Author: powerpopaholic

Geoff Palmer and Cloud Eleven

powerpopaholic
Geoff Palmer

Geoff Palmer “Pulling Out All The Stops”

Geoff is a power pop veteran from numerous bands (The Connection, New Trocaderos, and The Kurt Baker Band) in addition, he has written and performed many of their biggest hits. So when Connection bandmate Brad Marino went solo earlier this year, Geoff decided to go solo too and throw in the kitchen sink when it comes to pop punk and melodic rock anthems. Geoff delivers his signature sound but without a dominant bass vocal, so he layers his songs in harmonies and rich guitar rhythms.

“This One Is Gonna Be Hot” sets the template with a quick tempo and take-no-prisoners abandon, akin to an early Green Day hit. “Cha-Ching” is a soundtrack to a fast-paced bank robbery, then it slows a bit for the amazingly catchy “Giving In.” The non-stop action continues without everything sounding alike, “I Got The Skinny” could be a Kurt Baker tune with its punk energy and “We Can’t Do It” is another gem with a Beach Boys-like intro about turning down a gig while touring (Maybe this was about 2016?) It was hard to find anything that felt like filler, “All The Hits” is a great sing-along tune, and my favorite song was “Velcro Shoes” about a dude “past his prime.” He even shouts out to Kurt (I believe) when he sings “Punker Than Me.” With 16 short and sweet tracks, it’s a perfect party album for summer and a nominee for best album of 2019.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Cloud Eleven

Cloud Eleven “Footnote”

Rick Gallego (aka Cloud Eleven) makes music for himself and we are blessed he is able to share it with us. It’s pure bedroom-psych-pop from the Brian Wilson/Wondermints school of soundscapes. “On Pismo Beach” has a lovely building chorus with soaring harmonies, and  “Aural Illusion” attempts to explain that “magic to my ears” with slow swirling chords and strings similar to ELO. “Bound To Follow” embraces the California sound with lush melody lines, overlapping vocals and sleigh bells.

The poetic folk of “For Weal and Woe” and “L.A. County” is a slight shift in approach, with brightly strummed chords over a light percussive rhythm. Gallego looks back philosophically at his career with “Skywriting” and then “One Big Hideaway” feels like an interpretation of Brian Wilson’s mid 70’s isolation. The title track explains Rick’s contentment to be a “Footnote” in music history. Overall, while the album’s theme is slightly melancholy, it’s not too depressing either. It appears these melodies are just right for quiet contemplation with headphones. Check it out.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik | CD Baby

Coleman Gota and Armchair Oracles

powerpopaholic
Coleman Gota

Coleman Gota “And The Loser’s Choir Sings”

Colman Gota is back with producer Mitch Easter on this rocking ode to a grievance. Gota’s vocal style has always reminded me of Tom Petty, but musically he forges his own unique path. Starting with “Catholic School,” he laments that “good guys only win in the movies,” as the catchy chorus sticks with you.

“Victim of Society” is a bit atonal, with his vocal melody running alongside the echoing rhythmic guitar. The remaining songs are all pretty compelling, and Gota’s voice grows on you quickly. In fact, as the album progresses it gets better, a little like a Dylan playing with REM and John Cougar Mellencamp. I love the little details and guitar riffs in “Lonely Tonight” and “Practice Room.”  The melodic menagerie of techniques on “Do You Really Wanna Know” is also really great. “Do It All Over Again” starts out quiet, but leads to a hand-clapping joyous chorus. No duds here, enjoy! Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Armchair Oracles

Armchair Oracles “Caught By Light”

Norway’s Armchair Oracles are back with a new LP (their 3rd) and the band continues to giving us dramatic and melodic rock and roll. “Porcelain Heart” is an early favorite with its gentle harmonies and guitar jangle. Lead vocalist Atle Skogrand’s tone is hushed and soothing on most songs. “She Gets Me High” has a Big Star meets Beatles quality with a solid hook and it’s my favorite song here.

The band turns up the jangle and Matthew Sweet chords on “Don’t Let It Break You” and “Might Be Wrong.” The dense production threatens to obscure the guitar solos, and at times makes the music homogenous. Thankfully on “Silver Nights” it adds a psychedelic sitar sound that adds a little variety. And the slower tempo gem “Last of All Suns” dazzles with it’s Mott The Hoople-like guitar breaks and haunting bassline. There are enough good songs here to make this one highly recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik

The Pearlfishers and Sorethumb

powerpopaholic
The Pearlfishers

The Pearlfishers “Love and Other Hopeless Things”

It’s been five years since their last album, and Glasgow’s magnificent Pearlfishers return with another wonderful album. Lead singer-songwriter David Scott has always mined the rich vein of adult-oriented pop, with influences like Brian Wilson, Burt Bacharach and Laura Nyro. The title track out of the gate is a brilliant example of the rich melody Scott can produce, burnished by strings and brass. The combination of joy and sadness are a reoccurring theme, best heard on “Could Be A Street, Could Be A Saint” with the wistful refrain that “people are beautiful. So beautiful.”

Scott makes his lyrics both inspired and deeply personal. The autobiographical “Once I Lived In London,” starts with a simple acoustic guitar melody as he describes the memories of how he “went busking every day… cold and nervous, closed my eyes and kept believing.” That pastoral track and the wistful “You’ll Miss Her When She’s Gone” reminds me a little of Martin Newell’s recent nostalgia for youth. The charm of a show tune mixed with a little soul makes “You Can Take Me There” another winner. The music is permeated in rich details and each composition is delicately arranged. I vote this album most likely to make you tear up in 2019. Highly recommended.

Amazon

Sorethumb

Sorethumb “Sorethumb Remastered”

Back in the 1980’s Freddy Monday started his music career with a band out on Lindenhurst, Long Island. Sorethumb was a true product of its time, as the opening track “Not Ready For Love” is a “shoulda been” hit mix of Hall and Oats, Billy Joel, and Huey Lewis. The band played legendary bars and clubs all over Long Island and NYC: Oak Beach Inn, Right Track Inn, Kenny’s Castaway’s and The Bitter End to name a few.

Many of the songs are stylistically similar to Billy Joel circa Innocent Man. We also get a live track from Xenon nightclub (“She’s A Teazer”) and “Sentimental Heartache” definitely had hit potential. Unfortunately, the band ran into a streak of bad luck including numerous record deals that fell apart and a major label showcase that quickly descended into a fiasco. Sorethumb never got the fame it deserved, but if you are a fan of the era this is a true hidden treasure. Check it out!

CD Baby