The Foreign Films and Super 8

powerpopaholic
The Foreign Films

The Foreign Films “Ocean Moon (New Songs and Hidden Gems)”

Bill Majoros (aka The Foreign Films) is back after the masterful Record Collector with something a little mellower but no less wonderful. Setting up a nostalgic date circa 1964 on “Dream With Me Tonight” it has echos of early Beach Boys innocence (without sounding anything like them.)  The subtle lead and strings of “Katie and the Crystal Hearts” feels bittersweet, reminding me of Kyle Vincent or Jeff Lynne.

The Rickenbacker strums of the title track make it the most impressive and catchiest song in the group, plus its got a lovely harmonic coda. The echoing piano ballad “Down On The Boulevard (Pinball Kid)” is another highlight that paints a dramatic memory with only a few lyrics. Each song resonates and even though the last three tracks are from Record Collector it matches up nicely with the new material. Another bonus is that this a FREE Bandcamp download, so you can try before you buy. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Pop Co-Op

Super 8 “Head Sounds”

UK artist Paul Ryan is certainly prolific and unique. He’s got a homespun pop aesthetic and a poppy-hippy charm that can be quiet infectious at times. The opener “Dragonfly” layers several sounds to great effect, creating a nice jam melody before it shifts to an easy-going shuffle asking “If you could only live one day/What would you do?” Very disarming and charming.

Using jangling rhythms very much in the spirit of Elephant Six collective bands, “Love Like Ours” catches you and doesn’t let go. “Sweet Norah” slowly devolves into a psyche-pop jam and really takes off when that bassline begins. “Millionaire” is a funny tune about songwriting gone wrong, and “I Just Wanna Be Me” also moans about the unfairness of the music business. The second half of the album doesn’t quite carry it over the finish line, with covers of “Across The Universe” and “In My Room.” But this is definitely the most engaging Super 8 LP to date and it’s certainly music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon

Freebie Singles and LP previews: The Well Wishers, Ken Sharp, Chinofeldy, The Britannicas, Explorer’s Club, The Corner Laughers,Sunshine Boys

powerpopaholic

The Easter bunny dropped off some wonderful music in my inbox this week. Rather than hide them I’d like to share these goodies with you…

The Well Wishers reflect on flection, hope, family, and charity…all bolstered by a four-minute blast of uplifting power-pop melodicism.

Ken Sharp is offering a message of hope for a world and sales go to the United Way Worldwide’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund, which provides relief to those left vulnerable by the pandemic.

Chinofeldy is the brainchild of Joe Kane and Marco Rea, two of Glasgow’s most prolific songwriter/producers. Very much in the spirit and sound of classic 10cc, I love this joyous melody about just “staying home.” A FREEBIE!

The Britannicas are a musical collective; Herb Eimerman, Joe Algeri, Magnus Karlsson and Stefan Johansson. They specialize in jangling guitar melodies that sound great. A FREEBIE!

The Corner Laughers‘ new album is coming soon! Here is a sweet track to entice you to preorder.
Sunshine Boys have a new album coming soon! I love the catchy melody here, “Summertime Kids” is a winner.

The Explorer’s Club will be planning to release two (2) albums! One is a covers album represented by the Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart classic “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight?” – the other is just original penned tunes represented by “Ruby.”

Pop Co-Op and Dolph Chaney

powerpopaholic
Pop Co-Op

Pop Co-Op “Factory Settings”

Steve Stoeckel (The Spongetones) is back with his collaborative band The Pop Co-Op; Bruce Gordon (guitar and keyboards) Stacy Carson (drums) and Joel Tinnel (guitar). The fact that the band members record their parts miles away from each other matters not. Stoeckel’s unmistakable pop melody comes through on “No Man’s Land” an uncannily prescient song about the isolation that fits these times perfectly. And those harmonies! The pop gem “Kissing Katy” boasts some nice drum work, handclaps, and an acoustic guitar break. Next, “Flaws of Attraction” has a quirky story-song approach similar to They Might Be Giants and lots of neat harmonic contrast.

The jangling guitar riff, and bouncy tempo of “Catching Light” recalls XTC at their most buoyant. Other songs shift statistically, and “To the Sea” is a simple ballad with Stoeckel on the ukulele that suddenly enters deep psyche-pop territory before coming back. There is enough variation throughout the 14 tracks, so you will not be bored. Highlights include: “The Price of Admission,” “Sleeve” and the odd boogie-woogie “Won’t Be Me.”  Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Dolph Chaney “Rebuilding Permit”

Chicago songwriter Dolph Chaney starts his album with “I’m OK,” a bouncy affirmation that has a homespun quality similar in approach to Chris Breetveld, but with an underlying darkness. “If I Write It Down” also feels like a therapeutic exercise set to pop music, and it’s an emotionally honest, compelling song. “The Handling” is about handling a loved one’s death through the riffs of a guitar solo, and much of the remaining songs on the album are bleak.

Another standout here is the ballad “A Good Road Is Hard To Find” where the repeating acoustic riff feels like the hangover morning after an all-night bender. The bluesy solo here is a perfect fit too. While this might not be for everyone, the emotional journey is definitely worth the trip through the darkness. It’s music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon | Big Stir Records | Kool Kat Musik

 

The Bye Bye Blackbirds and Tommy Ray!

powerpopaholic
The Bye Bye Blackbirds

The Bye Bye Blackbirds “Boxer At Rest”

It’s been a tense time for the band The Bye Bye Blackbirds, reflecting on the passing of friends, and loved ones — the band’s founding member Lenny Gill required a heart transplant and months of hospitalization and rehabilitation. The band patiently worked on the album and waited for Lenny to recover and contribute. The result is a more personal take on loss and an extremely strong album. Add to this producer Doug Gillard (Guided By Voices, Nada Surf) and engineered by power-pop legend Chris von Sneidern, and you have a potential classic. The production here is flawless.

“You were All Light” is an excellent start, with a driving beat and heavier riffs, and notable horns overlaid onto the lead melody towards the end of the song. Lead singer Bradley Skaught and Kelly Atkins add some rich harmonies on “So True” to go with the simple rhythm and the jangle-tinged rock of “Baby It’s Still You” is another winner. The acoustic ballad “Words and Signs” bring to mind Big Star, and “Watch Them Chime” is a rare burst of optimism with its climbing major riff. That feeling continues on the 7-minute groove-fest “If It Gets Light.” It’s got an infectious beat that gives way to wild guitar theatrics. “All Our Friends” is a fitting and uplifting end. This LP makes my top ten for 2020 list, so it’s super Highly Recommended!

Pre-Order from Bandcamp


Tommy Ray

Tommy Ray! “First Hits Free”

The Cry! had a pair of great glam-styled power-pop albums over 5 years ago. Lead singer Tommy Ray’s solo LP is the long-awaited follow up and will not disappoint fans, as it keeps the gritty punk energy and layered guitar riffs with an even harder edge. “Aint No Use” sets the fast pace, a song that recalls The Damned, The Real Kids and The Only Ones.

The songs all have a fun anthemic punk quality, “Life Goes On” is a sing-along that rumbles to its catchy chorus. The storytelling aspect of the lyrics is emphasized more than the previous work. Highlights include themes of obsession and hard luck rejection on “Suzanne,” “Tuesday’s Girl” and “Take A Chance.” Tommy Ray finally turns things up a notch on “No Better Than This,” with an impressive composition and multi-instrumentation that I wish he did more often. Like Geoff Palmer (The Connection) recent solo work, Tommy Ray’s music is meant to be played loud, so crank it up. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

 

Singles and FREEBIES: The Hendersons, Dave Kerzner and Fernando Perdomo, Watts, Kai Danzberg, The Dahlmanns, Tommy And The Rockets

powerpopaholic

Here’s a band from Fort Worth, Texas called The Hendersons and they’ve got this neat little gem “Grandson,” we all know someone like this at work. Lots of beautiful textures here, from Queen-like riffs to psyche-pop harmonies.

Holy crap, this is freaking amazing. Dave Kerzner and Fernando Perdomo combine to create this true epic 7-minute pop opera. It’s a psychedelic Beatles pop / Pink Floydian progressive rock amalgam. Try not to drool and get this now!

I was just asking what happened to one of my favorite bands on Rum Bar Records, Watts. It’s so nice to hear this single “Seventeen” a rocking gem with such guitar mastery. A FREEBIE that rocks the house.

Kai Danzberg realized he needs to “Stay Home” and play this Covid-19 theme. It’s a FREEBIE. Looking for a little more hope? Listen to “Don’t Give Up The Ghost” and if you want a little more pop bounce, check out “Waiting For You.” Wonderful pop as per usual from Mr. Danzberg.



Another familiar pair of power pop bands are back! Tommy And The Rockets give us the irresistible “You Don’t Know What You Got” and then The Dahlmanns “Party Girl” is a throwback to early 60’s Girl Groups.