Dazy and Extra Arms

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Dazy

Dazy “Out of Body”

Does power pop meet shoegaze? Dazy does it effortlessly with a dense fuzz that would make Bob Mould blush, but with melodies that stick with you faster than a Sugar rush. The theme here is letting your feeling out, as he asks “Is that my brain hanging by a thread?” on the title track. The buzzing riffs and feedback dominate each short track, and most are under 2 minutes.

“On My Way” recalls classic Green Day with its monster riffs, but the standout here is “Rollercoaster Ride,” a big metaphor and an even bigger melody that hooks you quickly. “Deadline” boasts harmonies over the fuzz, then “Choose Yr Ramone” pokes fun at the band itself as lead singer  James Goodson states “Roll your eyes and clap your hands. Laughing at the cover bands.” But it’s the anthemic choruses here that are the point, and it’s a great ride. We get off at the quieter breather “Inside Voice,” but overall a terrific new band. Highly Recommended.

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Extra Arms

Extra Arms “What Is Even Happening Right Now?”

With a nondescript cover and release this past summer, I honestly missed this one. Didn’t see Ryan Allen’s name, but holy crap the Extra Arms are his main band. And they are firing on all cylinders here. Detroit’s prominent power pop band takes the country’s anxieties and puts it all to melodic rock gold. The digital starting tones lead to “Fun Guy” a fast-paced, energetic rocker that takes no prisoners. The band leans hard on the heavy side of Fountains of Wayne as far as lyric and melodic sense.

“Big Dogs” continues the party, with big riffs hitting targets, with a call-and-response coda. Then “Falling into Place” recalls Superdrag and Guided By Voices with its dense hard rock rhythm. Earlier this year, COVID had Ryan trapped in his house, working from home, and the Cars-like “Feeling Alright” answers those Cabin Fevered questions. Overall a great album, with Ryan’s foot on the gas for all ten tracks. It could’ve used a breather (or ballad) toward the end. But it still makes my top ten list for 2022.

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The Well Wishers and Ward White

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The Well Wishers

The Well Wishers “Blue Sky Sun”

There are few artists as consistently pleasing as Jeff Shelton (aka The Well Wishers). 12 albums in, Jeff took a break from power pop to work on his fuzzy shoegaze rock project Deadlights, but he has returned, like the prodigal son for his latest, Blue Sky Sun. The pandemic has given his life pause, and allowed him to return to the melodic hook-laden sounds he started his career with (The Spinning Jennies).

Jeff discovers his optimism with the opener “Figure it Out Myself,” and his crunchy guitars are similar to Matthew Sweet. The slow-building verses of “Any Way At All” and “Blue Sky Sun” are supported by layers of jangle and self-insight. But Jeff really lets his power pop flag fly with the irresistibly catchy gem “Idiot Smile.” Comparisons to Cheap Trick are apt for the anthemic political commentary “Radicalized” and “Just Enough” is another great tune with a great beat/riff combo. A cover of Guided by Voices’ “Game of Pricks” fits in fine here, and the ending piano ballad “Blue Water” is likely the best Well Wisher ballad ever. Not a note of filler here and it’s hard to argue that this doesn’t belong in my top ten list for 2022. Super highly recommended.

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Ward White

Ward White “Ice Cream Chords”

Los Angeles-based art-rock crooner Ward White returns with a deft blend of dry wit and guitar riffs. Starting with “Shorter,” he laments on aging as we are all “over and it’s overdue,” to a catchy rhythm. Next “Rumors” is full of overbearing anxiety set to a Cars-like synth refrain. Another standout is “Mezcal Moth,” a song about Juarez with a great chorus and ascending bassline. No matter White’s observations about a bad concert (“Ice Cream Chords”) or even musical metaphors (“Like A Bridge”) it’s always a distinctive tableau.

His fragile-sounding vocals and clever lyrics perfectly fit on some of the more despondent narratives, be it the corruption of “Born Again” or the brilliantly somber “Signore.” While there are fewer hooks in these songs, the compositions contain some interesting chord shifts. The quick guitar arpeggios in the verses and reverb-echoed guitar solo of “Slouch” are an example of artisan details that can be appreciated here. Overall, Highly Recommended.

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December Videos and Singles: The Kut, The Shang Hi Los, Rob Clarke, Green Seagull, Richard Öhrn, Andy Bopp, Hidden Pictures

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The FIFA World Cup is a “thing” now that the USA beat Iran, but to me what kicks ass is The Kut with a badass guitar riff and a theme “Fun When You’re Winning.” When it comes to winning, it “Takes One To Know One” courtesy of The Shang Hi Los. It’s melodic hard rock at its finest. Then we calm down for Rob Clarke with “Tik Tok” which doesn’t appear to be about that social media app.




