Tag: Richard Turgeon

Happy Thanksgiving! Feast on this: The Grand Levè and holiday singles

powerpopaholic
TGL

The Grand Levè “The Grand Levè”

Remember Longplayer? Well, Göran Hjertstedt (the lead from that band) has a new project that continues to draw its influence primarily from Electric Light Orchestra and Queen. The slow building “And Light Appeared” is a very majestic instrumental introduction full of pomp that demonstrates the rich orchestration. “Ride The Wind” is a compelling Wilbury-like track with a very sweet slide guitar over a steady strum. “Two to Tango” follows as a blues-influenced number about a love of dancing like Fred Astaire, and “All in The City” is a synth and percussion-heavy melody with all those great ELO stylistic touches.

At times music’s glossy bombast threaten to overwhelm those multi-tracked choruses but thankfully most of the songs are strong enough to let those melodies stick. “What Am I Gonna Do (Lunar City Heartache)” is an excellent mid-tempo power ballad, and the shimmering instrumental “Memory Lane” is a fitting end with its superb guitar solo that reminded me of Boston’s Tom Scholz. Overall a highly recommended album that demand’s repeat listens.

Amazon | CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik

Now have some dessert! FREE Holiday singles from Herb Eimerman and Richard Turgeon



Lastly, but by no means least – a new single by The Weeklings! Get “Running Away”

Freebie Fridays: William Duke, Richard Turgeon, Lund Brothers

powerpopaholic

Richard Turgeon just keeps going! After the release of his new LP Lost Angeles, he decided to cover one of the most popular power pop bands of early the 2000’s, The Gin Blossoms (who have a new release out, btw.)  Richard does a pretty faithful rendition of that band’s biggest hits. These are both FREE downloads. Enjoy!


William Duke

William Duke “Quatro”

William Duke is back with a fine short LP (or extended EP) with an assortment of goodies. Duke’s sound is like a mix of The Pernice Brothers and Eric Matthews, with elements of Roots, Soft Psyche, and Baroque pop. He gives us the opening “Caroline And The Silver Screen,” a near five-minute jangling epic. The infectious beat and harmonies stay with you on “Junk #2,” and the moody mid-tempo “Hotel’s End” and “As Good As It Gets” tugs at your emotions. No real filler, and super highly recommended. Plus, it’s a FREE download.

Lund Brothers

Lund Brothers “Live!”

OK, it’s NOT a freebie. I rarely review live concert albums, but this one was worth it. The Lund Bros’ historic set at Seattle’s Experience Music Project (EMP) showcases a band that captures that “live” vibe with maximum impact. As a stripped-down trio of Chris Lund, his brother, Sean and Gwon Chang – they pull off a great set. Highlights include “Plastiscene” and “In My Hands,” fans of Cheap Trick and Redd Kross will want to check this out!

Amazon | CD Baby

Richard Turgeon and Matt Dorien

powerpopaholic
Richard Turgeon

Richard Turgeon “Lost Angeles”

San Francisco musician Richard Turgeon has a new LP about his dreams called Lost Angeles. Turgeon states he’s ”rockin’ til the day I die,” on the opener “Big Break,” a tune full of thickly layered guitar riffs. The album has a solid California feel and the catchy “Look Away,” “Sunny Day” and the title track are good examples of that.

On his debut In Between The Spaces, the infectious as “Bigfoot’s An Alien,” was the clear standout single. Here we have two gems that stand out from the rest – “Be My Wife” cracks with Who-like energy and the Weezer-like guitar rhythm of “The Squirrel” will also stay on my playlist. Turgeon stylistically goes in some different directions, as the alt-rock jangle of “I Wanna Be A Shut-In” and the talked out lyrics of “Workin’ For The Man” are a bit like They Might Be Giants. Fans of Jeff Shelton’s Well Wishers and Bob Mould will also find a lot to like here. Highly Recommended.

