Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

The Power Popaholic Top 25 albums of 2023 + More

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Because of its infectious melodies, catchy hooks, and guitar-driven rhythms, power pop has always had a special place in the hearts of music fans. This year saw a significant shift, with performers openly embracing a diverse range of inspirations, changing the genre’s sonic terrain. From indie rock to jangle, electronic elements to noise pop, the once-narrowly defined genre has broadened its horizons and welcomed new sound aspects. There is still a contingent of retro or Beatlesque rockers on this list, but they are not the majority here. Only one album here has not been officially reviewed in this list (you get a “no-prize” if you can spot it!) The EP list will be coming later this week! I look forward to a busy 2024.

  1. The Summertimes “The Summertimes”
  2. The Anderson Council “The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon”
  3. Kurt Baker “Rock ‘N’ Roll Club”
  4. The Small Square “Ours & Others”
  5. Erik Voeks “It Means Nothing Now”
  6. Cupid’s Carnival “Rainbow Child”
  7. Tamar Berk “Tiny Injuries”
  8. Mike Viola “Paul McCarthy”
  9. Uni Boys “Buy This Now!”
  10. Ryan Allen and His Extra Arms “The Last Rock Band”
  11. Rinehearts “Full Bloom”
  12. The Tearaways “And For Our Next Trick”
  13. Ryan Hamilton “Haunted By The Holy Ghost” 
  14. Ransom and Subset “Perfect Crimes”
  15. Hurry “Don’t Look Back”
  16. The Midnight Callers “Rattled Humming Heart”
  17. Lemon Twigs “Everything Harmony”
  18. Nick Frater “Bivouac”
  19. The Pink Spiders “Freakazoid”
  20. Dave Kuchler “Love & Glory”
  21. Thomas Walsh “The Rest is History”
  22. Meyerman “Happy To See You”
  23. Justin Levinson “Collamer Circle” 
  24. Mothboxer “Breathe”
  25. Onesie “Liminal Hiss”
  26. Duncan Reid “And It’s Goodbye From Him”
  27. The Rallies “It Must Be Love”
  28. Lunar Laugh “In The Black”
  29. Eyelids “A Colossal Waste Of Light”
  30. Brad Marino “Grin & Bear It”
  31. Somerdale “Let’s Get Started”
  32. The Flashcubes “Pop Masters”
  33. Salim Nourallah “A Nuclear Winter”
  34. The Blood Rush Hour “Sanity Fare”
  35. Diners “Domino”
  36. Parthenon Huxley “As Good As Advertised”
  37. Semisonic “Little Bit of Sun”
  38. Arthur Alexander “…Steppin’ Out!”
  39. Vanity Mirror “PUFF”
  40. Miss Chain & The Broken Heels “Storm”
  41. Dave Cope and the Sass “Killer Mods From Inner Space”
  42. Steve Stoeckel “The Power of And”
  43. Ed Ryan “A Big Life”
  44. Dropkick “The Wireless Revolution”
  45. Lane Steinberg “Headspace”
  46. Star Collector “Attack, Sustain, Decay​.​.​. Repeat”
  47. The Radio Field “Don’ts and Dos”
  48. Chris Church “Radio Transient”
  49. Paul McCann “Alter Ego”
  50. Super Cassette “Continue?”

Quick Takes: Reno Bo, Perilous, Semisonic, Shplang

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This is the last of my 2023 reviews. No doubt (as in previous years), I will continue to review the albums I missed in January.

Reno Bo “Never Night Time On The Sun”

With this album, Reno owes more to singer-songwriters of the mid-70s. Influences here include Eric Clapton, Grand Funk Railroad, and Supertramp. Reno recreates the era’s sound perfectly, “Magic Key” is a memorable highlight, and “See You In The Morning” is like vintage Hollies. “That’s Just The Way It Goes” has a nice little hook, and “Easy On Me” moves it up a decade or so, a la Blue Oyster Cult. Bo’s originals feel so familiar; it’s like putting on a comfortable old slipper. Highly Recommended. Buy it on Amazon.


Perilous “Yeah!!!”

With “Rock & Roll Kiss,” this female-fronted band from Buffalo follows in the footsteps of Bebe Buell, Joan Jett, and The Runaways (although there are a few guys in the group as well).  The retro narrative “Name in the Paper” is another standout, and Perilous gives us the requisite shout-out to their NYC heroes in “Last of the Dying Breed,” like Joey Ramone. This is meat-and-potatoes rock and roll, so if you’re in that mood, check it out. Buy it on Amazon

Semisonic “Little Bit of Sun”

An interesting thing happens to a band after 22 years (the last time Semisonic had a full studio release) Lead singer/songwriter Dan Wilson got a job with some major pop stars (Adele, Taylor Swift), and the band has matured. Semisonic can still effortlessly blend elements of rock, indie pop, and country. “The Rope” is a great example. Although the band is mellower (what do you expect?) they still have great chemistry and do a fine job with “So Amazed,” “Grow Your Own,” “Don’t Fade Away,” and “Little Bit of Sun.” Then bassist John Munson wrote and performed “If You Say So,” a melancholy reflection on their brief moment in the spotlight.  It’s good to hear these guys again, even if it’s “under the radar.” Highly Recommended.  Buy it on Amazon

Shplang “Thank You, Valued Customer”

With an emphasis on innovative arrangements and a mischievous spirit, Shplang performs alternative pop music that fuses psychedelia, pop, and folk. The band may have started as a standard power pop band, but they’ve evolved into their skin (much like label mates, Spygenius) over the years. Shplang incorporates a lot more psychedelic and eclectic sounds but keeps the pop melodies. “Understood” is an early bouncy standout (love the horns!) and the mellow encouragement of “Everyone Can Change” is heartfelt. There is lots of experimental stuff, but “Little Mushroom Men from Mars” stuck with me most. Adventurous listeners will be rewarded. Buy it on Amazon

Quick Takes: Ex-Norwegian, Armchair Oracles, Buddie, Dogpile on the Rabbit

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The amount of music that I have to listen to causes me to miss out on a lot of wonderful material, and every year I feel like I’m going to be crushed around this time. That being said, rather than apologize, here are four mini-reviews. Another one will be out before the new year!