London-based Green Seagull is a retro-pop outfit, and “They’re Coming For You Barbara” is a wonderful Kinksian gem. Sweden’s Richard Öhrn gives us a  jangling “Take This Bottle” from his debut album Sounds in English. Andy Bopp has a new single too, and “King of the Day” is on a new compilation of his music remixed by Nick Bertling. Finally, Richard Gintowt (aka Hidden Pictures) releases the fuzzy guitar pop of “Randi.” Sweet!





David Woodard and Bird Streets

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David Woodard

David Woodard “Stupid Kid”

David Woodard follows his muse (after a series of fine EPs) with some of the best music I’ve heard from him. With a mix of 80s indie rock arrangements and power pop smarts, his music nerd comes out on the catchy title track “Stupid Kid.” The jangling gem next, “Literally Probably Maybe” is similar to Fountains of Wayne mixed with a little Bill Lloyd, using his low-key vocal and poetic lyric. His duets with the Queen of Power Pop, Lisa Mychols are also standouts, “Right Through Me” is just a perfect bouncy rocker and the quieter “Turns Blue” highlights those lovely harmonies.

The guitar hooks of “More Than Happiness” (a duet with the late David Schrader) is another in a series of strong tunes here. If you get the CD version of the album, you get five additional tracks from his EPs including “Applebees,” a favorite of mine. While his vocals aren’t particularly dominant, David is a big talent and not a “Stupid Kid” because he gets better with each release. Do yourself a favor and get this highly recommended collection of gems.

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Bird Streets

Bird Streets “Lagoon”

Bird Streets’ debut had John Brodeur and Jellyfish alumnus Jason Falkner collaborate on a triumphant power pop romp, but Lagoon is almost on the opposite side of the emotional spectrum. Brodeur is solo here, starting with “Sleeper Agent” it packs a confessional wallop, with those orchestral strings that build in intensity with his anxiety. More akin to OK Computer-era Radiohead but even better is “Machine” with its lush “ever-lasting sigh” and then the compelling “Burnout” where even getting high isn’t helping anymore.

The melancholy throughout the album is elevated by the concise arrangements and clever lyrics. The pop craft of “Let You Down” and “SF 1993” both describing a relationship imploding is gorgeously rendered. The sitar based “Leave No Trace” goes through Brodeur’s depressive mood, while “Disappearing Act” recalls his alcoholic days. The ray of hope is the final track, “Go Free” with its relaxed vibe of acceptance in letting go. A very relatable “depression” album, and highly recommended. So good, it might find a spot near my top ten album list this year.

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Dungeon of Skeletons and Karma Gambit

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Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil

Dungeon of Skeletons “Patterns”

It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from Nashville-based musician Justin Kline. Triangle-Six Songs was a favorite of mine back in 2010, but with a new band, Dungeon of Skeletons he’s constructed a pure power pop classic. Opening with “Patterns” his theme of renewal comes with an earnest optimism, that leads into the masterful “Turn The Key” with its catchy melody and infectious sing-along harmonies. His approach reminded me of fellow Tennessean Wyatt Funderburk, but with more of an alt. rock edge.

Every single track here follows the joyous lead from the densely packed “Gonna Be Alright,” to the bouncy retro Carpenters feel of “Doom & Gloom.” Even when they break out with a different approach, like “Daggers” it’s all irresistible and loaded with hooks. Influences here are from sunshine pop to alternative to glam. On my top ten list for sure, and super highly recommended.

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Karma Gambit

Karma Gambit “When Does Rock ‘n’ Roll Start to Get Sad?”

Karma Gambit is a power pop band from Asbury Park, New Jersey. Inspired by bands such as Fountains of Wayne, Weezer, and Oasis, this quartet contrasts sharp character studies and ironic humor with big guitars, immediate hooks, and layered harmonies. Like most great power pop, the songs are about relationships, starting with the swoon over “Aphrodite.” The radio-ready single here is “Cable Knit Sweater” and its similarity to FOW is more than those punchy chords, but singer/guitarist Jack Linden showcases his sharp wit within the lyrics. 

“Kiss and Tell” is a bitter sad sack tale about a pickup artist and the garage rock of “Kick in the Teeth” recalls the Fabs’ “I’m Down.” The inventive “Adam Bomb!” is another tale of broken romance at the local mall. It veers into folk with “Hello Minnesota,” but each song makes for compelling listening. Highly Recommended.

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