EP of the Day, 4/30/09: The 88-No One Here

We had to wait three years for a new 88 release when they signed to Island records, but now that they've gone independent again we've been treated a new disc and now a new EP within little over a year's time. This EP consists of songs they recorded just before their Island adventure, and the title track appeared on their Island release Not Only...But Also. The original version here, though, is much better (and is the same that was heard on the TV show How I Met Your Mother). It's one of their best ballads, and was one of the few things really good from the Island record. But the allure here is the four new tracks.

The best of the batch is "If Anyone Should Call", maybe their catchiest track since Over & Over's "Hide Another Mistake". Mixing Adam Merrin's piano and Keith Slettedahl's guitar and vocals in service of a hook-filled tune is what The 88 are all about it, and this song does it just right. "Think You Broke My Heart" is another vintage 88 track with a bit of a soulful feel, and "I've Got a Name" is a fine torch song ballad. One of 2010's best EPs to date.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Lala link (as they're shutting down May 31, they're no longer allowing new embeds but if you have a Lala account already you can listen here until then)

Two for Thursday, 4/29/10

Phil Ayoub-Arrivals and Departures. One of the very first discs I featured on this site a little over four years ago was Phil Ayoub's debut disc Schoolbus Window Paper Heart, and he's finally caught up to us with the followup, Arrivals and Departures. The disc's name comes from the fact most of the songs were written while Ayoub was traveling, but it's not some woe-goes-the-traveling-musician album. Instead, it's the kind of bright, radio-friendly pop/rock Ayoub gave us the first time around, once again produced by David Gray sideman Tim Bradshaw. Standouts include "The Bearded Lady", which brings Limbeck to mind; "Get Out (Live a Little, Love a Lot)", one of the catchiest odes to getting out and seeing live music ever written; the gorgeous nostalgia-for-the-70s ballad "Basement"; and the midtempo gem "Flowers at Work". Also of note is the rave-up "Bad Habits", in which Ayoub channels Ike Reilly. Ayoub's an artist deserving of a wider audience, and here's hoping Arrivals and Departures marks his arrival.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Graydon-Graydon. A little over a year ago I called your attention to a pair of excellent EPs from an LA artist named Matt Miller. Since then, Miller has formed the band Graydon, and their debut full-length is a power pop delight. "You + Me" is a killer opener, reminiscent of Locksley; "What Can You Do" uses slide guitar and horns to conjure up a sound that could be described as George Harrison meets The Format; the piano-based "Anytime at All" sounds like an Oasis/Jack's Mannequin teamup, and "Running Back to Me" has a bit of Jellyfish about it. Managing the feat of sounding classic yet modern, Graydon should be a force to reckon with in the power pop community.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

CD of the Day, 4/26/10: Brett Harris-Man of Few Words

Here's my favorite "find" of the year so far. While high-quality albums from known quantities are always appreciated, there's nothing like discovering great music from someone you've never heard of. Harris is a definitely a pop craftsman first class, and this is an assured full-length debut for the singer-songwriter from Durham, North Carolina.

The infectious "I Found Out" sounds like a combination of David Grahame and Jeff Lynne, "Mansfield" is a bouncy piano-based number with some brass backing and a 70s pop sheen, "Drop the Needle" is a Beatlesque ballad, and "So Easy" would be a hit in a parallel universe where melody still ruled the charts. Plus, it's a good sign when the last three songs are as good as the first three: "Too Late" is another midtempo winner, the title track is fine ramshackle pop, and closer "Over and Over" is a wonderful jazz-tinged number you could see someone playing in a cocktail lounge. While Harris may be a man of few words, here's hoping he isn't a man of few albums.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Two for Thursday, 4/22/10

Secret Powers-Lies and Fairy Tales. If someone told me back in the late summer of 2008 that a new power pop band would emerge and have three great discs out by the spring of 2010, I'd be skeptical. But damned if Shmedley & crew are back with their third disc in about 18 months that's a must-listen. For those unfamiliar, Secret Powers is led by Ryan "Shmedly" Maynes and they serve up high-grade Jellyfish/ELO-influenced pop. Lies and Fairy Tales is no exception. "Orange Trees" was the best track on their previous release, and here things stay in the citrus family with the leadoff track "Tangerine", a hooky number that closes with a "na na na na" refrain and is downright infectious. The hits just keep on coming: "I'm So in Love" is a bouncy Beatlesque bit, "Riding the Shark" (as opposed to jumping it, which these guys are far from doing) is a manic rocker that doesn't quit, while the trippy piano-based "Cows" is udderly delightful. And don't overlook "Opening Band", a wry look at the music biz. I look forward to their next disc, and glad I probably won't have to wait too long. (By the way, they've finally embraced digital distribution, so I can embed from Lala and give you an iTunes link. Now they just need to get the first two available that way.)

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Knit Delicate-Fulton Hill. As anyone who's read this blog for more than a little while knows, I'm a sucker for bands that can mix power pop and alt-country. And this band from Wisconsin sure knows how to weave a pop tune with a slight twang, as they follow up Pressed, their debut and one of 2007's more overlooked gems. Sounding like the Gary Louris-led version of The Jayhawks mixed in with a little Rich McCulley, they even mix in a little Big Star on the opener "Really Shouldn't Say Those Things" and the brilliant "When I See You". Other standouts include "Love is Not Democracy" and the pop sheen of "Had a Chance", in which they channel America. And they love punny references as much as I do, otherwise they wouldn't have a track called "Spin Cycle" on the disc.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

A Kool way to start the week.

The always reliable Kool Kat label has served up a couple of goodies from artists we know and love at Absolute Powerpop:

Maple Mars-Galaxyland. Maple Mars follows up their outstanding 2007 release Beautiful Mess with Galaxyland, a loose concept album about a theme park orbiting the moon. It's kind of fitting since their music has always had a space-age pop element, drawing from Klaatu and ELO as well as the Beatles and Badfinger. There's plenty to like here: "The Excursion" is top-drawer psych pop, "Big Imagination" channels the laid-back 70s SoCal sound, "Transcendental Guidance" is another of those tracks that sounds like its title, and the string-laden "When Bridges Fall" recalls Cloud Eleven. A real highlight is the resurrection of "New Day", a minor early 70s hit for Mark Radice. The CD comes in a gatefold sleeve not unlike a 70s album, and Kool Kat (the store) is offering up an exclusive bonus disc titled Extra Orbits with five bonus tracks. The whole thing is groovy.

Kool Kat (with bonus) | CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Frank Royster-Innocence is Bliss. Also following up a fine 2007 release on Kool Kat, ex-Fire Ape Frank Royster is a bit more earthbound in his sound than Maple Mars and his sophomore solo effort Innocence is Bliss is more of the same old school power pop that made his debut a fun listen. Jamie Hoover produced, and fans of the Spongetones will want to give this a listen, as well as those who enjoy the likes of Marshall Crenshaw and Pat DiNizio (solo and with The Smithereens). "Mr. Wonderful" is a killer opener, a jangly number that could have been a hit in the 60s or 70s; "Life's a Bore" is straight from the more rock-oriented sound of the British Invasion; the country-tinged "Can't Make You Smile" is primo roots rock, and "Brena You" is the piano-based McCartney of "Lady Madonna", "Nineteen Hundred and Eight-Five" and "Flaming Pie". Speaking of McCartney (which happens to be the name of his young son, who shows up at the end with in "Looking for a Twinkle"), Royster covers the underrated Beatles classic "Every Little Thing", a personal favorite. As with the Maple Mars, Kool Kat has an exclusive bonus disc for this one too, a real deal.

Kool Kat (with bonus) | CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

CD of the Day, 4/14/10: Elvyn-The Decline

At long last, we've found the missing link between Teenage Fanclub and The Replacements. This discovery comes in the form of Elvyn, an Ontario band that's released its third album over the course of a decade. The influences run deep here, and Big Star lies at the intersection of the two seminal bands referenced above, so there's that sound to consider as well.

"Those Were the Days" kicks off the proceedings, and it's most definitely what the 'Mats would sound like if fronted by Norman Blake: great hooks 'n' harmonies, backed by a slightly ragged yet rocking rhythm section. "I Guess I Was Wrong" is a bit more laid back, with an easygoing countryish sound that betrays a bit of a Byrds/Burritos vibe, and "I'll Come Back" follows suit with another engaging melody.

Elsewhere, "Lotta Lies" takes their sound into indie pop territory, as the double-tracked harmonies recall The Pernice Brothers; "Don't Leave, Don't Go" is a bright, upbeat pop number with a touch of melancholy, and "The Big Bay" has a Posies-like sweep. "Nature of Your Game" is straight-up Americana, in the manner of Joe Pernice's solo masterpiece "Bum Leg", and "I Was There" brings us full circle to Teenage Fanclub's more pensive moments. Wonderfully melodic, there's nothing in "decline" about Elvyn's sound and they've got a definite top 10 of '10 contender on their hands.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

The Decline - Elvyn

Two for Thursday, 4/8/10

The Successful Failures-Three Nights. Exactly one year ago to the date, I wrote of the New Jersey power pop label FDR: "There's an 'FDR Sound': no-nonsense, straight-up, rock-oriented, garage-style powerpop that draws on bands like The Replacements and The Who". Well FDR's latest release is from the redoubtable Successful Failures, and it's emblematic of the "FDR sound". The Failures have always had a humorous edge (as their name itself implies) and we find it here on track titles like "Houston, We Have a Drinking Problem", "Armadillo Boy" and "Leave Me in the Coma". But they're not one-note jokesters; "Waiting for a Ride" does the quiet/loud thing quite nice and quite melodically, "College Scholarship Blues" and "Any Ol' Thing" find them in Americana mode, and "Sinkhole" is an engaging rocker. Fun and melodic, you can't ask for anything more from Three Nights.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Wild Bores-We Think Alike. The Bores are back in town, as John Whildin remains prolific with two full-lengths and an EP under his belt in little over two years. While his previous releases were quite good, he takes a great leap here with an engaging, tuneful followup. Whildin knows how to open an album, as "In Front of Me" is a wonderfully catch track in the Wilco/Wallflowers vein. "I Still Think She's Mine", complete with horns and a quirky pop melody, recalls Warren Zanes, and "Same Routine" is bright pop. Elsewhere, "Sight of Gold" has a Del-Amitri-with-big-guitars feel, and "Sunshine Lady" is as languid and melodic as its title would indicate. If you like Heartland pop with a kick, well then I guess We Think Alike.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Two for Tuesday, 4/6/10

Brady Harris-Year of the Pug. Year of the Pug is Brady Harris' sixth album, and he's the standard-bearer of the sub-sub-genre known as "Beatlesque Americana". A Texan who now calls LA home, Harris may have his best release on his hands here. With Lennonesque vocals similar to Plasticsoul's Steven Wilson, Harris will appeal equally to fans of Beatle-pop and roots-pop, and the opener "Floating" is a moody mid-tempo number with a striking melody. The rootsy ballad "Sailing on a River" is another winner, featuring the Minus 5's Tucker Jackson on pedal steel, and "Mersey Waltz (Sing a Sad Song)" does its title proud. Other standouts include Michael Penn-like "Slipping By" and "That's All I Need" which is reminiscent of "Hey Jude" without the na-na-na's. One of 2010's finest to date.

CD Baby | MySpace

The Romeo Flynns-Masque of Anarchy. When this CD first crossed my desk, I was a bit concerned. Here were The Romeo Flynns with the followup to their great Detroit-styled power pop 2008 debut Pictures of You, and it was titled Masque of Anarchy and had the cover you see over to the right. My first thought was "Oh God, they've gone and decided to put out a bad prog-metal album." But one spin in the CD player put those fears to rest - while the Flynns have decided to branch out a bit, they haven't abandoned their Motor City and power poppin' roots. They show their ambition here with the loose concept of addressing these tough economic times, but in my eyes the only concept album I believe in is the concept of having 10-12 killer tracks. So after a snippet from a British radio broadcast, they get down to the business of rocking your socks off with the title track and "Dance the White Line". Then they forever endear themselves to me with a great cover of my favorite Badfinger track, "Baby Blue". But they're more than one-trick ponies, as evidenced by the downright jangly "Falling Down" and the Merseyside ballad "Annie". And they know how the pull the curtain down - the closer "Don't Leave Me Now" is the kind of melodramatic power ballad that Cheap Trick is known for. So the lesson here is don't judge an album by its cover, or even its concept.

CD Baby | MySpace

Justin Kline could use your help.

Normally I don't post these kind of things, but Justin Kline's EP was my favorite of 2008, and he's a good guy who could use some help. I'll give him the floor:

Hey there. This is Justin Kline. Recently, my new album was stolen when a robber broke into a nashville studio I was recording at. Totally sucks. They stole all the gear too. I had a rough mix of only 2 songs from the album...

It was a follow up release to my Six Songs EP. I have a kickstarter project to raise $1200 to release 2 songs on a 7" record. The rewards that go to donators are pretty entertaining...

Michael Behm's "stealth" album.

Right around the time 2008 became 2009, Michael Behm released Saving America, one of the better power pop discs of last year. It got a lot of love in the power pop community, but since that time he's been quietly releasing a new track every month or two and in the process amassed the equivalent of another new disc.

These tracks are quite good, and make for a worthy followup to Saving America. The particular standouts in my book are the rocking "The Remaining Go", and the MOR pop of "You're My Wonderful". Check 'em all out below.

These are all digital-only releases, and can be found at iTunes as well as other digital retailers.

UPDATE: Took out the dead Lala links. Behm took these songs, added a couple more good ones, and released it as the album Eargasm, which can be found at these links:

CD Baby | iTunes

Two for Tuesday, 3/30/10

Jeremy Porter-Party of One. Party of One is a fitting title for Jeremy Porter's new release, considering he's now gone solo from one of Detroit's top power pop bands, The Offramps. For those who enjoyed that band, you'll be glad to know that Porter doesn't stray too far from their sound, although the results are a bit more singer-songwriter-y; think Westerberg solo vs. late-period 'Mats, and he even reprises a 'Ramps classic, "Hallmark Holiday". Highlights here are "Last Time I Saw You Happy", a midtempo number that really does channel PW; the acoustic "Dead on Your Feet", and the rocking "Out Inside". A must for Offramps fans, and worth a listen for the uninitiated as well.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

The Malibooz-Queens' English. The Malibooz have been around on and off since the mid-60s, and are co-founded by Walter ("Magnet and Steel") Egan. They've released on average an album per decade, and 2010 sees Queens' English, their first since 2002's Beach Access. Given their 60's roots, the sound here is classic British Invasion material, and they manage to pull off the sound without sounding too slavish. They've amassed quite a lineup of guest stars on this disc, including *the* Spencer Davis, Andrew Loog Oldham, and ex-Hollie Tony Hicks. It's one classic-sounding tune another, from the jangly "Hey Love" to the harmonies of "Just a Little Bit" to Egan's haromnica-fueled rave-up "A Bit of Awright" and the Merseyside pop of "Factory Girl". If your pop proclivities extend to the British Invasion sound, this may well end up your disc of the year.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Twitter Roundup. Part Deux

Here is Part II of discs I've recommended on Twitter but not here:

Tim Halperin-Make or Break. 3-song EP from piano popper previously on AbPow. CD Baby | iTunes

Make Or Break by Tim Halperin

David Karp-Get Things Right. Wilburyesque pop-rock. CD Baby | iTunes

Tim Casey & The Martyrs-Boom. Straight-ahead power pop a la Chris Richards. CD Baby

John Jones-Black n White. Beatlesque pop from a pro. CD Baby | iTunes

CD of the Day, 3/22/10: Wendell Nightfall Troupe-Clumsy Grace

Now here's a disc with an interesting backstory. Released last year to little fanfare (it flew under the radar of the power pop community), Wendell Nightfall Troupe's Clumsy Grace is a collection of 1974 recordings by Norbert Wabnig and Richard Duncan, two musicians who moved from New Orleans to Los Angeles that year and laid down some tracks, and may have recorded the best early ELO album that Jeff Lynne didn't have a hand in. These days, Wabnig is the owner of The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, and he finally got an album from the sessions out last year.

WNT manage to capture that early ELO sound quite well - a mix of pop, classical and rock with a Euro sheen. Opener "Stardumb" takes a cynical look at their new LA home (the title is a play on the word "stardom") with a melody that could have been a precursor to ELO's "Across the Border" and a sound that's also reminiscent of The Nines. The title track follows, goofy 70s excess and all, and almost sounds like a template for Jellyfish. "Take a Chance" is Eurodisco and fun as all get-out, and "You're Not Listening" has an "Evil Woman" vibe to it. "Hollywood Boulevard" is probably the most ambitious thing here, playing out as a kind of "MacArthur Park", going from quiet orchestrated moments to a guitar freakout and back again.

Not that there aren't a few clinkers. "There's Something Wrong" comes off as one of those over-earnest pre-disco Bee Gees tunes from the late 60s/early 70s, and "Stars in Manhattan" meanders to no particular destination. But it's a highly interesting (and highly enjoyable) unearthed artifact from the 70s, and fans of early ELO and baroque pop are going to love it.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Alex Chilton remembered in Congress today.

Nice tribute by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN):

RIP Alex Chilton.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting tonight that Alex Chilton passed away today at the age of 59, likely from a heart attack. Mere words cannot express the sense of loss felt at his passing. The man was a genius, a true original, and an inspiration. His legacy will endure, and his music sounds as fresh today as it did nearly 40 years ago. I'll let it speak for itself. Not only did he write the definitive pop song, he also inspired the definitive tribute song. Here are both of them:

Feelin' like a hundred bucks tonight, indeed.

CD of the Day, 3/17/10: Rob Laufer-Excruciating Bliss

Rob Laufer should be a bigger name in power pop circles than he is. As I wrote in my review of his previous disc, 2006's The Iron Age, "Rob Laufer is a pro. A pro's pro, in fact. He's played George in Beatlemania, he's played with Frank Black and Fiona Apple, he's produced, he's written for commercials, and he wrote "Reactionary Girl" (a great track) for Robin Zander's first solo disc." The Zander connection continued as he played live with Cheap Trick on their Sgt. Pepper DVD. Perhaps his problem is that his solo discs are few and far between; Excruciating Bliss is only his third disc over a 15-year period.

On the new disc, Laufer branches out a bit from his Beatles/Marshall Crenshaw/Jon Brion template to incorporate some contemporary pop stylings. Not that's he rapping or going American Idol on us, but opener "Come on Sunshine" makes use of some almost Beck-like psychedelia, and "Bad Math" has an acoustic punk feel to it. That's not to say that Laufer has abandoned the hook. Far from it, as "New Life" is "She's Leaving Home" on steroids; "Faith" is the kind of Macca-influenced number that David Grahame is famous for; and "Mary Entertaining" is 3:35 of vintage power pop.

Other highlights include the Michael Penn-like "Tears of Home" and the driving, catchy "Someday I Know". It's too bad we have to wait an average of 5 years for new Rob Laufer music, but 2010 is our lucky year. It's available now on CD Baby and will get a wider release on April 6.

UPDATE (4/6): Lala embed and iTunes link now available.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Twitter Roundup.

Over the past couple of months, I've recommended a bunch of discs on my Twitter feed that I haven't reviewed here on the site. It's possible that many of you haven't caught all these or missed them otherwise so I figured I'd gather a few of them here in a proper post on the site, and add Lala embeds that obviously don't fit into Twitter's 140 character limit. There are too many to do in one post, but I will periodically do these Twitter roundups for completeness' sake.

Brendan Boogie & The Best Intentions-The Sweet & The Brutal. Straight-up power pop from Boston. CD Baby | iTunes

Also, Boogie (boy it sounds weird to refer to him by last name) has a previous EP, Disposable Pop (CD Baby | iTunes), that came out in 2008 that might be even better:

True Love-¡Pas Net!. Former Not Lame-label pop-rockers are back! CD Baby | iTunes

Fox Pass-Intemporel. Classic rock meets power pop. CD Baby | iTunes

Alan Bernhoft-Beatlesque Too. The one-man Rutles strikes again. CD Baby | iTunes

No Lala embed available for this one, so here's one from Napster:
Beatlesque Too

CD of the Day, 3/10/10: Rich McCulley-Starting All Over Again

LA's Rich McCulley has been one of the more reliable roots rockin' power poppers over the last decade or so, and he's reached a career pinnacle with Starting All Over Again, a disc whose title derives from the personal losses McCulley has sustained after former girlfriend Amy Farris and close friend/co-writer Duane Jarvis (both of whom were artists in their own right) passed away last year.

