Big Sunset and Richie Parsons

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Big Sunset

Big Sunset “Big Sunset”

Portland musicians, Jay Caruso, and JP Ramos are the core of Big Sunset, a five-year collaborative project. Both worked with a band called The Contestants, then Caruso explains “I really loved the way JP Ramos wrote and that our voices worked well together. I reached out to JP to see if he wanted to write some songs together. Both JP and I are huge Jellyfish and XTC fans.” And that comes across on this labor of love.

Starting with the swirling rhythm of “My Head Is Attached,” Big Sunset boasts a variety of instrumentation from strings, horns, organ and sets up the carnival-like atmosphere. “Beautiful” is a waltz-timed tune with a Jellyfish-like approach, but the melody isn’t as sticky as the hypnotic “The Night I Was Murdered” with its delicate acoustics and deep cello strings. This dream-like approach also works on “Wolfing” and “Invisible Men” is another highlight featuring Beach Boys-like harmonies and musical subtleties that recall ELO. While technically brilliant, it lacks the hooks that their influences possess. Still a worthy LP for fans of the genre, and it certainly deserves discovery.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Richie Parsons

Richie Parsons “Black Throated Blue”

Boston musician Richie Parsons is back with his new Kickstarter funded LP (produced by The Posies Ken Stringfellow, who also sings and plays on everything.) A full band is in the studio featuring Doug Harper (guitar), Frank Dehler (bass), Malcolm Travis on drums, and Parsons on lead guitar and vocals. Parsons approximately sounds like a combo of Jonathan Richman and Chris Stamey. The hi-energy opener “Beverly” captures Parson’s pop-rock sound perfectly. “Winter’s Dream” is another winner, a love song with a chugging melody and hook-filled chorus. And “Six Hours Ahead” name drops The Raspberries, as he goes to “a punk rock show.”

The album takes a somber turn mid-way on “Rainy Day” which has Bacharach-styled orchestration with horns and strings. The twang of “Here I Am” is a rootsy Western blues tune, and the Farfisa organ of “Tomorrow” is reminiscent of The Doors. The production is strong throughout the album, although it runs out of hooks toward the last few songs. Overall a very good album that’s highly recommended.

Amazon

Bill Lloyd and Creamer

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Bill Lloyd

Bill Lloyd “Working the Long Game”

Bill Lloyd has been a power pop paragon since his 1987’s Feeling the Elephant, but hasn’t emerged with new original music for a while. To remedy this he signed on to Spyerpop Records last year and put together a cover LP, Lloyd-ering. But now Bill brings us a classic LP that is his best yet. Each tune is carefully constructed, evokes all the right influences, and features guest songwriters Aaron Lee Tasjan, Buddy Mondlock, Graham Gouldman (10cc), Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick), and Scot Sax (Wanderlust).

Opening with the catchy “Satellite” it’s an easy going melody that recalls Tom Petty, then it goes straight to the glorious Beatlesque title track which explains Lloyd’s obvious persistence. Each song is a distinctive treasure, riffs disguise the subtle bass line of the joyous “Make That Face” and they work just as well with the acoustic heartbreak of the ballad “Wake Up Call.” There is a healthy dose of retro-hits like “Go To Girl” and “What Time Won’t Heal,” but when Lloyd rocks he doesn’t fool around. “Merch Table” is a solid rocker about playing live, he sings “It’s been a decade since you bought new music, got rid of all your old CDs/ You want to clutter up the house with new songs like these?” If it all sounds like this, then absolutely. No doubt here, it makes my top ten list for 2018 and is super highly recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby

Creamer

Creamer “Creamer”

Nashville singer-guitarist Philip Creamer is a new force to contend with in the power pop community. His distinct sound gets its style mining classic ‘70s influences, just imagine if Elton John joined Big Star playing The Raspberries. If that sounds like an earful, you are correct. Creamer starts with the epic scope of “Daydreamer,” with its gentle building melody, deep chords, and impressive crooning. And power pop fans will find the opening bridge of “Record Machine” irresistible with its “ooh-ah” bridge, riffs and handclaps that sound timeless. Creamer tends to extend his songs for both dramatic effect and musical variety, as demonstrated on the infectious “Drugs No More” and “Ride or Die.”

