Ho Ho Holiday Singles!

powerpopaholic
Jana Peri “I Hate The Holidays (But I Love Spending Them With You)”
Jana came out with his catchy single last year, but it’s worth posting again. Jana also has a new song “Gallery Whore” which was inspired by her love of art galley openings around NYC, where schmoozing, free wine and cheese are part of the thrill. Fans of Blondie will really love this new single, along with the holiday one.
MySpace | CD Baby

The Attack “Father Christmas”
The Attack are a Florida-based group that intentionally straddles the line between classic hardcore and old school melodic street punk. You won’t get stockings hung with care or sugar plum faries, it’s more like machine guns, unemployment, and youth mobs run amuck through this dark Christmas classic by The Kinks.

Deer Tick “Holy Shit, It’s Christmas!”
It’s a Holiday surprise from Deer Tick! The indie favorites just released this holiday EP, featuring the song “Christmas All Summer Long,” sung by John McCauley and the Tony Clifton-esque “Holy Shit, It¹s Christmas!” sung by Ian O’Neil. It’s got a rough garage rock feel, not too far removed from those old Mojo Nixon chestnuts from the 90’s. 
The Brigadier “6 Christmas Tales” EP
Have a Brigadier holiday with this collection of sentimental and nostalgic pop songs about the many facets of Christmas. Perfect for those chestnut roasting nights full of jingling bells and jangling guitars. After listening to The Attack and Deer Tick, you may want to take a shower and then listen to this.
MySpace | CD Baby

The Davenports FREE single 
“Whore for The Holidays”
This is an awesome Christmas song. Helmed by Scott Klass the band features Tommy Borscheid, Angela Webster and Karyn LeSuer. Building on the popcraft of their two previous critically acclaimed records—Speaking of The Davenports and Hi-tech Lowlife—”Whore” is a prelude to The Davenports’ new record, Why the Great Gallop coming in January. Review on that coming soon!
MySpace  |  Download “Whore For The Holidays”
icon
power pop reviews, power pop and rock and roll opinions. Power pop and even more power pop and rock and roll.

Elves of Heaven (ft Martin Clancy) "This Christmas"

powerpopaholic

It’s time for holiday music again. We get started with The Elves of Heaven (featuring Martin Clancy) as they have a Christmas EP now available on Amazon. “This Christmas” starts with seasonal bells that are quickly replaced by electric guitars and icy lyrics.

My Space | www.elvesofheaven.com

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

The Power Popaholic Interview: Yngwie Malmsteen

powerpopaholic


I’ve always loved great guitarists (like Joe Satriani) whether they played power pop or not. Here is another great guitar god, Yngwie Malmsteen. We got to talk about his latest album “Relentless” that came out late last month. Yngwie gives a passionate interview about his career and his approach toward music.

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

Chris Murphy and Bastards of Melody

powerpopaholic

Chris Murphy “Look At This/Remember That”
Chris Murphy comes to us through Michael Carpenter’s Big Radio Records label. I hear a few musical similarities, but Murphy is a musician with his own style. He’s made his name on Australian Idol and has toured as one of Perth’s best known vocalists. Fans of Crowded House will appreciate Murphy’s earnest croon on the opener “Here She Comes.” The follow up “Walking Around In The Dark” has a bouncy tempo and solid melodic chorus that make it a treat.

Then Chris takes it up a notch on “Run and Don’t Look Back” with classic rock riffs and the soulful mid tempo “The Bigger They Are.” Many artists put the “hard” songs alongside the “soft” ballads, but are rarely successful with both styles in equal measure. This is what makes Murphy so special. Blues rocker “Come And Get Me” and the tender duet “Don’t Doubt It” come from opposite sides of the musical spectrum, but are both wonderfully written and performed. Occasionally the album does get formulaic in it’s pop approach (“Your Pretty Little Head”) but it’s better than most bands out there. It ends off with a nice little Beatles cover, “Blackbird” with flute and violin flourishes that enhance the song’s appeal. An impressive debut that pop fans will appreciate.  

ChrisMurphy.net.au | Amazon 

icon

Bastards of Melody “Hurry Up and Wait”
New Jersey’s Bastards of Melody have followed a mantra of catchy guitar riffs and memorable melodies. The latest album’s vibe is based on the Cheap Trick – Replacements variety of power pop. “Around You” follows this formula perfectly. The Rickenbacker jangle and harmonies are part of “All I Want To Know” and you’ll want to crank up the volume here. “Dream Jeannine” has little psychedelic touches and a Byrds-like chorus. After a few mid tempo songs the band breaks out those high energy riffs again for “Cut and Paste.” Fans of The Spongetones and Smash Palace will appreciate the dreamlike pop texture of “Gateway Center.” My only peeve is that lead singer Paul Crane’s vocals shouldn’t be buried under all those multi-layered riffs (like on the pop punk gem “Unproductive”). With that mentioned the compositions are strong, without a hint of filler. An exemplary album of the genre that shouldn’t be missed.

MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

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

Blake Jones & The Trike Shop "The Underground Garden"

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Talented musician Blake Jones leads his quirky DIY pop band The Trike Shop on a ambitious musical journey through The Underground Garden.  Taking cues from icons of sixties pop (Beatles, Mod era Who and Beach Boys) the tunes are done with zeal and sincerity on the opener “Forestiere Gardens” complete with catchy “oh yeah” choruses.

The album does have a sense of humor and vocal style that recalls The Bonzo Dog Band in spots. “Sing Along” is a another good example with a wonderful melody line and “la la” background harmonies that compels you to join in. You’ll quickly recognize the “Magical Mystery Tour” chords opening up “Sun Up” but it takes it up a notch similar to The Pillbugs. Some tracks are clearly more novelty oriented (“Christmas Sale” and “Fighting the Big Dumb Noise”) and as much as I love the theremin, it goes a bit long on “Neptune Bursts Free.” But it clearly doesn’t get boring, and the fun in autobiographical songs like “Send The Band To Liverpool” are just infectious. There are 15 tracks here, each with it’s own charm so you’re bound to find a favorite.

MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon

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