I'm very glad that Jason Falkner is putting out something new...even its part two of his Bedtime with the Beatles series. His first volume of instrumental lullabies was filled with clever "Jason" takes on classic Beatles tunes. Lots of fun. However ,what I most appreciate about Jason Falkner are the excellent songs he writes. I'm posting a fine sounding solo acoustic concert from years ago below. These stripped down solo performances help bring out the power of his song writing. I'm enjoying listening to these classics all over again. .. Jason Falkner - Solo [...]
During the late 1990's the Posies were turning out a series of terrific Power Pop albums. At the same time, another Seattle based band was producing great music closely modelled on that prototypical "Posies Power Pop sound". The band "Super Deluxe" was lead by lead singer Braden Blake. in 1995 and 1997, Super Deluxe released two excellent power pop albums. A coincidence was that Braden Blake's voice sounded remarkably similar to Posies leaders Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow. (I think that Blake subsequently worked with Ken Stringfellow in his "Salteen": project during the couple of years when the Posies broke [...]
Sweden has produced some of the most sublime Power Pop music of the last decade. And though the heyday of Swedish Pop appears to be over (late 1990s bands such as the Wannadies, the Merrymakers and This Perfect Day are no longer recording), there are still many wonderful sounds coming out of that country. The Moonbabies have updated the classic Swedish fixation with sublime melody by adding contemporary electronica and indie attitude to the mix. They produce gorgeous Power Pop updated with recording techniques that superficially make them sound similar to contemporary Canadian bands such as Stars, Mates [...]
Probably every Power Pop fan agreed that "She's About To Cross My Mind" by the Red Button was one of last year's best Cd's. The talented duo of Seth Swirsky and Mike Ruekberg released a Beatles influenced disc with terrific tunes and sterling production. If for some reason, you were living on a deserted island and missed this one, run (don't walk) to your latest on-line music store and pick it up. You won't be disappointed. In 2004, Seth Swirsky released his first CD entitled "Instant Pleasure" . This one is also a Beatle lovers [...]
Parthenon Huxley is a sorely under-recognized pop genius. He's been putting out superior Beatlesque power pop for nearly 30 years with a criminal lack of public recognition. As "Rick Miller", he was one of two singer songwriters for the seminal North Carolina power pop band the Blazers. Later as "Rick Rock" he recorded three classic slices of power pop in the Mondo Montage series. in 1986, "Parthenon Huxley" recorded his first album "Sunny Nights", a 1980s Power Pop classic. His 1995 epic "Deluxe" was recorded by his working band "P. Hux". (It's great that this classic is back in print [...]
For those of you who don't know, the Irish band Pugwash is one of the finest Power Pop bands recording today. Band leader and writer Thomas Walsh has worked with Andy Partridge and Jason Falkner and he really deserves to run in that distinguished company. They have a new CD out in the UK entitled "Eleven Modern Antiquities" and from what I've heard it may be the best thing so far this year. I can't wait to receive my overpriced import copy from Amazon! You can listen to snipets from the CD at their Myspace site. [...]
One of the great things about keeping a blog is that you get help on the things you write about. I've had a couple of posters turn me on to some great music. I had thought that had I all of the Jason Falkner unreleased stuff, but I was wrong. Below is a compilation I put together from a couple of postings of some live studio covers performed by the Grays. I put these together with some acoustic radio show tunes from the same era. The Grays - Studio Rehearsals and Radio [...]
We are starved for more brilliance by one of the best Power Pop bands there ever was, the Wondermints. Though recently best known as Brian Wilson's backing band (leader Darian Sahanaja is credited with convincing Brian Wilson to finally re-record and release his concept album "Smile"), each or the Wondermints CDs feature amazing melodies informed by a fascination with California 60's pop. In their history, they have released only four CDs: 1995 Self Titled 1996 Wonderful World of the Wondermints 1998 Bali 2002 Mind if We Make Love to You [...]
...so one of the CDs I am listening to most at the moment is the new one by Eric Matthews, The Imagination Stage . For my money, Eric Matthews has been succesfully traversing the already thin boundary between Power-Pop and Chamber Pop for years. I first became aware of him as the #2 singer in the band Cardinal. In 1995 and 1997, he created two terrific solo albums, It's Heavy in Here and The Lateness of the Hour . He didn't release another CD of his own [...]
Well evidently if you didn't act fast enough, you missed picking up the CD from the initial pressing of Mike Viola's fantastic new album "Lurch". But not to worry, for a limited time you can link over to the Power Popaholic's fine blog . There you'll find a link to download mp3s of the entire CD for free . I'd do it SOON if you missed the CD. Its a fine one! Evidently this is a limited time offer. Another great Mike Viola/Candy Butchers CD that many people missed was his 1995 Debut CD" [...]
