Power Pop Gumdrop
Review: The New Mendicants- Into the Lime
Into the Lime is the debut album from Canadian-based supergroup, The New Mendicants. The band is made up of members from Teenage Fanclub, The Pernice Brothers, and The Sadies.
This album consists partly of rejected songs from the upcoming film A Long Way Down but in no way is it a second rate release. It is actually quite the opposite. "Cruel Annette", "Shouting Match", and "Lifelike Hair" are sure to please any power pop fan with their catchy sing along melodies and playful guitar/synth riffs, while songs like "Follow you Down" and "Out of the Lime" have much softer and sweeter sounds thanks to the strumming acoustic guitars. "If I Only Knew Her" sounds like it could have fit easily on any Smith's album due to the similarities of the vocals on the song.
The album altogether has a very graceful and pleasing sound to it and should be more than enough to keep you interested in the future of The New Mendicants.
March 20, 2014
Interview with Ben Riley from The Traveling Circus Band
Ben Riley is one-half of the brother sister duo, The Traveling Circus Band. We sat down with him outside his studio in Dallas, TX to ask him about everything from his debut EP, Brian Wilson, and the future of The Traveling Circus Band...
March 20, 2014
Review: Bill Pritchard- A Trip to the Coast
Although born in Lichfield, England, Bill Pritchard has gained a cult following in such areas as Japan, Italy, and France. A Trip to the Coast is his first release since his 2005 electronic album, By Paris by Taxi by Accident.
A Trip to the Coast starts out with "Trentham" which sounds like a lost Velvet Crush song circa 1994 and leads into my personal favorite song on the album "Yeah Yeah Girl". As with anything someone describes as their favorite, it's hard to put into words what exactly it is about it that connects on a deeper level. I will say however that it boasts one of the strongest melodies I have heard in a long time. The record continues in this direction mixing classic melodies with jangly, Byrds-esque guitars. Songs like "Almerend Road" and "A Trip to the Coast" evoke a somber yet optimistic mood that is almost impossible to resist. Definitely one of the best releases of 2014 so far.
March 20, 2014
Review: The Autumn Defense- Fifth
The Autumn Defense is the pop/rock side project of John Stirratt (Uncle Tupelo, Wilco) and Pat Sansone (Joseph Arthur, Josh Rouse). Fifth is their sixth release and fifth full lenght LP.
This album recalls the best in 70's soft rock such as, Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac. The songwriting and song structures are unmatched in today's pop/rock due to their ability to tell stories of personal paradise and our far from perfect world, set to baroque style melodies and sounds. The first two tracks on the album, "None of This Will Matter" and "This Thing that I've Found" are as close to perfect pop songs as it gets. While some of these songs like "August Song" and "Calling Your Name" might sound a little dated, there is still no denying that The Autumn Defense have a knack for crafting intelligent pop/rock songs.
Altogether this album has a very warm and sincere feel to it and it is highly recommended to any fan of power pop, soft rock, pop, or just music in general.
March 24, 2014
Review: Tony Molina- Dissed and Dismissed
Tony Molina started his career out in various hardcore bands around California and now has released his power pop debut Dissed and Dismissed.
I will start off by saying that the only song worth listening to is "Change My Ways". When I first heard this album I seriously wasn't sure if it was new music or just a re-release of some forgotten nineties band. Dissed and Dismissed is full of pretentiously short songs with none of them reaching the two minute mark. It is annoyingly drenched in reverb aside from the pointless and sarcastic "Sick Ass Riff" and subpar "W.B.P.".
I don't want to sound bitter because I can tell he has some potential, but on this album there is nothing original about it. Save your time and just go listen to Weezer instead.
March 28, 2014
Review: Windsor Circle- Windsor Circle EP
This power pop/pop-punk band from Westwood, NJ is made up of four members, Billy King, Lukasz Zdrojewski, Marcus Pan, and Steve Hohil. They have a knack for snarley vocal harmonies set to catchy and rambunctious guitars riffs similar to Blink-182 or Green Day.
Their four song EP shows that simple pop songs are as good as it gets. All four songs open with stellar riffs that hook you in right from the beginning. Billy King's quentessential pop-punk vocals set the stage for the whole EP, especially in the song "Baby" which is the shortest but best song on the EP. "Another Night" is sort of the outlier on the album because it isn't as fun as the others. I wouldn't consider this a bad thing, but it just sounds a little different than the other songs. "Till the End of Time" and "Hide and Seek" are both very pop-punk oriented and show why Windsor Circle is a must listen for fans of such bands as Weezer, New Found Glory, or Fountains of Wayne.
Windsor Circle is definitely worth listening to if you are a fan of textbook pop-punk and this EP should keep you interested in the band's future.
