Popdudes and Populuxe

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Popdudes

Popdudes “Maximum Rock Stupidity”

This is a bonus CD for buyers of the John Borack penned “Shake Some Action 2.0” book and its a nice mix of classic power pop covers and a few originals. The Popdudes, are essentially author John Borack and Michael Simmons with several high profile guests: Robbie Rist, Michael Carpenter, Kenny Howes, and Torbjörn Petersson. Borack and Simmons know what makes great power pop, and they bring their “A” game to originals like “Joe Sincere.” I wish there were more than a handful here.

The band does a crack job with Cheap Trick, McCartney, ELO, Matthew Sweet and many others. While several covers are faithful, I like the ones that are slightly off-center; like Kenny Howes version of Abba’s “Waterloo” done as a hard rocker. I also love that they go for a few deep cuts, like George Harrison’s “Ding Dong, Ding Dong” or Walter Egan’s “Magnet and Steel,” an outtake from the Drink a Toast To Innocence compilation.  Highly Recommended.

Good Music Guy

Download the sample “High”

Popluxe

Populuxe “Lumiere”

Brooklyn based Populuxe is vocalist/writer Rob Shapiro, drummer/percussionist Mark Pardy, bassist Mike Mallory and several studio musicians over the years. They bring together a creative soundscape, which gets influences from XTC, Paul Westerberg, Steely Dan and more.

The band’s attitude is shaded with darkness on the opener “Lady Liberty” and it felt like a lost David Bowie track. Next, the brilliantly written “Garage Sale” is a closer match to Black Sea-era XTC, and its a highlight with its quirky percussion and dense chorus. It then mellows out on the bongos and strums of “Schoolyard” before it takes a weird turn on the 8-minute opus “How Long’s It Gonna Take,” with little jazzy guitar elements. At first annoying, I found myself singing the chorus. “Behind Enemy Lines” and “Beat It, Eric” are both built from solid bass and drum structure, with angular guitar leads. After a few spins, I really liked it, as it reminded me of the band Sugarplastic in spots. But there are no hooks to draw you in right away, so while the arrangements are really good you need time for this one to grow on you. Check it out.

Amazon | CD Baby

Ronny Tibbs and Luther Russell

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Ronny Tibbs

Ronny Tibbs “Lone Fry”

Detroit singer-songwriter Ronny Tibbs charms you right away on “30-Year-Old Boy,” a fully orchestrated slice of perfect piano pop along the lines of Nilsson, McCartney, and Brian Wilson. Then “All She Wrote” starts quiet and grows into a rich guitar theme. He then takes an abrupt turn into synth-pop with “Sunlight,” not a bad song but it does throw the momentum off.

“Watching Annie Over” gets a little glammy, before the great mid-tempo “Mona Lisa” with its layered strings, rich piano chords, and detailed flourishes. It takes another Sparks-like detour before we get to the Wilco-like “Picture of Us,” and Tibbs strained vocal here helping build the story’s authenticity. The final tracks “Black Party Girl” and “Breakout” are good, but fail to reach the earlier highs on the album. Overall, a really good debut. And you should pay attention to Mr. Tibbs. He’s a star waiting to burst out any moment now.

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Luther Russell

Luther Russell “Medium Cool”

L.A. musician Luther Russell is not a big-time rock star, but he should be. He’s been played with Jakob Dylan (before he joined the Wallflowers) and was in several bands; The Freewheelers, Federale, and The Relationship. He most recently collaborated with Big Star drummer Jody Stephens on Those Pretty Wrongs. And he certainly has absorbed The Big Star sound into his new solo LP Medium Cool.

The opener “Deep Feelings” has a great bass line, and the opening guitar riffs recall Chris Bell’s technique perfectly. The R&B chugging “Can’t Be Sad” is like a lost Elvis Costello hit and one of the stronger songs here. Often the songs go long, with extended guitar jams, which linger in your head. Both “The Sound of Rock and Roll” and “Corvette Summer” are iconic rock themes that sound great. However, it fails to keep the momentum fresh on the albums second half, and things start to get too familiar. “Sad Lady” is a rare standout that sounds like Bruce Springsteen joined Big Star. Overall, some great music here to explore. Check it out.

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Two Sheds Jackson and Popravinas

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Two Sheds Jackson

Two Sheds Jackson “Some Kinda Life”

This German band made a big impression with me several years ago, so I was excited to hear this full-length LP. Opening with a very ELO-influenced “Weekend” it shares some production qualities with Long Player, but Two Sheds has a more varied palette. The subtle ballad “Where The Sunflowers Reign” and “A Life Supreme” has strong orchestration and the latter has a slick hook with a smooth guitar solo. You’ll also hear elements of 10cc, Sparks, and Paul McCartney perfectly referenced, without being an homage.

