Category: EP reviews

EP Reviews and more: The Lickerish Quartet, Nezrok, Hoover and Martinez, Butterknife, Rumstock!

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The Lickerish Quartet “Threesome Vol. 3”

Ex-Jellyfish members (Roger Joseph Manning Jr., Eric Dover, and Tim Smith) finish the final piece of the triptych in Threesome Vol. 3.  And there will be a Japanese release of all three EPs with some bonus material for fans, but this volume is a bit sober compared to previous EPs. Opening with “Fortunately” has the signature harmonies and melodies, as it states “no one really goes to hell,” but looks to Roger’s “New Days,” for a lush, if not slightly psych-pop epic about hope in a new era. Fans of his solo work will recognize some passages, but “You All Alone” and “In The Meantime” feel more serious, slightly prog, and feel stuffed with anxiety. Musically, it’s the strongest volume and is highly recommended. Get it now on Amazon.

Nezrok “The Human Race”

Nezrok is Chris Korzen (his last name spelled backward) with a few helpers ( Fernando Perdomo and Chris DeAngelis) on this collection of smooth tunes.  Sounding a little like a combination of Todd Rundgren and Steely Dan, the title track is a solidly compelling composition with a classy guitar break. The Rundgren cover of “It Takes Two To Tango” is beautifully done, as with  “St Valentine’s Day Massacre” written shortly after the tragedy of the Parkland, FL high school mass shooting. The songs are both bittersweet and oozing soul. Highly Recommended.

Hoover and Martinez “The 3P”

The duo of Jamie Hoover (The Spongetones) and Christine Martinez. “The Scene of the Cryin’” is truly magic, co-written by Catesby Jones (co-writer of “Country Club” recorded by Travis Tritt). Christine’s honey vocals are out front on “Tequila,” a light country-pop ballad. Check it out.

Butterknife “Staring At The Ceiling”

Boston project that’s been 8 years in the making. This is a FREEBIE with several good songs. “Stagefright” starts with a nice instrumental, but keeps your attention with a catchy chorus. “If You Say So” is part Nirvana, part Big Star and “Broken Telecaster” is loaded with emo-energy.

Rumstock!

Another wonderful Rum Bar Records FREEBIE Compilation, but this promotes an evening concert in Somerville, MA on July 9, featuring The Dogmatics, Muck and the Mires, The Gypsy Moths, and The Shang Hi Los! Concert tickets are here

May Day: Pop Boomerang, Tommy & The Rockets, The Chords UK, Jack Skuller, Gordon Michaels, Kai Danzberg

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power pop spongebob
There is just so much music out there that I can get to, but I will make it as easy as I can to pick worthy stuff. An easy pick is Pop Boomerang‘s Marching Out Of Time compilation – a name-your-price download. The label is closing soon, so this is one of the last comp LPs they will do, and its a damn good one; check out the opener Little Murders “Wait ’til Summer,” The Wellingtons “Soda” and the fantastic Her Majesty’s Finest (feat. Kate Duncan) “Shake Yer Popboomerang.” Denmark’s own Tommy and The Rockets give a tribute to Record Store Day with “The Hottest Store In Town,” fans of the Ramones will eat it up.  The Chords UK gives us a sorrowful “White Van Man” while Jack Skuller changes his sound with a dynamic beat on “Watercolor Rain.” Gordon Micheals channels Billy Joel a bit on the memorable “Hey Doreen.” Finally, the talented Kai Danzberg will finally “Get It Right” a terrific hook-filled single.






Top O’ the Power Pop Premieres: The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club and more

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The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club’s new single gets a premiere exclusively on Power Popaholic! “Hold You Up” is the first single from the band’s upcoming album Please Stand By, to be released later this year. The rhythm guitar crunches along in a Weezer-like direction, as the lead riff digs its hooks in you. Add some handclaps and jangle, and there you have it  – a super power-pop single.

The Afterglows, Sam Cook-Parrott (Radiator Hospital) and Michael Cantor (The Goodbye Party) make sweet harmonies for the lovelorn, comparisons to the Everly Brothers and Beach Boys are inevitable. A great FREE download.

A brilliant 4-song EP by Scott Robertson, mixed and mastered by Nick Bertling just deserves to be heard. Each song hooks you immediately.

