Major Label artists releases in 2015 – Part 2

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The big stars of rock/indie (some with power pop leanings) have come out of the woodwork this year and here are mini-reviews of some that I follow. If you missed it check out Part 1 of this.

 

Ben Folds

Ben Folds “So There” – Ben has slowly made his journey from piano popster to orchestral composer. He addresses this change on the poignant “Not A Fan.” But he still can make thrilling pop music buried under all those strings. Some good songs, but he eventually he goes to the full Concerto. At least Danny Elfman did it on separate albums. Listen to: “Phone in A Pool”, “Yes Man” Get it here.

The Fratellis

The Fratellis “Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied” – Huge shift in sound for the band; if you’re looking for another “Chelsea Dagger” go elsewhere. The grander, more dramatic  “Me and The Devil” and “Baby Don’t Lie To Me” sound a little like Supergrass. “Thief” is another standout here, and the funk bass on the circus-like “Dogtown” keeps it interesting. Unfortunately, it doesn’t consistently hit the mark. A good album, but it needed editing to make it great. Get it here.

Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams “Get Up” – The amazing Jeff Lynne does for Adams what he did for Roy Orbison; making him relevant to audiences again. Adams gets the full Wilbury treatment here with great catchy singles like “Go Down Rockin” and “That’s Rock and Roll.” Plus amazing ballads like “We Did It All” takes advantage of Adams sandpaper-vocal delivery. Its easy to see why Absolute Power Pop blog added this to his top ten. Proof Lynne always has the magic touch (with other artists.) Get it here.

Sleater-Kinney

Sleater-Kinney “No Cities To Love” – Legendary punk all-girl band returns. It’s a little more structured, less grungy, a decent reunion that delivers plenty of radio friendly songs that will appeal to the indie pop crowd. Bitching about the state of affairs on “Price Tag”,”Surface Envy,” and the catchy “A New Wave” are highlights.  Old fans will note it doesn’t reach the highs of 2008’s The Woods, but that’s okay – it’s a great starting point for new fans.  Get it here.

Major Label artists releases in 2015 – Part 1

powerpopaholic

The big stars of rock/indie (with power pop leanings) have come out of the woodwork this year and although a rare few made my Top 25 list (Tommy Keene, Chris Stamey almost made it) most have been putting out exceptional music:

 

Wilco

Wilco “Star Wars” – The band continues to pave its own course (a free download!), mixing the influences from newer (Radiohead) and older (Lou Reed, Beatles) bands. Plays like a stripped down rehearsal in spots, with little studio gloss. Solid release stands nicely alongside its post-2008 albums. Listen to: “More”
Get it here.

Squeeze

Squeeze “Cradle to The Grave” – The Tilbrook-Difford songwriting partnership continues to dazzle. While not as good as the 1980-90’s era, its damn close. A welcome return to form, and some real sweet gems here. Listen to: “Nirvana”, “Happy Days”
Get it here.

Jeff Lynne

Jeff Lynne’s ELO “Alone In The Universe” – This was hyped up quite a bit and even though I love Jeff and the ELO sound, it just didn’t impress me. Maybe he shouldn’t have re-hashed “Showdown” into “Love & Rain,” it sounds like ELO on autopilot. Oh well. Listen to: “Dirty To The Bone”, “Ain’t It A Drag”
Get it here.

Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson “Fast Forward” – Leave it to Joe to deliver excellent musicianship and great songwriting that sounds like a mature artist. No this isn’t rock or the early ’80s and the brilliant title track makes it clear. While a bit long and with a few jazzy filler tunes, this is still a good album for JJ fans. Listen to: “If It Wasn’t For You”, “Junkie Diva” Get it here.

The Top 25 Power Pop Albums of 2015

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This was a very good year for power pop. In a few cases, albums I previously gave a rank of “8” are included in the top 25 and others I ranked “9” dropped off compared to the rest (instead of expanding my list). Sometimes ranking an album “8” or “9” at the time is based on its immediacy and doesn’t take into account if its a grower (aka an album that grows on you). Also this year I’ve elected not to make a video, but will include my 30 minute radio show*, which plays some of the music from selections below:

TOP POWER POP ALBUMS

  1. Reno Bo “Lessons from a Shooting Star”
  2. Michael Carpenter “The Big Radio”
  3. Tommy Keene “Laugh In The Dark”
  4. Three Hour Tour “Action and Heroes”
  5. The Turnback “Are We There Yet?”
  6. Nick Piunti “Beyond The Static”
  7. Ryan Hamilton “Hell Of A Day”
  8. The Orange Peels “Begin the Begone”
  9.  Mooner “Masterpiece”
  10.  Sam Vicari “Giving Up”
  11.  Kurt Baker “Play It Cool”
  12.  The Connection “Labor Of Love”
  13.  Pop4 “Summer”
  14. Michael Sherwood & Christian Nesmith “Groovy Lemon Pie”
  15.  Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms “Heart String Soul”
  16. The Lunar Laugh “Apollo”
  17. Fireking “Double Trouble”
  18. Adam Levy “Naubinway”
  19. Ex-Norwegian “Pure Gold”
  20. Elvyn “Valley Of The Kilowatt Hour”
  21.  Coke Belda “Nummer Zwei”
  22.  Greg Pope “Fanboy”
  23.  Love Axe “South Dakota”
  24. Yorktown Lads “Songs About Girls and Other Disasters”
  25.  Late Cambrian “Golden Time”

TOP 5 EPS

  1. Andy Reed “Relay Vol.1” EP
  2. The New Trocaderos “Frenzy In The Hips”
  3. Hidden Pictures – California Plates
  4. Donny Brown “Hess Street”**
  5. The Zags – The Zags

BEST COMPILATION

International Pop Overthrow Vol. 18

Comment: One thing I noticed this year was several artists experiencing life altering events as inspirations for their music (Adam Levy, The Orange Peels, Ex-Norwegian) and some emulated the late 1970s for inspiration (Pop4, Andy Reed). But I still love a great melodic hook – and that’s what put them on this years list.

Tomorrow:  It was unusual to see so many rock veterans produce albums after long periods of inactivity, I will have a list and mini reviews of major label artists from 2015.
* Note: The radio show was made when my list wasn’t quiet finished, so please forgive any errors.

** Note: Technically this was a late 2014 album, but I reviewed it in 2015.

Merry Christmas!

powerpopaholic

I wish you all a peaceful, healthy and prosperous Holiday Season.

Enjoy this new Green Day holiday song!

Open your present! It’s Close to the Hedge, a collection of new and/or previously unreleased songs donated by the artists and friends of Pink Hedgehog Records. It’s a FREE download!

Please enter to win a 3-CD collection if you haven’t already. The Top Albums of 2015 list comes out December 28, 2015.

Enjoy this new Dent May holiday song!

It’s the Jingle Jangle Giveaway!

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giveaway

FREE TO ENTER! This contest is sponsored by the Power Pop Hall Of Fame ™. Now is your chance to win! Submit your name for a chance to win a set of three power pop CDs. The CDs are:

  1. “Jingle Jangle Pop” Assorted Artists
  2. The Honeymoon Stallions “The Honeymoon Stallions”
  3. Watts “Flash Of White Light”

Power Pop Hall Of Fame

A random drawing will take place at the headquarters at the Power Pop Hall Of Fame ™ on December 31st, 2015. All entries must contain a valid e-mail. Winner will be contacted by e-mail and must have a mailing address within in the United States.

Fill out my online form.
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