Geoff Smith "That’s Gravity"

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Nashville popster Geoff Smith has done it all musically from artist, musician, producer, actor to ringtone guru. Geoff has had some notable past releases (solo, and with The Tonewheels) but his latest album is a great potpourri of melodies that qualify him as the American version of Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze).

The funk rhythm, horns and brass greet us on “I Wanna Dance” as Geoff gives us a solid party anthem. Then he breaks out the Beatlesque guitars for “A Little Rock and Roll” and the tinkling piano “Gravity” has a really wonderful vocal harmony with “bah, bah, bah” background vocals weaving in and out. The McCartney-like “This is The Song” is a heartwarming melody that builds to a sweet crescendo. The remaining tunes show off Geoff’s composition skills and it’s no accident he’s written commercial jingles. Another sweet rocker is “Foolin’ No One” that will make you pick up the air guitar for sure. A few tracks aren’t as good by comparison, but nothing here could be called filler. As sure as gravity exists, this album will put a smile on your face.

Geoff’s Site | CD Baby  | Amazon

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Paul Collins "King Of Power Pop"

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If ever an artist has fully embraced the spirit of power pop and evangelized the merits of the genre, it’s Paul Collins. This is a full fledged return to his roots with a sound reminiscent of The Nerves and The Beat in it’s prime. With help from Dave Shettler on drums, Wally Palmar (of the Romantics) on harmonica and harmonies, and Nikki Corvette on backing vocals it’s as solid as you can get. The quick tempo and distinctive guitar riff of “C’mon Let’s Go!” gets  off to a great start. Paul is just ageless here as he rocks out “Do You Wanna Love Me? and the built in crowd pleaser “Doin’ It For The Ladies.” The Merseybeat jangle of “Hurting’s On My Side” is another in a line of tracks that are both short and sweet.
It’s not all Beatles meets Ramones styled guitar songs either. “Many Roads To Follow” has a steady strum and Spector-like Kettle drum, and in honor of the recently departed Alex Chilton is a note perfect cover of “The Letter.” The title track “Kings Of Power Pop” is loving look back on Collins career and other bands like The Beat. A few tracks are a bit repetitive (“Off The Hook”) and “This Is America” seems a guitar version of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start The Fire.” But there are so many excellent tracks here, it earns a nod for top ten album of 2010.  All Hail The King!

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Ladies Nite! New musical talent reviewed

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Automatic Loveletter “Truth or Dare”
Lead by the fearless Juliet Simms, Automatic Loveletter got my attention with the fist pumping anthem “Heart Song” and her distinct rasp will appeal to fans of Pearl Aday or Alanis Morissette. The lyrics are full of the drama related to heartbreak and overall the tunes are melodic despite the slick rock production. A very good debut.

Lola Spriggs “Nobody But You” EP
Lola is a  multi-talented Ottawa, Ontario based pop singer with a knack for catchy sweet songs. The title track, “Nobody But You” will bring to mind the best stuff Abba never wrote.  “I Wanna Love You” has a bouncy rhythm and lazy guitar riff that compares well with Sheryl Crow’s debut. Lola’s infectious voice makes this EP come alive and even the hokey country pop stylings on “Love On Rock” are a treat.
MySpace | Amazon 
Amy Regan “Gonna Get Better” EP
With so many good female pop vocalists out there you need a little extra to cut through the clutter. Amy Regan is a great songwriter too, and her success doing songs for TV commercials helped her break through. Her balladry compares well with Joni Mitchell or Edie Brickell on “Keep You Warm,” but the pop bounce on “Crazy” is what impressed me the most. This is honest to goodness pop that just makes you smile.
MySpace | Amazon | CD Baby
Jamie Bendell “Something More” EP
Jamie Bendell is a New York City artist with a wistful songwriter vibe that draws you in with a wavering vibrato in her voice. She makes the whole act of drinking “Chocolate Milk” a exercise in self reflection a la Ben Folds. “Rescue Me” is a compelling single as well, with a strong melody in the chorus.  If you’re looking for a more poppy version of Norah Jones, then Jamie Bendell isn’t a bad place to start.
MySpace | itunes | CD Baby
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Beware Fashionable Women "s/t"

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Good music is always easy to miss. This talented Pittsburgh band has a vibrant album that came out last year, but it’s still making it’s way to fans slowly but surely. The band has worked with Rivers Cuomo of Weezer on demos for his upcoming solo album. Songs from their debut album can be heard as backdrop to a few cable TV shows as well. Not much else is known about them, as lead singer Barak Shpiez is just “trying to hook people with our music.”

One thing is certain, these guys know how to use a hook – “I’ll Be The DJ” is a tour de force single, that inspires repeat plays. The songs collect influences from all over the place, and on occasion it hits the sweet spot for a power pop fan, like on “Rock Bottom” with it’s fast paced harmonies and rhythm. A great tune also is found on “Your Allegiance,” if you imagine Green Day going totally pop. A few jazz influenced songs like “The Big Yellow” have such charm and with great Beach Boys styled harmonies. “Found” is another oddity that sticks, and draws comparisons to The Eels . Some songs have wild shifts in tone, like “Obligatory Tattoo” starts with a Latin beat and morphs into a They Might Be Giants styled song. It’s not perfect, but never predictable and the dark lyrics here are a plus to these sunny gems. Just to whet your appetite the band is offering a  FREE download bonus track called  “He’s A Boy.”

My Space  | CD Baby | Amazon


Music video for Beware Fashionable Women’s “I’ll Be The DJ” directed by Jason Arber of Wyld Stallyns

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