Powerpopholic

Wisely "Wisely"

January 16, 2008May 31, 2018 powerpopaholic

Minneapolis native Willie Wisely has been a fixture on the power pop scene since the mid ninties and every release has been met with critical acclaim. This new self-titled album has an introspective tone and feel, as now a father Wisely looks at life with new eyes. Each song has a seriousness that soak through each of the melodies. “On My Way” opens with a smooth adult California-styled strumming nicely brought along by Wisely’s crisp vocals. The next track, “Cracked World View” is similar to an Elliot Smith pop tune without all the moping. But my favorite track here is “California” with amazing hooks and uplifting tone that has found a near-permanent home on the ole’ ipod. The track has energy and exuberance to spare. “Ella” is a good follow up, as a Paul Simon-like message to his wife on the joys of parenthood as he tells his wife “..the things that made us sad seem far away”. The feel good vibe continues with “Vanilla” (yes a song about the simple pleasures of ice cream) and this is a song that Ringo wishes he could record.”Through Any Window” is a joy of multi-tracked vocals and guitars, that remind you Paul McCartney has permeated the brain here. It impressed actress Jenna Fischer (The Office) so much she appears in the video. Every song is a light gem, and fans of Andrew Gold, Paul Simon or Sondre Lerche would love this album. I’m proud to list it as the best new release of 2008, so far.

Wisley site | MySpace | Itunes | Not Lame | Emusic

Listen to “Through Any Window”

Randy Newman "Short People"

January 16, 2008January 16, 2008 powerpopaholic

Personally I love this song, as it’s a guity pleasure of mine. Before Randy did a lot of political grandstanding or Disney soundtracks, he did this wonderful ditty that pissed a lot of overly PC people off. Notice no one said a thing when the song “Rednecks” took the same sarcastic approach to the subject. Like most pop icons, it’s very easily parodied, and below is my favorite Randy Newman parody, where he’s just singing about “everything he sees”. Enjoy.
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Hammer No More The Fingers "self-titled"

January 16, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Reviewed by Mike Z.
Let’s get this out of the way: the comparisons between Hammer No More the Fingers and either Presidents of the United States of America or Weezer are inevitable, and pretty much apt. But this band, especially after a few listens, brings even more to the table. That may be a bold statement for such a young act, but it’s difficult to disagree. To start, HNMTF not only rock but also know how to write a hook, which is a requisite for any good review. More importantly, they have a lyrical sensibility that deserves close inspection and reveals that they are a noteworthy notch above your typical college party band. Okay, no one’s going to confuse these guys with a latter day Baudelaire, but they strike an uncanny balance in their lyrics. There is a pronounced sense of humor to what they offer, and even though the lyrics are pro orgy, mushrooms, and vodka, they are not unapologetically so. So this is a party band with at least a little bit of a conscience. Use this as a litmus test and see if you agree: regarding said “Mushrooms,” lead vocalist Duncan Webster sings, “They’re pretty fucking tasty/Give them water, give them fertilizer, give them love/Just don’t give them to you kids.” Maybe that sort of wry parallel construction will go unnoticed by all but the English majors in the house, but when you factor in the well-crafted over-driven guitar licks, there really are the makings of something approaching great here.

HNMTF Site | My Space | Emusic | Itunes

Listen to “Listen to “O.R.G.Y.”

All Night Chemists "Spots"

January 15, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

If the first four tracks of “Spots” don’t move you, then you need a new set of ears. The All Night Chemists new album have the soaring harmonies and melodic genius that bring to mind The Honeydogs or Chris Brown. The group is actually the brainchild of front man and multi-instrumentalist Len Monachello, who hails from Long Island, NY and grew up in a musical family. His dad also owned a record store, so Len grew up soaking in his parents Beatles, Kiss, Foghat and Cream Records. He grew into a sharp musician and joined the band Thisway in 1999. Eventually he matured to release the first All Night Chemists a debut album in 2005. Now on “Spots” Len continues his journey. “Wake Up” grooves on like The Mother Hips meeting The Velvet Crush. Then “Question” is a sombre ballad worthy of Elton John (Tumbleweed Connection-era) or The Finn Brothers. We then take a musical detour with the Harry Nilsson-ish music hall styled “Isabella.” Later on the album it takes a turn to classic Brit-pop a la Supergrass(“Waste of Time”) and Blur (“Look Me in The Eye”, “The Fog”). The last two tracks are a bit rambling, both “Overthrown” and “Searchlights” tend to turn into extended psyche-jams and then halfway through “Searchlights” it packs an Oasis-like power punch of guitars and distortion. Not a single track here is filler and the stylistic changes prevent any kind of musical boredom to set in. Every track has something to say, and it becomes a true musical journey. This is another 2007 best of candidate I missed (Damn it!) but you don’t have to, just get this great music. You can listen to the entire album streaming here.

All Night Chemists Site | My Space | CD Baby | Itunes | Not Lame

Listen to “Listen to “Isabella”

Listen to “Listen to “Waste of Time”

The Krayolas "Best Riffs Only"

January 14, 2008April 1, 2018 powerpopaholic 3 Comments

Hailed as the “Tex-Mex” Beatles, this San Antonio, Texas band has released a pile of local hits that date back to 1977. This album gathers all the singles between 1977 and 1988, and with assorted band personnel. The sounds are retro perfect Beatlesque of the 1964 – 1966 variety and the production is clean and very similar to The Toms. If you thought that was buried treasure, gobble this one up. The album name comes from a bit of advice that Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds gave the band when they played together in the late ’70s. This is nice hook-filled candy that not only evokes the Fab Four, but also reminds me of The Buckinghams or Knickerbockers. This is evidenced by the note perfect Merseybeat of “All I do is Try” and the perfect “Sunny Day.” More great power pop comes with the Association-styled “Rhymes of Tomorrow.” Then “Alamo Dragway” throws in some early Southern Culture on the Skids reverb guitar instrumental. “Sometime” is a great Byrds styled mid-tempo number. Other tracks seem like they are from other bands because they are so different stylistically. “Roadrunner” flirts with messy R&B and “Dorothy” is pretty cool new wave 1980’s era tune. Sometimes it gets a bit cheesy, “The Sphinx won’t tell” almost sounds like a song parody. Overall though, most of the songs here are interesting, if not excellent. I had to post two different videos here, so you see the two sides of this cool band. If you order from Kool Kat Musik you get a bonus EP of “Little Fox” (in Spanish and English) and three more tracks.

Krayolas Site | My Space | Kool Kat Musik

Listen to “Little Fox”

Listen to “Find a Girl”