Tag: Splitsville

June Singles: Motorcycle Display Team, John Wlaysewski, Richard Turgeon, Vanilla, Splitsville, The Spongtones

powerpopaholic


London rock act Motorcycle Display Team caught my ear this week. I like the recent singles these guys are making and here is a little band bio. Some old favorites are coming back, and they have some great advance tracks for us. John Wlaysewski (Late Cambrian) has this stellar tune that I can really identify with about “Honey Badger.” Richard Turgeon gets rockin on “Shungite,” a Russian mineral(?) and Vanilla is back with another extended album project called ‘Cookiewow.’ “The Besetting Sin” is the new single from that. It’s also so cool that the brothers Huseman are back as power pop all-stars Splitsville with a new LP on the way, so enjoy “Beth Steel.” Speaking pf power pop legends, we have the return of The Spongtones! “Lulu’s in Love” is the next chapter for these guys. Enjoy these, and stay tuned for more reviews and interviews!





The Stereo Twins “Good News”

powerpopaholic

Power pop veterans, Brandt and Matt Huseman (Greenberry Woods, Splitsville) continue their musical partnership with this new incarnation – The Stereo Twins. The brothers set forth a tough challenge for themselves; to write and record an album about Jesus without having it obviously be preachy Christian rock. Not that there is anything wrong with that, one of the best religious power pop albums out there has been Rick Altizer’s  Scripture Memory from 2007.

The Husemans still have the talent and skills to make great music, and the album partly succeeds in delivering a Christian message without being overtly religious. And they start with a simple spiritual guitar folk song “J2J” which highlights those solid harmonies in the style of the Everlys. “All That I Know” does sound like written scripture to rock music, but then the album takes off.

The gentle inspirational message of  “Stars Shine” builds to a memorable chorus and is an excellent single. The follow up “Mariamne” is more like classic Splitsville and a real gem here. “Signs and Wonders” has plenty of jangle and hooks to be a big hit as well. The riffs and synths continue on the short but catchy “Phony” about being pious without faith. Fans of the Beach Boys styled Pet Soul will enjoy the heavenly “Hymn” with the 3-part harmonies and the beautiful “Elijah.” Highly Recommended to fans of great melodies and inspirational lyrics.
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