Powerpopholic

Kurt Hagardorn "Ten Singles"

August 3, 2007July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Kurt Hagardorn loves to play music. Simple as that. His album “Ten Singles” is a relaxing series of songs that recall the great power pop influences of the past.The production is clean and perfectly done here. On first listen it is a nice Beatlesque Alt. Country album in the early Wilco vein, but after a few listens it really grows on you. It opens with the excellent Beach Boys’ Holland-era single “International Travel Advisory.” Then the Neil Young-ish “You are my Girl” follows. It’s got a wonderful chorus that recalls You Am I’s countrified power pop. “Please Make it Last” is the best song Harry Nillson never wrote and a real standout as well. The Badfinger comparisons are most apt on “Rock Scissors Paper” a rollocking number with awesome riff work. The style takes a more contemporary spin with “Leanne” – a wonderful song with more of an electric sound, and great lyrics about losing the girl. Most every track here is really good, and the stories on even the slower ballads remain interesting. Recorded between 2000 and 2006, Kurt has given us the cream of his crop here. It feels like a carefully handcrafted project and you couldn’t ask for more than that.

MySpace | Itunes | Not Lame | CD Baby

Listen to “You Are My Girl”

The Electric Soft Parade "No Need To Be Downhearted"

July 31, 2007April 1, 2018 powerpopaholic

Brothers Tom and Alex White of The Electric Soft Parade are really the cream of the Britpop crop nowadays and have successfully taken the mantel left vacant by Oasis and Coldplay. Being the first major label release in the US, the songs follow a dizzy array of musical styles – from Post-Punk, to Psyche-Pop to Power Pop. The slow intro “No Need To Be Down-Hearted (Part 1)” almost plays like Pulp or Death Cab For Cutie, and that leads to the energetic “Life in the Back Seat” – a mix of the Shins and 10cc come to mind here. But a series of great indie-pop classics are buried here in “If That’s The Case, Then I Don’t Know” and “Misunderstanding” – they are excellent and the best I’ve heard since The Field Mice’s last album. “The Shore Song” is a dreamy acoustic song that flows along beautifully and like the lyrics state “you won’t get bored of me this time.” Unlike earlier albums, the focus here is on tight melodic songs, and not obtuse experimentation. “Have You Ever Felt Like It’s Too Late” has amazingly polished riffs and beats with great chord changes like The Beta Band on steriods. It follows with “Come back inside” another dreamy psychedelic mid 70s inspired gem. My favorite here is “Cold World” – a perfect Paul McCartney styled tune that will make you tap your toes for sure. A few tracks like “Secrets” seem more puzzling here and slow the momentum a bit. I can almost guarantee that you’ll be addicted to these guys after one listen, so be sure to pick this album up – it’s everywhere now.

Listen to “Misunderstanding”

Ice Cream Hands "The Good China"

July 31, 2007July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

I have been a fan of Ice Cream Hands for ages. I consider them one of the first great power pop bands to come out of Australia. With some artists you need a few spins of a CD to let it sink in. Not with these guys. The sound is an immediate satisfaction of harmony and melody. After the last album I heard “Broken UFO” in 2002, things were quiet. This new album “The Good China” finds Marcus Goodwin, Charles Jenkins, Douglas Lee Robertson and Derek Smiley up to their old tricks. Opening with “Come Along” it’s a rich full pop song that is full of the classic Ice Cream Hands sound. Best described as Teenage Fanclub meets Crowded House. The album continues with a droning riff on “In the Back seat of a stolen Car.” It then switches gears for the very Beatlesque ballad “Holding On.” Continuing on, almost every song is a keeper and the band’s maturity that was evident on “Broken UFO” is here as well, shown especially on the the very Finn-like “Anyway.” Toward the end of the album, the tone gets a bit more soulful and ends with the stunning Brian Wilson inspired “My Mother was a Dancer.” It’s hard to argue with anything here, visit the links below to purchase this. Emusic has the older stuff and if you pick up any of the older records you won’t be sorry either. They are also interviewed on PBS in Melbourne – see the MySpace site.

My Space | Amazon | Play 4 Me | JB Hi Fi | E-music link to older albums

The Fast Camels "The Magic Optician"

July 27, 2007April 1, 2018 powerpopaholic

This was the top album on rock critic David Bash’s top 2007 list and I think it deserves some attention. The Fast Camels are unapologetically rooted in the feakbeat of 60’s pysch-beat. This sun-blistered, psychedelic brand of 60s power pop and freakbeat is on the road to gain converts all over the UK and you can hear it now. “Like a Magic Optician” is a fine Syd Barrett styled single that is a real joy to listen to. “The Hump” jams with awesome twang and Drew Sturgeon’s breathy vocals that recall Donovan. The “Comforting Things” and “The 2 Day Week” has a lighter Eric Burdon & The Animals feel to it. “Can you see me?” is a great driving jangle guitar fueled song that recalls The Byrds. My favorite song here is “Big Daddy Smyth” with its great hook and biting lyrics about a guy you don’t want to cross. It also has other 60s era influences like Lee Hazelwood, The Beau Brummels and The Troggs. This is not an album that is merely influenced by the Psychedelic era. It is a legitimate companion to those great albums and chock full of memorable tracks. Original psych afficianados will love playing “spot the influence” and anyone who likes to be challenged to listen beyond the surface will love this album. For most of the fans of Rainbow Quartz artists that emulate the classical late 60s style, this is required listening. All you need is your lava lamp and some incense. It is most worthy of my top ten list this year. Thanks Dave!

Fast Camels Website | MySpace | E-Music | Amazon

Jeremy "New Day Rising"

July 25, 2007July 17, 2017 powerpopaholic

Jeremy Morris is at again. To me the amazing guitar work is what makes Jeremy stand out from a sea of other instrumentalists. This new 2007 release is a collection of melodic acoustic guitar pieces similiar in style and approach to “Still Waters”. Fans of progressive guitar will love this cd. It contains 10 Jeremy originals, a Pink Floyd cover and a Genesis cover. Time to relax and let the sounds just drift over you. Sometimes I can almost “hear” lyrics in the strumming on tunes like “Child’s Play” and “Sand in the Sun.” If traditional classical acoustic is your cup of tea, then listen to “Timeless.” Much of the wonderful sound reminded me of my favorite Phil Keaggy album “The Master & the Musician.” If you don’t have that one — it is worth seeking out as well.

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