Powerpopholic

Bazooka Jones and The Sexy Accident

April 2, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

So this title sounds like a really dirty comic strip wrapped up in bubble gum. Actually it’s two bands I’ve listened to.

Bazooka Jones “Bazooka Jones”
You gotta keep your eye on Detroit, rock city… Fronted by a 4′ 11′ rock and roll dynamo Viagra and backed by the crunchy, guitar attack of her 6′ 3′ ventriloquist dummy Bullethead, the band delivers in spades, both sonically and visually. Viagra’s velvety vocals resemble a cross between Natalie Merchant and Debbie Harry. Bullethead’s strong guitar work support the basic melody and the opener “Pants Off” sets the right tone. The colorful/menacing visual images of the band don’t quite match up with the guitar pop that gets too light on occasion (“Swinging On The Moon”). I expected something more Southern Culture on The Skids, and get something closer to The Donnas or Vibeke. And that’s fine with me. In fact the hooks and harmonies are in full force on “Goodbye, Mr. Nice Guy” and the bouncy “Love Up.” These are great pop songs and Bullethead does get to go a little Van Halen on “Bazooka Ride” and a wild cover of “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.” The drums keep a steady beat and help put together a string of great songs like “Girl On Fire” and “Drive In Boy” with a heavy emphasis on the “power” in power pop. Fans of Garage pop and female lead bands mentioned above should pick this one up.
MySpace | CDBaby| Bazooka Jones site

The Sexy Accident “Kinda Like Fireworks”
This is a Kansas City-based band lead by singer/songwriter/guitarist, Jesse Kates. After a great punchy pop debut, the band gets more adult and serious in subject. The sound recalls Jonathan Coulton meets Elvis Costello. “Baby it’s Not Cheating” is a great topical tale, about just thinking about being unfaithful. Jesse sings about someone he met online and convincing himself “it’s not cheating, as long as it’s fleeting” and hoping it really is a girl online. The super catchy “My Girl” is immediately accessible with a smooth guitar hook, and tight delivery. The slower tunes like “Gardener, Gibbet, Misery” are emotionally honest in telling the tale of self doubt. Jesse speeds things up with buzzing guitar on “Flirting With Disaster” and “Hey You” brings to mind Weezer or Fountains of Wayne. Other highlights include the snappy tempo and chord changes of “Morning Drive,” and the spiteful “Dancing With My Friends” complete with wild guitar break about stewing over regrets. A worthy set of emotional pop songs with lyrical bite. FYI – you can get it for FREE on the Sexy Accident site!
MySpace | Sexy Accident Direct | Emusic

Powerpopaholic Power Pop TV commercial?

April 1, 2009April 1, 2009 powerpopaholic 3 Comments

Hey I just made a commercial for Powerpopaholic – what do you think?

Spinnerette Poster Contest is now over!
Congratulations to: Justine Lovell of Riverside, CA

She won the random drawing for the poster, and hopefully she’s a big Brody Dalle fan. Thanks to all who participated in our first contest!

The Krayolas "Long Leaf Pine (no smack gum)"

March 31, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic

A long-time favorite group of this blog has been The Krayolas. I reviewed La Conquistadora and Best Riffs Only, and found that the band thrives on that razors edge between latino and British pop influences. Once again, Hector Saldana and the group make catchy merseybeat melodies with trademark horns on the opener “Marie Laveau.” This third album gets very topical with the single “Corido Twelve Heads In A Bag” which starts with a festive accordion intro, and turns into a Dylanesque comment on the Mexican drug wars. “So Happy” is a transitional, rough rock song that sounds anything but, with some great guitar riffs here, although the vocals get lost and the harmonies are a bit off (on purpose). But this is just a diversion from the traditional songs about girls and falling in love. The best ones here “Chola Song” and “Hurting Me Baby” are straight out of The Monkees playbook and a a joy to listen to. We come back to the Bob Dylan blues on the title track “Long Leaf Pine” and even a little bit of Elvis Presley on “Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.” But by the albums mid-point, we get to the Krayolas we all know and expect. The gentle “Fish Out Of Water” and bar room harmonies of “I Wanna Fall in Love Again” have those great chord changes and Beatley melodies you cannot resist. The Dave Clark Five styled “Matter Of Time” is another standout here. It ends with the lounge jazz stylings of “Every Little Heart” on a weary note, but the band does successfully explore new sounds without losing it’s core audience. I also love the fact that the cover parodies The Rolling Stones “Out Of Our Heads” album design. No matter the style, The Krayolas prove they can make it sound good and catchy. Once again, Viva La Krayolas!

My Space | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik | Itunes

Moldy Oldies: Pursuit of Happiness "She’s So Young"

March 31, 2009March 31, 2009 powerpopaholic 4 Comments

Ran across this recently and felt a wave of nostalgia. Led by Edmonton, Alberta singer/songwriter Moe Berg, The Pursuit of Happiness were launched in 1985 when Berg and drummer Dave Gilby moved to Toronto, Ontario. They soon met bassist Johnny Sinclair and formed the band, adding twins Tam Amabile and Tasha Amabile as backing vocalists. The album “Love Junk” was certified platinum in Canada. Produced by… who else? Todd Rundgren’s influence is all over this thing…and that’s a very good thing!

Remastered Dukes of Stratosphear due April 20th

March 29, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic 3 Comments

n 1985, the XTC recorded as The Dukes Of Stratosphear – an amazing tribute to late 60’s psychedelic pop. Music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that this was far more than a trippy parody, but “some of the best pure pop tunes XTC ever wrote” and that the group never sounded as “immediately catchy or consistent.”

Now, Andy Partridge’s Ape Records is releasing “25 O’Clock” Remastered from the original analogue tapes, available for the first time on CD in its own right. Packaged in a luxurious hardback book format with 24 colour pages of full lyrics, photos and reams of brand new sleeve notes written by Dave Gregory, Colin Moulding and Andy Partridge. Produced by John Leckie the disc includes 9 extra tracks of demos and previously unrelased material.

Also released is the 2nd album, “Psonic Psunspot.” Remastered from the original analogue tapes, and available for the first time on CD in its own right. Produced by John Leckie the album includes 6 bonus demo recordings and is packaged in a hard back book format with a full colour 24 page booklet with all the lyrics and reams of brand new sleeve notes written by Dave Gregory, Colin Moulding and Andy Partridge. According to the site, Buy both The Dukes CD’s and get a set of 6 FREE set of XTC as The Dukes Badges from Ape Records.

Preorder both albums directly from Andy’s label Ape Records.