International Pop Overthrow 2009 in NYC begins!

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International Pop Overthrow (or IPO, as it has affectionately become known) is a pop music festival which has been held for the past eleven years in Los Angeles. We have also held IPO for various years in Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto, as well as in Liverpool, England (at the world famous Cavern Club)! This is where you can hear the power pop stars of today and the up and coming rookies from those important indie labels. Tonight Jeff Litman is expected to take the stage at International Pop Overthrow in New York at Kenny’s Castaways. Other notable musicians to appear during IPO are: Maple Mars, The Beat Rats, George Usher, Wendy Ip, Dreaming In Stereo, The Grip Weeds, Lane Steinberg, The Brixton Riot, Buddy Love and Eytan Mirsky to name just a few.

They are all playing there from Tuesday (11/03) to Sunday (11/08) – see the full IPO NY schedule for details and showtimes.

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Android Angel and Jupiter One

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Android Angel “Glow Worm”

Paul Colto (aka Android Angel) set forth to create this album and right away his musical equipment was stolen. Continuing undaunted, the album has contributions from musicians along Paul’s journey. This is not a standard indie pop album, as the opening track “Music of Android Angel” combines synth, guitar, drums, and radio sound bytes overlapping into a harmonious pattern. But this odd electronica styled opener is just an appetizer. The wonderful “In Communique” has a very Dylanesque quality that utilizes an orchestral sweep and a female backup chorus. This continues on “Unfinished Business” where Paul’s vocal resembles Donald Fagen, and his speedy guitar riff recall Pete Townshend. It delves into a deliciously creepy Progressive rock riff on “My Virus Crown,” but stumbles badly on the bland punk pop of the crime themed “Wheels.” It’s the emotional tug of “Love With No Reason” and “Glow Worm” which resonates here. Adventurous pop fans will not be disappointed here with nihilistic songs like “The Beginning Of The End.” Fans of Roger Waters, Radiohead, Mercury Rev and Townshend-like ballads will also enjoy these tracks and many more.

Jupiter One “Sunflower”

Jupiter One is a modern New York pop band that creates ear friendly melodies and safe dance floor grooves. Mixing past pop influences with bits of pop art and the absurd, the video for “Volcano” offers a snapshot of the band’s sound. Wild and out-there while maintaining elements of post-modern nostalgia, the video takes you on a ride through striking visual landscapes that mirror the explosive content of the song. The opening track, “Volcano” wanders into Maroon 5 pop territory and the heavy guitar and strained vocals of “Lights Go Out” recall the recent Adam Marsland. The band seems to have a sound for whatever your mood. It switches gears again on “Flaming Arrow” which is a sweet alt-pop tune with a catchy multi-tracked chorus designed to soothe. Singer K Ishibashi is a musical chameleon who changes with each twist and turn in this vibrant album. “Anna” accesses a Queen-like falsetto chorus and is both familiar and completely new. The gentle ballad “Find Me A Place” is has K’s restless vocal resemble Morrissey doing Sting. It also is a “grower” meaning the album’s melodies get stickier with each listen. No duds or filler on this album either so if you like a little variety with your power pop, this will do just fine.

Jupiter One Site | MySpace | Itunes | Amazon

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Bryan Scary & The Shredding Tears "Mad Valentines" EP

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Just in time for Halloween, Bryan Scary and The Shredding Tears worked a bit of musical magic. The mad hyperactive piano of “Andromeda’s Eyes” and even faster chorus makes it hard to enjoy, unless you’re into a musician on a sugar speed overload. Thankfully, he dials it back down to earth on the follow up “(It’s a) Gambler’s Whirl” with a tight disco-pop composition. The next track is the best, an ELO-inspired “The Garden Eleanor” with a bouncy piano and catchy hook in the chorus that is so good it’s scary (ugh. Even I groaned at that one). The other tracks are pleasant and engaging, including the lovely ballad “Maria Saint Claire” and the expansive epic “Bye Bye Babylon” that has great manic energy and guitar majesty. In summary, after a trick (track 1) we are given some wonderful musical treats to fill our metaphorical musical goody bag. The band are touring throughout fall/winter to support Mad Valentines. They plan to enter the studio early in the new year to record their next full-length album, a Western set during the early 20th century and titled Daffy’s Elixir.

MySpace | Itunes | Amazon

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The Madd "The Madd Are Pretty Quick"

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Now for a new band few have heard of from Rotterdam, Netherlands called The Madd. They follow in the tradition of European mid 60’s garage-merseybeat revivalist like The Mellowmen, Bronco Bullfrog and The Winnerys. I can’t tell you much about them cause I don’t speak Dutch, however this local reviewer does and you’ll hear all the English you need to know in the review. The opening track, “I Know” is a dead ringer for The EasyBeats and the follow up track “The Days Mind The Time” is a brilliant Beatlesque mid tempo charmer. “Good Evening Girl” is another gem full of catchy riffs, fast tempos and solid harmonies. The band plays really tight, so it doesn’t feel like a simple retro-retread and the first half is damn near perfect. And unlike some European retro bands you won’t hear any Dutch accents. On the albums second half, a little more psychedelic feel is added with Farfisa organs to “I Loved You” and “If You Don’t Come Back” and you’ll hear bits of The Seeds and Strawberry Alarm Clock here. By the albums end, we go the full garage monty along the lines of The Creation or The Pretty Things on “Love” and the theme “We’re Pretty Quick.” But that doesn’t change the fact that each song here is an soothing salve to retro pop enthusiasts like myself. Fans of the above bands and classic power pop simply must get this now. It’s extra cheap on AimeStreet ($3.30) so you have no excuses.

My Space | Band Website | Lala | Amazon | AimeStreet

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