Lollipop Factory "Away In A Trailer" and "Eat Cake" EP

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With their debut in 1997 “Soon”, The Lollipop Factory quickly establish themselves as disciples of 70’s-era rock. Guitarist/vocalist David Tweed and drummer/vocalist Bekah Manning sound a lot like a marriage of Queen, Jellyfish and T Rex. Almost ten years later the band has roared back with “Away In A Trailer.” The band has pretty much toned down the pop sound here and replaced it with more metal, albeit in a carnival atmosphere. “Song For Robert Schuller” is a glorious opener with the Freddie Mercury multi-layered vocal harmonies wrapped in a forceful guitar attack. As a metal-pop album, it will earn plenty of raves. Another standout is “Crashed and Crucified,” and the killer riff leading “JumpJet.” The Jellyfish influence comes through on the excellent “Objective Man” and the classic “Somewhere My Love.” Unfortunately the band seems to concentrate more on texture and tone than any hooks or melody. “Lovers Leap” and “Tore My Heart in Two” are both a metal mess and “State Of Distraction” is off-key to the point of near unlistenable. Thankfully there is enough here to bang your head to.

A new EP “Eat Cake” was released this year, and the songs are more pop oriented, like the ambitious title track, full of complex chord progressions. “Freeze Pop Holdup” has Bekah’s vocals up front and it sounds like a totally different band. “Rigor Mortis” adds a vaudeville-styled “eulogy” break, and is a ton of fun to listen to (fans of Bryan Scary take note). The band has been touring the midwest in support of the album and EP. Overall this a band going through a creative growth spurt – and we benefit musically. They just need more focus and consistency to sustain a full albums worth of tunes.

My Space | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik 

Listen to “Song For Robert Schuller”

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The Power Pop Radio Stations

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I really wanted to dedicate a page to the internet podcasts and radio stations that have power pop bands as the primary playlist. If your favorite power pop internet radio show isn’t listed here, just let me know in the comments. The best stations and podcasts are only a click away!
Internet Power Pop Radio stations

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Emerging Artists Albums and EPs

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Here are some indie debut albums, EPs and unsigned talent this past month that you might want to check out…

Poison Control Center “Sad Sour Future”

Upbeat indie pop by way of a lo-fi Weezer style with dissonant rhythms and cooing teen harmonies. A little like a junior version of Guided by Voices. The albums massive 17 track list is hit or miss, but you’ve got enough stand-outs to make it worth your time. I’ve posted the video  for “Being Gone” a week ago, but other tunes not to miss are: “Calling Card”,”Two Mountains” and “Friends in the Band.”
MySpace | Amazon | Listen to “Being Gone”

Galapaghost “Neptunes” EP

Galapaghost is the conception of singer/songwriter Casey Chandler. Being from Woodstock, he’s been making music since 14 and recently has released an EP of breezy folk tunes. “Aloner” is an effective opener, that recalls the Beach Boys and The Shins. The simple guitar and ukulele tunes work best here, and it loses some stream when he breaks out a synth for the title track. Listen to the gentle “Human Unkind” and “Don’t Go & Break My Heart.”
MySpace | Amazon

Annie Stevenson “2010” EP

Glasgow Scotland band that has a rotten name, but an interesting sound, equal parts of Blur, The Happy Mondays and The Clash. “Country Killer” is the most melodic tune of the bunch, with a steady beat and melodic chorus that builds very nicely. “TV Took My Soul” is a bit of punk pop with excellent buzzing guitar riffs.  “I’m The One You Hold” has a nice composition, but production is a bit rough. This is a band worth exploring and the EP is free online too, so give it a try.
MySpace | Free Download of “2010” EP

Shakedown at The Majestic EP

Shakedown at the Majestic features Chris Vermillion on guitar and lead vocals, Stephen Frandsen on bass and vocals, and Taylor Nimtz on drums and also providing vocals. We get catchy, danceable, stick-in-your head songs courtsey of this energetic unsigned Brooklyn band. The harmonies and minor chord shifts on “Bria” are sweet and compare well to Weezer, with gorgeous three part harmonies. The songwriting is strong on “Please, Lucia!” with it’s Beatles meets do-wop style that compares well with Teenage Fanclub. I was very impressed!
MySpace | Facebook  | YouTube video of “Please Lucia!”

Bodyface “Bias”

The combination of Jared Kerr, Joe Brennan and Dan Marsh bring you a heavy rock band that tries hard to channel Superdrag, but sounds closer to Extreme in spots. Either way “Get Away” is the album highlight, with a combination of  heavy riffs and solid vocals. The intense “Kill Her” and “I Love You Vampire” also have it’s moments, and the power ballad “Future No Hope” with it’s soft/hard vocal contrasts will impress you for sure.
MySpace | Album release TBA

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Lawrence Arabia "Chant Darling"

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Lawrence Arabia, better known as New Zealander James Milne wraps his bright baroque melodies together with a thick retro-60’s bow. “Apple Pie Bed” is the sugary pop sing along single that starts us off, and it’s got a jangling hook, and steady tambourine beat . The Lennonesque treat “Look Like A Fool” continues on this precious path of both desolate longing and sweet melody. “The Undesireables” features lush multi-layered vocal harmonies, and it’s perfectly hypnotic.  You get some forgettable hometown shout out on “Auckland CBD Part Two,” but most of the album does it right and has lots of repeatable tracks, fans of Jim Noir and The Ruby Suns will love this. “The Crew Of The Commodore” is a psychedelic pop dreamscape worthy of Outrageous Cherry. The Kinks’ styled mid-tempo “I’ve Smoked Too Much” is another highlight here, that shows Milne takes his influences and songwriting seriously. It ends off with the effective Beach Boys “In My Room” styled clone “Dream Teacher.” A satisfying album that shows plenty of growth potential for Lawrence Arabia. Get the MP3 of “Apple Pie Bed” FREE from Amazon


“Apple Pie Bed” was directed by Luke Savage.

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Sons of Great Dane and The Antennas

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Sons of Great Dane “Why Ramble?”
This is a Kansas City trio lead by singer/songwriter Brent Windler. Brent has an excellent melodic instinct and writes roots rock similar to Rhett Miller or Jay Bennett. The bass slapping, muscular guitar riffs are effortlessly catchy. It also helps to have Wilco producer Lou Whitney’s assistance here. The combo of alt. country and power pop is seamless here and brilliant on the pop openers “Early Train” and “Bullet Left It’s Barrels Head.” The galloping rhythm of “Always Right, Always Wrong” reminds me of the Nashville band Joe, Marc’s Brother.  The somber “Ballad Of Lou Baker” is an Elliot Smith inspired composition that starts out simple and builds to a strong chorus. My favorite song on the album is the Wilco-like “Drug Queen Beauty” with a terrific rolling beat and riff combo. “Question” turns into a dense alt country version of The Beatles’ “A Day In The Life,” including overlapping instrumental chaos.  Every single track shines here (no filler for this bunch) and the blended styles work beautifully together. But most of all, Windler knows how to write great songs by the seat of his pants. I can’t wait to hear more from The Sons of Great Dane.

My Space | CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik | Not Lame

The Antennas “s/t”
From flood-ravaged Nashville comes The Antennas. This traditional power pop band is comprised of brothers Layne and Landon Ihde and drummer Mark Niemiec. In the tradition of The Knack, The Who and Matthew Sweet the band knows how to rock pretty well on the opener “A Call To Arms.” The band has a full guitar dominated sound and plenty of energy throughout. “We Are The Rabbits” has a catchy rhythm leading to the punkish chorus. The falsetto lead on  “Stop Running Their Mouths” and synth touches on “I Found Out” brings to mind many of the great 80’s power pop bands (The Beat, 20/20, Shoes, etc.). The band rarely misses the mark (“All Aboard”) but for the most part is consistently good and plays it safe songwriting-wise. The superb guitar playing prevents any lesser efforts from spoiling the momentum and the catchy riffs on almost every song pull the listener in. The keyboard/guitar combo of “You Really Bring Me Down” is a treat for fans of The Cars and the album highlight for me has to be the closer “Walk Out Your Door” full of sparkling harmonies and tight composition. A very impressive debut that shouldn’t be overlooked. They are even working on a follow up EP as you read this. The band also has a FREE iphone app where you can hear the whole album – how cool is that?!

MySpace | CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik | Not Lame

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