Category: Top Ten of 2014 Candidate

Sunday Sun “We Let Go”

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Sunday Sun

Sunday Sun has been a past favorite of ours with an amazing 3 EPs in 2012. Finally the band has a full LP and it does not disappoint. Right out of the gate, “I Call You Honey” is a dance inducing song that bursts with big brass, guitars and pounding drumbeat, rhythmically like Katrina and The Waves “Walkin’ On Sunshine” but breaks with those 3-part harmonies before the chorus. My favorite track, “Come On Down” follows – a bouncing melody that lifts your spirit from the opening chorus. As the band sings “This is a wake-up call from someone who loves you…,”  its exactly what makes Sunday Sun such a pop powerhouse.

“Sunday Morning” is another memorable song with myriad of styles, that prevent predictability. Each song just works, from the complex rhythm patterns of “Simple Song” to the angelic harmonies on “Frank Jr.” This this the type of modern music that shows where the genre is going. Without a single  wasted note the band showcases its considerable skills in songwriting and emotional delivery without sticking to a single “style,” for example you’ll get a distorted guitar solo break on the smooth harmony drenched ballad “Sun.” In fact the constant here is the Beach Boys like perfection of the vocal performances. A “must-get” album that makes my top album list for 2014.
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Amazon

The Rip Off Artists and Mothboxer

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The Intercontinental Rip Off Artists

The Rip Off Artists “The Intercontinental”

Nick Pipitone and Peter Batchelder (The Rip Off Artists) are the same band that brought you Esque a few years ago. The Intercontinental tells the tales of a variety of characters from creative fields all failing: An Artist, an Actor, Tennis Instructor, Photographer, etc. We start with “Commuter’s Blues,” a very Ben Folds meets Adam Marsland styled narrative, about the long morning commute – some nice details in the bass and drum work make it a standout. Likewise, “In The Actor’s Studio Apartment” has a driving chorus and catchy melody along with the chance of “one night only” and striking out with the girl.

Another highlight, “Mr. Right and Mrs. Right” tells of the perfect couple who never got along, and the foreboding “Inspector Valentino” is very much like Elvis Costello’s slower compositions.  The bouncy “Bachelor of Arts” is one of my favorites here, with its “ba-ba” backup chorus. Nick and Peter do a great job on these songs and it’s highly recommended.
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Bandcamp | Amazon


Mothboxer

Mothboxer “Sand and The Rain”

Mothboxer really made a great impression on the 2012 LP Three, and the band continues to create great power pop with its new album. The band is Dave Ody with help from Robbie Burley, Phil Davies and Jon Hawes. “One and Only” is a catchy ear-worm that reminds me of Julian Lennon mixed with XTC. “Looking Out For Summer” is another richly layered melody that effortlessly floats along.

The album is mostly light and breezy, a real treat and its got a sense of humor too with “Stop,” which adds heavier guitar lines, it slowly builds to the frantic, fast paced puchline. It’s got an echoing pastoral sweetness on the title track that fans of The Brigadier or Martin Newell will enjoy. In an era that favors stripped-down, no-fi production, the rich bass oriented sound is surprisingly refreshing to hear. Although the last track “All That I Want” could put you to sleep, this is full of great music and gets a nomination to my best LP of the year list.
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Amazon | Kool Kat Musik (with bonus disc)

The Secret Powers “Six”

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Montana power pop powerhouse Ryan Maynes returns after 2 years, to bring us his 6th release with the requisite influences of ELO, Beatles and Jellyfish. Maynes starts with the plaintive melodic ballad “Bitter Sun,” a sweet piano couplet and catchy chorus is exactly what I expect from The Secret Powers.

“Palarium” is a more forceful melody with the “ba-ba-ba” backing vocals, numerous layers of chorals, drums, violins and guitars. Truly an amazing piece of music, with a mandolin break before the end. “Spare Parts” shares the same tempo as “Mr. Blue Sky” in a bouncy tune about an android in love. The Ramones styled riffs on “Reservoir” starts out pretty simple, then Ryan lays on keys, guitar solos, and tambourine slaps. Each song here shines with a minimum of production echo. “Paula Brown” is another gem, with a shift time signatures and Ryan’s best rocker rasp. He’s even come to terms with his mid-life crisis on “Ready To Get Old and Die.”

