Well I reviewed Elijah Cross’ new EP Flawed Designs last week, and he’s decided to make it a “name-your-own-price” offering. But he still wants to give half his profits to a random music fan who buys the album. So I wanted to ask him… Why do this? Read the interview here, or go through our...
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The Power Popaholic Interview: Elijah Cross
Long “lost” album released: The New Sell Out
This legendary album is a cover of The Who Sell Out by power pop artists, including The Andersons, Splitsville, The Shazam, Brendon Benson, and The Grip Weeds to just name a few. Put together 12 years ago and gathering cobwebs ever since, The New Sell Out is finally out! Dedicated to Rick McBrien, the soul...
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Chris Richards and The Subtractions “Get Yer La La’s Out”
Chris Richards is one of the Midwest’s finest power pop stars and he continues to dazzle us on Get Yer La La’s Out. Both veterans, bassist Todd Holmes and drummer Larry Grodsky join in the fun. On the opener “Don’t Do Anything Tonight” is rich in jangling rhythm, driving melody full of memorable hooks. Fans of...
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Album Preview: Redd Kross is back, kickin’ it with “Researching The Blues”
So, how freaking awesome is this? Not much else to say except the album Researching the Blues, goes out August 7, 2012 on Merge Records. Pre-order now!
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The Corner Laughers “Poppy Seeds”
In the liner notes it asks “Who is immune to the charms of airy female vocals and ukulele, with lyrics full of pith (but not vinegar)?” Not me (that’s for sure). Led by the harmonies of Karla Kane, with bassist Khoi Huynh, drummer Charlie Crabtree, and guitarists KC Bowman and Angela Silletto, the indie band’s latest features a who’s who...
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Dave Birk and The Honey Wilders
Dave Birk “Speed Queen Mystery Date” Minneapolis, MN based Dave Birk’s self funded debut is a lot of bouncy melodious fun right from the opening notes of “Hey Jody.” Influences are squarely in the Gin Blossoms meets Fountains of Wayne arena. With earnest vocals, the early gem is “Roller Coaster of Love, Hate and Tenderness” with a wicked...
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Joe Giddings “Irrelevant”
One of my favorite artists, Joe Giddings is preparing us for his new forthcoming LP “Better From Here” coming this Summer. It pretty much sums up the state of mind for most power pop artists nowadays… but hopefully fans of Joe will purchase this single and make him feel relevant this weekend, “cause 50 likes...
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Paul Bertolino and Boice
Paul Bertolino “Where The Buildings Hit The Sky” Paul is a behind-the-scenes musician’s musician from Berkeley, CA and a skilled singer songwriter that will appeal to fans of Eric Matthews, Elliot Smith and Ben Wilkins. The 70′s styled opener and title track is certainly impressive with rich horns and bass riffs supporting the melody. Lovers...
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The Bowers, The Stanleys, and Smash Fashion
The Bowers “Odds or Evens” This Melbourne Australian band from gives us a real hidden gem. The tight riffs and vocals of Phil Gionfriddo make ”Time Is Mine” a winner, and his cadence reminds me of Ed Rolland (Collective Soul). Taking a cue from 60′s Mod, the thumping beat and Byrdsian psyche-pop gives us “Going To Love...
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Nelson Bragg “We Get What We Want”
Nelson Bragg has spent the last several years recording and touring extensively as percussionist and vocalist for Brian Wilson’s touring band, and now the current Beach Boys reunion. On this new album, he works with a stellar cast of musicians including Probyn Gregory and Anny Celsi of The Brian Wilson Band. Unlike 2007′s Day Into...
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Robin Gibb is gone. His spirit has flown.
Bee Gees member Robin Gibb lost his battle with cancer Sunday at the age of 62. Yeah I was never a disco dude as a boy, but I later appreciated The Bee Gees and what they did accomplish. Like another recently deceased member of the disco era, Donna Summer, the Bee Gees are often remembered...
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Bill Lloyd “Boy King Of Tokyo”
For those looking for Bill Lloyd to return to the power pop genre, as he did with Set To Pop and Standing On The Shoulders of Giants, the wait is over. The new album Boy King Of Tokyo boasts the strongest tracks I’ve heard from Lloyd, starting with the title track about his years as a...
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The Spinto Band “The Living Things”
Normally I don’t have time to post only videos on the home page anymore, and I just add them to the Power Popaholic video jukebox. But I thought this was so inventive and well done, I added it today. The Spinto Band, on top of creating some of the most adventurous pop music going, is well...
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David Paton “Under The Sun”
I would like to jump on my soapbox for a moment and say that for every “washed up” old rocker trying to extend the 15 minutes of fame (Bow Wow Wow) there are honest-to-God talented musicians who need to be heard again and fans who’ve missed them. Because the reunion isn’t a train wreck, they get little...
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The Power Popaholic Interview: Kevin Martin of Candlebox
I was lucky enough to get a chance to interview Kevin Martin, lead singer/songwriter of Candlebox whose album I reviewed last week. Unfortunately I had audio problems with this one, so I transcribed it on the interview page. Check it out, as Kevin really opens up about his experiences on tour and in the studio.
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Garry B & The Notions and Elijah Cross
Gary B & The Notions “How Do We Explode” A new release from the boisterous Gary B and The Notions is out and its got everything a power pop fan would like; classic pop melodies, angular guitar riffs and defiant vocals. Fans of Superdrag and Weezer will really graviate to this album, especially the raw sweetness of...
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Josh Flagg “Devastate Me”
My first impression of Josh is a distinct one. If someone did this to John Mayer or Darius Rucker, and told him to grow a pair, I expect he’d sound more like Josh Flagg. The charging chords and bar room shout “Seeing Red” sets the stage for this energetic guitar pop album. Flagg adds the right amount...
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Archie Powell & The Exports and The Gilligans
Archie Powell & The Exports “Great Ideas In Action” Without missing a beat Archie Powell moves to the next level in the story arc from Skip Work, in the bouncy opener “Metronome” where he opines “Life is A bitch, for me all the folks you know…” Powell has a bit more acid in his lyric...
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Candlebox and Lightships
Candlebox “Love Stories & Other Musings” Candlebox is a perfect example of popular rock band that doesn’t want to be hemmed into a single rock category. With a platinum-selling debut in 1993, they rode the Seattle grunge bandwagon but the wheels fell off in 2000 with numerous personnel changes. They reformed in 2008 and the...
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Smash Palace and Jonathan Rundman
Smash Palace “Do It Again” Brothers Stephen and Brian Butler continue to weave melodic magic with this excellent release. The super catchy jangle of “Living It Lonely” starts us off, then we get the muscular riffs of the Tom Petty-like “It’s Easy.” Another favorite here is “Do It Again,” as Butler recalls the compulsion to...
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