Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Ex-Norwegian and Charlie Maxton

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Ex-Norwegian “House Music”
After the “Sketch” LP last year, the band personnel changed leaving leader Roger Houdaille to take the music in a new direction and give us a FREE digital follow-up. It’s less ambiguous, with a tight melodic focus. “Ginger, baby” is a sweet Kinks meets Dandy Warhols song that really rocks. The energy of “Original Copy” and “Not A Mouse” both have touch of grooviness (thanks to Fernando Perdomo).

The album is also more consistent than past efforts, as “Initiative Rock” has some great minor chord shifts. You’ll hear a little Marc Bolan in “Spin Win It” and then soothing harmonies on the California styled “Rearrange It.” Overall a terrific album that delivers superior melodies along with adventurous arrangements. Highly recommended, and after all it’s “name-your-own-price” on Bandcamp, so what’s not to like?

Charlie Maxton “Teletype” 
Maxton is a Portland based musician, his buddy John Amadon helps out on this solo LP. “While I Was Away” has a cool Nirvana-like riff, but the melody doesn’t seem to get off the ground. The punkier “Go You One Better” also didn’t sit well either, and thankfully the remaining tracks lean more alt. folk pop. “Deep Water” is a great tune that has a Neil Young meets America tone.

Another standout, “Bullseye Girl” has an REM vibe, with a great lyrical chorus and “Sandy James” is another effective character portrait. The further along the stronger the album gets, my favorite is the cynical “Millionaire” that rails against major label celebrities, “No one wants to hear the music of a millionaire… get in and make a killing while you can.” An effective debut.

CD Baby  | Bandcamp

Long “lost” album released: The New Sell Out

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This legendary album is a cover of The Who Sell Out by power pop artists, including The Andersons, Splitsville, The Shazam, Brendon Benson, and The Grip Weeds to just name a few. Put together 12 years ago and gathering cobwebs ever since, The New Sell Out is finally out! Dedicated to Rick McBrien, the soul of Futureman. Thanks to every contributing artist and everyone who worked on this! Full liner notes and artwork included in download. Get it ONLY at Futuremanrecords.com, it’s my official pick for best compilation of 2012!  

Chris Richards and The Subtractions “Get Yer La La’s Out”

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Chris Richards is one of the Midwest’s finest power pop stars and he continues to dazzle us on Get Yer La La’s Out. Both veterans, bassist Todd Holmes and drummer Larry Grodsky join in the fun. On the opener “Don’t Do Anything Tonight” is rich in jangling rhythm, driving melody full of memorable hooks. Fans of REM, Tommy Keene, Sloan and Teenage Fanclub will gleefully soak it all in. The next several tracks “It’s Something” and “And Suddenly” continue this pure pop bliss. The entire album follows this template, and although we are missing a slower song, or ballad you may not notice. This is guitar pop heaven, as the riffs on “Head Under Water” ring in your head.

There is a slight danger of songs sounding too similar, but the composition and tone changes keep things fresh. On “December” the band takes more of a hard rock approach and “Uncertainly” is a rousing finale that recalls Squeeze with Chris’ vocal even sounding like Glenn Tilbrook at times. Turn up the stereo and blast this one, summer’s here in a big way!

Artist’s Site | CD Baby | Amazon

The Corner Laughers “Poppy Seeds”

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In the liner notes it asks “Who is immune to the charms of airy female vocals and ukulele, with lyrics full of pith (but not vinegar)?” Not me (that’s for sure). Led by the harmonies of Karla Kane, with bassist Khoi Huynh, drummer Charlie Crabtree, and guitarists KC Bowman and Angela Silletto, the indie band’s latest features a who’s who of indie power pop guests (Allen Clapp, Anton Barbeau, Mike Viola). The irresistible melody of “Grasshopper Clock” is full of weaving harmonies sure to please and the “Bells of El Camino” is a little more twee pop, think The Essex Green meets Saint Etienne. This approach follows the next several songs here, and standouts include “Laughing Stars” and the solo ukulele ditty “Twice The Luck” is such quirky fun, you expect it to be the theme song for the next Zooey Deschanel show.

And then it shifts to more catchy themes, all based around San Francisco. The piano led theme to area’s tallest skyscraper “Transamerica Pyramid” is a perfect summer tune with handclaps and Beach Boys styled harmonies. The sunshine-pop melancholy of “8:18” is full of anticipation, and even “Chicken Bingo” has fun with the band’s West Coast image. “They asked us where we came from, we said “San Francisco” –They asked again we said “Outer Space,” and the ending track “The Perfect Weather” is a long love letter to the city by the bay. Fans of The Agony Aunts will also love the composition and tight arrangements. Rarely does such a beautiful pop album arrive, it deserves to make my top ten list this year for sure.

Dave Birk and The Honey Wilders

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Dave Birk “Speed Queen Mystery Date”
Minneapolis, MN based Dave Birk’s self funded debut is a lot of bouncy melodious fun right from the opening notes of “Hey Jody.”  Influences are squarely in the Gin Blossoms meets Fountains of Wayne arena. With earnest vocals, the early gem is “Roller Coaster of Love, Hate and Tenderness” with a wicked guitar solo during the break, and lyrics about “the never-ending test” of romance.

It kinda jumps into faux funk with “Love and Devotion,” and then a touching slow ballad “My Sleeping Beauty.” But then we enter FOW-land with the title track and “All Things Retro” with a ton of pop culture references. The remaining tracks just as fresh, especially “Country Music 101” with a dead-on instruction of how to write a hit country song. A great debut!

Bandcamp | Amazon

The Honey Wilders “Singles for Singles” 
This San Jose band sure loves 70’s classic rock, just listen to the Big Star riffs on “Life In Stereo” and the catchy melody on “Summertime” which recalls Tom Petty. It’s got sound alike tracks for Led Zeppelin (“Sugar Mama,”) Thin Lizzy (“”Geneva Ave.”) and The Stones (“Sweet Alice”). The remain tracks all have that instantly recognizable guitar sound, like of like a cross between Mick Ronson and Slash. And while highly derivative, its also enjoyable fun, like a classic mix tape from that era.

CD Baby | Amazon