Mandrew - Mandrew - 2004

Mandrew is the latest local offering from Martin Devaney's all things Americana imprint Eclectone Records. Featuring First Prize Killer guitarist Mike Andrew sliding into the front man role with backing from his FPK bandmates (and additional contributions from Twin Cities indie-rock stalwarts like Work of Saws' Brock Davis and Walker Kong's Jeremy Ackerman), Mandrew is a laid-back summertime pop record not too far removed from FPK's Powdery Parade, which means that it will be this year's perfect backing soundtrack to back porch beer swilling. That being said, the record is still surprisingly varied and ambitious for being the product of a relaxed home recording project. "Pick Up Your Floor" is a convincing spin on the kind of slight yet insidiously catchy indie-pop the Shins are riding to mass success. Elsewhere the band tries its hand at spacey country waltzes ("When Charity Fails") and fuzzed-out stomp rock ("The Classic Clues") with great success. In the end Mandrew is yet another instantly enjoyable yet surprisingly durable roots-flavored pop album from the Eclectone Records stable. -City Pages

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V/A - xo for the Holidays - 2011

When is it the right time to start pushing holiday music… WHEN Justin Bieber’s holiday album is charting top 20 on itunes! YIKES!

Christmas is almost here and I am sure there will be no shortage of gift ideas placed in your path during the next few weeks. Newspapers, Radio and TV will be filled with ads offering novel, interesting, compelling, and occasionally useful gifts for those on your list!

Home of the fabulous Backsliders, xo publicity offers up their forth installment of "xo for the Holidays"! Best of all, this one is free! Ho Ho Ho! Happy Holidays from xo!

V/A - xo for the Holidays - 2011

xo-kaytea
www.xopublicity.com
http://xopublicity.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/xopublicity

The Motels - The Motels - 1979

1979's self-titled debut release from the California band the Motels comes across as what a less pretentious Doors might have sounded like had they emerged during the new wave era. The Motels is a fairly cold, almost robotic affair which trades in lyrics that explore the darker side of life in Los Angeles. There are a few tracks that bear repeated listens like the frantic "Kix" and "Celia," a warning to a woman involved with the wrong guy. "Total Control," a big hit for the band in Australia and later covered by Tina Turner, is the album's standout with its menacing lyrics of possession delivered by Martha Davis. She is the one consistently redeeming attraction of this dated record. Although she tends to over-sing at times, Davis is a riveting and sensual vocalist and her vocals hint at the potential in the band. -AMG

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The Green Beetles - The Basement

Here is a good one from friend of PPO Herb Eimerman!
Check out the Power Pop pedigree for this one.
Recorded in our respective homes and mixed by Joe.

Our Xmas gift to you. Also available on the ROCK Against Bullshit Vol.6 CD.

www.facebook.com/pages/ROCK-Against-Bullshit/247467691935617

rockagainstbullshit@hotmail.com


Joe Algeri...Guitar and lead vocal...Australia
Dom Mariani...Lead Guitars and background vocals...Australia
Herb Eimerman...Bass Guitar...12 string acoustic guitar...background vocals...U.S.A
Stefan Johansson...Drums...Sweden




Thanks Herb!

Protones - Not That Difficult - 1998

A power pop band from Spain, Protones debuted with the release of an EP attached to the first issue of a fanzine called Rock Indiana, followed by their first album, Cartunes. After issuing Nothing to Say in 1996, the Plimsouls' Paul Collins teamed up with the band, producing their following record, Not That Difficult. Protones moved to California to participate in the International Pop Overthrow soon after. In 1999, guitarist Octavio (aka Octavio Vinck) and bassist Tato (aka David Tato) joined the band. In 2001, the Spanish group returned with Come Out and Play, including "Now That I Think of It," a song featured in the movie No Te Fallaré. -AMG

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The Oranges - Teen Rock - 2006

Japanese import at a great price from a long-time Not Lame fave. Why? Well, pull up a chair and listen, my dear friend. This purely entrenched in 1975 pop band that pulls of glammy pop cum Bay City Rollers quite wonderfully. The best power pop band to come out of Japan, The Oranges produce incredibly pure, hip, catchy, Japanese bubblegum-power music. So if you like the idea of a pure power pop, bubblegummy extraganza of Bay City Rollers, glammy T. Rex and Sweet, then you have heaven here. The best power pop band to come out of Japan, The Oranges produce incredibly pure, hip, catchy, Japanese bubblegum-power music. With their Bay City Roller "look" and Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods haircuts, this foursome display catchy riffs and power guitars, while singing of love and dreams. But disclaimer,xenophobes: they sing in Japanese. But, trust me...while some may not dig that, with the Oranges, it could not be less of a tripping pop lovers! -Not Lame

