Anchor & Bear and Dan Israel

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Naturally, I miss quite a few 2022 releases. This week will feature several of them…

Anchor & Bear

Anchor & Bear “No More Nights On The Roof”

Katy Pearson and Brian Bringelson the duo known as Anchor & Bear. I’ve been following Brian since his early days as Paul Starling, and it’s nice to find that Katy is a perfect match for him musically. “Earthquake On The 4th Of July” hits it right away, as Katy’s gentle harmonies and the catchy chorus make it a great start. The follow-up “Hospital Song” is so low-key, it loses some momentum, but luckily it picks up the tempo with the breezy “Red Letter Days” and playful “Cool Water” with Katy on the lead.

“Glad it’s Over” and “She’s A Robot” takes time to build momentum, but they are also fine tracks. The dynamic is very much along the lines of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) or Carl Newman and Neko Case (New Pornographers). The bouncy “On The Deck Tonight” is another highlight, and while it sometimes feels inconsistent – it more often hits than misses. Definitely, music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Dan Isreal

Dan Israel “Seriously”

Dan Israel has been very active these last few years. Like a mix of Elvis Costello and Tom Petty, he weaves tales of woe and emotional frustration to a solid guitar melody. Starting with the workman-like effort of “Happy For Now.” It’s all about the nature of his pessimism, with a blistering guitar break. The title track is a bit heavier, with his Dylan-like vocals asking “Should I write another song that nobody hears?” It all seems rather sour but, “I’m In New York” is a chugging melody with harmonica accompaniment offers some relief, leading seamlessly into the acoustic “Taking The Fall.”

The album is consistently good but the best standout tracks are reserved for the end of the album, the defiant “I Quit” and amazing “Hang Of It” make this triumphant.  It did make my top 50 list (#40) last year, so do not hesitate. I would also check out his earlier album Social Media Anxiety if you are a new Dan listener. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Don’t panic! The mainstream didn’t forget power pop.

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In general, mainstream artists don’t always consider themselves in the power pop genre, but last year these artists made us proud. If you missed these albums check them out, my favorite mainstream albums of 2022…

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello “The Boy Named If”

I did a full review of this album earlier in the year. It is a magnificent comeback for Elvis after years of experimentation with Jazz, Spanish translations, and other things. Each track shines and he hasn’t sounded this good in years. No highlights – listen to the entire album from beginning to end and soak it in.| Amazon

Panic! At The Disco

Panic! At The Disco “Viva Las Vengeance”

Ever since 2008’s Pretty. Odd. singer Brendon Urie’s charismatic, cross-pollinated brand of pop moved away from his emo roots toward something resembling power pop, as that album was Beatles-influenced. But Viva Las Vengeance, produced by power-pop fave Mike Viola, was a love letter to glam, rock, and power-pop. Highlights: “Middle Of A Breakup,” “Local God,” and ” Sugar Soaker.” Highly recommended. | Amazon

Collective Soul

Collective Soul “Vibrating”

The band has become a rock and roll institution, 30 years after the hit single “Shine” and it continues to roll on with this new collection of music. Ed Roland and the guys have laid down another solid album. One of the rare touring bands that offer new music on par with their established hits, at least for the album’s first half. Highlights: “Cut The Cord,” “Reason,” and “All Our Pieces.”  Full review here | Amazon

Collective Soul

Weezer “SZNZ”

A new EP has been released at the dawn of each season of 2022, and it totals 28 tracks when it’s all done. Rivers Cuomo is a unique talent who is both amazing and frustrating in equal measure. A fitting coda is “Iambic Pentameter” where even though he doesn’t know what’s in his “messed-up head” it still sounds great.  Like most post-Hurley Weezer, there are enough diamonds to be found once you dig deep, past the musical sketch fluff. Highlights: “Dark Enough To See Stars,” “Francesca,” “A Little Bit of Love,” and “Records”  are starting points. | Amazon

The Power Popaholic Top 25 EPs list of 2022 + more

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The humble EP has grown into its own as a preferred method of music delivery since the economic incentive to release an album is not what it was. I loosely define an “EP” as two to ten songs. Many artists opt to release EPs rather than full-lengths where they can concentrate on a handful of songs at a time without the possibility of filler. Even Weezer released 4 EPs this year instead of a single long player. The album format isn’t dead, but you can see which way the wind is blowing…

  1. The Glad Machine – Hey!
  2. The Chords UK – All for Nothing At All
  3. The Black Watch – the neverland of spoken things
  4. Mom – Fun ‘N Games
  5. The Lickerish Quartet – Threesome Vol. 3
  6. Pete Donnelly (Figgs) – Anthem of the Time
  7. Christopher Peifer – Sacred & Profane
  8. Scott Robertson – Physical Education
  9. Supercrush – Melody Maker
  10. The Persian Leaps – Machines for Living
  11. Friends of Cesar Romero – Six Banger
  12. Movie Movie – Now Playing
  13. Richard Turgeon – Rough Around The Edges
  14. Hoover and Martinez – The 3P
  15. Los Andes – Backgammonesque
  16. The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club – Vanishing Point
  17. Guilty Party – Impostor Syndrome
  18. The Vice Rags – Midnight Ride
  19. Rooftop Screamers – Whispers
  20. Late Cambrian – Future Snacks
  21. Michael Simmons – Happy Traum
  22. Butterknife – Staring At The Ceiling
  23. Jay Byham – Jay Byham
  24. Nezok – The Human race
  25. The Afterglows – The Sound of The Afterglows

Special Consideration:

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Ken Sharp released a 50-song juggernaut – I’ll Remember The Laughter. It was the only “box set” of its kind this year and felt too massive to be in a single album category. If you enjoy your power pop music collection with a dose of sweet honey this would be worth your time. Amazon: Part 1 | Part 2

The Power Popaholic Top 25 albums of 2022 + More

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This was a difficult year, as the flow of good music increased exponentially from 2021. All those COVID themes (lockdowns, isolation, etc) continued, but artists had more time to produce more material, and make it sound even better. I could’ve easily made a top 100 this year, but I’ll stop at 50 (after my traditional 25). A lot of notables came in late this year, and many others I listened to earlier in the year didn’t stick in my head as much. Note, a few of these did not get an official review but I will do a mini-review of these. In addition, I also removed a few big major label artists (i.e. Elvis Costello) that really came through because they already get plenty of promotion, and I’ll post on that very soon.

  1. Amoeba Teen
  2. The Airport 77s
  3. Dungeon of Skeletons
  4. John Larson & The Silver Fields
  5. Dave Scarbrough
  6. Sloan
  7. Extra Arms
  8. Emperor Penguin
  9. Maple Mars
  10. The Well Wishers
  11. The Speedways
  12. Uni Boys
  13. The Happy Fits
  14. Nick Piunti
  15. Bird Streets
  16. Tamar Berk
  17. Lannie Flowers
  18. Fuzzbubble
  19. Chris Lund
  20. Eytan Mirsky
  21. Dot Dash
  22. The Cheap Cassettes
  23. Dave Cope and the Sass
  24. Seth Swirsky
  25. The Split Squad
  26. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard
  27. Shake Some Action
  28. Crossword Smiles
  29. More Kicks
  30. The Nervous Eaters
  31. Kai Danzberg
  32. Chris Church
  33. Tom Curless
  34. Phil Angotti
  35. Dowling Poole
  36. The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness 
  37. Young Guv
  38. The Bye Bye Blackbirds
  39. Phil Thornalley
  40. Dan Isreal
  41. Gymnasium
  42. The Mike Bell Cartell
  43. Goodman
  44. Action City
  45. Self-Cut Bangs
  46. Geoff Palmer
  47. Phil Yates & The Affiliates
  48. The Cleaners From Venus
  49. Cheap Star
  50. Speedfossil

The Happy Fits and Crossword Smiles

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Happy Fits

The Happy Fits “Under the Shade of Green”

The Happy Fits are a New Jersey trio that buzz right out of the gate with the big single “Around and Around.” This is danceable power pop courtesy of guitarist Ross Monteith and drummer Luke Davis, with vocalist and cellist Calvin Langman leading the charge. The songwriting is creative and the playful style recalls the late 80s or early 90s on “Dance Alone” and the Kardashian-like celebrity story “In The Lobby.”

The power pop hook is irresistible in “Little One” and the big strutting chorus of “Cold Turkey.” The synth leads and is supported by solid guitar rhythms, and the cello strings give the sound real depth. The youthful, catchy approach also reminded me of the 2010 band Fun. and encourages me to check out their previous albums. There also isn’t any filler to be found here, so it deserves to be included as a late addition to my top ten for 2022.

Amazon

Crossword Smiles

Crossword Smiles “Pressed & Ironed”

Michigan-based  Crossword Smiles is the combo of  Tom Curless (Your Gracious Host) and Chip Saam (The Hangabouts, and Curless’s backing band The 46%.) The duo draws inspiration from mid-80s alternative rock (Aztec Camera, Crowded House, The Rembrandts) and comes away with something different and unique. “This Little Town” and “October Leaves” are descriptive songs with compelling harmonies, and the subtleties of “Parallel Lines” are a joy to listen to. Very much like Field Music, but less obtuse and more accessible.

The pair loosen up with “Where’s The Sense” but they are at their best when doing the detailed story-songs “The Girl With The Penchant for Yellow,” and “Second Guesser.” While nothing is that immediate, the songs grow on you with repeated plays. The melodic “Take It On The Chin” is a great closer too, so overall a very fine album with quality musicianship. Highly Recommended.

Big Stir Records | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik