Powerpopholic

The Rip Off Artists "Esque"

July 8, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Nick Pipitone and Peter Batchelder went on a mission. The manifesto for their group “The Rip Off Artists” is pretty straight forward, you can view it here. They follow all the right rules for great pop music. Beatlesque. Costelloesque. Bacharachesque. You get it. “Esque” follows through with an excellent group of songs. The opener “The Present, Tense” is a brainy Partridge-like lush guitar song and very much like the Honeydogs‘ non-country pop displayed recently. It’s followed by the Elvis Costello-like “What Just Happened?” with great orchestral breaks at the songs end point. The wonderful guitar and piano on “The Wishful Thinker” is like an outtake from XTC’s “Nonsuch“. Then the ballad “The Worst News in The World” reminds me of Mike Viola’s latest. The lyrics are playful and light hearted for “The Girl Behind The Bar” – as the author dreams about the bartender. “Sidetracked” uses a steady synth-beat and slide guitar to evoke regret and the crossing harmony will win you over. Lyrically it compares well to Fountains of Wayne’s slice of life absurdities. The album somehow gets even better as it continues, “Without You I’m Something” is a slice of pure pop heaven with chord progressions that rival the best of Bryan Scary. In between each couple of songs is an acted melodrama and it all ends of with the swirling Sqt. Pepper’s melody of “I Thought it Over” – my favorite song here. The themes presented in the lyrics are about contrasts in relationships, examples being lines that follow in “Love and Uncertainty,” “There’s a time and a place for us/ Just not now/ Not here” and it all works wonderfully. A sure top ten album for 2008.

Mission Accomplished (really)!

The Rip Off Artists site | MySpace | CD Baby

The Fore "Black & White"

July 7, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Listeners, let’s go back, way back to those thrilling days of Beatlemania… The Fore are a group that sticks to the Beatles tribute formula to come up with original tunes, done in the Fab style circa 1964. Hey it worked for the Spongetones and several other bands, so another is not going to hurt. In fact it makes it tougher for them, because we judge them based on the Merseybeat template and how well they bend it. Lead by Spencer John Hannabuss (bass) and Matt Hardy (lead), the recreation is near flawless – in two minute power pop gems, like the opener “Love for Sale” with it’s “Ticket To Ride” guitar riff and smooth three part harmonies. After hearing “A Girl Like You”, you’ll swear this is a Beatles single that was lost in time. The group then breaks out into some skiffle and blues in “Little Louisa” and “If I Show You Love” echos “This Boy” quite nicely. If you miss the old Mersey sound, then The Fore fit the bill perfectly. The songs are well written and not just stolen riffs – “You’ll Be Mine“ is a swinging, screaming jangley slice of sweetness. Later on a few songs resemble The Searchers, and Gerry and The Pacemakers. It’s not the most original way to make power pop, but it sure sounds great. Soak in this nostalgic guilty pleasure with your early Spongetones and the Mop Tops. A real gem to be treasured here.

The Fore Web site | MySpace | CD Baby | Not Lame

Gordon Weiss "Sum of All Parts"

July 7, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Brooklyn native Gordon Weiss is a guy who knows what he likes. His influences (Elvis Costello, Squeeze, XTC, Crowded House, Jellyfish and the Beatles) are worn on his chest like medals of valor. The first song on “Sum of All Parts” is called “Fountains of Weezer” and it combines two of his favorite bands sounds (Gee, I wonder who…) Like a chameleon he struts his inner Jagger in “Too Much” and while it’s good, the better songs follow. “It’s Easy” is close to a Wisely or Rembrandts song with it’s smooth California strumming. The Elvis Costello tribute “Red Shoes Revisited” is a catchy song with the perfect instrumentation and dead on 80’s period feel, and “Half of Harry” is an XTC-like bit of Anglo-jangle pop. Gordon’s vocal style is similar to Marshall Crenshaw in the country flavored “Hook, Line and Singer.” The piano lead “Match Point” resembles a Joe Jackson ballad with a touch of Andrew Gold. The ending songs “Suspiria” and “Listening” are very tuneful songs that round out this debut album, not a weak song to be found here. Give a listen, as songs are streaming from his website “Gornpop”.

Gornpop | MySpace | CD Baby

Major Label picks for July

July 4, 2008July 4, 2008 powerpopaholic

Rather than sell my old CDs, I have removed that widget and added a widget for Amazon.com of current major label releases that I’ve been listening to in the past month (click on an album cover if you’d like to hear it). It will be updated monthly, so here are the mini-reviews:

Rivers Cuomo “Alone: The Home Recordings Of Rivers Cuomo”
Pretty much a lot of rough Weezer material for fans only. “Lemonade” sounds like it would’ve been a fine song if developed further. A few unpolished gems here like the neat riffs of “Lover in The Snow” and “I Was Made for You” – the rest is half-songs and filler. For completists only.

Dennis Wilson “Pacific Ocean Blue & Bambu”
Like “Smile,” Dennis Wilson’s solo Beach Boy albums have attained mythic proportions at this point. The songs have the soul of the Beach Boy and the vocal delivery similar to Joe Cocker. “Pacific Ocean Blue” is an under rated masterwork here with the spiritual “River Song” and the gin-soaked ballad “Moonshine” (joined by brother Carl). The remastering here is rich, if a bit overproduced, but gems like “Tug of Love” shine through.

Ruby Suns “Sea Lion”
The Ruby Suns shed the Beach Boy-isms of the first album for this follow up. The Spanish styled “Oh, Mojave” and “Tane Mahuta” belong on an old Hawaiian travelogue, but then the dreamy psyche pop of “There Are Birds” lead you on a mesmerizing journey. Blissfully mellow experimental indie pop at it’s finest. Perfect summer beach music.

Amiee Mann “Smilers”
A little laid back collection of songs for the first lady of power pop. The brilliance of her songwriting shows through in “Stranger Into Starman” and “Looking for Nothring.” I consider Aimee the Carole King of our era, with piano and strings tugs at your heart. Unfortunately, no uptempo songs here make the album suffer a little.

Coldplay “Viva La Vida”
What happened to Chris Martin and Coldplay? If you loved “A Rush of Blood to the Head” then stay away from this one. This same indulgences that ruined Radiohead for me has leached onto this band. Long epic chords and guitar strums either work well (“Yes”) or not at all(“Chinese Sleep Chant”). Some may disagree here, but I feel this is an indulgent mess.

The Dodos “The Visiter”
Blending bits of folk, pop and tribal music rhythms, this indie band does a good job mixing the songs melodies and beats. Imagine if Paul Simon’s “Rhythm of The Saints” were redone by an Elephant Collective pop group. Highly imaginative and an addicting listen.

More indie power pop reviews coming!

Van Duren "Open Secret"

July 3, 2008September 5, 2024 powerpopaholic

An album full of simple pleasures made by a pop music veteran, Van Duren. I’ll be quick with the history here, but Van Duren is part of Big Star lore, partnering with Jody Stephens and Chris Bell in 1976. He would have taken Bell’s spot in Big Star if the band had survived. Undaunted he’s been making music over the past 30 years in the Memphis area. His latest “Open Secret” is a collection of sweet pop songs and ballads that make for fine listening. The opener “Stars Inside” has a bit of that Big Star flavor, with hummable melody and guitar strums. Similar to other southern rockers like Mitch Easter or Don Dixon, the earnest vocals come out on “Face to Face Again” where he laments “Children grow up too fast/ All we can do is cast a long shadow.” Like a lot of adult themed pop, the subjects are varied from love, loss and aging. Elements of the title track “Open Secret” are similar to Brian Wilson and Todd Rundgren, with full strings and woodwinds. My favorite here is “Heart Trouble” where he is joined by both Terry Ferguson and Probyn Gregory (Wondermints) with a hook filled guitar melody that inspires. Van Duren is limited a bit by his vocal range, but the instrumentation is pure gold as “At The Lonely Hearts” reminds me of a Hudson Brothers ballad. More Todd comparisons come to mind on the mid tempo songs (“Oh Kay” and “Europe”). The last track “Europe” is also a standout here, with piano and guitar dramatics that bring the album to a fitting finale. Overall, this is a great album that power pop fans are sure to enjoy.

Van Duren’s Site | MySpace | Not Lame