Powerpopholic

The Doll Test, I Love Myselfs and Jonathan Rundman

February 22, 2009August 14, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

The Doll Test “Mosque Alarm Clock”
Seattle’s Doll Test were reviewed this past summer on many other blogs and the top ten for 2008 hype is well deserved. It reunites several members of The Model Rockets and takes it’s lead from The Who, Sloan and Cheap Trick. Evidenced by the opener “I’d Rather Be Asleep” with it’s smooth as silk melodic guitar. The great hooks and Beatlesque touches are all over some tracks. The jangle and Lennonesque “Ballad of Your Blue-Eyed Boy” is another wonderful song, but my favorite here is a damning assault against hippies from a psycho point of view in “Shoot The Tamborine Man” it’s both lyrically and harmonically perfect. It also pokes a finger at America post 9/11 with “The Decider” and “The Last Rung.” This deserves a spot on your ipod without a doubt.
My Space | CD Baby

The I Love Myselfs “Show Stopper”
Riffbroker guitarist Eric Olson and Young Sportsmen guitarist Ryan Maxwell have combined together for this blistering mix of AC/DC meets Nirvana rock. The heavy riffs come out on “Born To Lose Nothin'” and “I’m Not Dead” and then you hear the benefits of two lead guitars. Olsen’s warble is closer to The Hoodoo Gurus or The Black Crowes than Ozzy, so this makes for excellent road music. “We Love Ourselves” is a great mix of Joe Walsh riffs and Rolling Stones cockiness, it makes that perfect theme for this band. Every opening riff begs you to turn up the volume and start your air guitar right away. Fans of Jet will also appreciate “Golden Child” and multi-tracked guitars on “How’s Yer Sister.” Overall nothing remotely boring here, as this album is full of high energy gems that should not be missed.
My Space | CD Baby

Jonathan Rundman “Insomniaccomplishments”
Jonathan Rudndman tells his story with simple arrangements and an acoustic guitar for the most part. As the title suggests, these tunes were born in his basement studio in the wee small hours. The songs range from forceful folk of “If you have a question” to the Neil Young-ish pop of “New Eyes.” Some songs have a more traditional instrumental angle (“Kuortane”) and others have progressive rock feel (“Nothing Downtown”) so stylistically it has something for everyone. Duet partner Beki Hemingway add her harmonies to “I Thought You Were Mine” to make it the best track on the album for me. Some of the indie pop tones recall a mix of Nick Lowe and Marshall Crenshaw. And that’s fine with me. Jonathan also has a “Best-of” collection that will give you insight into the man’s previous works.
My Space | CD Baby

Dept. of Energy "Faster"

February 20, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Robb Benson continues the musical journey started by “Held By Waits” in 2007. Produced by Johnny Sangster (Tripwires, Mudhoney, The Posies) who plays on several tracks, it is more DIY indie pop than the last one. Starting with “The Nice Sleep” it brings guitar melodies and supporting keyboards to the front, and recalls The New Pornographers or Zumpano. Benson’s vocals are consistent throughout the album, but he seems to get angrier as the album progresses . “Tuning Out” feels like a bit of Coldplay and Decemberists influence has leaked through. The lyrics are in it’s own way, abstract and looking at things from a different perspective, as our pace of life seems to move faster each day. But then I felt the music loses its way, with “Houses with Holes” concentrating on rhythms instead of melody – although the song’s message is dead on. There are bright spots like the bouncy “Josephine” dripping with anger about a clingy girlfriend where “personal space should not be breached.” This excellent song brings to mind Jet and Dashboard Confessional, with buzzing guitars and organ solos in the break. The title track is another good instrumental jam, but melodic tendencies get buried on the rant “Mind over Matter” where a frustrated Robb screams “…what if Matter wins?” I had to listen to this album several times and although the instrumentation was excellent, the hooks are lacking here. To be fair, I’m sure some fans will like this better than I did.

My Space | CD Baby

Listen to “Faster”

R.I.P. Kelly Groucutt

February 20, 2009February 20, 2009 powerpopaholic

Kelly Groucutt, former bass player of ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) has passed away at the age of 63. He died in England of a heart attack. Groucutt performed with the band from 1974 and 1983. What a sad loss to his family and the legion of ELO fans out there. It’s a real shame I never heard much of his solo work, which in many ways stands alongside Jeff Lynne as a true pop master. This video is of his hit song “Oh, Little Darling.”

If anyone knows where I can get a copy of his solo LP on CD “Kelly” please give me a shout out (It seems impossible to find).

Modern Skirts "All of us in our night"

February 19, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

The Athens, GA quartet Modern Skirts got very good reviews on their debut in 2005, but the new album draws you in with their sunny harmonies, well-placed strings, understated keyboards and quirky lyrics concerning matters of the heart. The opening track “Chanel” will appeal to fans of Field Music and the lighter side of Phantom Planet. The gentle single “Soft Petals” is a tuneful distraction with a melancholy hue to the spacious production. The standout here is the Ben Folds Five-like “Radio Breaks” a wonderful hook filled gem with a glorious piano melody. The next song, “Yugo” ambles along to a truly beautiful chorus that recalls Adrian Whitehead’s studied lush pop sweetness. Lead singer Jay Gulley has mentioned “It’s all about the song, not about trying to sound cool or show off on your instrument, it’s trying to get stuck in people’s heads.” And these tracks do stick. But at the albums mid point, it concentrates more on quirky novelty productions like the sparse Harper’s Bizarre feel of “Astronauts” and faux Billy Bragg-like “Motorcade.” Other songs here don’t approach the genius of the album’s first half, but aren’t bad at all, especially the emotional ballad “Mrs.” and the hopeful group hug that is “Eveready” with it’s combo of distorted guitar and piano solo. No doubt worth more than a casual listen.

My Space | E Music | Itunes | CD Baby (debut album)

JoyFocus "Cyber Suburban Electro Rock Circus"

February 18, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic

Musician Rikk Currence & singer Holly Joy have self produced this radio friendly, accessible slice of modern pop called “Cyber Suburban Electro Rock Circus.” Although the group is unsigned, this is by no means a lame DIY sounding pair of amateurs. The music is slick and dramatic, boasting heavy rock riffs and a professional pop sheen, that is meticulously produced. Holly’s vocals are sunny and seductive, and comes across like a combination of Shania Twain and Britney Spears, without all the faux diva theatrics. By contrast Rikk plays a hard rock axe similar to Def Leppard or Brian May, which makes this pairing sound unique. Opening with the single-ready “Audrey Is Gone” where Rikk’s near metal riffs give way to Joy’s story of a woman’s freedom from life’s burdens. The group doesn’t wear it’s Christian values 100% on it’s sleeve but it’s there for sure in the lyrics. You can’t help be impressed with the instrumental skill that Currence displays on “Grey Day My Way” with it’s orchestral details. Highlights here are a cover of the Eurythmics “Here Comes the Rain Again” and the catchy chorus in “All That You Need.” My biggest issue with the album is a few songs just go on a bit too long (“Prayer”) and get overly pious (“Halos & Flames” and “Salvation”) for my taste. For some, this doesn’t really qualify as power pop, and will be too mainstream for others, but it is highly polished pop for sure. You can only get this on the JoyFocus website.

My Space | JoyFocus website