As the last note ends in IPO New York, I wanted to listen to the latest compilation, David Bash’s International Pop Overthrow Vol.12. This year the bands are more varied and less constricted by genre orthodoxy and this makes for a better and more representative group of power pop bands. There are 3CDs full of 70 bands and 70 songs, so I’ll pick out some of my favorite tracks here.
Disc#1: Starting with a bang is expected and it delivers with The Syrups‘ “Miss I Don’t Understand.” The band picks up the mantle of the melodic Chris Breetveld (Breetles) with catchy exuberance. Another winner is the fast rhythms of The Humbugs “One More Day.” What would a pop compilation be without some hero worship in a novelty song? The Help Desk become total sycophants with “The Jellyfish Song” in that category. While we’re on that subject, The Tearaways “Under The Bus” grabs George Harrison’s “The Word” and makes good use of it’s Beatlesque riffs. A gentler combination of Beatles and Byrds are on The Starfire Band‘s “Thank You Much.” Disc#2: Very strong “Rubber Sole” by The Mayflowers are just perfect here, and the rich contrasts of mid-tempo melody and “Mean Mr. Mustard” piano in “Pictures of A Masquerade” by Ralph Covert & The Bad Examples make it a keeper too. Great female pop is represented by both Lisa Mycols (“Heart Beats In Stereo”) and Soundserif (“Happy Since I Resigned”). The Leftovers‘ “Telephone Operator” channels classic Elvis Costello pretty well and Clockwise‘s “Boomtown” gets into a Joe Jackson meets The Jam groove. And if you want a Smithereens/Who approach then Steven Deal‘s “Valentine” fits the bill. Disc#3: Two legends of power pop (KC Bowman & Andrea Perry) join together to make an awesome tune in “Sorting Out The Rules” that would make XTC proud. The superior vocals of Philip Vandermost make “Again and Again” work beyond the average pop song here. And once again Laurie Biagini fills our Beach Boys needs with “Another Old Lazy Lyin‘ On The Beach Afternoon.” This last disc also concentrates on progressive power pop from Steven Lawrenson (“Ordinary”) and the 80’s influences of The Mayberry, The Romeo Flynns and Buddy Love take up a big chunk of time here.
Bottom line: Take a chance on this set and I’m sure you’ll “discover” a new favorite band or two as most of the tracks here are really very good. Getting this compilation is also a quick way to becoming an expert in this genre (aka a power popaholic). Only a limited supply is pressed, so it’s a collectible item as well.
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