Powerpopholic

The Jeunes "Strangers In The Night"

January 27, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Before James Hall formed the power pop group Shake Some Action!, he worked in his native Australian band, The Jeunes. This collection of songs covers the critically acclaimed band from 2002 to 2005. The Jeunes only released a four song EP, and they left behind a pile of unreleased material. In my interview with Hall, he mentioned this project. Obviously with some ideas coming from different time periods and varied musical styles this is a mixed bag for the average music fan. Fans of Shake Some Action will appreciate some standouts like the spacey opener “High 5.” The garage influenced gems “Obvious” and “Time Is On My Side” are timeless punk/pop in the vein of The Hoodoo Gurus and Redd Kross. The slower mid tempo songs “See You Again” and “Never Be The Same” recall Midnight Oil’s late 80’s heyday, and are a bit dated here, even though they are good songs. The other material is pretty good here too, like the REM-like “It’s Alright.” The Stooges-styled punk songs like “What You Do To Me” and “Missing Person” are fun, but ultimately forgettable. Fans of above bands, The Stone Roses and Material Issue may also find this album enjoyable.

My Space | CD Baby

The Kavanaghs "The Kavanaghs" Demo Download

January 26, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic 2 Comments

The Kavanaghs are a brand new band from Rosario City, Argentina. Formed in early 2006, they’re now preparing the release of their first album. Band members are: Tiago Galindez (lead vocals, bass guitar, pianos), Alejandro Pin (lead vocals, rythm guitars) Diego Vázquez (lead guitars, backing vocals), Julio Leidi (drums, percussion and backing vocals). Both Eric Carmen and Jim Bonfanti from the Raspberries who wrote the liner notes for the upcoming album said about the Kavanaghs: “The Beatles, Badfinger and Raspberries fans will love this band!! This guys really wear their influences well. Catchy melodies and great harmonies are still alive. It’s a pleasure to hear their songs!!”
I got this over the weekend and already other blogs have been promoting it, so this is my turn to spread the word. The music certainly is excellent. You really hear the Badfinger harmonies and McCartney styled bass on “The Wrong side of the Way.” The Hudson Bros. styled piano and bass combinations are great on “Friday on My Mind” (no relation to the Easybeats). Although the South American accents come through a little, “English Town” is a wonderful song with nice horns and piano work similar to The Kinks “Drivin.” Some maudlin moments like “Goodbye Chris” are redeemed by the rocking Beatlesque “Cat in Town.” The production is a bit sparse, but that’s okay for this preview. My favorite here is the subtle and hook filled “All The Time,” but there are plenty of great songs here like “It Seems That I’m Not Getting Things Quite Right” with it’s Zombies/Association vibe. I hope to hear more from this band that shares the same geek love of power pop groups I have. Please support this band when the final mix comes out. Best of luck, Tiago!

My Space | Kavanaghs Site | Download Demo Album

Powerpopaholic interviews Brian Kassan

January 24, 2009April 4, 2018 powerpopaholic

I was very pleased to interview Brian Kassan of Chewy Marble recently. I ask him about his tenure on The Wondermints and a bunch of other issues. Check the interviews section on the right or click here to read the Brian Kassan Interview.

Worst Case Ontario "Burning Politely"

January 23, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

So here is another band with a Canadian sounding name, but they’re from New York. Lead by Sam Weisberg on guitars and vocals, Worst Case Ontario plays a grungy kind of alt. power pop that will appeal to fans of Miracle Legion and Bob Mould. The high energy jangle rock of “You’re Glib” opens the album up about a certain couch-hopping celebrity. “Purge” almost becomes a full jam, before it gets to the melody and some great lyrics about a crazed girlfriend with bullimia. Then the album heads into full Pixies/Husker Du mode and doesn’t look back with “Go Deaf or Get Married.” John MacDonald and Weisbergs guitars dominate the sound, and they get rather heavy on “Red Light District” with a Chili Peppers meets Pavement vibe. Unlike other bands of this style, these guys use every toy on the guitar amp and we even get a Echo and The Bunnymen reverb on “Quit Your Stumbling” so every song isn’t a carbon copy of the same punk pop sound. Sometimes you wonder if these guys aren’t metal heads in disguise too, with the screaming vocals of “Flake.” Well, my Nirvana fanboy self enjoyed it. If you like any of the bands I mentioned, this band is worth checking out.

My Space | CD Baby

Canadian Invasion "Three Cheers For The Invisible Hand"

January 22, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

So what is so special about a band called “Canadian Invasion” that isn’t even from Canada? Well it’s a tight Philly group lead by Andy Paul better known as Andy Canadian (okay I get it now). This is really sweet power pop with punch along the lines of REM, Teenage Fanclub or The Well Wishers. It opens with the jangle riffs of “Pop Magic Fantastical Masterpiece” full of gently breathed harmonies in the chorus. Fans of My Brother Woody and The Thrills will find a lot to like here. The lyrics and song titles are lots of fun too, a prime example is “Standing On The Shoulders Of The Carcass Of John Mayer.” The gentle flow of some songs like “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” have just enough melody and guitar licks to make very enjoyable listening. Every song here is a winner, with tempo changing from the very Fountains of Wayne-like “How To Build A Jetback” to the Americana pop twang of “The Last Time I Went To Church.” A great album that got me digging for more on the band’s earlier efforts. No invisible cheers for this one — just full throated “Hip Hip Hooray!” for Canadian Invasion. Right now the new album is only on Amazon or MySpace.

My Space | Lala (Blame the Robots ep) | CD Baby (Songs For The Atco Ghost) | Amazon

Listen to “”Three Cheers for the Invisible Hand”