Best Compilations of 2023: International Pop Overthrow Vol. 24 and Embers of Aloha

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IPO

Assorted Artists “International Pop Overthrow Vol. 24”

Every year, Dave Bash reliably puts out this 3-disc overview of old and new power pop talent. There are always unexpected gems that I never see promoted anywhere else, and that’s one of the best reasons to pick this up. Unlike past volumes, the quality is truly spread across all three discs. Here are some highlights for me:

Disc 1: Opening with The Cowsills on “Ya Gotta Get Up!” is proof that power pop never goes out of style. Sunbourne Rd gives us “Pioneers and Natives,” with its strong psyche-pop vibe, The Parlophonics’ brilliant pop of “Reading Kerouac,” Tyler Graham’s “If It Were Up To Me,” and the 80’s-like strums of 6Kitty’s “Do I Walk.” One apparent thing is that this is not strictly power pop but a huge selection of pop styles.

Disc 2: The jangling dream-pop of Pikal’s “That’s Not Me” or Plasma Chasms’ “Chasing Ghosts” follow a path closer to full psychedelic prog. The optimistic “Yesterdays and Silly Ways” by Thomas Charlie Pedersen is also a standout. Brian Larney & Dean Falcone have the riffs on “Love Signs,” as well as The On and Ons’ “Don’t Wanna Talk About It.”

Disc 3: The 80-rock stylings of Robin Schell’s “Eleven” and Jody & The Jerms’ “Insatiable” both have great hooks. The Love Gamblers’ “Without Love,” Stephen’s Ruin “Lorraine,” Broken Sound’s “Sky Girl,” and Lizard Music’s “Keystone Cops” also all had me very impressed. Without a doubt highly recommended, and we look forward to next year’s compilation.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Embers of Aloha: A Maui Wildfire Benefit Project

Assorted Artists “Embers of Aloha: A Maui Wildfire Benefit Project”

The people who have suffered because of the Maui wildfires will receive immediate assistance thanks to this musical initiative. The people of Lahaina and the communities located in West Maui will appreciate your generous donation, which will help provide relief to those affected by this terrible calamity. Thanks to my friend, Michael McCartney, for bringing this to my attention.

While most of these songs have already been released, some of them are exclusive to the collection. Featured highlights include Dana Countryman, Star Collector, Timmy Sean, Tammy Ferranti, David Myhr, John Hunter Phillips, and The Hurricane Beach Band (doing an awesome Beach Boys-like track). With 42 tracks, you can’t go wrong. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp only


More best compilations

Shine On: A Tribute To Pete Ham

Abbey Road Reimagined: A Tribute To The Beatles

Assorted Artists “Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies”

The Weeklings and Carmen Toth

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The Weeklings

The Weeklings “Raspberry Park”

With a medley of cover songs and some fantastic original compositions, the album Raspberry Park is a delightful journey. The fact that the band deviates from Beatlesque songs without drastically altering their sound is something I appreciate. Excellent tracks abound on this album, beginning with the passionate “Like We Used To Do,” with its catchy chorus. While sharing a bassline with “The Beat Goes On,” the infectious “Brian Jones” finds its melodic voice. Perhaps “All the Cash in the World” might serve as their theme song, expressing their lifelong passion for performing. Glen Burtnik (aka Lefty Weekling) and Bob Burger (Zeek Weekling) are in top songwriting form here; additional highlights include the poignant “Fall Down A Flight of Stairs” and the note-perfect rocker “None of Your Business.”

The unconventional arrangements of these cover versions make them stand out from the usual tributes: “She’s Leaving Home” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face.” The mashup “Mr. Soul Satisfaction” is catchy and fun; it combines The Monkees, Neil Young, and The Rolling Stones seamlessly. The transitional songs here sound like filler, but that could just be my ears being picky. The 20-second interlude of the Sgt. Pepper-ish “Raspberry Park” was too short; I would have preferred a longer rendition. This being said, the excellent music more than compensates. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Carmen Toth

Carmen Toth “Fix the World”

Carmen Toth is a singer-songwriter from Toronto, and her musical influences are Stevie Nicks, Cyndi Lauper, Kate Bush, and I hear a little Susanna Hoffs, too. She has been making independent music since 2003, but Fix the World is my first experience, and she makes a great impression with the catchy opener “Pretty Dresses.” Toth does a good job with the next few songs, as standard indie pop tunes go.

