Bryan Estepa "Sunday Best"

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Sydney’s Bryan Estepa released the classic “All the Bells and Whistles” last year. Although his newest isn’t as chock full of high energy pop goodies, it’s a more mature and even release. Bryan moves beyond his love of AM radio pop on “Sunday Best.” On the opener “Aches and Shakes” you get a good mix of harmonious choruses and melody that fans of Crowded House will appreciate. This is light breezy pop with an adult slant on issues, and a slice of Americana flavor, the next song “Different With You” would not sound out of place on a Jayhawks album. What I like about the geek love of “Carl Wilson” is that it doesn’t try to emulate his hero’s vocal style, it just takes a catchy narrative to piano, mentioning in the lyric “your voice it makes me quiver/ I wish I could have met the younger Wilson”. The song “I’m Going” is my favorite here – it’s got the dramatic phrasing and guitar chorus that makes it a pop classic. “Myself” has that high energy that recalls his last band The Hazey Janes (move over John Faye and IKE). Then it takes it down a few notches with the ballads and mid-tempo alt country at the end of the album (“Skipping Days” and “Worry Me None”) another standout is the title track (“Sunday Best”) with a wonderful combination of guitar and banjo after the chorus. This sophomore release showcases Bryan’s songwriting as well as his melodic pop talents. The most worthy music I’ve listened to this Sunday for sure.

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Interviews with The Spongetones and Shake Some Action!

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I was amazingly lucky to get these interviews with the following power pop artists. The Spongetones Jamie Hoover was very friendly and approachable and I interviewed him hot on the heels of his new album “Too Clever By Half” – to say Mr. Hoover is respected here is an understatement as you can see above, his peers all pay tribute to the band.

Not to be ignored is the irrepressible band Shake Some Action who also talked a bit about the new album, the live tour and the band’s future. I chatted with leader James Hall ( who is working on a new Jeunes album) and bandmate, Gary Miller.

Check out the links above or visit our interview section.

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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.

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