Category: Power Pop Review

Minky Starshine and The Heats

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“Minky

Minky Starshine “Boozers Gloom and a Pinch of Anxiety”

Rob Anastasi’s Minky Starshine returns with a long overdue album that starts out with a song about loss of the indie music ecosystem. On the opener “Kids on the Verge” as he opines “Once you get old, you will never be young again” but its got a strong melody set to a mid-tempo beat. Next is “Our Father,” with its catchy chorus, harmonies, and layered guitars. It gets more optimistic with “I Want Tomorrow To Come,” one of my favorites here, a great riff is running the rhythm, and the stadium sized vocals give it a sense of depth.

From here, the album takes a toned down quality. There is more introspective pop balladry, and less rock but the songwriting remains well done, on “Devil’s Bargain” and “Whisper.”  The production here is slick, similar to REO Speedwagon if I’m looking for a reference. “Pride” is another impressive song, with the guitars more in the background and the overlapping vocals and thick percussion up front. While to some this may feel more like AOR (adult oriented rock) than power pop, it’s still highly recommended.

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“Minky

The Heats “The Heats”

Eventually, we all get old. It had been 40 years since a Seattle band called The Heats had played, and they were one of the best Northwestern power pop bands back then, part of John Borack’s Greatest Power Pop albums list. In late 2023, the Heats got back together with the intention of recording a new album and doing some limited shows. Jon Memolo (guitar, vocals) joined the band alongside co-founders Steve Pearson (guitar, vocals), Keith Lilly (bass guitar), and Ken Deans (drums). Old or not, here they come.

The opening riffs of “I Hope You’re Wrong” prove the band still has the goods musically, although Pearson’s vocal delivery is an acquired tasted here, a little like Tom Petty mixed with Bob Dylan. The band struts out the melodic rock on “You Know,” and most of this wouldn’t be out of place with artists from Rumbar Records. Other impressive songs include “The Life of The Party” and “She Belongs To Me.” It leans more toward hard rock than power pop, but there is still enough here to satisfy. Jon Memolo’s “You Know” and “Never Be The Same” showcase the bands depth of style and helps make this one highly recommended.

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It’s a Hi-Fi Christmas: The Weeklings, The Supernaturals, David Woodard, The Happy Somethings

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Did I hear you say “More Holiday Music?” No? Well don’t be a Grinch, listen anyway. The Weeklings, that amazingly cool Beatlesque band has a brand new Christmas album out. Lots of fun festive originals here, so it’s highly reccomended. Get it on Amazon. And the band is expected to play live next week at My Father’s Place in Roslyn, NY! Next, Futureman Records has a simply great Christmas comp that is loaded with great power pop artists (The Jellybricks, Phil Angotti, Lisa Mychols, etc.) called a Hi-Fi Christmas Party. All proceeds are donated to the Versiti Blood Research Institute, so open your wallet and give. Like snowflakes, these Christmas albums are unique (no two are the same) so please check out The Supernaturals, David Woodard, and a freebie from the contrarian “Don’t Mention it! (album)” by The Happy Somethings.


Great December EPs: Wyatt Funderburk, Sweetboy, Super 8, Blend Eleven, Softjaw

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Wyatt Funderburk “Fleeting and Finite” and “Parkside”

Wyatt is comparable to a “5-tool-player” in baseball. Does many things extremely well, from songwriting, playing, singing, producing, etc. He does punk pop to perfection with Kurt Baker, but I can think of very few people who have the skills to pull off a Brian Wilsonesque combination of melody and earnest romantic delivery. He gives us a double EP (one under the name “Hibiki”) Don’t believe me? Listen to “You’ll Know” and you’ll know! Get it on Amazon


Sweetboy “A Day in the Park”

Local NYC indie pop band has some amazing songwriting, check out the title track “A Day in the Park,” “Island” and the epic chorus of “End of The World.” This is a band you should keep your eyes on for future greatness. Get it on Amazon


Super 8 “Goes J Pop”

Sorry if you were expecting Kenshi Yonezu, but Paul “Trip” Ryan (aka Super 8) does a fine job with these Japanese pop covers (including a Beatles cover). Check out “Keep Doing It” with its shamisen accents. Get it on Amazon


Blend Eleven “Deepest Cuts”

This Aussie band with great sound builds everything off the 12-string acoustic strum. A cover of the classic Cat Steven’s “The First Cut is The Deepest” sets the stage, very much in the vocal mold of Extreme’s acoustic gems. And it’s a freebie to try – so pick it up, and listen to the band’s other material. Get it on Amazon

Softjaw “Softjaw”

Deceptively cool vibe on the opener “Pleased With Me” drew me in, as this Long Beach, California band has a perfect power pop approach. “Don’t Go Walkin’ Out On Me” and “Dragging Mt Feet” are pure gems. This is another band that flirts with greatness, as each song hits the mark and it’s a contender for best EP this year. Get it on Amazon

Holiday music: Willie Wisely, Kai Danzberg, Mike Brunacini, Dean & Britta & Sonic Boom, Reno Bo, Ben Folds

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The best way to enjoy holiday music is early December. It’s weird how we all love those songs after Thanksgiving, but hate the sound of sleigh bells after Christmas. Original holiday music has always been something I’ve enjoyed listening to because it’s fascinating to hear how different artists interpret their own personal holiday memories. Enjoy these presents from Willie Wisely, Kai Danzberg, Mike Brunacini, Dean & Britta & Sonic Boom, Reno Bo, and finally Ben Folds.





TV Pins, The Restless Age, and Mt. Misery

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“TV

TV Pins “Aircutter”

TV Pins is a band from Midlands, UK combining 1970s Americana, Britpop, and a touch of New Wave. The album opener “Oh Yeah” is perfect intro with the thump of drums into a heavy bass lead melody like a Britpop version of Big Star.

“Bye Bye Reseda” is a slightly different vibe with horns, but there are plenty of gems here like the breezy strum of “Magpie Eyes” and the unique “Roundabout” which goes in many melodic directions. “Everysingletime” recalls Crowded House at times, and the bouncy genius of “Last Rites” is my favorite here. This band does not do “cookie cutter” pop, hence the styles differ considerably. Definitely highly recommended.

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“The

The Restless Age “Losers Party”

The Restless Age (Will Bryant, Lee Falco, and Brandon Morrison) are from Athens, Georgia,  and the album ‘Loser Party’ may not be power pop in sound, but definitely in spirit. The melancholy piano title track is a ballad that recognizes “my kind will never rule the earth,” but it has some great chord changes.

These guys really shine on the ballads with their crisp three-part harmonies and pensive emotional delivery. Check out “Time Can’t Go Back Now,” “Save Me,” and “Murky Water” for some gorgeous songwriting. The mid-tempo tracks aren’t as memorable, but “Freak Show” is another keeper. This is a band to keep your eye on and definitely deserves to be heard. Check them out!

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“Mt.

Mt. Misery “Love In Mind”

Hartlepool, UK’s Mt. Misery is a jangle pop band that fans of Dropkick or Teenage Fanclub will really enjoy. The opener “Hey” has those subtle jangling chords, soothing background harmonies, and the earnest lovelorn belief that “everything will work out fine.” The next several songs also hit that sweet spot, as “Movies,” “On My Mind,” and “Sunday Song” all feel like a cozy vacation from the winter blues.

We can all sense the haze of naïve love and the uncertainty of youth as the laid-back tempo lingers a bit longer across the album on tracks like “You Call My Name” and “Love To Give.” While it feels a bit repetitive in parts, there are enough goodies here to make this a highly recommended album.

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