Yeah, no filler either, so it quickly enters my top ten for 2014 best-of list. This is an early gift from The Secret Powers that I gladly give thanks for this season and unlike leftover turkey, you’ll want to nosh on this album into the new year.
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CD Baby | Itunes | Amazon

 

The Successful Failures and Joe Sullivan

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The Successful Failures “Captains of Industry, Captains of War”

Chesterfield, NJ trio The Successful Failures have gotten better and better with each album, as former Dipsomaniacs leader Mick Chorba tightens the sound up on the bands’ fifth album. You’ve got a melodic mix of classic power pop that fans of The Replacements, Cheap Trick or Sloan should really flock to. And as a songwriter Micks come a long way too; his stories are deeper and more compelling.

Chorba’s hooks are strong on the the opener “Stagger Lee & Woodrow Wilson,” supported by band mates Ron Bechamps (bass) and Rob Martin (drums). Together the trio effortlessly make you love their sound and lyrical prowess on “Milwaukee” and the dramatic energy is right on for the gem “1954.” The jangling “Meal Parade” is the type of melody that recalls Robert Pollard and GBV. But its tough to single out a favorite. Every single track here shines, all with differing tempos and styles. “Falling Out” is a light piano-guitar combo, and the slower ballads work as well as the fast paced fuzz guitars. Even the alt-country “O Carolina” bounces along to a catchy beat and the best attitude song here is “Sunny In My Head” with great minor chord shifts. One of the best LPs this year, it would be a crime to ignore – and it makes my top ten nominated list.
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Amazon | CD Baby


The Successful Failures

Joe Sullivan “Schlock Star”

Joe Sullivan (An American Underdog) delivers a sunny burst of bubblegum pop with the help of fellow band mate/producer Andy Reed. If Ron Dante (The Archies, Cuff Links) were reincarnated today, he might sound a lot like Sullivan with those crisp vocal harmonies. Joe mixes those early sixties influences into his modern guitar pop easily.

From the Beach Boys meets Ramones styled “Conspiracy Radio” to the Archies-like “Nurse Tracy” its a fun romp with multi-tracked harmonies and infectious guitar lines. “Okinawa Girl” is another gem that brings to mind Marc Bacino’s Pop Job. And Sullivan adds plenty of humor to tracks like “Rock Star Boyfriend” with an Ozzy Osborne interlude between the chorus, and the Star Wars nerd-love of “Victims of the Sarlaac.” This is one of those albums you can listen to on repeat mode, so yeah its highly recommended.

power pop

Bandcamp | CD Baby

Aerial and The Well Wishers

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Aerial

Aerial “Why Don’t They Teach Heartbreak At School?”

With all the recent excitement about Irish band Pugwash’s recent US tour, I want to bring to attention a power pop trio from Aberdeen, Scotland called Aerial. They roll out of the gate with the forceful “Cartoon Eyes, Cartoon Heart,” reminding me of both The New Pornographers and Weezer. The title track is another winner,  a lighter pop approach similar to Fountains of Wayne about the drama of teenage heartbreak. The follow up “Japanese Dancer” is a fast paced riff centered melody that you’ll want to hear over and over again. The slower, romantic “Every Word You Say” keeps the dense guitars in place and the hits keep on coming.

“Great Teenager” is an excellent song about never growing up and wanting to retreat into that world, “It may be ten years later, but I’d make a great teenager.” The vocal harmonies and beat have more than a little Beach Boys DNA here. The narrative continues, as the grown up who knows life is tough all over in “More Than Alcohol,” and these stories all fit together seamlessly. Each song is great, no loose ends either as “Dear Anna” is a modern version of Pet Sounds “Caroline, No.” I could go on, but its safe to say that this one of the best albums of the year, and makes my big 2014 list. Kool Kat Musik has an exclusive 4 demo additional CD included.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Well Wishers “A Shattering Sky”

Well Wishers frontman Jeff Shelton is like the Energizer bunny… he just keeps going! And after 6 albums he’s still cranking out excellent music. The dense wall of Rickenbacker guitars that are part of Shelton’s signature sound return, starting with the catchy opener “Vincennes”  a rousing anthem that’s sure to get you playing the air guitar.

“Shelia” is another winner with its danceable chorus. Another great highlight is the alt-country gem “Right Here at Last” with an assist by Bradley Skaught of Bye Bye Blackbirds. Shelton’s consistency is reassuring to fans, as he varies the approach enough to keep things from getting too predictable. “Goodbye” is another jangling gem. Fans of REM, Bob Mould and The Spinning Jennies will love this. Super Highly Recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon