Tag: IPO

IPO Vol. 25 and thoughts on David Bash’s Top 25 of 2024

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“Ed

Assorted Artists “International Pop Overthrow: Volume 25”

With a lot of personal issues getting in the way, and cleaning up my yearly music list, most of January is comparing and contrasting with other sources for good stuff I missed. New 2025 reviews after this post, I promise!  This year many artists from both our lists are included, but also bands you wouldn’t expect across Vol. 25’s three discs.

Disc One adds heavier pop rock gems like Armchair Oracles “Undertow” and Dixon’s “Into the Ocean,” along with more traditional power pop sounds like Dave Cope & the Sass “Precious Heart” and The Pozers “Ease Off My Heart.” You’ll always end up some odd tracks here and there, but quality is generally good. New artists I enjoyed include Curtis Suburban and Mark Malibu & the Wasagas.

Disc Two had more 60s-influenced elements starting with Fox Paloma’s “Madame Bay” and Captain Easychord’s “Happy Times.” But I really loved the mix here with great pop songs like Bruce Moody’s “I’m Gonna Tell Her Tonight” and the jaunty XTC-ish “Don’t Let Me Down” by The Stoke Barehills Town Band. Add in the heavy fast-tempo gem of Vegas With Randolph’s “N.S.A.” and you’ve got a great playlist. You even got a great Who-like Spanish tune by Jose Estragos.

Disc Three had more great tunes, and surprises like Michael Roberts “We Are Stars (In a Roundabout Way)” and 80’s power pop of Iron City Houserockers playing “Rock and Roll Heart.” The last disc had less I liked overall, but I enjoyed Matt Purcell and thick riffs of The Deep Drags. Overall highly recommended as always!

Amazon

David Bash of The International Pop Overthrow Festival and Mark Hershberger of Pop Detective Records

Watching Material Issues with David Bash of The International Pop Overthrow Festival and Mark Hershberger of Pop Detective Records, they reviewed David’s TOP 25 albums of 2024. Here are some comments I need to mention, as we had some overlaps. But more importantly, some great releases did not show up on my list that deserve a mention:

Sparkle*Jets U.K.”Box Of Letters”

Truly a great album that belongs in my top ten, but I mistakenly thought it was a cover album and miscatagorized it. It deserves much more attention as it is a successful reunion of the band sounding better than ever, and with multiple listens it improves. Don’t hesitate to pick this gem up. Review here. Buy it on Amazon.

Telejet “Spiritual Age”

While this was number one on Dave’s list, a few things knocked it off my list for 2024. Firstly, its a remaster of music from 2004, so it’s not “new.” In addition, the remaster was officially released in 2023. That said, it is an excellent album and deserves to be in every power pop fan’s collection. Review here. Buy it on Amazon.


Armchair Oracles “Nothingeveris”

This also ended up as a 2023 release, but coming out so late in the year, it did not receive the attention it deserved. Overall a great power pop album with guitar muscle to spare. Another gem that aged well after multiple listens. Oh, and the band has already moved on to an Americana themed album. Review Here. Buy it on Amazon.

Best Compilations of 2023: International Pop Overthrow Vol. 24 and Embers of Aloha

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IPO

Assorted Artists “International Pop Overthrow Vol. 24”

Every year, Dave Bash reliably puts out this 3-disc overview of old and new power pop talent. There are always unexpected gems that I never see promoted anywhere else, and that’s one of the best reasons to pick this up. Unlike past volumes, the quality is truly spread across all three discs. Here are some highlights for me:

Disc 1: Opening with The Cowsills on “Ya Gotta Get Up!” is proof that power pop never goes out of style. Sunbourne Rd gives us “Pioneers and Natives,” with its strong psyche-pop vibe, The Parlophonics’ brilliant pop of “Reading Kerouac,” Tyler Graham’s “If It Were Up To Me,” and the 80’s-like strums of 6Kitty’s “Do I Walk.” One apparent thing is that this is not strictly power pop but a huge selection of pop styles.

Disc 2: The jangling dream-pop of Pikal’s “That’s Not Me” or Plasma Chasms’ “Chasing Ghosts” follow a path closer to full psychedelic prog. The optimistic “Yesterdays and Silly Ways” by Thomas Charlie Pedersen is also a standout. Brian Larney & Dean Falcone have the riffs on “Love Signs,” as well as The On and Ons’ “Don’t Wanna Talk About It.”

Disc 3: The 80-rock stylings of Robin Schell’s “Eleven” and Jody & The Jerms’ “Insatiable” both have great hooks. The Love Gamblers’ “Without Love,” Stephen’s Ruin “Lorraine,” Broken Sound’s “Sky Girl,” and Lizard Music’s “Keystone Cops” also all had me very impressed. Without a doubt highly recommended, and we look forward to next year’s compilation.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Embers of Aloha: A Maui Wildfire Benefit Project

Assorted Artists “Embers of Aloha: A Maui Wildfire Benefit Project”

The people who have suffered because of the Maui wildfires will receive immediate assistance thanks to this musical initiative. The people of Lahaina and the communities located in West Maui will appreciate your generous donation, which will help provide relief to those affected by this terrible calamity. Thanks to my friend, Michael McCartney, for bringing this to my attention.

