This legendary album is a cover of The Who Sell Out by power pop artists, including The Andersons, Splitsville, The Shazam, Brendon Benson, and The Grip Weeds to just name a few. Put together 12 years ago and gathering cobwebs ever since, The New Sell Out is finally out! Dedicated to Rick McBrien, the soul of Futureman. Thanks to every contributing artist and everyone who worked on this! Full liner notes and artwork included in download. Get it ONLY at Futuremanrecords.com, it’s my official pick for best compilation of 2012!
Category: Top Ten of 2012 Candidate
Chris Richards and The Subtractions “Get Yer La La’s Out”
Chris Richards is one of the Midwest’s finest power pop stars and he continues to dazzle us on Get Yer La La’s Out. Both veterans, bassist Todd Holmes and drummer Larry Grodsky join in the fun. On the opener “Don’t Do Anything Tonight” is rich in jangling rhythm, driving melody full of memorable hooks. Fans of REM, Tommy Keene, Sloan and Teenage Fanclub will gleefully soak it all in. The next several tracks “It’s Something” and “And Suddenly” continue this pure pop bliss. The entire album follows this template, and although we are missing a slower song, or ballad you may not notice. This is guitar pop heaven, as the riffs on “Head Under Water” ring in your head.
There is a slight danger of songs sounding too similar, but the composition and tone changes keep things fresh. On “December” the band takes more of a hard rock approach and “Uncertainly” is a rousing finale that recalls Squeeze with Chris’ vocal even sounding like Glenn Tilbrook at times. Turn up the stereo and blast this one, summer’s here in a big way!
Artist’s Site | CD Baby | Amazon
The Corner Laughers “Poppy Seeds”
In the liner notes it asks “Who is immune to the charms of airy female vocals and ukulele, with lyrics full of pith (but not vinegar)?” Not me (that’s for sure). Led by the harmonies of Karla Kane, with bassist Khoi Huynh, drummer Charlie Crabtree, and guitarists KC Bowman and Angela Silletto, the indie band’s latest features a who’s who of indie power pop guests (Allen Clapp, Anton Barbeau, Mike Viola). The irresistible melody of “Grasshopper Clock” is full of weaving harmonies sure to please and the “Bells of El Camino” is a little more twee pop, think The Essex Green meets Saint Etienne. This approach follows the next several songs here, and standouts include “Laughing Stars” and the solo ukulele ditty “Twice The Luck” is such quirky fun, you expect it to be the theme song for the next Zooey Deschanel show.
And then it shifts to more catchy themes, all based around San Francisco. The piano led theme to area’s tallest skyscraper “Transamerica Pyramid” is a perfect summer tune with handclaps and Beach Boys styled harmonies. The sunshine-pop melancholy of “8:18” is full of anticipation, and even “Chicken Bingo” has fun with the band’s West Coast image. “They asked us where we came from, we said “San Francisco” –They asked again we said “Outer Space,” and the ending track “The Perfect Weather” is a long love letter to the city by the bay. Fans of The Agony Aunts will also love the composition and tight arrangements. Rarely does such a beautiful pop album arrive, it deserves to make my top ten list this year for sure.
Bill Lloyd “Boy King Of Tokyo”
For those looking for Bill Lloyd to return to the power pop genre, as he did with Set To Pop and Standing On The Shoulders of Giants, the wait is over. The new album Boy King Of Tokyo boasts the strongest tracks I’ve heard from Lloyd, starting with the title track about his years as a “gaijin brat” in Japan, with its trademark jangle and solid hook. The chiming riffs of “Buy On Credit” and the solid harmonies on “Let It Slide” are classic Lloyd. Fans of classic influences like Dave Edmunds, Byrds, and McCartney will just eat this up. The stories here are great too, especially “Com Trol” a humorous, but true tale of corporate rock and selling out.
Bill sounds like he’s having fun on the bar room drawl of “Home Jeeves” with it’s twang and beat similar to “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” The passion of power pop fans are best described on “The Best Record Ever Made,” and its my favorite here, all about that infectious hook. The country roots tracks are great too, notably the magical “Chet’s Right Hand, Man” done in the Chet Atkins guitar style. No duds, and even the slower tracks like “Where Nobody Cares At All” are full of personality. No reason this shouldn’t be part of my “best of” 2012 list.
billlloydmusic.net | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik
Smash Palace and Jonathan Rundman
Smash Palace “Do It Again”
Brothers Stephen and Brian Butler continue to weave melodic magic with this excellent release. The super catchy jangle of “Living It Lonely” starts us off, then we get the muscular riffs of the Tom Petty-like “It’s Easy.” Another favorite here is “Do It Again,” as Butler recalls the compulsion to rock from his past influences (The Beatles, Stones, CBGB’s) “before the music was all for free.” It’s a desperate plea to bring back what made rock and roll matter to so many lives. His vocal reminds me of Ray Davies – both “21st Century Boy” and “Tell Her Now” sounds like a long lost Kinks tunes.
Talk about infectious – both “She’s Never Coming Back” and “Dreamer” will stick in your head and stay there for good. The chord progressions and organ of “Sympathy Runs Deep” are classic as well. Not a mediocre note here as this album makes my top ten for 2012 list easily. After last year’s “7” made my 2011 list I didn’t think the band could get better — I was wrong. Super duper highly recommended as essential power pop.
Smash Palace website | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik
Jonathan Rundman “Jonathan Rundman”
I last listened to Minneapolis-based Jonathan Rundman back in 2008, and he’s one of the most down-to-earth musicians I’ve heard. This is an overview of his career from the past 10 years, so it’s a “greatest hits” package of sorts. It’s also a great introduction if you’re not familiar with Jonathan’s work. Rundman has a great knack for melody and hooks as evidenced by excellent rockers “Smart Girls” and “Carol Of The Bells.”
His simple harmonies and straight forward pop arrangements are an easy fit with anyone who enjoys early REM jangle, and Old 97’s styled Alt. Country with the smartly written “Librarian” and “Ashes.” His music does have a Christian point of view, but it’s not the type to put off any secularist. It’s all about the music – and Rundman easily weaves between indie rock (“Surgical Precision”), low key country (“581”) and fast paced honky tonk (“747”) with adept precision. No filler here as the long track list bounces along from start to finish.
CD Baby | Amazon