What do you get when you combine power pop pros Kai Danzberg and Dana Countryman? Probably one of the sunniest, most optimistic slices of pop ever, and a perfect theme to start your summer. Get this gem today!
Trip Wire‘s founding duo Marty Schneider and Bill Hunt are joined by newer band members Stu Shader on drums and Jeff Shelton (The Well Wishers) on bass. This is a great new single from the band. Check it out!
David Myhr‘s new LP remains on my summer playlist. Check out the album review here. And this is his new video for “My Negative Friend”
Another prominent pairing is this special single from The Red Button featuring the legendary Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits). It was a truly an A&R miracle thanks to Marty Scott of JEM Records. Get the single here.
Oh boy, if you ever were a fan of Todd Rundgren’s Utopia then have I got an album for you. I heard a lot of buzz about this album from several people, and in some sense, it does live up to the hype. Astral Drive (aka Phil Thornalley) creates a sonic love letter to all those Todd fans who pine for those late ‘70s early ‘80s grooves. The opener “Love Is Real” uses all those classic synth lines to create a sunny slice of perfect pop. “Wishing I Could Change” is almost Phil Spector-ish in its grand production, but it also reminded me of ’90s one-hit wonders New Radicals and this sound is also quite evident on the catchy “Summer of ‘76” with a soulful pop sound that deserves to be a huge radio hit. If any complaint can be made, it sticks a little too close to its original influences.
The album slowly moves away from catchy singles to longer glossy, cosmically themed indulgences. The blissful harmonies start out on “Walls and Bridges” before it heads into the title track “Astral Drive,” a multi-layered epic that you can get lost in with its extended guitar solo that drifts off. “Child Of The Universe” and “No One Escapes” sounds like they fell of Utopia’s POV album. Overall, no filler tunes here and after several listens, you will find the magic of the melodies below all that studio wizardry. Highly Recommended.
Rob Bonfiglio (Wanderlust) has been making great music since 2006, and his experience as musical director and guitarist for Wilson Philips has only helped focus his own musical vision. On his fifth LP, he really hits it out of the park, with his rich multi-layered harmonies and catchy radio-friendly melodies. From the opener “Passenger Seat” and title track “Trouble Again” it centers on the big guitar riffs and a style that marries 70’s Southern California rock with 80’s melodic pop.
A big highlight is “Spread This Feeling,” a joyful love song that brims over with “Ooh La La” Beach Boys-styled harmonies and brilliant guitar rhythms. Rob has a soulful lead vocal that’s designed for cranking the volume up and jamming with air guitar. He gets all AOR funky on the breezy “Gone” and then comes “Tears” with its mix of soft pop and a heart-tugging chorus that demands multiple listens. And it doesn’t let up, without a hint of filler. Music Critic Bob Leggett mentioned that this is a “must-get” album and I wholeheartedly agree. In fact, it’s an easy pick for my top ten album list of 2018.
The Paperweight Array – Aaron Hemmington (The Sunchymes) is part of this prog-pop trio from the UK. This new 3-song EP has many influences from XTC to Genesis to Pink Floyd.
Bad Athlete is 4-piece power pop band from Norman, Oklahoma that really feels like a lost Weezer EP. Check out the dense guitars on “Yeah” and “Lonely One” Cape Cartel is a really impressive Canadian band that sounds like a mix of Belle & Sebastian and The Moody Blues. Full of harmonies and alt. rock coolness, check out “Oh Christ.” Oh yeah, this is a FREE download.
DW Dunphy has another terrific compilation for us as Volume 4 of the Co-Op Communique collects some great power pop, rock, punk, and indie folk. Contributions from Gretchen’s Wheel, The Well Wishers, Paul Melancon, The Click Beetles, Soper 8, Phil Yates and much more. A massive 57 tracks and its all a FREE download.
Noted author and Washington Post sportswriter Dave Sheinin has a not so secret life as a musician. His debut album First Thing Tomorrow has earned kudos from his fellow writer and podcaster Matt Nordlander. Oh, it also doesn’t hurt that he’s got a crew of great musicians assisting him (notably Andy Bopp). Sheinin has a fondness for Jellyfish in his opener “Lies,” however most of the music sticks to an easy-going pop jangle like on “Oh Amelia.”
“Little California” has pleasing Beach Boys influence, but he hits it out of the park on the power-pop gem “Talking To Myself” which is a well written Carpe Diem message with a solid guitar melody. The ballads don’t resonate as well, and Sheinin’s vocals aren’t remarkable, but the honest lyrics often elevate the production. “City You Left Behind” and “Goodbye City” are additional highlights. Check it out!
Sydney power pop musician Michael Carpenter may have “retired” from solo records, but he’s been extremely busy these days. He’s done a Tom Petty tribute, and he dusted off one of his older projects with musician Mark Moldre, called The Supahip. Last heard back in 2007, Carpenter makes it sound like little has changed, and he plays with a relaxed confidence here. The timeless Beatlesque qualities are evident from the very start of “Running Blind,” with its swirling guitar chords.
The winning rumble of “Motor” is a layered guitar gem, with some great reverb-heavy rhythm. “When I Started Falling Apart” sounds like a lost Travelling Wilburys tune. The heavy country guitar riffs on “Let It Go, Brother” suit Carpenter well, and the growing catchy bluegrass like stomper “Got To Keep On Moving” is another toe-tapper. The weary ballad “You Can’t See Me” and the Kinks-like “The Only Living Boy In New York” have just as much care and heart as anything The Honeydogs have ever done. Not a single note of filler here, and considering the quality of the tunes it makes my top ten list for 2018. Super Highly Recommended.
The classic Matthew Sweet style of pop gems continue, as these songs were written during the sessions from last year’s Tomorrow Forever. Sweet has the same team helping out on his 13th release, with Debbi Peterson (Bangles), Ric Menck, Paul Chastain (Velvet Crush) and John Moreman (The Orange Peels). The openers “Belong To You” and “Run Away” recall the Girlfriend era and these memorable melodies are sure to please longtime fans.
“Lady Frankenstein” churns along, along with its fuzzy guitar rhythm, and “Out of My Misery” keeps those hooks coming. Like the previous LP, nothing here breaks from the conventional, nor does Matthew visit the textured experimentations of Modern Art. But that’s okay because you get a solid group of songs that fit perfectly into Sweet’s impressive discography.”Now Was The Future,” speaks to Matt’s state of prolific status, “Maybe ’cause I was born here, I’m also harder to kill…” Other highlights include “Ever After” and “Passerby.” Highly Recommended.
Power pop often is referred to as music that worships the relics of the 60’s classic rock era. With that caveat, Max Clarke eagerly wears these pop influences on his sleeves. Clarke recreates the sound of The Everly Brothers perfectly on Hollow Ground. It’s a fine balance of authenticly produced sound and original songwriting.
“How Can It Be” has those steel pedal lap notes and precise harmonies that make it irresistible. “Don’t Want To Say Goodbye” has a twang and jangle melody and the sweetness of “Til Tomorrow Goes Away” displays a catchy casual bounce. The country blues of “Think I Might Be In Love” and doo-wop rhythm of “Cash For Gold” are also memorable highlights. Fans of retro-pop rejoice, this one is highly recommended.
