Category: Top Ten of 2019 Candidate

Johnathan Pushkar and Velveteen Rabbit

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Jonathan Pushkar

Johnathan Pushkar “Straighten Up”

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Johnathan Pushkar now resides in Nashville, TN where he writes, records, and performs vintage British Invasion-styled power pop. If you enjoyed the Oneders from the movie “That Thing You Do” or the more recent The Last Bees, then Pushkar will be another “must-get” in your music collection.

Aided by producer Wyatt Funderburk and a classic Rickenbacker he starts with the obviously catchy “The Girl Next Door” which is sure to stay on my playlist all year. His clear vocals and overdubs are pleasant on the understated “We Could Be Together.” But he really resembles Fountains of Wayne on “Isabella.” So it makes perfect sense that he covers FOW’s “Hackensack” next. Most of the tunes fall under 3 minutes, and “Smile” and “I Can’t Help The Way I Feel” are highlights as sweetness reigns with these mid-tempo ballads. Pushkar isn’t afraid to rock, as “I’d Rather Be Late Than Never” has a rougher intro before it settles down. Overall a great set of songs to brighten your day. Highly Recommended.

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Velveteen Rabbit

Velveteen Rabbit “Velveteen Rabbit”

Velveteen Rabbit (ex-members of The Jeanies) have a magical debut here. Several years ago Bryan Scary was known to add glam elements to power pop with success, and Velveteen Rabbit has found a similar spark here. Opening with “Knock “em Dead” uses its combination of hushed vocals and thick riffs in a way that’s equal to pomp and swagger of Marc Bolan in his prime. And it just gets better from here.

“Guitar” is like a hopeful prayer similar to Chris Bell (Big Star) in its powerful solemnity. But the meaty tracks like “Oh, Logan” has a killer structure offset by smooth harmony, and the Ziggy Stardust-like ballad “Star In The Making” is simply epic. Next, “I’ll Be A Boy For You” has a Prince-like funk that struts across its bassline and “Better Than Ever” adds some mellow R&B. But it’s the slick pop sleaze and slinks of “I Wanna Be Your Woman” that really floated my boat. Not a single bad track here, full of brilliant crunchiness that mines the best of late 60s-early 70s guitar glam without plagiarizing a thing. This gem earns a spot on my top ten list for 2019 for sure. Super Highly Recommended.

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The Brothers Steve and The Embyos

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The Brothers Steve

The Brothers Steve “#1”

Former Members of L.A. band Tsar; Jeff Whalen, Jeff Solomon, and Steve Coulter were then joined by Os Tyler and Dylan Champion to form The Brothers Steve. The anthemic songwriting and power-pop crunchiness that characterized Jeff Whalen’s solo album earlier this year is even more pronounced here.

The opener “Angeline” makes good use of different vocalists, its shifting tempos and the deep rhythmic riffs before the chorus. The party time feel of “We Got The Hits,” and “She” are infectious, with manic energy and buzz. The band also builds a nice mid-tempo ballad with “Carolanne” and its minor chord shifts. The sixties roots (Monkees, The Grass Roots, Paul Revere) really show off on “C’mon Pappy,” a dizzying layered jam of harmonies and guitars. That neo-hippie flavor is also present on the four-minute “Sunlight.” The band hits each tune outta the park, and I couldn’t find a single weak track. Without a doubt, it belongs on my top ten list for power pop album of 2019. Super highly recommended.

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The Embyros

The Embryos “Open The Kimono”

To “open the kimono” in business is to disclose information about the inner workings of a company. This Chicago band reveals strong guitar craftsmanship and a workmanlike attitude, reminding me of The Connection in spots. “Circleville” is an understated jangling melody that builds up as the song continues along.

“Wake Up Screaming” has a catchy vibe, and “Ghost Dreams, Mainly” boasts moving lyrics and interesting chord shifts, with a sweet instrumental passage. While not everything here is as memorable, the album finale “Eleven Forty” jams along with some great guitar work and a solid catchy rhythm. Definitely, music that deserves to be heard. Check it out.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Redd Kross and The Junior League

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Redd Kross

Redd Kross “Beyond the Door”

One of the great power pop bands, Redd Kross is back with an eighth album, and they are truly timeless despite the seven-year wait since 2012’s Researching the Blues. The band has been around for 40 years (!) but now has updated its line-up; the McDonald brothers; Steve (bass) and Jeff (vocals) with drummer Dale Crover and guitarist Jason Shapiro. Just remember, the McDonalds started Redd Kross by opening for Black Flag at a middle school graduation party in 1981. And today the sound still rocks; harmonious rock and roll somewhere between Cheap Trick and The Jellyfish.

They open with “The Party” which grooves like a lost song off The Austin Powers Soundtrack, but it’s based on the theme to a 1968 Peter Sellers film. “Fighting” is where the brothers excel, with loud driving guitar riffs and a catchy chorus. The band delivers more gems with the Kinks-like psyche-pop of “Ice Cream (Strange and Passing)” and “Fantastico Roberto.” The party atmosphere continues with “The Party Underground” with swirling guitar solos. It’s tough to find a favorite here since every tune hits its mark. It ends with a cover of Sparks “When Do I Get To Sing “My Way” and it too is glorious. Highly Recommended, and an easy pick for the top ten list of power pop for 2019.

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Extra: Redd Kross is funding a documentary on the band. Check it out at www.reddkrossfilm.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl4BtWCgvT0&feature=youtu.be

The Junior League

The Junior League “Adventureland”

Joe Adragna is back and he continues to impress under the moniker of The Junior League. His latest LP Adventureland starts strong out the gate with “Heavy,” led by thick guitar riffs that carry you away, and thick synths of  Scott McCaughey (Minus 5) keep it coming on “Have Faith In Yourself.” The feel is very similar to The Posies, Tommy Stinson or Bob Mould.

It shifts into bubblegum rock territory with “Falling In Love,” and with Tammy Ealom’s backing vocals it bounces along like a lost Tom Petty rocker. Joe’s riffs are direct and there are plenty of melodic rocking gems here. “Queen of the Dead” is a standout that will stick in your head, and “Town in a Box” is almost Nirvana-like with its heavy-pounding chords. “Delete and Repeat” adds a sugary sweet chorus to the dense guitars. Overall the songs are short and sweet, but most of all they are meant to be played loud. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Anderson Council and The Galileo 7

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The Anderson Council

The Anderson Council “Worlds Collide”

The Anderson Council jump into the melodic pool with both feet planted firmly into the XTC meets The Beatles section, from psychedelic guitar solos to smart anglophilic lyrics. The celebrated Peter Horvath continues to guarantee a splendid time for all, in fact, this could arguably be his best album ever. Opening literally with an explosion, it goes into the title track with a brilliant bass line melody and layered psyche-pop flourishes with shimmering chords. The slower tempo “Lord Cornellius Plum” is like the spiritual brother to Sgt. Pepper. The influences are all covered, another highlight “Camden Town” is a bit more early Beatlesque in approach with another sing-along chorus.

Horvath dazzles with his period accuracy on “Mrs. Kirkby’s Refridgerator,” then the sounds get modern on the sobering “Amazing,” a biographical essay with buzzing guitars. The power-pop gems flow with the very cool “Santa Clara,” “Your Devices,” and “Grey Heavenly Lane” recalls Material Issue at times. The band pushes its way through the acid rock of “How Much Long” and “When I Fall,” but I feel it does much better with pure psychedelics of “Into The Clouds.” Overall a great album, with the added bonus of legend Peter Noone singing on a version of “Mrs. Kirkby’s Refridgerator,” and so it’s definitely highly recommended. In fact, it’s added to my “best of” list for 2019. Get it today!

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The Galileo 7

The Galileo 7 “There Is Only Now”

The Galileo 7 is one of the best psyche-pop garage bands out there, and on their 6th album, they blast off at top speed. The best example is the opener “Everything is Everything Else” where Allan Crockford’s lyrical compositions take a life of their own. Allan is joined by bassist Paul Moss, organist Viv Bonsels, and drummer Matthew ‘Mole’ Lambert. The band continues to mine the influences of that wonderful technicolor era of late 60’s pop for a new audience. The band’s energy and harmonies sparkle on the title track and also on the solid “Let Go.”

The songs were created and recorded quickly and according to Crockford; “I wanted everyone to sing at least one song on this album.”All the bandmates had a chance to take a lead vocal. In addition, there is a very positive vibe throughout. Lambert does his best Moon-like drum rolls on “Looking Up” and things mellow nicely with the bongo rhythm of “The Last Hours of Aldous Huxley.” However, the crown jewel here is the catchy crisp melody of “Crooked Smile.” Not a bad track or note of filler here, fans of The Creation, The Pretty Things and mod-era Who should check this out for sure. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club and The Bobbleheads

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Onesie

The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club “End Over End”

Chicago’s own The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club’s releases the album that will put them on the map. While the influences are very recognizable, the band’s compositions are catchy and original. The wicked riffs on “Get Up Get Up” are comparable to mid-70’s Cheap Trick and the retro-synths keys on “Starpower” bring to mind The Cars. The thick bass progressions and cowbell on “The Henry Norman Hotel” are so addictive, you don’t notice that the tune is nearly five minutes.

“Lifeguard” and “Burndown at Sundown” channel Sloan, and it’s truly old school rock and roll at its best. Next, “Here is Today” has some echoes of Matthew Sweet. And “Christine You’re Mean” is another stunner that rocks hard, in fact almost every song here hits the mark and this album deserves inclusion in my year-end best-of list. I will not waste another word — this is a “must-get” super highly recommended album!

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Bobbleheads

The Bobbleheads “Myths and Fables”

The Bobbleheads are an indie pop-rock band, based in San Francisco, led by John Ashfield (guitar/vocals) and includes Pat Ennis (Bass), Rob Harford ( Guitar) and Rob Jacobs (drums, vocals). They proudly wear the “power pop” moniker and have been rocking since 2003. I really enjoyed the exuberance of Make Yourself Happy and looked forward to more of those bouncy brilliant melodies.

Ashfield’s vocals resemble Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies) a bit on the understated “Like Oxygen” with a wonderful jangling chorus. But after that, the band seems to coast along. “I Really See You” has some nice vocal harmonies and the strong lyrics of “Holding On” showcase the dangers of clinging to a bad relationship and it’s “not always a happy ending.” A strong riff emerges on “Do You?” and it will have you singing along. But these moments aren’t often enough. We still have some highlights, like the shimmering jangle of “Anne Murray Centre” and “Feel This Way.” But unfortunately, the hooks are lacking on many songs. Fans will still enjoy this, but beginners should check out the band’s earlier work first.

Amazon | CD Baby