Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Lisa Mychols and Travel Lanes

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Lisa Mychols “Above, Beyond & in Between”
If power pop ever crowned a queen, my vote goes to Lisa Mychols.  Originally “discovered” by The Wondermints, Darian Sahanaja and Nick Walusko who helped release her debut in 1991. She has since been in several bands (The Waking Hours, The Masticators and Nushu) and was usually the best part of them, incorporating her love of 60s and 70s classic pop.

Her latest Above, Beyond & in Between continues the tradition of superb power pop with instrumentalist Tom Richards. The bouncy “Heart Beats In Stereo” is a confident song of girl power, with Tom’s terrific guitar solo in the break. “Taken” has a catchy melody that reminds me of ELO’s “Turn To Stone,” but Lisa really knows how to update the sound of those classic 1960s girl groups. “Make Believe,” and “Summertime Dream” both fall into that category. “Foolin’ The World” has an irresistible rockin’ beat, and “She Lied” is an atmospheric theme that wouldn’t sound out of place in a James Bond title sequence. Each tune resonates, fans of other female power pop artists (The Bangles, Kelly Jones, etc.) will want to get this one. Easily one of the best albums this year with “the melodies that kick your ass in stereo.”

CD Baby

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Travel Lanes “Hey, Hey, It’s Travel Lanes!” EP
This Philadephia band follows in the footsteps of Tom Petty and Elvis Costello, as evidenced by the energetic opening “Scared of Girls.” Led by Frank Brown (Flight of Mavis, Buzz Zeemer) he has a knack for melodic songcraft and intelligent songwriting. Even a deceptively simple tune like “Rainy Day” is compelling with its tropical rhythm. “Delinquent” is a very much in the Costello /Nick Lowe style and invites repeat listens. “Let You Down” adds a heavier Deep Purple-type of riff to close things out. Overall an excellent EP you need to hear.

CD Baby  | Itunes
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Nick Piunti and Paper Holland

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Nick Piunti “13 in My Head”
Nick Piunti earned my respect when I heard his old band The Respectables. Starting with the anthemic riffs of the title tracks its a collection full of multi-layered guitars, and it continues on “On The Way Out” where Nick reminds me of Paul Westerberg crossed with Bryan Adams. He slows slightly for the excellent “Good Thing Going,” with its great chord shifts and harmonies in the chorus. “It All Comes Down” is a heartfelt and simple rocker “as it all comes down to your friends,” reminding me of The Candy Butchers.

“We’ll be Together” and “She’s a Good Time” amp things up again, and not a note of filler anywhere among the ten tracks. Even the heavier guitars on “Sleeping on The Pavement” remember to keep it melodic. No ballads here, but the tempo varies enough to keep things from getting routine. I hope Nick stays “13” and gives us more of this excellent melodic rock.

Bandcamp | CD Baby

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Paper Holland “Happy Belated”
It took 4 years for Paper Holland to release this debut, which falls into the alternative rock category with Death Cab For Cutie and Nada Surf. Vocalist and songwriter Joe Tomcheck starts out with the pensive “While You Still Last.”  But it picks up steam with “Follow Script” a catchy theme that sets the tone and is one of the best songs here. The title track sounds a little like Field Music, with a nice guitar arpeggio leading the melody.

Some tracks feel a bit tacked on, like “No Going Back” is more instrumental exercise, until the chorus hits at the songs end and “Before You Go” sounds like a song snippet. Still plenty of nice songs are here, some standouts include “Rory” and “As Bright” boasts a nice melodic progression. Lets hope we don’t have to wait another 4 years for the next LP.

Bandcamp | CD Baby | Amazon

Glenn Case “Throw Money”

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Glenn Case is a great example of everything I love about home grown power pop. He’s an artist that just loves creating music, damn the popular trends. He’s been creating tunes for years, toiling away many years and after some Kickstarter funding, we have an albums worth of great songs.

