Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Higgins “Straight A’s”

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Lead singer-songwriter Kevin Fish gives us a subtly crafted pop album, that sounds both old and new, the melodies slowly-burn into your brain here. Fish opens up the low key “Paranoid Trails” with a gentle hook and layered melody. The real goods come on the Byrdsian “Slap or Pinch” with its sweet jangle, and fans of the Autumn Defense will love it. The choral harmonies of “Stach-Lab” bring us to a 70’s moog “Easy-Thing” and it revels in the trippy bass lines and slow grooves. Fish mines the instrumentation of the past with considerable skill.

The soft and sensitive “Do You Still?” is a achingly lovely ballad about memories of a lost love. In direct contrast is the goofy “You Don’t Like What I Do” full of multiple harmonies and “oompah” brass and on “When I See Her” we add a Ray Davies styled ballad. And that’s as wild as we get, as most of this album is reflective – fans of Brian Wilson, Todd Rundgren and Field Music should give this a spin on the ipod. A real grower for you that needs multiple plays to sink in.

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Overlooked Gem: The Paparazzi “Rococo” FREE Download

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The Paparazzi is the musical pseudonym of songwriter and rocker Erik Paparazzi, who has spent the better part of the past decade as a sideman with Cat Power’s Dirty Delta Blues. Made this album back in 2004 it was shelved until 2010 and didn’t get the attention it deserves. His new record Rococo showcases a love for the soulful rock sounds of the 1960’s (“Hi”) with a discernible Beatles and Nilsson influences and a drowsy indie rock sensibility (“My O My”). This lush and quirky daydream pop is fresh from the dryer – soft and warm and it’s a highly recommended free download. Thank you, Erik!

If you want a CD then go to: Serious Business Records | Amazon

Airport and The Dead Girls

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Airport “Go Up”
Released last year, but an overlooked treasure for sure. The band draws from the big hook filled melodies of old school 70’s AM radio classics like Cheap Trick, Blue and Pilot. Lead by Craig Small, the jangly guitar starts us off with the Eagles-influenced title track, but then on “The Plan” you get a taste of those gorgeous ascending chords in the chorus. “Hate You” adds some fuzz to the lead, as the backing harmonies build to an apex similar to Badfinger.

Nothing falls flat here, and the thick chords and hook on “Knot Again” make it a real gem of a single that will give you goosebumps. “Stay” has a rhythmic guitar intro along the lines of “Sweet Child O Mine,” but falls into sweeping alt. rock ballad. Fans of alt.country and guitar melodies will eat this up. A most worthy addition to your playlist.

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The Dead Girls “She Laughed A Little” EP
Solid guitar jangle and smart harmonies are the specialty of The Dead Girls.  The vocals of Cameron Hawk and JoJo Longbottom are excellent here, comparable to The Gin Blossoms or The Rembrandts with a bit more bite. You’ll find the b-side “It’s All Happening” is reminiscent of  Joey Sykes’ Coward with contrasting heavy guitars and high pitched vocals. The EP is just an opening for you to check out the back catalog LP Out of Earshot from 2010. Here, the guys sound similar to Husker Du and its best featured on the songs “Te Quiero” and “Pulling Teeth.”

Budokan and Beyond Veronica

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Budokan “Spin A Little Gold”
This Canadian band from Victoria, B.C. has the loud fiery energy that is sure to make it a rookie-of-the-year as far as I’m concerned. Yes, the name and sound are indebted to Cheap Trick (as in Live From Budokan) and those strong, layered guitars ring true on the openers “The Queen’s English” and “You Don’t Stop Lovin’ The Band.”

You’ll hear some Stones influence mixed in there too (“The Right On Girl” and “Bastards of Feel”) and with a heavy 13 tracks, you get your money’s worth. Drink plenty of Red Bull with this one, cause it doesn’t slow down or get mushy. No clunkers, and I especially liked “Saint Joan” and “Kelly Green.” Not much else to say here, just listen…

CD Baby  | Amazon

Beyond Veronica “Hard Times For Dreamers”
Beyond Veronica follows the great tradition of female-fronted power pop and it’s essential listening for fans of Jana Peri, MaryKate O’Neil and Joan Jett. “If You Love Her” is a great start with vocalist Bonnie Veronica’s melodic croon reminding me of Grace Slick at times.

The band does a great job setting the table, and Bonnie hits it outta the park on the excellent “Secret Things” and you’ll hear more “bad-girl” narrative on “Taste Of The Same.” Kirk Larsens’ guitar work is the perfect compliment to Bonnie’s vocals, even for the jangle-filled ballad “My Friend.” Larsens’ awesome riffs poke out between the chorus of most tunes. The song composition and rhythms stick to the early 60’s for influence, imagine The Shangri-la’s and The Animals jamming together. Mostly it’s great, but a little more diversity would have prevented things from getting routine. Overall a welcome addition to your power pop collection.

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Kishi Bashi and Fallon Cush

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Kishi Bashi “151a”
Out of the tons of bands coming to SXSW this past year, Kishi Bashi made the best impression on me.  Bashi is a touring violinist for Of Montreal and Regina Spektor, and on his solo album he manages to spin both lush texture and joy in his orchestral arrangements.

The swirling violins of “Manchester” are just dazzling with elaborate harmonies and strings building to a loud crescendo. Next “Bright Whites” is another album highlight, with a Japanese language backing rhythm choral – it’s undeniably catchy too. The album travels into electro-pop world with hand claps on “It Began With A Burst” – kind of like The Beach Boys and The Beta Band partying with The Shins. The slower “Wonder Woman, Wonder Me” reminds me of Godley & Creme a bit and the clean harmonies in “Atticus, In The Desert” are also impressive. Fans of Arcade Fire, Yes, and Andrew Bird will love this.

Artist’s Website | Amazon

Fallon Cush “April”
The new Fallon Cush album marks a distinctive change in style. The first album flourished with power pop; April sticks mostly in the genre of Americana and Folk. The rootsy reflection of “Forever After” has varied orchestration and memorable guitar chorus. A bit like Jullian Lennon and Glenn Tilbrook, lead singer Steve Smith’s emotional plea in the melody of “Honey, Honey” resonates beautifully.

The tension is released on the weary “In The Nick Of Time” where the lyrics concentrate on saving a doomed relationship. But most impressive was the piano melody of “Where Your Name is Carved” – it recalls the best of Andrew Gold and Mike Viola and it’s my favorite here. Fans of Steely Dan and Bruce Hornsby will enjoy the compositions “Sight to Remember” and “Every Waking Hour” with its wonderful lyric and spot-on guitar melody. No filler here, and things pick up in tempo on “Renegade Blues” and a touch of Dylan is heard on “Frank & Margaret.” Overall, no sophomore slump here – a great LP from Smith that’s highly recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon