Category: Power Pop Review

The Tearaways and Patty & The Oh’s

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Real Sickies

The Tearaways “And For Our Next Trick”

California power pop super group, The Tearaways are back. The band features the dual lead singers of bassist John “Fin” Finseth and rhythm guitarist Greg Brallier, lead guitar David Hekhouse and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer Clem Burke (Blondie). They start out with the R-rated Beatlesque rocker “Are you Fucking Kidding Me?” and “Not Good Enough For Me” starts out like The Bobby Fuller Four and devolves into a Who-like jam at the end. The band’s influences are baked in, but the songs have their own unique sound.

“No Love Lost” is a brilliant melody similar to The Weeklings, but they find other compelling directions like “Let Me Be The Last” or “Emotional Distance.” The drummer tribute “Charlie, Keith and Ringo” and the bouncy “Saturday Everyday” are both power pop gold with their crisp harmonies and sugar-filled choruses. The album boasts consistently great music from beginning to end, so it will easily fall into my Top Ten album nominee list for 2023. Super highly recommended.

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Real Sickies

Patty & The Oh’s “Out of Everything”

Patty & The Oh’s are a jangly, melodic band with a touch of quirky zen. While based in Seattle, the sound merges with plenty of Southern folk rock influences. Frontman Patrick Weatherly isn’t afraid to address the pressing issues that our society as a whole is currently grappling with, but the band’s pragmatic approach delivers a positive vibe overall. “Out of Everything” is a perfect example of this, with its infectious groove. In addition, the cynical jaded world we live in can weigh you down, so you may as well focus on a “New Flavor of Gum.”

The slow building “A Little While” has a Wilco-like quality as it bursts into a near-grunge experience. The sadness of “Societal Collapse Doo Wop” is another momentary downer, before we hit those conspiracy theory nutjobs on the singalong “Rabbit Hole of the Absurd.” Not everything here sticks, and it runs out of gas towards the end. However, Patrick has fine wit and a way with melody. This is definitely a band that deserves to be heard.

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Last Day in March Goodies: Lost Hearts, Novelty Island, The Blakes, Everet Almond, Canadian Invasion, Dazy

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The debut single “Hate Yourself” by Nashville’s Lost Hearts is radio ready gem with a swaggering rock n’ roll attitude.  Max Frye’s vocals are set against a pounding guitar background and relentless energy as he sings about a toxic relationship with a former partner. Next, Novelty Island is one of those bands on the cusp of greatness (and another LP) but we have a single “Eureka, I Can See!” that will tide us over. The Blakes released some out-takes that are so good, I wonder why we haven’t heard more, as “What You Own” kicks ass. Everet Almond has discovered a very groovy Clavinet on the cool single “Insanity,” and veteran band Canadian Invasion delivers a nice freebie, Your Favorite Lies EP. I really liked “The Charms of Adeline” with its pedal steel guitar. And finally, Dazy is back with another EP of fuzz-drenched goodness called Otherbody. Check out “Every Little Thing,” “ESTAO,” in fact this is good all around. Don’t be an April’s Fool, and get this fresh batch!






Ed Ryan and The Decibels

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Ed Ryan

Ed Ryan “A Big Life”

Multi-instrumentalist Ed Ryan is back with his most accomplished album to date. Starting with “Settle Down” it’s a rhythm-driven rocker, with a big finish full of handclaps and optimism across his multi-tracked vocal. The songwriting here is very strong on “As I Am,” and the slowly building “Wonder” boasts some excellent guitar work throughout. The latter is the best song on the album, as he states defiantly “I’ll never grow old.” Ed’s vocal struggles to keep up with the heavier rockers like “Mary Anne,” but the title track “A Big Life” makes good use of the story-like narrative and his verses here are great.

Ed has fun on the catchy “You Keep Me Up All Night,” as it’s very reminiscent of the gems Dave Edmunds or Nick Lowe used to produce. The finale show-ender “Overnight Romance” has a great bouncy beat, and tosses in the kitchen sink musically. Like a heavier version of  Solomon Burke’s “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love,” it’s a real crowd-pleaser. There are enough gems here to make this album highly recommended. Enjoy!

