With so much going on, I will have a separate post for singles, and we have a new one from Dan Miraldi featuring Palmyra Delran. “Magic in the Air” has them playing at the Cutting Room in downtown NYC. Keep your eyes out for more soon! Next we have the band, He’s Dead Jim with a perfectly fine freebie themed after the classic flick ‘A Clockwork Orange.’ And its got severai impressive tracks, listen to “Spacer.” Then Rob & Ellen, a duo from Oakland have a melodic gift with brilliant DIY pop on their new EP. Check out “So Many Californians” and “Second Hand.” Well, after making my #2 album of 2025, The Gnomes have returned for a chaser, and these guys are firing on all cylinders here. Next, The Sumos are a self-described “scuzz-pop” band from Manchester, and they have great songs. Check out “Honesty” and “Hunting Tracks.” Finally, the veteran singer songwriter Willie Wisely is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his power pop classic “She.” The remaster includes demos and live tracks, not to be missed. Start at “Go!” and be transported.
Tag: Willie Wisely
Holiday music: Willie Wisely, Kai Danzberg, Mike Brunacini, Dean & Britta & Sonic Boom, Reno Bo, Ben Folds
The best way to enjoy holiday music is early December. It’s weird how we all love those songs after Thanksgiving, but hate the sound of sleigh bells after Christmas. Original holiday music has always been something I’ve enjoyed listening to because it’s fascinating to hear how different artists interpret their own personal holiday memories. Enjoy these presents from Willie Wisely, Kai Danzberg, Mike Brunacini, Dean & Britta & Sonic Boom, Reno Bo, and finally Ben Folds.
Video premieres and singles: Chris Berardo, Willie Wisely, Brent Windler, Welcome Center, Vintage Fiction, Shake Some Action!, Richard Turgeon
VIDEO PREMIERE: Chris Berardo goes full power pop with a cover of Badfinger’s classic “Baby Blue.” When asked why he wanted to cover the song he said “I’d always been a huge fan of Badfinger’s music, just such a fantastic blend of melodies, great harmony singing and rock-solid playing.” Get the single here: Amazon
Willie Wisely goes back to his power pop roots with “The Automaton.” This is the Wisely we know and love, so it’s great to hear him poke that bear once in a while. Get the Maxi-single here: Amazon
Brent Windler shows us a terrific video from his upcoming 2021 debut record New Morning Howl. The LP will be out worldwide on August 20, 2021. I can’t wait, as it sounds awesome so far. Get it here: Amazon
Welcome Center is a band that has a great mix of influences, so fans of Death Cab For Cutie and Phoenix are sure to enjoy “Parasite City.” Get it here: Amazon
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Vintage Fiction‘s psych-rock single, “Alright, Okay” sways back and forth in its own mellow vibe. A part of the EP Caution in Vogue. Check it out on Spotify
So nice to hear new music from Shake Some Action! The jangle-tastic band with James Hall has a freebie for you! Take it now, or live with the shame of not getting great power pop. New LP coming soon this summer!
Richard Turgeon is earning a new moniker for me as ‘King of Dad Rock’ with his new single “Forgiveness,” and he’s been tirelessly pouring out covers, all of them compiled here: Vol. One and Vol. Two
Singles: Kurt Baker, Danny McDonald, Suspect Parts, Willie Wisely, Richard Turgeon, Francis Lung, Nick Bertling
The Kurt Baker Combo has been putting out a few tracks over the last few months, including (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love. It’s good to hear the classic Kurt Baker sound after a few punkier projects. Look for a new LP soon I think.
A truly excellent power-pop single by Danny McDonald but it’s so short (1:10) — is it too much to ask for another chorus? Hear more for FREE on the Shake Yer Popboomerang Vol. 3 compilation.
Suspect Parts are a German band with influences coming from 60s pop and the 70s California beach sound, all the way through to 77-punk. Nice three-song EP here.
As previously noted, Willie Wisely does country music as well as power pop. The ballad “No Suprise” has four mixes here, all with steel pedal and soulful vocal performance.
Richard Turgeon just keeps putting out cool tunes, this single has plenty of guitar muscle. He also recently added “Jolene” which is a FREE download. I liked this song better, like a hybrid of The Who and Oasis.
The holidays are fast approaching. This sweet pop treat by Francis Lung is most welcome! Beautiful vocal harmonies join clarinet, tenor sax, flute, bass clarinet, and baritone sax to create this bittersweet seasonal gem. It’s a FREE download too.
Last week we featured Nick Bertling‘s Monkee covers, now he’s doing a faithful instrumental overture from The Who’s “Tommy.” A FREE download, and a fine job, Nick!
Willie Wisely and The Vapour Trails
Willie Wisely “Face The Sun”
Veteran musician Willie Wisely releases his eighth studio album this week, since 2012’s True, after a pause from making albums. Wisely has long moved beyond his early Beatlesque power pop in the late ’90s and he’s drifted toward other genres effortlessly. But he still acknowledges the influences with the playful melody of “Sutures Loose” as he sings about rising above pain. And “Cut Your Groove” is another catchy pop gem with layered harmonies, organ, and horns in the chorus. Much of the music was tested “live” in Laurel Canyon Sun Sessions and sounds great with the full studio treatment.
Wisely doesn’t sit still either. He dons a gentle pop-psyche persona in “Illumination” and delivers a fine slide guitar ballad “I Can’t Sleep,” but also he plays a few more country-styled songs that literally offer “No Suprise.” He does better with an impressive vocal performance with on the R&B styled “It’s Better Not to Care” and the soulful gem “Invisible In Love” co-written with Cliff Hillis. Other power-pop faves can be spotted in the credits like Karla Kane & Khoi Huynh (The Corner Laughers) and Kelly Jones. But the music is pure Wisely and it suits him perfectly. It’s great to hear a master back at work. Highly Recommended.
The Vapour Trails “See You in the Next World”
From the green hills of Aberdeen, Scotland comes a jangle pop band to scratch your Brydsian itch. The band is Scott Robertson (lead guitar, vocals), Kevin Robertson (rhythm guitar, vocals), Nicholas Mackie (rhythm guitar, vocals), Andrew Crossan (bass), and Kenny Munro (drums). Starting with the impressive “Sonic Wave” it’s chiming chords and psychedelic rhythms re-create the California coast circa 1969. Another brilliant gem is the melodic “The Inner Truth” which recalls both CSNY and The La’s combined.
On occasion, the band creates an atmosphere with the instrumental “Indian Reserve,” but other songs are a little too light vocally to make an impact. Fortunately, there are plenty of other highlights including “You, With Love,” “Godspeed It” and “See You In The Next World.” Check it out.
