The Crayons "What’s Wrong With You?"

powerpopaholic

The Crayons are wondering “What’s Wrong With You?” – after all, you have here a really good power pop album with a gorgeous model on the cover, and you haven’t bought it yet? This second album from the Albany, NY group is produced by the Churchills, so the pedigree is in place and the music is tight pop rock tunes with an alternative edge. Opening with “God Hates Me” has a bit of Tonic meets Posies, a nice hook and ringing guitars to feed your ears. I have to say the the band’s website is of exceptional design and offers streaming tracks too. Mike Bolduc and Ron Haney blend the tight harmonies, dark lyrics and great musical craftsmanship together with ease. If you miss the Churchills or The Tories, The Crayons will fill your needs immediately. “Every Moment” flows along with handclaps and guitar bass beat that can’t be ignored. Even the ballads, like “Here and There” have that expansive rich quality that makes lyrics like “I’m alone/ but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you” feel sincere. The ballads like “By The Way” and “Maybe” reminds me a bit of the poppiest parts of Toad The Wet Sprocket’s hit singles. “Sliding” is also a highlight here, with perfect chorus and driving beat. No duds here. Just get this one if you missed it.

The Crayons Website | My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

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

The Rollo Treadway "s/t"

powerpopaholic

Brooklyn, NY continues to churn out great bands, and The Rollo Treadway are a prime example. The entire album fills a story arc about the kidnapping of two children and the songs are told from different characters point of view. It’s all very clever, from the story to the band’s name (Buster Keaton’s character from “The Navigator”). The opener “Kidnapped” is a stunner – opening with a mix of Donovan, The Lilys and The Wondermints. “You Laugh, I Cry” has the hushed vocal stylings of Chad & Jeremy or The Association. The instrumentation is clean with just the right amount of guitar jangle, percussion and orchestration. “Dear Mr. Doe” and the remaining tracks sounds closer to the sunshine pop of Harpers Bizarre, perfectly done. The big organ’s sound in “Friday’s Child” build a swirling pysche-pop carousel. The baroque stylings of “Coast’s Clear” are almost too understated, and mesmerize you, like a sermon at the church of Brian Wilson, resembling Smile’s “Wonderful.” This continues through several songs, including “Charlie,” so light it floats like a cloud through your head. Some added heavy guitar of “She’s Got Me” and “Avenue X” bring back the psyche element, leading up to the Doors meets The Free Design of “The Children of Table 34.” Although nothing tops the great opening track, the A capella finale of “Time to Dream” is a beautiful ending that will make Beach Boys fans smile. Lovers of baroque pop, can’t miss this one. In fact, neither should anyone else.

Rolo Treadway Site | My Space | Kool Kat Musik | Not Lame

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

The Billie Burke Estate "Let Your Heart Break"

powerpopaholic

Seattle singer songwriter Andy Liotta (aka The Billie Burke Estate) has been fine tuning the art of piano pop for decades, and it comes out in here on “Let Your Heart Break.” Beginning with the opener “99 Liberty Lane,” it’s a sweet McCartney slice of sparse piano pop with manic lyric and energy. “I Want U” is a great throwback to the early 1970’s and Michael Brown’s Stories or Todd Rundgren’s early solo period. The awesome bridge and hook are powerful and draw you into the music deeper with each listen. “Everybody’s Gonna Die” has both optimism and pessimism in the same catchy song. “Perky Muscle Girl” has a lyric and harmonic acrobatics worthy of Andy Partridge, but seems to beg for a bigger production than just bass and organ. The richness of the songs continue to amaze throughout the album, “I Can Float” has a fullness in melody with synth touches that reminds me of Nik Kershaw. The ballads here have a theatrical quality, evidenced by “Dreams Come True” – you can almost picture the dancers moving to this in a full musical production. Another influence here you’ll spot is Billy Joel (“Goodbye” and “Skin”) and only on “Little Maisy” does the balladry get too maudlin. It also would’ve been nice to hear a few songs in more of a denser wall of sound, but this is a minor flaw – the song arrangements are flawless and production is superb here. I highly recommend this release.

Billie Burke Estate Site | My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

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

Butch Walker "Leavin’ The Game On Luckie St."

powerpopaholic


Personally I loved his single from 2006 “Bethamphetamine (Pretty Pretty)” shown above with everyone’s favorite Rubinoos copycat Avril Lavigne as the lead character.. So how’s about a FREE MP3 album download?

Butch Walker (Marvelous Three) made a concert album of last year’s tour. And for a limited time, he is posting it FREE on his website. My guess is he is on the side of the DIY new model with a URL featured in the banner below. Click on it to go to his website for the download.

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

The ACB’s "s/t"

powerpopaholic 5 Comments


This Kansas City band is the real deal when it comes to punchy guitar hooks. Like a lot of great power pop, the subject of ACB’s music is about getting the girl. Singer and guitarist Konnor Ervin can belt out great singles with consistency of Matthew Sweet or Rooney. It opens with the blast of “You Did It Once” a sure fire hit, and then follows with the excellent “Windows Up” that mines Velvet Crush territory. The next track, “Key in the Car” will make you forget about Weezer, because this song rivals “The Sweater Song” from the blue album. The choral bits added to “My Movies” are nice details that I can appreciate, and all sung with authenticity. The approach of this sonic guitar flury with Konnor’s vocal style also take from Ric Ocasek and The Cars as well. Perhaps in a fair world these guys would get all the attention Maroon 5 or Spoon gets, as “Suzanne” has the kind of rockin’ jam and melody that will cause involuntary head bobbing to anyone within earshot. Things get heavier with “Come On” and “Callin’ Omaha” gets into Posies territory. Even when thing slow down for “We’ll Walk On The River” – it’s crashing drums and “la la la” backdrops make it memorable.The bottom line is that this is an amazing debut that I missed last year, and deserves to be on a top ten list somewhere. If you didn’t get it, shame on you — now repent and pick it up!

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

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