Jake Pinto and Chris Church

powerpopaholic
Jake Pinto

Jake Pinto “Sad Songs For Happy People”

This debut from Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Jake Pinto (EMEFE) certainly pushes the right buttons, produced by Grammy-winner Ed Spear (Brandi Carlile, Lady Gaga). Pinto has a sound that evokes the mid-70s era, with influences that recall John Lennon, Randy Newman, and a touch of Lenny Kravitz. The result is a series of eclectic blues-flecked indie rock tracks.

Jake opens with the breakup tune “Gone,” which establishes the tone, but it really picks up with the bouncy gem “Sit and Listen” about infatuation with a new love, despite that he doesn’t “really listen.” Pinto is adept at making singalong blues anthems like “Home” and a brilliant melody about disappointment on “Whatever Happened?” Other highlights include the rocker “She Won’t Be Waiting” about the perils of online dating. However, several songs linger a bit too long or just don’t have the hooks. The lyrical turn on the ballad “In The Ground” is prime Newman territory, and Pinto clearly is an emerging talent that deserves to be heard. So check out this album.

Amazon

Chis Church

Chris Church “Radio Transient”

Chris Church again changes his sound for Radio Transient, as the opener “GCRT” recalls a 1980s vibe, but with a much more jangling guitar. “Going ‘Til We Go” also follows this template, which recalls The Loud Family, Lindsey Buckingham, The Fixx, or even Utopia in spots. The quick tempo, angular guitars, dramatic synths, and commanding beat (thanks to Nick Bertling) draw you in. “I Don’t Wanna Dance with Me” will have you involuntarily moving.

In a little stylistic break, Bill Lloyd helps out on the magical mid-tempo “One More Chance To Get Over You,” which is loaded with emotion and so catchy, it deserves to be a big hit. Chris does a great job with the compositions and seems to have found his sweet spot vocally. It’s one of those albums that really grows on you after repeat listens, especially the songs “Already In It” and “Far Too Late.” No real filler and Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Big Stir Records

The Tearaways and Patty & The Oh’s

powerpopaholic
Real Sickies

The Tearaways “And For Our Next Trick”

California power pop super group, The Tearaways are back. The band features the dual lead singers of bassist John “Fin” Finseth and rhythm guitarist Greg Brallier, lead guitar David Hekhouse and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer Clem Burke (Blondie). They start out with the R-rated Beatlesque rocker “Are you Fucking Kidding Me?” and “Not Good Enough For Me” starts out like The Bobby Fuller Four and devolves into a Who-like jam at the end. The band’s influences are baked in, but the songs have their own unique sound.

“No Love Lost” is a brilliant melody similar to The Weeklings, but they find other compelling directions like “Let Me Be The Last” or “Emotional Distance.” The drummer tribute “Charlie, Keith and Ringo” and the bouncy “Saturday Everyday” are both power pop gold with their crisp harmonies and sugar-filled choruses. The album boasts consistently great music from beginning to end, so it will easily fall into my Top Ten album nominee list for 2023. Super highly recommended.

Amazon

Real Sickies

Patty & The Oh’s “Out of Everything”

Patty & The Oh’s are a jangly, melodic band with a touch of quirky zen. While based in Seattle, the sound merges with plenty of Southern folk rock influences. Frontman Patrick Weatherly isn’t afraid to address the pressing issues that our society as a whole is currently grappling with, but the band’s pragmatic approach delivers a positive vibe overall. “Out of Everything” is a perfect example of this, with its infectious groove. In addition, the cynical jaded world we live in can weigh you down, so you may as well focus on a “New Flavor of Gum.”

The slow building “A Little While” has a Wilco-like quality as it bursts into a near-grunge experience. The sadness of “Societal Collapse Doo Wop” is another momentary downer, before we hit those conspiracy theory nutjobs on the singalong “Rabbit Hole of the Absurd.” Not everything here sticks, and it runs out of gas towards the end. However, Patrick has fine wit and a way with melody. This is definitely a band that deserves to be heard.

Amazon

The Power Popaholic Interview: Emilia Suárez

powerpopaholic

Emilia Suárez

Aaron has a chat with Emilia Suárez, the actress and singer who just released a new video this past week. She has videos for “Timing” and “Lil Ghost” posted. She is working on a full EP which is due out by summer. Emilia has been singing on the Hulu series “Up Here” and appears in the recent Zach Braff film “A Good Person” (2023) with Morgan Freeman and Florence Pugh.
🎸 Visit this link to get the single: Amazon
Visit this link to hear Emilia on the “Up Here” soundtrack: Amazon
See the “Timing” video here. Her first song “Lil Ghost” is below.

Last Day in March Goodies: Lost Hearts, Novelty Island, The Blakes, Everet Almond, Canadian Invasion, Dazy

powerpopaholic


The debut single “Hate Yourself” by Nashville’s Lost Hearts is radio ready gem with a swaggering rock n’ roll attitude.  Max Frye’s vocals are set against a pounding guitar background and relentless energy as he sings about a toxic relationship with a former partner. Next, Novelty Island is one of those bands on the cusp of greatness (and another LP) but we have a single “Eureka, I Can See!” that will tide us over. The Blakes released some out-takes that are so good, I wonder why we haven’t heard more, as “What You Own” kicks ass. Everet Almond has discovered a very groovy Clavinet on the cool single “Insanity,” and veteran band Canadian Invasion delivers a nice freebie, Your Favorite Lies EP. I really liked “The Charms of Adeline” with its pedal steel guitar. And finally, Dazy is back with another EP of fuzz-drenched goodness called Otherbody. Check out “Every Little Thing,” “ESTAO,” in fact this is good all around. Don’t be an April’s Fool, and get this fresh batch!






Ed Ryan and The Decibels

powerpopaholic
Ed Ryan

Ed Ryan “A Big Life”

Multi-instrumentalist Ed Ryan is back with his most accomplished album to date. Starting with “Settle Down” it’s a rhythm-driven rocker, with a big finish full of handclaps and optimism across his multi-tracked vocal. The songwriting here is very strong on “As I Am,” and the slowly building “Wonder” boasts some excellent guitar work throughout. The latter is the best song on the album, as he states defiantly “I’ll never grow old.” Ed’s vocal struggles to keep up with the heavier rockers like “Mary Anne,” but the title track “A Big Life” makes good use of the story-like narrative and his verses here are great.

Ed has fun on the catchy “You Keep Me Up All Night,” as it’s very reminiscent of the gems Dave Edmunds or Nick Lowe used to produce. The finale show-ender “Overnight Romance” has a great bouncy beat, and tosses in the kitchen sink musically. Like a heavier version of  Solomon Burke’s “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love,” it’s a real crowd-pleaser. There are enough gems here to make this album highly recommended. Enjoy!

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


The Decibels

The Decibels “When Red Lights Flash”

The Sacramento band has lightened up a little on its latest release, which started life during COVID with the jangling gem “Why Bother With Us?” While things are poppier with “Enough” and more 80’s retro-influenced than previous albums. But the band has a timeless sound that stands out on “There’s Just Something About You,” with its easy-flowing melody. The percussion drives a lot of the songs and for the most part, it’s all in under 2 minutes. But sometimes the vocals get buried under the guitars, like on “He Thinks He’s Right (But He’s Wrong)” or the vocals just don’t match the intensity of the playing (“Say Goodbye”).

Despite that, there are plenty of highlights here, like the catchy harmonies of “In Remembrance,” “Today Is Your Day,” the Raspberries-like “Looking Back” and “This Might Be The End.” Workman-like power pop that definitely deserves to be heard.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik