Powerpopholic

John Wicks and The Records "Rotate"

June 19, 2007July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Going through the backlog of CDs, several Kool Kat artists were released recently. If you like your power pop in a vintage 80’s mode, you couldn’t do better than John Wicks new album “Rotate.” Wicks picks up with the classic Records sound and starts right away with the catchy “Oh Yeah!” a sure-fire classic single. Another standout is “That Girl is Emily” – a great rock and roll song with a bit of Cheap Trick styled guitar theatrics. “Rotate” is another mid-tempo guitar jangle-fest with a highly enjoyable melodic chorus that reminds me of a classic REM song. Wicks vocals have barely aged and sounds as good as he did twenty years ago. “Rising Stars” and “Desert Sky” both have some great moments, but wander on a bit too long. Another great song is “The Lost Years” an autobiographical account of The Records troubled past. “Come on Round” is another catchy riff filled piece of jangly goodness with a touch of alt. country. Also a great cover of the Beatles’ “We Can Work it Out” rounds out this excellent release. For Records fans, this is a must-have CD and for other pop fans it is highly enjoyable listening. My fellow blogger, Kid Charlemagne has a detailed history of The Records and this release here.

Video: “Starry Eyes” – The Records big hit from 1980.

Shake Some Action "Live at the Crocodile"

June 19, 2007April 1, 2018 powerpopaholic

These guys are a great power pop band and now they have a full live album coming out on June 26th. Recorded live at Seattle’s legendary Crocodile Cafe on December 23, 2006 – just their third show – this live performance shows why Shake Some Action! has been steadily building a loyal fan base throughout 2007. Catchy pop songs with gorgeous harmonies and instantly hummable melodies, all performed with tremendous energy and enthusiasm. As a special preview, the band is making the tracks available streaming from their site.

Streaming Live Tracks! | Shake Some Action Review

Great Northern "Trading Twilight for Daylight"

June 18, 2007July 6, 2024 powerpopaholic

Great Northern has the kind of Oasis-styled pop dramatics that draw you in and take hold of you. The opening track “Our Bleeding Hearts” starts with a nice piano melody and slowly builds to a chorus that reminds me of The Smashing Pumpkins in their prime. “Just a Dream” follows as a kind of pastoral power pop, like The Olivia Tremor Control fronted by Enya. This is followed by “Home” – a terrific single with a beatlesque vibe that lingers long after the final note plays. Lead singer Rachel Stolte’s voice is awesome, reaching highs that leaves Gwen Stefani in the dust with the song “Telling Lies.” Each song is thick with great wall of sound-styled production and like Enya, builds a sonic soundscape that starts great but can easily get overly bombastic. Mid way through the album “A Sun a Sound” seems like a good Coldplay styled track that changes the mood a bit. “Into the Sun” and “The Middle” then switches gears and gets more aggressive with the guitar work. This starts to sound a bit like Blur and ends the album on a positive note. It’s alot to take in one album, but it’s done really well. Great Northern is shining example of ethereal and soothing power pop.

Great Northern Website | My Space | Amazon | Itunes

Other bloggers have been discovering that Bryan Scary and The Shredding Tears are so far the best power pop band this year (even though technically this came out end of last year). My original review from February is here. The Obscure Sound blog has some downloads and a really great review. I could not agree more with it. Essential reading and listening.

Until June "s/t"

June 15, 2007April 1, 2018 powerpopaholic

Here is a real “Hollywood-styled” success story. Josh (piano and vocals) and Dan (guitar) Ballard played music together growing up in Arizona before taking a leap of faith and moving to California. They both agreed that if they didn’t “make it big” in the music business by June 2006, they would move back home. Working at Starbucks, Josh met producer Brian Garcia and the rest is music history.

Inspired and lush, this album is a tapestry of falsetto and piano. The album is essential listening for any one who likes melodic “heartbreak” themed songs. Josh and Dan Ballard really put joy and pain into each song, not unlike Coldplay or Keane. “Unnoticed” is a good Ben Folds-type of tune. “All I Have” is a good mid-tempo song that borrows a bit from U2 and “What I’ve done” has a sweeping majestic chorus. Unfortunately, because the mood of each song is downbeat, it tends to weigh the album down. You almost forget this is a Christian pop band until “You Do” at the end of the album. Geared toward moody young people, it should do very well. The website is also beautifully done with streaming songs to listen to. Enjoy!

The Until June Website | My Space | Amazon

The Grey Race "s/t"

June 14, 2007July 17, 2017 powerpopaholic

The Grey Race, a new power pop group from Brooklyn does a great job of setting up a cool soundscape. The songs are best described as “sweet and sour” and reminds me a bit of 10cc and late-era Badfinger with multiple listens. “On the Chin” and “Bottom” are emotionally dark and amazingly cool. The one sunny spot on the CD is a cover of The Zombies “Care of Cell 44” – this is very nicely done, although it isn’t going to make me forget about Susanna Hoffs’ version last year. I feel The Grey Race does have some greatness potential in the brilliant song “Screamings not an Option” and vocalist Jon Darling’s scathing comment on a break up that is an effective mix of Pink Floyd’s desparation and The Beatles melodicism, and my favorite track here. I look forward to a full length release in September.

The Grey Race Website | My Space

Also new on e-music is a worthy download. This is a classic of the genre: Any Trouble “Where are all the nice girls?” This 1980 gem mines the Elvis Costello/Joe Jackson era sound perfectly. Essential listening.