Mark Bacino "Queens English"

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New York’s own Mark Bacino is no stranger to power pop greatness. With past efforts like Pop Job…The Long Player! and The Million Dollar Milkshake on my all time great albums list, it was with great anticipation I waited for the next album. Now it’s here and proves that Mark has added maturity and gravitas to his songwriting and he hasn’t lost his pop mojo in the process.  After the idyllic intro we get to the the title track, a love letter to his favorite borough. It’s a rockin’ jam full of guitars, keys and jubilant pop spirit.  Then the album switches gears into a more restrained celebration of domestic bliss starting with the Randy Newmanesque “Happy.” Following that is the album’s highlight – “Muffin In The Oven” with wonderful horn accents, and a killer guitar solo during the break. “Camp Elmo” and “Bridge & Tunnel” are Harry Nilsson inspired tunes about suburban fatherhood. “Middle Town” and “Ballad of M & LJ” continues the sunny laid back atmosphere of his neighborhood in the folky tradition of John Sebastian. A bit out of place is the ballad “Blue Suit,” so somber it threatens the overall positive vibe, but the whimiscal perspective of a local old-timer on “Who Are Yous?” redeem things. Fans of Mark’s earlier work may be disappointed by the lack of “power” in this pop album, but it stands on its own as an intimate and moving self-portrait.  Fans of Paul Simon’s NYC centered songs will find much to cherish here. Listen to the album streaming at markbacino.com

My Space | CD Baby | Amazon

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Lollipop Factory "Away In A Trailer" and "Eat Cake" EP

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With their debut in 1997 “Soon”, The Lollipop Factory quickly establish themselves as disciples of 70’s-era rock. Guitarist/vocalist David Tweed and drummer/vocalist Bekah Manning sound a lot like a marriage of Queen, Jellyfish and T Rex. Almost ten years later the band has roared back with “Away In A Trailer.” The band has pretty much toned down the pop sound here and replaced it with more metal, albeit in a carnival atmosphere. “Song For Robert Schuller” is a glorious opener with the Freddie Mercury multi-layered vocal harmonies wrapped in a forceful guitar attack. As a metal-pop album, it will earn plenty of raves. Another standout is “Crashed and Crucified,” and the killer riff leading “JumpJet.” The Jellyfish influence comes through on the excellent “Objective Man” and the classic “Somewhere My Love.” Unfortunately the band seems to concentrate more on texture and tone than any hooks or melody. “Lovers Leap” and “Tore My Heart in Two” are both a metal mess and “State Of Distraction” is off-key to the point of near unlistenable. Thankfully there is enough here to bang your head to.

A new EP “Eat Cake” was released this year, and the songs are more pop oriented, like the ambitious title track, full of complex chord progressions. “Freeze Pop Holdup” has Bekah’s vocals up front and it sounds like a totally different band. “Rigor Mortis” adds a vaudeville-styled “eulogy” break, and is a ton of fun to listen to (fans of Bryan Scary take note). The band has been touring the midwest in support of the album and EP. Overall this a band going through a creative growth spurt – and we benefit musically. They just need more focus and consistency to sustain a full albums worth of tunes.

My Space | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik 

Listen to “Song For Robert Schuller”

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The Power Pop Radio Stations

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I really wanted to dedicate a page to the internet podcasts and radio stations that have power pop bands as the primary playlist. If your favorite power pop internet radio show isn’t listed here, just let me know in the comments. The best stations and podcasts are only a click away!
Internet Power Pop Radio stations

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

Emerging Artists Albums and EPs

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Here are some indie debut albums, EPs and unsigned talent this past month that you might want to check out…

Poison Control Center “Sad Sour Future”

Upbeat indie pop by way of a lo-fi Weezer style with dissonant rhythms and cooing teen harmonies. A little like a junior version of Guided by Voices. The albums massive 17 track list is hit or miss, but you’ve got enough stand-outs to make it worth your time. I’ve posted the video  for “Being Gone” a week ago, but other tunes not to miss are: “Calling Card”,”Two Mountains” and “Friends in the Band.”
MySpace | Amazon | Listen to “Being Gone”

Galapaghost “Neptunes” EP

Galapaghost is the conception of singer/songwriter Casey Chandler. Being from Woodstock, he’s been making music since 14 and recently has released an EP of breezy folk tunes. “Aloner” is an effective opener, that recalls the Beach Boys and The Shins. The simple guitar and ukulele tunes work best here, and it loses some stream when he breaks out a synth for the title track. Listen to the gentle “Human Unkind” and “Don’t Go & Break My Heart.”
MySpace | Amazon

Annie Stevenson “2010” EP

Glasgow Scotland band that has a rotten name, but an interesting sound, equal parts of Blur, The Happy Mondays and The Clash. “Country Killer” is the most melodic tune of the bunch, with a steady beat and melodic chorus that builds very nicely. “TV Took My Soul” is a bit of punk pop with excellent buzzing guitar riffs.  “I’m The One You Hold” has a nice composition, but production is a bit rough. This is a band worth exploring and the EP is free online too, so give it a try.
MySpace | Free Download of “2010” EP

Shakedown at The Majestic EP

Shakedown at the Majestic features Chris Vermillion on guitar and lead vocals, Stephen Frandsen on bass and vocals, and Taylor Nimtz on drums and also providing vocals. We get catchy, danceable, stick-in-your head songs courtsey of this energetic unsigned Brooklyn band. The harmonies and minor chord shifts on “Bria” are sweet and compare well to Weezer, with gorgeous three part harmonies. The songwriting is strong on “Please, Lucia!” with it’s Beatles meets do-wop style that compares well with Teenage Fanclub. I was very impressed!
MySpace | Facebook  | YouTube video of “Please Lucia!”

Bodyface “Bias”

The combination of Jared Kerr, Joe Brennan and Dan Marsh bring you a heavy rock band that tries hard to channel Superdrag, but sounds closer to Extreme in spots. Either way “Get Away” is the album highlight, with a combination of  heavy riffs and solid vocals. The intense “Kill Her” and “I Love You Vampire” also have it’s moments, and the power ballad “Future No Hope” with it’s soft/hard vocal contrasts will impress you for sure.
MySpace | Album release TBA

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