Redd Kross and The Junior League

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Redd Kross

Redd Kross “Beyond the Door”

One of the great power pop bands, Redd Kross is back with an eighth album, and they are truly timeless despite the seven-year wait since 2012’s Researching the Blues. The band has been around for 40 years (!) but now has updated its line-up; the McDonald brothers; Steve (bass) and Jeff (vocals) with drummer Dale Crover and guitarist Jason Shapiro. Just remember, the McDonalds started Redd Kross by opening for Black Flag at a middle school graduation party in 1981. And today the sound still rocks; harmonious rock and roll somewhere between Cheap Trick and The Jellyfish.

They open with “The Party” which grooves like a lost song off The Austin Powers Soundtrack, but it’s based on the theme to a 1968 Peter Sellers film. “Fighting” is where the brothers excel, with loud driving guitar riffs and a catchy chorus. The band delivers more gems with the Kinks-like psyche-pop of “Ice Cream (Strange and Passing)” and “Fantastico Roberto.” The party atmosphere continues with “The Party Underground” with swirling guitar solos. It’s tough to find a favorite here since every tune hits its mark. It ends with a cover of Sparks “When Do I Get To Sing “My Way” and it too is glorious. Highly Recommended, and an easy pick for the top ten list of power pop for 2019.

Amazon

Extra: Redd Kross is funding a documentary on the band. Check it out at www.reddkrossfilm.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl4BtWCgvT0&feature=youtu.be

The Junior League

The Junior League “Adventureland”

Joe Adragna is back and he continues to impress under the moniker of The Junior League. His latest LP Adventureland starts strong out the gate with “Heavy,” led by thick guitar riffs that carry you away, and thick synths of  Scott McCaughey (Minus 5) keep it coming on “Have Faith In Yourself.” The feel is very similar to The Posies, Tommy Stinson or Bob Mould.

It shifts into bubblegum rock territory with “Falling In Love,” and with Tammy Ealom’s backing vocals it bounces along like a lost Tom Petty rocker. Joe’s riffs are direct and there are plenty of melodic rocking gems here. “Queen of the Dead” is a standout that will stick in your head, and “Town in a Box” is almost Nirvana-like with its heavy-pounding chords. “Delete and Repeat” adds a sugary sweet chorus to the dense guitars. Overall the songs are short and sweet, but most of all they are meant to be played loud. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Compilations: Pop Boomerang and The Co​​-​​Op Communique

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Chris Von Sneidern

Shake Yer Popboomerang “Volume 3”

Looking to hear the best new musical talent Australia has to offer? Then check out Popboomerang. Once again its compiled by label head honcho, Scott Thurling. It’s 36 tracks chock full of goodies, some of the bands are familiar like Even‘s brilliant “The Memory,” or the new-to-me artist The Umbrella Man‘s “The Likes of You.” Both these tracks hook you early on, other artists you should check out here: The Kariannes, Livingstone Daisies, Halfway, Danny McDonald, The Golden Rail, Vicuna Coat, Bryan Estepa, and the always classic DM3.

Since it is the entire label’s talent here, its not just power pop. You get some punk (Glomesh,) some indie-goth (The Glory Box, Wild Meadows,) classic pop (Charles Jenkins and the Zhivagos, Blackbirds FC,) or even sleepy balladry (Four Hours Sleep, Ryan Ellsmore). The batting average is good with this compilation. Bandcamp only


The Co​​-​​Op Communique

The Co-Op Communique “Volume 5”

Artist and producer DW Dunphy has once again delivered another “Communique” and its the strongest compilation yet. Caddy’s strong “Miracle Turn” sets the bar pretty high, but the lesser-known artists meet the challenge. Jerry Wood’s “When You Were A Child” is a real hidden gem and Science Park’s “Dot of America” is a catchy surprise. I recognized many power-pop faves here; The John Sally Ride, The Vapour Trails, Car City, Super 8, Tommy Sistak, Mick Terry, The Click Beetles, Everet Almond, Joe Sullivan, Nick Frater, Pop Co-Op and The Turnback.

You get the rare track that makes you scratch your head, but almost everything here is worth exploring. Dunphy has a lovely duet with Lindsay Murray (Gretchen’s Wheel) and Orbis Max original “Love Will Keep Us Together” is closer to George Harrison than Captain and Tennille. Then add a few metal tunes (Deliverance, Haven) and there you have it. An instant summer music collection. Get this now while it’s still a FREE download. Bandcamp only.

Chris Von Sneidern and The Doughboys

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Chris Von Sneidern

Chris Von Sneidern “Emerge”

Once part of the 90’s wave of great power pop artists, Chris Von Sneidern had virtually vanished by the beginning of the new century. His first three LPs are power-pop classics, but Chris changed musical direction with The Sportsman in 1999, and he’s self-released in small spurts since then. A cult favorite, he’s been the subject of a documentary and endless speculation. But that exile is coming to an end.

Emerge is very much a therapeutic type of album. The gentle “Madrigal” is an acapella prayer, which leads to the title track. Chris explains where he’s been, “Imagine feeling drowned/oppressed, confused, and bound” with some beautiful piano and horn flourishes. “Fight” is a brutal depiction of childhood, sounding like a Mark Knopfler narrative. Chris still has melodic gifts and “Tree Fort” is a great example with its layered chorus and marching rhythm. The big highlight “Hey Ron” is pure power pop; catchy and infectious – it’s what fans have been waiting for. While he doesn’t stay in that lane, Chris does have some really great soaring AOR songs like “Leaving Here” and “It’s Gonna Be Alright.” The dramatic requiem ballad “It’s Time To Go” and the acoustic folk “Why Didn’t You Save Me?” are also highlights. Not so immediate, it is one that needs to grow on you. I’m just glad he’s back, and you should check it out.

Bandcamp | Kool Kat Musik


The Doughboys

The Doughboys “Running For The Covers”

The Doughboys are veterans of rock and roll, so anything they play will sound good. The team of Gar Francis, Mike Caruso, Myke Scavone, and Richard X Heyman are a tight unit and they truly make these covers sound like their own. The band’s sound is very much in the mold of The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Animals.

The band picks songs that you don’t often see on cover albums. They totally own the opener “96 Tears,” and it sounds much better than the original. The Kinks “The Hard Way” and Neil Diamond’s “Solitary Man” stick to the Doughboys formula, as well as rarities by Tony Bruno, David Essex and even Mose Allison (!) Overall a really fun LP that will keep you entertained the whole way through. Go boys, go!

Amazon

Rob Laufer and Scott Gagner

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Rob Laufer

Rob Laufer “The Floating World”

LA producer, sideman, and songwriter-for-hire Rob Laufer is back with a well-rounded set of AOR songs on The Floating World. Rob was motivated to create the LP after the death of Tom Petty, where he follows a simple rule; keep your songs melodies uncluttered and direct.

“Avalanche” is a near-perfect opener, with his weary and soulful vocals over a slide guitar and piano melody that’s guaranteed to stick in your head. The songs are built out of snapshots of life, and beautifully composed; “Highway Machine” has an ominous sense of the future mixed with the joy of the open road. The album settles into a nice groove, with the psyche-lite gems “Space and Time” and “As Long As You Belong.” Petty’s influence is heard on “Hippie Love” and you hear a bit of Cat Stevens on “This River.” You’ll also hear some Beatlesque hints throughout. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Scott Gagner

Scott Gagner “Hummingbird Heart”

Following Scott Gagner’s highly acclaimed Pins & Needles, he went through several life changes, including a move to San Francisco. Joined by Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, Big Star) and newcomer Jesse Chandler (Mercury Rev) he touches on universal themes like childhood, fatherhood, mid-life crises, and more. 

“Bella” is a catchy gem that captures the joyful feelings about his baby girl. The bouncy “Baby Gets What Baby Wants” continues the story as the family travels to their new home, but Scott tones down his approach on “End of The Beginning,” with a serious lyric about the state of his life. The serious soul searching continues until things pick up with the jaunty “You Can’t Break a Broken Heart” and its jangling rhythm. “Two Guitars, Bass & Drums” is another highlight, with a terrific guitar solo midway through. The subtle touches on the Neil Young cover “Philadelphia” and the brilliant composition of “Just A Boy,” with its sweet backing vocals are also big highlights. While the heavy ballads seem to dominate here, Scott’s approach is earnest as he tries to “Put a Little Beauty” into this world. Highly Recommended. 

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Erk and a new Kai Danzberg video

powerpopaholic
Rob Laufer

Erk “When Night Meets Day”

German singer-songwriter Erk Wiemer is one of those great finds, who has quietly developed his talent and songwriting over the years. Hopefully, this album will let others in on his joyful love of classic pop and rock and roll melodies. He starts with the Motown styled “Living My Life Without You” and its infectious emotion and horns bathe the listener. His songwriting style is tightly crisp, and on “Taking My Time” he makes the duet with Diane Weigmann as sweet as sugar. His love of soft pop sounds come through on the Left Banke-styled “Malibu Beaches In Berlin” and the Wilsonesque “Rhapsody of You.”

Erk does not stick to a single style, so you get a little ska, a little jazz and even some doo-wop (on the title track). But when he hits that hook right, it’s amazingly catchy. “Chilly Winds Ahead” and “Better Sad Than Dead” are wonderful amalgams of The Beatles and Gilbert O’Sullivan. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Kai Danzberg is releasing his digital single “The Day” a duet with Lisa Mychols. This is in advance on his new EP “Euphoria” which will be released in late September.

Note: I apologize for the slow down in content this summer due to personal issues. I will ramp up more reviews soon.