Category: Power Pop Review

Don’t panic! The mainstream didn’t forget power pop.

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In general, mainstream artists don’t always consider themselves in the power pop genre, but last year these artists made us proud. If you missed these albums check them out, my favorite mainstream albums of 2022…

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello “The Boy Named If”

I did a full review of this album earlier in the year. It is a magnificent comeback for Elvis after years of experimentation with Jazz, Spanish translations, and other things. Each track shines and he hasn’t sounded this good in years. No highlights – listen to the entire album from beginning to end and soak it in.| Amazon

Panic! At The Disco

Panic! At The Disco “Viva Las Vengeance”

Ever since 2008’s Pretty. Odd. singer Brendon Urie’s charismatic, cross-pollinated brand of pop moved away from his emo roots toward something resembling power pop, as that album was Beatles-influenced. But Viva Las Vengeance, produced by power-pop fave Mike Viola, was a love letter to glam, rock, and power-pop. Highlights: “Middle Of A Breakup,” “Local God,” and ” Sugar Soaker.” Highly recommended. | Amazon

Collective Soul

Collective Soul “Vibrating”

The band has become a rock and roll institution, 30 years after the hit single “Shine” and it continues to roll on with this new collection of music. Ed Roland and the guys have laid down another solid album. One of the rare touring bands that offer new music on par with their established hits, at least for the album’s first half. Highlights: “Cut The Cord,” “Reason,” and “All Our Pieces.”  Full review here | Amazon

Collective Soul

Weezer “SZNZ”

A new EP has been released at the dawn of each season of 2022, and it totals 28 tracks when it’s all done. Rivers Cuomo is a unique talent who is both amazing and frustrating in equal measure. A fitting coda is “Iambic Pentameter” where even though he doesn’t know what’s in his “messed-up head” it still sounds great.  Like most post-Hurley Weezer, there are enough diamonds to be found once you dig deep, past the musical sketch fluff. Highlights: “Dark Enough To See Stars,” “Francesca,” “A Little Bit of Love,” and “Records”  are starting points. | Amazon

The Power Popaholic Top 25 EPs list of 2022 + more

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The humble EP has grown into its own as a preferred method of music delivery since the economic incentive to release an album is not what it was. I loosely define an “EP” as two to ten songs. Many artists opt to release EPs rather than full-lengths where they can concentrate on a handful of songs at a time without the possibility of filler. Even Weezer released 4 EPs this year instead of a single long player. The album format isn’t dead, but you can see which way the wind is blowing…

  1. The Glad Machine – Hey!
  2. The Chords UK – All for Nothing At All
  3. The Black Watch – the neverland of spoken things
  4. Mom – Fun ‘N Games
  5. The Lickerish Quartet – Threesome Vol. 3
  6. Pete Donnelly (Figgs) – Anthem of the Time
  7. Christopher Peifer – Sacred & Profane
  8. Scott Robertson – Physical Education
  9. Supercrush – Melody Maker
  10. The Persian Leaps – Machines for Living
  11. Friends of Cesar Romero – Six Banger
  12. Movie Movie – Now Playing
  13. Richard Turgeon – Rough Around The Edges
  14. Hoover and Martinez – The 3P
  15. Los Andes – Backgammonesque
  16. The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club – Vanishing Point
  17. Guilty Party – Impostor Syndrome
  18. The Vice Rags – Midnight Ride
  19. Rooftop Screamers – Whispers
  20. Late Cambrian – Future Snacks
  21. Michael Simmons – Happy Traum
  22. Butterknife – Staring At The Ceiling
  23. Jay Byham – Jay Byham
  24. Nezok – The Human race
  25. The Afterglows – The Sound of The Afterglows

Special Consideration:

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Ken Sharp released a 50-song juggernaut – I’ll Remember The Laughter. It was the only “box set” of its kind this year and felt too massive to be in a single album category. If you enjoy your power pop music collection with a dose of sweet honey this would be worth your time. Amazon: Part 1 | Part 2

The Happy Fits and Crossword Smiles

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Happy Fits

The Happy Fits “Under the Shade of Green”

The Happy Fits are a New Jersey trio that buzz right out of the gate with the big single “Around and Around.” This is danceable power pop courtesy of guitarist Ross Monteith and drummer Luke Davis, with vocalist and cellist Calvin Langman leading the charge. The songwriting is creative and the playful style recalls the late 80s or early 90s on “Dance Alone” and the Kardashian-like celebrity story “In The Lobby.”

