Category: Power Pop Review

The Dowling Poole and Brad Marino

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Dowling Poole

Dowling Poole “Refuse”

The duo known as Dowling Poole delivers selections from a few previously released EPs, and other digital sources. Willie Dowling and Jon Poole injected more politics into the subject matter for these tunes, and they remain very effective. “The Strawman” is a magnificent opener about political corruption, and in direct contrast is “Miles Checks Out” with its breezy verses and carnival-style cadence.

The band goes out of its way to avoid the typical verse-chorus structure, like on “Bright Spark” and gives us both elegance and whimsy on “Push Repeat.” Over the years the influence of XTC has waned and Sparks has increased with this band. That may be a challenge for some, so if you’re looking for simple melodies, go elsewhere. Otherwise, highly recommended.

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Brad Marino

Brad Marino “Basement Beat”

Brad Marino (The Connection) has a new obsession with The Ramones. He’s composed an entire album of music that sounds like The Ramones. The music is simple three-chord manna, under 2 minutes each, and when it works it’s a lot of fun. Songs like “Communist Creep” and “Spy for the BBI” have enough of a hook to get you boppin’ your head.

However, some songs just sound way too similar, or songs with all verse-no-chorus like “Dream Last Night.” While I appreciate the love, this only made me want to listen to Rocket To Russia. Recommended for Brad Marino fans, others may want to start with Even The Score.

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The Speedways and Fuzzbubble

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The Speedways

The Speedways “Talk Of The Town”

London-based The Speedways are part of a handful of bands (The Whiffs, The Reflectors, Uni-Boys)  that base their sound on the late 70s and early-80s power pop.  The good news is The Speedways actually write songs that sound like they would’ve been hits back then. Starting with “Dead from The Heart Down” and “Secret Secret” it recalls the glory days of 20-20 or The Knack. The harmonies and the guitar riffs are infectious throughout.

“Shoulda Known” and “Strange Love” are pure Elvis Costello-like magic and the echoing jangle of “A Drop In The Ocean” is another potential hit from 1980 in an alternate universe. The guitars get even more pumped for “A Song Called Jayne & A Lie Called Love” and the layered gem “Summer’s Over.” Just about every song hits the mark here. In the finale “Wrong Place Wrong Time” the guitar style recalls The Records with some notable solo hard rock licks. Overall, a terrific retro album that deserves a nomination for my top ten list of 2022.

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Fuzzbubble

Fuzzbubble “Cult Stars From Mars”

Fuzzbubble were radio darlings back in 2000. In my recent interview with Fuzzbubble lead guitarist Jim Bacchi, he originally referred to the project as “Cult Stars From Mars,” not really making it clear it was a Fuzzbubble project. These terrific singles had been out for over two years. Well, after a few more tracks we have an album.

The starting tracks are rockers in the tradition of classic Cheap Trick, as “Can’t Wait To See You” and “Funny Face” are simply just great. “Regretfully Yours” takes a deliberate step in a Jellyfish-like direction, while newer tracks “I Like That Song!” take on a more epic arena rock quality (you hear “The Dream Police” synths, and Kiss call-outs). “By My Side” is like a lost Boston outtake and “The Window” leans into even heavier rock, like Led Zepplin meets Extreme. Bacchi and lead vocalist Mark DiCarlo sound like they are having a ball doing this. I would only hope the band continues to record stuff, as they put on a great show recently. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Dazy and Extra Arms

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Dazy

Dazy “Out of Body”

Does power pop meet shoegaze? Dazy does it effortlessly with a dense fuzz that would make Bob Mould blush, but with melodies that stick with you faster than a Sugar rush. The theme here is letting your feeling out, as he asks “Is that my brain hanging by a thread?” on the title track. The buzzing riffs and feedback dominate each short track, and most are under 2 minutes.

“On My Way” recalls classic Green Day with its monster riffs, but the standout here is “Rollercoaster Ride,” a big metaphor and an even bigger melody that hooks you quickly. “Deadline” boasts harmonies over the fuzz, then “Choose Yr Ramone” pokes fun at the band itself as lead singer  James Goodson states “Roll your eyes and clap your hands. Laughing at the cover bands.” But it’s the anthemic choruses here that are the point, and it’s a great ride. We get off at the quieter breather “Inside Voice,” but overall a terrific new band. Highly Recommended.