Listen to Windsor Circle here: http://www.madeloud.com/artists/windsor-circle
April 8, 2014
Review: Real Estate- Atlas
Originally from Ridgewood, NJ and currently residing in Brooklyn, NY, indie poppers Real Estate have released two records prior to Atlas that have received much acclaim from critics and fans alike. The band, like many other artists for the past few years, have decided to harken back to the dreamy guitar pop of the 80's and 90's. Regardless, it is still a worthy listen for fans of the genre.
Atlas has a very breezy and laid back feel throughout the album. Their single "Talking Backwards" is a highlight due to it's undeniably catchy chorus atop the very jangly, layered guitars. Another personal favorite would be the track "Horizon". As the playful guitar picking leads up to the louder chorus and then into the beautiful clarinet solo at the end, the track gives off a very pleasing and atmospheric vibe. "Past Lives" and "The Bend" have a very Zombies-esque feel to them. The majority of this album kind of sounds like a more light-hearted Midlake especially due to the similarities of both vocalists, but also because of the very 60's pop/rock instrumentation.
This album is highly recommended and is sure to become a classic indie pop record.
April 8, 2014
Review: Sweet Apple- The Golden Age of Glitter
Supergroup, Sweet Apple consists of J Mascis, Tim Parnin, John Petkovic, and Dave Sweetapple. The Golden Age of Glitter is their sophmore release and proves that the band remains to be one of the seminal power pop bands of this decade.
The lead off track on the album, "Wish You Could Stay (A Little Longer)", is the best by far. It features the distinct vocals of Screaming Trees frontman, Mark Lanegan which is a plus for anyone like me who grew up listening to 90's rock music. "Boys in Her Fanclub" sounds like a more hard rock oriented Jellyfish track that is sure to be pleasing to any hardcore 90's power pop fan. The only weak link, in my opinion, would be "Another Desert Skyline" only because it sounds a little to much like The Black Keys, who I personally do not care for at all. The last half of the album is a little ballad heavy but, it doesn't take away from the fact that it is a great album that will take you back to a time when pop/rock was still the popular music to listen to.
All together the album is a little derivative, but still a must listen and an album sure to be on many top of 2014 lists.
April 15, 2014
Review: Bordeen-Bordeen
Bordeen is an indie pop/rock band from Toronto, Ontario that released a 3-song EP in 2012, and now a self titled full length debut.
This LP, on first listen, sounds like an automatic hit record. Writing catching sing-along tunes that make you feel good is what Bordeen excels in doing. Their second single, "Broken Bones", has the quentissential anthemic chorus that seems to be ever so popular these days. This song is the strongest on the record because of the interesting blend of male and female vocals that makes it impossible to turn off. The song "How Long" is another song worth listening to due to infectious and funky dance beat. Some of the songs such as, "Big Plans" and "Don't Close Your Eyes" sound kind of like they belong on mainstream country radio while most of the others bare strong resemblances to fun., the band.
Bordeen's album is a little dull for the most part. It has a sound that has unfortunatley over stayed its welcome on mainstrem pop radio and isn't intriguing in the least. The album sounds like a hit, but if you're looking for something new and exciting, look elsewhere.
May 10, 2014
Listen to Bordeen here:
http://bordeen.bandcamp.com/album/bordeen
Review: Heavy Midgets- Super King
Four piece Virginian band, Heavy Midgets formed in 2011 and released their first full length LP, Super King in 2013. Made up with members Charlanne McCarthy (vocals/guitar/bass), John Graham (vocals/guitar/bass), Ian McQuary (lead guitar/backup vocals) and Bren Hall (drums), Heavy Midgets possess a refreshing and rare ability to write traditional songs with their own unique twist.
The album begins with the lo-fi power pop masterpiece, "Nothing New". With its slightly detuned riff and distant vocals, this song is impossible to dislike. They next roll into the surf-inspired "Daylight Savings" and then into the delightfully droning "Power Hunger" which sounds a little like Jale meets The Strokes. Most of the album is power pop/ surf oriented, but songs like "Real Life" and "Wedding/Bedding" have a more goth sound, mostly because of the darker sounding guitars and deeper vocal approach.
I could continue telling you how great this album is because it truly has no weak links, but I will end this review by saying that this is one of the best power pop albums I have heard in a while and I cannot wait to hear what's next for Heavy Midgets. It would be a crime if you did not go purchase this album on Bandcamp right away.
May 12, 2014
Interview with Heavy Midgets
Heavy Midgets are a four piece band from Richmond, Virginia. Their first full length LP, Super King, was released in 2013 and we can't get enough of it. We finally got to ask them some questions about how they started, their influences, living in Virginia and much more.