Category: Power Pop Review

Nick Frater and Bur

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Nick Frater

Nick Frater “Bivouac”

A “bivouac” is defined as a temporary shelter where one is prepared to do battle, and Nick Frater isn’t afraid to shake things up with a concept album about the downfall of post-industrial Britain under successive generations of Tory government. Nick lets his orchestral pop genie out of the bottle with several song suites.

“The Town of Opportunities” is the first suite, with five parts that fit neatly together and the catchy earworm “Hello Monday!” Some instrumental touches remind me of Pet Sounds, from the kettle drums of “Keep It Simple, Stupid” to the harmonies on “Heaven It Can Wait.”

The tempo and style shift on “Will It Be Enough,” the second multi-part song suite, ending on the ballad “Don’t Get Sentimental.” An 80s classic rock vibe is all over the impressive “Boom and Bust,” and then we are on to the next suite. Along the way, you get more great singles like “Step Into The Motorcar.” Like Glenn Tillbrook or Paul McCartney, Nick knows how to craft musical stories and give the entire album a comfortable flow. He’s also added a bevy of talent to the studio, like Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Beck/Jellyfish), Luke Smith (Ulysses), and Joe Kane (The Poppermost). Overall, highly recommended.

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Roger Joesph Manning, Jr.

“We Are Bur”

From the opening fuzz guitars on “(Bur Is) 10th Prestige Level 70,” it’s clear this Chicago band has late 90’s Elephant Six bands as their main influences here, notably The Minders. The band theme “We Are Bur” boasts gentle pop harmonies and a bouncy rhythm. “Baba Burry” has the Seinfeld reference (like the band logo) as lead singer Jeremy Kush notes “You’re Jerry to my Larry David” with frequent stops and a frantic tempo.

While the music is a pleasant diversion, some of the tunes aren’t all that memorable. “Helicopter Leaves” offers a nice melody with its easier pacing, and “Flesruoy Pleh” is a dream pop change of pace. The fuzz heads into GBV territory towards the end with “The Bur Are Sick.” Fans of this style will want to pick this one up; its music that deserves to be heard!

Kool Kat Musik| Amazon

The Legend of Dwight Twilley

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Dwight Twilley, Photo by Phil Clarkin

On Wednesday, we lost Dwight Twilley, a legend in power pop. He was 72.

Born in Tulsa on June 6, 1951, Dwight Twilley was already interested in the arts before seeing the Beatles play “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964. That show, in particular, inspired him to start a middle school band called the Intruders. Dwight and friend Phil Seymour saw “A Hard Day’s Night” in 1967, and as soon as the movie was over, they went to Twilley’s place and started writing and recording songs together right away.

Twilley focused his career on creating songs with catchy melodies, lush harmonies, and jangly guitars—the prototypical elements of a successful power pop single. The debut single by the Dwight Twilley Band, which Twilley co-led with Phil Seymour, “I’m on Fire,” reached the Top 20 in 1975. Along the way, he developed a long friendship with Tom Petty, and they both played on each others records.

Despite having a second chart hit with 1984’s incessant “Girls,” Twilley ultimately spent the second half of his life in Tulsa, where he established a recording studio and a record company, releasing albums full of upbeat, catchy songs that were consistent with the creative standards he had established with Sincerely. I was honored to interview him when he was promoting the Green Blimp album in 2010. Dwight has been honored in the Power Pop Hall of Fame, and we wish him peace forevermore. You were always looking for the magic, but really, you gave the magic to us.


Spooky Singles and a bagful of treats: Descartes a Kant, Willie Dowling, Wesley Fuller, Cold Expectation, Linda Lindas, and many more!