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The CRY! needs your love

The CRY! is a music sensation emerging from the eclectic arts scene of Portland, OR. With heavy pop influences like The Beach Boys, The Who, Nick Lowe and The Sweet, the band has re-crafted the 2 min. pop song for a new generation. The CRY! effortlessly merges 50's style vocal harmonies and the jangle of 60's pop hooks with the raw punkish emotion of the PDX street culture.

While its members are young (18-21), The CRY! motto: “Don't Suck” has produced a professionalism, work ethic and sense-of-purpose typically seen in older well-seasoned acts. In a few short months The CRY!’s rare musical chemistry, upbeat energy and hooky songwriting have garnered over 6,000 “plays” and earned the band #1 and top #25 on Reverb Nation’s local and national charts respectively! Additionally, after a recent a live performance at the International Pop Overthrow (IPO) Festival in Seattle WA, The CRY! was the only act to receive an “A+” rating


Head over to their website and get yourself a copy now!!

Revernation: thecrypdx

Facebook: the cry pdx

Website: www.thecrypdx.com

The Shamrock - The Mods Are Alright - 2004

This was THE power pop band in Japan in the 80`s..they were huge. This collection documents a good part of this story gathering up a bunch of studio demos(great sounding!) and live trax. The sound is classic early Jam, Beatles `64 and The Undertones, as well as The Vapors.....mix up The Who, The Smal Faces and you have some pure pop joy. This Japanese release is very reasonably priced so it`s well, well worth more than a casual sniff. The first 8 songs of this 23 song affair are worth the price of admission. The singing is classic late 70`s skinny tie mod-power pop and they mix Japanese and English lyrics throughout, amusingly. -Not Lame

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Silicon Ballet - Sunglasses

If you haven't managed to catch anything by Silicon Ballet yet, I'd really encourage you to have a listen to their new single, available via our the Rainboot label (and all the big evil places like iTunes too) - four and a half minutes of your time well spent!



The single is out ahead of the band's mini-album Utopia which will be out next February.

The Onoma/Two label presents... TODD AID

Todd Dillingham

A message from the excellent Terry Burrows.

As some of you may know, our dear friend and collaborator Todd Dillingham is currently undergoing some heavy duty cancer surgery in Florida.To help him with his medical expenses, we're offering two download albums from our Bandcamp.com site, which we launched last week. The albums are Yukio Yung's "Goodbye Pork Pie Brain/Hello Pulsing Vein" and Chrysanthemums' "The Baby's Head".

Todd made guest appearances on both of these albums. They originally appeared in the late 1990s variously on vinyl and CD issued by record labels in Germany, and this is the first time they have been available online. Individual tracks are priced at .99 GBP or for 6.99 GBP you can get the complete album. ALL OF THE INCOME, ONCE ONLINE FEES HAVE BEEN DEDUCTED, WILL GO TO TODD - WHICH SHOULD BE SOMETHING LIKE 6 GBP/ALBUM.For those of you who don't know Bandcamp.com, it's hugely preferable to iTunes as a download site. You can listen to streamed versions of the *complete* songs (not just 30-second clips), and downloads are of much higher sound quality (mp3s are 320Kb rather than 192Kb,or you can have lossless FLACs). Paying is very straightforward – click on "Buy Now" and pay using Bandcamp's secure system using the likes of PayPal, Visa or Mastercard.So we invite you to take a listen to what we (and Todd) were doing at the end of the last century.And, of course, any contributions to Todd Aid! will be gratefully received.Thanks for your time.Onoma Research

http://onomaresearch.bandcamp.com/

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Maybe Dolls - Propaganda - 1991

Maybe Dolls were an Australian pop/rock band that released one album, “Propaganda,” in 1991. The band’s core was brother and sister duo Chris and Annalisse Morrow, who had previously performed as The Numbers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The band scored regional hits with the singles “Nervous Kid” and “Cool Jesus.”


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Thanks to friend of PPO David!

Trolley - Things That Shine And Glow is now available

Perennial PPO favorites Trolley has a new album out now! The new album feels fresh and current while still maintaining the energy and vibe of the 60's. "Things That Shine And Glow" is pure power pop and a delight to your ears and it sounds amazing. Follow the link below to download your copy now or you can get the physical CD at  www.cdbaby.com/trolley12!   Highly recommended.



You can "like" Trolley on facebook and tell them you heard about the new album from PPO!

The Numbers - 39.51 - 1982

Over the course of 3 years, The Numbers released one E.P., six singles and two LP's. Many will remember them from their numerous Countdown appearances and their first two singles, the hits: 'The Modern Song' and 'Five Letter Word' and their self-titled debut LP. However, there's a whole lot more to their story. Although The Numbers reached their commercial peak early ('Five Letter Word' was their last charting single), they continued to release excellent material - four more singles and a neglected second album: 39.51 (the title was a curt response to the criticism of their debut LP's 28 minute length). The core, and only constant during their five year career, of The Numbers was the brother and sister team of Chris and Annalisse Morrow. In Chris, they had an excellent songwriter and inventive guitarist and, in Annalisse, an equally accomplished musician and a striking focal point.

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Thanks to friend of PPO David. 

The Numbers - The Numbers - 1980

Between 1978 and 1984, Sydney group The Numbers plied their trade on the basis of the very smart and snappy songs of guitarist Christian Morrow and his younger sister, bass player and vocalist Annalisse. Two albums, seven singles and roughly a hundred drummers later, the group were dropped by their label and split up.

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Thanks to friend of PPO  David!

Spy vs Spy - A.O. Mod. TV - 1986

A.O. Mod. TV. Version is the second studio album by Australian rock band Spy vs Spy, produced by Leszek Karski (Boys Next Door, Midnight Oil, Nauts) and released through WEA on 8 December 1986.
The title is an abbreviation of 'Adults Only Television Version' which used to appear at the bottom of late night movies in Australia at the time. The album peaked at #12 on the Kent Music Report and went gold. For this album Spy vs Spy recorded as v. Spy v. Spy, and the line-up was the original trio Craig Bloxom on bass guitar/lead vocals, Cliff Grigg on drums/percussion and Mike Weiley on lead guitar/vocals.

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Digital Download Derby

The Yep Roc Store is offering fans a chance to stock up their digital music collection with unbeatable deals on some of Yep Roc's best releases. Now through Friday 11/18, they have reduced the price on 100 titles from the Yep Roc vault to just $3.99 each.

Don't miss your chance to save on amazing releases from Chuck Prophet, Dave Alvin, John Doe, Los Straitjackets, Jukebox the Ghost, The Sadies, Peggy Sue, The Minus 5 and more!

Art in America - Art in America - 1983

begins as delicate, somewhat elegant album with a pleasing mix of harp, guitar and keyboard that slowly changes to a more arena rock sound with progressive touches that make the band sounds like Asia meets Breathe. A pretty and slightly mystic album with hints of album rock and pop, Art in America was overlooked upon its release.- AMG

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Eric Marcos - Disposable Friend - 2005

The long awaited follow-up disc from Eric and his band features support from most of the Boston music scene, including Bill Janovitz, Todd Thibaud, Mike Gent (The Figgs) and many others. But all I can say is this one helluva power parade of pumping pop with balls! A few of you may remember a band from LA called Code Blue, a few songs on this fabulous debut remind me of that band, at the their best. But, generally, what the Boston Globe says below is dead-on...they sound like early Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers. It`s just a tour-de-force of rock `n roll spirit---what a blast this must have been to make? That energy and vibe is on full display here, that`s for sure. Extremely Highly Recommended! -Not Lame

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Connells - Old-School Dropouts - 2001

Like 1998's Still Life, Old-School Drop Outs continues the Connells' move away from the more experimental nature of Weird Food and Devastation. This album, self-released after their long, fruitful relationship with the TVT label finally came to an end, finds the Connells building on their classic sound, a world of wistful lyrics, strong guitars, and gorgeous melodies -- a world where the childhood dreams of Boylan Heights are only a heartbeat away. Fans of the brand of guitar pop this North Carolina group has been harvesting since the Athens-to-Raleigh frenzy in the mid-'80s will find themselves in comfortably familiar territory. Mike Connell and George Huntley's guitars still have just enough bite to keep things out of saccharine territory, and Doug MacMillan's boyish timbre still sounds as sincere as it did all of those years ago. Highlights include the driving stomp of "Put Down" and the pretty sentiments and soaring guitar leads of "Gladiator Heart," while the bittersweet romanticism of "Rusted Fields" is up there with the Connells' most beautiful work. This represents the group's first effort since the departure of longtime drummer Peele Wimberley. -AMG

