Category: Power Pop Classics

Power Pop Documentaries: Van Duren, Big Star, XTC, Chris Von Sneidern, Badfinger, Fountains of Wayne

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What better way to spend a slow holiday week than with a power pop documentary?

Power pop documentaries are all over YouTube, so here is a short list of my favorites. The last two are more TV/internet specials and not full-on documentaries, but worth a watch if you don’t know these band’s histories. Of course, we are still waiting for a real power pop documentary. In the meantime, enjoy these links below:

Watch the movie:

Waiting: The Van Duren Story.

Watch the movie:

Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me

Watch the movie:

XTC: This is Pop

Watch the movie:

Why Isn’t Chris Von Sneidern Famous?

Watch the movie:

Badfinger: They Sold A Million

Watch the movie:

Fountains of Wayne and the Many Imaginary Hits of Adam Schlesinger

Cover Me: Tribute to Ray Davies, Abbey Road, and much more

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Ray Davies Jem Records

Assorted Artists “Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies”

The fourth release in a series honoring the best songwriters in rock. Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies is an homage to one of England’s finest rock writers and follows the success of Jem Records Celebrates John Lennon, Brian Wilson, and Pete Townshend. It features fantastic covers by The Weeklings, The Grip Weeds, Nick Piunti, The Anderson Council, and many more.  Kurt Reil of The Grip Weeds (who also contributed) recorded a majority of the songs for the album’s 13 tracks at The House of Vibe Studios in New Jersey. Next to The Beatles, the Kinks are a great band to pay tribute to because of the great songwriting, and some of my favorites here include deep cuts in the catalog like “Do You Remember Walter” (The Anderson Council), “Picture Book” (The Airport 77s), and the gentle “Days” (Lisa Mychols & Super 8). All the songs here are great, so it’s definitely Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Beatles Abbey Road

Assorted Artists “Abbey Road Reimagined – A Tribute To The Beatles”

The Beatles are likely the most covered band in history, and there are hours of Beatles tributes available, so why did producer/multi-instrumentalist Fernando Perdomo release this one? Abbey Road, which The Beatles released in October 1969, quickly rose to fame. It was perfect in every respect and most would say that they were at their peak.

What makes this tribute such a standout are the diverse group of artists here, and some unique interpretations by power pop royalty, including appearances from Matthew Sweet, Roger Manning (Jellyfish), and Charles Jones (Vulfpeck). The most creative and effective cover here is “Octopus’ Garden,” reimagined as a country song by Matt Axton and Brian Auger. Another highlight is the rendition of “Because” by Rebecca Pidgeon & Patrick Moraz with a sitar giving the harmonies added depth. Not all covers have that power, but most work just fine, sticking faithfully to the arrangements. Well done!

Amazon

Sparkle*Jets U.K.

Sparkle*Jets U.K. “Best Of Friends”

This is a different kind of cover album for the Long Beach, California trio, consisting of vocalist guitarist Susan West, bassist Jamie Knight, and singer/multi-instrumentalist Michael Simmons. In this album, they do covers of other bands from the late ’90s and early 2000s. It’s a trio of talented power-pop fans covering their favorite songs from that era. This is a perfect idea, as these songs aren’t so familiar and deserve to be re-discovered!

A sneeze starts out with “Hold On Tight” (Walter Clevenger) an excellent opener, and it doesn’t hold back. Songs by The Masticators, Andersons, Kompost, Adam Daniel, Cockeyed Ghost, The Dons, Linus of Hollywood, The Shazam, and more. Let’s just say only the most devoted Power Pop fan will recall them all. The band does a great job here, and the songs are ripe for covering that magical time prior to the 21st century. Highly Reccomended!

Amazon

Odds, Ends, and Reissues: Nick Frater, Spiraling, The Orange Peels, Roger J. Manning Jr.

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If you thought 2nd Grade’s songs were a bit too long, Nick Frater has the solution for the ADD music fan. 59 songs all under a minute! I have to admit, the first two hooked me right away, “Intro” and “Say It’s Alright” are stunning Beach Boys recreations. Not everything is that good, but some have little clues to the influence; like “Another Nod To Todd.” Irresistible!

New to me (maybe to you) is this 2003 release from New Jersey musician Tom Brislin. Spiraling is a mix of many pop styles, but what stood out to me is the piano tune “The Girl On Top (of the Piano)” which is as catchy as anything Ben Folds has ever done. An overlooked gem, re-issued on bandcamp.  Get it on Amazon
Hard to believe it all started in 1997 for Allen Clapp. The Orange Peels “Square” is a timeless classic, that still sounds fresh today. This new re-issue is labeled “Square³” and it boasts 40 tracks with demos, bonuses, an alternate album… what else do you need? Get it on Amazon

During my last interview with Roger Joseph Manning Jr., he mentioned a re-release of his solo output was coming, and here it is. These albums have long been out of circulation and its good to have them back dutifully remastered by mixing engineer John Paterno under Manning’s supervision. This catalog threesome consists of 2006’s The Land Of Pure Imagination, 2008’s Catnip Dynamite, and his 2018 PledgeMusic EP, Glamping.

