The Power Popaholic Top 25 albums of 2019

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  1. Slumberjet “World of Sound” 
  2. Jordan Jones “Jordan Jones”
  3. Ryan Hamilton And The Harlequin Ghosts “This is the Sound” 
  4. The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club “End Over End”
  5. Jeff Whalen “10 More Rock Super Hits” 
  6. David Brookings and the Average Lookings “Scorpio Monologue” 
  7. Pernice Brothers “Spread The Feeling”
  8. Lannie Flowers “Home”
  9. Nick Frater “Full Fathom Freight-Train”
  10. The Dates “Ask Again Later”
  11. Dave Cope and the Sass “Dave Cope and the Sass”
  12. Liam Gallagher “Why Me? Why Not.”
  13. The Brothers Steve “#1”
  14. Joe Sullivan “Growing Up Schlockstar”
  15. Dan Israel “Social Media Anxiety Disorder”
  16. The Lolas “A Dozen Or Seven Tapestries”
  17. Redd Kross “Beyond the Door” 
  18. Goodman “The Era of Buckets”
  19. Velveteen Rabbit “Velveteen Rabbit”
  20. The Anderson Council “Worlds Collide” 
  21. Sofa City Sweetheart “Super(b) Exitos” 
  22. Geoff Palmer “Pulling Out All The Stops” 
  23. The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness “Dead Calm” 
  24. Jeff Lynne’s ELO “Out of Nowhere” 
  25. The Rubinoos “From Home”

The top 10 Power Pop EPs of 2019

  1. Pugwash “The Olympus EP”
  2. Eric Barao “Obsolete” EP
  3. The Seven and The Six – ep#1
  4. Young Guv – “GUV 1”
  5. Vista Blue “Hit The Floor”
  6. The Skullers “Freight Trains & Party Games”
  7. It’s Karma It’s Cool “Hipsters and Aeroplanes”
  8. The Coolies – “Uh Oh! It’s​.​.​. The Coolies”
  9. The Last Bees “The Last Bees”
  10. Kai Danzberg “Euphoria”

The Highly Recommended LPs #26 through 70

  1. Amoeba Teen “Medium Wave”
  2. The John Sally Ride “Nothing Doing”
  3. The Rallies “Upside Down”
  4. Ulysses “On Safari”
  5. Project Ghost Outfit “Project Ghost Outfit”
  6. Kai Danzberg “Not Only Sunshine”
  7. Extra Arms “Up From Here”
  8. The Successful Failures “Saratoga”
  9. Richard X. Heyman “Pop Circles”
  10. R. Stevie Moore “Afterlife”
  11. The Lunar Laugh “Goodnight Noises Everywhere”
  12. Vanilla “Mystik Knights of Tacoma”
  13. Popravinas “Willy Nilly”
  14. The Jellybricks “Some Kind of Lucky”
  15. The Well Wishers “The Lost Soundtrack”
  16. The Nines “Shipwrecked (Eggers Songbook Vol 1)”
  17. The Junior League “Adventureland”
  18. Shake Some Action “Thirty Nine”
  19. Richard Turgeon “Go Deep”
  20. The Dollyrots “Daydream Explosion”
  21. Eytan Mirsky “If Not Now… Later”
  22. Armchair Oracles “Caught By Light”
  23. Rob Laufer “The Floating World”
  24. Scott Gagner “Hummingbird Heart”
  25. David Mead “Cobra Pumps”
  26. The Pearlfishers “Love and Other Hopeless Things”
  27. Jim Basnight “Not Changing”
  28. Johnathan Pushkar “Straighten Up”
  29. Erk “When Night Meets Day”
  30. Willie Wisely “Face The Sun”
  31. Mothboxer “Open Sky”
  32. The Galileo 7 “There Is Only Now”
  33. The Laissez Fairs “Marigold”
  34. Faux Co. “Radio Silence”
  35. Onesie “Umpteenth”
  36. Coleman Gota “And The Loser’s Choir Sings”
  37. Salt “The Loneliness of Clouds”
  38. Talkie “Everything Matters”
  39. The Maureens “Something In The Air”
  40. The Beatpunkers “Those Years Songs”
  41. Joe Jackson “Fool”
  42. Cloud Eleven “Footnote”
  43. 8×8 “New Data New Day”
  44. Emperor Penguin “Walnut Fascia”
  45. Mike Daly & The Planets “All It Takes Is One”

Final comments: The power pop genre is much less cohesive now than it was 10 years ago. It seems anyone with a retro sound seems to get the label shoved at them. On the other hand, the best power pop this year did not fall into a single style category (“Beatlesque,” “Alt. Roots,” “Psychedelic Glam” ) but took from a variety of styles and influences. This year was a tough one as all the artists did a great job, and I’ve missed so many albums I see at the top of other blog lists. Check out all these artists — you won’t be disappointed and you’ll most likely disagree with my order.

The Lolas and Matthew Milia

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The Lolas

The Lolas “A Dozen Or Seven Tapestries”

After a 13 year absence, Tim Boykin has reformed The Lolas and the band hasn’t lost its ability to create catchy melodies and sweet harmonies with loud raucous guitars. Boykin is joined by drummer Shea Rives and bassist Jeff Waites, and together they pick up where the band left off. This impressive Kool Kat label debut displays a tight musical combo playing ten solid cuts of prime power pop.

The title track blasts from the speakers with bright clear vocals and a dominant riff leading the way. The influences are classic (The Beatles, The Ramones, Big Star) and the relentless hooks keep on coming. “DJ Girl” is a great mid-tempo pop gem, and “Bon Voyage” is a fast tempo melody with a driving guitar rhythm. The psychedelic “Wish You Were Loud Enough” seems slightly out of place, but “Assailant” leads with a wicked fuzz bassline and multi-tracked harmonies. The not-safe-for-work “Lightning Mountain” is probably the most beautiful jangling Rickenbacker melody to contain the f-word. Not a single note of filler and yes, this also makes my crowded top ten list this year. It’s also worth noting that The Lolas have a new LP coming out early January. Boykin has a new crew playing on this one, and it’s likely to be one of my first reviews of 2020.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


The Lolas

Matthew Milia “Alone at St. Hugo”

Singer Matthew Milia (Frontier Ruckus) helped his old band earn fame based on his finely honed songwriting skills. He turns to the nostalgia of his youth during Catholic school as the subject matter and his sound seems to squarely fit in-between Ben Folds and Elliot Smith. Opening with soothing California styled pop of “‘Alive At The Same Time” has an easy-going jangling melody and smooth Beach Boys styled harmonies. “Puncture” has that stream of consciousness lyric about life and self-acceptance. “Congratulations Honey” is a steel pedal ballad that looks back on his “white trash town,” and then the jangle comes back on the compelling “Attention Students” that recalls the Jayhawks or Wilco.

The songs vividly describe an intimate portrait, a great example being “Swollen Home” about mundane suburban living; the ambiance comes through each verse. “Abruptly Old And Caffeinated” picks up the tempo, the verses work poetically and then a key change in the latter half make it another keeper. While not every song is a slow ballad, all the songs emanate a feeling of bittersweet melancholy. The lack of hooks or tonal variety work against the album, but it’s the skillful musicianship and writing that make this an album that deserves to be heard. 

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Jordan Jones and The Whiffs

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Jordan Jones

Jordan Jones “Jordan Jones”

Sometimes when you hear great power pop, it’s easy to spot right away. Los Angeles based Jordan Jones debut is one of those rare instances. His music was a cassette-only release on Burger Records, and later a digital release on Beluga Records this year. Starting with “Wrote You A Song For Me,” I hear a distinct Marc Bolan influence and it sounds like a surefire hit from the golden age of power pop (Big Star, Raspberries, Cheap Trick).

“Understood” is a quick gem with punk fuzz guitar and a fast tempo not unlike The Connection. “My Somebody” is a smooth guitar melody, layered with crashing drums about getting older and looking for somebody. It leads into the super catchy “No Makeup” with smart lyrics about loving the girl whether she has makeup or not. The potential hits keep coming; the mid-tempo “Rumour Girls,” “Waiting” and “Be My Baby” are brilliant in its simplicity. The acoustic “Do You Wanna Hang Out” is just the kind of honest romance Chris Bell would write about on #1 Record. The marching drumbeat opens “Oh My Heavenz” and anchors this sped-up ballad to finish this short debut. Every single one of these ten songs resonates and Jones pulls it off with style and enthusiasm. Highly recommended and a definite spot saved in my top ten list for 2019.

Amazon

The Whiffs

The Whiffs “Another Whiff”

Kansas City’s The Whiffs began with a simple EP in 2017, and they emulated the sound (and look) of Stiff Records label artists like Nick Lowe and Wreckless Eric. This year they took a big leap forward in quality, with songs that would be big hits in a world circa 1978 – 1980. The sound has elements of classic power pop and punk, all 14 quick jams in under three minutes each. “Shaking All Over” is a great Lowe-sounding single with a catchy chorus and a great guitar solo. More standouts include the Raspberries-like “Hey Little Annie,” “Please Be True” and “Dream About Judy.”

The bands’ influences include Alex Chilton and Paul Westerberg with heartbreakers full of three-part harmonies like “Throw It Away” and “She.” The pub rock roots come through “On The Boulevard,” and some upbeat punk tunes end the album. My biggest issue with all this is the very muddy sound production. I understand the need for authenticity when recreating an era’s sound, but most of the album’s songs have the mid-range pumped up high. Like a worn-out cassette, it sounds like someone threw a blanket over the entire mix. There is a reason old albums get remastered, and if the band ever did this — it would give these tunes a real chance to shine. Still, this is absolutely an essential listen for power pop fans. Check it out.

Amazon

Dave Cope & the Sass and Eric Crugnale

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Dave Cope and The Sass

Dave Cope and the Sass “Dave Cope and the Sass”

Philadelphia based Dave Cope and The Sass exemplifies the mid 70’s rock that personified classic power-pop (Big Star, The DB’s) mixed with the album rock of that era (BTO, Foghat, Steve Miller Band, Bad Company.) The band (Dave Cope, Ethan Rider, and Fred Berman) takes it’s time to grow on you, starting with “Seeing Things” and it begins with a Beach Boys hymn before strumming along to a George Harrison-like tune that sticks with each verse despite the 5 minutes + time. “My Way Out” blasts forth with a guitar attack and its a catchy gem that proves to you this band is special. Then its “Living in the Middle,” a brilliant single that just hooks you immediately. I was sold at this point.

There is not a single note of filler here, and several tracks will live on your playlist; “If Your Mama Only Knew” and “Josephine” will rock your socks off and “Dog Days” recalls The Beatles “Blackbird” with its gentle acoustic melody. The music is not only well written but played to perfection. Add this album for consideration to the top ten list in 2019. Highly Recommended and well deserved.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Eric Crugnale

Eric Crugnale “Time Kills”

Long Islander Eric Crugnale made a good impression with Carol Was Here a few years back.  So it’s a good time of the season to hear him again with producer Kevin Bents assisting. Crugnale is a singer-songwriter that plucks at the heartstrings, and on “Don’t Give Up” he lives up to that description. The song is a hopeful tune when “No one knows your name” during the holiday season. “Dreams and Memories” has a flowing chorus with a 70’s styled synth that adds bells and horns at its peak.

Next, the impressive “Turn Damn This Car Around” is a scenario set to music, with its colorful piano/guitar interplay reminding me of Ben Folds a little. Much of the music is set around failed relationships with a touch of R&B, good examples being “A Shoulder (To Cry On)” and “Love Won’t Change Your Mind.” Fans of the blue-eyed soul of Hall and Oats will enjoy “Wagon,” and “I Just Wanna Be Loved By You.” Eric is much more confident on Time Kills, as “It Must Be Love” boasts an uplifting theme with a group of Beatlesque horns adding a flourish. While a few tunes feel repetitive, there is enough here to rate this as highly recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby

Goodman and The Gershwin Brothers

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Goodman

Goodman “The Era of Buckets”

When I hear people say that classic power pop is an old niche genre with older influences, I generally agree. So what does the future of the genre sound like? I listen to artists like Michael Goodman, who has been steadily increasing his musical skills over the past ten years. Goodman plays electric and acoustic guitar, glockenspiel, banjo, piano, and synths. He is assisted by producer Oliver Ignatius and studio drummers Jordyn Blakely and Jeremy Kolker. The Era of Buckets pulls no punches melodically and takes in influences from psychedelia, shoegaze, and slowcore.

“Don’t” is a brilliant opener, with guitar strums across a light layer of xylophone and  Goodman’s emotive dual-tracked vocals. The next track is the super-catchy anthem “Watch Your Mouth” with its passive-aggressive chorus. “Wildcat” is a droning shoegaze melody about obsession, and “Wasting Away” adds a snappy synth beat to this minimal dance jam. Although the tone is melancholy on most tunes, like “She Finds Me Out,” or “Somethings Happening” it still retains a very compelling melody line. “Shallow(Completely Shallow)” reminds me of Brendan Benson, and its a great break-up tune. “Headrush Baby” is another winner, a richly layered composition with great minor chord shifts. The expansive “Life Begins!” bathes itself in a psyche-pop glow as it describes the (lack of) meaning in life. This is Goodman’s best album and it’s highly recommended. Plus it makes my top 25 nominee list for 2019.

Amazon

Gershwin Brothers

The Gershwin Brothers “God Is A Bully”

The duo of Dave Foster and Lane Steinberg (aka Sol and Al Gershwin) are joined by a local NYC musical crew (Mike Fornatale, Charles Roth, Tom Shad, Tom DeVito, Mary Spencer Knapp, Erica Smith) for this stylistically diverse band debut.  I’m a big Steinberg fan and his contributions to the album are clear to those familiar with his work. All songs are written by Foster and Steinberg, and we start with “Deleting You,” a witty song about culling your “friends” from social media, and then we get the Beatlesque opus “Unbroken.” The song is an impressive ballad that recalls McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” in the chorus, beautifully done – it’s the albums high point.

From there we go to “Antelope Canyon” starring Erica Smith’s delicate vocals sounding like a hybrid of Laura Nyro and Basia. Another strong composition with some jazzy overtones, that get a little psychedelic on “Heaven In My Head” with lots of drama and synth organ. Lane sings the title track, a smart and catchy mid-tempo ballad. The album sometimes ventures into weirdness; like “Notre Amour Fantastique,” sung by Mary Spencer Knapp; an operatic show tune sung like Édith Piaf! The rare “Mama’s Love” has all three leads sing together.

Despite the incohesive nature of the album, there are a lot of good songs here; “Sugar-Free,” and “Endless of Summer of Love” are great tunes with neat harmonies.”He’s The New You” is a lovely folk anthem of empowerment after divorce. Definitely something for everyone here, so check it out on Bandcamp.

Bandcamp