Tag: Greg Pope

Greg Pope and Edward O’Connell

powerpopaholic
Greg Pope

Greg Pope “Rise of the Mythical Creatures”

Greg Pope’s rich guitar sound is distinctive, and he journeys down a more traditional rock sound on this latest LP. “As You Love” reminds me of Matthew Sweet with its chugging guitar rhythm. Pope crafts rock opera-styled drama in under 3 minutes with “Words No One Can Say.”It’s as if Queen and Blue Oyster Cult are combined on “Smile, Nod and Slowly Back Away,” The songs are musically consistent with just enough hook to draw you in. “Savior of The Local Rock Scene” is another love letter to the golden age of Rock, with glammy riffs and energy.

While the immediacy isn’t as pronounced as in past works, Pope knows how to tell a good story. “Sorry I Wrote This Song” is about having your partner realize your songwriting cuts a little too close. “Traditions” bounces along, and is also very inviting. All the songs are good, but the standout to me is “Holding On To A Sunny Day,” a classic hook-filled melody shining with optimism. Overall very highly recommended.

Kool Kat Musik


JellyFox

Edward O’Connell “Feel Some Love”

Veteran musician Edward O’Connell returns with a new album 8 years after Vanishing Act. With a full studio band, and guest backing from vocalists Parthenon Huxley (The Orchestra), Thomas Walsh (Pugwash), and more, this proves to be a solid effort. “Golden Light” echos Tom Petty in style, and its solid hook carries you through the song effortlessly. The title track “Feel Some Love” and “Buddy Crocker” recalls mid-tempo Elvis Costello with their wry humor and bittersweet lyrics.

The album’s second half is more reflective, “As No One Once Said” is a compelling ballad, and another effective standout is the soulful pop “Who’s Watching Your Baby,” which shows parental worry with a bluesy guitar break. While the songs here are not as catchy, they keep the same “Costello meets Petty” style, and that’s better than most music out there. Definitely, music that deserves to be heard.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

A Very COVID Christmas: Ho-Ho-Holiday Singles!

powerpopaholic

COVID has allowed many musicians to develop holiday music early, and this year boasts a bumper crop of great singles. In fact, it seems everyone had time to record “Jingle Bells” this year. But I enjoy the variety and originality of most of these Christmas tunes here. Grab them quick before they get as stale as Grandma’s fruitcake in January!










Nick Frater and Greg Pope

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Nick Frater

Nick Frater “Fast & Loose”

Nick Frater has been very productive, after last year’s top-ten album Full Fathom Freight-Train, he released the experimental 59 Vignettes and like an Energizer bunny, he keeps going. This new album Fast and Loose is out on Big Stir Records label.

After a nondescript instrumental we get the optimistic “Let’s Hear It For Love” a driving opener with a memorable chorus, with just enough of a Beatles vibe to make a favorite. While “Luna” marches along to a pounding beat, the best is yet to come. Frater’s ability to craft a lovely ballad with “That Ship Has Sailed” and “Moonstruck” remains in fine form. The albums second half doesn’t loose stream with the pensive “So Now We’re Here” as the hooks take hold in the verses, and the Beach Boys styled magic is all over “Would You Like To Go?” Fans of The Explorers Club will like that one, and the only misfire here is the bombastic “Cocaine Gurls,” a two-minute song stretched to four with a chaotic guitar solo laid over it. However, Nick’s songs are primarily memorable, and that makes this one highly recommended.

Amazon | Big Stir Records

Greg Pope

Greg Pope “Wishing On A Dark Star”

Greg Pope, the Nashville power-pop powerhouse since 2008’s Popmonster is back with a new album. Pope, now joined by his sons Asher, Noah, and Finn has moved in a more enlightened direction with his music. The influences are simply much more varied than in past works with less reliance on a single lead guitar melody.

The opener “Gone” starts with a methodical verse about a breakup with some nice Queen-like guitar touches. “Blue Skies Above” has a great catchy chorus that recalls The Police and the bright “Morning Sunshine” embraces some prog-bass along the lines of Yes and Genesis with its calming harmonies. The title track brings to mind classic Pink Floyd with its strong bass-percussion focus, and the acoustic “Jump Back From The Light” has inspiring lyrics to help a friend in need.

