Category: Power Pop Review

The Brothers Steve and Latvian Radio

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The Brothers Steve

The Brothers Steve “Dose”

LA’s Brothers Steve return with a harmony-laden sophomore album. Starting with “Get On Up” it has a fizzy, catchy chorus that reminds me of The Hudson Brothers jamming with Sweet. While the ’70s influences are a starting point, it’s the band’s enthusiasm and talent that crosses the finish line. Jeff Whalen (vocals and guitar), Steve Coulter (drums), and Jeff Solomon (bass) got their start in the legendary band Tsar, and then Os Tyler (vocals) and Dylan Champion (guitar, vocals) joined the brotherhood to go all-in on power pop.

“Next Aquarius” adds an acoustic strum that the electric guitar riffs latch onto and the Jellyfish-like whimsy of “Mrs. Rosenbaum” is a tale that gently shows off their skillful three-part harmonies. But the stickier glam rock of “Wizard of Love” and “Electro-Love” are potential hits that are designed to get you dancing and hitting that repeat button. “She Will Wait” goes back to the acoustic, and here it feels like an outtake from a Beach Boys Party!  Then the party continues into the bubblegum sing-along “Sugarfoot” and “Better Get Ready to Go.” The album is rounded out by mid-tempo chamber pop “Love of Kings” and the layered vocals of “Griffith Observatory.” Not a dud in the bunch. In fact, the album is so accessible and fun, it’s nearly impossible to argue against it. Without a doubt, one of the best power pop albums this year. Super Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Latvian Radio

Latvian Radio “Phooey!”

Patric Westoo returns to his power-pop roots with his latest effort Phooey! as it recalls Chris Stamey, R.E.M., and The Plimsouls with its catchy jangle on the opening gems “Sliding Down A Ladder” and “Make Believe.” The echoing beat of “Waiting On A Letter” is another winner with its bluesy guitar flourishes over the dense jangling rhythm. The late 60s psyche-pop influences are still there with the catchy “Out This Door,” but the best song here is the bouncy gem “Bloody Mary Me Marie” about meeting a girl at a chance encounter. The chorus echoes out the lyrics and the instrumentation is top-notch here.

The album’s second half doesn’t match that effort, but it still contains great songs like “Not Anymore” and “Genie In Bottle Alright.” The songwriting here is another strength under the surface, as the lone ballad “The Simple Kind” shows a maturity to Westoo’s storytelling ability. This album is a grower that requires a few spins before it sinks in, and it’s worth the effort. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Holiday Singles, Freebies and EPs: David Woodard, Geoff Palmer, The JAC, The Peppermint Kicks, and Vista Blue

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After a hearty Thanksgiving, and an early Hanukkah this year – it’s now a countdown to Christmas. That means an overflow of Christmas music has started hitting my inbox. Thankfully, we have plenty of new tunes from a variety of artists (and more to come!) Enjoy!






The John Sally Ride and The Successful Failures

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The John Sally Ride

The John Sally Ride “Now Is Not a Great Time”

This third LP of The John Sally Ride continues their knack for sharp power-pop/rock songs. The four-man combo John Dunbar (Guitar, Vocals), Sal Maida (Bass), Joe Pampel (Guitar), and Sal Nunziato (Drums) boast a more focused sound, and “The Nicest Things” keep Dunbar’s understated, self-effacing approach but layer in more hooks. “Putting It Off” is another breakthrough tune that defines the band’s unique approach. “I Never Understood (Where I Stood With You)” adds a little Motown influence with its horns. The title track “Now Is Not A Great Time” and “He Doesn’t Know If He Snores” expand the scope of the band’s sound to include layered psych-pop flourishes.

Both “Far From Eaten Out” and “She Doesn’t Do Nostalgia” are comforting and compelling to listen to. “You Let Her Break Your Heart Again” is a superior ballad, but the songs don’t break much ground after this. Themes of bitterness and rejection are all over the album, so the sad-sack lyrical approach will wear out its welcome for some. But as far as the musicianship, it might be perfect timing. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


The Successful Failures

The Successful Failures “James Cotton Mather”

New Jersey roots rockers The Successful Failures return with a nautical-themed concept album.  It features the guitar heroics of lead Mick Chorba and his crew; Ron Bechamps, Rob Martin, and Pete Smith. The anthemic “Naval Victories” recall The Who, Sloan, and Pearl Jam, and even better “A Coat For Dreams” rocks out with some dramatic melody lines across its 4-minute run time. The guitar fuzz kicks into overdrive on highlights “The Seas Roll Mountain High” and the AC/DC-like “Let The Power Go Through You.”

