Dept. of Energy "Faster"

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Robb Benson continues the musical journey started by “Held By Waits” in 2007. Produced by Johnny Sangster (Tripwires, Mudhoney, The Posies) who plays on several tracks, it is more DIY indie pop than the last one. Starting with “The Nice Sleep” it brings guitar melodies and supporting keyboards to the front, and recalls The New Pornographers or Zumpano. Benson’s vocals are consistent throughout the album, but he seems to get angrier as the album progresses . “Tuning Out” feels like a bit of Coldplay and Decemberists influence has leaked through. The lyrics are in it’s own way, abstract and looking at things from a different perspective, as our pace of life seems to move faster each day. But then I felt the music loses its way, with “Houses with Holes” concentrating on rhythms instead of melody – although the song’s message is dead on. There are bright spots like the bouncy “Josephine” dripping with anger about a clingy girlfriend where “personal space should not be breached.” This excellent song brings to mind Jet and Dashboard Confessional, with buzzing guitars and organ solos in the break. The title track is another good instrumental jam, but melodic tendencies get buried on the rant “Mind over Matter” where a frustrated Robb screams “…what if Matter wins?” I had to listen to this album several times and although the instrumentation was excellent, the hooks are lacking here. To be fair, I’m sure some fans will like this better than I did. 

My Space | CD Baby

Listen to “Faster”

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R.I.P. Kelly Groucutt

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Kelly Groucutt, former bass player of ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) has passed away at the age of 63. He died in England of a heart attack. Groucutt performed with the band from 1974 and 1983. What a sad loss to his family and the legion of ELO fans out there. It’s a real shame I never heard much of his solo work, which in many ways stands alongside Jeff Lynne as a true pop master. This video is of his hit song “Oh, Little Darling.”

If anyone knows where I can get a copy of his solo LP on CD “Kelly” please give me a shout out (It seems impossible to find).

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Modern Skirts "All of us in our night"

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The Athens, GA quartet Modern Skirts got very good reviews on their debut in 2005, but the new album draws you in with their sunny harmonies, well-placed strings, understated keyboards and quirky lyrics concerning matters of the heart. The opening track “Chanel” will appeal to fans of  Field Music and the lighter side of Phantom Planet. The gentle single “Soft Petals” is a tuneful distraction with a melancholy hue to the spacious production. The standout here is the Ben Folds Five-like “Radio Breaks” a wonderful hook filled gem with a glorious piano melody. The next song, “Yugo” ambles along to a truly beautiful chorus that recalls Adrian Whitehead’s studied lush pop sweetness. Lead singer Jay Gulley has mentioned “It’s all about the song, not about trying to sound cool or show off on your instrument, it’s trying to get stuck in people’s heads.” And these tracks do stick. But at the albums mid point, it concentrates more on quirky novelty productions like the sparse Harper’s Bizarre feel of “Astronauts” and faux Billy Bragg-like “Motorcade.” Other songs here don’t approach the genius of the album’s first half, but aren’t bad at all, especially the emotional ballad “Mrs.” and the hopeful group hug that is “Eveready” with it’s combo of distorted guitar and piano solo. No doubt worth more than a casual listen.

My Space | E Music | Itunes | CD Baby (debut album)

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JoyFocus "Cyber Suburban Electro Rock Circus"

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Musician Rikk Currence & singer Holly Joy have self produced this radio friendly, accessible slice of modern pop called “Cyber Suburban Electro Rock Circus.” Although the group is unsigned, this is by no means a lame DIY sounding pair of amateurs. The music is slick and dramatic, boasting heavy rock riffs and a professional pop sheen, that is meticulously produced. Holly’s vocals are sunny and seductive, and comes across like a combination of Shania Twain and Britney Spears, without all the faux diva theatrics. By contrast Rikk plays a hard rock axe similar to Def Leppard or Brian May, which makes this pairing sound unique. Opening with the single-ready “Audrey Is Gone” where Rikk’s near metal riffs give way to Joy’s story of a woman’s freedom from life’s burdens. The group doesn’t wear it’s Christian values 100% on it’s sleeve but it’s there for sure in the lyrics. You can’t help be impressed with the instrumental skill that Currence displays on “Grey Day My Way” with it’s orchestral details. Highlights here are a cover of the Eurythmics “Here Comes the Rain Again” and the catchy chorus in “All That You Need.” My biggest issue with the album is a few songs just go on a bit too long (“Prayer”) and get overly pious (“Halos & Flames” and “Salvation”) for my taste. For some, this doesn’t really qualify as power pop, and will be too mainstream for others, but it is highly polished pop for sure. You can only get this on the JoyFocus website.

My Space | JoyFocus website

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The Wigs "File Under: Pop Vocal"

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Jim Cushinery, Marty Ross, and Bobby Tews have finally arrived. The story of The Wigs is a bit of an west coast legend. Formed in Milwaukee and after building a local fanbase in 1982, they piqued the interest of CBS Records and recorded a shining gem of an album, but ended up with infamous manager Stanley Polley (Badfinger fans take note). As the paperwork was being drawn up to commence recording of The Wigs’ major label debut, CBS became embroiled in a hostile takeover attempt and the album was allowed to die on the vine with a limited release. Now, on the 25th anniversary of “File Under: Pop Vocal’s” release, Marty and Jim have undertaken a remix of the original tapes, for a first-time ever release on CD. 

And if you loved the eighties and that era’s skinny tie power pop sound, The Wigs are a gift from the music gods to you. They traded in melodies that could be extremely sweet, yet delivered with too much muscle to be simply lumped in with other more saccharine power pop outfits of the time. Opening with “I Can See It Now” it has the sharp rhythms and fast drumbeats that fit in with the classic sounds of The Records, The Beat and Pezband. The following “180 degrees” has a great looping melody and a great slow middle eight that brings to mind The Raspberries or The Toms. Next “Susie’s Got A Problem” with it’s Costello-like vocal approach and references to “Elvis, Beatles ,DC-5” it even has guitar breaks that recall Buddy Love. The album is relentless with the style and quality of it’s songwriting. It even takes a Rockabilly detour with “First Time” that would give Brian Setzer a run for his money. The songs continue with a near perfect energy booster in “Tijuana” and then takes a breath with the ballad “Popular Girl” complete with wonderful harmonies in the chorus.  Then a rousing cover of “Mony, Mony” that made me forget that Billy what’s-his-name. The tune “It’s Over” gets the Rick Springfield meets The Knack sound down as well. The guitar work on each song is some of the best I’ve heard in a long time, and no filler either. That’s 14 tracks of greatness here, and it makes my top ten list of 2009. The quality of music has been so good recently, I may need to expand the top ten this year, as Roy Scheider mentioned in Jaws, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat. “

My Space | CDBaby | Kool Kat Musik

The “toot-my-own-horn” department: The Powerpopaholic has been honored by Filter Magazine, in the FMA Website Spotlight.

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