Category: Power Pop Compilation

Compilations: Anny Celsi, Ex-Norwegian and Shplang

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Editor’s note: Every year we have a few artists do the “greatest hits” thing as an end to a career or a phase before a new direction. These artists are all highly recommended and should be part of any power pop fan’s album collection. These were my 2019 favorites…

 

Anny Celsi

Anny Celsi “Kaleidoscope Heart – 12 Golden Hits”

Annie Celsi’s music fits in a unique space. Here style is slightly psychedelic folk-pop with Brill Building hooks that’s been compared to Aimee Mann, Jackie DeShannon, Suzanne Vega, and Dusty Springfield. Celsi’s singing is emotional and compelling and with Kaleidoscope Heart, you get a terrific collection of her music, from the jangling gem “Tangle-Free World” to the Motown-like “Au Revoir, My Darling.” Aided by a cast of familiar talents like Nelson Bragg, Teresa Cowles, Amy Farris, Probyn Gregory, Adam Marsland, Robbie Rist, Evie Sands, and Nick Walusko, to name a few. It’s comfort food for your ears!

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Ex-Norwegian

Ex-Norwegian “Something Unreal: The Best Of Ex-Norwegian”

This is an expansive look at the talented duo of Roger Houdaille and Lucia Perez. Early on the band was produced by fellow Miami Beach resident Fernando Perdomo and the results are truly impressive. A massive amount of great music is here, 47 tracks across 2 discs. Roger’s early efforts stand up as the layered indie rock “Original Copy” and Kinks-influenced “Something Unreal” is just as catchy as ever. The band moves across genres effortlessly from psyche-pop to experimental pop, some of my favorites include the grunge guitar of “Jet Lag,” “Unstoppable,” “Initiative Rock” and I’m not even halfway through disc one. If you never checked out this band, this is a perfect primer. Highly Recommended.

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Shplang

Shplang “Los Grandes Excritos (1994​-​2019)”

Shplang was always a great power pop band, rooted in influences like the Beatles and Kinks, but it also included a unique point of view. The duo of Peter Marston and John Krause were eventually joined by drummer Brian Cannizzaro. With 17 tracks, it pulls from over 20 years of music. They go the full gamut of styles; opening with the sweet and catchy pop of “Spanish Galleons”  to the new wave-influenced “I Don’t Know I Don’t Care.” The band’s quirky highlight “Delacroix” takes the Fab’s “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” in a blender with Serge Gainsbourg. “Little Star” is another brilliant example of taking a simple lyric and crafting it into pop genius. “Sway” shows that these guys also know how to crunch those power-pop chords as good as anyone. Overall a highly recommended collection of songs that any power pop fan would be proud to own.

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Compilations: Pop Boomerang and The Co​​-​​Op Communique

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Chris Von Sneidern

Shake Yer Popboomerang “Volume 3”

Looking to hear the best new musical talent Australia has to offer? Then check out Popboomerang. Once again its compiled by label head honcho, Scott Thurling. It’s 36 tracks chock full of goodies, some of the bands are familiar like Even‘s brilliant “The Memory,” or the new-to-me artist The Umbrella Man‘s “The Likes of You.” Both these tracks hook you early on, other artists you should check out here: The Kariannes, Livingstone Daisies, Halfway, Danny McDonald, The Golden Rail, Vicuna Coat, Bryan Estepa, and the always classic DM3.

Since it is the entire label’s talent here, its not just power pop. You get some punk (Glomesh,) some indie-goth (The Glory Box, Wild Meadows,) classic pop (Charles Jenkins and the Zhivagos, Blackbirds FC,) or even sleepy balladry (Four Hours Sleep, Ryan Ellsmore). The batting average is good with this compilation. Bandcamp only


The Co​​-​​Op Communique

The Co-Op Communique “Volume 5”

Artist and producer DW Dunphy has once again delivered another “Communique” and its the strongest compilation yet. Caddy’s strong “Miracle Turn” sets the bar pretty high, but the lesser-known artists meet the challenge. Jerry Wood’s “When You Were A Child” is a real hidden gem and Science Park’s “Dot of America” is a catchy surprise. I recognized many power-pop faves here; The John Sally Ride, The Vapour Trails, Car City, Super 8, Tommy Sistak, Mick Terry, The Click Beetles, Everet Almond, Joe Sullivan, Nick Frater, Pop Co-Op and The Turnback.

You get the rare track that makes you scratch your head, but almost everything here is worth exploring. Dunphy has a lovely duet with Lindsay Murray (Gretchen’s Wheel) and Orbis Max original “Love Will Keep Us Together” is closer to George Harrison than Captain and Tennille. Then add a few metal tunes (Deliverance, Haven) and there you have it. An instant summer music collection. Get this now while it’s still a FREE download. Bandcamp only.

White Lace and Promises: The Songs of Paul Williams

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White Lace and Promises: The Songs of Paul Williams

Assorted Artists “White Lace and Promises: The Songs of Paul Williams”

Producer Andrew Curry, who has a soft spot for soft rock (Drink a Toast To Innocence) is back with his sites now on ’70s singer-songwriter Paul Williams. While a recognizable musical performer and actor, Williams legacy as a celebrity often overshadows his formidable songwriting talents. After all, he’s won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and several Grammys. His work includes hits for Three Dog Night, Barbra Streisand and The Carpenters – all part of this covers collection by some talented indie power pop artists.

Several songs are given new life because many are deep cuts that won’t be instantly recognizable. I enjoyed the faster tempo of The Davenports take on “Evergreen” and Zach Jones faithful version of “Someday Man.” Lisa Mychols totally nails “You and Me Against The World” and Cliff Hillis turns the Carpenters epic “Rainy Days and Mondays” into an intimate personal ballad. Minky Starshine has a wicked version of “The Hell Of It” from the Brain DePalma cult film The Phantom of The Paradise.