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(Spoken in your best Crypt Keeper voice) It is that time of year again when little boys and ghouls are knocking on doors for a trick or treat. Good thing all we have is treats! Let’s start with Mexico’s Descartes a Kant which is like an old video game mixed with your favorite indie post-punk band. A creative disturbing retro-futuristic concept album that really sticks with you! Willie Dowling (Dowling Poole) reheats an oldie in the production oven and it will make you “Happy?” cause it’s a freebie! In another vintage-inspired gem, we get “Alamein Line” from Wesley Fuller, dig that retro-drum-beat, new album coming soon. A little more in the spirit of things is Cold Expectation‘s “(I Live With) Ghosts” with some nice guitar work in that break between the chorus. Girl punk pop band Linda Lindas takes an old chestnut “Little Bit ‘O Soul” and makes it their own. Finally, we get to the big bag of candy, The Big Stir Records Halloween Collection! For a mere $5 you get a 20-track assortment of treats from Plasticsoul, The Armoires, Steve Stoeckel, and more. Hope these satisfy your sweet tooth (and ear)! Hee hee hee (thundercrack sound effect!)




Kurt Baker and Somerdale

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Kurt Baker

Kurt Baker “Rock N Roll Club”

Kurt Baker is back, and he’s got a badass leather jacket and sneering toughness on the opener, “Hittin’ Rock Bottom,” with its hard-hitting riffs and standout chorus similar to Oasis. Kurt’s emphasis is on the “power” here and less on the pop. The title track and the power ballad “She Don’t Wanna Be Alone” are closer to the traditional Kurt Baker sound, both impressively written songs.

From there it mines influences from the ’80s, as “Love Express” seems to go all synth dance club, similar to The Orion Experience, and “Good Feeling” has a similar vibe. Then “Bright Blue Sky” goes back to those heavy bass riffs and an arena anthem. Even with the heavier production, you can’t dilute Kurt’s solid hooks; “Missed Connection” is another catchy guitar/synth gem. Produced and mixed with the talented help of Wyatt Funderburk, he helps keep Kurt on track. This is the strongest Kurt Baker album in a long time; almost everything here sticks!  Highly recommended and nominated for my year-end top ten list. Don’t miss it!

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Somerdale

Somerdale “Let’s Get Started”

It’s been 7 years, but we finally have a good follow-up to Shake It Maggie. New Jersey power pop phenoms are back on the Kool Kat label. “Let’s Get Started” is a winning opener, as they rock a Who meets Cheap Trick-inspired sound that hasn’t aged a bit. “Come Enjoy” is a simple party theme, but it works just fine. While “Crooked Road” is a more traditional rocker, the chorus brings it together. “Missing You” has all the right elements but feels repetitive, much better is the ballad “Lulu,” a solid example of a great rock vocal setting the mood.

“Good Enough” and “Better Without Her” are consistent melodic rock with some nice musical hooks thrown in, as “Taking You Back” feels inspired by The Sweet. While nothing here is too deep, the music is wonderfully performed and keeps Somerdale in the mix of your power pop playlist. Highly Recommended.

Kool Kat Musik

October Singles: Portable Radio, Golden Richards, The Lunar Laugh, The House of Jed, Deer Friends, Super Cassette

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October starts the busiest month, as music floods my inbox and doesn’t let up until Christmas. That’s okay. We start with the bouncy Sunshine pop “I Feel Like A Dog” by Portable Radio taken from the forthcoming LP Counting To Three. Gotta love those harmonies and cascading chords. A missed summer hit, Golden Richards rocks that ice cream truck with “Hey Mr. Softee,” and its power pop perfection. The Lunar Laugh has a new single “Born Weird,” with its cool song structure and a neat psyche-pop break. The House of Jed offers up an EP that deserves some attention, rock funk “Coming Off Pretty” and the danceable “Everybody Lies” are excellent.  Our freebie “Magic Fruit” from Deer Friends has a bit of glam guitar and honey-sweet hooks, it’s a keeper! Finally a sneak peek at Super Cassette‘s new album with the single “Continue?” which feels akin to Dowling Poole! Rich melodies that deserve to be heard!