As I mentioned before, power pop bands just lend themselves to Cartoon Network and get some great exposure. The Hives look like they are having fun here, as they play this vid about 100 times a day (beats ole’ MTV exposure). Ok Go please take note, it will take more than jumping on treadmills to built your fanbase.
Automat "Automat"
David Doll’s new band Automat is the definition of a great power pop band. Cues from Beatles, Badfinger, 10cc, Dwight Twilley and Big Star are all here on display. And rather than feel forced, it’s a natural part of the Automat sound. This is another great 2007 release that I just missed and it showed up on a few top ten lists. Automat is the real deal here, with a portion of the tracks coming off of David Doll’s EP release of last year (Emusic has this). It starts with the blast of “I Don’t Mind” adding those loud rhythmic guitars and David’s great vocals which are similar in timbre to Cliff Hillis (IKE). “Comeback Special” is a perfect single that will give you goosebumps and will have your body moving in no time. It has more hooks than a seaside bait shop and will “sha-la-la” into your brain. It’s what power pop is all about. “Long Way To Go” has a bit of the Raspberries and Rubinoos mixed together here for a dazzling effect. And of course, the Beatlesque tunes like “Sleep” and “Alright” are most welcome to these ears. The latter chorus, David intones “Here comes heaven and here comes love, it’s everything I thought it would be.” Are we talking about a girl here or the music? The chorus of the Badfingerish “Round and Round” is complete with dualing guitar riffs a la Beatles “The End.” These are truly beautiful songs all capped off by the riff-heavy instrumental “Independence Day.” As Bruce would say “extremely highly recommended” – I second that emotion.
David Doll Site | My Space | Not Lame
Depressive Art "Bye Bye Dear Everything"
Here is a group from Sweden, a country that has a great power pop tradition (i.e. Favorita). Depressive Art, whose album “Bye Bye Dear Everything” is a real creative melding of psyche-garage rock, indie pop and punk shoegazer influences. A hightlight here is “How to Breathe,” with it’s driving riffs, and wall of sound production. Lead singer Klas Bohlin’s deep vocals reminds me of Joy Division playing with Pulp. Using everything from pianos, synths, percussion, and harmonicas to get that dense sound and then grounded by dual guitar riffs that cut through the clutter. On the ballads, like “Old Man’s Quarter” it really mines a mix of Radiohead and Blind Faith. My favorite track here is “Season For Regret” with a pounding drum you won’t easily forget and a howling lead guitar. The last track “On Solid Ground” devolves into a prog-rock organ filled jam. This is good album worth checking out if you like Psyche. If you order this album, tell them Powerpopaholic.com sent you and you’ll get a FREE sample CD single of another band from Wonderland Records in Sweden!
Depressive Art Site | My Space | Wonderland Records | Klicktrack
Listen to “Listen to “How to Breathe”
NEW Wiley Wisely and Mike Viola out now!
I haven’t reviewed it yet, but it sounds pretty good, even though it’s more mellow than his last one. Visit the site to hear it stream.
Wisley site | Itunes
Mike Viola is at it again! “Lurch” is streaming also on the site and it really sounds like a winner. Review coming soon I hope.
Mike Viola.com | My Space
Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide
John Borack, one of the preeminent writers/reviewers covering the power pop/pure pop musical style for more than 20 years (for publications such as Goldmine, Amplifier, and The Trouser Press Record Guide) has put together this definitive overview of the melodic, rocking musical genre we all know and love. It also comes with a CD packed with musical rarities you won’t find anywhere else. Although this book has been promoted heavily elsewhere, I wanted to give public thanks to John and Bruce at Not Lame for including Powerpopaholic.com in the blog section. There are only a limited number of copies left, and it will go out of print sooner than you think.
Buy it at Notlame.com