emerging artists Archives - Page 12 of 19

Expo, The Silver Liners and Meshugga Beach Party

June 3, 2010July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Since we’ve been on a beach theme this week…

Expo “She Sells Seashells”

John Lane is the driving force behind this finely crafted tribute to The Beach Boys “Smile” era pop. Comparisons with The High Llamas are inevitable here. This is primarily an impressive instrumental display with different players doing light vocal harmonies on tracks like “The Ghosts of Montreal.” Songs are lead by slow organ and orchestral percussion with textural vocal standouts on “My First Umbrella” and “Good Good News.” Some tunes seem to ramble on too long, but the layered harmonies and rhythms are a thing of beauty. Even the legendary Hal Blaine said to Lane,”Anyone that hears your album will be impressed.” I know I was.
My Space | Bandcamp

The Silver Liners “Just Like The Rest” EP

The Silvers Liners, a five-piece from Washington, D.C, has seven songs on its new EP which they recorded with Kyle Downes (The Dance Party, Greenland, Casper Bangs). These guys are rising stars for sure, being finalists for DC101’s Last Band Standing contest. With the opening riffs of “Inside Your Head” it blends modern power pop and melodic rock in a perfect combination. Fans of Nada Surf, Harvey Danger and The Flying Machine will love this band. Each track has a catchy melody and great beat, and just when they threaten to get heavier on “Cheer Up Alex” it speeds up to a bouncy feel good chorus. I am really looking forward to the full length album!
MySpace | Amazon

Meshugga Beach Party “Let’s Go Shleppin’!”

Using every Yiddish pun they can find they combine the best of Dick Dale and Jewish folk music. Is it a just a gimmick? yes — but it’s still lots of fun. Meshugga Beach Party has been a fixture around the San Francisco area since 2003 and “Hava Nagila /Misirlou” is a classic. Even the liner notes are hilariously written and designed. Much “mazel tov” has to go to guitarist “Meshugga” Mel Waldorf for making the concept work. Highlights on this album are “If I Were A Rich Man” and “Dark Eyes.” And like rye bread, you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy this instrumental surf music.
Meshugga Website | CD Baby

Emerging Artists Albums and EPs

May 12, 2010October 27, 2024 powerpopaholic

Here are some indie debut albums, EPs and unsigned talent this past month that you might want to check out…

Poison Control Center “Sad Sour Future”

Upbeat indie pop by way of a lo-fi Weezer style with dissonant rhythms and cooing teen harmonies. A little like a junior version of Guided by Voices. The albums massive 17 track list is hit or miss, but you’ve got enough stand-outs to make it worth your time. I’ve posted the video for “Being Gone” a week ago, but other tunes not to miss are: “Calling Card”,”Two Mountains” and “Friends in the Band.”
MySpace | Amazon | Listen to “Being Gone”

Galapaghost “Neptunes” EP

Galapaghost is the conception of singer/songwriter Casey Chandler. Being from Woodstock, he’s been making music since 14 and recently has released an EP of breezy folk tunes. “Aloner” is an effective opener, that recalls the Beach Boys and The Shins. The simple guitar and ukulele tunes work best here, and it loses some stream when he breaks out a synth for the title track. Listen to the gentle “Human Unkind” and “Don’t Go & Break My Heart.”
MySpace | Amazon

Annie Stevenson “2010” EP

Glasgow Scotland band that has a rotten name, but an interesting sound, equal parts of Blur, The Happy Mondays and The Clash. “Country Killer” is the most melodic tune of the bunch, with a steady beat and melodic chorus that builds very nicely. “TV Took My Soul” is a bit of punk pop with excellent buzzing guitar riffs. “I’m The One You Hold” has a nice composition, but production is a bit rough. This is a band worth exploring and the EP is free online too, so give it a try.
MySpace | Free Download of “2010” EP

Shakedown at The Majestic EP

Shakedown at the Majestic features Chris Vermillion on guitar and lead vocals, Stephen Frandsen on bass and vocals, and Taylor Nimtz on drums and also providing vocals. We get catchy, danceable, stick-in-your head songs courtsey of this energetic unsigned Brooklyn band. The harmonies and minor chord shifts on “Bria” are sweet and compare well to Weezer, with gorgeous three part harmonies. The songwriting is strong on “Please, Lucia!” with it’s Beatles meets do-wop style that compares well with Teenage Fanclub. I was very impressed!
MySpace | Facebook | YouTube video of “Please Lucia!”

