International Power Pop: Otto Niklasson Elmerås and Goodfellows

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Otto Niklasson Elmerås

Otto Niklasson Elmerås “Mono”

Otto is a Swedish multi-instrumentalist with a truly gifted talent for melody and his debut album Mono is full of 60’s inspired tunes that sound like a cross between Donovan, Nick Drake, and The Zombies. So, it’s no accident that Otto’s cover photo is a direct homage to Beatles ’65. The first song is the somber “It’s Over,” a hushed dirge with strings like “Elenore Rigby.” But the atmospherics aren’t always enough. Thankfully Otto can dazzle with subtle melodic twists like “My Weak Spot,” with its goose-bump inducing chorus or go full bore Beatlesque with “Wrong Side Of The Road.”

Otto also gives us a haunted waltz with “Lalala” and the memorable ballad “I Know I’ll Never Get It Right” that builds up with a very McCartney-like bass line. Additional highlights include the bouncy “It’s About Time” and the harpsichord ballad “Somehow They Lie.” For all these impressive songs, the album tone remains mostly downbeat. But if you are a fan of the retro-pop goodness, look no further.

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Goodfellows

 

Goodfellows “Ten Bites”

Spain’s Goodfellows came together in 1995 and through lineup changes and five albums, they have stood the test of time. With addictive melodies and strong guitar riffs, they are lead by Tomás Forns and David Cladera on guitars, Pepo Granero on bass, Miquel Gibert on drums, and Biel Palmer added as vocalist. With almost all the songs in English and no visible accent, it’s very accessible to American power pop fans.

The quick angular riffs on “My Kind Of Girlfriend” make it a great “lost hit” that you thought The Rubinoos did back in the day. I was most impressed by the Teenage Fanclub-like “Nada Que Objetar” and “She Was” with its melodic jangle and harmonies. “Good For Me” is another winner that recalls late-era Raspberries. While the album’s second-half struggles to maintain momentum, it still contains excellent music that deserves to be heard. And as with most Goodfellows LPs,  the CD packaging (designed like a mini pizza box) is also an inventive collectible.

Kool Kat Musik

Steven Page and Annie Dressner

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Steven Page

Steven Page “Discipline: Heal Thyself, Pt. II”

Steven Page was once the leading voice in one of Canada’s most successful melodic pop bands, Barenaked Ladies. After 2009, Page left the band and they’ve gone their separate ways. Enough water has passed under the bridge now for both Page and his old band.  Since Page was central to all those recognizable BNL hits, his solo work has gone in a different direction. The quirky subject matter of past is mostly gone and Steven faces more serious issues.

Page’s powerful tenor starts out slow and builds up to an impressive layered chorus in the opener “Nothing Special,” where he asks “What’s next?” and rattles off a series of timely fears (“Junior’s got a gun”) while stating “everything is fine.” Page does touch on political issues like “Where Do You Stand,” a soulful ballad and the single “White Noise” as a dual call to action to his audience about taking a stand against racism. One of the best songs here is the catchy “What I Got From You” full of strings, and a breezy melody with a jazzy horn interlude.

Page delves in bossa nova tempos and most of the songs hit their mark. Additional highlights include “Feelgood Summer,” the ELO-like “Shooting Star,” and the reflective dad advice in “Whistling Through The Dark.” This LP does require multiple listens to really appreciate all the details and the smart messaging contained therein. Highly Recommended!

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Annie Dressner

Annie Dressner “Broken Into Pieces”

It’s been several years since I heard from folk-pop artist Annie Dressner, and her music is a good palette cleanser if you’ve been listening to heavier stuff. Starting with the opener “Fades Away” it has all the right melodic sensibilities with cello chords and Annie’s gentle vocals. The production is solid and the bouncy “Heartbreaker” is a descriptive environment of an ex-lover and moving on, all set to a quick tempo. Fans of Lisa Loeb and Jenny Lewis will enjoy Annie’s storytelling abilities and memorable choruses.

Most of the songs deal with the aftermath of a failed relationship, as “Kentucky” and “Over and Over” wallow in self-doubt and insecurity. But the latter song’s chorus with Dan Wilde (backing vocals) has some lovely harmonies. It doesn’t always neatly fit into the folk-pop genre, as “Get Out” and “Falter” are more straight pop, helped out by Matthew Caws(Nada Surf) on guitar. But what’s most impressive is her brilliant lyrics; “Spinning round that old record that I loved/Played it too much and I broke it” on the reflective ballad “Paper Moon.” Overall a great album for those freshly broken hearts.

Bandcamp Only | Full release 10/26

Caddy and The Turnback

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Caddy

Caddy “Ten Times Four”

After 2015’s solid LP The Better End, Tomas Dahl took a break from songwriting and spent more time in his “day job” working long nights while spending part-time as drummer and guitarist for The Stanleys last year. Thankfully, holding back those musical impulses wouldn’t last long. In fact, it burst open to a flow of great power pop gems on “Ten Times Four.” There are tons of standout tracks here. From the grand opening chords of “Miracle Turn,” it makes a statement that cannot be ignored, with melodic guitar crunch familiar to fans of late 90’s mainstays Myracle Brah, Starbelly, The Shoes, and The Posies. “Somewhere Beautiful” starts with the lyric “First rule is lighting is everything…” And then it launches into the brilliantly catchy chorus. Continuing, it gently goes into the buzzing gem “Secret Hiding Place” a dead ringer for a lost Teenage Fanclub classic.

