Powerpopholic

The Pop Project "Stars of Stage and Screen"

July 30, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Detailed and handcrafted pop hooks dominate this Michigan-based foursome, produced by Andy Thompson. The opening track “Secondary Players” typifies the groups sound which combines dense 70’s styled pop of Supertramp and the harmonies of The Carpenters, with a bit of Queen’s guitar theatrics sprinkled in for good measure. But lead singer Zach Curd doesn’t sit still here. Each song offers up a slightly different style with bandmates Dave Lawson (guitar), Adam Kempa (drums), and Will Yates (bass). This is a fine pop pastiche that continues with the very 80’s pop sounding “Coerce” reminding me of Toy Matinee and Squeeze. The song ends with toy piano and sweet harmonic choruses – it’s an excellent track. The following song “Never Got The Breaks” is a full biography set to music a la Ben Folds or even Adam Marsland, and it’s another stunner. This approach works again with “Someone Who Would Understand.” The entire album shares a quirkyness with Tally Hall in that every song is swoon-worthy and has undeniable energy. Except this is the work of experienced musicians, and thus much better. The lyrics are clever and the instrumentation goes everywhere (so it never gets stale and invites multiple listenings). Each song is so dense with ideas, it may appear overwhelming to the unprepared (as with a Bryan Scary album). As a final treat the last track “You’ve Won The Lottery” is a smooth sonic coda that would fit nicely on 10cc’s “How Dare You” album, with a circus organ ending that fades into the synth keyboard beat. Showcasing the talents of three songwriters, the album is carefully buffed to an overly theatrical shine. Add this one to your top 10 list.

My Space | Pop Project Site | Not Lame| Suburban Sprawl

Listen to “House of Books”

Jeff Larson "Left of a Dream"

July 30, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Jeff Larson is a singer/songwriter who’s earlier albums flirted with Beach Boys gentle vocal harmonies and folk rock. As his albums continued to progress beyond the sound of California pop, Jeff has moved comfortably in the adult folk pop venue since 2002. His supporting players are the reliable, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (of America) and Jeffrey Foskett (of Brian Wilson’s band) and they all supply subtle backing vocals. If you’ve enjoyed Jeff’s recent albums, this is more reflective than the usual sun and strumming, but like a cool ocean breeze it’s just as refreshing. “Anywhere She Goes” is closer to America or an Eagles ballad than anything Wilsonesque. Shimmering guitars are all over this release, as evidenced by the beautiful “Ghosts of San Miguel” and the banjo pops up on the soothing “Red To Rust.” This is a mellow affair no doubt, and “Threat of Rain” resembles a Dan Fogelberg ballad. “California Rail” is another western styled tune (with harmonica on top of banjo) that makes for great road music and my favorite here. No real clunkers here, and some subjects get pretty deep here (“Child’s Play” about going through lies and drug addiction). Excellent folk pop, that inspires and amazes.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

Only Makebelieve, Danna And The Changes

July 27, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Only Makbelieve “Message from a Mockingbird”
This Ohio duo (Samuel Atkinson and Wyatt Michael) have assembled a album with grand ambitions and some majestic pop tunes. The opener “Letters for the Dead” has a mix of guitars and progressive rock keyboards with a Celtic touch. The dense production will appeal to fans of “Seeds of Love”-era Tears for Fears or Split Enz. Highlights here include “Fly So High” with it’s smooth guitar work and heavenly harmonies and “Spending My Life” with ernest strum and soulful vocals. In the middle of this prog-folk rock – a stunner of a heavy rock song comes out, “Backstab” is a commercial radio-friendly anthem that has plenty of wicked guitar buzzsaw riffs. Another goodie here is the “Sunflower” which brings to mind early Julian Lennon, with lots of strings and horns as a sweet coda to the guitar melody. “Part Moon” is close to “Nonsuch” period XTC, with a combination of harmonies and rhythmic guitar. The tons of flourishing acoustic guitar work reminded me of Jeremy Morris solo work as well. It’s well worth your attention.
My Space | CD Baby

Danna and The Changes “Constant Cacophony”
I’m not sure who Danna is, but he sure can play. This Melbourne band has a touch of early Chilli Peppers with a heavy dose of The Replacements on the frenzied opener “Baby Love.” It then launches into “Good Duet” one of the best songs on the album, with a Raspberries-like hook that sinks deep in your brain. Highlights include “He And She” a bouncy mid-tempo piano melody not unlike Mike Viola or Ben Folds. The Beach Boys meets CSNY sweetness of “He Was Irrelevant” is proof of the amazing talent here and it’s a brilliant song with heartfelt lyrics. The songwriting is top notch and most songs here have great instrumentation. A few tunes here overreach a bit too much “Rise and Shine” being one of them. Danna also channels Jeff Tweedy quite well on “Shake It Up” and “Are You Gonna Take Me Home” And even the ender “Station” is one of the best over four minute tune I’ve heard in a while. There are a lot of different musical styles here to sink your ears into, so yes this is highly recommended.
My Space | CD Baby

The Mood "Synaesthesia" EP

July 26, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Wow! This is what I call “can’t miss” power pop. The Mood is a five-piece band that brings infectious melodies and dance beats. This EP is full of great catchy tunes for a sunny day. Starting with the bouncy “In the Forest” it resembles Death Cab for Cutie on viagra, or The Minders without all the twee stuff. Cousins Marco Argiro and Corinee Callen offer up bright vocal harmonies over thrashing drums and whirring guitars. The next gem is “Masquerade” and the best single on the EP here, with those great harmonic “Ooh la la” choruses and swift chord changes that are heaven and it all leads into the next song “Eskimo Scientist”. A perfect mix of power pop and modern indie pop, even the last track,”Outta Your Mind” crackles with energy like Ok Go’s “Here it Goes Again” . The entire six songs breeze by with their effortless jangle, oh why is this just an EP – well it’s got my vote for best power pop EP of 2008. Don’t miss it.

The Mood’s Site | My Space | CDBaby

Listen to “Masquerade”

Listen to “In the Forest”

Pop Archeology Transmission "It Is What It Is"

July 24, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Pop Archeology Transmission is the work of two old friends from Portland, who come from radically different musical places. Paul Ellis is an accomplished Electronics musician and Kevin Bowen has played in jazz ensembles and punk bands. Both love classic 70’s pop and combine to give you a potpourri of adult oriented pop that touches many different influences, but if pressed I’d say it combines Alan Parsons Project, 10cc and Todd Rundgren. Opening with the light “She Blew It Like a Kiss” weaves lush acoustic guitars and understated vocals. A few songs seem overly precious, like “Emperor Reversed” and are missing those memorable hooks. But with a massive amount of music here (20 tracks) the duo produces a bunch of true pop gems. The baroque Todd-styled “Everyone Lies” is a wonderful song, that drifts along on a snare beat. A series of cool breezy mid-tempo songs like “Beautiful Mistake” and “Night is Falling” resembles Eric Matthews in vocal style. The best track on the disc for me is “So Much” with a sugary sweet chorus and light strumming. Some tunes are obviously experimental pop, (“Love 4 Security”) but the song structures and instrumentation are solid – this isn’t improv. Some ballads are achingly beautiful, like “My Recurring Dream” will please Parsons fans for sure. Overall, it’s smart pop music for fans who want some substance with their guitar licks.

My Space | CD Baby | Kool Kat