The album’s first half can do no wrong, and he starts to spread beyond the Power Pop and Glam genres on the second half. He gets funky on “Magic” where he’s looking for some “real rock and roll,” and dazzles with Queen-like bravado.  In fact, there isn’t a weak song on the album, except the overtly religious ballad “White Dove.” Overall another contender for top ten album of 2018. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Ho-Ho-Holiday Freebies and more

powerpopaholic

Tis the season that holiday singles start coming out. These are nice stocking stuffers for your latest Christmas music mix, a few freebies and some almost free. I expect more holiday music to come by next week too. Enjoy!





Mick Terry and Bird Mancini

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Extra Arms

Mick Terry “Days Go By”

Produced by Jim Boggia, Mick Terry’s sophomore album is bathed in love of Americana and Rock nostalgia. Mick’s crisp vocal approach reminds me of Neil Finn or Michael Carpenter. The opener “Rocking In The Photograph” shows its passion with magical guitar riffs adding emphasis to a wistful memory. A strong narrative supported by acoustic and electric follows on “Emily Come Back,” but I really liked “Stars,” an easy-going melody with just the right amount of slide guitar.

“Everybody’s Talking” takes a cue from Motown’s heyday and “Arthur’s Tale” is a unique arrangement with its player piano rhythm and subtle brass accents. My favorite track here is the unapologetic rant “Pop’s A Dirty Word” that asks kids to remember Bowie, Ronson, John Peel, and the Faces. Its got a bouncy hook and a message that resonates. Overall a really fine homage to AM radio pop of the past that deserves to be heard.

Kool Kat Musik


Bird Mancini

Bird Mancini “Dreams and Illusions”

The duo of Ruby Bird and Billy Carl Mancini are veterans of Boston’s indie scene and certainly meld many different pop styles at once. The opener “Congratulations” is a wonderful Elvis Costello/Tom Petty/Beatles hybrid composition with solid harmonies.  The strong guitar riffs lead “Don’t Blink” through dueling vocals that combine psychedelic Beatle-isms in a layered production. There is some dissonance with this approach, as the technique overshadows the melody. When a single vocal dominates it is preferable, like how Ruby shines on the catchy “It’s Already Done.”

The acoustic folk of “Recluse” is a neat spacey trip, and “Fault Line” lets Ruby explore some Motown R&B soul. But if you love power pop there are some highlights like the guitar and accordion gem “Wishing Well.” The album’s variety of styles means that it really does have something for everyone. Check it out.

Amazon | CD Baby

Ward White and Arthur Nasson

powerpopaholic
Ward White

Ward White “Diminish”

Ward White is back with the strong Diminish, and his emotional Bowie-esque vocals carry the album to different places with progressive rock and pop overtones. “Titans” starts with a strong sci-fi theme, but “Noise On 21” is even better with its combination of memorable chorus and instrumental excellence. White’s vocals are so well nuanced, he could probably sing the phone book directory and make it sound great.

White’s dramatic storytelling (a big strength) continues on “Back to The End,” and “Flood.” The snappy “Watch The Hands” is another gem with some very inventive lyrical phrases. Long-suffering protagonists and dark humor are the focus on “Uncle Bob (Akron)” and “Cowboy,” with the latter one of the most elegant compositions I’ve heard this year. Ward is an acquired taste, but very satisfying for those looking for a unique POV and solid musicianship. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Arthur Nasson

Arthur Nasson “Whack Mythology”

Indie singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Arthur Nasson is one of those prolific “should-be-famous” artists that deserve attention. With his latest Whack Mythology, he skewers convention on the opener “Superman” about how real heroes aren’t flying in the sky. Like Todd Rundgren or Randy Newman, Nasson’s melodic senses are evident in each song, on top of the fact that he plays every instrument and sings all the vocals.

The catchiness of “Books About It” shines through the organic styled production as a standout, and the soulful “Going To Mars” and “Out To Sea” are brilliantly written ballads. At times the echoing drums overshadow a song, like on “Sky Fell Down” but it helps the atmosphere on “All Seem To Hear.” Overall a very good album and Nasson is one of the few independent artists who deserve to be heard more often.

Amazon | Itunes