Powerpopholic

The Yum Yums "…Whatever Rhymes With Baby"

March 4, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Hold on to your hats, pop fans. Norway’s The Yum Yums bring an infectious energy to the newest release “…Whatever Rhymes With Baby.” Lead singer Morten Henriksen pulls out all the stops on the opener ” I Wanna Be The One” it jams like The Who with the punk atheistic of Green Day. The following track “Too Good To Be True” is equally flawless punk pop. The songs are lead by buzzsaw guitars and a manic beat. Fans of the Ramones will flip for “If I Ever See You Again” and “Anytime At All.” The Big Star meets Weezer vibe is all over “Rock And Roll Tonight” includes direct references to The Ramones and its got a catchy sweeping melody and solid guitar breaks. It’s my favorite track here among many gems. The band tends to coast a bit on the DIY flavored “Killing Time” and “Sugar Rush” with even speedier beats. But the gems keep comin‘ with “Imaginary Girl” a pop song with a Beach Boys like backing harmonies in the chorus. Fans of Splitsville and Cheap Trick will also love this album. It would have been nice to get at least one mid-tempo song or ballad here, but if that’s not your thing you won’t miss it – just crank up the volume. Add a few live tracks and in case you forgot, the band includes back up vocals from Vibeke too. So far the best punk pop album I’ve heard this year.

My Space | CD Baby | Pop Detective Records

Bricolage "Bricolage"

March 3, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic

I knew there would be some crossover between Today’s Modern Pop.com and Powerpopaholic. Here is a excellent example of modern alt. pop that I can endorse wholeheartedly. Just listen to the sparkling harmonies on the track “Plots are for Cemeteries” and you’ll be sold. Bricolage, are Glasgow gents: Graham Wann, Wallace Meek, Darren Cameron, and Colin Kearney. Produced with sparkling economy by former Altered Images guitarist Stephen Lironi, its dozen tracks are the product of its influences, like Teenage Fanclub, Belle & Sebastian and Franz Ferdinand, but also they have developed their own distinct clean pop sound. If you want pop romanticism of the Smiths, then “Turn You Over” will fit the bill, or Northern Soul-style stomp then “The Waltzers,” will suit you. This is pop full of melody, verve and wit – for a modern world that is about to discover how badly it needed it. Bricolage may be a new strand in Glasgow’s ongoing musical history, but for Bricolage themselves, this is where their own stunning history truly begins being written. After a few listens, I couldn’t find a track I didn’t like — and it makes my Top Ten of 2009. Happy Happy, Joy Joy!

My Space | eMusic | Lala

Ugly Pop World Drives Beauty Underground

March 2, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

A good current article on the history and flourishing state of power pop music by Mike Baron is posted here and Powerpopaholic gets a brief mention (cool!). It’s my opinion that as more people “discover” power pop, you get a reaction like, “That’s pretty good. How come I’ve never heard of them before?” and a new convert is born. And as word of mouth spreads, bands that never got a second look during their commercial heyday will cultivate a growing fan base long after the band has dissolved. This is exactly what happened to Big Star — and it’s being repeated with several 90’s bands recently (i.e. Jellyfish, Posies). The “mainstream” music media has pretty much ignored this phenomena, and that’s what the blogosphere is all about. So continue to spread the good word and the good music.

My Raining Stars "From St. Saviour To Quickwell"

March 2, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic

Here is some French Brit-pop created by Thierry Haliniak of the band My Raining Stars. If you enjoyed 90’s bands, like Echo & the Bunnymen and Swedish pop like Eggstone –then you are in the right place. Here is a welcoming album that is full of wonderful little tunes like “All This Time” that have smart melodies and chiming lush choruses that are both danceable and catchy. The tracks started as simple demos from the band’s earlier incarnation (Nothing To Be Done) on a four track and Thierry added layers of vocals, synths and guitars to the mix. The gentle “Express and Share” and “Head Over Heels” are highlights in this sophisticated indie pop album. The guitars on “Most Of Her Days” have lots of echo and sharp rhythms, similar to The Ocean Blue. My only caveat is that the albums tone lacks variety and by the latter part of the album (“Shadows”) could grow a bit tiresome. But for fans of lush indie Brit-pop, this is truly seductive music that will not grow old on you.

My Space | Amazon | Itunes

Listen to “Gone For Ever More”

The Galaxies "Here We Go!"

February 28, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

If you’re looking for a good example of the traditional power pop sound, you couldn’t ask for a better example than the L.A. based Galaxies. The songs are catchy and light-hearted with a focus on that lead riff, like in the opener “Here We Go Again” with it’s clean production and well conceived arrangements. Lead singer Bobby Cox sounds great and resembles Kevin Cronin’s (REO Speedwagon) crisp vocal style. This is pop that won’t scare away your non-power pop fans and it’s got enough hard rock muscle, so the music is never esoteric. The jangle of “You Promised” has a nice 80s pop style with some sweet harmonies. “Lost & Lonely” has a gentle Seals and Crofts feel to it. Although much of the tracks are about romance, there is not a sappy song in the bunch. This is a highly recommended album for that “feel good” weekend.

My Space | CD Baby