Bodyface “Bias”

The combination of Jared Kerr, Joe Brennan and Dan Marsh bring you a heavy rock band that tries hard to channel Superdrag, but sounds closer to Extreme in spots. Either way “Get Away” is the album highlight, with a combination of heavy riffs and solid vocals. The intense “Kill Her” and “I Love You Vampire” also have it’s moments, and the power ballad “Future No Hope” with it’s soft/hard vocal contrasts will impress you for sure.
MySpace | Album release TBA

Aaron Fox & the Reliables "Late Too Soon"

April 30, 2010July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Aaron Fox & the Reliables started as a collaboration between Aaron Fox, guitarist and singer/songwriter, and guitarist Mike Burns. Influences here are REM, Wilco, Crowded House, and Tom Petty and the album takes off with the jangle pop of “Over Again” similar to the Gin Blossoms. “False Alarm” continues the catchy standard rock vibe and “Get Down” sounds closer to those nineties indie college bands I loved back in the day. The production and musicianship are both first class here. A real gem buried in the middle of the album is the bouncy “Too Tired For Sleep,” with a great chorus and strong guitar solo during the break. Unfortunately Fox’s vocals aren’t that distinguished and the remaining songs don’t have the hooks required to hold my attention, much less repeat listens. The Midwestern roots stylings dominate the albums second half, and a few songs drag on over five minutes. This band has a lot of potential, so I think some classic rock enthusiasts will be more forgiving than I am. A noteworthy debut.

My Space | CD Baby | Amazon

Wednesday’s Pile of EP Reviews and FREE downloads

February 17, 2010January 5, 2025 powerpopaholic 2 Comments

I heard a few worthy EPs and emerging talent these past 2 weeks that deserves some attention from you Powerpopaholics out there. Here are some groups you might want to check out.

Hopeless Passion “Seven Minutes” EP

Part of the continuing solo work of Grant McCracken, and basically it’s Blink-182 inspired punk rock. The title track does a good job of setting up an anthem with loud guitars and a chugging chorus. Not power pop, but passionate self deprecating emo humor in a tight package. And as a bonus you get a download of McCracken’s last full length “Everything You Always Wanted.” Not for everyone, but what the hell.
MySpace | Itunes | DOWNLOAD “Everything You Always Wanted”

The Anderson Council
“Don’t You Think” b/w “Love Bomb”

The power pop juggernaut that is The Anderson Council has a new single. Lead singer Peter Horvath just knows how to push all the right buttons in my brain here, and the songs are tight guitar based pop that takes no prisoners. “Don’t You Think?” is a peppy number about self-preservation and moving forward in life.”Love Bomb” hopes for the time in the future when we can do more than just get along with each other (wink wink, nudge nudge). Available in limited edition of 500 singles on multicoloured vinyl (cool!)
MySpace | CD Baby

Loomis & The Lust “Nagasha”

Pop-rock four piece, Loomis & The Lust, burst onto the scene in 2009 with an engaging live show, catchy guitar-based hooks, and infectious melodies. With a respectful nod to the past, the group draws from a broad range of styles, blending their own brand of modern pop with a heavy dose of old school rock ‘n roll. The opener “Bright Red Chords” is a winner here, full of those pleasing hooks.
MySpace | Amazon

The Hilarious Posters “S/t” EP

So you’re looking for a real DIY band? Here you go – a group of friends got together and did this little EP. Kind of like The Barenaked Ladies or The Breetles on a really tight budget. The horn based “Absence” is the best track in the pack, although “The Fists & The Fighting” is a close second with a nice little bass line and smart arrangements. Why not give it a shot? Support your local pop musicians!
My Space | Amazon

Chariots of Tuna

“I’m So Good At Shining”

Once again Ben Morss and company present a wonderful little EP with two shiny gems “A New Beginning” and “Seven Miles Away” – both are delicate pop candy full of falsetto harmonies and club beats matched with a perfectly placed guitar riff in the latter track. Bring on the full length guys, these freebies just whetted my appetite for more Tuna (In a Chariot).
MySpace | Tweetfort Records | FREE DOWNLOAD

Daemon Familiar "Dawn of the Albatross"

January 20, 2010July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

The Illinois band Daemon Familiar has plenty of raw talent here, one listen to the guitars on “Buddha’s Little Helper” and “Oprah” you can’t help think about Cheap Trick or Husker Du. Lead vocalist Pablo Mena has a clean light vocal that really contrasts with the much heavier guitar sound. Some songs are excellent examples of power pop and it works fine on the memorable “Kiss Me”and the catchy baseline on “Barnyard” are just fun to listen to. The song “All’s Forgotten” is wonderfully written and played, but could really use double tracking and stronger group harmonies (you barely here the other band members). Mena’s vocal is much better suited to the mid tempo ballads here like “Gcc”and “So Sad.” I suggest he chew broken glass and add a little more Tom Waits influence before trying to pull off a song like “Tales of Sad Ulysses.” The album also suffers a bit from lack of polish overall, but despite this you will be rewarded by the guitar gems sprinkled here (“Was”) and there (“Walkin’ Away”).

MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon