After the heavenly Beach Boys harmonies of Freedom Wind, Explorers Club moves forward five years to the early 70′s AM soft rock era. Starting with a Pet Sounds styled instrumental intro, the horns blast out the first single “Run Run Run,” a hook filled gem with lush orchestration similar to The 5th Dimension. Then the guitar...
More >
I’m not sure how long this will be up on Youtube, but here is a wonderful sight of Sir Paul McCartney joined by his posse (Brian Ray and Rusty Anderson) and throw in Bruce Springsteen, Joe Walsh and Dave Grohl. All playing the Beatles “The End” and I thought just having The Beach Boys reunion...
More >
Oberon Rose “Wunjo” Connecticut’s Tom Oberon leans heavily on classic sixties influences like The Kinks, Beatles, T.Rex and more on his debut, Wunjo. The sweet melody “Young Goodman Brown” flows nicely and the guitar rhythm reminds me of the Zombies a little. The brilliant jangle on “One Man Show Of Sorrow” showcases this gem which...
More >
Its comforting to know that bands like Portland’s Throwback Suburbia “get it.” This third album builds on the band’s consistent sound and musical development. The opener “Give and Take” is an emotional hook-filled gem with a thrilling bridge and jangle filled rhythm. The signature sneering vocals of Jimi Evans and mastery of composition come forward...
More >
Only 2 years after their last album, Archie Powell & the Exports’ have a new one coming this May. Here is the first single, “Metronome.” Powell says the album title Great Ideas in Action is a Calvin & Hobbes reference (anyone who can describe the strip in question is entitled to free admission to Exports shows...
More >
After a wild debut EP last year, The Chris Alvy Band is back with a more realized full length album. Joined by Fernando Perdomo (who also produced and engineered) it re-does a few of the previous EP tracks and adds several more. Not an easy band to categorize, they have a loose guitar rock style...
More >
Son of Skooshny “Lovers Leap of Faith” This is the project of Skooshny founder Mark Breyer and its a pretty good combination of power pop and roots based rock and roll. “Another Time” has a touch of Tom Petty and a terrific buzzing guitar riff. Breyer’s vocal cadence also resembles Petty on the wonderfully written ”Candy Air.”...
More >
The JTG Implosion “All The People Some of The Time” This resissue of Joe Gidding’s band from 2002 is a welcome addition if you’ve missed it when it was part of Not Lame Record’s catalog (which is now gone forever). This is a classic melodic power pop album that needs to be re-discovered. Giddings crunchy riffs...
More >
The internet has enabled like minded artists to collaborate like never before. 8X8 is the transatlantic collaboration between Lane Steinberg and Ukrainian musician Alex Khodchenko. Like The Britannicas, they both live on different continents, and have never met in person, but through e-mail they’ve managed to create an amazing work of musical art. This is...
More >
Secret Powers have been a favorite of this site from the beginning, and each year Ryan “Schmedly” Manes has released one great LP after another. Last year’s What Every Rose Grower Should Know cracked by top 25, but frankly it was a small step back as earlier releases made my top ten. Well almost as...
More >
Jeff Litman gave us a terrific debut in 2009 with Postscript. This new sophomore LP is more than just a showcase for Jeff’s musical skills, Outside shows us a burgeoning maturity. The Tom Pettyesque opener “Over and Over” has steady piano chorus and cynical attitude, followed by the fast tempo single “Runaway,” which gives us a great hook...
More >
I reviewed The Breakups a few years ago when they had an EP, so now these guys have a new album and are definitely ready for the major leagues. Opening with “I’m Thinking of a Number,” it’s a slow grower with smart harmonies in the chorus, it builds its strummy melody similar to The Honeydogs. And it...
More >
Written over a two month period, Jet Electro is the musical autobiography of a guitarist superhero. The opener “I’ll Never Find Another Girl Like You,” is certainly a catchy slice of rock and roll, and Craig Daniels lead vocal reminds me of Sammy Hagar if he played in the Rubinoos here. We get the Memphis soul...
More >
With his sixth release Jeff Shelton has fallen into a great groove that makes him so prolific, I would call him the power pop version of Robert Pollard (GBV). Driven by tight, punchy rhythms from drummer Nick Laquintano (Spinning Jennies) the Well Wishers hit the ground running on “Escape The Light” with its mix of...
More >
Hannah Cranna “A Real Nice Parade” With some help from Badfinger alum Joey Molland, Hannah Cranna does a “re-boot” of its 1997 debut from defunct power pop label Big Deal Records. We get an impressive start with “Hello,” a catchy tune in the best Badfinger tradition. This take us to a rootsy “Are You Going...
More >
Wanna see George Harrison’s private guitar collection in detail? A new ipad app will make that possible. For the first time, with the help of unique 360° imaging by photographer Steven Sebring, fans can see the scratches, dings, and worn threads on the guitars as if they were themselves holding the instruments. Fans will be...
More >
Johnny Stanec “Narrow Is This Ghost Town” Former frontman for First In Space, Stanec’s solo debut has a variety of styles on display from guitar pop to alt. country. The echoing jangle of “Goodnight My Love” opens the album a little like a U2 anthem. “Let Me Know The Enemy” is a much better song...
More >
Sometimes it makes sense for a power pop artist to test out a different sound. That’s exactly what Justin Kline is doing with this new band Origami Hologram. Using a noise pop template Justin is joined by Dan Wax (Bass, background vocals) and Jamie Mclane (Drums) recording it all in his home studio in Murfreesboro, TN. “Bats In...
More >
This came out very late in December, but it merits recognition as my favorite new EP so far this year. Named after a great Monty Python sketch, this German pop band has put together an all-star cast of guest musicians on this short, but impressive Beatlesque release (you get the hint from the “Let It...
More >
For pop icon Dwight Twilley, Soundtrack is an autobiography, not unlike Ringo Starr’s reminiscing on Liverpool 8. It opens with “You Close Your Eyes,” which closely resembles those early hits that mirrored Tom Petty’s work with layered rhythm guitars and ascending bass lines.The album standout “Bus Ticket” has more lyrical muscle with honky-tonk memories and...
More >
What is this? The MOG Music Network is MOG's community of the best music blogs from around the internet. The network is growing rapidly and we're always looking for more great music blogs to add to our roster, so if you think your blog should be part of the MOG Music Network, APPLY HERE!
© 2006-2012 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
Locating MOG account...