The heavy guitar riffs and fun lyrics on “Vacation (From My Vacation)” is another big highlight, but it’s nice to hear Pope expanding his sound like the jazzy blues rhythm on “Blue Bird Fly” and the gentle guitar and synth ballad “Crawling Back To You.” Like all his music, it is Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp | Greg Pope’s site

Greg Pope and P. Hux

powerpopaholic
Greg Pope

Greg Pope “A Few Seconds Of Fame”

Perennial power pop favorite Greg Pope is back! After 2016’s Guiding Star, Pope continues to impress with his crunchy guitar chords and catchy choruses akin to Matthew Sweet. “Forget About You” is a solid opener with the wall of guitars and an earworm melody. Next “She’s Already There” changes tone multiple times, with some classical touches and it makes for a unique listening experience that leads to the chorus.

Pope carefully constructs his songs and adds nice little details, like a harpsichord opening on “Planet Earth” and occasional metal-styled guitar arpeggios sprinkled in other tunes. Highlights include; “Hopes and Dreams and Fears,” “Dreams About You” and the amazing finale “You Got Inside My Head.” Highly Recommended (as usual).

Amazon | CD Baby

P. Hux

P. Hux “This Is The One”

After the brilliant Thank You Bethesda in 2013, Parthenon Huxley is back. He’s been on fans radar for over 30 years as an expert in songwriting, production, and guitar playing. He is also a founding member of The Orchestra and played with numerous famous musicians over the years.

“You gotta vision you can’t let go…” he sings on the title track, a rousing opener full of great energy. But most of the songs are more subdued, like the mellow “Song For James,” written for his daughter Fiona James Huxley, which is like a lost Eagles song. I definitely hear some Joe Walsh influences in the guitar solo. He amps the energy up for the catchy “Just Sayin’,” which sounds like The Cars meet Tom Petty a little. ELO fans will appreciate the strings on the majestic “Off We Go” and the Beatlesque touches on “Inside Your Shoes.”

Another highlight “That’s When I Know” has a familiar rhythm and manages to go into some nice directions with it. The influences on this album are more ’70s soft rock-oriented than his past catalog, but Hux always manages to entertain. A very good album that pop music fans should embrace.

Amazon | CD Baby | P. Hux Store

Greg Pope and John Dowler’s Vanity Project

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Greg Pope

Greg Pope “Guiding Star”

After a career-spanning overview with Favorites, the Nashville “pope of power pop” Greg Pope returns with a lower key album in Guiding Star. “Innocent Breakdown” is a promising start with its anthemic chorus and staccato rhythm. “Four Leaf Clover” is a mid-tempo gem with a great bass line, in the vein of Badfinger. While the music isn’t punctuated by big riffs, the melody and dense production do dominate.

The optimism shines through the prog rock influenced title track and “Sun is Gonna Rise.” The gentle “Pretend It’s Alright” is another hopeful look toward the future with Pope’s understated vocal. The bedroom philosophy of “If You Want Answers” reveals that Pope is just “making this up as I go.” No filler here as Pope does a great job weaving tunes with a few experiments, notably the drum solo “Bruce.” Guitar fuzz comes back on the short “Eggshells,” and once again Pope has delivered a highly recommended album. Add it to your collection.

Amazon


John Dowler's Vanity Project

John Dowler’s Vanity Project “Splendid Isolation”

John Dowler is a veteran of the Australian indie rock and power pop scene (Spare Change,Young Modern, Zimmermen) and this “Vanity Project” includes Justin Bowd (guitar), Julien Chick bass), Mark McCartney (guitar) and Michael Stranges (drums). His music is combination of styles ranging from Van Morrison to DM3, and it does grow on you quiet well. The low key “Off The Coast Of Me” uses nautical analogies to explain his blues, and the mid-tempo jangle on “Unsolved Mystery” is also compelling.

“My Face” feels like an NRBQ song, and the tender “Don’t Blame It On Your Wife” is a very gentle reminder not to take her for granted. My favorite here is the rocking “Oakleigh” with its impressive riffs and layered guitars. From there it gets uneven, with country styled ballads and bar room rockers. Still a worthy listening experience.

Amazon