Kool Kat Musik

The Spindles

Matt Dorrien “Grey”

Singer-songwriter and keyboardist Matt Dorrien starts the album with the bluesy “Baby I’m So Lost.” As Matt describes it, “…a lot of the songs on this record were written after a pretty difficult breakup.” So grab a whiskey and put on those headphones. Dorrien effortlessly channels the best of Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman on Grey.

The highlight for me is “Underwear Blues,” one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard about loneliness. Then the double-tracked balladry of “I Can’t Remember” is very much in the vein of Carole King. The Newmanesque “Pretty Little Thing” and “Dayton, Ohio – 1983” are sweet musical portraits. Its pure tin pan alley pop, and even though its a downer, its a wonderful listen. Check it out.

Amazon

May Singles: Richard Turgeon, Cosmos Sunshine, SA Reyners, The Golden Rail, The Ego Ritual, Dan Rico

powerpopaholic

The opening track from Richard Turgeon‘s upcoming LP, “Lost Angeles.” It’s a big-sounding, California-tinged power pop track with lots of harmonies. And it’s a FREE download.

Cosmos Sunshine sounds pretty hippie-dippy, right? But no, this is a big rocker with hooks and an angst in the groove. Fans of Neil Young will like this one.

New Zealand’s SA Reyners gives us one sweet single. A bouncy piano is layered with rhythms and counter melodies. Very impressive! If you’d like another SA Reyners single, Lexiconographer was released last month and it’s a FREE download. When is this guy gonna make a full album already?

The Golden Rail is an Australian supergroup of sorts. Members have come from various bands: The Palisades, The Rainyard, Header, Summer Suns, DM3 and The Jangle Band. The singles here are simply great covers. “Shouldn’t Get Hung Up About It” was originally recorded by The Village Idiots and “Fined For Wrestling” was originally recorded by The Tokyo 5.

The Ego Ritual is a new psyche-pop band that’s about to debut on Kool Kat Musik. This is an advance single that’s very groovy and a FREE download too!

Dan Rico is just “Hot To Please” and with this FREE download, he definitely pleases.

Shake Some Action and Richard Turgeon

powerpopaholic
Shake Some Action

Shake Some Action “Crash Through Or Crash”

Shake Some Action (aka James Hall) returned this past summer with his shimmering Byrdsian jangle guitar pop, and its the perfect antidote for the fall chill. We strum our way through 14 tracks, starting with “Waiting For The Sun,” a soothing and fast-paced single. “The Only Way is Up” and “Secrets and Lies” boast simple, put powerful lyrics with Jagger-like vocal swagger. The customary leading power pop riff is the basis for the melody in “Bang Bang” and the style of composition varies enough so we get both consistency and unpredictability.

Some tracks are just the typical Shake Some Action sound, like “Starting Again” and others have a more melodic wrinkle, like the excellent “Paraphernalia.” Slowing things down we get the psychedelic “Under the Sun and the Moon” and the Kinkisan rockers “I Don’t Think So” and “It Goes Like This.” Overall, a successful and memorable LP that is highly recommended.

Amazon

Richard Turgeon

Richard Turgeon “In Between the Spaces”

San Francisco musical Richard Turgeon released this surprisingly entertaining album earlier this year. The highlight is the first track; the rocking “Bigfoot’s An Alien” with a big fat hook in the chorus. Turgeon’s heavy fuzz guitar style is similar to Jeff Shelton (The Well Wishers) in approach with a touch of REM styled jangle.

The dense production on “Bad Seed” also highlights some nice harmonies and lyrics as he asks “What am I lacking to seduce you?” Another highlight here is “I’m 30” a confession of appreciation to parents from a prodigal son. A veiled political message is a part of “The Candidate” with the dangers of following a “Superman with no soul.” Not everything works, but enough does to make this album an enjoyable listen. Plus as a bonus, Richard has been busy delivering four FREE downloadable singles since the LP’s initial release.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

FREEBIES FROM RICHARD!