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Daryll-Ann - Happy Traum - 2001

Though the album's title is named after a famous folk musician who authors instructional guitar books and videos, has recorded several solo records, and collaborated with Bob Dylan and Maria Muldaur, Happy Traum is an aural trek back to the breezy, organic pop/rock of the late '60s and early '70s. Happy Traum, which translates as happy dream, brims with infectious melodies, jangly guitars, and vocal harmonies reminiscent of solo Paul McCartney, Badfinger, and the Kinks. Considered to be among Holland's best pop exports, Daryll-Ann romps through this collection of rockers ("When You Cry"), folksy ballads ("Money or Love"), cosmic country honky tonk ("Feelings," "All By Myself"), and emo rock ("Riverside") with a blithe spirit. Though not essential, Happy Traum is a well-crafted, enjoyable collection of ear candy. -AMG

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Sparkle*Jets U.K. - In, Through and Beyond - 1998

In, Through, and Beyond, the debut effort by L.A.'s Sparkle*Jets U.K., was the irreverent antidote to snoringly classicist late-'90s power pop acts. While Sparkle*Jets are a power pop band by virtue of their influences, exhibited here in their wonderful choice of covers (Electric Light Orchestra's "Above the Clouds," Big Star's "Thirteen," and the Beach Boys' "Girl Don't Tell Me"), they steer clear of clichés and remember that pop music is fun by design. While many modern pop revivalists play guitar pop like it belongs in a museum, Sparkle*Jets rock with abandon through these 15 tracks, smirking all the while. Sure, the songs can be goofy; there's a song about "Surfing Monkeys," and "Oh Poor Me" is more or less the female answer to the Smiths' "Girlfriend in a Coma," in which the girl doesn't mind that her narcissistic boyfriend dies in a fiery car wreck while trying to change CDs. And it doesn't stop there -- "My Internet Love Song (To You)," which crams computer jargon into a bouncy love song, is easily one of the most clever geek rock anthems ever written. Sure, the album sags a little toward the end, but the humor doesn't wear thin after a few listens because the hooks are strong and the two frontpersons are appealing. Mike Simmons and Susan West are like polar opposites -- Simmons' boyish, innocent voice provides the ideal backdrop for the album's more typically power poppy moments, while West is a little more prone to let loose with her very rock & roll set of pipes. The end result is a relentlessly energetic, delightfully cheery, and thoroughly entertaining debut record. -AMG

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See you in a couple of days

Sorry folks, but I have to do a lot of running around for the next couple of days, and so, new stuff here will be spotty at best. I'll be back very soon. Try to hold back your tears.

Curty Ray

Kurt Baker - Rockin' For A Living now available...

The brand new record from Kurt Baker.. "Rockin' For A Living".. Out NOW on Oglio Records. Vinyl released by Stardumb Records and Torreznetes Entertainment!


Whatcha waitin' for, get it now!

1. Just Forget About It
2. Don’t Steal My Heart Away
3. Can’t Have Her Back
4. Kiss Me
5. Why You Gotta Lie?
6. The Problem



Produced by Kurt Baker & Wyatt Funderburk
Executive Producer: Carl Caprioglio


Kurt Baker - "Don't Steal My Heart Away" from Tasty Dude Films on Vimeo.

Personnel:
Kurt Baker - Lead & Background Vox, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar

Kris “Fingers” Rodgers - Background Vox, Rhodes, Hammond, Farfisa,
Piano, Privia-tone

Josh Malia - Rhythm Guitar/Lead Guitar, Backing Vox

Geoff Useless - Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vox

Wyatt Funderburk - Bass Guitar, Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vox

Craig Sala - Drums, Percussion

Additional Musicians:

Mike Byrne - Lead Guitar
Michael “Miek” Rodrigue - Lead Guitar

The Wind - Where It's At With the Wind - 1982

Playing exuberant power-pop with abundant talent and a solid grounding in '60s AM radio — from Merseybeat to folk-rock to summery soul — this Miami trio made a wonderful debut with the winningly unpolished Where It's At. The marvelous 14-song collection of beguiling originals not only re-creates the sound of a simpler time, but captures the giddy innocence of musical self-discovery, as if this were all new. -trouserpress.com

This is your last chance to get "Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide "

Just a brief note to let you know  "Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide" - is now available again after being out of print for three years!

The book is an in depth look at the power pop genre and features a rundown of the top 200 power pop albums of all time. Every copy also comes with a 24 song CD featuring rare and/or previously unreleased songs from a variety of artists, including Shoes, Rubinoos, Chris von Sneidern, Tommy Keene, 20/20 and many more. There are also tons of previously unpublished photos included.

There is a limited supply of books available - around 225 - and around 70 of these have already been sold, so you might want to act fast if you'd like to grab one. The cost is $49.95, but don't forget that it also comes with what is basically a double CD filled with music and it's sure to increase in value as the years go by. Plus, it'll make a great holiday gift for the discriminating music fan on your shopping list. ;-)

Here is the link to order and to find out more information:

http://www.goodmusicguy.com/shake-some-action-book/

The Black Watch - The King of Good Intentions - 1999

It hasn't been easy for the Black Watch. This makes five records on five different labels. But like wandering the desert in an endless search of bountiful waterholes instead of mere drops of cactus juice, such wayward struggles have just made this fledgling band more determined. Each album, three years apart, has been better than the last, and if the quantum-leap The King of Good Intentions finds a spot in the stereos of discerning pop fans, the Black Watch will have found their oasis at last. For this release, they've pared down to the two essentials: singer/songwriter/guitarist John Andrew Frederick and multi-instrumentalist J'Anna Jacoby. They're aided by a phalanx of L.A. underground musicians playing the other parts, and together the assemblage has made a minor masterpiece. Enjoying by far the best production of his career, Frederick seems to have a Go-Betweens jones on such beguiling, handsome, fertile pop as "The Wrong People," "Hey Hey Hey," and the more organic, skipping "Obligatory Blues." Jacoby's exceptional violin used to save the group's weaker work; now it adds translucent sparkle to a freshly painted canvas. And the multiple times a piano drops in for coffee in the background, it's the sort of ageless pop moment you spend hours in CD stores looking for. As a result, the poet Frederick finally has a backdrop to match his abilities. Always a cutting wordsmith, he's full of acerbic disregard for those whose lives have crossed his. "I suppose she'll go upstairs with anyone that mumbles that he cares" he gibes at one point, typical of the austere subject matter. Nothing happening in pop? No talent, no craft, nothing to say in pop today? Buy this, then. -AMG

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The Mood Elevator - Listen Up! - 2000

Falling squarely into the category of power pop bands that don't take themselves too seriously, the Mood Elevator crafted a jovial and lively debut album in Listen Up! In the course of 11 tracks, the band runs through a few rave-ups ("Leisure Time Provider," "Day of Renee") pure pop ("Butterfly Net"), ska -- sort of ("Cool Nights") -- and a ragtime-based piano rocker ("Better Than That.") For a debut, the diversity in songs is surprising and refreshing, as the album doesn't tire after a few listens. The downside, really, is that the lyrics are often too silly, detracting from the rest of the picture, and the hooks are not nearly as interesting as those written by their peers. Still, it's too easy to point out what's wrong with a pop album rather than what's right: And what's right here is that this band has managed to craft an engaging debut album that manages to be diverse and adventurous while still maintaining the band's pop roots. And that's more than most can really hope for anyway. -AMG

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Swirl 360 - Ask Anybody - 1998

Borrowing from every pop band from the Beatles to Oasis, Swirl 360 may be a little hard to pin down, but that's part of the reason why their debut album, Ask Anybody, is so enjoyable. Favoring the sweet pop of McCartney over Lennon's brittle rock & roll, Swirl 360 augment that melody with crackling modern rock production. If they get a little too slick -- and let's face it, anyone who collaborates with Desmond Child is bound to get a little slick -- they make up for it with sharp collaborations with Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and Ken Stringfellow (Posies), a crisp attack, and uncluttered arrangements. Denny and Kenny Scott, the twin masterminds behind the band, still need to find their own voice, but Ask Anybody remains a cheerful, pleasing debut. -AMG

