Powerpopholic

The Real Numbers and The Parlotones

October 13, 2010July 7, 2024 powerpopaholic 2 Comments

The Real Numbers “Welcome to the Numberhood”
This local San Francisco quartet released a short sweet album full of quirky melodic rock, and they cite Fastball and Fountains of Wayne as primary influences. “My Ugly Face” opens things up with a sharp guitar rhythm and a killer hook in the melody. Plenty of great pop energy here reminded me of John Faye’s band IKE in their early days. This feeling really comes through on “Silent Box,” lead by Dave Ambrose’s buzzsaw riffs. Lawrence Grodeska gives each track an ernest vocal, and at times like on “Numbers Game” it compares well to The Barenaked Ladies. Not every song here sticks however, and songs like “Rock n’ Roll Waits For No One” sound overly forced. But the band also does a nice lounge styled cover of “Hopelessy Devoted To You” and the ballad “New Of The Day” is a highly enjoyable composition. Overall a solid effort that deserves your attention.

MySpace | Band Website | Bandcamp

The Parlotones “Stardust Galaxies”
If you like dramatic anthemic rock with a dance beat then The Parlotones has what you’re looking for. They are currently considered the biggest band in South Africa and “Push Me To The Floor” is a prime example, where lead vocalist Kahn Morbee emotes in a theatrical style with each chord pounding to it’s full choral crescendo. The band’s themes are heavy stuff, dealing with AIDS, Nelson Mandela and social justice issues. The sound is surprisingly accessible and the tracks “Should We Fight Back” and “Life Design” are standouts for me. Think Coldplay meets Collective Soul here with sweeping epic sound on every track. This may play well in arenas, but it on some tracks (“Fireworks and Waterfalls”) it lacks the warmth to reach you at a personal level. The exception here is the beautiful duet with vocalist Zohlani Mahola on “Stardust Galaxies.” The strong songwriting and melodies will carry the band a long way toward success in the states, and the slick production polish will please fans of U2 and Oasis.

MySpace | Amazon

Free Album: Sister Hazel "20 in 10: Digital Collection"

October 12, 2010October 12, 2010 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

This is just a quick shout out to let you know Amazon is offering a massive 20 track compilation of Sister Hazel music for FREE. Compared often with Dave Matthews and The Black Crowes, the Florida-based band has that earthy melodic jangle going for it, and to me sounds better than many “commercial” bands in the adult alternative arena. Enjoy it for free at Amazon for a limited time.

The Posies "Blood Candy"

October 11, 2010July 7, 2024 powerpopaholic

With their first album in over 5 years, The Posies have hardly been stationary during that time, with both Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer involved in various projects (most notably the re-formed Big Star since 1993, until the death of power pop icon Alex Chilton). Being the current genre’s elder statesmen the band hasn’t lost its gift for strong melodies with a personal message.

What has changed for the band, hinted on 2005’s Every Kind of Light, is a more mature point of view and orchestrated approach. The opener “Plastic Paperbacks” has strong angular riffs and pounding beat, but it’s “The Glitter Prize” that long time fans cherish, with Kay Hanley doing background vocals along Ken’s lead vocal. The duo gets creative on the multi-tempo “Licenses To Hide” which combines the rock energy and dramatic piano melody (Lisa Lobsinger helps out on this track). The optimistic bounce of “So Caroline” and “Take Care Of Yourself” will also please long time fans, but occasionally you’ll get something out of left field like “For The Ashes” which recalls Supertramp, or the pretentious filler “Accidental Architecture.” Thankfully, these songs are in the minority and don’t detract from overall greatness of the gems “She’s Coming Down Again!,” “Notion 99” and the beautifully crafted Beach Boys-Posies hybrid “Enewetak.” Blood Candy demonstrates the band has aged gracefully with it’s complex indie pop compositions and elegant lyrics.

My Space | Amazon | itunes

Paranoid Lovesick and The June Gloom

October 11, 2010July 7, 2024 powerpopaholic

Paranoid Lovesick “Tuxedo Avenue Breakdown”
A local Detroit band with an interesting story, lead by guitarist Rick McBrien and Bill Stone who burst on the scene and this album is a culmination of tracks from a debut EP with additional unreleased material. The band was typical of mid 90’s power pop, and fans of Teenage Fanclub or Cockeyed Ghost will be brought back to that period. The first proper album Suburban Pop Allegro has all these hallmarks: tight harmonies, hard guitar riffs and youthful energy. This is continued in Tuxedo Avenue Breakdown, excellent tracks include the tribute based “Big Star,” gorgeous harmony with Lisa Mychols on “Orbit” and solid arrangement of “Marginalia.” The Beatlesque “Don’t Go Away” shows the band’s softer Abby Road side, and fans of Moe Berg (TPOH) will enjoy the solid rythyms of “Starcrossed.” All of these 19 tracks sparkle with ambitious enthusiasm. McBrien died suddenly in 2003 and these 2 albums stand as great examples of the genre and a fitting tribute. The best power pop re-issue of the year. period.

MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon

The June Gloom “Wonderland”
The June Gloom are an indie-pop group formed by Cameron Purvis and PD Bennett (co-founders of the Calgary rock collective Wax Poets and prog-pop band The Spartans). Wonderland is a rock album with a touches of blues and country, similar to Old 97’s (it’s no wonder they toured together at one point). “Believe” is a pop-rock mid tempo number lead by a sharp guitar riff. “Cabrini-Green” is a blues influenced rocker with a Pink Floyd “Money” baseline that has a snarling power between verses. My favorites here are the catchy “Omaha” with it’s sing along rhythm (supply your own hand-claps) and the poignant piano lead “Everything Is Grey” draws you into Purvis’ narrative. The bouncy alt-country “County Song” and “Famous” has Purvis at his most Wilco-like, with full twang and a strong beat. Showcasing both styles perfectly I haven’t found a bad track here, and it will encourage me to investigate The June Gloom’s previous releases.

MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon

Richard Barone "Glow"

October 7, 2010July 7, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Richard Barone is one of pop’s unsung heroes, leader of the cult band The Bongos in the 80’s and a master of song-craft in his later solo work. If you want a good overview of his past work, you can download “Collection: An Embarassment Of Richard.” Now he has collaborated with famed producer Tony Visconti (T. Rex, David Bowie) on his first album in over 16 years. “Glow” is a many layered contemporary adult pop album. It starts with the captivating “Gravity’s Pull,” with Richard’s trademark lighter-than-air vocal and a compelling hook. This is followed with the smart orchestral pop of “Glow” a magical melody driven by a chiming guitar and uplifting lyrics, similar to George Harrison’s latter work.

The album includes a unique cover of T.Rex’s “Girl” and the true story of a lesbian’s life in “Odd Girl Out” co-written with Jill Sobule. A collaboration with veteran songwriter Paul Williams (“Silence Is Our Song”) seems a rare misfire here, as Richard’s vocal don’t fit that well. Other tracks are sprawling rockers (“Sanctified”) or hypnotic synth melodies (“Yet Another Midnight”). The production gloss is thick on most tracks, but underneath all the fancy vintage synths, digital Les Paul guitar riffs, and elaborate string arrangements is Richard’s solid songwriting. Welcome back, Mr. Barone!

MySpace | Amazon | itunes | Kool Kat Musik