Tag: The Blakes

Last Day in March Goodies: Lost Hearts, Novelty Island, The Blakes, Everet Almond, Canadian Invasion, Dazy

powerpopaholic


The debut single “Hate Yourself” by Nashville’s Lost Hearts is radio ready gem with a swaggering rock n’ roll attitude.  Max Frye’s vocals are set against a pounding guitar background and relentless energy as he sings about a toxic relationship with a former partner. Next, Novelty Island is one of those bands on the cusp of greatness (and another LP) but we have a single “Eureka, I Can See!” that will tide us over. The Blakes released some out-takes that are so good, I wonder why we haven’t heard more, as “What You Own” kicks ass. Everet Almond has discovered a very groovy Clavinet on the cool single “Insanity,” and veteran band Canadian Invasion delivers a nice freebie, Your Favorite Lies EP. I really liked “The Charms of Adeline” with its pedal steel guitar. And finally, Dazy is back with another EP of fuzz-drenched goodness called Otherbody. Check out “Every Little Thing,” “ESTAO,” in fact this is good all around. Don’t be an April’s Fool, and get this fresh batch!






Too Many Treats: The Blakes, Emperor Penguin, Trip Wire, Andrew Taylor, AJ Rosales, The Dowling Poole

powerpopaholic

It’s a Motherlode of FREE Music!

Before the New Jersey power pop band Readymade Breakup emerged in 2003, Paul Rosevear and Gay Elvis were part of a band called The Blakes. The pandemic allowed the group to rework some demos, and here they are; readymade with plenty of guitar crunch, jangle, and strum.

Emperor Penguin is back with an impressive third EP, lots of different style elements here; prog, new wave, and power pop. Slick production and melodies that stick! Each of the three EPs is a FREE download.

San Francisco’s Trip Wire was in the middle of an album when the Pandemic turned it into an EP. Love the mid-tempo ballad “Maps” and the psyche-pop jangle of “Hazel.”

Andrew Taylor continues his musical therapy during the lockdown. Mostly acoustic guitar ballads, with some greatness in the album’s second half starting with “Before I Go,” “Just Let It Happen,” and “The Blue.” And a new album from The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness is coming soon.

SINGLES:

Willie Dowling’s commentary on the hysteria that surrounds and consumes us all via social media, and the seemingly endless sensationalist news. The Dowling Poole never disappoints.

Chicago singer-songwriter AJ Rosales has a catchy single to start his upcoming album.