Category: international power pop

Más Power Pop español: Octubre, Coke Belda, Javier Miramontes, The Starkwells, George Harrison

powerpopaholic

Since my last Spanish power pop post, a few notable new releases still needed to be highlighted. Octubre from Madrid, Spain has been a local favorite, and a few called it the best pop album of the year, and the opening track “Todo se lo lleva el viento” (translates to “Everything is carried away by the wind”) compares well to Teenage Fanclub. The grand jangle of “No sé qué hacer” is another standout track with plenty more. The sound is just mesmerizing! Get on Amazon

Coke Belda (a long-time fave here) is back with a tribute album to the legendary Beatlesque band Los Brincos. The four-piece Spanish rock band from the 1960s was often compared with The Fab Four, and Belda takes the classic sound and updates it with modern studio polish. Fans of the classic power pop style will simply love it. Don’t miss it! Get on Amazon

Javier Miramontes (aka Howdy) and his previous band, The Starkwells pay tribute to Big Star here with an original and a cover.

Not Spanish, but in case you missed it… a Celeb-filled “My Sweet Lord” video in celebration of the 50th anniversary of George Harrison‘s classic solo album, All Things Must Pass. 

 

Hank Idory and more Spanish Power Pop

powerpopaholic

Hank Idory

Spain has always been a hotbed of power pop, even Kurt Baker set up residence there. One of my favorite Spanish language power pop artists is Hank Idory, and he returns with a Sentimental Jamboree. The gorgeous chord shifts in “Nadie Sabe Nada” (“Nobody Knows Anything”) is a ballad that will move you even if you don’t know the language. Officially releases in January 2022.


Here is a playlist that features my favorite power pop en español. If you don’t see an artist that belongs here, just let me know and I will add it. Over 600 songs! Sin inglés. ¡Solo en español, por favor!

International Power Pop: Super Ratones, Tommy Lorente, Star Trip, m.a.p.a.

powerpopaholic

Editor’s note: Power pop remains an international genre, but non-English bands don’t always get attention. Here are some great bands from outside the USA that have 2019 releases that you should listen to — even if you don’t speak Spanish!

 

Super Ratones

Super Ratones “Carreras de Aviones”

Super Ratones is a veteran power pop band from Mar del Plata, Argentina. They’ve been influenced by The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Who, Hollies, Kinks and the Byrds. They were nominated for Grammy Award in 2001, and they still continue to produce excellent Spanish language power pop to this day.

They continue the musical journey in 2019 with their tenth album, Carreras de Aviones which translates to “aircraft races.” The band still has the melodies and vocal harmonies that command attention as evidenced by the title track. The catchy melody of “Un Minuto es Mucho Tiempo” and guitar attack of “A Remar” are awesome examples of these talented guys. Highly Recommended, so check it out!

Amazon


Star Trip “Salto al vacio”

Star Trip is from El Altet, Alicante, Spain. They have a great power-pop sound, the opening title track “Salto al vacío” is a dense jangling guitar gem with heavy percussion, and most of the album follows this lead. I couldn’t find a weak song anywhere, and if these guys made an English language version of this LP it would be in my top 20 for sure. Very accessible and beautifully done. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


m.a.p.a. “So Simple and So Clear”

This band from Madrid actually sings in English, and if you want to know what the band name means, check out my last post. The band has a jangling sound with the light vocals of Ana, and takes its influences from West Coast pop. Check out “Always Again,” “I Look Around” and “Different in Mars”

Amazon

Tommy Lorente “Tommy Reltone”

Tommy Lorente does some of the most dynamic garage-rock-meets-power-pop I’ve ever heard from France. His latest double single is a Kinks-like gem, full of irresistible riffs and energy. I hope this leads us to a full-length LP soon!