While most of these songs have already been released, some of them are exclusive to the collection. Featured highlights include Dana Countryman, Star Collector, Timmy Sean, Tammy Ferranti, David Myhr, John Hunter Phillips, and The Hurricane Beach Band (doing an awesome Beach Boys-like track). With 42 tracks, you can’t go wrong. Highly Recommended.

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More best compilations

Shine On: A Tribute To Pete Ham

Abbey Road Reimagined: A Tribute To The Beatles

Assorted Artists “Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies”

IPO Vol.23 and This is Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio compilations

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Why compilations? There is no better way to get an “instant” power pop collection in your head than with these 2 terrific collections from trusted curators with years of experience. If you are looking to keep up with all the new music that’s out there and don’t have the time and money to know “who’s good?” then these power pop compilations are essential shorthand for the rest of us.

Dana & Carl Present: This is Rock 'n' Roll Radio Vol. 5

Various Artists “Dana & Carl Present: This is Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio Vol. 5”

These guys are still at it?… This Is Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio” hosts Dana & Carl’s newest compilation (Volume 5) does not disappoint. From the sunny surf harmonies of Laurie Biagni’s “Hey Mr. DJ” to the alternative rock buzz of Jeff Shelton’s Deadlights, this collection has a big range of styles and sounds. Some traditional power pop stalwarts, like Chris Von Sneidern’s “Goodnight Sailor,” are a welcome treat, along with newer bands like In Deed with “Peace & Quiet.” A solid 27 tracks and a few station IDs make this one a keeper.
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Kool Kat Musik

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

Various Artists “International Pop Overthrow: Volume 23”

Every year David Bash takes great care to introduce new musical talent with his IPO festival and companion soundtrack. With Volume 23 (!) you get a 3-CD set with 68 tracks. Start with disc one and the 60s sunshine pop of The Tambourine People, it’s a sugary pop gem, akin to The Peppermint Rainbow. The Vinylos uses horns to deliver “The Rain Comes” very similar to the recent Ken Sharp, and Black Mail House has a similar horn-led tune “There’s Only One Way Out Of This.” Other standouts here include Golden Richard’s “Shake Your Hair” and Blake’s “Vinyl Junkie” which is a fitting bio of a music geek.

On disc 2, there is more of an alternating structure between seasoned pros like David Brookings (“One of Us Is Crazy”) and newcomers like Elphonic (“Rapid Transit”), and it’s literally hit or miss with the newer bands. Luckily, the batting average is high. Standouts for me were Lisa Marie Claire’s folky “Paper Letter” and Andrew Stonehome’s “Heartbreaker.”

Disc 3 is the most diverse of artistic styles, starting with the Beach Boys-like “Summer Camp” by Fredrick Julius, and the Beatlesque Sunbourne Rd’s “Dear Jo” and Parlophonic’s lovely “Feel The Light.” The most out-there track this year is the rap (!) by Morty Shallman “Party All Night At Sunset,” and I think LMAFO better watch out! Standouts include Glowbox’s “Test of Time” and Barmudas “Dry January.” Overall, there will be faves for everyone on each disc. Enjoy!

Amazon | Omnivore Recordings | Kool Kat Musik

IPO returns to NYC

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It’s been a long time, but it was great to get out and see live music again. The International Pop Overthrow festival returned to New York City this past weekend at Arlene’s Grocery. A lot of familiar faces were there over the weekend; Slybooks, The John Sally Ride, Wendy Ip, Bubble, Eytan Mirsky, Meyerman, The Anderson Council, and The Grip Weeds. The crowd was really into it this year, and as always David Bash was an excellent master of ceremonies. David continues to globe-trot with his festival, heading to Boston next week. If he comes to your town don’t miss it!

Concert Review: IPO NY 2016

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dave_ravedave_rave
Oberon RoseOberon Rose
The ReignThe Reign
Lannie FlowersLannie Flowers
Lannie FlowersLannie Flowers
Jose EstragosJose Estragos
Jose EstragosJose Estragos
John DunbarJohn Dunbar
The PengwinsThe Pengwins
The PengwinsThe Pengwins
The PengwinsThe Pengwins
The ModulatorsThe Modulators
The ModulatorsThe Modulators
Lane Steinberg QuartetLane Steinberg Quartet
John Faye and Cliff HillisJohn Faye and Cliff Hillis
John Faye and Cliff HillisJohn Faye and Cliff Hillis
John Faye and Cliff HillisJohn Faye and Cliff Hillis

This year at Bar Matchless as always, I see old friends and manage to always make new ones at International Pop Overthrow. Dave Bash has not skipped a beat and continues to make International Pop Overthrow the November “must see” event in New York. I came for two nights and found the crowd has increased compared to last year. Great performances by perennial favorites The Modulators and Dave Rave bring the audience to loud cheers. And the historic reunion of John Faye and Cliff Hillis was mesmerizing as they played tunes from their solo records and IKE.

It was also great meeting new artists like singer Hallie Rose (a Dave Rave discovery) and Spain’s Jose Estragos. I was also impressed by The Pengwins and Lannie Flowers (both from Texas) and Lannie even played my favorite cover “Baby Blue” by Badfinger. I also enjoyed performances from The Reign (Feat. Joe Caravella) and Meyerman, both artists have brand new players in their bands and did a great job. Dave filmed and posted many performances on Facebook.

Obviously some of these lucky artists will be invited to play at Power Popaholic Fest 2016 coming this June. If your band would like to be considered for our summer show, please contact me before March.