The band does a great job setting a mood with little snippets like “September Rain” and delivers great AOR pop gems like “Kiss and Say Goodbye,” “Trip The Light Fantastic,” “Some Kinda Love,” and “Prism of Time.” Incorporating the last EP, the band collaborates with several pros like Vinnie Zummo, Rick Hromadka, Luke Jackson, Roger Klug, and the late Wim Oudijk. And with these excellent songs, it lifts the entire set to a “must-buy” if you missed the earlier EP.

With 22 tracks, there is alot here to absorb. Maybe too much as we get several tracks of filler sprinkled in spots, but it’s hard to find any real duds here. Kool Kat is offering the LP along with the band’s first album bundled at a special price. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik

Popravinas

Popravinas “Willy Nilly”

The memorable Eddy Sill and his band are back with their heavily anticipated third album Willy Nilly. The Popravinas have a great classic rock sound, with nods to The Stones, Wilco and Old 97’s. The tight guitar licks and reliable melodies are also comparable to The Connection and Lannie Flowers. “Talkin’ Out Loud” is a great opener, laid back and catchy with a killer hook. They up the jangle on “Tim’s Basement” an ode to their favorite place to hang out and some great twang enters the weary gem “Put It All To Bed.”

The great thing about the Popravinas is that they’re never boring, and the band picks up the tempo on “Dun’ Me In” with its vocal harmonies and references to life on the road. The best tune here is the driving “Sofia (CMU)” about an old girlfriend that will have you singing along. You can’t ask for anything more from these guys. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby

Singles & EPs: Tommy Sistak, Telephone Lovers, Nick Bertling, Baby Scream and Vapour Trails

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First, we got Tommy’s good hat — now we have “A Good Friend.”

Classic power pop guitars! “Two Dollar Baby” is what these singles cost, and its worth every penny!

Nick Bertling brings out his jangling guitars and fuzz melodies in this fantastic EP. “As One Again” is a standout!

Juan Pablo’s tortured Lennonesque melodies float into your brain on this EP. Lovin’ “Fake It Till You Make It.”

Brilliantly indie pop with jangle that will help you find “The Inner Truth.” Hey, it’s a FREEBIE too!

R. Stevie Moore and Screen Test

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R. Stevie Moore

R. Stevie Moore “Afterlife”

R. Stevie Moore isn’t exactly a household name, but he might just be the most prolific musician in America. With a career spanning 50 years and over 400 albums, Stevie is a pioneer of DIY low-fi bedroom pop and is finally starting to be recognized for his innovative music.

Pulling some of his best work from his massive catalog, Afterlife is an upgrade from the original lo-fi recordings, as they are re-recorded in a full studio. All recordings were made in the past 15 years, some compositions date from the 1970s to the 1990s, and there are a few new songs. This is the closest thing RSM has to a “Greatest Hits” album. And some famous fans help contribute; Ariel Pink, Jason Falkner, Lane Steinberg, and Chusid.

The studio polish really shines these old melodic gems, like “Irony” with its wonderful jangling rhythm and overdubbed harmonies. “Pop Music” and “The Winner” all maintain their subversive humor and are darn catchy too. Jason Falkner fans will recognize his touch on “National Debate” and  “Another Day Slips Away.” In addition, Lane Steinberg’s “What Will I Do With The Rest Of My Life” is enhanced by RSM’s chorus and his Beach Boys tribute “Here Comes Summer Again” could’ve been part of their 20/20 album. Highly Recommended.

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Screen Test

Screen Test “Through the Past Brightly”

When The Flashcubes split in 1980, bassist Gary Frenay, guitarist Arty Lenin, and drummer Tommy Allen continued making music as Screen Test. The band had plenty of music left in them and released Inspired Humans Making Noise a year later. And while central New York was a loyal fan base, it couldn’t help the band get signed to a national label. But like their previous band, it was music too good to be buried in the past for long.

Through The Past, Brightly serves up some of the band’s best music, starting with a standout “Notes From Trevor,” a power pop gem with plenty of riff muscle. “Best Seller” is another great tune that layers guitars and thick percussion, with an Elvis Costello-like lead vocal. This is terrific power pop in its 80’s prime, and add to this covers of Emitt Rhodes “Fresh As A Daisy” and Greg Kihn’s “Hurt So Bad.” Occasionally the excesses of the 80’s production conventions on “My World” and “There’s No Place Like Work” make it dated, but most of the music is timeless, especially the standout “Make Something Happen.” For fans of 1980’s power pop, this is a no-brainer. Highly Recommended.

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