Category: Power Pop Review

Bye Bye Blackbirds and Astral Drive

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Bye Bye Blackdirds

The Bye Bye Blackbirds “August Lightning Complex”

The Bye Bye Blackbirds really hit an emotional and musical home run with Boxer At Rest. Their 6th album, August Lightning Complex continues their journey. The production continues to be compelling, as leader Bradley Joel Skaught, utilizes each band member judiciously; Kelly Atikins, Jozef Becker, KC Bowman, Lenny Gill, and Aaron Rubin. One can hear many folk influences, Big Star, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and the addition of Kelly’s vocal recalls a similar dynamic to The Armoires.

Starting with “Want Show As Young,” the riffs and brass work seamlessly to drive the melody. Good start, but the early standout here is “Mechanics,” with great harmonies and a hook that really sinks in. “Something From The Old World” has a thematic element that reminds me of those late 60’s Sly Stone classics like “Everyday People.” The mid-point instrumental of the title track is a marker where the approach changes. “We Got Lost” is another great track, with an epic melody akin to Wilco, full of its sustaining guitar fuzz. “Favorite Stars” has plenty of guitar muscle and the aspirational harmonies again mesmerize. The album then goes into the jam 9-minute+ “Marching” where it loses its way a bit, but it comes together on “Don’t Wait.” Highly Recommended.

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Astral Drive

Astral Drive “Astral Drive”

Phil Thornalley’s new Astral Drive album follows up from his last self-titled debut release. The new eleven-song follow-up still is heavily influenced by Todd Rundgren but with Phil’s optimistic attitude and stellar production, it’s poised to take you on a pleasant ride.

“I Can Dream” opens with a bright, lush piano single and from there Phil follows his muse, as “Waterfall” continues the happy vibes and irresistible energy. “Star Gazing” and “One Big Love” seem to channel the A Wizard /A True Star era of Todd with its spacey, hippy lyrical theme. The Todd-worship comes back on the lush cover of the Nazz “Open My Eyes.”

But Phil broadens his sonic scope beyond those mid 70’s influences. “Water Lillies” boasts some soulful harmonies, and “For the Dreamers” is a terrific single that bounces along and pays tribute to anyone who dreams big.  The trippy “Wish U Well” is a personal message for anyone who enjoys his music, it’s the musical equivalent to a big hug. Highly Recommended.

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Anton Barbeau and Scott McCarl

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Anton Barbeau

Anton Barbeau “Power Pop!!!”

It seems few artists who are tagged with a label of power pop want to question the reason why. But not Anton Barbeau. The cult pop figure has been a mainstay of the genre since 1995’s “Waterbugs & Beetles,” and now he’s built an album that both attempts to explain why, and rebel against it. On the title track he states  “Puts down your guns, you culture cops, there ain’t no crime like Power Pop.” It’s a commentary that discusses the culture around power-pop (with name-drops like “Yellow Pills”.) Is it mockery? Maybe, but it also seeks answers. The new wave-styled melody starts to define it on “The Sound” with a trippy psyche-pop rhythm that leads to a distorted guitar solo. As long as you don’t take it too seriously, it’s a lot of fun.

Barbeau does vary his sound, the hyper-honky-tonk “Hillbilly Village” and The pastoral piano ballad “The Drugs” is a fun hazy memory of a stoner (narrated by Bob Dylan impersonation). Another song that catches my ear is “Never Crying Wolf Boy” with its synth-laden rhythm, and haiku-like lyrics. “Julian Cope” is about meeting your heroes stoned, and getting all “smiley” with them. There are weird fillers throughout, and the use of 80s-styled synth and percussive effects make some of the album’s second half sound like a 1980s-action movie soundtrack (“Running On The Edge of The Knife”). Overall, a very good album that rewards the listener with some catchy tunes amidst the weirdness. Ironically his last album Oh The Joys We Live For is technically more of a polished power-pop album, but this is also recommended, just don’t expect it to be easily accessible.

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Scott McCarl

Scott McCarl “Play On”

A one-time member of power-pop pioneer The Raspberries, Scott McCarl has remastered his long out-of-print solo album from 1998. Scott joined the Raspberries right before their final album, Starting Over, and you get more of his considerable talent on Play On. While it was long after his time with the band, it proves that McCarl’s knack for Beatlesque power pop hadn’t dimmed in the slightest. Backing musicians include the Rubinoos, Hilly Michaels, and Lux Interior’s brother, Michael Purkhiser.

“I’ll Be On My Way” is about the end of a relationship, along with “Fallin’ In Lovin” which has a flowing melody, and timeless jangle that sticks in your head. “In Love Without A Girl” is a great Raspberries-styled track that stands the test of time. “Go Down Swinging” is a lost country-rock gem that really deserves airplay, and the lost 1970 demo “I Hope” was done prior to joining the band (it’s most likely the track that got him the gig). “Doin’ It Right” is a superior Beatles fan song, and while not everything here is perfect there is more than enough to make this a highly recommended album.

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Lannie Flowers and Cheap Star

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Lannie Flowers

Lannie Flowers “Flavor Of The Month”

During the recording of Lannie’s masterful Home album, he would drop a free single each month through the Sypderpop website through 2019.  These finely produced demos were designed to lead us straight to Home and were much more power pop in style. Lannie had the entire COVID year to remix these songs to perfection. The hooks here are massive and make it the “missing” piece between Circles and Home.

