Tag: Kurt Baker

Late Nov singles and EPs: Mt. Misery, Kurt Baker, The Aerovons, Lùlù, Sudden Cuts, Ryan Hendry

powerpopaholic


We start our Thanksgiving week, thanking Mt. Misery a Hartlepool, UK band with a sound very much in the vibe of Dropkick (who have a new album dropping next year). The light jangle and comforting melody is just the tip of this iceberg. Next, Kurt Baker returns with some of his “Inner Demons,”  and it’s brilliantly played with a loaded band, featuring faves Wyatt Funderburk and Geoff Palmer. Next, The Aerovons are back! I reviewed the return of this rock curio a few years ago, and lead singer Tom Hartman.This EP is very much in the same space. After that we have power pop crunch courtesy of Lùlù, a French band from Paris, and we hope to hear more from them. California band Sudden Cuts have a dense indie sound, check out “All Over Town” with it’s Replacements guitar vibe, oh and this one is a freebie. Finally we have Ryan Hendry with his energy-filled singles – and I love his instrumental cover of a suite of Genesis tunes, written by the great Tony Banks. Enjoy!




Summers is here: It Man, Kurt Baker, Jamie Lenman, Caleb Nichols, The Supernaturals, Sparkle*Jets U.K.

powerpopaholic


“White Heat” is the debut single from It Man, Produced and mixed by Dan Swift (Ash, Snow Patrol, Aqualung) and recorded by Gordon Raphael (The Strokes). It’s got a rhythm and verses that ooze coolness. A tidal wave of new releases is coming, but before that happens some well-deserved singles and EPs need attention. Kurt Baker continues to impress with his new “Anchors Up” and “Sweet Alice,” joined by Wyatt Funderburk, Geoff Palmer, and Kris Rodgers, it sounds like a potential top-ten LP.  Jamie Lenman has been more melodic recently, and he’s got a new EP out, and “Crazy Horse” is worth a few listens. Caleb Nichols is also back with an experimental and dream-like EP, check out “Chan Says.” The Supernaturals are from Glasgow and “Roy Wouldn’t” is a cheeky single that caught my ear. Plus a welcome return for Sparkle*Jets U.K., those Southern California guitar poppers are now signed to Big Stir Records with the first new album over 20 years, coming out at the end of June. Here is a taste of the goodies to come. It’s gonna be a hot summer!




More May singles: The Bayonets, The Well Wishers, The Lolas, Scoopski, Kurt Baker

powerpopaholic


Brian Ray (Paul McCartney) is back with his old-school band The Bayonets. He let loose with his newest video, maybe more suited for Halloween (whatever) but it’s got a nice hook. The reliable Well Wishers are also back with the dense “So Important” and The Lolas have a great single here with “Trick Myself,” one of their best IMHO. Scoopski has a quirky single, like Green Day without the guitars or Billy Joe’s snarl. Honestly, check out the catchier “Double” that came out earlier. Finally, Kurt Baker returns to true form (minus the hair) for “Secrets,” and it’s no secret that Kurt is one of the top power poppers out there. More music to comb through each week, my review pile is growing at a furious clip, so stay tuned.




—

Late-July EPs and more: Sloan, Richard Turgeon, Kurt Baker, Sunshine Boys, Geoff Palmer, The Happy Somethings

powerpopaholic

Celebrating the fact that Sloan has a new album due out in October, we get the single “Spend The Day” to whet our appetites. What a prolific band, and speaking of prolific, Richard Turgeon has a sweet new EP Rough Around The Edges, check out the riffage on “I Never Loved You,” a classic power pop-sounding gem. The dense grunge-like rhythms are in contrast to the crisp re-released and remastered Kurt Baker solo Brand New Beat. This is without a doubt my favorite of his albums, and every song is top shelf, plus a boat-load of extra tracks (a total of 26) – so worth it.

Sad to say, but The Sunshine Boys are calling it quits, the trio leaves us with a pair of great tunes, both “Underwater” and “The Beginning.” If you want more buzz in your riffs, Geoff Palmer (The Connection) fits your needs perfectly. The FREEBIE this time is the lovely unpolished harmonies of The Happy Somethings from the UK. Great jangling happy melodies, full of irony guaranteed to brighten your day.





Hank Idory and more Spanish Power Pop

powerpopaholic

Hank Idory

Spain has always been a hotbed of power pop, even Kurt Baker set up residence there. One of my favorite Spanish language power pop artists is Hank Idory, and he returns with a Sentimental Jamboree. The gorgeous chord shifts in “Nadie Sabe Nada” (“Nobody Knows Anything”) is a ballad that will move you even if you don’t know the language. Officially releases in January 2022.


Here is a playlist that features my favorite power pop en español. If you don’t see an artist that belongs here, just let me know and I will add it. Over 600 songs! Sin inglés. ¡Solo en español, por favor!