The layered harmonies on “Julie the Redeemer” are also very impressive, but despite these gems, the remaining songs don’t distinguish themselves and tend to blend into each other. Fans of heavily layered guitars will enjoy this, so definitely give it a shot. It’s music that deserves to be heard.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

November EPs and Singles: Shake Some Action!, The Thin Cherries, repeat repeat, Orbis Max, Adam Marsland, John Myrtle, Eggs On Mars, Clockwise

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We start our November selection with the welcome return of Shake Some Action‘s “Break It Down,” it’s a slow-burning hook that sticks in your head quickly. The Thin Cherries are a Chicago band with a little more alt. rock feel, and the jangle band *repeat repeat gives a freebie that’s pretty cool with a nice beat. However, the best freebie of this month is the work of Orbis Max; as he collaborates with some of my favorite artists like Danny Wilkerson, Lannie Flowers, Ed Ryan, Lisa Mychols, and more. Adam Marsland has remixed and remastered his final album, The Owl and The Full Moon, and Beach Boys fans will want to soak that in. UK singer-songwriter John Myrtle has that retro-pop vibe with a great ballad “Get Her Off My Mind,” check out the entire LP for more. Kansas City’s Eggs on Mars serves up a smooth EP that boasts Midwestern charm and hooks, and Toronto’s Claude Kent (aka Clockwise) delivers an EP that reminds me of early Joe Jackson, full of sweet pop hooks.







David Brookings and The Grip Weeds

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David Brookings

David Brookings “Mania at the Talent Show”

David Brookings has continued to grow musically over the years, and with his latest Mania At The Talent Show, he’s still telling stories that resonate. “Hard Times” reflects on the COVID fueled era of anxiety. On “Keep It Real” he settles in with a laid-back catchy rhythm as he touches on some of his favorite Western pop culture icons growing up (Outlaw Josey Wales, Gunsmoke), and then he slows down even more on the sleepy jangling “Driving to Ojai.” The California vibe is strong with this one, as well as other tracks. And David’s humor is sharp as ever on the bouncy “Women of L.A.” about women “going to the vending machine to pick out a new face.”

Other standouts include “One of Us Is Crazy (The Other One Is Me),” “Get Off (My Mind),” and “Kill Shot.” The longer form story-song “Mania at The Talent Show” is a lively tale of catching “rock star” mania with catchy hooks that chug along. Some tunes are more atmospheric and less compelling (“Words Come Back To Haunt You” and “Hide Your Crazy”) but this doesn’t throw the album off track. Brookings is a talent that deserves to be heard. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


The Grip Weeds

The Grip Weeds “DiG”

For over 26 years as one of New Jersey’s finest bands, The Grip Weeds (singer/drummer Kurt Reil, his wife Kristin Pinell Reil, brother Rick Reil, and bassist Dave DeSantis) have dazzled audiences with their unique blend of psychedelic styled garage rock and power pop. In a moment of introspection, the band decided to back at what influenced their sound and pay tribute to songs they loved.  This is the inspiration for DiG, and it’s no ordinary covers album.

The late sixties has always been a benchmark for the band, and they dig deep through this 2-disc set. The challenge is to improve upon the originals, and in many ways, The Grip Weeds are up for this challenge. The one-hit wonders are usually ripe for improvement and “Shape of Things To Come” (Max Frost and The Troopers), “Journey to The Center of The Mind” (The Amboy Dukes), and “Lies” (The Knickerbockers) are instrumentally superior versions. More modern songs like The Plimsouls “Lie, Beg, Borrow, and Steal” are given a retro arrangement and there are plenty of songs you’ll not be familiar with; obscurities like “The Little Black Egg” (The Nightcrawlers). Overall a great album for those who love to dig through the classic late sixties catalog. Highly Recommended.

Amazon