Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Amy Rigby and Colman Gota

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Amy Rigby

Amy Rigby “Hang In There With Me”

Amy Rigby has been a sane musical voice of truth since her debut in 1996’s Diary of a Mod Housewife. Early in her career, she worked with her husband Will Rigby (dB’s) and then collaborated with Wreckless Eric (who she later married in 2008).

Hang in There With Me focuses on mortality, aging, and youthful missteps looking back over the years. “Hell-Oh Sixty” really lays it out plainly, but without bitterness or regret. She explains each decade with verses that define her feelings at the time, all accompanied by a powerful guitar strum. Rigby embraces this “cool” persona throughout the entire album. The theme is that no matter how old you get, the question remains, “Should you quit, or at least slow down?” The music asks again on “Too Old To Be So Crazy” and channels brilliance with “Dylan in Dubuque” as she sings “Sometimes I play the martyr, but I mostly play myself.” Plenty of solid songs here make this definitely music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon


“Colman

Colman Gota “Don´t stop playing guitar”

Colman Gota from Spain took four years to create this new album with producer John Pfiffner, which also his debut on Kool Kat Musik. Gota’s energetic guitar work is a supported by a catchy “na na na” chorus on the opener “Big In Taiwan.” The frantic pace continues on “Always Late,” and the title track “Don’t Stop Playing Guitar,” Colman keeps things lyrically simple but remains nuanced. Unlike past albums where he emulated Tom Petty’s style to a degree, here he leans on the big riff and chorus much more.

Another notable track, “Crack the Code” is a question of communication with your partner, and “Paint It White” adds some horns to the mix, and the arrangement is richer for it. His batting average is higher here than in the past, and with 17 tracks this feels like a double album. Other highlights include “Enemy,” “Two Chords and a Lie,” and the twang infused gem “Way Around It.” Overall a very nice representation of Gota’s talents and it definitely is highly recommended.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

Freebie Friday! Music that deserves to be downloaded!

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These four albums are listed as “name-your-price” downloads. I would encourage you to contribute to these artists, after all, they are spreading a wealth of music.

Yours & Mine “The Shadow You Cast”

Solid New York alt. rock trio with a melodic gift, and “I’m Not Ready to Go” reminds me of a Posies-Gin Blossoms hybrid. “Pushing up Daises” and “Shadow” are more driving power pop. Overall a great little album, and this band is bound for future stardom if anyone with a brain ran a major record label. Get them now, before that happens.

Sparky Bosque “Corkscrew Soul”

The last album Patrick from Sweet Sweet Music blog featured, Sparky Bosque was described by him as a cross between The Eels and Parthenon Huxley. The clean strums of “Do No Wrong” and sweeping “Poor Annie” do have an emotional component similar to P. Hux, and while not everything here works, the sullen atmosphere on some songs are irresistible, like “About You.” Check it out.

Rick Murnane “Summer Fun”

Northampton, Mass musician Murane tells us straight up “why would everybody want to be like everybody” on “Monkey in the Zoo.” He collected a group of songs, and boasts a country ballad on “Rodeo Billy” and suburban angst on “Bring You Down.” In a rough and tumble way, his voice reminded me of Peter Holsapple (dB’s) on “These Days.” Very cool.

Macseal “Permanent Repeat”

Long Island emo-band does good here, “Golden Harbor” will scratch that indie-emo itch, without too much grinding feedback. And the band can get downright anthemic on the great “Four Legs” and “Permanent Repeat.” Also check out “Beach Vacation” and “Hide Out.” Fans of Goo Goo Dolls will enjoy this too. Music that deserves to be heard!

The Cle Elum and The Yum Yums

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The Cle Elum

The Cle Elum “It’s Ok If It Falls Apart”

Tennessee band The Cle Elum is the duo of Sarah Sargent Pepper and Ian Lee. Stylistically, it is all over the place, but it’s got some great songs here. The opener, “Handclaps & Harmonies” is a perfect rocker for fans who don’t trust the singer and “don’t care what the words mean.” The style and tone change to Elvis Costello for “…Remember When,” and then 80s-styled rock on the memorable “I am a Robot” with singer Matthew Caws.

“Old Folks” is another quality tune that gives great advice with a hook. It does best with the layered arrangements and synth melody on “Did I Get High” and the Tom Petty-esque “I Wanted To Sleep.” While not every song here maintains the quality, there are enough worthy songs to rate this album highly recommended.

