Category: free downloads
Drumroll… It’s almost here.
The year in review 2024
The phrase “power pop” alone makes one picture jangly guitar riffs, catchy tunes, and vibrant energy. Think Big Star, Badfinger, Cheap Trick, and The Raspberries. But where does the genre stand today?
While the classic sound still resonates with some, the genre’s boundaries have blurred significantly. Rising independent artists challenge easy classification and push artistic limits. Punk, metal, techno, and many other influences permeate the music from indie rock to alternative pop. This combining produces a vivid, always changing soundscape. Rarely do artists limit themselves to a rigid power pop template. Instead they use several techniques to create original sonic tapestries. An album might feature a driving power pop anthem alongside a brooding ballad, an experimental electronic track, or a raw, punk-infused outburst. Actually, I’ve seen more music this year than last year — along with less of that traditional power pop sound.
This eclecticism isn’t necessarily a departure from the spirit of power pop. At its core, power pop celebrates melodic songwriting and infectious energy. From the jangly guitars of the past to the cutting-edge sounds of today, these ideas can be articulated in innumerable ways.
The result is a more dynamic and exciting musical landscape. While purists might lament the loss of a “pure” power pop sound, this evolution ensures the genre remains fresh, relevant, and constantly surprising. Onward to 2025! Next post is the Top 25 of 2024.
It’s December goodies: The Leb Trip, Jupiter Motel, Action Shelly, Barry Walsh, Incredible Weapons, Rum Bar Records assortment
The Mommyheads and Stephen Clair
The Mommyheads “One Eyed Band”
The Mommyheads are a Brooklyn band with a long history and a unique indie pop sound that revolves around lead singer songwriter Adam Elk and the band members: Dan Fisherman, Jason McNair, Michael Holt and Barry Pollack. Both experimental and meticulous, the album opens up with “Chicken Soup” the most conventional song here, with its extraterrestrial cues. The thought-provoking funk on “Life is A Dream” wanders across different melody lines. The hooks are here, although it may take a few plays to uncover them.
Melodic and angular “Season of Our Sound,” and “One Eyed Man” follows contrasting rhythmic patterns, something Andy Partridge (XTC) was known for as well. The beautiful acoustic melody of “Human Being” is a deep and moving song, I wish it “opened up” to a layered production — but it stays acoustic. The band plays flawlessly here and the melody lines are never predictable. “Junk” is a perfect example of this, as it stitches together a patchwork of classic pop, jazz, folk, and theatrical themes. While not power pop, it is thinking man’s pop. Check it out. You can even download this at a “name-your-price,” so what’s stopping you?
Stephen Clair “Transmissions”
Stephen Clair’s new studio effort is a tightly composed bit of americana rock. The simple instrumentation masks the complex songwriting and distinctive attitude. The influences here are similar to Alex Chilton, Patti Smith, and Lou Reed. Starting with the pensive “Waiting Around” it sets the stage and its a great start. Clair’s storytelling style, evident on “Vegas Sunrise” is akin to Ray Davies (The Kinks), and it also goes into a vintage pop mid-tempo area (“Blue and Red Lines”).
“Cigarette! Cigarette!” and “Naomi’s Phone Is Dead” are easily relatable to an audience that enjoys the music of The Velvet Underground, or Brick by Brick-era Iggy Pop. While not everything works, there is enough here to recommend and you should check it out, as it’s music that deserves to be heard.
November singles: Ken Stringfellow, Bleu, Vanilla, Dolour, The Boathouse, Captain Wilberforce