Mike Viola and The Successful Failures

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Mike Viola

Mike Viola “Paul McCarthy”

If there is anyone who’s well-loved in power pop circles, it’s Mike Viola. As a producer, he’s pushed artists like Panic! at the Disco, Andrew Bird, Ryan Adams, Jenny Lewis, and Mandy Moore to higher levels. As a musician, he’s built an amazing catalog of albums, both solo and with his band The Candy Butchers. And it’s Mike’s voice on that American pop classic “That Thing You Do!” written by Adam Schlesinger.

After several “quiet” years, Paul McCarthy has Viola clearly exploring his relationship to pop stardom and fame. “Bill Viola” gives us a slice of this past, expecting rock stardom, one foot in the future, and one foot in the past as he blurs narrative lines. His hard rock style on “Water Makes Me Sick,” notably recalls Joe Walsh as an inspiration. “Love Letters From A Childhood Sweetheart” is another solid ballad, about looking back to what could have been. The compelling guitar lines on “Scientist Alexis” have serious heft, but lack the hooks it really needs. But no matter, the title track “Paul McCarthy” is a fun imaginary tale of joining The Beatles at Shea Stadium, complete with a dreamy chorus “Do know you’re alive?” Viola coasts, then he immerses himself in the buzzing “Torp” with its bass rhythm and an earnest chorus. The awesome “You Put The Light Back in My Face,” recalls the great solo rocker of his past. Viola remains a dynamic artist that keeps his music fresh, and that’s what makes this album great, and always highly anticipated by fans. Highly Recommended.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLDcvhWGnM8

The Successful Failures

The Successful Failures “Wrong Together”

The 10th LP from New Jersey’s Successful Failures finds lead singer/songwriter Mick Chorba still knows how to jam with the best of them. The potent mixture of rootsy, indie-rock is evident in the opener “Millions of People.” It’s a great start, full of catchy riffs and inspirational lyrics. In the next tune, it goes into a less optimistic “Sunny Side of Town” with a little more twang and sadness. From there it feels more like a mixed bag. In some cases, the band recalls its earlier, grungier incarnation on “New City” and “The Worst of Our Kind.” Things seem to drag after this, with the simplistic “It Is the Rain” feeling like a kiddie rocker.

It seems to get more fun with the loose chorus of “Kids from Queens” which includes a blistering solo in the coda. The blues come back in “All I Really Want” and Chorba excels at this too. The ambitious “I Am of the Stars” proves the band does really good operatic rock with notable piano and guitar call-and-response. “Flying Cowboys” is a strong final track, and while this album isn’t as consistent as previous ones it boasts several great tunes. Still, a band that deserves to be heard.

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Mid April Goodies: Les Lullies, The Genuine Fakes, The High Strung, The Forces, The Linda Lindas, Gregory Pepper & His Problems

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Looking for a little punk pop in your life? France’s Les Lullies new single “Zero Ambition” is an advance of their new album Mauvaise Foi out May 19th. The band plays it hard with nods to rock and punk influences both new and old (Ramones, D4, The Saints, The Real Kids, The Records, MC5). The Genuine Fakes are most genuine with “Websites” a very sweet song reminiscent of Fountains of Wayne. The High Strung has an album on the way too, and you get a taste with “Different Animal,” its driving tempo about “leaving shit behind.” Dutch band The Forces look to dazzle with harmonies on the new EP, and more details are in an interview on Sweet, Sweet Music blog. The Linda Lindas found after the flash of indie pop fame last year they have “Too Many Things.” It wouldn’t be the first time the music business has “killed” an artist, or that an amazing talent just walked away — but Gregory Pepper & His Problems always felt like he’s given his soul and maybe as an audience, we didn’t pay close enough attention. No Thanks is his final album, and the bile-filled hostility is wrapped up in candy-sweet melodies. Although its a name-your-price point, I’d pay a tribute to Gregory. We will miss him, and I hope his problems get resolved.




Jake Pinto and Chris Church

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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The Power Popaholic Interview: Emilia Suárez

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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.