The New York City festival known as IPO NYC 2007 has started last night. I will attend the show tomorrow night and check out some of these bands live. It’s at the Baggot Inn, I will give a short review of the concert. I have already reviewed a few bands that will appear:
Just to make things even more interesting I put together a Cafe Press page with “powerpopaholic” branded goodies on it. Take a look. So get a button and support this site! More reviews coming after the show.
Kevin Godley joins Graham Gouldman’s revamped 10cc at Shepherds Bush Empire, London. They sing “Old Wild Men” which is really appropriate now. Originally the songs was a tribute to The Beach Boys, but now sounds more like a tribute to 10cc. “Old men of rock and roll/Came bearing music/Where are they now?”
Listen to a newer song by Graham, “Beautifulloser.com” sung by Kevin at the same concert. But maybe you prefer….
“The Things we do for Love”
Small Sins could be classified as indie electronica pop, but with a melodic sense that brings them into the power pop camp. It’s shimmering electronics meets infectious pop guitar hooks. Thomas D’Arcy, the main force behind the band has fashioned a true rock album with elements of electronica. The opening track, “I Need a Friend” has harmonies with an undercurrent of menace that bring to mind 10cc. The Banjo and handclaps of “Morning Face” continue this trend. Fans of Ween or Sparks will appreciate the catchy falsetto of “What Your Baby’s Been Doing.” The hooks in the music are what draw you here, despite the quirky instrumentation of “On The Line” or the electro-synth noodling of “Drunk E-Mail.” Sometimes the songs take a turn into a New Order-styled dance music like on “It Keeps Me on My Toes,” and fans of Sissor Sisters will enjoy that too. The lyrics are often at odds with the sunny electro-pop melodies. The exception is the melancholy “Bullet.” Most of the songs do hit the mark correctly and if you like a bit of something different from usual power pop fare, this is it.
Small Sins Main Site | My Space | Itunes
Listen to “On The Line”
Some typical strangeness from India. Obviously they take “I wanna hold your hand” and add new lyrics. Does everyone have to shake their head so violently? I was waiting for the Beatle-wigs to fly off! More new reviews coming Monday!
If you’re into something quirky, Willie Herath may be your poison. Taking a cue from alternative punk-pop group, The Presidents of The United States, Willie starts the album with a pair of acoustic riffed simple songs with an absurdist edge, “Sticky Flip-Flop” and “Electric Sun.” Both songs tread on the same goofy ground and are catchy as well. But it’s not as hard edged as The Presidents and closer to Weezer in spirit and tone. The ballad “Come Home” proves to the listener that Willie’s got a real voice with a soaring chorus, it also proves to be the best ballad here. “Drive” mixes the two styles with a very Red Hot Chili Peppers mid-tempo beat. Sometimes the melodies work, other times they feel like filler toward the latter half of the album. There are some good songs here, “Shake it Up Baby” makes good use of Herath’s vocal range and “Dig it on” has some good energy and is very enjoyable in a Southern Culture On The Skids kind of way. More consistency would help, but his style is organic and a lot fun. Fans of Weezers’ blue album will find a lot to like here.
Willie Herath’s website | My Space | CD Baby | Itunes