Visit rogerjosephmanningjrofficial.com to get these re-issues directly.

The Bangles and Peter Lacey

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The Bangles

The Bangles
“Ladies and Gentlemen… The Bangles”

This treat is a vintage 16-track Bangles collection of remastered ’80s-era rarities, demos, live recordings, including The Bangles’ debut single and all of the tracks from their self-titled EP—produced by legendary Ramones/Blondie producer Craig Leon—unavailable since its initial release on vinyl in 1982. It showcases the talent of The Bangles’ founding and current members—Susanna Hoffs, Debbi Peterson, and Vicki Peterson—as well as now-retired bassist Michael Steele, and the band’s original bass player Annette Zilinskas.

What’s incredible is just how solid the Monkees influences show through on all these early tracks, just listen to “I’m In Line,” “Call On Me”and “How Is The Air Up There.” The Peterson/Hoffs harmonies are full of energy on “Want You” and the garage side comes out on the demo of “Steppin’ Out.” Another fun tune is a cover of The Turtles “Outside Chance.” Highly Recommended to power pop music fans and not just for Bangles devotees.

Amazon

Peter Lacey

Peter Lacey “New Way Lane”

Veteran musician Peter Lacey’s music has often been compared to that of Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney’s early work. His newest album was recorded in Peter’s garage and touches on many ’60s pop styles, done with very sparse instrumentation. The album starts with the Beatlesque “Star In Your Own Show” and “New Way Lane,” solid compositions done with a sweetness and simplicity that make the music irresistible.

“Laundromat” is old school soul, with an easy funk beat and deep brass accents. “Bella Donna” is a little too close to the Fab Four’s “Lady Madonna,” and a few songs after this are so mellow I want to take an “Afternoon Nap.” Another highlight is the catchy “Better Make Tracks.” Rewards with repeat listens.

Bandcamp only

Prix and The Rubinoos

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Prix “Historix”

What would a fourth Big Star album have sounded like? A rare and historic artifact of the mid 1970’s the Prix Historix album is finally out on HoZac Records. Prix was the postscript to Big Star, and started off after Tommy Hoehn and Jon Tiven had both been part of the legendary power pop band’s final incarnation. Tommy contributed to the final album Sister Lovers/3rd, and Tiven filled out the last live version of the band on their 1974 tour. The following year the pair recruited Alex Chilton and Chris Bell, and then added Rick Clark on bass as they headed into the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis to record. Listening to this it sounds like a lost Big Star record with denser production and heavier guitars.

Listen to “Girl” and “She Might Look My Way” and you’ll hear those classic sharp melodies and ringing guitar riffs. “Love You Tonight (Saturday’s Gone)” is another grand mid tempo ballad similar to Radio City, “Take Me Home And Make Me Like It” (one of the Alex Chilton tracks from the Tiven-produced Bach’s Bottom) is another gem; and Tiven’s “Every Time I Close My Eyes” as another potential A-side hit. The band never released anything more than an EP single, and it was previously only available as a Japanese import. There is still quite a bit of filler added, but having this music remastered and available makes it worth the trip. Since this re-release and new interest in the band, Tiven has reformed Prix with Sid Herring (The Gants) and plans to make new music next year. For Big Star fans this is essential.

Amazon


Rubinoos

The Rubinoos “The LP Collection Vol​.​1”

In the mid seventies, power pop was at a low ebb, The Raspberries and Dwight Twilley were considered leaders of a genre that was losing steam with the record buying public despite notable exceptions (Fotomaker, Hudson Brothers, Ray City Rollers). But The Rubinoos came into this environment with a bubble gum twist to each catchy melody played with a tongue-in-cheek innocence. Album tracks like “Peek A Boo” and “Rock and Roll is Dead” showed both playful humor and solid musicianship. Its hard to find a dud among the fine material here that deserves re-discovering.

This claims to be the definitive vinyl collection of The Rubinoos first 3 classic albums (“The Rubinoos”, “Back To The Drawing Board” and “The Basement Tapes”, which was never released on vinyl before), remastered and adorned with bonus tracks. This collection stops prior to the 1983 Todd Rundgren produced comeback album “Party of Two,” which I expect will be on volume 2. Very Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp | Amazon (vinyl)