Every song hits its mark, and the quality of songwriting isn’t a surprise either.”Don’t Make Me Wait” is a great opener, Lannie’s emotional ache comes through in the verses, and the harmony drenched chorus. The brazen psychedelic Beatle-isms are all over the Peppery “Lost In A Daydream” and “Good.” Next, “Summer Blue” has a smooth tempo suitable for the beach, and it’s an easy radio-friendly single.  “Where Did All The Fun Go” is a sweet tune about getting back to living for today, and the title track is just as infectious. Another standout is “Anything But Love,” which channels Lannie’s soulful vocal. Since each song was carefully curated as a single, there is no filler here. A quick and easy pick for 2022’s top ten. Very highly recommended.

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The Cheap Cassettes

Cheap Star “Wish I Could See”

Power pop band Cheap Star boldly ups its game with its latest release. Lead singer Remi Vaissiere and drummer Brian Young (The Posies/Fountains Of Wayne) are joined by Jon Auer (The Posies) and a collection of superstar guests; Brendan Benson (The Raconteurs), Gary Louris (The Jayhawks), Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Jellyfish) and Mitch Easter. The sound overall is very much in the vein of The Posies, with potency and crisp production style. 

The production starts with the understated “Lifetime,” but quickly impresses with its dynamic indie-pop style on “Flower Girl.” Next, a transcendent “You Don’t Want To Change” is a nod to Louris and his style, while “Wish I Could See” is a catchy as hell rocker with fabulous harmonies thanks to Benson. Other highlights include “Holding On,” “Under The Synapse,” and the cool sadness of “What It’s Like.” Vaissiere and Auer’s vocals match well, and the collective musicianship is worth multiple listens. Highly Recommended.

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Winter Singles, Freebies & EPs: The Nobility, Whelligan, Brad Marino, Rigbi, Bloody Norah, Ryan Allen, Jay Byham, You’re Among Friends, Rum Bar Records

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I waited long enough to restart all my singles reviews, so now it’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff. Nashville’s The Nobility has been leaking singles for nearly a year, so we have the newest share with “No Doubts” bringing to mind a western-themed 10cc, and London’s Whelligan and their single “In Our Name” is full of orchestral majesty and it also merits further study. Brad Marino fresh off his great 2021 LP, is back to banging out great power pop with “Girl, I Want You.” More appropriate to this bleak winter landscape is Rigbi’s emotional “I’m a Mess In Winter” as the sparse beginning opens up to a rich arrangement. Bloody Norah has a great reverb rock sound with harmonies on its single “Shooting Star,” so keep your eyes out for more, like the single “Joy.” Bloody damn good too.

As for EPs, the reliable Ryan Allen moves to a retro power-pop sound for I’m Not Mean, full of echoing vocals, and layered guitars; check out “Count With Me,” and the excellent “Cut Your Teeth.” Jay Byham is a Pennsylvania-based singer-songwriter with a bouncy acoustic “Tick Tock,” classic rocker “Just A Matter of Time,” and the gentle ballad “The Only One,” it’s a solid debut that deserves many repeats on your player.  As for Freebies; Cleveland, Ohio’s You’re Among Friends take a very laid back approach on this new release, “Here in the Middle of the Pack” is like a stoner Spin Doctors tune and the melodic funk of “You Know What You Want” will appeal to NRBQ fans. Rum Bar Records has a loaded sampler as a Freebie too, get a ton of bang for your buck and you’ll discover a rocker or two.

Singles




EPs and Freebies




Urge Overkill and Tom Shotton

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Urge Overkill

Urge Overkill “Oui”

Urge Overkill, led by Eddie “King” Roeser and Nash Kato, are two Minnesota native sons who took their name from a Parliament song, formed in 1984. The band occupied a unique space in the music universe; combining elements of arena rock, power pop, and grunge, they never neatly fit in a single genre. Their cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” was used in Pulp Fiction and got them on the map nationally in 1992. The follow-up album Saturation brought hits “Sister Havana” and “Positive Bleeding” to radio airwaves, but the band couldn’t capitalize and split up after a few years. They reunited 16 years later, with the impressive Rock and Roll Submarine, a nice return to form. Roeser and Kato continue to prove to be survivors with Oui ten years later.

An unexpected cover of Wham’s “Freedom” leads, and it’s wonderfully suited to these times as the duo makes it their own. The riffs are just as sharp, but the band’s younger swagger has been replaced with the grizzled wisdom of age. While the melodic content is understated, it still comes across on “A Necessary Evil” and the riff-heavy “Follow My Shadow.” Instrumentally and lyrically the band still has the chops that moved fans with “How Sweet The Light.”  The anthemic heavier rockers that tell a more complex story are good (“Litany,” “Prisoner’s Dilemma”) but it’s not balanced by anything lighter. Overall a good album that continues the UO comeback story. Definitely check it out.

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Tom Shotton

Tom Shotton “Forever Home”

Another one from last year that slipped by me, Shotton’s a fine talent from South London singing and songwriting in the mold of Harry Nilsson and early 80’s Paul McCartney. This album hasn’t gotten the attention it deserved, and with his earnest vocal, he breezes by the gorgeous chorus on the piano pop of “Hold On To The Best Times,” and “Back Home” is another contemporary pop melody that darkly references “Dancing in the Street.”

Another melodic gem is the gentle “Hear the Babies Talking” with its shifting chords, layered harmonies, and jazz sax. The album’s centerpiece is a dour ballad “What Becomes of The Broken Hearts,” a dramatic cry for help that goes on a bit long at over six minutes. And in a directly opposite mood comes, “Oh Angelina!” a bouncy theme worthy of an 80’s TV sitcom, and here the horns dominate. The songs lose steam after this, but Shotton has proven that he can write catchy melodies that resonate. Overall a great first impression, and music that deserves to be heard.

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