Normally I seek out power pop artists that are seldom heard. Occassionally I find an artist that may not be in the category, but sends me a demo that I like and I figure, why not let other people know about it? Well here is “Maren” and she’s another talented rocker-type that falls into the Avril Lavigne meets Joss Stone-styled category. From the bio I read she’s doing alot to stay busy and get her name out. Her songs have made it on MTV’s “Laguna Beach” and “The Hills” and you can hear for yourself why she’s getting this attention.
Now this is what I’m talkin’ about, FREE MUSIC – legally! The Format is offering last year’s smash album “Dog Problems” as a free download til July 16th. This is an opportunity to get your friends and enemies hooked on power pop excellence as this album was in almost everyones top 20 of 2006. If the Beach Boys styled harmonies don’t win you over the awesome hooks will. If you don’t already own this album, you have NO EXCUSES anymore. Then pass the link over to the next guy. Don’t you wish all new power pop bands would promote themselves like this? It’s called building a “buzz” and gaining new fans.
Former Tonic frontman Emerson Hart has released his new solo album “Cigarettes and Gasoline” – a very personal album that touches on Hart’s personal struggles with the unsolved murder of his father as a child. Hart’s reminders of his childhood past include the sights, sounds and smells – and that’s where the album title comes from. The lyrics and songwriting are heartfelt and revealing here. “If You’re Gonna Leave.” is a melodic soaring ballad that paints a perfect picture of reget for “what might have been.” “I Wish the Best For You,” is another soaring alt-rock ballad and touches on the memories of a friend’s divorce. These songs are tailor made as a great Father’s Day gift for your dad’s new ipod. “I Know” hits more power pop territory along the lines of Fastball. Hart has a gift for writing these great pop hooks, like in “Vanity” – a mellow mid-tempo brooding song that shows Emerson is near the cream of the alt-rock heap. That being said some songs are a bit non descript (like “Flyin”) and too similar to other Tonic ballads. As a personal statement, Hart has done an very good job when it comes to his theme. As a power pop album it’s also good and slick enough to appeal to mature audiences who are looking for more than a happy pop recording. Hart spent several years in Nashville, soaking up the scene and it shows on tracks like “Green Hills Race For California” with it’s delightful acoustic strum. Athough it sounds like a major label release, Hart has opted for the small Manhattan Records label to release “Cigarettes and Gasoline.” For me, it beats the new Bon Jovi album hands down. Listen to the album samples to see what I mean.
Going through the backlog of CDs, several Kool Kat artists were released recently. If you like your power pop in a vintage 80’s mode, you couldn’t do better than John Wicks new album “Rotate.” Wicks picks up with the classic Records sound and starts right away with the catchy “Oh Yeah!” a sure-fire classic single. Another standout is “That Girl is Emily” – a great rock and roll song with a bit of Cheap Trick styled guitar theatrics. “Rotate” is another mid-tempo guitar jangle-fest with a highly enjoyable melodic chorus that reminds me of a classic REM song. Wicks vocals have barely aged and sounds as good as he did twenty years ago. “Rising Stars” and “Desert Sky” both have some great moments, but wander on a bit too long. Another great song is “The Lost Years” an autobiographical account of The Records troubled past. “Come on Round” is another catchy riff filled piece of jangly goodness with a touch of alt. country. Also a great cover of the Beatles’ “We Can Work it Out” rounds out this excellent release. For Records fans, this is a must-have CD and for other pop fans it is highly enjoyable listening. My fellow blogger, Kid Charlemagne has a detailed history of The Records and this release here.
These guys are a great power pop band and now they have a full live album coming out on June 26th. Recorded live at Seattle’s legendary Crocodile Cafe on December 23, 2006 – just their third show – this live performance shows why Shake Some Action! has been steadily building a loyal fan base throughout 2007. Catchy pop songs with gorgeous harmonies and instantly hummable melodies, all performed with tremendous energy and enthusiasm. As a special preview, the band is making the tracks available streaming from their site.
