Tag: Linus of Hollywood

Linus of Hollywood and Watts

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Linus Of Hollywood

Linus Of Hollywood “Cabin Life”

Like a fine wine, Linus Dotson seems to just get better with age. The California singing/songwriter/producer is back with more irresistible songs guaranteed to live on your playlist for the rest of the year. The title track starts out with a light melody that grows with a sing-along chorus, a whistle about “goin’ to the woods” and off the grid. Next “At All” is a Squeeze-like melodic rant against an ex who cheated and lied, and then got back in touch online.

“Wasted and in Love” is another gem with “yeah, yeah, yeah” in the chorus and a bassline that leads everything else along. The simple acoustic guitar continues the narrative after “the liquor is done,” on mid-tempo “I Can’t Sleep.” The slow bossa nova beat of “Summer On Your Shoulders” stands with one of Linus’ best sun-soaked melodies. Each song is carefully constructed to lift the spirit, even the slow ballad “Snow Day” rises with its choral backing and majestic chords. It’s also notable that there isn’t an obvious single either. Without a false note or any filler, what else can I say about this album? It plays so well, the minutes fly by and then you need to put it on repeat. It clearly ends up on my top ten for 2018 list, and super duper highly recommended.

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Watts

Watts “We’re All Done With Rock and Roll” EP

Yeah, right. Like when Pete Townshend declared “Rock is dead,” we didn’t believe him then either. Watts continues to churn out riff-tastic rock and roll, and this opener is a FREE download from the band. Next, “Hi Definition” features the chorus “You wanna get me high” that climbs after each repeat.

But the best song here is the catchy “Sunlight Alleys” with a Raspberries like guitar melody, John Blout’s raspy vocals, and some hand claps. The closer “Tear It Up” lives up to its name, with an AC/DC like rhythm guitar attack. It’s always great to hear Watts, and this is another “must get” addition to our collection. Oh, you bet it’s recommended.

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The Power Popaholic Interview: Linus of Hollywood

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In case you missed it Linus of Hollywood has a new album out called “Something Good,” and we highly recommend it. I had a good long conversational styled interview with Linus about his career in music. He started with the band Size 14, to Nerf Herder, playing with Roger Manning, Jr. and other members of Jellyfish. It’s been over 8 years since his last album so we talk about some of the new songs too. Enjoy!

Linus of Hollywood “Something Good”

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Is is more that “Something Good” — this is something great. We’ve not heard from Linus since 2006 Triangle. And this was worth the wait starting with “Caught Up In A Feeling.” It hits the power pop sweet spot, with hand claps, driving beat and hummable chorus… simply a perfect opener. “Ready For Something Good” starts with a simple Caribbean rhythm, but it quickly builds into a fast-paced song bursting with optimism and a driving chorus, where “a better day is waiting for me.” Linus-land is all bright and shiny here, where you could hook up with “A Girl That I Like,” the anticipation and joy of young romance bounces along the melody line. Much like Wyatt Funderburk’s debut last year (He plays on the opening track!) it effortlessly transforms your mood. “Don’t F**k It Up” adds a bit more guitars and a layered “la la” backing chorus very similar to Squeeze, Linus even sounds like a younger Glen Tilbrook here. You get the sense that in the olden days of the almighty record label they would’ve “cleaned” this lyric, but it expresses the sentiment with genuine emotion.

“Biography” is a mid-tempo guitar song similar in style to Michael Carpenter. It confidently tells the girl that their time together was indelible and “no one will ever love you” as strongly. “Whoever’s Around” is another shimmering gem that has a slight country twang and steel pedal guitar solo with the dense production. The mood shifts to forlorn on “I Don’t Wanna Go Home If Your Not” and a cover of the Kiss ballad “Beth.” Linus has a snappy country-pop duet with Kelly Jones on “If You Don’t Love Me, You Gotta Let Me Go.” The elegant “When It’s Quiet” is another welcome change with strings and rising guitars in the chorus. Every single track here shines, and the variety of tempos, styles and instrumentation prevent this from being too predictable.

Finding a shining example of the genre with all the emotion, catchiness and studio gloss is extremely rare, making this one high atop my 2014 list for best album of the year.

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The Charlestones and Secret Friend

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The Charlestones “Off The Beat”
This impressive Italian band sounds very similar to Supergrass and Oasis on the opener “Off The Beat” full of driving rhythm and Mattia Bonanni’s wailing vocal. “Love Is A Cadillac” has the airy guitar work and echoing melody along the lines of Coldplay, its a great stadium-sized rocker and proof that Brit pop can still find a home beyond the borders of the UK. Each song is compelling, like “The Girl Who Came To Stay,” it has great melody and one of the many highlights of this album. Unlike the debut, no filler here and fans of great alt. rock like The Kooks or The Stokes will also love this. Highly recommended!

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Secret Friend “Time Machine” 
Secret Friend is a new all star collective that includes Willie Wisely, Kelly Jones, Linus of Hollywood, and Roger Joseph Manning Jr. Organized by Australian songwriter Steven Fox, Time Machine is rooted in classic 70’s singer songwriter pop. Wisely has a cadence like James Taylor here, but the rich melody and backing make the opener “Who Am I?” a sure-fire hit.

“Starting Today” is another gem with sweet harmonies, and “Never Before” has subtle strings and lyrically falls into Gilbert O’Sullivan territory. Wisely’s “Oblivious” is a note perfect pop ballad and Kelly Jones “He’ll Never Know Me” is the jazzy answer to the narrative. Each musician helps make this LP a success. Foxs’ songwriting is very much like Andrew Gold, albeit with a modern POV. Many great songs here — it makes my Top Ten list for 2013 easily! A delectable slice of adult piano pop heaven.