Fountains of Wayne "Sky Full Of Holes"

powerpopaholic 8 Comments

Fountains of Wayne have returned and its powerhouse songwriting duo of Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger are in fine form this summer. I cannot name a band that does a better job at mixing descriptive character studies with irresistible melodies. They run out of the gate with “The Summer Place” a delicious theme punctuated by a western-style riff after the chorus. Next comes the hilarious “Richie and Ruben,” a true FOW classic that begs to be sung along to.

The band seems more energized here, they don’t seem to be following any musical trend and are very comfortable in their hook-filled skins. Every song sticks, but exceptional songs included here are “Someone’s Gonna Break Your Heart” and “A Dip In The Ocean” full of fast paced rhythms and the ever shimmering tambourine. It’s hard to argue that this isn’t the best FOW album since the classic Welcome Interstate Managers. It shift gears slightly towards the albums middle with the country shuffle of “A Road Song” and “Workingman’s Hands.” And ends with the slow dances of “Firelight Waltz” and the solemn “Cemetery Guns.” Honestly, did you expect anything less? Neither did I.

iTunes | Amazon

Ocean Grove "I Want You In Love"

powerpopaholic

Get More: Ocean Grove, Music, More Music Videos

I Want You In Love” video is a snapshot of one of those fleetingly perfect, quintessentially American long summer days spent riding bikes with baskets, engaging in some good old-fashioned horseplay and cruising for pretty girls. “I Want You In Love” is off of Ocean Grove’s Little Record EP.

power pop reviews, power pop and rock and roll opinions. Power pop and even more power pop and rock and roll.

New Videos from Greg Pope and Noel Gallagher

powerpopaholic


This is a preview of a film “Giant Monster Playset” that our good friend Greg Pope is directing and creating the soundtrack for. So you’ll be hearing Greg’s instrumental cues in this spot. He mentioned that along with this, a new album is expected this fall.


So the other shoe drops. After Liam Gallagher made a big splash with Beady Eye, the other half of Oasis gives it a go. Overall this proves Noel still has the goods over his brother, but I would love to hear a few more songs.

power pop reviews, power pop and rock and roll opinions. Power pop and even more power pop and rock and roll.

Rollo Time and River Rouge

powerpopaholic

Rollo Time “Victims of The Crown”
When we hear the opening chords of “You Can Talk.” it’s clear that Rollo Time has changed from its debut. It’s a good single, with the right amount of rock bluster in the chorus. But there is less stylistic experimenting and more of a commercial rock sound here. The exception is “Eyman Prison,” a delightful standout with a 10cc like lyrical quality.

The hard guitar riffs make the pop compositions stand out in some cases, like in “Where Is Mine” with its odd backing sound effects. Another gem is the hook laden riffs and harmonies on “I Can’t Believe This Day.” Like a mix of Joey Sykes and Marillion with its shambling rock melodies, the eccentricities of the songs will keep you paying attention, but it loses steam by the albums end. However there is enough good music to make it worth repeat listens, so give it a try.

CD Baby | Amazonicon

River Rouge “Not All There Anymore”
River Rouge, Michigan is a downriver heavily industrialized suburb of Detroit. The band River Rouge is Detroit-born Andre Comeau (lyrics, vocal, guitar), Randy Morris (bass) along with a solid group of backing musicians. The opening number “Black Licorice” is an electric rock single that impresses with Comeau’s gin soaked growl.

The band doesn’t reach that apex again, but the quick folk rock melodies of  “Usurper Hero” and countrified “Arc Welded Love” are both decent songs. “Good at Goodbye” is a straight ahead rocker, and other than the booze soaked “No Good For Nothing” the remaining tracks aren’t that compelling, but the last track titled simply, “Yes” is a wonderful tune along the lines of Steve Winwood’s Traffic.  The two “bookended” tracks are really impressive and hopefully the next album will build on this potential.

Amazon | Itunes