Category: Top Ten of 2023

The Summertimes and Meyerman

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The Summertimes

The Summertimes “The Summertimes”

So a new Aussie power pop band has arrived this summer, appropriately called The Summertimes. Guitarist Ashley Naylor (Paul Kelly and The Church), drummer Stephen O’Brien (Tumbleweed), and bassist Steve Bull (Icehouse) joined songwriters David Beniuk and David Challenger in the studio. Right from the start they hit the ground running with “Inside,” and influences like Teenage Fanclub, The Go-Betweens, and You Am I are evident. The production is flawless here thanks to ARIA award-winning producer Paul McKercher (The Hoodoo Gurus, Midnight Oil).

The tight guitar playing on “Password” and the melodic chorus of “My Beautiful Girl Harbour,” makes them instant classics. The chugging lead guitar on “White Pointer,” and the jangling gem “Love (It’s A Word)” are very much in the mold of Ice Cream Hands. The tone shifts mellower on the back end of these 10 tracks, but it doesn’t break the flow of the album. “Athens, GA” is a solid romantic tune flowing with a rich melody. Even the ending track “The Perfect Wave,” is an Aussie beach anthem that recalls the Yardbirds, and references Midnight Oil. Unabashedly Australian in scope and style and Highly Recommended. Makes my top ten nominee list for 2023.

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Meyerman

Meyerman “Happy To See You”

Twelve years after their exciting debut, Meyerman finally returns with a sophomore album. Theo Meyer’s vocal sounds a bit rougher on the title track “Happy To See You,” but he’s lost none of his melodic skill as its hits a vibe similar to The Posies. New bandmates Jeff Preischel (bass), Rob Sadowski (guitars), and Danny Diaz (drums) are supported by fine production from Kurt Reil (The Gripweeds). The guitars are soaring on the brilliant “Katie Wong,” an early highlight here.  Then it slows considerably on “Witchita” and the next few songs are done in a ’90s hard rock style. While this sounds fine, it’s the lack of hooks that are concerning here.

I need not worry too long, as “WWDAT” is a pretty cool tune, with an unexpected style shift towards the end. At this point “Meyerman” is the perfect theme song (why didn’t they lead with this?) that rocks (turn it up!) and Theo is on a roll at this point. “Princeton Bells” has a cool swirling harmony during the chorus, and “Nova” is another great rocker that’s just infectious, akin to Enuff Z’nuff. Each song from this point hits the mark, “T-Shirt,” “Hello, Hello,” and “Handclaps and Tambourines” all focus on band life. This is the rare instance where the album’s backend is much stronger, and it brings things over the finish line. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

The PInk Spiders and Dwight Twilley

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The Pink Spiders

The Pink Spiders “Freakazoid”

This is a Nashville band that wants to make a bold statement. Influences from power pop, glam, and indie rock are all mixed in a musical stew. “Gold Confetti” is a great start, with its upbeat, sing-along chorus dripping in attitude. But even better is the follow-up single “Let’s Go Home” with its super energetic hooks, and its quiet verse builds to a catchy chorus. The guitars here bring it all together as the band uses classic song structures (that are out of vogue today) to form something quite unique, and “Devotion” is another winner with its Cars-like synths.

Next, lead singer Matt Friction sings “Can’t Stop Letting You Down” and seems to channel Marc Bolan without the falsetto. The band wants this to be a party album, as each hook takes a winding stylistic shift in the second half. The band can go “hard rock” anthem with ease on “Stoned To The Bone,” and the next few songs go straight party rock, and you’ll never get bored here, and no filler. The closest analogy I can come up with is Sweet meets Panic! At The Disco. Yes, it could’ve used a ballad to break things up, but this deserves attention and is highly recommended for sure.

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Dwight Twilley

Dwight Twilley “The Best of Dwight Twilley The Tulsa Years 1999​-​2016 Vol 1”

Dwight Tilley had a revived sense of purpose after releasing several collections of rarities (Between The Cracks) at the end of the 20th century. He began the journey to elder statesman status in power pop with 1999’s Tulsa and continued to be very productive for the following 15 years. This new compilation of Twilley’s later work proves he was not only a great songwriter but also remained a potent force in melodic rock and roll.

Nothing in the collection sounds dated, as it’s timeless rock. Check out these new Twilley classics; “It’s Hard To Be A Rebel,” “No Place Like Home,” and “Speed of Light.” With 20 tracks there are plenty of gems to choose from.

If you’re a fan of Dwight Twilley’s work, The Best of Dwight Twilley: The Tulsa Years 1999-2016 Vol 1 is a must-have. There are previously unreleased songs from albums like Tulsa, The Luck, 47 Moons, Green Blimp, Soundtrack, and Always. Dwight’s 12-page booklet with photos and notes about his inspiration and the songs’ backgrounds is included. Highly Recommended.

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The Anderson Council and Dennis Schocket

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The Anderson Council

The Anderson Council “The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon”

The Anderson Council’s most recent album, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, offers a refreshing dose of memorable songs. This New Jersey-based band transports listeners on a mesmerizing sonic journey by skillfully fusing elements of the 60s British Invasion, psychedelic rock, power pop, and a dash of contemporary indie flair.

Opening with the captivating track “Tarot Toronto,” The Anderson Council sets the tone for the album, immediately immersing us in their lyrical alliteration and nostalgia-infused sound. The band effortlessly channels influences while adding its own power pop twist. “Alone With You” boasts a sing-along chorus with layers of vocals and guitars, another potential hit. “Million Miles A Day” and “Times on the Thames” both feature pulsating rhythms and catchy chorus making them instant earworms that beg for repeated listens.

Overall the music doesn’t get as densely fuzzy as previous albums (Although “Sunday Afternoon” is an exception). But it also allows the melodies to rise to the forefront. Overall, one of the best albums this year. Yes, it’s high on my list and super highly recommended.

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Dennis Schocket

Dennis Schocket “Weathervane”

Dennis Schocket (Starbelly) goes solo on this new adult-oriented potpourri pop album.  It starts with a welcoming confessional in the title track that warmly greets you with its easy strum, and guitar solo. The bittersweet melody of “More Than Anything” is a richly produced ballad with its wonderful slide guitar leading the way. “Please Don’t Let Me Down” is a Jeff Lynne-ish rocker that feels a bit off, and I’m not sure why.

The mid-tempo ballads suit him much better, “Suddenly June” and “She Loves The Sun” are both melodic and wonderfully composed. The album explores introspective themes in tracks like “Love Untold,” and “I Forgive It All.” The bouncy “Madam Chaparral” is a big standout track, about a possible denizen of “Penny Lane.” It’s unsurprising that the Beatles’ DNA follows through with the sweet “Take Your Time With Me.”

Overall the production and mixing are excellent. The songs are more of a mixed bag, but with more treats here than I expected. Highly Recommended.

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The Tearaways and Patty & The Oh’s

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Real Sickies

The Tearaways “And For Our Next Trick”

California power pop super group, The Tearaways are back. The band features the dual lead singers of bassist John “Fin” Finseth and rhythm guitarist Greg Brallier, lead guitar David Hekhouse and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer Clem Burke (Blondie). They start out with the R-rated Beatlesque rocker “Are you Fucking Kidding Me?” and “Not Good Enough For Me” starts out like The Bobby Fuller Four and devolves into a Who-like jam at the end. The band’s influences are baked in, but the songs have their own unique sound.

“No Love Lost” is a brilliant melody similar to The Weeklings, but they find other compelling directions like “Let Me Be The Last” or “Emotional Distance.” The drummer tribute “Charlie, Keith and Ringo” and the bouncy “Saturday Everyday” are both power pop gold with their crisp harmonies and sugar-filled choruses. The album boasts consistently great music from beginning to end, so it will easily fall into my Top Ten album nominee list for 2023. Super highly recommended.

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Real Sickies

Patty & The Oh’s “Out of Everything”

Patty & The Oh’s are a jangly, melodic band with a touch of quirky zen. While based in Seattle, the sound merges with plenty of Southern folk rock influences. Frontman Patrick Weatherly isn’t afraid to address the pressing issues that our society as a whole is currently grappling with, but the band’s pragmatic approach delivers a positive vibe overall. “Out of Everything” is a perfect example of this, with its infectious groove. In addition, the cynical jaded world we live in can weigh you down, so you may as well focus on a “New Flavor of Gum.”

The slow building “A Little While” has a Wilco-like quality as it bursts into a near-grunge experience. The sadness of “Societal Collapse Doo Wop” is another momentary downer, before we hit those conspiracy theory nutjobs on the singalong “Rabbit Hole of the Absurd.” Not everything here sticks, and it runs out of gas towards the end. However, Patrick has fine wit and a way with melody. This is definitely a band that deserves to be heard.

Amazon

Mothboxer and Panthervision

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Steve Stoeckel

Mothboxer “Breathe”

Dave Ody (aka Mothboxer) has been reliably producing good albums for a while now with some superb melodic rock and roll. While he has wandered into other genres from time to time, Breathe finds Ody firmly in the power pop camp.

“Free Ride” is an easygoing psychedelic-pop romp, but things really kick into gear with the piano-led “All The Things,” a mid-period Beatlesque gem about memory loss, complete with a gentle middle-eight. Each song builds on the theme of past memories, the ballad “When I Had The Time” and “Jump Back” are compelling catchy listens. “Operator” recalls 10cc with its many key shifts, and Ody’s stylistic consistency is impressive here. The rocker “Everything is Gonna Be Alright” is another standout. In fact, the quality of great melodies here makes this a better-than-average Mothboxer album.  Highly Recommended, and it makes my early list for best of 2023.

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Panthervision

Panthervision “Now in 3-D”

Bonnie Veronica (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Kirk Larsen (lead guitar, backing vocals) were formerly of the Portland, OR band Beyond Veronica for fifteen years until they re-formed as Panthervision in 2019 and soon played the International Pop Overthrow festival soon afterward.

Their sound is comparable to The Muffs, Palmyra Delran, and The Go-Gos with a touch of garage pop. The catchy “Trouble” and “Can’t Explain” will have you playing air guitar and “Mister Riley” has an 80s edge with a little jangle. The only caveat here is several tunes sound way too similar to each other. But overall, this is a fine collection of guitar-driven rockers. It definitely deserves to be heard, so check’em out.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik