Category: Top Ten of 2020 Candidate

Emperor Penguin and A Girl Called Eddy

powerpopaholic
Emperor Penguin

Emperor Penguin “Soak UpThe Gravy”

Last year I was introduced to Emperor Penguin with Walnut Fascia, a band that throws together the best of late 60s psyche-pop with power pop. The band is firing on all cylinders with Soak Up The Gravy. “Hello Picasso” is a dense, hook-filled gem with a great guitar lead as an opener. “Go Guitargonauts” has a Link Ray meets XTC feel, full of looping verses and effects.

The band is a lot more focused on melody, as “What’s Come Over Me,” “Hole In Your Soul” and “A Brand New Yesterday” are exceptional tunes that don’t sound like anyone else. The great chord shifts on “Memoria Magdalena” make it a classic and the lounge styled “Speedwell Blue,” is a duet with the “Queen of Power Pop” Lisa Mychols and it’s a sweet change of pace. It ends in trippy fashion with the swirling guitars of “Burning Man,” a densely produced psychedelic pastiche that does not disappoint. While not every song is a potential hit, there is more than enough here to recommend this as an early nominee for my top album list of 2020.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

A Girl Called Eddy

A Girl Called Eddy “Been Around”

In late 2018, soul singer Erin Moran (aka A Girl Called Eddy) released a project album with Mehdi Zannad called The Last Detail, and it was a delightful breezy pop album with some serious talent behind it. Shame on me for not sharing it then, but Moran has followed this up with an equally impressive full-length LP. She wears her influences on her sleeve, and its soulful pop designed to melt your heart.

Morgan’s vocal falls somewhere between Aimee Mann and Jackie DeShannon. The lead track “Been Around” recalls Carole King with its warmth, elegant composition, and its supported horns and harmonies. The fragility of “Big Mouth” is followed by the bright horn/piano song “Jodi.” Those contrasts of whispered vulnerability and soaring melody also are best shown on “Charity Shop Window,” a collaboration with legendary songwriter Paul Williams. The guitars come out on “Someone’s Gonna Break Your Heart” and she sounds very much like Chrissie Hynde here. There are also elements of 70’s pop a la Bacharach on “Come To The Palisades!” Most everything here is great, meticulously crafted pop with a capital P. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

The Weeklings and Danny Henry

powerpopaholic
The Weeklings

The Weeklings “3”

Those veteran mop tops from Asbury Park, The Weeklings are back with their third effort. The Weeklings are; singer-bassist Lefty Weekling (Glen Burtnik,) singer-guitarists Zeek Weekling (Bob Burger) and Rocky Weekling (John Merjave,) and drummer Smokestack Weekling (Joe Bellia). While the band is likely the most Beatlesque outfit on the east coast, The Weeklings rock with their own unique sound and style.

“I Want You Again” is a great start with Lefty’s hook-filled chorus and tight harmonies, and it’s three minutes of perfection. “In the Moment” is another great song as it shimmers with multiple melody lines. The Rockpile-like “1,000 Miles Away” has rockabilly energy and the three-part harmonies on “Change Your Mind” are pure magic. The originals are so good and the covers too; they breathe new life into the Easybeats’ classic “Friday on My Mind” featuring Herman’s Hermit’s lead singer Peter Noone. The spirit of The Beatles lives in these exceptional musicians and without a note of filler, this becomes my first nominee for best album of 2020. Super Highly Recommended!

Amazon

Danny Henry

Danny Henry “Danifest Destiny”

Based in Milford, CT musician Danny Henry started recording this album with help from Adam Marsland, then the following year he met producer Fernando Perdomo and finished the album. Danny favors balladry, and his many influences include, Motown, Elton John, The Beach Boys, and the late Neil Innes.

It starts with a faux dance musical number “The Swoop” which takes a while to get past the jokey parts to the fifties-style chorus and guitar solo. Unfortunately “Crossfading” double tracks Danny’s falsetto, and it will turn off some as he tries to do a 10cc-like parody but doesn’t quite pull it off.

Henry then sings about innocent romance, like “Dearest Thing” or “David Cassidy Day” without a hint of sarcasm, and it borders on schmaltz. Some songs are wonderfully written like “Darling Eyes” and “Maybe We’re In Love” with hints of glam in the guitar, but Henry’s vocal takes getting used to. Ballads like “Cereal Man” and “Hollywood Boulevard” have lovely instrumental setups, and Danny’s vocal style works best here. If you’re looking for something different, give it listen.

Bandcamp