McCulley has closely worked with Todd Herfindal and The Meadows as well as being a founder of the Oasis-influence side project The Mains, and his pop sensibilities shine through in his roots rock. Opening track "Tell Me, I'm Listening" (co-written with Herfindal) is Exhibit A for this thesis, a highly melodic track that Meadows and McCulley fans will both love. "Dreams Tonight" is an excellent "Take It Easy"-style number, and "The Last Song" boasts an infectious melody as well, although here's hoping McCulley doesn't follow through on his promises in the lyrics.

Elsewhere, standouts include "Who'll Hang the Moon?", his soulful tribute to Jarvis, the rockin' "Nowhere", the John Hiatt-esque "Waiting on the Sun", and the lively "Falling Apart". Roots-pop/rock albums don't get much better than this one, and McCulley has outdone himself here.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Starting All Over Again

EP of the Day, 3/7/10: Creighton Doane-Pilot Error

Pilot Error is the first new music we've heard from Toronto's Creighton Doane since 2004's Learning More and More About Less and Less, and it's a first-rate slice of power pop and an early contender for 2010's top EP.

Doane will appeal to fans of Butch Walker, Owsley and Jason Falkner with his somewhat "modern" spin on power pop; the driving "I Know" opens the EP with plenty o'guitars, synths, and percussion and manages to insinuate its way into your head. Making a 180 degree turn, the power ballad "Winter" follows and could have been a hit in the 80s, and the bouncy "Change" would have been at home on B.Walker's latest.

Elsewhere, the rocker "Stupider" hammers home the same theme as the title of his previous album ("the more I know/the stupider I am"), and "F the F'in Fs" is a marvelous Bryan Scarey-esque pop concoction with a foul mouth, and "Had Fun" is an excellent catchy ditty, even if you'll find yourself accidentally singing "we had seasons in the sun" when the chorus rolls around. I often close my reviews with bad puns, and this may be the worst: you Doane want to miss out on this one.

You can also head over to his Bandcamp site for a lost track from Learning More and More.

Listen at Official Site | iTunes

CD of the Day, 3/3/10: The Slingsby Hornets-Something Old...Something New...

The elusive Frank E. Slingsby has emerged from his undisclosed location to unleash another Slingsby Hornets disc upon the world. OK, there really isn't a Frank E. Slingsby, but there is a Jon Paul Allen and he's back with his third full-length in little over three years time. Lovers of glam-inflected power pop will want to be all over this one, as Allen once again mixes obscure covers and his own originals in a winning mix.

The choice of covers is interesting to say the least. The opening "Stoned Houses No.1/Elevator" is a Rollers remake, the new-wave influenced antecedent of the Bay City Rollers. It's a fun glam track that features those Tartan-sounding guitars. "Pinball" was a British Top 40 hit for Welsh singer Brian Protheroe in 1974, and here it's an interestingly moody midtempo number. Most of you are familiar with David Essex and his classic 70s hit "Rock On"; here, Allen covers his "Gonna Make You a Star", a #1 UK hit, and for American ears like mine that didn't catch the original its inclusion is welcome here, a lovely melodic tune that's not unlike Teenage Fanclub. (Plus he throws in the obligatory classic TV tune cover, here it's "Fight [The Flashing Blade]".)

Among the originals, "Gettin' Better" is of a piece with those 70s covers, a trippy track that has Noel Gallagher written all over it; "She's the One" is punchy power pop; and "Flower in the Rain" has the sound of a lost early 70s classic. Frankly, if you're not familiar with the covers, you couldn't tell the originals apart from them and that's a high compliment to Allen.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes