Powerpopholic

Alan Bernhoft "Beatlesque One"

January 9, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

And here I though The Rutles were back in town. No, it’s multi-talented singer-songwriter Alan Bernhoft with a collection of songs that really captures the feel and sound of The Beatles. From The Spongetones to The Beatnix to The Fore – people love Beatlesque power pop. It’s no surprise really that this style of power pop is one of my guilty pleasures. Alan does a great job with these songs, so they are not just an imitation or tribute band (like the Fab Faux). These are all original compositions with the spirit of 1964 starting off on “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby” and “Be Mr. Nice.” Some of these songs are from Bernhoft’s film, “Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney”. Marc Cushman, the film’s director & producer said “We couldn’t afford The Beatles’ music, so we got the next best thing- Alan Bernhoft.” The different eras are all covered well with hightlights on “Someday (’08 Mix)” with a bit of Sgt. Peppers style, and both “Sunshine Girl” and “Winter Ocean Mary Go Round” have a bit of a Mystery Tour flavor. Alan wrote all the words & music, sings, plays all the instruments and produced the recordings at his AIM Studios in Los Angeles. A few tracks here are way overproduced (“Every Girl I See”) with too much fuzz and reverb, but for the most part it’s all good. Fans of Beatlesque pop rejoice!

My Space | CD Baby

The Crowd Scene "With Complete Glossary For Squares"

January 7, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

This Virginia band agrees that music aint what it used to be. Guitarist/vocalist Grahame Davies takes a trip through inner space here with a very English style, if you can imagine The Brigadier or Neil Finn with a female vocal backup.The album is full of folky melancholy tunes, the only sign of upbeat life here is the brilliant “Edward Learjet” with an interlocking harmonic chorus and biting lyrics that recall last years’ Milton and the Devils Party. In fact, “I Wouldn’t Say I’m Sorry” shuffles along it’s exquisite pop moping and it leads to my favorite song here “Trick Photography” with references to The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. This is one of those albums that grows on you like moss. The jangle of “Craked Leather Seat” recalls John Lennon vividly and most of the songs here are highly appealing guitar ballads. Anne Rogers gets to shine as lead on “Which Way” – a Elvis Costello styled mid tempo song. I couldn’t find a bad track here, despite the somber tone much of the album takes – even the Big Star-like “Finish Line” – the more you hear it, the better it gets. An impressive sophomore release that deserves a late night listen.

My Space | CD Baby

Michael Carpenter & The Cuban Heels "New Dog Old Tricks"

January 6, 2009July 17, 2017 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Last month I mentioned Michael Carpenter and his new band, The Cuban Heels EP, “Give The Dog A Bone” and to add to the confusion, this is another EP with a bit more country sound called New Dog Old Tricks. Like a bit of Dylan or The Flying Burrito Brothers with Steel Pedal on the opener “The Ballad of Ambivalence” and “Some Days are Worse Than Others.” These are well written country songs with excellent musicianship all around. “Workin’ For A Livin” is a awesome country rocker, with sharp piano and guitar work. My favorite here is the Wilco-like “If You Ask Me” with a soaring vocal bridge. The tracks here are pure gold in a laid back manner and it includes between song banter with his studio mates. If this is the “new” direction Carpenter is taking, I will put on my ten-gallon hat and cheer him on. The hard copies are already sold out on Not Lame, so you’ll need to download instead for this.

My Space | Amie Street

Listen to “Oh No, Not You Again “

The Weightlifters "O My Stars" EP

January 6, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

This new EP by ex-Idle Wilds guitarist Adam McLaughlin’s (under the name, The Weightlifters) is another ambitious self released effort that delivers all the goods. Fans of both Big Star and Teenage Fanclub will enjoy these melodic masterworks by a powerful tune smith in the zone. From the opening chords of “Perfect” it puts the listener at ease with smooth atmospheric guitar. The following song “Bygones” is a bit like Elliot Smith and the wonderful “Belle of the Wrecking Ball” is like a lost Fanclub track with a guitar chorus, hand claps and multi-layered harmonies all around. The acoustic strains of “To Be A Killer” is a compelling personal confession of someone wrestling with murderous demons. “O My Stars” is a much quieter album than the first EP Last of the Sunday Drivers which was closer to the New Pornographers styled sound. Between the two, you’ve got a damn fine album. Highly Recommended for sure.

My Space | CD Baby

Hospital Ships "Oh, Ramona"

January 6, 2009July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Cynical pop fans take note: Jordan Geiger is a one man band under the name of Hospital Ships. It takes a lead from The Flaming Lips (The group was named after a Lips song) and Arcade Fire or Broken Social Secene. The album opener, “Bitter Radio Single”, is a brief but captivating song with it’s forceful “Screw this fucking city” lyric sung by an angelic chorus. The follow up, “Baby For J” is like a lo-fi indie John Lennon with Geiger’s subtle vocals and piano melody. Fourth track on the album, “The Shots I Drank,” is another warm fuzzy sounding, fully orchestrated confesssional. Throughout the album, the layers of nasally vocals supported by piles of keyboards and organs on top of less dense guitars. Some standouts here are “Sink Your Teeth Into Me” and “Oh, No.” These ballads may be suited to our screwed up times – “Tired Of Growing Old” could be the new theme for a stock broker today “You dwell on all you wanted… it’s all gone, over and done.” Other tracks are just bleak sounding filler here. It’s not for everyone and will turn off those looking for happy bouncy pop music. Listen along with Mike Mazzerella’s folk album for a sobering experience.

My Space | e-music

Listen to the “Bitter Radio”