What happened? In 1999, Will Owsley takes the Power Pop world by storm by issuing his self titled debut album - one of the finest examples of PowerPop ever. (If you don't know this album, don't read another word. Proceed directly to Amazon to purchase the actual CD . Used copies were listed as low as $1.50 last time I checked or download MP3s at Amazon for 9.99. If you like the other music we discuss on this Blog then you need to know this album.) [...]
Around here Mike Viola is a kind of hero. The man manages to combine Elvis Costello with a gorgeous sense of pop melody. If there were any kind of justice, the man would be a superstar. As it is, the release of a new Mike Viola or Candy Butchers (his band name) CD is a cause for celebration. Mike's got a new one coming out in the next couple of months called "Lurch". He is streaming 5 of the 13 tracks from that release on his website. They are absolutly terrific. I think even better than his last [...]
Its easy to forget how great they are...and their most recent album has been panned as not some kind of positive step forward. I disagree. The last album Traffic and Weather may not have a standout megahit like Stacy's Mom, but it is still wall-to-wall pop gems. Here are links to download some rare early tracks hosted on a fan site: Raise the River Bluer than Blue Fading Fast I Know You Well The guys recorded a nice [...]
So most readers of this blog know the formerly Boston (now LA) resident Bleu. The guy has a killer voice and a knack for writing great pop hooks. If you don't have his ELO tribute projet L.E.O. Buy it now. You won't be dissapointed. Sublime stuff. featuring guest appearances by Andy Sturmer, Mike Viola and more. Here is a link to download the track You Had Me Goin from his website. Purchase the entire L.E.O. album download from iTunes. Bleu recenly released a new EP called [...]
Ice Cream Hands are an Australian pop band who have 5 flawless albums to their credit (not counting last year's best of collection - You Can Ride My Bike ). Their latest CD is entitled "The Good China" and its been out in Australia for several months. It's a return to form for the band who have taken four years off to pursue solo projects. This time the band ramps up the harmonies, almost evoking Teenage Fanclub . Also this time singer Charles Jenkins shares singing duties with other members of the band. [...]
One of best singer songwriter working today is Jim Boggia. He's completed two stellar albums. Both are pop classics and are essential listening: Fidelity is the Enemy and Safe in Sound If you haven't heard this stuff you should. Boggia's got a great gravelly voice and a killer instinct for the pop hook. Check out his podcast page for some great unreleased demos and radio shows: Some of my favorite tunes from Boggia's podast page are: Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle [...]
In some alternate universe Jason Falkner gets the acclaim he deserves. He writes amazing Power Pop epics - each a three minute wonder. In this real world, his last album "I'm OK, You're OK" is only available in the US as a Japanese import with only fuzzy plans for a domestic release. Still you need to hear this record. Each tune is truly a gem (some detractors say its not his best. I think that the only real problem here is that Jason plays all the instruments himself.) The songs are great but would be even better with [...]
Jon Brion is a favorite but he has released very little of his own material. (he has contributed to lots of soundtracks and albums from Aimee Mann to Kanya West) If you haven't heard his band with Jason Falkner from the 90's, the Gray's you should. Buy his solo album "Meaningless" from CDBaby if you don't have it already. You won't be disappointed. http://cdbaby.com/cd/jonbrion Farifax Avenue is a great fan run site dedicated to Jon Brion's work. It has lots of bootlegs. I enjoyed listening to Jon's early work: [...]
Legendary CD by the 90's Swedish band Beagle who were in the process of updating their sound and then lost their record contract. Though never officially released, this classic album has been turning up as MP3s on the web for years. Thanks to Luke at Indiespinzone for finally putting the project out on his own. He did a great job. Great sound. Beautiful package. Extra tracks. Buy it at Indiespinzone today I bought it and you should too. A Power Pop classic. Thank you Luke!
Everyday I check out the terrific Power Pop blog http://absolutepowerpop.blogsp ot.com/ . A fabulous resource for the Power Pop lover. There I learned about "The Treasury". The CD I am listening to most at the moment. Great songs. Solidly played. Terrifically recorded. There are only 6 songs available on their debut EP. I'm waiting for more. The good news is you can listen to the entire EP streaming at their website: http://www.treasuryband.com/
Popfair - Classic Power Pop
Bison - Quill
Neutral Milk Hotel- Aeroplane Over the Sea
Shinichi Osawa – Big Beach Mix 2012
