Power Pop Gumdrop
MUST LISTEN!
June 5, 2014
Something so amazing for any power pop fan that we just had to share it!
New Zealand power pop legends have realeased a compliation album that is nothing short of breathtaking.
LISTEN HERE!
Interview With The Crush
June 16, 2014
The Crush is a great power pop trio made up of Kira Wilson (Vocals and Bass), Daniel Cutting (Drums and Guitar), and Jacob Thiede (Guitar). They are taking Seattle by storm with their undeniable ability to write catchy hooks perfect for any summer playlist. They are undoubtably one of our favorite new bands and we were honored to ask them some questions about their inspirations, thier thoughts on the music industry, and much more...
Review: The Crush- Future Blimps EP
Seattle's own, The Crush, have done more than amaze with their superb 5-song EP Future Blimps.
Future Blimps is an incredibly well put together fusion of classic power pop, jangle, and garage rock. From beginning to end, this EP is full of sharp hooks and cleverly cool attitude. Kira Wilson's Debbie Harry-esque vocals set the stage for the whole EP while Daniel Cutting's drums and Jacob Thiede's guitar mesh so perfectly together. This is most relevant in the tracks, "Around" and "It's Love" which break through the conventional power pop stereotypes with their unmatched infectious rhythms and undeniable energy. "Never Gonna Stop" again, showcases the band's greatness as a whole with the multidimensional structure and melody. "Better And Better" and "Nothing To Lose" both continue with the summer soundtrack theme of the whole EP, while the latter also boasts an incredibly catchy guitar bridge towards the end.
Future Blimps is a perfect example of why The Crush is one of the best power pop bands going right now. You will only ever hear a few albums/EPs that are as amazingly addictive as this one.
June 30. 2014
Listen to and purchase Future Blimps here:
LISTEN HERE
Review: Loner Chic- Pretty Void EP
Loner Chic is a power pop band with a punk edge from New Haven, Connecticut. Their debut EP, Pretty Void, was recorded in their basement and has lo-fi classic written all over it.
The EP opens with a bang on "All Natural", the strongest point on the EP. The fuzzed out riff mixed with the snarling vocals of Chris Cappello, make it a chaotic and scuzzy trip into the ultra lo-fi world of Loner Chic and trust me you want to be along for the ride. They soften up a bit with the second song, "Be A Burnout" which is sadcore pop at its finest. Then, probably the most pop friendly on the EP, "Imaginary #2" soars through your speakers destined to be a teenage rock anthem, The EP ends with the delightfully sarcastic "Christie" which tells of the heartache of a "...special kind of boy...".
Pretty Void is a promising debut for a band at the beginning of their musical journey. Nothing should keep you from being excited for what's in store for Loner Chic. Go and buy the EP now on Bandcamp and you will be glad you did.
June 30. 2014
Review: El Silver Cabs- El Silver Cabs III: Bish Bosh
After a few line-up changes and two albums, both recorded in one day, El Silver Cabs' Jake Backer and Zach Garnett are back with El Silver Cabs III: Bish Bosh. Equipped with more hi-fi production than their previous releases, Bish Bosh is on it's way to become a real pop/rock treasure.
Like many great albums before it, Bish Bosh expresses what pop music is truly about-- catchy, exciting tunes. The excitement starts right from the beginning as the opening track, "Oh No" builds until you are hit with a bombastic wall of sound featuring bouncy piano hits and a outrageously hooky guitar riff. The album continues with the slightly off-kilter, "Cut Me Down To Size" which starts out with a somber sounding melody and, again, blasts into an Is This It-era Strokes sounding fusion of strumming guitars and a cymbal heavy drum beat. "Red Wine and Ritalin" and "Summer Never Dies" are both high points on the album. Both of them perfectly fuzzed out and as close to perfect as they can get. "Like a Bible" is the strongest lyrically and structurally as Jake Backer brilliantly compares a girl to a bible, set to a soft/loud style anthem.
Bish Bosh perfectly combines emotional depth with subtle comedic undertones that help it soar to a truly glorious work of art. I wouldn't call it a classic just yet, but it is definitely worth your time to listen to this pop/rock gem.
July 7. 2014
Listen to El Silver Cabs III: Bish Bosh here:
LISTEN HERE
Review: The Diabolical Machines- Get Scrappy!
If you were to mix 60's garage, The B-52's, Bikini Kill, and then give it a unique modern twist, you would get The Diabolical Machines' Get Scrappy!. This Fort Worth, TX based power pop band has continued to exceed expectations with each of their releases and Get Scrappy! is no exception.
The EP begins with the fantastically fuzzed out riff of "Slice and Dice" which sets the stage for Steph Buchanan's delightfully obnoxious vocals reminiscent of Lisa Marr or Alison Mosshart. Swiftly moving from the first high point to the highest point, the title track, "Get Scrappy!" is when we begin to really hear Kevin Buchanan's farfisa organ take center stage. This song showcases The Diabolical Machines' style the best. As the band leads its crowd pleasing rebel yell, the music is put into overdrive with Aubrey Savage's speedy drum beat and Jonathan Holder's thudding bass lines. Added in is another superb guitar riff making "Get Scrappy!" an undeniably addictive tour de force. The EP then drifts into the breezy "Struck". This simple jewel, crafted with precision and purpose, shows off a softer side of The Diabolical Machines while still maintaining a certain edge along with a very catchy blend of strumming guitars and more playful farfisa organ. "Weightless" then tells the classic but complicated story of any love-struck boy but with a unique storyline and a very frantic and chaotic sound. Wrapping up the EP in "Artoria" which yields the best guitar riff of the bunch and a very interesting story to go along with it.