Bandcamp


The Yum Yums

The Yum Yums “Poppin’ Up Again”

Norwegian band The Yum Yums is likely one of the most underrated power pop bands playing today. Next to Japan’s Shonen Knife, I can’t think of another band that does buzzy, Ramones-derived pop better. But more than applying the hook-filled three-chord aesthetic, the Yum Yums approach their music with a dynamite sense of melody, harmonies, and bubblegum sweetness those boys in black leather never had.

Poppin’ Up Again continues a great run of albums since 1993, led by Morten Henriksen. The first three songs stick closest to the Ramones template; “Vitamin U,” “Got Me Good,” and “Do You Like Me” are brilliant high-energy pop. The band adds Beach Boy-styled harmonies on “Baby Doll,” and many tunes have an old-fashioned innocence (like “Dance,” “Candy”) with a sincere sentiment, and buzzing guitars. It’s hard to find a single bad track here, although “Foxy” sounds a little too much like Rum Bar Records labelmate Brad Marino. But despite that, this album is highly recommended and added to my Top Ten list for 2024.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Kevin Robertson and The Martial Arts

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 Kevin Robertson

Kevin Robertson “The Call Of The Sea”

Kevin Robertson (Vapour Trails) has done it again with a decent album full of jangly power pop, opening with the Byrdsian “Ghosting” and bouncy “The Guilt Trip.” He neatly positions himself stylistically between CSN, Teenage Fanclub, and Big Star. Both songs are great openers on different ends of the pop-rock spectrum. Guest players include Scott Robertson, Nick Bertling, and Nick Frater.

Traditional country is also a large influence here, as “Windows of the Sun” shows. Still, the gentle twang on “Search for Replies” with Frater and Ahren Buchheister (steel pedal) is a great example of his subtle but catchy songcraft. Kevin’s 60s-inflected techniques don’t dominate the album entirely. But the album’s second half moves back towards the psyche pop of “Rain Again,” “Ode to Stephen,” and “Fortune Teller Lied.” Another gem here is “Long White Feathers,” with its magical bridge and “ba ba ba” harmonies to make it a standout. The production is warm and the mix is crisp-sounding (thanks, Nick!) You’d have to admit Kevin’s songs here are a step up from last year’s ‘Magic Spells Abound,’ which makes this album highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Martial Arts

The Martial Arts “In There Like Swimwear”

Paul Kelly (BMX Bandits) has a lot of talent and lets it show on his latest Martial Arts LP. “Hold On Full Of Hope” has a jaunty guitar, and quirky piano melody, a mix of rock and roll with elements of musical theater and bedroom pop. The song dovetails directly into the similar sounding “Empty Out Here.”

Next, “The Attractions” boasts some terrific harmonies in a composition that brings to mind early ’80s Elvis Costello with its organ lead. “No Victory” is another great song with so many catchy details. The theatrical approach resembles Sparks on “Something in the Water.” The clever percussion also leads to a massive chorus on many slow building songs like “Working On My Eyes” and the ELO-esque gem “No Coming Down.” But nostalgic touches are mostly the window dressing, as Paul Kelly creates music in his own unique style and it deserves a much bigger audience. So many highlights it’s easy to see why this one is highly recommended.

Amazon

More singles: The Eggmen Whoooooo! The Junior League, The Bye Bye Blackbirds, The Successful Failures, The While, Young Scum

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What can I say, we have even more music to report on. The Eggmen Whoooooo! are a quirky band that gives us “Eggman Vs Hellboy” and some comic book nerds saw the video, and there was much rejoicing. I have to call out the best EP of August, The Junior League‘s ‘Nattering Nabobs’ – just listen to “Skinny Tie” and count the power pop references! Under the radar The Bye Bye Blackbirds have been releasing some singles, and judging by the strutting “The Girls Walk” they’ve lost not a single step. The Successful Failures also return with plenty of pop twang on the excellent “Costume Party.” Something new from Sweden, The While is a band consisting of power pop royalty with Fredrik Norberg(Popsicle) and Johan Bergqvist(The Genuine Fakes.) Finally some beautiful jangle pop from Spain courtesy of Young Scum with “Lighter Blue.” Enjoy!