Category: Power Pop Review

You either consider this a work of creative and technical prowess or blasphemy. Either way it’s fun to listen to. Thanks to Dawayne for finding this one.

If you are a big fan of seventies rock, then The Lonely H will draw you in with it’s thick guitar hooks and vocal harmonies that melt in your ears. Like Wolfmother mined the hunger for Led Zepplin, Lonely H grabs you with it’s own mix of Zepplin, Queen, Neil Young and Bad Company. The Lonely H are five longhaired baby-faced kids barely out of high school, yet their music is mature and aged well beyond their years. Even though you can spot a riff here and there from some songs, “Hair” has a sound that is unique. The iconic “Just Don’t Know” starts things off with Queen styled majesty. “Say your Prayers” has a bit of Thin Lizzy meets Yes and has a great vocal to boot. “The Drought” is a grand ballad with piano and crashing guitar chorus that is part Ziggy Stardust and Grand Funk Railroad. Another standout here is the title tune, and the beautiful harmonics and brass on “Captain.” And if you want a catchy tune that is a bit more aggressive “The Meal” with touches of more alternative guitar stylings and Zappa-like key changes. It is direct proof that Pete Townshend was correct when he cried “Long Live Rock!” all those years ago.

MySpace | Not Lame

Listen to “For Barbara”

Now here is a band that can rock with the best of them. If the Kinks and the Flamin’ Groovies met up with the DIY punk of The Godfathers, they might’ve sounded like The Condors. The songs benefit from producer Steve Refling and special friends who stopped by the studio to lend their musical and vocal talents; including Tony Fate (Bellrays), Jerry Koskie (Simpletones/Chiefs), and the ubiquitous Robbie Rist (too many bands to mention here). “She’s not the Girl for me” and “Don’t Talk about Love” are perfect bar band styled classics, and have a great Jam meets Dire Straits feel to them. “Expectations” sound similar to classic Elvis Costello circa “Armed Forces” with even more muscle. The Ray Davies comparisons are all over the classic “Something Better Coming Soon” and Pat “Pooch” DiPuccio does a great job of matching the energy and sound of those classic rock and roll riffs. The sharp Beatlesque guitar buzz on “Kiss That Girl Away” is what power pop is all about and “Spare Time” has a big Raspberries vibe with a Lou Reed-ish vocal. “Set Me On Fire” even has those great horn flourishes. Although a few of the songs didn’t win me over, this is a great album who’s time has come. This combination of old school punk and pop that makes the album a pure joy to listen to.

The Condors Website | MySpace | Amazon

On the left is an early photo of John Wicks and The Records. I had the pleasure of an interview with John and he talked about his new album “Rotate.” Click on the interviews button on the right column or click here to read it.

If you like your power pop with alot of muscle, we’re talkin’ Enuff Z’nuff and Cheap Trick, you may well enjoy The Millions. “On My Mind” starts with sweeping guitars and a killer chorus. The music is full of great guitar instrumentation that recalls Def Lepard, Zebra, Whitesnake and a tiny bit of Roger Manning’s Imperial Drag. “We’re Through” and the title track “Disrespectfully Yours” continue this sonic attack with a good melodic sense. The next track “island of You” bears a passing resemblance to The Churchills or Tories and is my favorite here. It has a great arena rock feel and the guitar work of Johnny Million and Dan “The Fox” Edwards are on par with the above mentioned bands. The album slowly begins to get heavier and the melodies are not as memorable on the second half, with “I’m So Lame” being a prime example. A lack of variety hurts here and it could have used a power ballad or two. Some of the songs here begin to feel a bit like filler at this point, but this is redeemed by the nicely done mid-tempo “Twice a Woman” and the energetic closer “Outerspace” with a fantastic guitar solo here. Make no mistake here, these guys have loads of talent and their music is also featured on the TV show “Laguna Beach”. Check out the my space page to hear some tracks.

MySpace | Millions Web Site | CD Baby