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!

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Young Sportsmen "If You Want It"

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The Young Sportsmen are a Seattle band with a great sound. This is an excellent power pop album with clean well arranged songs and Johnny Sangster’s smooth vocals. The sound is best described as The Lemonheads meets Sloan, indicated by the opener “Marions Nova” with it’s multi-guitar hooks and angular rythyms. Other influences I hear are The Jam, Brenden Benson, and XTC. “If You Want It” has got all the rock edge you need and all the energetic hooks you could want and even those awesome handclaps. Anchored by bassist Richard Davidson the song “Sunday in Dresden” allows the guitars and drums to carry the melodic goodness. Lyrics are a combination of deep broodings and current events, like in “Seasame Street Fightin Man” where the stress of urban living and gang war run through the aggressive lines, “Looks like somebody cut the strings/ all hell has broken loose/ you’re all alone now.” The other topical songs include “Hey Gasoline” about the energy dependency blues. Another song, “Summer Ace” has a constant beat and riffs layered over the vocals that state the end of a summer romance, as the chorus echos “Will I miss you when I’m gone?” My favorite here is the final song , “Long Way Down” with it’s relentless guitar riffs and Brian May like solo break between the chorus and Townshend-like dramatic flair. It actually feels like a finale and not a leftover track other bands end an album with. The album has no filler – as every track is immediate and a perfect balance between melody and manic energy. After a few listens, you’ll consider it a power pop classic.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

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Wisely "Vanilla"

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A cute little music video confection for you starring Alexander Gould (Weeds, Finding Nemo). Done to help promote LEAP (The League For Earth & Animal Protection) and Dogs Without Borders.

Buy the mp3 Download at PayLoadz.

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Adrian Whitehead "One Small Stepping Man"

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Aussie popster Adrian Whitehead has been getting raves from the press and pop bloggers who’ve heard his latest “One Small Stepping Man”. A soft classic pop formula similar to Dave Dill and Brent Cash, Adrian uses simple catchy melodies with a nod to The Beatles and a very smooth clean production style similar to Dave Stephens. The opening track “Caitlin’s 60’s Pop Song” echos Nilsson and Adrian’s vocals are very similar here to Ken Stringfellow of The Posies. It’s got the pop smarts and little details that make a wonderful song. Next, “Saving Caroline” opens with a seventies-styled strum a la Styx, and the bass floats the melody along, but at over six minutes it goes on a bit too long for me. “Radio One” sounds like a Posies mid-tempo guitar song and breaks into an amazing piano ballad. The piano ballads continue with the McCartney-like melodies in “You are The Sun” and “Julia” which are very good and the bright “Spector’s Dead” remind me of Julian Lennon’s “Photograph Smile” album. On the “Ways of Man” we get a very McCartney-like bass line and on “Better Man” the lyrical themes are sharp and the song has a bit more energy, but “Elle” is another long ballad that seems to go on forever. No doubt this is a strong debut and if you like any of the above artists, you’ll enjoy this. An equal measure of credit goes to producer Jak Housden for making these songs sound so good.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

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