Author: powerpopaholic

FREEBIES, Singles and EPs: The Nap, Andy Reed, Tired Eyes, Packy Lundholm, Bandits on the Run, Zebedee, The JAC, Creamer

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EPs

I found some really cool EPs and they all are “Name-your-price” downloads. Share, please!

The Nap is a band from Gijón, Spain and they have a cool dramatic ’90s pop sound. “Bed Time” is a little like Hootie and The Blowfish. Check out the harmonies on “Corredor,” and the funky guitar on “Little Cat,” it definitely grows on you.

Andy Reed is back with another selection of tunes, following up his 2015 “Relay, Vol.1.” And this set shows off his skill in different genres. “His Love is Gonna Let You Down” is a ‘70s styled rocker with a bluesy guitar that’s just smoking. A cover of Paul Williams’s “Rainbow Connection” is a sweet update of the classic.

Tired Eyes is the alter ego of Liam James Marsh (Kid Chameleon) and Ellie Vincent. Simple guitar tunes with Liam’s double-tracked vocal have plenty of charm on “It’s Late & I’m Tired” and the frustrating emotions of “Grin.”

Chicago musician/producer/songwriter Packy Lundholm does a good job with varied styles in this “Track Sabbath” EP. “Hosanna” is an epic production with a little bit of everything, and a catchy chorus too. “Cocaine Guys” is another winner with a vocoder and sax solo! Not power pop, but there is more to discover here.

SINGLES

Bandits on the Run is a talented group of NYC musicians who’ve had experience on Broadway and other venues. This single is beautiful, catchy, and inspired a short film! Looking forward to full album of those great harmonies.

Brooklyn-based rockers Zebedee have this late 70’s styled single that chugs along with some inspired bass work. This is psych-pop that will get you jumping on the bed playing air guitar.

The JAC is back! Aussie rocker Joe Algeri (The Brittanicas) gives us a rough cut of the frustration being locked up because of a pandemic. “Just punch me out, give me back my life!”

Philip Creamer knows how to do an epic power ballad as well as anyone. Fans of Bowie, Queen, and Marc Bolland will love this. I can’t wait for the next LP!

Graham Gouldman and Quincy

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Graham Gouldman

Graham Gouldman “Modesty Forbids”

Graham Gouldman (10cc) easily one of Britain’s most successful songwriters, and even at 73 going strong. “Modesty Forbids” is a highly enjoyable album that touches many biographical themes. “Standing Next To Me” is all about playing in Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band, and bonding with him on a personal level. Gouldman’s prowess is on full display with the hopeful “All Around The World” and the jangling mid-tempo gem “What Time Won’t Heal.” Many highlights here, “Wake Up Dreamer” is perfect adult pop and offers some wisdom to the younger generation. And he’s still the master of romantic melody with “Waited All My Life For You.” While you do get some indulgent moments, overall this is a fantastic album. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Quincy

Quincy “35 Years On”

Born in the 1980s New York new wave scene, Quincy was formed by Brian Butler (vocals), his brother Steve (guitar), Gerald Emerick (vocals, bass), Metro (keyboards), and Bob Holden (drums). They released a single album with Columbia Records that was criminally overlooked and promptly vanished. Brian and Steve Butler moved on to form Smash Palace in 1985, but they never forgot their old band.

Despite it all, 35 years later they still rock! “Liberty Bell” is a jangling gem of epic proportions, and the other tracks are just as infectious. “Innocuous” is full of catchy harmonies and the Kinks-like “A Get Well Card From The Devil” will carry you away. The album includes two tracks recorded live in 1979 at CBGB’s. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

 

 

Tributes and Covers: Tom Petty, Paul McCartney, Adam Schlesinger, Hanson, Brittany Spears

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Thanks to singer/songwriter/producer Andy Reed we have this wonderful Tom Petty tribute. All proceeds from sales go to raise money for All Music Is Power (AMP) a non-profit that brings music to special needs facilities across the State of Michigan. I honestly only recognize a few artists here, but they are all talented and the music is really good.


A very merry indie tribute to Paul McCartney. Features artists such as Catina Ann, Scott McPherson, Dana Countryman, KC Bowman, Ray Paul, 3rd Street Chaos, Keith Spinney, Keifer, May Chow, and Thunder Wheel. I love Coke Belda’s “Uncle Albert​/​Admiral Halsey” and KC Bowman’s “Man We Was Lonely” (sounds like members of The Corner Laughers are all involved here.) A big thanks to Texan Keith Spinney for putting this together.

Aussie musician and producer Michael Carpenter is revisiting some newer “oldies” that most Millenials grew up with. Check it out!