Amazon


International Power Pop: Otto Niklasson Elmerås and Goodfellows

powerpopaholic
Otto Niklasson Elmerås

Otto Niklasson Elmerås “Mono”

Otto is a Swedish multi-instrumentalist with a truly gifted talent for melody and his debut album Mono is full of 60’s inspired tunes that sound like a cross between Donovan, Nick Drake, and The Zombies. So, it’s no accident that Otto’s cover photo is a direct homage to Beatles ’65. The first song is the somber “It’s Over,” a hushed dirge with strings like “Elenore Rigby.” But the atmospherics aren’t always enough. Thankfully Otto can dazzle with subtle melodic twists like “My Weak Spot,” with its goose-bump inducing chorus or go full bore Beatlesque with “Wrong Side Of The Road.”

Otto also gives us a haunted waltz with “Lalala” and the memorable ballad “I Know I’ll Never Get It Right” that builds up with a very McCartney-like bass line. Additional highlights include the bouncy “It’s About Time” and the harpsichord ballad “Somehow They Lie.” For all these impressive songs, the album tone remains mostly downbeat. But if you are a fan of the retro-pop goodness, look no further.

Amazon

Goodfellows

 

Goodfellows “Ten Bites”

Spain’s Goodfellows came together in 1995 and through lineup changes and five albums, they have stood the test of time. With addictive melodies and strong guitar riffs, they are lead by Tomás Forns and David Cladera on guitars, Pepo Granero on bass, Miquel Gibert on drums, and Biel Palmer added as vocalist. With almost all the songs in English and no visible accent, it’s very accessible to American power pop fans.

The quick angular riffs on “My Kind Of Girlfriend” make it a great “lost hit” that you thought The Rubinoos did back in the day. I was most impressed by the Teenage Fanclub-like “Nada Que Objetar” and “She Was” with its melodic jangle and harmonies. “Good For Me” is another winner that recalls late-era Raspberries. While the album’s second-half struggles to maintain momentum, it still contains excellent music that deserves to be heard. And as with most Goodfellows LPs,  the CD packaging (designed like a mini pizza box) is also an inventive collectible.

Kool Kat Musik

International Power Pop: The Sick Rose and The Mayflowers

powerpopaholic
The Sick Rose

The Sick Rose “Someplace Better”

Italy’s The Sick Rose has a new LP that really rocks your socks off. It’s solidly produced by The Posies’ Ken Stringfellow and clearly inspired by power pop bands of the early 1980’s. Fans of The Records, 20/20 and Shoes will find a lot to love in these 11 original songs.

“How To Be Your Friend” features vocalist Luca Re’s strong (non-accented) lead and a jangling melody. “Fortune and Fame” echoes The Raspberries with its guitar and drum combo, with a wicked solo midway through. “Frustrated,” is pure guitar bliss with harmonies floating under the lead. Dom Mariani’s (DM3) style is also imprinted here, as you’ll hear the bounce on “Milk and Honey” and “Sweet As Punch.”

“Stand Tall” is straight from The Records playbook, and “Nobody” adds that 1960s-Farfisa organ for this retro-soul rocker that’s perfect to dance to. Overall, not a bad or slow song here – although a ballad to break things up would’ve been a nice change of pace. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Mayflowers

The Mayflowers “The Wild One”

Over the years I’ve often said The Mayflowers continue to be one of the best power pop band’s in Japan. Formed by Osamu Satoyama they’ve been active for over 12 years and now we have a new release that lives up to its title.

The opener “Rollin’ Stone” incorporates a musical tribute to the famous band, and yet it’s an original psyche-pop gem that builds into an impressive jam (fans of Jeremy Morris, take note).  The title track borrows a bit from AC-DC’s “Highway To Hell,” but if you are looking for guitar bliss “Getaway” does the trick. It’s like The Posies and The Red Hot Chili were playing together and a cover of The James Band “Funk #69” fits in perfectly next.

Satoyama’s ballad “Starlight” is a great melodic break here with some good chord shifts. “Comes Alive” and “Dirty Mac” is a little more retro and closer to The Who and The Beatles in style. The finale “Shine On” is another impressive highlight that reminded me of The Turnback. Highly Recommended.

Kool Kat Musik