The Diabolical Machines excel at drawing on many different influences making Get Scrappy! a vibrant, multidimensional, unique EP that is seldom heard these days. This EP is rich with diversity and originality creating what is guaranteed to be a compelling listen each time you play it.
July 21. 2014
Interview With Feral Conservatives
August 4, 2014
Feral Conservatives are a mandolin based indie band from Virginia Beach, VA. They are made of Rashie Rosenfard (vocals, mandolin, bass) and Matt Francis (drums, guitar, organ). By fusing rootsy folk and fuzzed out rock and roll, they have created their own unique sound that is defiantly worth a listen. We got to ask them some questions about being a mandolin based band, musical influences, their new double a-side single, and much more...
Review: Ice Cream Social- Something Has Come Up I Absolutely Cannot Make It To The
Something Has Come Up I Absolutely Cannot Make It To The is the third release from Gambier, OH based band, Ice Cream Social. Made up of Jack Washburn and Catherine Dwyer (both also in the band SPORTS), this band is guaranteed to please with its off-kilter melodies and sweetly sarcastic attitude.
Right off the bat, "Vacation" shows that ICS are masters at writing simple yet well contemplated pop gems. But the thing that puts them above the rest is their left-field vocal arrangements and harmonies paired with their 90's inspired alterna-punk sound and style. This is showcased best on the tracks "Onion" and "Always Asshole". The EP ends with two more highlights, "White Teeth" and "Bagel". Both of these show that wittiness and creativity can easily go hand and hand to create near perfect pop songs without sounding too pretentious or overblown.
There is really not another album/EP or band, besides maybe Weezer, that successfully blends intelligent comedy with absolute sincerity as well as Something Has Come Up I Absolutely Cannot Make It To The End. Paired with their DIY production and unique take on the punk rock sound, Ice Cream Social promise an exciting future that should keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for what's next for this band.
August 11. 2014
Listen to Something Has Come Up I Absolutely Cannot Make It To The here:
LISTEN HERE
Review: The #1's- The Number Ones
The #1's and their album The Number Ones are everything you could want from a power pop band and album. They sound like all the classic 70's power pop bands mixed into one, but they also give it a bit of an update by making it louder and more obnoxious. Everything about this band screams power pop legends.
Track Picks:
"I Wish I Was Lonely"
"Heartsmash"
"Sharon Shouldn't"
"Favourite Game"
August 15. 2014
Review: The Muffs- Whoop Dee Doo
The Muffs stick to the pop/punk formula with Whoop Dee Doo but still come out with descent results. This release lacks the infectious melodies that they excelled at creating on some of their earlier albums.
Track Picks:
"Paint By Numbers"
"Take A Take A Take Me"
August 15. 2014
Review: Actual Water- Call 4 Fun
This album from Toronto natives, Actual Water, is already a power pop classic with songs such as "Power Pop Radio" and "Three O' Clock Kids" cementing it as one of the best albums of the year by far. Reminiscent of bands like The Exploding Hearts or Sloan, Actual Water take the power pop genre to the next level with their snarky punk attitude paired with well crafted and simple rock and roll jewels.
Track Picks:
"647-445-1141- Call 4 Fun"
"Power Pop Radio"
"Three O' Clock Kids"
August 15. 2014
Review: The Empty Hearts- The Empty Hearts
This supergroup, for any power pop fan, should peak your interest but, The Empty Hearts do much less than impress. It is not a terrible album but it really just doesn't bring anything new to the genre. Whether you like it or not, it is exactly what you would expect coming from these heavy weights of the genre.
Track Picks:
"90 Miles An Hour Down A Dead End Street"
"(I See) No Way Out"
"Meet Me 'Round The Corner"
August 15. 2014
Review: The Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club- Veva, Hold On!
Chicago's own, The Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club, released Veva, Hold On! in September of this year and it is full of strong hooks and catchy melodies. Drawing from many different influences such as 90's alternative and classic power pop, BDSC are as good as it gets when it comes to writing fresh and unique sounding pop rock treasures. There should be no hesitation about whether or not you should buy this album, because you should.
Track Picks:
"Bob's Yer Uncle"
"Singlehandedly"
"Veva, Hold On!"
October 7, 2014
Review: Mothboxer- The Sand And The Rain
Hailing from the UK, Mothboxer, the pop rock project of multi-talented musician Dave Ody, released an instant classic called, The Sand And The Rain. This album sounds like a cross between Donovan and XTC while still maintaining a modern quality that is undoubtedly irresistible to any power pop fan. It is full of timeless tunes and is definitely one of the best pop albums released this year.
Track Picks:
"One and Only"
"In The Morning"
"Take Me Down"
"On Your Side
October 7, 2014
Review: EX-Hex: Rips
Ex- Hex's Rips is a near perfect power pop album full of catchy hooks and fuzzed out guitar riffs. The mix of punk fury with power pop melodies makes this album irresistible to any rock fan looking for classic sound with a modern twist. It is easily one of the best albums of the year.
Track Picks:
"Don't Wanna Lose"
"Waterfall"
"War Paint"
"Everywhere"
October 29, 2014
Review: The Primitives- Spin-O-Rama
Jangle pop legends, The Primitives, strike gold again with this pure classic. Everything you could hope for in a power pop album is heard on Spin-o-rama. Jangily guitars, infectious hooks and harmonies, and anything else you can think of is explored on this album. This will exceed any expectations you have for what a modern classic power pop album sounds like.
Track Picks:
Every track on the album!
October 29, 2014