As part of the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund’s “JERSEY 4 JERSEY” benefit raising funds to fight the impact of COVID-19, the surviving members of Fountains of Wayne reunited for their first live performance in seven years to pay tribute to songwriter, bassist, and vocalist Adam Schlesinger, who passed away a month ago today. The band’s Chris Collingwood, Jody Porter, and Brian Young were joined by acclaimed singer-songwriter and New Jerseyan Sharon Van Etten to fill in on bass and backing vocals on the 2003 Fountains of Wayne song “Hackensack.” Purchase “Hackensack” here

 

Muck and The Mires, Pictures of Vernon, Sandbourne Rd

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Muck and The Mires

Muck and The Mires “Quarantine​-​Age Kicks”

Boston’s Muck And The Mires are a group of rockers that combine the early Beatles and Ramones, then mashes it up into a groovy garage beat. Lead singer “Muck” has a distinct vocal, like a cross between Randy Newman and Ian Hunter and keeps things moving to great effect. This is a special compilation put together by Bar Rum Records. “This Town Makes Me Feel So Lonely” is an immediate “hit,” and “Next Door To Me” has a catchy riff, handclaps and recalls the Bobby Fuller Four. A pair of songs were produced with the legendary Kim Fowley, and “Double White Line” is the gem from that session. “Lesley” is a loving tribute to ‘60s pop star Lesley Gore and there are a few rockabilly tunes. The pace is fast and the songs are short, so if you are looking for a quick boost to your mood, this will fit the bill. Even “Little Steven” Van Zandt crowned them a #1 Garage Rock band, so yeah… highly recommended!

Kool Kat Musik


Pictures of Vernon

Pictures of Vernon “bug”

North Carolina band Pictures of Vernon, is the trio of Daniel Gorham (Guitar/Drums,) Anderson Ragan (Guitar,) and Brody Rogers (Bass.) Think Weezer as a starting point. Opening with “Leaving” it chugs along on layered guitar riffs, handclaps, and harmonies. The songs often pause to change direction from quiet to loud, and “Hear Me” is another standout with the plea “It would feel so damn good if you could hear me.” Songs like the gentle bedroom pop of “White Rabbit” are contrasted by the harder riffs of “Kickflip Luis’s Roof Gap.” Not everything sticks, but enough does. This is also a “name-your-price” download, so it’s definitely music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon


Sunbourne Rd

Sunbourne Rd “Teenage Lyrics”

Sunbourne Rd is a talented dude from Northern Italy with influences that include John Lennon, Paul McCartney’s Wings, and ELO. The opener “Baby! Baby! Baby!” is a riff fueled standout that compares well with a band like Radio Days or Cirrone. “Different Life” and “Fire From The Sun” are  Lennonesque mid-tempo songs but “Joke In A Can” gets a little more in Sgt. Pepper’s territory, before it shifts to heavier ’70s styled rock sound. The power ballads “Last Time” and “Long Lost Afternoon” show off some impressive techniques similar to ELO. This short album was an impressive debut, so I look forward to hearing more. Check it out!

Amazon

EP Reviews: The Lickerish Quartet and a new interview with Roger Joseph Manning Jr.

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The Lickerish Quartet

The Lickerish Quartet “Threesome Vol. 1” EP

It’s been almost 30 years since former Jellyfish bandmates Roger Joseph Manning Jr., Eric Dover, and Tim Smith worked together on Split Milk (1993) but they’ve been teasing a semi-reunion for several months now. Well, the wait is over, and the three are now under the name The Lickerish Quartet. While it isn’t Jellyfish, it will be close enough for most fans of the revered cult power-pop band. Manning told me that there are no big egos in this project and the trio equally contributes to all the songs here.

The spritely “Fadoodle” starts the EP and it’s the most Jellyfish like tune here, a Dover-written gem that bounces along with lustful glee. Manning’s “Bluebird’s Blues” is next, a mid-tempo ballad that has all the layered sonic details building as it slowly veers into Jellyfish land toward’s the song’s end. “There Is a Magic Number” is distinctly different, a slower tune with twangy guitar and swirling synths. The EP ends on a 6 minute plus epic “Lighthouse Spaceship.” With a commanding glam guitar riff and a memorable melody in the chorus, it almost heads into Imperial Drag territory, before the piano coda fades in and the psychedelic details build-up towards a satisfying end, including a little “I am The Walrus” styled chorus at the fade. Overall a smartly detailed EP that will have fans salivating for more. Makes my top EP list for 2020, and Highly Recommended!

Amazon

Interview With Roger Joseph Manning Jr.

Despite some technical difficulties, I was able to speak with Roger about the new band, and the challenges of making this EP. Plus a preview of what’s coming next after Threesome, Vol. 1 including his next solo EP. Hopefully, the audio player will load below…

Lickerish Quartet