And the hits keep coming from the aptly named “Contagious” to the contemplative “In The Basement.” Not a single weak track, although the slow ballad “Roadblocks” feels like a sleepwalk until we get to a final burst of energy in “The Good Ones.” Overall an awesome feel-good experience for the ears. It happens every year in the fall when artists flood my inbox with great music to be considered for the annual top ten list. Caddy easily squeezes into the top of the list for 2018. Super duper highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Turnback

The Turnback “Spinning the Earth in Reverse”

The Turnback have gradually moved to a heavier power pop sound (think Foo Fighters) since 2015’s Are We There Yet?  The psychedelic touches are long gone, and that’s okay because we want this band’s sound to evolve over time, right?

The opener “Here I Am” has a catchy chorus and the requisite riffs that still make The Turnback a power pop favorite. Both leads, Todd Giglio and Kenny Sherman add a heavier riff and slight growl to “This Could Be Our Year,” and the Monkees-like verses make it more upbeat. It’s a sweet and salty pop mix that continues with “Hit And Run” and the impressive “She Walks On Gold.”

“What’s The Difference Anyway” and “Untitled So Far” are mid-tempo soul-searching songs where Kenny’s vocals really shine. The duo takes on political causes with “Stand For Something (Or Go Sit Down)” and it’s good, but taking on apathy isn’t exactly as revolutionary as their past gems (like “If I Were God.”) “Your Fragile Wall” does a much better job with the hooks. Overall a very good album. It doesn’t quite reach the highs of their past work, but it absolutely deserves to be heard.

Amazon | CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik

Friday Singles and Freebies: The Premiere of Faux Co! Vista Blue, Magic City, Ryan Allen, Reno Bo

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Exclusive Premiere! 

Chicago’s Faux Co. is the brainchild of songwriter Ben Mackey. Originally from Santa Rosa, California, Mackey has been writing 60’s influenced indie pop songs for a decade. This NEW single “Prozac Spaceman” is an exclusive Power Popaholic premiere. The core line-up of Faux Co is Ben Mackey, Trevor Pritchet and Chris Lee. This single has some great Rickenbacker strums and the melody flows along a catchy shaker beat. I can’t wait for the album!

The prolific Vista Blue is back with another great FREE downloadable album. This 6 song Ep contains much fun guitar crunchiness with a deep Beach Boys cut “It’s OK.”

Irish power popper Conor Lumsden from The Number Ones is Music City and here he’s playing every instrument on this A-Side ‘Pretty Feelings’ which sound like a lost Lindsey Buckingham track! Awesome! We want more Conor!

Ryan Allen and his Extra Arms are back and this advance track is just the start of his next release. This is a fantastic rocking track that just makes me salivate for the next song. Scream along and play air guitar to this one!

Reno Bo has some reflective ballads here to calm you after all that jumping around. Reno has a LOT of singles on his Bandcamp site, check out the Beatles cover and others.

Addison Love and Ken Sharp

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Addison Love

 

Addison Love “Thoughts on Lunch”

Huntington Beach, CA native Addison Love (Yorktown Lads) is a protege of Michael Simmons (Sparkle*Jets UK, Popdudes) and Big Stir Records proudly signed Addison with his first solo album. It starts with the classical piano prelude “Just One Minute” but goes into the bouncy Rubinoos-like rock of  “Anything’s Right.”

Love has all the right influences, as these songs have both modern and retro touchpoints. Beatles and Beach Boys are primary here with an authenticity that reaches out through each tune. Some tunes feel a little underbaked, but Love’s multi-tracked harmonies shine and elevate nearly all the music. “I Think You’re Swell” combines the Beatlesque touches with some nice guitar work. Some added highlights include “Wee & Nancy Lee” and “Like The Beatles” (featuring guest vocals from Simmons.) Several ballads highlight Love’s romantic side, and the gentle “She” is the best of these. A strong debut, and hopefully we’ll hear a lot more from Addison in the future. Check it out!

Amazon | Big Stir Records | Kool Kat Musik


Ken Sharp

 

Ken Sharp “Beauty in the Backseat”

Ken Sharp returns to an LP format with more of a Philly Soul/Todd Rundgren influence here. As with his last LP New Mourning he has enlisted the help of Fernando Perdomo, plus some additional special guests. On the opener “Rock Show” has a steady synth keyboard melody and a guitar work by Ace Frehley, next “Mona Lisa Smile” boasts a key assist from Kasim Sulton (Utopia) and it’s a playfully layered composition.

Sharp doesn’t stick in one spot, as the bubblegum pop “Lemons to Lemonade” and “No One Seems To Stay Together Anymore” are catchy highlights. Some inspired 70’s styled songwriting shows on the breezy pop of “Pull The Strings” and “Closer.” There are a few tributes here, from “The Day That David Bowie Died” to “I Wanna Be David Cassidy.” In some spots, Ken’s vocals are just too soft. “Ring On Your Finger” and “Listen To Me” are great tunes that need a more forceful vocal, or supporting vocals. In a bit of musical wish fulfillment, John Oats (Hall and Oats) lends his signature background vocals (baritone and falsetto) on the ’70s soul “Philly Kind Of Night.” My favorite here “The Hardest Part” is a solid power pop mid-tempo gem with all the trimmings. There are just enough great tunes mixed in with the indulgences to make this a Highly Recommended album.

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