Once again, power pop artists have gotten some commercial exposure. This ELO inspired gem is the work of Tim Myer. And just like my previous post with Alan Clapp of The Orange Peels, Tim also has a pop gem for Target stores. Visit his site or MySpace page to hear the whole song. Once again, proof that the quickest way to an indie hit is a Madison Avenue soundtrack.
Penguin Party "See Thru Songs"
Dave Milligan’s solo project Penguin Party is sure to appeal to fans of Martin Newell, with it’s very English nostalgic music hall pop. It opens with the quirky “Someone Else’s Turn To Be Me” a swirling mass of organ and cymbals with a smooth bassline driving the song along. The follow up is a reverb heavy ballad “Beaten, Black and Blue” with a bit of “Fool on The Hill” flute it makes a compelling listen. “Just Like A Chorus” is most definitely like a lost Cleaners From Venus track and this is followed by another low key tune “Mirrorball” which reminds me of an Andy Partridge pop ballad. By mid album, some 80’s synth influences creep back in on songs like “Lullaby” and “She Smells” – and it’s a flashback to Modern English! The best fun here is the pub anthem “Goin‘ Back To Grandma’s” with the hummable chorus and foot stompin‘ beat. There are a lot of subtle shifts in mood and genre on the album up to this point. The remaining tracks have a hard time measuring up, but this album has a charming set of pop that will sit well with ye merry anglophile power pop fans.
My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik
Weezer "Pork and Beans"
Here is the first single from Weezer’s new album – and it’s a fun vid for anyone who remembers all these favorite viral internet celebs who got 15 minutes (or seconds) of fame. A bonus “no-prize” if you can name all these characters.
Updated: For an annotated version with links to each viral vid — click here.
The Krayolas "La Conquistadora"
At the beginning of the year I reviewed The Krayola comeback album “Best Riffs Only”. A excellent album in it’s own right, Hector Saldana and the group break away from the Beatles mold a bit in this new album. The opening track “Alex” reminds us that The Krayolas are still Tex-Mex version of The Spongetones, with the catchy chorus and clean guitar riffs. The title track has elements of Dire Straits and The Kinks running through it. “We’ve got a Secret” is another great song that resembles a classic Dave Clark Five track with the ever present harmonica accents. There is more experimenting here too, like “Yakety Song” takes on a bar room blues tone and “Nolan Street Bridge” sounds like a Joe Jackson mid-tempo number. The ballads here do a great job too, like on “Deceiver” with it’s creeping rhythm and smooth vocal harmonies. The classic Krayolas’ song “Little Fox” is here sung in Spanish with the reliable Augie Meyers on Farfisa organ and accordion. Even the secondary tracks here like “Statue Of Love” and “What You Gonna Do For Love” shine with a sparkling pop effort and quality. The album exceeds expectations by branching out it’s sound and style, without forgetting those guitar hooks and melodies that fans have come to enjoy. The album has also gotten rave reviews from rock critic, Dave Marsh on his Sirius radio show. Expect more raves from Texas Monthly and Harper’s magazine. But overall this is a most worthy addition to your music collection and I give it high marks and a nod to the top ten of 2008. Viva los Krayolas!
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Listen to “La Conquistadora“
The Apples in Stereo "Electronic Projects for Musicians"
Essentially a collection of rarities and outtakes for fans of the Apples and lead Apple, Robert Schneider. The music is classic Elephant Six styled-twee goodness that spans the groups entire career. The trippy pops tracks all seem to fit together, even though it was recorded over 11 years. Some of the acoustic guitar solos (“Hold On To This Day” and “The Oasis”) show Schneider’s songwriting prowess and sound better than other groups finished songs. Brilliant ballads like “The Golden Flower” and fuzz rock pop (“On Your Own”) make this worth the effort to get this alone. This album also includes the funky pop gem “Stephen Stephen” that Robert performed live on The Colbert Report for the host. That being said this is not an essential, but a substantial collection of songs. Apples fans will most definitely want this. Optional for the rest of you. If you are new to the group, start with the “Fun Trick Noisemaker” album.
The Apples in Stereo web site | My Space | YepRoc Store | e-music