A nice video from the not often heard 10cc album “How Dare You”
— here’s more:
I’m not in Love
Rubber Bullets
Want more reviews? Download the latest Podcast here from Popism – vol.23!
Deleted Waveform Gatherings "Complicated View"
This came out last month to much fanfare by the other blogs, including Bruce at Not Lame and I wanted to hear what all the fuss is about. The Deleted Waveform Gatherings is a project of Dipsomaniacs leader Øyvind Holm. Those crazy Norwegians! Like a mix of The Go! and Robert Harrison, “Morgue Itch” and “Complicated View” start off the album with quirky psychedelic rock. This is catchy stuff and great fodder for your inner hippy. Holm’s vocals are similar to Harrison, formerly of power pop fave Cotton Mather, with a high Robert Schneider (Apples in Stereo) styled vocal twists. Nods to late 60’s Beatles and Faces are here with the requiste nods to the early Kinks and modern production tricks a la Guided by Voices. This is an excellent release overall and most of the songs will stick in your head for days. “While You consider this” and “Ramshackle Paranoid Stomp” get very trippy in a Harper’s Bizarre kind of way, with tamborines, mandolins and guitar solos. “Walk on Glass” and “Ride Pillion” are very, very John Lennon solo-styled tracks that sound like they could’ve come from a Plastic Ono Band album! And this coming later on the album will give fans shivers of pleasure. The last two tracks “Minefield Baby” and “Drawing Moons” are a bit of a letdown from the rest of the album, but they are not bad either. The worst critique I can say is the liner notes are very hard to read: small dark brown lettering on black? I’ll go blind… You can buy this one almost everywhere.
My Space | Rainbow Quartz | Itunes | Amazon | Not Lame | Kool Kat | E-Music
Santa Dog "Kittyhawk"
Who says females can’t do power pop? Led by female vocalist Rowena Dugdale her group Santa Dog has released 2 nicely done EPs (at CDBaby and E-music). But here is the first full length by this group. Beautiful arrangements and sweet hooks dominate throughout on “Kittyhawk.” It starts off with “Big Bang” a fantastic shimmering guitar tune. Rowena has earned comparisons to Debbie Harry, and they really are appropriate on the next song “Are you hot enough.” Rob Williams does an amazing job all over the album with a ton of detailed strum and jangle rhythms, notably on “Belle De Jour” and “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah”. The group also channels a bit of classic Pretenders meets 10,000 Maniacs in the rockin’ “Lucky Me.” This is one of those rare albums that can be enjoyed on many levels. If you just want to casually listen to some jangle pop that has a sunny sound this will please you, and if you pay attention to the intelligent lyrical themes (addiction or lack of control in relationship) you’ll appreciate this album even more. Enjoy this excellent album like you would a fine meal and allow the repeat listens to really satisfy your power pop hunger.
Santa Dog Website | CD Baby – old album | My Space | Emusic – old album | Amazon | Darla Records
Unsigned talent: "Maren"
Normally I seek out power pop artists that are seldom heard. Occassionally I find an artist that may not be in the category, but sends me a demo that I like and I figure, why not let other people know about it? Well here is “Maren” and she’s another talented rocker-type that falls into the Avril Lavigne meets Joss Stone-styled category. From the bio I read she’s doing alot to stay busy and get her name out. Her songs have made it on MTV’s “Laguna Beach” and “The Hills” and you can hear for yourself why she’s getting this attention.
Maren’s website | Another Maren website | My Space
The Format "Dog Problems" FOR FREE!
Now this is what I’m talkin’ about, FREE MUSIC – legally! The Format is offering last year’s smash album “Dog Problems” as a free download til July 16th. This is an opportunity to get your friends and enemies hooked on power pop excellence as this album was in almost everyones top 20 of 2006. If the Beach Boys styled harmonies don’t win you over the awesome hooks will. If you don’t already own this album, you have NO EXCUSES anymore. Then pass the link over to the next guy. Don’t you wish all new power pop bands would promote themselves like this? It’s called building a “buzz” and gaining new fans.