Tag: Nick Bertling

Nick Bertling and Ian M. Bailey

powerpopaholic
Dot Dash

Nick Bertling “Process and Contact”

Nick Bertling is joined by a stellar supporting cast: Lindsay Murray (Gretchen’s Wheel), Max Mueller (Love Nut),  Andy Bopp (Myracle Brah), Dolph Chaney, Ahren Bucheister, Fernando Perdomo, Jim Trainor, and Kevin & Scott Robertson (The Vapour Trails). This is a fantastic concept album about dealing with a musician’s anxiety. “A New Day” is a soaring melodic hopeful opener, recalling Todd Rundgren and Jon Brion, loaded with amazing guitar work. But Nick’s self-awareness sticks out on “Not Very Good,” as he wonders as a struggling musician, “When does this become fun?”

The album starts with personal stories like “Lillie” and “The Heckler,” which could be a lost They Might Be Giants tune. The anxiety and depression seem to increase as we move forward with “Falling Apart” and “Intrusive Thoughts.” But the tone starts to change, and the music gets heavier and better with “There Was A Thing.” Along the way, the melodies get bolder and the riffs have confidence in “When She Comes To Town” and “The Things We Lost.” It ends quietly, with “If Ever” and the moral of our story. Repeat listens reward the listener, and it’s highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Ian M. Bailey

Ian M. Bailey “We Live In Strange Times”

The melodies, harmonies, and arrangements that Ian Bailey creates are widely recognized for their exceptional quality. His album from last year, ‘You Paint The Picture’ was on my radar, but I didn’t get the chance to review it. I’m glad that this release follows a similar path, so stock up on his earlier music for more of this. The tunes “The Last Chime” and “It’s Summer Rain” both have a soothing positive vibe and a pleasant melody, and their jangling Byrdisan tones are similar. The title track (“We Live In Strange Times”) and “Mother Nature (giving out signs)” both feature a sitar, and the song’s earnest commitment to the environment is similar to the music of the late-60s era Moody Blues.

Even though “She Waltzes With the Devil” appears to be more mired in a psychedelic approach, Ian shifts the tone and employs some steel pedal guitar accents to alt-country ballads such as “Dance Around the Room,” “Country Girl,” and “The Sweet Smell of Roses” about halfway through the album. The song “Pray for Me,” which features a catchy hook in the chorus, is sure to be well-received by fans of the band Dropkick. Anyone who enjoys jangle rock will find this to be a very good album overall.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Freebies and EPs: The Turnback, Nick Lowe, Brad Marino, Brian Mello, You’re Among Friends, Nick Bertling, Portable Radio, The Amplifier Heads

powerpopaholic


The Turnback had these three songs recently re-mastered by Grammy® Award-Winning mastering engineer Brian “Big Bass” Gardner (Foo Fighters, RUSH, Eminem, David Bowie, Cheap Trick). They are a FREE download and the band just asks for you to give a tip to the next essential worker you come in contact with (grocery clerk, fast-food worker, etc.). Now is the time we all need to be there for each other and PLAY IT FORWARD!

The masterful Nick Lowe returns with another EP, delivering pleasing pop gems in a timeless fashion.

Brad Marino (The Connection) is back in fine form with “False Alarm” and “At Night.” Guitar pop the way it should be, plus a cover of the Hoodoo Gurus classic, “What’s My Scene?” Get it at Kool Kat Musik

Brian Mello, the guitarist with The Morning Line, has a very unique EP out. It starts out like a spacey Western with “Landscape With Ruins” and stays kind of mellow until the riff-heavy gem “Adios.” A real grower here, so check it out.

You’re Among Friends, plays out like a fun jam in someone’s basement studio. Love the funk melody on “Once the Toothpaste is Out of the Tube.” More terrific casual rock, like “Just Keep Being Nice” make this a great FREE album to chill with.

