Tag: Vanilla

EP and Singles Potpourri: Sandy McKnight, Beebe Gallini, Brad Marino, Vanilla, Jon Klages, Barton Hartshorn

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Sandy McKnight‘s follow-up to last year’s San Fernando Beat EP continues his string of “shoulda-been” hit songs with Fernando Perdomo. If you’re looking for DIY rock and roll, look no further than Beebe Gallini and Brad Marino. Beebe’s got a rough garage sound, but it’s chock full of hooks, and Brad’s sound is vintage gold, similar to The Rolling Stones.  Going back in time further, Vanilla ’66 is an instrumental album for a 1960’s movie that never existed, retro pop fans can bask in the fluorescent glow of nostalgia. Will there be another Austin Powers movie? We got the soundtrack.

Jon Klages new single “1133 Ave. of the Americas (For Enoch Light),” is a subtle jazzy tribute to his grandfather, akin to Harry Nilsson in its brilliant simplicity and a great mood setter. UK artist Barton Hartshorn has a new single, “Listen For A Change,” and it recalls Prefab Sprout and early Style Council. Very nice.




Goodman and Vanilla

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Goodman

Goodman “Goodman Versus The Nostalgia Machine”

NYC musician Michael Goodman has evolved over the years into a real power-pop powerhouse. And this is latest album has both an equal amount of hooks and attitude. The opening “Nostalgia Machine/Disappearing Act” features a churning guitar rhythm and a Kinks-Beatles styled mantra, about hiding within the cushions of past influences, but the guitar buzzes forward on “Raymond Burr” with plenty of energy. Similarly “Rachel K” has a swagger similar to Jeff Whalen (The Brothers Steve) and its hooks get you pretty easily.

Goodman excels with a gem describing the sudden end of a relationship “Gone In The Blink of An Eye” where “hey it sucks here/everyone’s stuck here.” “I Want To Spend The Day With You” and “Three Camellias”  are short sweet love songs, with some nice minor chords and the latter boasts a great string break and harmonies. “You’re Doing It Wrong!” seems a perfect song for 2020 and is another big highlight among many. In fact, each song has a catchy melodic quality and the styles vary enough to keep you on your toes. Hard to believe, but this album is better than last year’s Era of Buckets. And this one will also make my top ten list. Super Highly Recommended!

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Vanilla

Vanilla “Limerence”

Jayson Jarmon (Liar’s Club) and his band of friends are exploring his love of music with Limerence (defined as acute onset, unexpected, obsessive attachment) as he flys through several different musical styles with each track. The playful “Treefort” describing a childhood tryst with some improv jazz guitar at the end. “Sentimental” is a catchy little pop confection about his obsession and it brings us to the glammy “Velvet Rope,” fans of Sweet or Gary Glitter will enjoy this one.

The orchestral pop of “Haunted” has a Sinatra-like quality and the quirky “Easy as Pi” is a kids math song with an infectious bounce akin to Schoolhouse Rock. Because of the nature of the LP, it’s never predictable and mostly entertaining. Sometimes it falls flat or sounds forced (“The Call”) and I found the best tunes in the first half, but you can find a favorite anywhere – I really enjoyed “Let’s Start Over Again,” a McCartney-like ballad. Overall it’s fun and definitely worth checking out.

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Friday Night singles: Brent Windler, Vanilla, Dave Sheinin, Richard Turgeon, Neil Nathan

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Enjoy the gentle strums and multi-part harmonies of Brent Wilder. Looking forward to this LP soon, but get the FREE download in the meantime.

The irrepressible Jayson Jarmon of Vanilla is back and he’s “So Happy” featuring the vocals of Kara Jane. Both bouncy and passive/aggressive.

Dave Sheinin gives us a timely look at trying to find “bits of bliss” among the daily stress and anxiety.

The prolific Richard Turgeon pens a genuine love letter to his instrument.

A celebratory ode by Neil Nathan, inspired by the sounds of the Traveling Wilburys, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. Featured on the season finale of Quarantine The Show, a fundraiser for the SAG/AFTRA Covid Relief Fund.

Summer Singles: The Mayflowers, Richard Turgeon, Mom, Your Friend Jebb, Detroit Cobras, Vanilla

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Japanese rockers The Mayflowers newest single “Sunflower Girl” gets it’s premiere on Power Popaholic! Band leader Osamu Satoyama wrote the music and worked with Gary Frenay (The Flashcubes) for the lyrics. This is simply awesome and the new album is expected very soon! Get it on Amazon

Richard Turgeon turns up the juice with this rocker about the sad state of our nation.

Swedish rockers Mom channel late the 1970s power pop bands The Jam, The Beat, etc. Very cool.
Your Friend Jebb is joined by Lisa Mychols and Tom Richards and its a match made it power pop heaven! Comparable to the Agony Aunts “Change of Seasons” is amazing! Plus the band teams up with Terry Draper (Klaatu) on “Sound The Alarmed.”

Detroit Cobras really know how to raise the mood with “Feel Good,” a song that you need to blast at full volume and sing along to!

Jayson Jarmon from Vanilla has been releasing a series of singles that reflect many different musical eras and styles. This time he imagines himself a Glam rocker circa 1974. T-Rex fans will love this one!

Singles: The Cudas, Ryan Allen, Empty City Squares, Mike Daly, The James Rocket, The Starbems, Chris Church, Vanilla, Richard Turgeon

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A boatload of great new singles! Check these out… and some are FREE downloads!

This is some great power pop hero worship with strong riffs. The Cudas deserve kudos for this!

Fresh after working with Nick Puinti on his new LP, Ryan Allen gets to work on his own music for a cause. 100% of the proceeds for downloading these songs will go to the Black Lives Matter movement.

New Jersey band Empty City Squares describes a world that is spinning off its axis thanks to COVID-19. The band also has a single out exclusively with Big Stir Records called “Parmenides” which is quite good.

Mike Daly is releasing a somber song for these troubled times. A bit depressing, but “I guess this is my life now, I hope that it lasts.”

NY based The James Rocket does it all right; wearing a mask, washing your hands, social distancing, and getting freakin’ frustrated with the whole thing,

Japanese power-pop-punk band The Starbems are part Knack and part Ramones. This single kicks ass all over the place.
Frank Burns was a band in the mid-90s that existed just long enough to record two songs. North Carolina’s Chris Church was part of that effort and delivers these rare artifacts. But why name your band after the most annoying character from M.A.S.H.?

Jayson Jarmon from Vanilla has a knack for tasty power pop. I love both the catchy “Easy As Pi” and the Western-styled pop of “Easy.”


West coast rocker Richard Turgeon keeps cranking out material for his new upcoming LP.