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Extra Arms

Extra Arms “What Is Even Happening Right Now?”

With a nondescript cover and release this past summer, I honestly missed this one. Didn’t see Ryan Allen’s name, but holy crap the Extra Arms are his main band. And they are firing on all cylinders here. Detroit’s prominent power pop band takes the country’s anxieties and puts it all to melodic rock gold. The digital starting tones lead to “Fun Guy” a fast-paced, energetic rocker that takes no prisoners. The band leans hard on the heavy side of Fountains of Wayne as far as lyric and melodic sense.

“Big Dogs” continues the party, with big riffs hitting targets, with a call-and-response coda. Then “Falling into Place” recalls Superdrag and Guided By Voices with its dense hard rock rhythm. Earlier this year, COVID had Ryan trapped in his house, working from home, and the Cars-like “Feeling Alright” answers those Cabin Fevered questions. Overall a great album, with Ryan’s foot on the gas for all ten tracks. It could’ve used a breather (or ballad) toward the end. But it still makes my top ten list for 2022.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Well Wishers and Ward White

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The Well Wishers

The Well Wishers “Blue Sky Sun”

There are few artists as consistently pleasing as Jeff Shelton (aka The Well Wishers). 12 albums in, Jeff took a break from power pop to work on his fuzzy shoegaze rock project Deadlights, but he has returned, like the prodigal son for his latest, Blue Sky Sun. The pandemic has given his life pause, and allowed him to return to the melodic hook-laden sounds he started his career with (The Spinning Jennies).

Jeff discovers his optimism with the opener “Figure it Out Myself,” and his crunchy guitars are similar to Matthew Sweet. The slow-building verses of “Any Way At All” and “Blue Sky Sun” are supported by layers of jangle and self-insight. But Jeff really lets his power pop flag fly with the irresistibly catchy gem “Idiot Smile.” Comparisons to Cheap Trick are apt for the anthemic political commentary “Radicalized” and “Just Enough” is another great tune with a great beat/riff combo. A cover of Guided by Voices’ “Game of Pricks” fits in fine here, and the ending piano ballad “Blue Water” is likely the best Well Wisher ballad ever. Not a note of filler here and it’s hard to argue that this doesn’t belong in my top ten list for 2022. Super highly recommended.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

Ward White

Ward White “Ice Cream Chords”

Los Angeles-based art-rock crooner Ward White returns with a deft blend of dry wit and guitar riffs. Starting with “Shorter,” he laments on aging as we are all “over and it’s overdue,” to a catchy rhythm. Next “Rumors” is full of overbearing anxiety set to a Cars-like synth refrain. Another standout is “Mezcal Moth,” a song about Juarez with a great chorus and ascending bassline. No matter White’s observations about a bad concert (“Ice Cream Chords”) or even musical metaphors (“Like A Bridge”) it’s always a distinctive tableau.

His fragile-sounding vocals and clever lyrics perfectly fit on some of the more despondent narratives, be it the corruption of “Born Again” or the brilliantly somber “Signore.” While there are fewer hooks in these songs, the compositions contain some interesting chord shifts. The quick guitar arpeggios in the verses and reverb-echoed guitar solo of “Slouch” are an example of artisan details that can be appreciated here. Overall, Highly Recommended.

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December Videos and Singles: The Kut, The Shang Hi Los, Rob Clarke, Green Seagull, Richard Öhrn, Andy Bopp, Hidden Pictures

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The FIFA World Cup is a “thing” now that the USA beat Iran, but to me what kicks ass is The Kut with a badass guitar riff and a theme “Fun When You’re Winning.” When it comes to winning, it “Takes One To Know One” courtesy of The Shang Hi Los. It’s melodic hard rock at its finest. Then we calm down for Rob Clarke with “Tik Tok” which doesn’t appear to be about that social media app.




London-based Green Seagull is a retro-pop outfit, and “They’re Coming For You Barbara” is a wonderful Kinksian gem. Sweden’s Richard Öhrn gives us a  jangling “Take This Bottle” from his debut album Sounds in English. Andy Bopp has a new single too, and “King of the Day” is on a new compilation of his music remixed by Nick Bertling. Finally, Richard Gintowt (aka Hidden Pictures) releases the fuzzy guitar pop of “Randi.” Sweet!