Powerpopholic

Smash Palace "Everybody Comes and Goes"

January 23, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 2 Comments

Steven Butler and the rest of Smash Palace of New Jersey, have done a smashing job here. Inspired by the Beatles, Kinks and Tom Petty this album is pretty catchy and near perfect. It’s full of great musical composition, appealing vocals and crunchy Brit influenced guitars that are ever present throughout the album. The traditional computer-free approach suits them fine and this is the purest power pop disc I’ve heard all year. The melodic hooks will stick to your brain faster than peanut butter sticks to the roof of your mouth. “She” begins with the classic Monkees jangle intro and builds to an awesome chorus.”Didn’t Anyone Tell, You” has a bit of Split Enz meets The Grip Weeds. The great guitar work continues with “Dressed in Black” and “Is this a Dream?” is a dreamy mid-tempo love poem. “Just Like You” will drive the Tom Petty fans into a “Full Moon Fever” and “Hoping” follows that template with a Ray Davies’ like vocal narrative. “Caroline” strays into a somber blues study that could fit on an Allman Brothers record. A smooth cover of George Harrison’s “I Want To Tell You” rounds out this fantastic release. This makes my top ten 2008 early, I guess Wisely isn’t alone this month!

Smash Palace Site | My Space | CD Baby

Ringo Starr "Liverpool 8"

January 23, 2008April 1, 2018 powerpopaholic

I seriously debated even reviewing this, but c’mon the guy was a Beatle and deserves some props for still popping out an album now and then. When stacked against his previous work, “Liverpool 8” is actually a very pleasant listen and compares favorably to anything done after 1992’s “Time takes Time.” Once again Mark Hudson surrounds Ringo with enough Beatlesque arrangements and references to keep it from being boring. However, he was booted in favor of former Eurythmic David A. Stewart who was hired to finish the album off. It’s slick enough to compete with former bandmate Paul’s last one. Both albums look at mortality, nostalgia and love – hell, what else are guys over 64 years old gonna sing about nowadays? For Beatles fans, it’s a passable time waster. For Ringo fans, it’s a joy most of you already own.

Itunes | Ringo’s Official Site

IKE "Where to Begin"

January 21, 2008July 16, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

After the departure of Cliff Hillis from IKE, it has become a rawer, louder band fronted by John Faye and supported by Brett Talley. What is most impressive is that this self produced album was supported by fan donations, and everyone who contributed is in the liner notes. Note to you major labels: you are becoming less relevant every day. This is modern power pop closer to the commercial alt. sounds of All American Rejects, or American Hi Fi. This is almost a return to Faye’s form as a member of the Caulfields or The John Faye Power Trip but with the added depth of experience. There is more lyrical insight here behind the fresh melodic riffs than usual. The album starts out with some pretty heavy guitar work and the single “We Like Sugar” seems like good companion to Velvet Revolver (I want this song on Guitar Hero IV). Awesome stuff. My fav here is “The Way I see it” with those handclaps and killer riffs. It’s a great melodic power rock tune. Add to this “Say Luvva” and you hear John Faye at his best. A fully literate and descriptive lyrics with killer hard rock guitars. This is one indie release that has a great chance of breaking through to the younger crowd. The single “We Like Sugar” is getting airplay on a local Philadelphia rock station, and that says it all. The are no ballads here, although it runs to a mid-tempo pace after 2/3 of the album, with “Eleven Eleven” and “Late Bloomer” it kind of wears you down a bit, but it proves that John Faye is one hell of a performer. Purchase this directly from IKE Online and stick it to “the suits.”

IKE Online | My Space

Powerpopaholic CDs for Sale: Site Update

January 21, 2008January 21, 2008 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Yesterday I rolled out a widget (on the right) to sell some CDs from my old collection. None of them are promos — and all are gently used from my personal collection. I will post more eventually — including rare and out-of-print CDs that you will not find anywhere else (or at least not easily available). Just know these are power pop classics for the most part. Prices include shipping – so get them while they’re here – each album is limited to one copy for sale.

Soft Gong "Pretend You Need Me"

January 20, 2008July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

From Boise, Idaho comes a band that sparks excitment – Soft Gong. If Bon Jovi ever decided to start a Jellyfish inspired bar band, then it would sound like this. This band began as a team building whim for a marketing agency. The agency had some musically talented creative people and started this band together. Many songs were written by Bill Coffey and some here standout, an example being “Cover Band” with catchy choruses and consistent beats. A real winner here is also “Ninety-nine Percent” – a perfect power pop tune with great guitar riffs and a great melodic hook. “The Mirror is Lonely” is a cool 70’s styled rock tribute (more cowbell fellas!) that is easy on the ears. The band is definitely inspired by Cheap Trick as well, if you listen to “Break Me.” Unfortunately, it’s not without some weakness here. In the latter song and in a few others the backing vocals are just badly done. In some cases, the material isn’t better than your average cover band (“Night School Sweetheart”) trying a bit too hard to rock. Coffey has a great voice that can redeem most of the tracks though. It definitely is better than any other “creative group” turned rock band and worth a listen or two. They would easily blow away the competition here.

My Space | CD Baby | Itunes