Category: Top Ten of 2022 Candidate

Don’t panic! The mainstream didn’t forget power pop.

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In general, mainstream artists don’t always consider themselves in the power pop genre, but last year these artists made us proud. If you missed these albums check them out, my favorite mainstream albums of 2022…

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello “The Boy Named If”

I did a full review of this album earlier in the year. It is a magnificent comeback for Elvis after years of experimentation with Jazz, Spanish translations, and other things. Each track shines and he hasn’t sounded this good in years. No highlights – listen to the entire album from beginning to end and soak it in.| Amazon

Panic! At The Disco

Panic! At The Disco “Viva Las Vengeance”

Ever since 2008’s Pretty. Odd. singer Brendon Urie’s charismatic, cross-pollinated brand of pop moved away from his emo roots toward something resembling power pop, as that album was Beatles-influenced. But Viva Las Vengeance, produced by power-pop fave Mike Viola, was a love letter to glam, rock, and power-pop. Highlights: “Middle Of A Breakup,” “Local God,” and ” Sugar Soaker.” Highly recommended. | Amazon

Collective Soul

Collective Soul “Vibrating”

The band has become a rock and roll institution, 30 years after the hit single “Shine” and it continues to roll on with this new collection of music. Ed Roland and the guys have laid down another solid album. One of the rare touring bands that offer new music on par with their established hits, at least for the album’s first half. Highlights: “Cut The Cord,” “Reason,” and “All Our Pieces.”  Full review here | Amazon

Collective Soul

Weezer “SZNZ”

A new EP has been released at the dawn of each season of 2022, and it totals 28 tracks when it’s all done. Rivers Cuomo is a unique talent who is both amazing and frustrating in equal measure. A fitting coda is “Iambic Pentameter” where even though he doesn’t know what’s in his “messed-up head” it still sounds great.  Like most post-Hurley Weezer, there are enough diamonds to be found once you dig deep, past the musical sketch fluff. Highlights: “Dark Enough To See Stars,” “Francesca,” “A Little Bit of Love,” and “Records”  are starting points. | Amazon

The Power Popaholic Top 25 EPs list of 2022 + more

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The humble EP has grown into its own as a preferred method of music delivery since the economic incentive to release an album is not what it was. I loosely define an “EP” as two to ten songs. Many artists opt to release EPs rather than full-lengths where they can concentrate on a handful of songs at a time without the possibility of filler. Even Weezer released 4 EPs this year instead of a single long player. The album format isn’t dead, but you can see which way the wind is blowing…

  1. The Glad Machine – Hey!
  2. The Chords UK – All for Nothing At All
  3. The Black Watch – the neverland of spoken things
  4. Mom – Fun ‘N Games
  5. The Lickerish Quartet – Threesome Vol. 3
  6. Pete Donnelly (Figgs) – Anthem of the Time
  7. Christopher Peifer – Sacred & Profane
  8. Scott Robertson – Physical Education
  9. Supercrush – Melody Maker
  10. The Persian Leaps – Machines for Living
  11. Friends of Cesar Romero – Six Banger
  12. Movie Movie – Now Playing
  13. Richard Turgeon – Rough Around The Edges
  14. Hoover and Martinez – The 3P
  15. Los Andes – Backgammonesque
  16. The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club – Vanishing Point
  17. Guilty Party – Impostor Syndrome
  18. The Vice Rags – Midnight Ride
  19. Rooftop Screamers – Whispers
  20. Late Cambrian – Future Snacks
  21. Michael Simmons – Happy Traum
  22. Butterknife – Staring At The Ceiling
  23. Jay Byham – Jay Byham
  24. Nezok – The Human race
  25. The Afterglows – The Sound of The Afterglows

Special Consideration:

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Ken Sharp released a 50-song juggernaut – I’ll Remember The Laughter. It was the only “box set” of its kind this year and felt too massive to be in a single album category. If you enjoy your power pop music collection with a dose of sweet honey this would be worth your time. Amazon: Part 1 | Part 2

The Power Popaholic Top 25 albums of 2022 + More

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This was a difficult year, as the flow of good music increased exponentially from 2021. All those COVID themes (lockdowns, isolation, etc) continued, but artists had more time to produce more material, and make it sound even better. I could’ve easily made a top 100 this year, but I’ll stop at 50 (after my traditional 25). A lot of notables came in late this year, and many others I listened to earlier in the year didn’t stick in my head as much. Note, a few of these did not get an official review but I will do a mini-review of these. In addition, I also removed a few big major label artists (i.e. Elvis Costello) that really came through because they already get plenty of promotion, and I’ll post on that very soon.

  1. Amoeba Teen
  2. The Airport 77s
  3. Dungeon of Skeletons
  4. John Larson & The Silver Fields
  5. Dave Scarbrough
  6. Sloan
  7. Extra Arms
  8. Emperor Penguin
  9. Maple Mars
  10. The Well Wishers
  11. The Speedways
  12. Uni Boys
  13. The Happy Fits
  14. Nick Piunti
  15. Bird Streets
  16. Tamar Berk
  17. Lannie Flowers
  18. Fuzzbubble
  19. Chris Lund
  20. Eytan Mirsky
  21. Dot Dash
  22. The Cheap Cassettes
  23. Dave Cope and the Sass
  24. Seth Swirsky
  25. The Split Squad
  26. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard
  27. Shake Some Action
  28. Crossword Smiles
  29. More Kicks
  30. The Nervous Eaters
  31. Kai Danzberg
  32. Chris Church
  33. Tom Curless
  34. Phil Angotti
  35. Dowling Poole
  36. The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness 
  37. Young Guv
  38. The Bye Bye Blackbirds
  39. Phil Thornalley
  40. Dan Isreal
  41. Gymnasium
  42. The Mike Bell Cartell
  43. Goodman
  44. Action City
  45. Self-Cut Bangs
  46. Geoff Palmer
  47. Phil Yates & The Affiliates
  48. The Cleaners From Venus
  49. Cheap Star
  50. Speedfossil

The Speedways and Fuzzbubble

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The Speedways

The Speedways “Talk Of The Town”

London-based The Speedways are part of a handful of bands (The Whiffs, The Reflectors, Uni-Boys)  that base their sound on the late 70s and early-80s power pop.  The good news is The Speedways actually write songs that sound like they would’ve been hits back then. Starting with “Dead from The Heart Down” and “Secret Secret” it recalls the glory days of 20-20 or The Knack. The harmonies and the guitar riffs are infectious throughout.

“Shoulda Known” and “Strange Love” are pure Elvis Costello-like magic and the echoing jangle of “A Drop In The Ocean” is another potential hit from 1980 in an alternate universe. The guitars get even more pumped for “A Song Called Jayne & A Lie Called Love” and the layered gem “Summer’s Over.” Just about every song hits the mark here. In the finale “Wrong Place Wrong Time” the guitar style recalls The Records with some notable solo hard rock licks. Overall, a terrific retro album that deserves a nomination for my top ten list of 2022.

Amazon

Fuzzbubble

Fuzzbubble “Cult Stars From Mars”

Fuzzbubble were radio darlings back in 2000. In my recent interview with Fuzzbubble lead guitarist Jim Bacchi, he originally referred to the project as “Cult Stars From Mars,” not really making it clear it was a Fuzzbubble project. These terrific singles had been out for over two years. Well, after a few more tracks we have an album.

The starting tracks are rockers in the tradition of classic Cheap Trick, as “Can’t Wait To See You” and “Funny Face” are simply just great. “Regretfully Yours” takes a deliberate step in a Jellyfish-like direction, while newer tracks “I Like That Song!” take on a more epic arena rock quality (you hear “The Dream Police” synths, and Kiss call-outs). “By My Side” is like a lost Boston outtake and “The Window” leans into even heavier rock, like Led Zepplin meets Extreme. Bacchi and lead vocalist Mark DiCarlo sound like they are having a ball doing this. I would only hope the band continues to record stuff, as they put on a great show recently. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Dazy and Extra Arms

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Dazy

Dazy “Out of Body”

Does power pop meet shoegaze? Dazy does it effortlessly with a dense fuzz that would make Bob Mould blush, but with melodies that stick with you faster than a Sugar rush. The theme here is letting your feeling out, as he asks “Is that my brain hanging by a thread?” on the title track. The buzzing riffs and feedback dominate each short track, and most are under 2 minutes.

“On My Way” recalls classic Green Day with its monster riffs, but the standout here is “Rollercoaster Ride,” a big metaphor and an even bigger melody that hooks you quickly. “Deadline” boasts harmonies over the fuzz, then “Choose Yr Ramone” pokes fun at the band itself as lead singer  James Goodson states “Roll your eyes and clap your hands. Laughing at the cover bands.” But it’s the anthemic choruses here that are the point, and it’s a great ride. We get off at the quieter breather “Inside Voice,” but overall a terrific new band. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Extra Arms

Extra Arms “What Is Even Happening Right Now?”

With a nondescript cover and release this past summer, I honestly missed this one. Didn’t see Ryan Allen’s name, but holy crap the Extra Arms are his main band. And they are firing on all cylinders here. Detroit’s prominent power pop band takes the country’s anxieties and puts it all to melodic rock gold. The digital starting tones lead to “Fun Guy” a fast-paced, energetic rocker that takes no prisoners. The band leans hard on the heavy side of Fountains of Wayne as far as lyric and melodic sense.

“Big Dogs” continues the party, with big riffs hitting targets, with a call-and-response coda. Then “Falling into Place” recalls Superdrag and Guided By Voices with its dense hard rock rhythm. Earlier this year, COVID had Ryan trapped in his house, working from home, and the Cars-like “Feeling Alright” answers those Cabin Fevered questions. Overall a great album, with Ryan’s foot on the gas for all ten tracks. It could’ve used a breather (or ballad) toward the end. But it still makes my top ten list for 2022.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik