Midnight Juggernauts and DrBoKarma

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Some unique non-power pop finds that may turn your head:


Midnight Juggernauts “Dystopia”
These Australians, in a nod to the Ramones, renamed themselves Vincent Juggernaut and Andy Juggernaut. The two met in high school and played straightforward guitar rock together before moving on to experiment with synthesizers and dance music. By combining electronic dance pop and prog rock in equal parts you get The Midnight Juggernauts “Dystopia” – The group uses synths, drums, and bass with the occassional falsetto vocal in spots creates pop that with a dark, ominous undercurrent. “Into the Galaxy” is very successful single, and you will hear echos of ELO and The Moody Blues that fit just fine here. The smooth new wave synth beats of “Shadows” will give you Depeche Mode flashbacks of the 80’s. These influences continue through “Worlds Converge” with hints of a very Bowie-like vocal as well. Overall I highly recommend this combination of wonderously hypnotic synths, stomping rhythm, and apocalyptic choruses. So far the best dance music I’ve heard since Scissor Sisters.
 The MJ Site | My Space |

DrBoKarma “Don’t Be Rediculous- part one”
Eccentric and charming. Strange and experimental. These are words that describe the self produced album of DrBoKarma. This is a musical waltz through the genres-blending English folk/Pop Psychedelia that also touches on a bit of jazz as well. Think of it as Dan Zanes or Stew on a lot of quaaludes. In any case, DrBo takes you on a journey. Lets call it DIY quirky pop done by a well trained session man that knows how to set up a mood. Since it’s so hard to pigeonhole, let me just point out the Kinks like ballad “Yvonne” as a highlight. Not for everyone, but worth a listen. You can only buy the CD from the DrBoKarma website or Amazon.com
The DrBoKarma Website | My Space

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Mea Culpa "Madison"

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The pop mind of Gilbert Garcia is fertile. The band name roughly translated means “My fault” – and it isn’t a mistake that his band, the Memphis based Mea Culpa has a great pop sensibility that resembles Ben Folds, Elvis Costello and Big Star all at once. Recorded at the legendary Ardent Studios, “Madison” should lift the band to new highs and make the leap to stardom. Helped by bassist Adam Hill, this is a short album (8 songs) but it’s a quality collection. Opening with the “Coming Back To Me” it resembles a the band You Am I, even Gilbert’s vocal approach is like Tim Rogers.The song is full of sweet hooks and it continues on the smartly written “Resume” lead by a strong piano melody. However the album’s high point is the guitar rock goodness of “You’re Not The One” – it’s got hit single written all over it. Then the album settles into a bit more of a laid back position with the Teenage Fanclub-like “What You Want” and the very Ben Folds-like “Your Best Appendage.” After that unfortunately the remaining songs can’t compete with the earlier ones in terms of memorability. But the flashes of brilliance are definitely worth your ears and a purchase. 

Mea Culpa Site | CD Baby | Itunes

Listen to “You’re Not The One”

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Marmalade Army "Johnny Cake and Moonpies"

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Lovers of swinging sixties pop will not want to miss The Marmalade Army’s “Johnny Cake and Moonpies” as it’s a loving tribute to the late psychedelic pop era. Sounding a lot like 10cc’s Graham Gouldman singing XTC or Andrew Gold’s Fraternal Order of The All, it’s a really impressive collection of songs. The band member names are a mystery too, some credited as “Lumpy Peppermint” or “Paisley Nash” (A lot like The Dukes of the Stratosphere aka XTC). After a few isolated instrumentals that set the groovy mood, we get the first song “Flower Girl,” a sweet baroque ode with nods to Brian Wilson. The next proper song “She’s My Dream” work late era Beatles (especially the Harrison-styled guitar) to excellent effect. “Garden Of My Mind” takes the strum of “Tequila” and turns it into a 10cc styled romp. The Beach Boys era tribute cira 1977-era “2BW” (yes, it’s really “To Brian Wilson”) is a song that would’ve fit nicely on the BB’s “Love You” album. “Welcome to the Love Machine” is one of those crazy instrumentals that mirror the “I Dream of Jeannie” TV theme song. And yes Andy Partridge fans, “I Nearly Walked Into Traffic” is a perfect “Mummer” track with pastoral guitars and melody. Some of the tunes are so light and psyche-sweet, like “Marigold” it would fit fine on The Pillbugs latest album. The title track brings to mind a Pet Sounds session then morphs to a full swirling sunny pop track with Reggae beats and harmonies. A few tracks do feel too underdeveloped though. “It’s Raining Again” builds to a wonderful melody and then it ends (I would have loved it go on a bit longer). The end result is a fantastic album, that fans of the bands mentioned above will treasure.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik

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Even "Even"

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Another group often compared to Sloan, Even has been one of my favorite power pop bands from Australia. Even brings the most consistent Ziggy Stardust meets Badfinger vibe ever on their fifth self-titled album. You gotta love the harmonic chorus and multi-tracked guitar on “I am the Light” which marches with drummer Matthew Cotter’s steady beat. Over two years in the making, the manic guitar of Ashley Naylor struts like mix of T.Rex and Ian Hunter on the excellent “I Walk On.” The sparkling blues guitar follows on “Superstition Blues” and reminds one of a Stevie Ray Vaughn or Bo Diddley tune. The albums themes are of personal resilience and determination in the face of long odds. A bit of Jimi Hendrix-styled funk shows up on the sweet sounding “Which Way To Run” – and these guys could school Lenny Kravitz on how to get back to his roots. “The Fool Who Made You Sad” is a “woe-is-me” country drinking ballad that has effective steel pedal guitar and lazy shuffling beat. A few tracks endulge in long extended solo breaks (“Tangled Up” and “The Pinnacle”) that can get tiresome if you’re not into the melody. More so than fellow Aussie’s “You Am I” Even is unashamedly emulating the lates 60’s and early 70’s hard rock era, but it’s not all wild riffs and jams. The excellent Stones meets Allman Brothers of “Tangled Up” is a example of what makes Even great- Naylor makes sure the song structures all have great hooks and engaging lyrics. In “Keep on Burning” he states the bands motto, “I am a small, small fire but I keep on burning.” As long as we hear music like this, power pop will never die. If you’ve never heard Even before, this is a good place to start.

The Even site | My Space | Itunes

Listen to the first single “I am The Light”

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Cruiserweight "Balboa"

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After a review of Dream Bitches a few days ago, I hear another good female power pop vocalist. That would be Stella of the Austin, TX band Cruiserweight. “Balboa” has a nice pop hook and is available on Itunes as a 3 song EP. Reminds me a bit of Paula Kelley, but with a punkier sheen to her voice. Can’t wait for the full length!

power pop reviews, power pop and rock and roll opinions. Power pop and even more power pop and rock and roll.