The power pop hook is irresistible in “Little One” and the big strutting chorus of “Cold Turkey.” The synth leads and is supported by solid guitar rhythms, and the cello strings give the sound real depth. The youthful, catchy approach also reminded me of the 2010 band Fun. and encourages me to check out their previous albums. There also isn’t any filler to be found here, so it deserves to be included as a late addition to my top ten for 2022.

Amazon

Crossword Smiles

Crossword Smiles “Pressed & Ironed”

Michigan-based  Crossword Smiles is the combo of  Tom Curless (Your Gracious Host) and Chip Saam (The Hangabouts, and Curless’s backing band The 46%.) The duo draws inspiration from mid-80s alternative rock (Aztec Camera, Crowded House, The Rembrandts) and comes away with something different and unique. “This Little Town” and “October Leaves” are descriptive songs with compelling harmonies, and the subtleties of “Parallel Lines” are a joy to listen to. Very much like Field Music, but less obtuse and more accessible.

The pair loosen up with “Where’s The Sense” but they are at their best when doing the detailed story-songs “The Girl With The Penchant for Yellow,” and “Second Guesser.” While nothing is that immediate, the songs grow on you with repeated plays. The melodic “Take It On The Chin” is a great closer too, so overall a very fine album with quality musicianship. Highly Recommended.

Big Stir Records | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Ho-ho-holiday music: More presents under the tree for y’all

powerpopaholic

More brand new Christmas music. Love the collaboration by Coke Belda & El Inquieto Roque here, more traditional goodies from Dropkick, and Riverboat Gamblers, We have the youth vote with The Linda Lindas, and the sexy “Hey Santa” by Cindy Lawson. The Light Music Company is Mr. Martin Newell (The Cleaners From Venus) of Essex and Ms. Rachel Love of Sussex, whose combined talents have concocted this small oeuvre of their compositions to help facilitate your enjoyment of the festive season. Before we get too dignified, The Stompers gives us what we really want for Christmas, and punk princesses The Dollyrots do the “Chipmunk Song” — OK? A last-minute addition is Kai Danzberg‘s “Last Christmas” with a different melody.

 









While not a Christmas tune, this is a rare one by Jamie Hoover (Spongetones) hosted by fellow blogger Richard Rossi. Lots of fun!

Dot Dash and The Nervous Eaters

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Dot Dash

Dot Dash “Madman in the Rain”

This may be Dot Dash’s seventh album, but Madman in the Rain almost feels like a debut. Remember the thrill of late 80’s alternative rock? R.E.M, The Connells, The Windbreakers? You get that giddy feeling with the jangling opener “Forever Far Out” and its breezy follow-up “Space Junk, Satellites.” “You Gotta Have A Heart, To have a Heart Attack!”  is the melodic phrase on “Tense & Nervous”  that jumps out at you in celebration.

Additional highlights include “Airwaves,” and “Everything = Dust,” and while not everything here sticks, most songs do. Guitarist/vocalist Terry Banks and bassist Hunter Bennett are joined by drummer Danny Ingram on this terrific album. It’s both immediate and engaging. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Nervous Eaters

The Nervous Eaters “Monsters + Angels”

The Boston-based punk rock band The Nervous Eaters may be old geezers, but they play a mean mix of garage rock, with grizzled bravado and energy. I mean, Mick Jagger is 79, and Neil Young is 77, so you’re still allowed to rock the house.

While more guitar pop than punk, Monsters + Angels is a superb showcase for songwriter Steve Cataldo’s thoughts on aging and other reactions to a world in crisis. An early standout here is “Superman’s Hands” with its jangling verses and forceful hook. “Hop Sing Said” is another chugging rhythm about the city, and “Chad” is a dramatic rocker about the ingenue that got away. Overall a very, very good album without a hint of filler, even the slower “Evilynn (Zombies and Sapphires)” recalls Procol Harum at points. A terrific comeback for a band that never should have left. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik