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”

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

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

Dion Read is almost the textbook example of the quirky piano pop meister, with his opening track “If I was there for you.” It has echos of Ben Folds and that song from Apple’s iphone commercial by Orba Squara. It’s got a nice melody and the follow up “Unloving You” is even better, with some sweet multitracked harmony. This four track EP is an impressive debut worth a spin on the ipod. Hey, Apple can you use Dion’s song for the next tv spot?

Dion Read Homepage | My Space | CD Baby

The Nice Outfit was formed from the ashes of teen idols Menlo and The New Blind Nationals and as an off-shoot of power pop heroes Trolley and Quinn Scharber. Think an updated version of The Buzzcocks for the next generation of powerpopaholics. This combo rocks with an energy that compares well with The Plimsouls or even fellow Milwaukee band The Saltshakers. Starting with the chiming guitarplay of “Kissing Jocelyn” will appeal to lovers of that 60’s classic sound. Lead vocal Terry Hackbarth threatens to get buried by all those riffs, which flirt with the classic punk of The Replacements. The other three tracks follow the same formula with just enough melody under the surface to keep it rockin’. It’s a short EP, and would love to see the a full length soon.

CDBaby | My Space