Valley Lodge and LowRay

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Valley Lodge

Valley Lodge “Fog Machine”

Since 2013 Valley Lodge was mostly recognized as a really good power pop band who supplied the song “Go” as the theme to John Oliver’s HBO show Last Week Tonight. However, with Fog Machine we need to bump up their status a little more. While the same flashy guitar riffs of that song appear in “Stand,” lead singer-songwriter Dave Hill goes the extra mile here to deliver a truly great power pop LP.

There are plenty of potential “hits” here. The layered harmonies and guitar melodies of “Stars Won’t Fall” start us out, and the super catchy “Come Back To Bed” is like a power pop version of Aerosmith. “I’m Gone” has sleigh bells, giving this gem a holiday feel. The glam guitars return for “It’s Alright” as “Keeping This World Alive” recalls The Raspberries. The band tunes go from testosterone-fueled chords to jangling rhythms but don’t fall into predictability with hooks everywhere. Honestly, not a dud amongst the 14 tracks here. Hard to find a single standout track, as each one is a jolt of high energy.  Not only highly recommended, but it makes my top ten of 2018 nominee list.

Amazon


Extra Arms

LowRay “Friends and The Fakers”

Minneapolis-based Americana rock duo LowRay, featuring singer/guitarist Daniel Fowlds and drummer James Irving produce a solid debut with more than its fair share of catchy rock and roll. The opening title track is a strong melody buoyed by chugging riffs and crisp harmonies. “Western Song” slows the pace a little, as Fowlds vocals resemble Jon Bon Jovi through its steady rhythm. The ballad “I’m Sorry” is a true emotional gem as he earnestly sings “doesn’t matter who’s right.” The catchy “8 Track Tapes” and “Waiting For You” both benefit from excellent guitar hooks.

While it can’t maintain the same level of catchiness all the way through, the musicianship is top notch. The ’70s styled strut of “Sooner Or Later” will have you yelling for more cowbell, and most of the songs here deserve repeat listens. Check out this talented band as they are officially highly recommended.

Amazon

Singles and EPs: Kai Danzberg, Leafy Seadragon, Jollys, Tad Overbaugh, Air For Ants, Winston-Salem

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Kai Danzberg (he knows all the right people) teams up with the queen of power pop Lisa Mychols for this awesome single.


Leafy Seadragon is like Florence + The Machine meeting Captain & Tennille, and the odd result is created by Allen Clapp (The Orange Peels) with Alison Faith Levy and Ray Newkirk. Very interesting!

The Jollys are a thick bass reverb-drenched rock group that sounds like you are literally in the garage inhaling the fumes. Great stuff here and it’s a FREE download.

Tad Overbaugh & the Late Arrivals are a 5-piece, heartland inspired, Rock ‘n’ Roll band from Boston, MA. Mixing their rock and classic country influences, driving down that highway of Americana, Alt-Country, and Southern-accented power-pop. Check out this FREE download!

We loved “Did You Know You’re Gold,” from Air for Ants. The remaining songs on their new EP Once Again with Feeling kind of wander around a bit, but we also really enjoyed “The Loner” and the gorgeous epic “CLG.” Excellent mood music. Amazon

Winston-Salem is a UK-based band in the proud tradition of classic folk-rock, power pop & alt-rock Americana. Think R.E.M mixed with a little Tom Petty. Single is out on Amazon

International Power Pop: The Innocents and Tommy Lorente

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The Innocents

The Innocents “Teardrop Kiss”

The Australian band the Innocents started out in Tasmania circa 1975. Originally called Beathoven, they achieved some fame and were considered the Aussie version of The Raspberries until they split up in 1981.  But now they are reunited and with producer Michael Carpenter onboard.  Teardrop Kiss proves that you can always come back home.

The original members & high school friends Charles Touber, Greg Cracknell and David Minchin form the core of the band, and because they have not broken through to US audiences, they remain a well-kept secret to many power pop aficionados. That might change, as the opener “Every Moment Matters” is a classic gem with jangling guitars and hooks similar to The Shoes recent comeback.  The styles shift slightly as “Strangers In The Park” has a rousing middle eight and “Teardrop Kiss” is led by a wicked bassline. The gorgeous ELO-like harmonies are a highlight on “You’re Not The Man” and “Change Of Scenery” boasts a very Jellyfish-like composition. The band seems to defy age until the weary final track “The Mouse That Roared.” This is a great album, highly recommended and worth seeking out!

Amazon.uk

Tommy Lorente

Tommy Lorente “Tommy Lorente & La Cavalerie”

There are few pure power pop artists from France, but Tommy is so busy we may not need more. Lorente knows how to rock, and shows it with each riff filled song with his band The Cavalry (La Cavalerie.) Unlike his recent solo work, this is all in the French language.  I’ve compared him to Kurt Baker, as they both take from the same rock influences. Even “J’ai Connu Mieux” starts with a “Johnny B. Good” riff, and “Ne Paire Pas de Nous” sounds like a French version of the Ramones.

But the limitations to this approach are clear, as lyrics become more important if the melodies aren’t that distinguishable. And if you don’t understand French, it just feels less compelling. I found a few standout tracks (in particular at the albums second half) like “Conquistador,” “Katrine” and the fuzzy filled guitar solo on “L’Opportuniste.” This is a great LP for Tommy fans and Francophiles, others may find that Stupefaction is more to their liking.

EP and Singles: Pat Buchanan, Clean Spill, Karla Kane, Armchair Oracles

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Pat Buchanan is a mainstay of the Nashville music scene and was a founding member of the well-respected power pop group Idle Jets whose 1999 release Atomic Fireball garnered rave reviews. Pat’s new single “Sandbox” is a look back at Brian Wilson’s late ’60s state of mind.

Get it at CD Baby | Amazon

Clean Spill is a Santa Barbara laid-back rock band that just pushes my buttons. These guys are literal beach boys; frontman Pat Curren’s dad is a world champion surfer, and he and bassist Geoff Shae, guitarist Cameron Crabtree, and drummer Charlie Fawcett can often be found out riding waves in between band practices. Get the full EP “Nothings On My Mind” on Amazon

The Armchair Oracles, Norway’s best-kept secret has a new single out! The band is Atle Skogrand (vocals/guitar), Jan Ove Engeset (bass), Charlie Wise (drums) and Bjorn Gamlem (guitar) and they’ve played at IPO festival, so you know they’re good! Get it on CD Baby | Amazon

Karla Kane is our final treat, an autumn gem written in England by Martin Newell (Cleaners from Venus)and performed/arranged in California by Karla and her pals; KC Bowman, Khoi Huynh, Bradley Skaught and Gina Sperinde. The song is being released in conjunction with the autumn issue of Big Stir Magazine (in which Kane interviews both Newell and Robyn Hitchcock).

Get it at Amazon