Ex-Norwegian “Sooo Extra”

The band leans more into its psyche-pop roots, and Roger Houdaille knows how to jam. The cool “Photograph” and “Send Nudes” are Kinks-meets-Pink Floyd hybrids, but the big single here is the catchy “Real Bad Bunny.” You’ll see visions of rabbits playing guitars. Great music for chillin’ out. Buy it on Amazon


Armchair Oracles “Nothingeveris”

It’s been over ten years, but this Norwegian band can still bring the goods: Cheap Trick-ish guitars on the powerful “Addicted to the Ride” and relax to the dreamlike ambient mood of “Across the Divide.” The band doesn’t stick to one format and maintains compelling songwriting throughout. I love the comparisons and similarities between the two pop icons on “Nilsson Wilson.” Highly Recommended. Buy it on Amazon

Buddie “Agitator”

Vancouver rockers surprised me with their strong guitar-based melodies, starting with “Break of The Sun.” Fans of Posies will enjoy this album. With the excellent “Class Warfare,” heavy fuzz rules, and almost Nirvana grunge on “We’ll Never Break” and “Ugly in The End,” Guaranteed the best $1 you’ll spend this year. Highly Recommended. Get it on Bandcamp

Dogpile on the Rabbit “Way Back Now”

This New Jersey band reminds me of The Successful Failures from years ago. The main influences are The Replacements and The Clash. The opener, “Gettin’ So Old,” grows on you despite the simple lyrics. Songs about drinking and hanging out are here: “Back of the Bar” and “Help Me Stand.” Next, “Running Partner” has a little Springsteen in its DNA. “Good Old Dead and Gone” is pure Lou Reed. There is a good mix of rock styles here. Great music for chillin’ out. Buy it on Amazon

Merry Christmas from Power Popaholic!

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While not Christmas-themed, I wanted to feature this Syracuse University freshman, Callan Nagel-Dubin, who covers The Flashcubes with “It’s You Tonight” for his project in a recording class at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Ironically, the first time The Flashcubes ever recorded was as a student project for a musical recording class at Newhouse in the spring of 1978.

It’s easy to dismiss, but I love original Christmas music. Honestly, I’m tired of the old classics (the constant repetition is what makes some people hate Christmas songs) and would love to hear new stuff on the radio. Not only are all these great examples of new Christmas music (Joe Algeri’s JAC is more of an outlier here), but most of them are also “Name Your Price,” so this is also a bargain. I have one more week of reviews left, and then on New Year’s Eve, we let fly our top 25 albums for 2023. So enjoy the egg nog while it’s still fresh!







Bory and Richard Turgeon

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Bory

Bory “Who’s A Good Boy”

Another Mo Troper-produced pop confection, Bory is a Portland artist who impressed me with his melodic EP debut, Sidelined. With his first full-length album, Bory has a layer of grungy, obscured fuzz and DIY bedroom compression, but it is unable to contain the powerful melodies, which sound like classic Teenage Fanclub crossed with Guided By Voices.

The bombast of the opener, “The Flake” is all about the lovely melody buried beneath the buzzing drone of guitars and pounding drums.  Bory adds earworms to his “Five Course Meal” about a self-effacing narrative; you barely hear the rising harmonies and handclaps over the fuzz, and that’s the point. “Our New Home” is all about the freedom of moving to a new area and “acting real cool” as a homeowner.  As we move forward, “We Both Won” and “Wreck” go into relationship issues with a masterful combination of key changes. The catchy “Secrets” adds more jangle to the mix as he frets about aging and insecurity as he says, “The best days are behind us, and the worst is yet to come.” “Sidelined” is another catchy riff that explodes into an echoing solo. Fans of Diners, Disq, and The Eels will enjoy this razor-sharp mix of textured memories and inspirations. Highly Recommended.

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Richard Turgeon

Richard Turgeon “Life of The Party”

Richard Turgeon has found his niche, and he’s sticking with it. He’s a one-man band that writes, composes, and plays almost everything himself. Longtime collaborator Ron Guensche guides Richard along here, and these new songs stand out right away. Starting with “All Alone” and “You’ve Moved On,” they are a one-two punch about a final separation. “I’ve Got You Now” is the guitar crunch rooted in mid-90s power pop (The Gin Blossoms, The Lemonheads, The Posies), and he falls into the category of modern West Coast power poppers like Jeff Shelton (The Well Wishers) and James Hall (Shake Some Action).

Next, “Our Fair City” is a commentary on the homeless problem (“It’s better when you turn a blind eye.”) Additional highlights include the solid “Friend Zone,” and while the album’s second half sounds a bit routine, the final track, “Don’t Forget Me When You’re Gone,” is a well-done ballad in the Billy Joel tradition. Highly Recommended.

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