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The Decibels

The Decibels “When Red Lights Flash”

The Sacramento band has lightened up a little on its latest release, which started life during COVID with the jangling gem “Why Bother With Us?” While things are poppier with “Enough” and more 80’s retro-influenced than previous albums. But the band has a timeless sound that stands out on “There’s Just Something About You,” with its easy-flowing melody. The percussion drives a lot of the songs and for the most part, it’s all in under 2 minutes. But sometimes the vocals get buried under the guitars, like on “He Thinks He’s Right (But He’s Wrong)” or the vocals just don’t match the intensity of the playing (“Say Goodbye”).

Despite that, there are plenty of highlights here, like the catchy harmonies of “In Remembrance,” “Today Is Your Day,” the Raspberries-like “Looking Back” and “This Might Be The End.” Workman-like power pop that definitely deserves to be heard.

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Lucky Late March EPs and Singles: Emilia Suárez, The Krayolas, The Downhauls, Orbis Max, The Dollyrots, Brad Marino, J. Matthews

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Sometimes a modern ballad just gets the romantic in me. Emilia Suárez‘s new single “Timing” hits that soft spot in your heart. She is both singing and acting in the new movie A Good Person, alongside Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman. Next, the Tex-Mex Beatles (aka The Krayolas) have a freshly remastered release including a cover of The Monkees‘ “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” And speaking of covers The Downhauls do a neat cover of “Hazy Shade of Winter” written by Paul Simon, but it always sounded better with a female vocal (The Bangles). The emotional “R U OK” is an easy-going collaboration by Orbis Max and Lisa Mychols featuring Ed Ryan. Adding some great power pop energy is The Dollyrots “Hey Girl” which is a great “curious” theme. Brad Marino (The Connection) has opened the vaults at Rum Bar Records and let loose a Slab O’ Wax. That’s 19 tracks of his best rock and roll for you. We end with another newcomer, J. Matthews with a thoughtful “Wanderlust” single. And… exhale.







Eyelids and Gary Ritchie

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Eyelids

Eyelids “A Colossal Waste Of Light”

Eyelids is a super-group of sorts from Portland, OR, including members of Camper Van Beethoven, Guided By Voices, The Decemberists, and the Elliott Smith band. Produced by Peter Buck (REM) who also plays on the record, there are no slouches here as the ascending guitar riffs lead the way on the opener “Crawling Off Your Pages.”  Vocalists John Moen and Chris Slusarenko split the duties here, and the songs are definitely designed for multiple listens to grow on you.

The songs gather a multitude of influences from REM’s jangle, The Smith’s rhythms, and Big Star’s poetic loneliness.  This is a departure from the more psychedelic aspects of the band’s past work, but the coolness factor is upped. “That’s Not Real At All” is a spacious, slow groove that sticks, and “Only So Much” is a haunting mid-tempo rocker. The band hits its stride on “Runaway, Yeah” with overlapping guitar melodies across a wicked synth, and gets closer to REM on “Everything That I See You See Better” and the catchy “Pink Chair.” Each song has its own flavor, and like a good musical smorgasbord, it satisfies the senses without any filler. Highly Recommended.

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Gary Ritchie

Gary Ritchie “Potpourri Of Harmony”

Gary Ritchie has been recording great power pop for decades as an unabashed Beatles fanatic, and it shows through this extensive retrospective of his work. Ritchie skillfully delivers an upbeat and refreshing musical experience that fans of the Fab Four or The Spongetones will surely enjoy. Way too many highlights here, but I really liked “Alright,” “You,” “Carol Says,” and “Record Store.” Like the recent Ken Sharp collection, you’ll find an impressive collection of songs that effortlessly captures the spirit of the Beatles while still feeling fresh and contemporary.

This comprehensive collection includes his 5 solo albums, with added rarities, and at 40 tracks, it’s all the Gary Ritchie you will ever need. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just someone who appreciates good music, this album is a must-listen.

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