Category: Power Pop Review

The Toms and Nezrok

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The Toms

The Toms “Life Raft”

Its a long way from Tommy Marolda’s classic Beatlesque debut, but he’s still making guitar melodies that rock. He’s got an 80’s hard rock feel on the opener “Wish I Went To Princeton” with its quiet-but-catchy chorus. Marolda’s songwriting is always top-notch, and “Accident” is an excellent example with its layered rhythms, hand-claps, harmonies, and guitar riffs. “Another Happy Ending,” and “Buried Alive” have inventive approaches and compelling melodies.  The DIY psyche-pop “Tangerine” is another sweet theme that will stick in your head.

The quirky McCartney-like “If Mother Nature Had A Face” and “Profile” have some wonderful musical ideas that don’t quite stick. And even Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi guitarist) can’t save the overbaked “We Ain’t Giving Up.” But the atmospherics and blended swirl of ideas in  “Earthquake In Heaven” and “The Everlasting Stone In My Shoe” reminded me of The Dowling Poole and its worthy of repeat listens. Like last year’s Applestation, you’ll find an overall a mixed bag, that will appeal to longtime fans and those willing to experiment.

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Permanent Green Light

Nezrok “Nezrok”

Nezrok (aka Chris Korzen) has teased an album for a long time. Last fall he finally released this self-titled collection on New Jersey’s Jahal Records with a host of guests from Chris Bolger, Dennis Diken and Van Duren. It couldn’t start any better with the smoking riffs of “Middle Ground” with its catchy melody, it sounds like a lost Big Star tune, that fits well with the Van Duren-Jody Stephens cover of “Andy, Please.”

Vicki Loveland and Van Duren both contribute to “Imagine That.” A few songs like “ICU” and “Wide Open Spaces” are stylistically different and have guest lead vocals from Diane E. While I liked the music, it seems to belong on a different album. Power pop fans will do the best picking from those mentioned above, plus “Beach People,” and “Strong Love.” Solid gems are to be found here.

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David Mead and Cavetown

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David Mead

David Mead “Cobra Pumps”

After a long run of great albums, David took some time off after the 2011 LP Dudes. He is back, with a new album that he’s been heavily promoting on social media. Mead expands his stylistic skills all over Cobra Pumps, by sticking with an electric guitar compared to past elaborate productions. The opener “Bedtime Story” is a wonderful tune about domestic life and where it can take you.”The Business” has a neat hook and a jangle that keeps things moving. “She Walks Like A Grown Woman” is another big highlight, an in-your-face theme about female empowerment.

The jazzy tones of Mead are still here with “Head On Straight” and “Poster Child.” The 80’s vibe of “Big Balls” is something that feels a little out of place, but it’s still a good tune. And the classical influences are still what resonate on “Hopalong.” Overall there is plenty of variety here, so pick this one up. Highly Recommended.

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Cavetown

Cavetown “Dear.” EP and more

Cambridge-based artist Robin Skinner (aka Cavetown) is a making a serious run of great music in the tradition of Elliot Smith and Nick Drake. After 2017’s Lemon Boy Robin has embarked on a series of EPs and singles that focus on teenage isolation and depression. They are sparsely composed, with guitar and the occasional backing female vocal. Dear. was produced last year, with the somber “Just Add Water” and “Talk To Me” has a simple charm that stays with you.

Even more impressive is Robin’s songwriting skills continue to grow with his new “Animal Kingdom” series of singles. “Boys Will Be Bugs” and “Juliet” is all about being the pain of being an outcast. Hopefully, he gets more exposure as this stuff is too good to ignore. Highly Recommended.

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The Young Veins and The John Sally Ride

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The Young Veins

The Young Veins “Take A Vacation” Deluxe Edition

One day Ryan Ross and Jon Walker (Panic at the Disco) decided to embrace sunny harmonies and chiming Rickenbackers straight out of the mid 60’s playbook. The Young Veins crib from The Beatles, Kinks, Zombies and The Dave Clark Five – and it makes great classic rock listening from beginning to end. And while LP did come out in 2010, the new deluxe edition is out now and includes 6 additional songs previously unavailable.

“Change” jumps out with those great riffs and a chugging chorus that sticks in your head. The feel-good vibe leads the Kinks-like title track, and “Caper Town” is a big Beatles meets Phil Spector number with the most memorable melody here. “Maybe I Will, Maybe I Won’t” is dead-on Ray Davies imitation and most tracks stick to under 3 minutes. Added standouts include “The Other Girl” with its layered instrumentation, and the skiffle rant “Security.” While other critics might call out the blatant retro worship, the songwriting keeps it original and entertaining. Personally, I’m thrilled anyone under 30 is into this style rock and roll. Overall highly recommended.

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The John Sally Ride

The John Sally Ride “Nothing Doing”

The combo of John Dunbar (Vocals), Sal Maida (Bass) and Sal Nunziato (Drums) are The John Sally Ride, and their sophomore LP raises the bar. The band has more confidence and play tightly composed songs that are designed to stick in your brain. The band’s style reminded me of Glenn Tilbrook and/or Squeeze with just a touch of Wilco.

It starts out simple enough with the jangling melody of “Embarrassingly Single” leading to a great middle eight. Often its a word couplet like on “Consider It Considered” or the title track where John sings “I’m nothing with you, but nothing without you.” The biographical “Watching Fingers” is another gem about getting hooked playing guitar and “All or Something” is another keeper. Overall, no filler and this would have found a place in my top 25 last year. Highly Recommended.

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EPs: The Re-Used Electrics, Blank Pages and Sam Hoffman

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The Re-Used Electrics

The Re-Used Electrics “For Johnny” EP

The Re-Used Electrics prowled Houston, Texas from 1980-1985 and was dedicated to translating the spirit of live punk bands of that time to local rock audiences. This 5 song EP is dedicated to Johnny Thunders (aka John Anthony Genzale) best known for his work with the New York Dolls.

The classic guitar instrumental “Pipeline” originally made famous by The Chantays is given a sweet treatment and opens the set. Followed by “Chinese Rocks,” the solid instrumental work does its best to make up for the buried vocals, which resemble a gruff Johnny Rotten. “One Track Mind” and “Pills” are good catchy rock and roll. Definitely meant to be played loud and proud.

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The Blank Pages

The Blank Pages “Into The Ether” EP

After ending a 7-year hiatus with 2018’s Before Your Summer Fades, The Blank Pages are back with a fresh EP. Guitarist Greg Potter leads the charge with the title track, a catchy anthem with a nice guitar hook. My favorite track here, “Let It Flow” is another jangling gem that rocks with gleeful abandon. The lower key “Snapshots” is more a narrative about a long lost connection and “Welcome To The Unknown” is composed a little like Joe Jackson, a synth and piano lead with driving percussion and swirling guitar rhythm. Highly Recommended.

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Sam Hoffman

Sam Hoffman “Fairweather”

Wow, out of nowhere Sam Hoffman sounds like Richard X. Heyman fronting The Junipers, with plenty of that jingle jangle guitar. The opener “December” is just infectious and “Anything At All” is like a Byrds outtake. Some nice McCartneyesque bass highlights “Glencrest Lane,” but Sam’s vocals are a little too buried to make it stand out.

“Good Company” has a slowly rising riff that starts with gentle harmonies and a light melody. Next, the instrumental “Karate” shows us Sam’s guitar chops. Most songs are 2 minutes or less, so this feels a little like Tony Molina’s LP. But Mr. Hoffman gives us a lot more with the 5-minute + ballad “Lorraine” full of strings and western guitar. Not a single dud here and  I was super impressed by this debut. You have the option of a name-your-price Bandcamp download or support the artist through an Amazon purchase. Highly Recommended.

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Kai Danzberg and Mothboxer

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Kai Danzberg

Kai Danzberg “Not Only Sunshine”

It was right around this time last year German musician Kai Danzberg introduced us to the infectious Pop-Up Radio, and with a new year, we have a new album. With Not Only Sunshine Kai is more consistent in his style, as the primary influences are Jeff Lynne (ELO) and Roger J. Manning Jr. (Jellyfish). He also has several collaborations with a variety of experienced power pop talent.

The cinematic intro (title track) is a simple multi-tracked hymn that leads into the sunshine-fueled “My Beautiful Day” with Dana Countryman. This is the sole burst of pure pop happiness, with its Beach Boys-styled harmonies. “Nothing In My Head” with David Myhr is a worthy follow-up, with a sweet hook in the chorus. From there the LP slowly sinks into the sadness of love lost, as “Turn Away” is a beautifully rendered power ballad on par with Jellyfish (and Roger J. Manning Jr. contributes). While the atmospherics are effective, the next several songs don’t reach the highs of those before it. But on his own Kai still delivers excellent music as “Help” is a big highlight, and the personal “Empty Room” is a sweet reflection on childhood with some nice acoustic guitar work. Other highlights include “Where Can I Sleep” and “Let Me Know,” a duet with Lisa Mychols that borrows its intro riff from Cheap Trick! Kai continues to grow as an artist, and I highly recommend this album. Bravo!

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Mothboxer

Mothboxer “Open Sky”

Production wizard & master of ceremonies Dave Ody expands the Mothboxer sound to include orchestral and progressive genres. “Sunshine Sound” is a slowly expansive epic that combines Pink Floyd, John Lennon and 1969-era Beach Boys into something akin to The Beta Band. This vaguely familiar setting has its trippy moments on “Got To Wake You Up” to “Better When It Rains,” with low chords and brass flourishes. “We Could Be Right” goes in many directions at once, but still feels cohesive with odd drum fills and Move-like guitar progressions.

The gem here is “Million Miles Away” with its hidden hook in the piano chords and harmonies. Ody manages to make something unique out of the familiar, and even with four minute plus indulgences it never feels like filler. Another good comparison would be the first time I listened to Electric Light Orchestra’s “No Answer,” and hearing those lumbering melodies by Roy Wood. Especially on the finale “Yesterdays Are Tomorrow.” Highly Recommended.

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