Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic Archives - Page 299 of 339

The Eisenhowers "Film Your Own Atrocities"

December 25, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

I will continue to review some great pop music, the year isn’t over… yet. The Eisenhowers made an impressive debut in 2006 with Almost Half Undressed and now almost three years later Raymond Weir has taken the next step in his maturing sound, which the influences of XTC, Kinks and Elvis Costello are heard. The sound is richer here with Weir getting the help of backing vocalists and sharp studio musicians. The lyrical content has also taken a leap forward with epic sagas of hopelessness, best exemplified by “Reign of the Stupid” and “After The Tide.” Include the addition of violins and many instrumental effects and you get the idea. With 14 tracks, there are plenty of highlights. “Gathering Dust” resembles an Andy Partridge song with it’s looping melodies and percussive details. The epic “1969” is a ballad that goes through an astronaut’s mind full of both idealism and narcissism. “Aggrodisiac” most definitely has spirit of Costello. Some of these song while, expertly produced don’t linger too long in mind. The jazzy feel of “Janine” is a great sophisticated pop ballad with little Bowie accents and “The Long Way Home” is my favorite here, with just the right mix of all the influences and melody. It ends with “Icarus Succumbs” an expansive epic along the lines of latter era Tears For Fears. The Eisenhowers will win over many with this group of literate and tuneful pop music.

My Space | CD Baby

Tenniscourts "Dig the New Sounds of Tenniscourts"

December 22, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Wes Hollywood, a well known Chicago rock veteran (The Wes Hollywood Show) always had a deep rooted sense of melodic rock. Here in his new band Tenniscourts, he has the energy built on the stylings of Elvis Costello and Cheap Trick. Starting off with “Forever True” it lives on those loud heavy guitar riffs. “All I want is a swimming pool…” sets the theme for a blistering set of riffs on “Swimming Pool” and a touch of Ray Davies styled lyrical appeal about a kid’s dream. This working man’s touch to is also revealed in “Love In The Night.” The mid-tempo “Falling” has some awesome guitar melody and is my favorite on this album, it has a lots of subtle details that makes it rise to greatness. Spencer Matern’s effortlessly melodic bass lines on “Crystal City” bring to mind Oasis (take that Noel Gallager). “Ordinary Life” bounces along with “la la la” choruses and could be a sequel to The Kinks “Well Respected Man” with Mr. Pleasant finally reaching millionaire status. The big riffs come back in “In The Scene” and no track here falls flat. Overall, an excellent album worth more than a few spins on the ole’ ipod.

My Space | CD Baby

The Wellingtons "Heading North For The Winter"

December 21, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

The sunshiny goodness that is those Australian wonders, The Wellingtons have returned with an album of pure pop magic. Opening with the winding of a child’s toy “Song for Kim” soars along with twisting riffs and hand claps. The hard driving melodies continue with “Come Undone” which has a Jellyfish meets Rooney vibe, and the utterly charming chorus that is easily one of the best songs this year. “I Get My Heart Broken Everyday” has swelling brass and toe-tapping swagger, and a nice synth coda to each chorus. “Natalie” is another flawless gem, that goes along to Roger Manning Jr. land, with a fresh faced melody supported by layered vocals and guitars. Every song shines here and it’s tough to come up with anymore gushing praise for this album, which hits peaks many times. Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, Heading North For The Winter is everything a great pop record should be – short, sweet and to the undeniably catchy pop point. So stop reading and get this one already — I’ve only a few more days left for regular reviews before the top ten poll starts.

My Space | CD Baby | Lojinx site

Listen to “A Song For Kim”

The Kickbacks, Michael Carpenter and The Davenports EPs

December 19, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

With a big holiday weekend here, I’m getting the 2008 poll ready – here are some great EPs (some free) and new tunes which tell me 2009 will continue to offer great music:

The Davenports “Thinking About You, Maryann”
It’s been way too long a wait for this EP from these NYC favorites. The title track is a gentle McCartneyesque ballad with intricate acoustic picking and upright bass that just hits the sweet spot. The holiday song “Whore for The Holidays” has just a lovely melody and wry wit that recalls Fountains of Wayne and is one of the best new Christmas songs I’ve heard. It’s rounded out by “Don’t Cry Mary” – another winner, if this EP doesn’t perk you up — you’re probably “dead, dead, dead”. Plus on Amazon, you get one song for FREE!
My Space | E Music | Amazon (free song)

The Kickbacks “Even the Blues”
Here’s your chance to get yet another goody this holiday season, The Kickbacks have parts of the new album still available for free download. Tad Overbaugh and Steve Scott, brings quality musicianship to this highly polished rock and roll album. If you are fans of both The Lemonheads and The Gin Blossoms you’ll enjoy these laid back guitar lead melodies. “Figure You Out” has a Westerberg-like growl and steady guitar rhythm. The other songs have a Stonesy feel with a modern twist. The EP is a free download but, I would encourage you to get the whole album.
My Space | Kickbacks website (Download here) | CD Baby

Michael Carpenter and The Cuban Heels “Give the Dog a Bone”
This time we find power pop legend Michael Carpenter has gathered together The Cuban Heels, a loose collective of musicians. The name of the game here is rootsy Americana, evidenced by the Gram Parsons-like “Bad Poetry” and though the guitar and melody of “Wonder Why” is along the lines of Beach Boy song, its got the slide guitar and catchy honky tonk goodness to make it real ear candy. The country shuffle of other tracks (“Bleeding Money”) make me want to suggest he should tour with Gary Louris or Rhett Miller . The sound is as rich as ever and he sounds like he’s having a ball on “Different With You” – you will too with this highly recommended EP!
My Space | Not Lame | big radio

Bos Taurus "It’s Plain"

December 18, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Delaware native Steve Chesser has put together a group of songs he describes as “anatomically correct indie pop.” It started as a group of home-grown demos and they are gathered here. The album starts out exceptionally strong with “Anyway, Anyhow” and one can compare the skilled melodies with multi-part guitars to Jeff Murphy or Todd Rundgren. The song tempo speeds up for the excellent “Dead Inside” which is the catchiest song about nihilism I’ve heard since Nillson’s “One” that isn’t a ballad. The guitar work and harmonies are beautifully composed and performed. “Fool” adds a slightly harder edge, and the juxtaposed guitar and vocals on “What Comes Around” are incredible, kind of like if Dave Grohl joined Sugar Ray, instead of Foo Fighters. The mid tempo ballad “The Day You Left” is another standout (although the metronome beat is annoying). Towards the latter end of the album the tone starts to change to more conventional jangle pop, this starts on “Evermore” and continues through “Some Say” where REM and Sebadoh’s DIY feel start to dominate the sound. Chesser also did everything here, all the instruments, recording and engineering. And that is my only pet peeve here, this album would be truly great if a top notch pop producer, like Jason Falkner got a hold of these tracks. The songs are too good for the lo-fi auteur approach. Don’t let that prevent you from hearing this though. Fans of REM, Shoes, and Smog will love this.

My Space | Itunes | CD Baby

Listen to “Some Say”

Listen to “Fool”