Category: Power Pop Review

Brian Bringelson, aka Paul Starling is a young songwriter/musician who grew up in the Conejo Valley, CA. His self produced debut album is “Ghost Waltz” and for a working demo, it’s pretty damn polished. Taking on a sixties folk rock sound, not unlike The Cyrkle, mixed with Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys, Starling weaves together a series of baroque summer pop songs perfect like a cool breeze on a hot July day. It begins with a haunting low-key “Visions of drowning” which reminds me alot of the Association. Next comes “Caroline” a terrific single with great harmonies and just the right hook. Other tunes are carefully orchestrated in the contemporary sixties pop style like “I guess you’re my ghost” and “You’re wrong again” take the light Elephant Six style similar to the Ladybug Transistor or Cloud Eleven. Both are very easy on the ear. Lots of other references here are easy to spot, “Instead” sounds like an updated Gerry and The Pacemakers ballad. Easily the catchiest tune on the album is “Hey Now Dana” an early Critters or Seekers vibe is present and it’s my favorite track here. After this the remaining tracks on the album’s second half aren’t as catchy, but the same romantic mood with exception of the bleak “Alerton Park” which sounds like a Moody Blues outtake. Right now you can only get this album from the Paul Starling website. Hello? Power Pop labels like Rainbow Quartz should sign this guy now!

Paul Starling Website | My Space

“Visions of Drowning” video

Fooling April is a band on the cusp of stardom. They’ve performed with top talent, like John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Dido, The Strokes, Nellie McKay, Hoobastank, Pat McGee Band, Fastball, Franz Ferdinand, Fountains of Wayne, The Flaming Lips, and more. After hearing their first album “Every Good Boy Does Fine” I can see why. Songs had that Steely Dan meets John Mayer sophisticated pop rock style (“C-4”) and the Ben Folds influenced piano pop as well (“Chuckie & The Bone”). Unfortunately, I am seeing an “adult pop” aspect of Fooling April on “In the Now”. The production of this new album is clean and sophisticated. “Ordinary” has a sterile hip soul beat with guitar and lead singer Brian Kenneth does a admirable job, but it falls flat for me. “The Way Back Down” is an excellent ballad that is inspiring and the best track on the album here and Brian’s singing dominates the album. Like Don Henley or Dave Matthews, he effortlessly tells a song’s story with world weary soulful weight. Most of the tunes are delivered in a gospel-style like “In the Now”. What is missing here is any sense of fun. It almost sounds like generic contemporary Christian Pop on “The Answer.” The album does however avoid overwrought Michael Bolton or American Idol comparisons – but subtle it isn’t. While competent and relaxing, it lacks the hooks that would make it essential listening. Only the track “2nd Chair” seems to have the combination of pop and fun that fans of the first album would expect. Not essential, but if you’re a fan get it. Others should start with the excellent “Every Good Boy Does Fine.”

Fooling April Website | CD Baby | Kool Kat | emusic | Not Lame

A nice video from the not often heard 10cc album “How Dare You”
— here’s more:
I’m not in Love
Rubber Bullets

Want more reviews? Download the latest Podcast here from Popism – vol.23!

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.

Maren’s website | Another Maren website | My Space

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.

The Format “Dog Problems” FREE album