Powerpopholic

Blank Pages and Macrodots

January 6, 2011July 7, 2024 powerpopaholic

Blank Pages “Absolute Uncertainty”
South Jersey’s power pop veterans Blank Pages have teamed up with Kool Kat Musik to release their fourth collection of irresistible hooks and shining harmonies. Once again lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Greg Potter helms this workman like effort as “Let It All Out” is a strong opening that describes his songwriting compulsion.

Jangling riffs dominate “Help Me” and “Can You Feel” is another highlight with an early 80’s influence. The casual strum and minor chords make “I’ve Said All I Can Say” another delight. The Pages are hitting their stride here and I’m sure it’ll be widely enjoyed by power pop fans the world over. Kool Kat is also including a bonus disc with tracks from the band’s “Early Years” that were unreleased till now.

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Macrodots “The Other Side”
After relocating to San Francisco to play Janis Joplin in the Off Broadway biopic Love Janis, Cathy Richardson teamed up with guitarist Zach Smith (of the 80’s band Scandal) to form Macrodots. There is a hint of similarity here with Scandal as Richardson has a strong female vocal with Cheap Trick riffs that gain your attention on the title track. The next track is the soft guitar of “Beautiful Girl” which builds into a great power ballad.

The arrangements are crisp and the hooks are plentiful on “Everything” and the Cars-meets-Heart styled epic “Not Too Late.” It flirts with heavy bombast on “Piece O Me” to the point that even Brody Dalle would be jealous. Not a bad track here, although “If I Could” has so much drama, it reminds me of what Melissa Etheridge would sound like if she sang Meatloaf. This album really rocks, so buckle up.

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The Lowbots and Fun With Atoms

January 3, 2011July 7, 2024 powerpopaholic

The Lowbots “s/t”
Since the early 80’s Tony Low (The Cheepskates) has been writing and recording melodic rock that stands the test of time. After a few solo albums these past 10 years, Tony returns to lead his new band The Lowbots. Helping out is Peter Tyler (bass) and Mike Glock (drums) on this solid return to form. Like the jangle filled power pop of Mitch Easter and Jamie Hoover, the Lowbots are a classic sounding power pop group and the opening track “Beware” is a great start, with a driving chords and catchy chorus.

“Like A Dream” is another brilliant song with straight forward delivery and a Monkees-styled Rickenbacker intro. Next a gorgeous remake of “Puffin”, which was originally a Cheepskates tune done with 12 string guitar intro and solid electric solos. “Virtual-Made Man” is a pretty funny take on the life of a DIY musician in the Internet age, and it’s a snappy melody as well. You’ll hear a variety of influences and instruments, like on the baroque “The Other Side” with that sweet harpsichord sound. Fans of those Holsapple-Stamey compositions will just love the ballad “Damaged Goods.” I can’t find a weak track here, so get yourself a “Lowbotomy” and get this album quick!

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Fun With Atoms “Smart”
Straight from Packer Country (Green Bay, Wisconsin) comes a band that combines Beatles-styled harmonies and Husker Du styled loudness. This atomic trio is made of the elements; Rick Smith (vocals/ guitar), Dan Collins (bass) and Curt Lefevre (drums). From the opening guitar salvo on “Walking The Razor’s Edge,” it has that distinctive Mid Western rock and roll vibe with a bar room feel that The Lemonheads used to do so well. The “ohh wah” howls on “Really Happy” will have you singing along, and songs like “Feels Like Rain” brings that awesome guitar riff right in your face. It may be a little too consistent here, as a few tracks at the albums middle sound too similar. But things end stronger on the Beatlesque “Mystery” and the powerful fuzz guitar solos on “Ringing In My Ears.” This is one album that’s no science experiment – – it’s solid entertainment.

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Biggest Letdowns of 2010: Pete Yorn and Liz Phair

January 3, 2011July 7, 2024 powerpopaholic

So what good is reviewing all this if I couldn’t rant about the two albums that disappointed me the most:

Pete Yorn “Pete Yorn”
Pete Yorn has been a victim of his own success, never quite reaching the highs of his debut from 2001. Like a lost soul trying to find himself, he’s trying stuff to see what “sticks” I guess. Last year he did a duet with actress Scarlett Johansson titled Break Up and while it had it’s moments (“Relator” is a great tune), it seemed a pale imitation of M.Ward and Zooey Deschanel’s She and Him. His latest self titled album was produced by Pixies frontman Frank Black. The opener “Precious Stone” and “Rock Crowd” are distinct enough, but his persona is swallowed whole by Black’s style. Yorn literally becomes a mini-Pixie most of the album after the first few tracks. After “Badman” you forget who you’re listening to. If you liked Black’s old band, then you’ll like this album, otherwise you’ll ask “Pete who?” I’d rather listen to the weary Back & Fourth instead, but even that lacks the memorable hooks that made Pete such a good songwriter. Right now he’s the musical version of Zelig.

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Liz Phair “Funstyle”
Much has been written slamming this album for a variety of reasons. Fans of the Exile in Guyville Liz don’t want to hear the horrid rap “Bollywood” and “Smoke,” a whine about how the mainstream music industry is filled with wannabes and slimy corporate shills. This is like your grandma telling a corny joke and explaining the punch-line – it poisoned many listeners first impression of Funstyle. Truth is, the good songs lie a few tracks deeper, but how much muck are you willing sift through? “Miss September” and “Oh, Bangladesh” prove Liz still knows her stuff. And the Liz I love comes through on “Satisfied,” but too much here is full of cliched crap that I expect from your average Beyonce clone. Liz seems to expect the critical response with the satiric “U Hate It” but it’s about as subtle as neon sign. That’s not so say it’s terrible, and some critics have bent over backwards to praise her light-hearted humor. True, this album is more honest and confessional than her last one, but that doesn’t mean it’s that good either.

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Happy New Year 2011

December 31, 2010December 31, 2010 powerpopaholic

I’d like to wish all my readers a great 2011. As the years have passed on this blog, I realize as music aficionados we are bombarded with more new music every year – and I promise I will do my best to keep up. I will STILL be reviewing 2010 albums that didn’t make it to my ears till recently. As a way to usher in the new year – let me direct your attention to a FREE download of “Walk Tall” by Ziggy Marley & Paul Simon.

Ice Cutters and Courtney Murphy

December 29, 2010July 7, 2024 powerpopaholic

Ice Cutters “s/t”
The Ice Cutters are the alter ego of musician Guy Latham from Abergele, North Wales. Guy writes a series of compelling songs on the self-titled album and although he claims many influences, the gentle vocals and mid-tempo guitar strums recall The Zombies and Gilbert O’Sullivan primarily. The baroque compositions are impressive on the memorable “Carry The Dream Away” and breezy ballad “Coming Home.” Heavier guitars come in on “ZX81” and the rant “This Is A Job” prove this isn’t a lightweight performer. Piano leads the melody on a few songs (“Taking Over”) but these aren’t as strong as the albums impressive start. Another great standout is The Left Banke like charms of “Mary Morphine.” Overall most of these tracks are pretty good, and I look forward to more from Ice Cutters.

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Courtney Murphy “Big”
After making one of the final three on Australian Idol in 2004, Courtney continued to hone his show biz chops and prepare this album. Comparable to Dan Fogelberg and Go West in style, the opening single “Salvation Jane” is a radio ready hit. Murphy’s got a great melodic streak in his songwriting and his soulful vocal impresses on “Thinking About You Naked.” With big horns and harpsichord, it’s got an ELO like flair and surprises. The “Second Best” is a modern pop standard blessed with great key shifts, and really awesome lyrics. The remaining album has a more traditional pop approach, with inspirational ballads (“Warning To You”) and soulful contemporary (“Margarita”). So how many former “idols” can sing great AND write a kick ass song by themselves? No matter, Courtney’s already done it and I’m impressed.

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