones song that you’ll want to listen to over and over again.

The inner Nilsson shows its head with the sweet strings of “Coliseum Town.”  The quirkiness of “Never Mind The Typos” is an endearing mid-tempo ballad that strums with Sondre’s off-key bits and dissonant sounds that eventually take over the song a la  “Day In The Life.”  Then the sweeping “Domino” is like a coffee house version of Coldplay,  with its soft-to-loud chorus and crashing end. Fans of Big Star will hear a bit of Chris Bell in “Tied Up To The Tide” and with that not a single boring track. So consider that mission accomplished. Fans of David Mead, Josh Rouse and other pop troubadours will surely embrace this album.

Richard X Heyman 9-11 tribute

powerpopaholic

When Richard X Heyman was putting together Tiers And Other Stories – an album about life in New York City – he would have to confront the memory of September 11, 2001. Three songs eventually were included – the first deals with the day itself (“Gravity”), the second contemplates the initial disbelief and then coming to terms with the reality and aftermath (“Day Before Tomorrow”) and the third addresses the sense of loss (“Beyond The Setting Sun”). These three songs are posted on his website, www.richardxheyman.com, in their entirety this week.