Nick Bertling heads out to the audio twilight zone and gives us a personal work that seems to channel Todd Rundgren. Love those harmonies on “Perhaps” and the retro synth on “Mall Dreams ’87.” Another grower you need to live with.

Manchester UK pop band Portable Radio has a neat retro style and great harmonies. “Great In The Sun” and “Flight Home” remind me of the Cowsills.

JUST IN! Boston’s The Amplifier Heads are led by vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Sal Baglio (The Stompers). This is a real treat, as he channels mid-period XTC. Fans of similar bands (like The Sun Sawed In Half) will LOVE this.

Singles: Kurt Baker, Danny McDonald, Suspect Parts, Willie Wisely, Richard Turgeon, Francis Lung, Nick Bertling

powerpopaholic

The Kurt Baker Combo has been putting out a few tracks over the last few months, including (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love. It’s good to hear the classic Kurt Baker sound after a few punkier projects. Look for a new LP soon I think.

A truly excellent power-pop single by Danny McDonald but it’s so short (1:10) — is it too much to ask for another chorus? Hear more for FREE on the Shake Yer Popboomerang Vol. 3 compilation.

Suspect Parts are a German band with influences coming from 60s pop and the 70s California beach sound, all the way through to 77-punk. Nice three-song EP here.

As previously noted, Willie Wisely does country music as well as power pop. The ballad “No Suprise” has four mixes here, all with steel pedal and soulful vocal performance.

Richard Turgeon just keeps putting out cool tunes, this single has plenty of guitar muscle. He also recently added “Jolene” which is a FREE download. I liked this song better, like a hybrid of The Who and Oasis.

The holidays are fast approaching. This sweet pop treat by Francis Lung is most welcome! Beautiful vocal harmonies join clarinet, tenor sax, flute, bass clarinet, and baritone sax to create this bittersweet seasonal gem. It’s a FREE download too.

Last week we featured Nick Bertling‘s Monkee covers, now he’s doing a faithful instrumental overture from The Who’s “Tommy.” A FREE download, and a fine job, Nick!

EP Reviews: The Seven and Six, Vista Blue, Dogmatics, Nick Bertling, The Martial Arts

powerpopaholic

The Seven and Six is a new band with the ever-talented Lisa Mychols and Tom Richards. This is great power pop with a beat you can dance to. This is Mychols in her natural habitat, each song hits the right notes, kicks ass and with its upbeat tempos, it’s super highly recommended.

Vista Blue dials back its natural punk influences and turns up the Beach Boys-inspired power-pop tendencies. “Summer Wonderland” is a sweet single with some great harmonies and the other tracks are a cut above the usual seasonal music. Get this one now! Available at Amazon


The Dogmatics is a more traditional garage rock and roll band from Boston thanks to our buddies at Rum Bar Records. Fans of The Replacements or The Johnny Thunders will dig this one. And who else will write a song about the current United States Secretary of Commerce? Also available at Amazon.


Nick Bertling made this faithful group of Monkee cover tunes in honor of the late Peter Tork. It even has a cover of a Kellog’s jingle! Not an EP, but a labor of love and it’s a great FREE download.


The new EP from The Martial Arts (aka Paul Kelly) is a quirky pop romp that is both catchy and idiosyncratic. The other songs are just as infectious and melodic. Get it on Amazon.

 

Singles & EPs: Tommy Sistak, Telephone Lovers, Nick Bertling, Baby Scream and Vapour Trails

powerpopaholic

First, we got Tommy’s good hat — now we have “A Good Friend.”

Classic power pop guitars! “Two Dollar Baby” is what these singles cost, and its worth every penny!

Nick Bertling brings out his jangling guitars and fuzz melodies in this fantastic EP. “As One Again” is a standout!

Juan Pablo’s tortured Lennonesque melodies float into your brain on this EP. Lovin’ “Fake It Till You Make It.”

Brilliantly indie pop with jangle that will help you find “The Inner Truth.” Hey, it’s a FREEBIE too!