Poplord "Poplord vs. The Universe"

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Central California’s Poplord have created several notable power pop albums in the past, now they return with Poplord Vs. The Universe. The album’s space theme/concept is loosely followed here. “Flower Bomb” is a formulaic, but pleasing opener with smart harmonies and neat jangling rhythms. “Miss Universe” follows as an apt spacey themed love song, that has a garage styled duel vocal bridge and echoing chorus. It’s a charming melody that has a great guitar outro. “Descending” is a majestic piano tune, that is parts “Whiter Shade of Pale” and John Lennon. Another highlight is “Save The Monkey” with it’s bright melody and Jagger-like falsetto chorus.

The album’s second half doesn’t hold as much attention, but it’s never boring as the band has it’s own quirky worldview. A special treat is the gentle narrative of “Mr. Wesley” with a descriptive lyric and lovely melody. Some influences are easy to spot (Beatles, Alan Parsons, Fountains of Wayne,) and the ever present synths find an empty space in each song to flourish. The band matures like a fine wine here and I look forward to future releases.

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So long, Mr. Barry

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Legendary film composer John Barry passes away at age 77. I’m a huge Bond fan and his music is simply iconic orchestral pop.

Here is the “007 Theme”, not to be confused with “The James Bond Theme”, is an adventure theme composed by John Barry in 1963 for the Bond film, “From Russia with Love”, It became a secondary theme for the Bond films, being used in quite a few Bond movies, primarily during action scenes. If you like, here is Barry (circa 2001) conducting both “Goldfinger” and “The James Bond Theme.”

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Sick Of Sarah "2205"

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Don’t you love it when girls really know how to rock? This Minnesota quartet play pop with a dash of punk energy and solid musicianship. Think the Go-Go’s meet Joan Jett in the parking lot for a rumble. The band has won kudos from Sussanna Hoffs (Bangles) and Nancy Wilson (Heart) so you know the band is on the right path.

2205 is named after the band’s house address, where many nights were spent jamming. Lead by a bass line by Jamie Holm, we get “Overexposure” and lead vocalist Abisha Uhl delivers a rock vocal with honey sweet backing harmonies. Highlights include the back beats of “Kick Back” and the “Autograph” with solid guitar riffs leading each song. Some song themes are small vignettes that follow a familiar pattern in “Cigarettes,” “One Night Stand” and “Shattered.” Once the tempo slows the band tends to lose those hooks, although “Cigarettes” boasts the best lyrics like “I don’t know if I’m real. And I might run home and kill all my friends.” A solid effort that will win over fans of grrl rock.

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Vinnie Zummo "Swinging Guitar Sounds of Young America Vol 1 & 2"

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New York City musician Vinnie Zummo is a top session player who spent years with Joe Jackson and other major artists. Armed with skills as a guitarist, producer, arranger, etc. it was easy for him to enter the studio and create whatever sound he wanted. Zummo is a musical chameleon that can emulate all his musical heroes. On his latest SGSOYA Vol.2 he opens with a Beach Boys styled prayer, and jumps into “Homicidal” a Lennonesque ditty similar to “Instant Karma” and then his wife Janice sings lead vocals on the Patsy Cline like “Don’t Wait Too Long.” You also get jazz, polka, pyschedelic, and other genres, as Zummo’s whole raison d’etre (as he sings in “I Love Conjunto”) is “it all sounds good to me.” More favorites on Vol.2 are “Special Thing” (it could’ve fallen off The Beach Boys’ Sunflower) and the nostalgic tribute “John Lennon.”

On Volume 1, Beatlesque highlights include “Fab Gear” and “Ringo.” But I also enjoyed the Satriani-like guitar licks on “Retro Fuso” and the Claptonesque “Take The Cream.” Zummo jumps around the musical spectrum like it’s his own personal top 40 mix tape. Each album is bursting with 20 tracks and it’s a great example of his versatility and songwriting skills.

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Wild Bores "Welldone and Charred"

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Power pop veterans Wild Bores are back and the duo of John Whildin and Brian Chard concentrate their third album on strong melodies with toe-tapping rhythms. Starting with the up-tempo “Expect Me Now” its similar to The Dbs or Big Star with it’s catchy base line. Crunchy guitar riffs with controlled distortion rule “Biology” and it bumps up things a notch. There are strong riffs on “Forward Is Backwards,” but the vocals here seem buried or slightly off.

Thankfully the band doesn’t stray off course, as “Freake” is an excellent power pop single that we’ve come to expect from the Wild Bores. The production is not over polished and recalls classic REM or Chris Stamey in spots, with the memorable “Making A Sun” and the heavier “18 Miles” as highlights. The band tries a few experiments here on the quieter tracks, and some work (“Band of Thieves”) and some don’t (“Taking Time”). They break out the big horns for the closer “Same Time Tomorrow” and it’s a great song that highlights how much this band has developed. Check it out.

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