At SXSW, my favorite grrl rock band Girl in A Coma performed “Cherry Bomb” with original Runaways member Cheri Curri. It’s about time The Runaways got their due in rock history, and with Girl In A Coma’s connection to Joan Jett’s label it made total sense. Check out the official movie version of the song.
Stone Temple Pilots comeback – Listen to "Between The Lines"
Stone Temple Pilots – Between The Lines by Atlantic Records
Atlantic recording group STONE TEMPLE PILOTS has announced the upcoming release of their hugely anticipated self-titled studio album “STONE TEMPLE PILOTS.” This will be the first studio release since 2001’s certified gold “Shangri-La Dee Da.” The new album – which will be released on MAY 25 – will render the magic that has established the band as a dominate force in the rock scene for the past two decades, featuring tracks that original bassist, guitarist and vocalist, Robert DeLeo recently admitted to SPIN magazine as musically reminiscent of “Paul Revere and the Raiders” driven by the sound of the sixties. Check out theband’s site. With all the other new releases coming out it’s good to see this band return after years out of the public eye.
The Secret Powers "Lies and Fairy Tales"
Ryan Maynes (aka Schmedly) and his merry band mates have returned to build on the astounding success of their previous album. Truly filled to the brim with unabashed worship of Electric Light Orchestra, Jellyfish, and The Beach Boys it’s like listening to bright sunshine. Opening with the harmonic treats on “Tangerine” complete with ELO-styled guitar goodness it transitions to the “Pet Sounds” sing-along “I’m So In Love.” Hook after hook are poured into these songs and that’s what’s so impressive here – it’s perfect power pop. Fans of Harry Nilsson will flip for “New Skin” – it sounds exactly like him and bounces along with the same style that made The Point so wonderful. The next few tracks (“Feels So Good” and “Riding The Shark”) are multi-layed with guitars, harmonies and unique instrumentations that compare well to Jellyfish albeit with Schmedly’s grizzled vocal approach. “Cows” uses the multi-tracked vocal style throughout and the mid tempo ballad “Miss Lonely” rounds out a perfect album half. Schmedly’s vocals head fully into Bryan Adams territory with the dramatic “The Lie” and the remaining album tracks are very strong, but don’t shine as bright. The group vocals and melodies on “Chemical High” and “Just Might” recall mid-western rock bands like The Allman Brothers Band or Bob Segar a bit and the Elton John-like piano chord shifts round it out on “Nothing As Nice.” As a special offer from Kool Kat Musik, you get an additional disc of bonus tracks. This album easily makes my top ten this year, keep it coming guys!
My Space | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik | CD Baby
Listen to a clip of “Tangerine”
Big album releases on the way…
- It’s been too long, but it’s on the way here. Teenage Fanclub is set to release the new album “Shadows” on May 31st.
- Superdrag‘s John Davis has recorded a tune in memory of Alex Chilton called “Cerulean Blue (For Alex Chilton)“. This is a FREE download, so pick it up Power Popaholics!
- Pop favorites Crowded House are making a comeback. The new studio album “Intriguer” will be out this June
- Rooney’s third album “Eureka” is coming out on June 8, and the band promises it will be “their most inventive and original material to date.”
- Barenaked Ladies latest disc “All In Good Time” is already out in Canada and will hit the states the end of this month.
- The New Pornographers latest, featuring Neko Case and Destroyer’s Dan Bejar, in addition to bandleader and chief songwriter A.C. Newman, is called “Together” and you can download the first track FREE and expect the album out in April.
A big thanks to toopoppy.com for breaking a lot of this to me and you.
Chris Corney and Gary Hood
Chris Corney “Sans Everything”
The Ravines frontman Chris Corney returns with his second solo LP, a straight forward contemporary pop album that will impress fans of Crowded House and Squeeze. Those expecting raucous power pop shouldn’t expect too much, but Corney’s emphatic vocal and guitar chimes on “Best Thing That Ever Went Wrong” compares well with contemporaries Neil Finn and Glenn Tilbrook. “When Jenny Smiles” is another excellent song and the cascading keyboards work well with the song’s jangling rhythm. The rich layering of audio textures from the production generates a depth that takes time to appreciate here, and the best tracks include “High Hopes,” “Mariette” and the acoustic ballad “Which Way To Fall.” And you even get a glimpse of greatness in the guitar solo on “Red Boots.” The sins here are the few tracks that take a guitar riff and drive it into the ground (“Sweet Vines”) to the point it’s repetitive. But for the most part, it makes for highly enjoyable listening. Fans of most contemporary adult pop will find much to enjoy here.
Gary Hood “Gary Hood and The Last Show Ever” EP
A good friend of Andy Goldberg (of The Goldbergs) Gary Hood is an accomplished guitarst who has worked as a roadie for many famous major label recording artists. He plays a roots based pop that really hits it out of the park on the opener “Ice Cream” which starts with a bass line similar to The Doors “Land Ho” and adds plenty of boogie and soul here. It’s just a great display of blues guitar and catchy beat, no doubt helped by Goldberg’s contributions. The remaining tracks are closer to Jeff Tweedy styled lo-fi alt. country pop, with Andy adding backing vocals on the notable “Help Is On The Way” and “Space Age Blues” which is like an updated Neil Young sound. Add this EP to the jukebox of your favorite honky-tonk bar and you won’t be sorry. An impressive debut.
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