Category: Top Ten of 2012 Candidate

More album favorites for 2012

powerpopaholic

This was an excellent year for melodic rock and indie-alternative pop. I didn’t have time to rank everything, but I did want to make another list for you, these are albums that I’ve enjoyed but I didn’t have time to review. More overlooked gems will be reviewed this week.

A message from Sunrise Highway musician who says “support indie artists!”

The Top 30 Power Pop Albums for 2012

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This was a banner year for power pop as my list expanded to 30. Without a doubt this was the year of “the comeback” with new albums from many old bands looking to reconnect with fans. I also had enough EPs this year to make a top 5 list. Some bands that made the list I never got to post a review for and others I rated very high didn’t make the list due to heavy competition (See Notable Mentions). Hopefully I didn’t miss one of your favorites, and if I did then comment below and tell me.

The Top 30 of 2012

  1. Shoes – Ignition
  2. Kurt Baker – Brand New Beat
  3. David Myhr – Soundshine
  4. Redd Kross – Researching The Blues
  5. Cliff Hillis – Dream Good
  6. Chris Richards – Get Yer La La’s Out
  7. Sunday Sun – I, II, III (really 3 EPs that I count as a full LP)
  8. Sweet Diss and The Comebacks – Emerald City Love Song
  9. 8×8 – The Anatomy of An Apricot
  10. Lannie Flowers – New Songs Old Stories
  11. Kenny Howes – Tornadoes Here and Past
  12. Wes Hollywood – Fantasy Arcade
  13. Smash Palace – Do It Again
  14. The Well Wishers – Dreaming Of The West Coast
  15. Bill Lloyd – Boy King Of Tokyo
  16. Eytan Mirsky – Year Of The Mouse
  17. Throwback Suburbia – Shot Glass Souvenir
  18. Jay Gonzalez – Mess of Happiness
  19. Eytan and The Embassy – Everything Changes
  20. The Secret Powers – More Songs About Her
  21. Corner Laughers – Poppy Seeds
  22. Ruby Free – Introducing Ruby Free
  23. Explorers Club – Grand Hotel
  24. Sitcom Neighbor – Charm
  25. Brad Brooks – Harmony Of Passing Light
  26. Honeymoon Stallions – Moonlighting
  27. Hidden Pictures – Rainbow Records
  28. Bryan Scary – Daffy’s Elixir
  29. Paul Rocha – Crayons
  30. The DBs – Falling Off The Sky

Notable Mentions: The Lemon Clocks – Now Is The Time, The Sunchymes – Let Your Free Flag Fly, Mike Keneally & Andy Partridge – Wings Beat Fantastic, Grahame Steinberg (no longer available), Conceptus – Trebly Feelings, Air Traffic Controller – Nordo, The Breakups – Running, Jumping Falling Shouting.

Top 5 EPs of 2012

  1. Two Sheds Jackson – The Collaboration Series, Movement One
  2. Spirit Kid – Happiness
  3. The Wellingtons – Hey Hey
  4. The Jellybricks – Suckers
  5. The Connection – Seven Nights To Rock

Top 5 music compilations of 2012 

  1. The New Sell Out
  2. International Pop Overthrow Volume 15
  3. The Power Popaholic Fest Original Soundtrack Vol.1
  4. Elvis Costello – In Moving Pictures
  5. Jellyfish – Stack-A-Tracks

Next up: My favorite Alternative/Indie albums of 2012, Best reunion album of 2012, Biggest disappointments of 2012.

Best power pop artist crossover of 2012

powerpopaholic 5 Comments

Every now and then a band with a power pop or indie streak, wises up and “goes commercial,” leaving behind some of the cult audience to experience mass audience acceptance and adulation. The best example of this was a little known L.A. band called Kara’s Flowers, who in 1997 wowed me with their debut The Fourth World on Reprise Records. Like most new “star” talent it had great songwriting and massive hooks on the single “Soap Disco.” But it wasn’t until lead singer Adam Levine ditched the tight group harmonies, and started emulating Stevie Wonder’s soulful approach he was able to breakout as the band Maroon 5.

This year the new “breakout” band to reach mass popularity is the Fun. While Aim and Ignite was one of 2009’s best power pop LPs, the band then moved away from those classic power pop influences (Beatles, Queen, ELO). Nate Ruess (vocal), Jack Antonoff (guitar) and Andrew Dost embraced popular hip hop culture and style for Some Nights. They even used Auto-Tune and had Janelle Monáe assist on their breakout hit “We Are Young.“ Thankfully, the band’s core strengths stay intact: uplifting melodies and emotional lyrics have made this one of the best releases for a pop band.

It’s not in my main list this year because its not really a power pop band anymore, but its mainstream success should be applauded.

Eytan & The Embassy and The Susan Constant

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Eytan & The Embassy “Everything Changes”
This is a band that’s grown up considerably from their debut, Brooklyn native Eytan Oren and his crew add a dose of Motown soul to their buoyant pop. “Everything Changes”  is a perfect example, with a great hook and horn accents that remind me of Squeeze. “Do It For Me” is another terrific song that is similar to the new Kurt Baker LP.

The ballad “The Things You’ve Never Done” hits that perfectly emotional note, and Eytan’s croon is like a young Elvis Costello. There is even a collaboration with Locksley on “The Good Life.” Each tune is really good, but “Good Morning Marilyn” is a richly detailed gem that shouldn’t be missed – its simply goose bump inducing. Without any filler, this looks to be the last LP to enter my year end “best of” list. These guys are the next “big” thing, so don’t miss it.

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The Susan Constant “Rayonnement”
Boston based Susan Constant is readying a new EP and they’ve released the free single “Locked Up” in advance. The debut from last year is a free download too and a good intro to this indie band with it’s poppy upbeat songs about the dark side of love. Enjoy the sharp lyrics and serious hooks – the band is Paul Sennott (guitar, vocals), Brian Kingsbury (guitar), Jim Bernat (keys,vocals), Mark Veligor (bass, vocals) and Jason Rossman (drums).

Conceptus and I Am Next

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Conceptus “Trebly Feelings”
This is a refreshing jangly pop gem that marries the best of 80’s era college rock with 60’s melodic style perfectly. Fans of REM, Byrds, The Ocean Blue and Luna will really appreciate this San Deigo band. Starting with “Accidental Reverb” I thought I was reliving The La’s best moments, with perfect melodic clarity. “At The Sea” is a super catchy melody with a touch of Kinks influence.

No weak tracks here, although the lead guitarist’s considerable skill carries the lead singer across the finish line in places. Fantastic riff work on “Conceptus” and “Derrick’s Nightmare” are the stuff of legend and the lyrical playfulness of “Erica’s Trip” is akin to Ween or Pavement. I have to say after listening to “Flower Girl,” it will also win over hardcore fans of Greg Pope. One of this year’s best “hidden” power pop secrets are now exposed, so Jangle pop devotees must get this one.

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I Am Next “How To Tell The Phonies From The Phakes”
This Boston-based alternative trio makes a good impression with its debut. “Shackled” is a buzz of distorted guitar melody and “Scene of One” gives us a mix of alternative hard rock and harmonies similar to The New Pornographers or Spoon with a touch of Husker Du.

The album stays on this pace for much of the time, and when the melodies stick like on “Black Hole” and “Hallucination Mania” it really works well. On the albums second half it veers toward Soundgarden-styled  rock, like on “Flashbulb” with its long guitar acrobatics. This is a band that plays on the edge between genres, and that can be uniquely appealing.

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