But the ballads are where Williams songwriting is best known, and Chris Price’s “I Won’t Last A Day” and Andy Reed’s “Rainbow Connection” infuse Paul’s hopeful emotions perfectly. The Corner Laughers do their best to imitate singing muppets on “Movin’ Right Along” and The Test Pressings (John Borack, Robbie Rist and Karen Bassett) do a cheese-filled version of “The Love Boat,” in which Williams only wrote the lyrics. A few songs don’t quite work, but overall a fun compilation with a high batting average. And that’s highly recommended.

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Many years ago Paul Bertolino covered Paul Williams beautifully. It’s a FREE download that would fit nicely with the collection above. Enjoy!

Caper Clowns and The Persian Leaps

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Caper Clowns

Caper Clowns “A Salty Taste To The Lake”

Caper Clowns are a band from Ferritslev, Denmark, and their sunny debut The Buca Bus came out in 2016. The band is Rick Kingo, Peter Højgaard, Christian Højgaard, Henrik Krogh and Søren Daugaard Jensen. Rick, Peter, and Henrik play multiple instruments, and the songwriting is spread out amongst everyone. The group doesn’t suffer from the sophomore slump and has been firing on all cylinders. In addition, the band has played at the IPO Festival in Liverpool at the Cavern Club these past 2 years.

The opener “The Way I Dream” is a wonderfully catchy composition, with its bouncy rhythm it sets the stage nicely. In contrast, “Lifeline” adds some darker guitar riffs but the chords change to sunshine by the end of the harmony-filled chorus. The Caper Clowns biggest strength is its diverse sound akin to The Wellingtons or Roger Joseph Manning Jr. The light acoustic guitar of “Kissing Daylight” is a winner, as well as the Squeeze-like magic of “Pretty & Underwear.” The album is both unpredictable and refreshing without a single filler track. Overall a great album that gets a top ten best nomination for 2018.

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The Persian Leaps

The Persian Leaps “Pop That Goes Crunch!”

The Persian Leaps from Saint Paul, Minnesota has released this massive 18-song anthology presenting their best work over the years, remastered and remixed. The songs are full of blistering riffs and jangle-pop harmonies, selected by lead vocalist Drew Forsberg and producer Neil Weir. If you are unfamiliar, it will totally appeal to fans of Guided by Voices, The Smiths and Teenage Fanclub.

My favorites here include the very GBV-styled “Fire Starter” and “Picture My Reaction.” The catchy fuzz-guitar dominates most songs, and at times the tracks seem to blend together – but there is enough distinction on several standouts like “About The Lions,” and “Truth=Consequences.” The brand-new track “Time Slips” is a nostalgic song that Forsberg wrote in memory of his grandparents. Overall an excellent compilation that is highly recommended.

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Artist Profile: KC Bowman

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Oakland, California multi-instrumentalist KC Bowman has been extremely active recently, to the point that I had to dedicate this entire post to him. He has been described as a studio hermit with Beatlesque tendencies. Comparisons to XTC, The Talking Heads, R. Stevie Moore, and Beck are a good primer for what to expect on his albums, and he’s contributed to many bands including The Agony Aunts, The Corner Laughers, and his own Preoccupied Pipers. A few weeks ago we reviewed his solo masterwork Fresher Tin Villages.

KC Bowman

KC Bowman “Important With A Capital I”

This is a comprehensive “greatest hits” package that covers Bowman’s career from solo works, other bands and rare compilations he’s been in. It opens with some great catchy singles; “The Super Bad Report,” “Mine Called Somebody Else,” and “Palomine Cranes.” It also includes several other bands he’s played with like Vinny’s Vipers and Rhythm Akimbo. With a massive collection of 25 tracks, this is a great “starter kit” for those wanting a good mix of KC in their playlist. It’s one of the best single artist anthologies I’ve heard this year and at $5, it’s a bargain bin special!

Bandcamp

Fireproof Sam

Fireproof Sam and The Network Stars “Get Passive”

KC Bowman gathers a huge assortment of talented friends including power pop favorites like Bradley Skaught, Rhythm Akimbo, The Agony Aunts, Pop 4 and more. Excellent lyrical wordplay highlight “Screwed Over By Stylish Introverts” and “Old Trope Academy.” You also hear some Motown influence on “Tryna Be Bolth” and playful Ska on “Obvious Scarecrow.” “Vaticial Trance” sound like a lost Orange Peels outtake. And with the inclusion of the catchy power pop of “Rev Nine” and “Idiot Rock,” it’s all very good. All sales will benefit Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness.

Bandcamp

The Preoccupied Pipers

The Preoccupied Pipers “Stupid People Going Stupid Places”

In 1992 Bowman began making recordings with members of a pop band called Lawsuit, and shortly afterward collected these homemade recordings and dubbed them The Preoccupied Pipers. Incredibly, this loose collective of friends continues to make catchy eclectic pop. Unstructured but very melodic, the Pipers have amassed a huge collection of music that’s as good (maybe better) than anything Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices) has done.

This latest gem is a fun listen from bouncy opener “Art and Culture” to the multiple lead vocals on “Pirahna.” And the power pop tunes still dazzle, check out “Azalea Divine,” “Truck Bombs” and a crisp cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Sundown.” A few silly fillers here, but it’s a FREE download so I won’t complain. In fact, the entire Pipers catalog (ten albums) is available on Bandcamp for FREE. Enough music for ya?

Bandcamp