Jackdaw4 "Retrospectacles" Album Tracks FREE

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If you never got the chance to get either of Jackdaw4’s last albums “Gramophone Logic” and “BiPolar Diversions” – well now a combined double album of the two has been released as “Retrospectacles.” You can get them on CD and vinyl here on Januray 25, 2010. These are some of the best recent power pop tunes I’ve heard in past few years. To read me gushing about this music further, then read here and here. But to fans who already bought these albums in the past, and you still want the bonus tracks from this compliation, the band is making it available for FREE on Bandcamp. Thanks guys! To get the separate albums from CDBaby go here:
Gramophone Logic | Bipolar Diversions

The band is also making a concert appearance in London on January 21. Tickets are available from Brilliant Music and We Got Tickets.

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The Power Popaholic Interview: David Bash

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I spent some time updating the artist interviews section of Power Popaholic, including reposting a few recent interviews with Tim Nordwind (Ok Go) and Vanessa Jeanne Long (Family Of The Year) – but with most 2009 Best-of lists out, it’s great to finally hear from David Bash, the organizer and founder of International Pop Overthrow music festival.

I get the opportunity to interview David Bash and ask a few questions about IPO and what it takes to make it on David’s list. If you want to see his recent top 100 picks and more, visit fellow blogger Steve at Absolute Powerpop.

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Maple Mars "New Day" album preview

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It’s always a treat to hear from Maple Mars, here is a song from their forthcoming album “Galaxyland”, due out in March on Kool Kat Musik. Written by Mark Radice in the 1970’s, this song should’ve been a huge hit! This version features Mark playing piano, arranging strings and co-producing with Maple Mars frontman Rick Hromadka.

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Two Hours Traffic and Pat Walsh

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Two Hours Traffic “Territory”

Canada’s Two Hours Traffic is a wonderful band, who’s albums get better and more sophisticated with each release.This album is a bit more dark and cerebral than the award winning “Little Jabs”  but it is still a strong effort. The opening power pop single “Noisemaker” has that sunny bounce with a dose of hard reality. The measured “Wicked Side” sounds a little like fellow Canadian rockers Sloan or The Posies, with it’s handclaps and steady beat. At this point, leader Liam Corcoran can rock like this in his sleep and the fast paced songs like “Territory” and “Painted Halo” are smart catchy pop gems. It’s the slower numbers that dominate this album that make it all the more interesting. “Weightless One” is a solid mid-tempo story of an unfulfilling relationship. The themes of betrayal and disillusionment run through the songs, from the sparse sing along “Lost Boys” to the dark “Monster Closet” with it’s dissonant piano chords and refrain “Baby, beware…” It’s not a happy album but a very satisfying one. I guess this happens when you grow up.

MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon


Pat Walsh “Egghead”

For fans of The Beatles, XTC, and Martin Newell this album will hit your sweet spot. Walsh starts with the wonderfully pastoral “Supersonic Girl” which sounds a little like Tom Petty playing on XTC’s Mummer. The combination of wry metered lyrics and gentle acoustics on “The Rarest Rose” are melodic poetry set to music. My favorite song is “Up To You” with it’s easy going strum and sticky hook in the chorus. Walsh has a Lindsey Buckingham-like  quality with all the layered and intricate guitar work, as “Don’t Go Come Back” is a shimmering gem that should be savored. The title track is another quirky Anglophilic melody and the wonderful imagery continues with “Her Devil’s Food.” These tracks have a Beatlesque arrangement in the best sense without sounding at all like Fabs. And although it’s not always so immediate, each track sinks in like quicksand into your brain after a few plays. This album is a winner that should not be missed by anyone.

Pat Walsh Music | CD Baby | Amazon

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New Year, New Look…

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Today I logged in and my entire template was screwed up. I don’t know how it happened or why — but the site will go though a day or two of updates and maintenance. Sorry for any inconvenience, albums and reviews will continue as this site redesign continues.

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