Sarakula and The Spongetones present Jamie & Steve

powerpopaholic 2 Comments

Sarakula “City Heart”

Aussie singer songwriter Joel Sarakula is similar to fan favorite Jeff Litman, in that they both started as classically trained musicians and then set forth a mission to pursue pop perfection. The second album (check out the debut Souvenirs) is an excellent radio friendly treat. “Turn It Up” has just a touch of that 70’s Billy Joel vibe mixed with Neil Finn – and it’s irresistible. With it’s strong piano melodies and pretty sweet lyrics, “Matchstick Girl” is another treat that sticks in your head as well. The production is clean, but not overly slick, even though the dramatics are turned up for “Driving With The Devil.” The album sags a little in the middle with “Breathing Again,” and then it goes all Steely Dan with “Better Late Than Never.” If you also enjoy McCartney styled pop, it’s hard not to enjoy this disc. “Caught In The Middle” is another bouncy piano gem, that will make your feet tap and your head bop. And “Marlene” is a fast-paced direct descendant of Billy Joel’s “Laura.” Sarakula is currently on tour with fellow Australian Bob Evans, and what a cool double bill. This is simply another great pop artist that would normally fall under the radar.

MySpace | CD Baby | Itunes | Not Lame

The Spongetones present Jamie and Steve “English Afterthoughts”

I’m not sure why Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel needed to release this under their own names, but it’s a typical awesome Spongetones album. The Beatle-isms continue here, with great melodies and Jamies’ amazing guitar grooves. Quickly it starts off the ground with “Emily’s Ghost” and “Fly Girl” which highlight the duos angelic harmonies. “Let’s Don’t Count This One” is a Tom Petty styled pop guitar jangle and the Gerry & The Pacemaker styled Merseybeat ballads like “English Afternoon” and “Let Me Back In” are both short and sweet. The standout track here is “Between The Lines” with a daring dual melodic leads and a pile of hooks. The only small misstep might be “Do Be Cruel” as the song seems a bit strained, despite the wonderful background vocals. “Feeling You Are Watching Me” is another stroke of melodic brilliance and when you listen to it all, it’s consistently excellent – so once again no filler anywhere. I hope Jamie and Steve keep pumping out music. I can’t get enough of these guys, so it’s an easy recommendation.

MySpace | emusic | Amazon

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

Family of The Year "Songbook"

powerpopaholic

Channeling Fleetwood Mac’s musical stylings with a hint of late-era Beatles, Family of the Year braid catchy melodies, stellar male/female vocals and personal folk tales to create some of the happiest and saddest music you’ve ever heard. Opening up with “Feel Good Track Of Rosemead” it’s a delicate harmony and rock guitar combo, very much like The New Pornographers, or The Polyphonic Spree. Actually, it’s singers Joe Keefe (formerly of The Billionaires) and Vanessa Long who harmonize and get lots of milage out of their pop chemistry and aural dynamics. Fans of The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds who hear the gems “Let’s Be Honest” and “Summer Girl” will find a connection there for sure. The folky guitar balladry of “Putting Money and Stuff” recall classic Mamas & The Papas, both “What a Suprise” and “No Good At Nothing” excel at telling a story musically. Hey, nobody else I’ve heard can toss off a great song about your favorite pair of blown-out blue jeans in “Intervention (Staple Jeans). “Castoff” and “Psyche Or Like Scope” moves into a synth heavy, new wave styled pop, with Vanessa leading the dance grooves, along the lines of Sinead O’Connor. The band was handpicked by Ben Folds to open for him and The Boston Pops at Symphony Hall. SPIN.com has selected the band as one 25 Must-Hear Artists from the 2009 CMJ Festival. I happen to agree – this is one of those “must get” pop albums. Another bonus: this album is available on a “pay-what-you-want” basis on the band’s website. Note: Coming soon, a full interview with lead singer Vanessa Long.

My Space | Family Of The Year Site

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

Tim Butler "That’s The Way You Want Me To Be"

powerpopaholic

Tim Butler has a gentle pop sensibility, not far from his friend Cliff Hillis who plays guitar on “That’s The Way You Want Me To Be.” There is a personal honesty reflected in the lyrics as well, and the catchy, “Special Plan” is like Black Crowes lite, with a perfect blend of guitar and vocal melody. Tim’s vocal often carries the tune with a minimum of flash, just a simple clean production. The wonderful “Christine” is another mid-tempo pop gem that features an ascending bass line. Some nice vocal textures are brought out on “Tryin” with a Hillis guitar solo in the middle of the song. “Building Me Up” has more good musicianship but the hooks here are lacking til we get to the heavier guitar sound on “Every Little Thing.” As a light pop record, it succeeds but the addition of three acoustic guitar songs here makes the whole thing even lighter and less memorable. These songs are even more confessional, to the point where on “One More Try” I’m thinking… Okay Tim, I get it. You are a sensitive soul spilling it for your significant other. While it makes for an intimate live performance — you lose some of that feeling on CD. With repeated listens it does compare well with the guitar pop of The Rembrandts, and if you like that style go for it.

My Space | CD Baby

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

OK GO new album due out January.

powerpopaholic


OK Go | MySpace Music Videos

The band’s new album, “Of The Blue Colour of the Sky,” will be out in stores on Capitol early next year. This is the long-awaited follow-up to their acclaimed “Oh No” which spawned the 2007 Grammy-award-winning video hit “Here It Goes Again” (Yes that’s the song with all those treadmills). Here is the first single “WTF?”

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

The Beat Rats and The Sunny Boys

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

The Beat Rats “A Cellar Full Of Rats”

They made quite an impression at IPO, making Kenny’s sound like The Star Club in Hamburg, Germany. This is Mersey inspired garage rock in all it’s glory. Opening with the instrumental “Beat Rats Theme” is as catchy as The Surfari’s “Wipeout.” This is not so much a Fab Four tribute, as a scruffy, raw re-creation of the British sixties combo, so fans of The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Big Three and The Dave Clark Five would love this as well. The guitar riff and snarl works wonders on “Mine All Mine” and “I Can’t Wait.” The poppy straight “No Good At Love” is another gem that follows closer to the early Beatles style. The vocals could use a bit more polish on the slower numbers like “Only 16,” but it’s the Duane Eddy/Link Wray instrumental genius of “Rat Fink” that will give surf guitar enthusiasts the goosebumps. The band also has loads of energy to go around, and the songs are short and sweet. What else do you need? Only for sale at Kool Kat Musik, it comes with a bonus 5 track live performance EP.

MySpace | Kool Kat Musik

The Sunny Boys “Beach Sounds”

In the cold of winter, it’s best to listen to music that’s warm and reminds me of those summer nights. And that’s exactly what this Italian Beach Boys tribute band is. They started their surfin’ safari at the end of 2003 when the long time hardcore fan Gianluca Leone (aka Brian The Captain) finally got the opportunity to form the band. All the dedication pays off, as even Jeffrey Foskett (Brian Wilson’s band) gave high praise for the song “Mahalo“. Beach Sounds aren’t straight covers but original songs with it’s own style, and includes pitch perfect harmonies and huge hooks. The arrangements are notable on the ballad “She’s My Summer Dream” where it weaves the vocals together seamlessly. It’s so gorgeous it goes above and beyond the typical tribute band. If you’re not listening carefully for the accents you’d swear this was a lost Beach Boys album circa 1964. It’s essential listening for fans of this style of pop. Eccellente!

Sunny Boys Site | MySpace | CD Baby


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