Cliff Hillis and Richard X Heyman

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Cliff Hillis

Cliff Hillis “Many Happy Returns” EP

The reliable Cliff Hillis is back with his new EP, starting off with “Time An Evangelist,” a riff powered gem about the times we live in, where “a sad politician don’t know right from wrong/and every day he changes what side he’s on.” The catchy title track is another winner built from a steady rhythm, infectious melody, and smooth guitar solo at the break.

From there Cliff takes it down a notch to the understated blue-eyed soul on “Superfluous” and subtle pop of “With All The World” with its sweet horn section. The power pop comes back with “Never In A Million Years,” and while each song is perfectly fine, it doesn’t hit the highs of last years Make Love Not War. Still, an excellent EP worthy of purchase.

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Richard X Heyman

Richard X Heyman “Incognito”

One of power pop’s DIY pioneers Richard X Heyman continues his musical journey. At the same time Richard works with The Doughboys, his 11th solo album was being prepared. Unlike his semi-autobiographical double album Tiers, the musical focus here is primarily on short guitar melodies. The jangling psyche-pop opener “Incognito” is a mood piece with some nice layered rhythms. Next, “A Fool’s Errand” is a great Heyman original, very much like his past solo work.

Heyman doesn’t rush things, and his craftsmanship is what sets him apart from other indie musicians. A multitude of bouncy, interesting songs are standouts; “And Then” utilizes Heyman’s skillful harmonies and Motown-influenced “So What” has its playful horn flourishes. And when it comes to solid pop-rock check out “Her Garden Path,” “Lift” and “Terry Two-Timer”. Like many veteran artists, he thinks about aging (“Miss Shenandoah Martin”) and political dysfunction (“Everybody Get Wise”). Overall a good representative of Heyman’s work and highly recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby

The Return of Big Star

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Big Star

Big Star “The Very Best of Big Star”

If you are a casual fan who only wants to know what all the big deal is over this early 1970s cult band, then start here. Although modern audiences rediscovered Big Star through the theme to That ’70s Show, the band’s short lifespan burned bright enough to earn the belated respect and influence generations of power pop artists.

From Memphis, Tennessee founders Chris Bell and Alex Chilton created a style that was part Beatlesque melody and part southern soul music, under the watchful eye of Ardent studio wizard John Fry. Most of the essential cuts are here, taken from all three studio albums fully re-mastered with liner notes authored by Robert Gordon. The perfect gift for your musically challenged friend when he asks you “What is Power Pop music?” Music snobs (you know who you are) should stick with the Keep An Eye On The Sky boxset.

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Roots of Big Star

Chris Bell and More “Looking Forward: The Roots Of Big Star”

We all know Alex Chilton was the leader of The Box Tops prior to Big Star, but less is known (or heard) about the origins of singer-songwriter Chris Bell. This album collects many of Bell’s “lost” recordings from his previous bands; Rock City, Icewater and The Wallabys. And for the hardcore Big Star aficionado, this is pure musical catnip.

Bell’s pre-Big Star output foreshadows what was to come  (“My Life Is Right” and “Try Again” were included in Big Star’s #1 Record).  Extensive liner notes interview Bell’s bandmates at the time, and a few nascent tracks like “Think It’s Time To Say Goodbye” and “All I See Is You” could’ve been Big Star hits. Mostly this is a fascinating collection, expertly produced by the folks at Omnivore Recordings. Highly recommended to Big Star fans.

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Friday Freebies: Robyn Gibson, Ed Ryan, KC Bowman and Vista Blue

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Bob of The Pops Vol.2 – The Juniper lead singer Robyn Gibson did such an impressive job with Vol.1, he decided to make more covers. Vol.2 was recorded from January to May, 2017 at the sofa studio in Leicester and at the Junipers’ studio, while the band weren’t watching. FREE download everyone, so sing along to The Monkees “The Girl That I Knew Somewhere”

Ed Ryan decided to give us a bonus track from his well-reviewed Roadmap album. It’s a new recording of a song he wrote with his old band The Rudies. Enjoy the crashing drums and quick riffs!

KC Bowman (Gigolo Aunts, Corner Laughers) is an undisputed pop talent that we hear from all too infrequently. It’s been ages since he’s done a solo album, but he delivers us two excellent pop singles here I am happy to share. Keep your eyes and ears open for more! KC – if you are reading, we would love a new full-length album, please.


Vista Blue is back with a selection of covers that’s sure to warm a power pop fans heart. From Big Star’s classic “Thirteen” to a rocking garage version of Depeche Mode “Dreaming Of Me.”

Plasticsoul and Cotton Mather

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Plasticsoul

Plasticsoul “Therapy”

Steven Eric Wilson took his sweet time to deliver Plasticsoul’s follow up to Peacock Swagger. The opener “My Heavy Soul” is the calm before the storm, the title track screams out with Wilson’s trademark heavy riffs. “They All Died Pretty” is another melody thick with layered guitars and “In Her Raincoat” adds layered harmonies to the Cheap Trick meets Big Star-like jangle.

For all the greatness of the best Oasis song Noel Gallagher never wrote “Come Down From Your Raincloud,” it takes a few curious twists. The forgettable bossa nova tune “The Girl of Many Tribes,” and the long “King of Hash” resemble Anton Barbeau’s experimental side. Thankfully the fast paced “Monkey On A Stick” brings things back with shades of Led Zepplin, and the fantastic “Keeping A Light On” and “Biff Bang Pow” take it to the next level. Overall, worth the wait and makes my nominee list for best power pop album of 2017. And hopefully, it won’t take another 8 years to deliver another album like this one. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp only


Cotton Mather

Cotton Mather “Wild Kingdom”

Robert Harrison’s mystical songwriting quest to create 64 songs that correspond with the 64 hexagrams of the 3,000-year-old Chinese book “I Ching” continues from last year’s The Death of Cool. The new LP’s opener “The Cotton Mather Pledge” is unapologetically power pop, with a fantastic guitar riff alongside its fuzzy synth and strutting vocals. The songs all vary in style, like the pop hook of “Hide yourself from me…” in the chorus of “Fighting Through” to the brooding, bass-led “High Society” where the instrumentation reaches a blistering piano crescendo.

Overall no real duds, and plenty of great catchy rock in “Better Than A Hit” and “Girl With A Blue Guitar.”  A few songs make an effort to tell a bigger story, like “King William” with its Lennonesque approach or the slow psyche-pop march of “The Army” deserve multiple spins to stick. And that may be the biggest complaint here, as good as it is – no song stands out or digs into your head immediately. Still, a very highly recommended album.

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The Greek Theatre and The Cool Whips

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The Greek Theatre

The Greek Theatre “Broken Circle”

Sweden’s premier West Coast psych-pop outfit is back. If you can stay awake during the seven minute plus instrumental opener “Fat Apple (at About Noon)” you will be treated to the pastoral prog greatness that is “Paper Moon” with sweet laid back harmonies and finely textured melody. The slower “Broken Circle” is a folk influenced gem with layers of banjo, vocals, and bass.

Vocally its part Harpers Bizzare and part Beach Boys, as Sven Fröberg and Frederick Persson weave the songs together into a tapestry of many moods. The title track shreds like Eric Clapton playing on a Free Design album and its another highlight. Fans of prog and folk will enjoy this, but if you are looking to “rock out” I’d pick something else.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Cool Whips

The Cool Whips “Baddies”

Portland band, The Cool Whips play a very bubble gummy style of power pop. Mainly using guitar and Farfisa, they churn out songs in the late ’60s tradition and Baddies is a perfect companion to their 2014 album Goodies. The first track is the slow tempo “My Old Man is A Drag” and it’s a psychedelic teenage rant that’s actually timeless.

The bubble gum is quite sticky with “The Peppermint Tree” and “There Must Have Been Sugar In It,” like a lost 1910 Fruitgum Company track. Then they shift a bit with “Field of Flowers” and the lead vocalist sounds like Elvis Costello here, so it’s a nice change of pace. Other highlights include the bouncy “Time Will Tell” and “Inside Outside.” This band serves its niche well, so check it out.