Holy crap, I’m in love with Jane Lane’s music. A self-taught guitarist, Jane Lane (aka Sophie Negrini) reminds me of a poppier version of Suzanne Vega mixed with Nina Gordon and the new EP will draw you into her sun-drenched, bittersweet POV.

This duo, The Creachies just trolls people like me, using “powerpop” in the LP title. Sounds like The B-52s meets The Cars, with some sweet tunes here; Check out “Rats” and “Skylar’s Hot Glue Gun.” Definitely worth exploring.

The UniBoys aren’t just some retro-wannabees, they are the real deal. Reza Matin, Noah Nash, Artie Fitch, and Michael Cipolletti are channeling classic power pop from The Shoes, The Beat, and others they’re killing it. Very much in the mold of Italy’s Radio Days. Just listen to “On Your Lovin’ Mind” and check out the very cool retro TV spot.

Winter Singles, Freebies & EPs: The Nobility, Whelligan, Brad Marino, Rigbi, Bloody Norah, Ryan Allen, Jay Byham, You’re Among Friends, Rum Bar Records

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I waited long enough to restart all my singles reviews, so now it’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff. Nashville’s The Nobility has been leaking singles for nearly a year, so we have the newest share with “No Doubts” bringing to mind a western-themed 10cc, and London’s Whelligan and their single “In Our Name” is full of orchestral majesty and it also merits further study. Brad Marino fresh off his great 2021 LP, is back to banging out great power pop with “Girl, I Want You.” More appropriate to this bleak winter landscape is Rigbi’s emotional “I’m a Mess In Winter” as the sparse beginning opens up to a rich arrangement. Bloody Norah has a great reverb rock sound with harmonies on its single “Shooting Star,” so keep your eyes out for more, like the single “Joy.” Bloody damn good too.

As for EPs, the reliable Ryan Allen moves to a retro power-pop sound for I’m Not Mean, full of echoing vocals, and layered guitars; check out “Count With Me,” and the excellent “Cut Your Teeth.” Jay Byham is a Pennsylvania-based singer-songwriter with a bouncy acoustic “Tick Tock,” classic rocker “Just A Matter of Time,” and the gentle ballad “The Only One,” it’s a solid debut that deserves many repeats on your player.  As for Freebies; Cleveland, Ohio’s You’re Among Friends take a very laid back approach on this new release, “Here in the Middle of the Pack” is like a stoner Spin Doctors tune and the melodic funk of “You Know What You Want” will appeal to NRBQ fans. Rum Bar Records has a loaded sampler as a Freebie too, get a ton of bang for your buck and you’ll discover a rocker or two.

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EPs and Freebies




January Singles and EPs: Pete Donnelly, The Lunar Laugh, Mom Friend, Ex Norwegian, Amoeba Teen, Timmy Sean, The Roxies, J Prozac

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New year, new music.

EPs: We open things with Pete Donnelly (The Figgs) a truly inspired catchy opener “Anthem of Time” that waves its melodic flag high. Then”Play Music” feels a bit closer to NRBQ (they’ve rubbed off on him.) Midwest wonders The Lunar Laugh delivers a FREEBIE of requested covers, tracks by The Talking Heads, The Bangles, and The Smiths are sparse but quite lovely. The band shines doing a deep, deep Beach Boys cut “Somewhere in Japan” and makes it their own.

I heard the music of Mom Friend two years ago, but this time Atlanta-based Emily Backus has raised her game. A combination of post-me-too-feminism and fuzz guitar make “Oooh” and “Scared” early standouts. The heartbroken melody of “Luke Danes” is very moving, and the swooning “Idea” has a great hook. Keep it up the great music, Emily! Roger Houdaille (Ex-Norwegian)has once again picked an obscure artist to cover. This time it’s Brit-rockers Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney (The Streetwalkers, Family). It sounds great, and encourages me to discover another “lost” artist!

Singles: Amoeba Teen starts the year with twanging “January,” a very impressive composition (check out that middle eight!) and Timmy Sean gets his Elvis on with a FREEBIE cover of “That’s All Right.” A Berlin band signed in Spain and the USA, The Roxies give us a frenetic rhythm and energetic punk-pop. J Prozac is the latest Rum Bar artist to rip the packaging off his “Building Blocks,” and it’s a wonderful thing.

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