The boys from Rockford keep rocking. The veteran rock group will start taking pre-orders for the 13-track set, which it recorded during the past year mostly in Los Angeles with producer Julian Raymond, on Friday via its official web site, www.cheaptrick.com, and at Amazon.com. Those who pre-order will receive “The Latest” on June 23, 2009.
Greg Pope "Pete" EP and interview
Greg Pope had arguably the best power pop album last year with Pop Monster. Well, the follow up is finally here with the “Pete” EP. And like Pop Monster it still has those wonderful layers upon layers of heavy guitar, evidenced by the opener “Fall into Your Arms.” The melodies continue to evoke Badfinger, The Who, Led Zepplin, Guided By Voices and his last band, Edmund’s Crown. With the next song “Help Yourself” it continues the melodic guitar assault. “How Do You Do It” has a 70’s-era bass line mixed with a funky rhythm. The big melodic single “Roll With It” is very much in the Emitt Rhodes mold with a dash of Pope’s multi-layered Beatle touches in the chorus, and even the “Lady Madonna” bassline. “Let it Roll Off” has a gentle country strum and bouncy rhythm. Even the ending track “In My Head” does exactly what the title says, and remains “in your head” long after the song ends with a looping Zepplin riff. I could be picky and mention that the vocals are a bit overshadowed by the guitar work, so figuring out the lyrics aren’t that easy. The fact remains that every song here is simply brilliant and I am ready blast this music on my car stereo this summer. In other words, Pete is most worthy follow up to Pop Monster — and just as impressive. I don’t really rate EPs in a top ten at the end of the year, but I’m ready to declare this the best EP I’ve heard so far.
PETE – Greg Pope
I decided to strike while the EP was hot off the presses and interview Greg about his solo career and the future of Edmunds Crown. Read the interview here or click the Artists Interviews button on the right.
Charlotte Pop Fest – Sept. 24-27, 2009
This is going to be the biggest power pop show of the year. After last year’s success James Deem has stocked this 2nd annual event with even bigger bands. In fact you will probably not see this many stars in one festival.
The first day, Thursday – The Posies will make a rare concert appearance and only one night. Only 100 tickets will be sold for this intimate performance.
On Friday, The Spongetones will headline, along with Bill Lloyd and others to be announced. The rest of the weekend is chock full: The Singles, The Jellybricks, Myracle Brah (Andy Bopp), Starbelly, Cliff Hillis, Dennis Schocket, Ed James, Barry Holdship, Cool King Chris, gogoPilot, Michael Slawter, Tony Low and many more to be named.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!
All proceeds from Charlotte Pop Fest benefit The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science.
The Scared Cows and the groovy guru
Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 meet the Groovy Guru (played by Larry Storch of F-Troop) and the psychedelic group known as the Sacred Cows. Apparently that dippy hippy rock and roll was meant to brainwash teens to “Kill, Kill, Kill” and “bump off a square.” Well, maybe El Goodo could use those costumes for their next show?
Radio City "Class of ’77"
After I heard The Wigs earlier this year, I thought we’d never see another lost treasure from the early years of 1970’s power pop. Long Island, NY native Gary Feldman formed Radio City in 1977, taking a love of The Raspberries, Todd Rundgren and The Byrds with him in the studio. In fact, the band’s big sin was being “too pop” in a fashionably punked-out New York music scene at the time. It’s another case of a group breaking up before it’s full studio release, but Gary revived and remastered the album, and it finally sees the light of day. Opening with true gems like “Don’t Mistake Love” and “Little Runaway” this is a perfect example of the period. Both these singles would have been big hits if they were released back then. Starting with “She’s A Heartbreaker” you can hear a bit of early punk influences poking through. The playing is exceptional, and energy on tracks like “Tomorrow” and “Play It Like A Man” compares well with Elvis Costello or The Rubinoos, full of Rickenbacker riffs and strong drumming. The last 4 tracks have alternate takes and some live performances. For fans of Buddy Love, The Wigs, Doug Derek & The Hoax and The Toms it’s a no-brainer. This is another band that deserves credit for helping bridge the link from Badfinger and The Raspberries to The La’s and The Smithereens.
My Space | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik