Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Stephen Lawrenson and Hot Nun

powerpopaholic

Stephen Lawrenson “OBSCURiOSiTY”
Stephen Lawrenson makes a huge impression here, starting with “Your Karma” it channels early pysche-pop of The Idle Race and The Move. The title track runs at a faster tempo, adding a fantastic chorus worthy of The Pillbugs. Then chiming 12 string Rickenbacker strums greet us on “Words to Say” with George Harrison-style slide guitar flourishes. “Small White House” is a SMiLE-styled character study tribute to Brian Wilson, and the jangley “Ordinary” is like a lost Gripweeds track. Stephen slows down for the moving “Forever And A Day,” with its West Coast feel and banjo backing – very much a treat for fans of The Autumn Defense. It closes out with the early-ELO inspired ” Pale Yellow.” So as you can see from all the links, this becomes a mix tape of power pop influences from across four decades. It’s hard to find fault here, as the songwriting and musicianship are top notch. It’s another addition to my new top ten for 2013.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon | CD Baby

Hot Nun “Hot Nun”
Jeff Shelton (Spinning Jennies, The Well Wishers) opens up 2013 with more than just a new album. He has a new band called Hot Nun. Still the crunchy riffs and catchy melodies remain the focus, as “Brave New World” the opening track blasts through the headphones. A bit harder rock than The Well Wishers, reminding me of the Posies or Velvet Crush. Lots of great tracks here include “Thank You For That” and “Who Do You Love,” “Queen Bitch” where you’ll hear a distinct glam (Sweet) influence. No ballads to balance things, but its a very short album. Only 8 tracks here but they are all killer examples of great power pop, so crank it up to 11 mate!

Bandcamp Only expect CD release in February.

The Figgs and Rosie Abbott

powerpopaholic 4 Comments

The Figgs “1000 People Grinning” Anthology

If you’re not familiar with The Figgs, then shame on you as they’ve been in the melodic rock business for 25 years. I am guilty of neglect here too, as I’ve lost track of the band after its earlier punk pop beginnings, represented by “Favorite Shirt” and “Wasted Pretty.”

This anthology can be considered a primer and a re-introduction to band with a hard core cult following that deserves another look. The songwriting tandem of Mike Gent, Pete Donnelly, and Guy Lyons have plenty of crunchy guitars and undeniable hooks. Gents vocals are comparable to Adam Marsland, but with less strain and more sneering confidence.The band has evolved from melodic punks, with occasional Rolling Stones and Replacements worship, to a tight unit with impeccably crafted rock gems. There are more than enough tracks here (25!) to make you a full fledged convert. I’ll be picking up plenty of the bands back catalog now ..so consider me schooled.

20px_spacer

Rosie Abbott “Rosie Abbott”

Rosie Abbott, a UK talent from Nottingham, really caught my ear with “If Everything Was Up To Me” a melodic couplet repeated on a old sounding piano, kind of like Martin Newell mixed with Jen Oliver. Her focus then goes to atmospheric composition, matching a owl’s hoot to the melody of “Woodpigeon Translation,” but the sound effects tend to sound forced.

“Hard To Sleep” does better as a showcase for Abbot’s clear vocal. “All Skies Are Blue” feels like a Lesley Gore ballad and I wasn’t thrilled with the punk attempt “Victim Of My Imagination.” However the remaining album won me over, from “Winter’s Over” with its rolling pastoral melody. Rosie has fun with the very Bryan Scary-like “If You’re Happy And You Don’t Know It” with its theatrical organ flourishes. Like the song “One More Glass,” the best song about getting smashed from a female POV, you’ll want more than one listen to Rosie’s self-titled debut.

CD Baby | Amazon

Mark Lane “Something New”

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

West coast singer songwriter Mark Lane has grown since his debut Golden State of Mind. The disciple of Jason Faulkner (Jellyfish) and Rusty Andserson (Paul McCartney’s band) knew his way around a great melody early on, rooted in classic hooks on the debut – now he adds more muscle to his compositions on Something New.

Explaining the title track, Mark says he’s “looking at all stuff you have in your life, the things you might take for granted or think are mundane, and fabricating something new from them.” The grand opening “For Whom It Concerns” slowly builds into a dreamy rock lullaby. “Back In The Swing” is a sweet Lennonesque piano tune that fans of Paul Bertolino or Ryan Lerman will hum along to. Each song is carefully crafted, the ornate “Her” is a dramatic action theme, and “The King Of Silence” is a ghostly pop gem with a killer guitar solo at the break. The album goes at a deliberate measured pace, so soak up each melody line. This is another 2012 album that deserves to be shoe-horned into my top 10 list somewhere.

The Charlestones and Secret Friend

powerpopaholic 6 Comments

The Charlestones “Off The Beat”
This impressive Italian band sounds very similar to Supergrass and Oasis on the opener “Off The Beat” full of driving rhythm and Mattia Bonanni’s wailing vocal. “Love Is A Cadillac” has the airy guitar work and echoing melody along the lines of Coldplay, its a great stadium-sized rocker and proof that Brit pop can still find a home beyond the borders of the UK. Each song is compelling, like “The Girl Who Came To Stay,” it has great melody and one of the many highlights of this album. Unlike the debut, no filler here and fans of great alt. rock like The Kooks or The Stokes will also love this. Highly recommended!

20px_spacer

Secret Friend “Time Machine” 
Secret Friend is a new all star collective that includes Willie Wisely, Kelly Jones, Linus of Hollywood, and Roger Joseph Manning Jr. Organized by Australian songwriter Steven Fox, Time Machine is rooted in classic 70’s singer songwriter pop. Wisely has a cadence like James Taylor here, but the rich melody and backing make the opener “Who Am I?” a sure-fire hit.

“Starting Today” is another gem with sweet harmonies, and “Never Before” has subtle strings and lyrically falls into Gilbert O’Sullivan territory. Wisely’s “Oblivious” is a note perfect pop ballad and Kelly Jones “He’ll Never Know Me” is the jazzy answer to the narrative. Each musician helps make this LP a success. Foxs’ songwriting is very much like Andrew Gold, albeit with a modern POV. Many great songs here — it makes my Top Ten list for 2013 easily! A delectable slice of adult piano pop heaven.

Rob Bonfiglio and Jim Noir

powerpopaholic

Rob Bonfiglio “Mea Culpa”
Bonfiglio (Wanderlust) continues to expand his sound from his debut. This time his combination of pop and rock influences are more varied, the opener “The Message” still has roots in the 70’s  and 80’s but the key changes and melodic bridges bring out the songs hopeful inspiration.

“Eyes On The Prizes” has a fantastic Lindsey Buckingham styled rhythm and chorus. “Just What You Are” channels Lenny Kravitz and “Fooled Myself” could be a lost Steve Eggers tune. No filler anywhere here and plenty of soulful adult pop included with those rock and roll riffs. His wife’s band Wilson Philips looks like it rubbed off a bit more on this album, with more harmonies and clearer background vocals. Overall a great LP that makes my new best of 2013 list.

CD Baby | Amazon
20px_spacer

Jim Noir  “Jimmy’s Show”
Noir takes the best of 60’s Carnaby Street pop and updates it with melodic magic on his past albums, taking the listener on a journey through a psychedelic side show carnival. It’s unfortunate that Noir seems to be musically loitering on Jimmy’s Show. It starts out pleasantly enough with “The Tired Hairy Man With Parts,” a sweet Kinks slice of English life. “Tea” is another good standout, with its manta-like verses “I just want a cuppa tea” and its choral harmonies.

However, many songs seem unfinished sketches dragged out to full length. “Sunny” and “Driving My Escort Cosworth To The Cake Circus” both stay in the same key and feel like filler. “JCC Sports” is cute re-do of Nilsson’s “Coconut” and the Beta Band influence is felt on “The Cheese of Jims Command” and “Old Man Cyril.” Its still essential listening if you’re in the mood for classic English pastoral pop. I guess I expected more from Jim, instead of paint-by-numbers nostalgia.

Artist website | Amazon