Opening with the fast paced guitar and organ melody of “Bullseye Girl” is very reminiscent of Marc Bacino’s early work. “Glutton” and “OK Cupid” move in seamlessly, and both are deliciously catchy. “Georgia’s Hand” is similar to Toad The Wet Sprocket’s acoustic melodies, and the easy going “Think It Over” is another gem. In fact there are so many great melodies here its hard to single out just one, but “Pencil Me In” (with Craig Northey) is a brilliant one full of awesome hand claps and minor chords with a perfect lyric about insecurity and shyness. Then “Need Stilts” a duet with Rachael Layne gives us a shift in tone and tempo. Glenn also displays some slow slide guitar on “Sister” before the bouncy chorus chimes in.

Each tune stands on its own, with hooks aplenty and it doesn’t lose steam through it’s full length. If you’re gonna “throw money” at a musician, Glenn is one who earns every penny. And it earns a 2013 top ten nomination as well.

Amazon | CD Baby

Martin Gordon and Laurie Biagini

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Martin Gordon “Include Me Out”
Bassist/songwriter Martin Gordon is a former member of Sparks, Jet and Radio Stars, he now concludes his satirical musical journey after five volumes of his “Mammal Trilogy.” Gordon has many influences, but his music sounds like an unholy alliance of Andy Partridge, Ray Davies and NRBQ.

“Gotta Go Green” is a militant anthem for the energy efficient masses cause its a “real no-brainer.”  Some of the songs are rants like “If English was Good Enough” or “User Generated”sung with so much cynical bluster, they are ultimately novelty tunes. Much more impressive is “Stanley Green” with its horns, layered strings and rising chorus. Another fun song is “Nobody Went To The Moon” dedicated to all those conspiracy nuts who think the Moon landing is a fake. Another notable track “Call Me Anne” has solid bass line and catchy chorus, plus Gordon really rocks out on “Still Not Lovin,” my favorite here. Martin is an acquired taste, but still a rewarding listen.

Amazon | Include me in (demos)

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Laurie Biagini “Sanctuary of Sound”
This is the fourth LP by Vancouver singer/songwriter Biagini, and I’m glad summer is finally here. Often referred to as a “One-Woman-Beach-Boys,” she also takes her cues from The Honeys and The Shangri-Las.

The title track has a Mamas and Papas feel, with its sparkling harmonies and catchy beat. Her songwriting has definitely improved as “Monkey Business” and “Rise Up” boast sophisticated melodies. Echoes of other 60’s sunshine pop bands can be felt in “Shades of Green” and “Springtime of My Mind.” The albums middle boasts the surfer style we are familiar with like “Gold Plated Girl” and “Run To The Sun.” If I nit-pick, I will say Laurie’s lead vocal has faded more into the mix, but overall this music is a bright summer treat.

CD Baby | Amazon

Instrumentals: Dynamo Bliss and Wharton Tiers Ensemble

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I don’t often get to review instrumental albums, but two good ones came my way so…

Dynamo Bliss “Night and Day”
Prog-poppers from North Sweden Dynamo Bliss had a pretty cool single in 2011 called “Circadian Rhythm,” so the band felt they could build an album around the entire concept. Mikael Sandström (electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, accordion, pedal steel), Stefan Olofsson (vocals, keyboards, zither, guitar, bass, percussion), and Peter Olofsson (drums) give us an album that is mostly instrumental, it starts with a gentle acoustic guitar of “Morning On Mars.”

The synth led “The Day The Empire Fell” is an light arrangement in the vein of Godley & Creme. Another gem is “Solemn Undulating Wave” and of course the amazing “Circadian Rhythm.” Lots of atmospheric instrumentals are between the highlights, some work better than others. Overall highly effective.

Amazon | Bandcamp | CD Baby

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Wharton Tiers Ensemble “Freedom Now!”
Wharton Tiers was born in Philadelphia, but ended up playing in a few NYC bands (Theoretical Girls and Laurie Anderson) and produced with others (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. and Helmet). He put together the Wharton Tiers Ensemble to showcase his guitar compositions.

“Shoe Nu” is a richly layered rock song without words  and “Freedom Now” uses horns on top of the guitars to deliver the melody. “The Randomness of Insects” is a steady marching riff in a loop and “Last Train Out” is based on the surf guitar sound. Each track offers something different and interesting. Towards the albums end it gets a bit more experimental or improvisational (“Suite #23”) – but there is enough here to sink your headphones into.