Her unique, Nicks-like cadence works well on the angular riffs of “Struggling,” and there are some nice harmonies in the chorus. Her title track, “Fix the World,” shifts from an acoustic ballad in the verse and bounces into a pop chorus about material girls being too distracted to solve issues. Some good power pop tracks here include “Time Bomb Heart” and “My Ears Are Still Ringing.” The last song, “Looking Forward,” has a hopeful, optimistic chorus that’s sure to put a smile on your face. Overall, this is a good album that deserves to be heard.

Bandcamp

No Tears and The James Clark Institute

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Okay, these are the last of my 2023 releases for review. Even David Bash has his list out now. 2024 new releases have been ready for review, and next week we begin that.

No Tears

No Tears “Heart Shaped Eyes”

Swedish musician Christoffer Karlsson is a one-man wrecking crew with his band No Tears. It’s note-perfect punk pop with “Dreaming,” akin to Kurt Baker with a densely melodic, frantic tempo, handclaps, and screams midway through. Christoffer looks a bit like a 21st-century version of Elvis Costello on the cover, and his skills are evident with the catchy “I Wanna Be With You (Tonight)” and “Electric Eyes.”

The punkier aspects sometimes threaten the melodic structure of some songs (“Same Old Story”), but there are too many great singles here to ignore; check out “Echo in My Head,” “Broken Mirror,” and “On 45.” Fans of the “Boston Mafia” (Geoff Palmer, Brad Marino, Kurt Baker, etc.) and late 70s revivalists like The Uni Boys will love this release, and it would have made my top 25 for sure if I heard it earlier. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

The James Clark Institute

The James Clark Institute “Under The Lampshade”

Produced by Moe Berg (The Pursuit of Happiness), the James Clark Institute has returned with James Clark on guitar, percussion, and vocals. The band also features electric lead guitarist Tom Gibson, bassist Tim Gall, pianist Greg Condie, and drummer Dean Carl Glover. The opener “Hit Hollywood” sets the tone and theme for the album with its playful melody, and another highlight is the shimmering “Phantom Girl” with its harmonized chorus.

Things tone down with the ballad “Tornado,” but the next song, “Whatever O’Clock In The Morning,” has plenty of optimism as it bounces along. Clark’s lyrics are often thought-provoking, as the angry protagonist exclaims, “Against my better judgment, I’m still waiting for a compliment…” in the song “Remarkably Like You.” The music is consistently good from beginning to end; even if there is no obvious single, “Waiting On The Waitress” is a really good example (with some added Hollywood references). The song hooks are subtle, and this is an album that needs a few plays to appreciate the theme. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

 

Party Leftovers and new classics: Singles I missed

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There are a few more notable singles from 2023, but we start with something new for 2024. The Weeklings have a new album coming out on Jan. 19th, and we’ll feature the music video “Brian Jones,” about some dude who was in some band back in the olden days (wink!) Also new, The Lemon Twigs prove to you they have the best harmonies of any living band with “My Golden Years,” a true power pop gem that should not be missed. A big retro 60s sound comes from Jamie Turner with “A Girl Like You,” and he’s got a few singles sprinkled out there of equal quality. Douglas Diamond reminds me a little of Richard Butler (Psychedelic Furs) with his bass-driven “Sound of Music.” Melbourne’s hottest new addition, The Prize has big riffs on “First Sight,” so check out last year’s EP. Marc Valentine had this killer single this past October with “Skeleton Key,” so I’m glad to get this out. Brothers Tom (vox, guitar) and Ethan (guitar) Carroll work together as Captain Starlet, and “Self Portrait” makes a great impression. Finally, a new LP from Bebopalula is due this year, and a few singles have leaked, like “Overtures.” A few more LPs that should’ve made my top 25 list will be reviewed next.