Category: My Honest Opinion

Willie Wisely says “No more albums”

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I have a busy week planned (with IPO NYC coming up any day now) and I get this news from Willie Wisely’s blog basically saying  that albums are “too hulking, too far between, too all consuming” and “the whole thing is too painfully putzy to be enjoyed any longer.” So he’ll be making singles and EPs from now on. While I love a great single, and lots of people cherry pick from an LP – any one who grew up loving the long-play format will loathe its demise.

And while Bob Lefsetz may disagree, in music there is nothing better than listening to a great concept album beginning to end. Think about Dark Side of The Moon or Who’s Next. And while most albums are not worthy of that greatness, I wouldn’t want to discourage artists from trying. It’s like the 5-course prix fixe restaurant going out of business because Chipotle moved next door.

Above is a writing session demo for the first new single, Willie goes back and forth with power-pop favorite, Cliff Hillis.

Scott Miller passes away

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Sadly, Scott Miller passed away on April 15, 2013.  Scott Miller has released more than a dozen albums with his bands Game Theory and the Loud Family, and his music has been described as “a cross between Alex Chilton, James Joyce, and the Electric Prunes” (Stereo Review) and “smart, funny, and instantly memorable” (Rolling Stone). Miller was a brilliant songwriter who’s biggest impact was during the 80’s, mixing both powerpop and new wave to craft a memorable catalog of albums. Some of these are being made public on the Loud Family website.

In addition to being a musician, Scott was an author of an insightful book Music: What Happened? In the sample chapter he describes how he found Seth Swirsky’s “Watercolor Day” –

“Certainly the Internet has changed how people find out about music, and one novelty there for my methods is what I’ll call canon triangulation. Searching around for the best new songs, I’ll do a web search on several songs that I consider indicators of good ears, and see what else is on those people’s list, and so on. I found “Watercolor Day” that way, I think on a site I want to credit with being associated with Audities, though I see I’m not able to repeat the search today.”

I can only hope that he was talking about Powerpopaholic.com — but aside from that I hope people honor Scott by playing his music today. I know I will.

Biggest Disappointments of 2012

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Yeah this post might rile you up. I list and explain my biggest disappointments from some of my favorite musicians.

Jonny Polonsky “Intergalactic Messenger of Divine Light and Love”

OK I get it, the center of the universe is in your crotch – are we overcompensating here? After listening to this mess, I can point out one good tune, “See Your Lies” – but it’s a far cry from 2005 EP There is Something Wrong With You. I miss the old Jonny… this album proves “there is something wrong” with Jonny.

Jeff Lynne “Long Wave”

Sigh. It’s been so long since we heard from Mr. Blue Sky that the anticipation had me salivating.  And we get a cover album. It’s a very good cover album – Don Covay’s “Mercy, Mercy” is pure Wilbury-styled magic and other tracks like “Smile” are just lovely. But can we get some new songs Jeff? I expect this stuff from Brian Wilson – not you.

Paul McCartney “Kisses On The Bottom”

I love Sir Paul, but this just isn’t his style of music. Maybe he just decided to “cash in” on these oldies like Rod Stewart has been making off his great American songbook albums. At least Jeff Lynne made a good covers album, this reduces Paul to a cheap lounge singer. And a boring one at that – kiss my bottom, goo goo gajoob.

Other albums I wasn’t thrilled with this year

The Top 30 Power Pop Albums for 2012

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This was a banner year for power pop as my list expanded to 30. Without a doubt this was the year of “the comeback” with new albums from many old bands looking to reconnect with fans. I also had enough EPs this year to make a top 5 list. Some bands that made the list I never got to post a review for and others I rated very high didn’t make the list due to heavy competition (See Notable Mentions). Hopefully I didn’t miss one of your favorites, and if I did then comment below and tell me.

The Top 30 of 2012

  1. Shoes – Ignition
  2. Kurt Baker – Brand New Beat
  3. David Myhr – Soundshine
  4. Redd Kross – Researching The Blues
  5. Cliff Hillis – Dream Good
  6. Chris Richards – Get Yer La La’s Out
  7. Sunday Sun – I, II, III (really 3 EPs that I count as a full LP)
  8. Sweet Diss and The Comebacks – Emerald City Love Song
  9. 8×8 – The Anatomy of An Apricot
  10. Lannie Flowers – New Songs Old Stories
  11. Kenny Howes – Tornadoes Here and Past
  12. Wes Hollywood – Fantasy Arcade
  13. Smash Palace – Do It Again
  14. The Well Wishers – Dreaming Of The West Coast
  15. Bill Lloyd – Boy King Of Tokyo
  16. Eytan Mirsky – Year Of The Mouse
  17. Throwback Suburbia – Shot Glass Souvenir
  18. Jay Gonzalez – Mess of Happiness
  19. Eytan and The Embassy – Everything Changes
  20. The Secret Powers – More Songs About Her
  21. Corner Laughers – Poppy Seeds
  22. Ruby Free – Introducing Ruby Free
  23. Explorers Club – Grand Hotel
  24. Sitcom Neighbor – Charm
  25. Brad Brooks – Harmony Of Passing Light
  26. Honeymoon Stallions – Moonlighting
  27. Hidden Pictures – Rainbow Records
  28. Bryan Scary – Daffy’s Elixir
  29. Paul Rocha – Crayons
  30. The DBs – Falling Off The Sky

Notable Mentions: The Lemon Clocks – Now Is The Time, The Sunchymes – Let Your Free Flag Fly, Mike Keneally & Andy Partridge – Wings Beat Fantastic, Grahame Steinberg (no longer available), Conceptus – Trebly Feelings, Air Traffic Controller – Nordo, The Breakups – Running, Jumping Falling Shouting.

Top 5 EPs of 2012

  1. Two Sheds Jackson – The Collaboration Series, Movement One
  2. Spirit Kid – Happiness
  3. The Wellingtons – Hey Hey
  4. The Jellybricks – Suckers
  5. The Connection – Seven Nights To Rock

Top 5 music compilations of 2012 

  1. The New Sell Out
  2. International Pop Overthrow Volume 15
  3. The Power Popaholic Fest Original Soundtrack Vol.1
  4. Elvis Costello – In Moving Pictures
  5. Jellyfish – Stack-A-Tracks

Next up: My favorite Alternative/Indie albums of 2012, Best reunion album of 2012, Biggest disappointments of 2012.