Chris Von Sneidern - Sight & Sound - 1993

The first solo album by ex-Flying Color singer/ songwriter Chris Von Sneidern is a terrific slice of '90s power pop, roots and ruefulness division. Von Sneidern's slightly rough voice isn't particularly suited to chipper material, and so the better tracks here are the darker ones like "Bad Black Lonesome" and the downright bleak closer "Never Again My Love." Von Sneidern is capable of his lighter moments as well, like the sweetly jangly "Annalisa" and the lighthearted homage "Hey Nino Tempo," but the best parts of this album, which features guest appearances by fellow Bay Area luminaries like John Wesley Harding and American Music Club guitarist Vudi, have an emotional depth and richness not often associated with the sometimes facile world of power pop. At 16 tracks, Sight & Sound is a little overstuffed and could use some pruning, but minimal use of the skip tracks buton will turn this CD into something special. -AMG

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Second Saturday - Here`s The Deal - 2002

GREAT power pop band - hard to find 2002 debut album. Imagine(go with us here) The Beach Boys(but not literally) playing Fountains Of Wayne, The Argument, Jetpack and Ben Folds. Or Jeffrey Foskett teaming up with new up and comers The Blakes, The Rentals, Light FM or Adventures Of Jet. Huh? What`s all this? It`s spiffy, up-beat lightly tinged new wave power pop for modern made to splash water on stiff, established pop contributions of late. Second Saturday`s music is a fine-woven blend of catchy, energized, and powerful sugar-pop tunes with beautiful melodies, up-beat tempos, rip-rocking guitars, infectious synthesizer, and four-part harmonies that can be matched by the likeness of only Brian Wilson. Every song a winner! -Not Lame

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Big Hello - Orange Album - 2000

After neo-power pop group the Elvis Brothers disbanded, drummer, songwriter Brad Elvis formed a new outfit in late 1994, which he dubbed Big Hello. Despite a rash of early personnel changes, the band built a following in its hometown of Chicago and around the Midwest through extensive touring. The remainder of the lineup eventually settled on vocalist Chloe Orwell, guitarist Johnny Million, and bassist Tom Atteberry. In addition to contributing to several power pop compilations, Big Hello gained increased exposure through hosting Chicago Pop Mondays, a highly successful series of concerts at the Beat Kitchen. -AMG
  
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Doug Powell - More - 2000

For his third outing, Doug Powell follows much the same formula as with his first two albums: straight ahead rock songs with a definite, pronounced pop leaning. Powell's influences are plastered all over this, from Jellyfish-like vocal harmonies to Todd Rundgren's brand of smooth pop and Cheap Trick-style guitar crunch. But thankfully, Powell does manage to mold the record into more than just a sum of its parts. The album's best songs -- the uppity rock of "Dinah Might," the soulful pop of "The Scent of a Rose," and the hard rock of "Empty V," amongst a few others -- are extremely well-crafted modern pop. While not exceedingly commercial or adventurous, the devotees of verse-chorus-verse song structures and gooey background vocals will agree that not only is More catchy and memorable, but it manages to steer clear of potholes of derivation. With that being said, there are a few flaws that keep More from being a classic. The production is appropriately crisp but strangely tinny, and on the requisite mainstream music rant "Empty V," Powell appropriately gives the musical finger to MTV and their ilk. But the problem is that the listener is torn between believing whether it's appropriate commentary or a cranky old man who is upset that he never got his commercial due. Maybe it's a little of both, but that assessment is probably a bit too harsh given the songwriting expertise displayed by Powell here and with his band, SWAG. And something does seem wrong if a song as infectious as "Rise" isn't all over mainstream rock radio. The true assessment, then, is that More is very much music by a pop fan who hates MTV, for pop fans who hate MTV. It can't be fairer than that. -AMG

The Sun Sawed in 1/2 - Bewilderbeest - 2000

St. Louis' Sun Sawed in 1/2 made a major departure from their flexible, inventive power pop on Bewilderbeest. Recorded partially in the Ukraine, Bewilderbeest tries to make world music a palatable influence in power pop; of the disc's 14 tracks, three are world music-styled instrumental tracks. The remaining tracks sound heavily influenced by Eastern European rhythms and music, and it makes Bewilderbeest an admirable and ambitious affair. The album's highlights include "Kiss Her Like You Mean It," an excellent up-tempo rocker that sounds like a lost Jellyfish classic, the moving ballad "Shining Knight," and Ken Kase's "Song No. 11." While it's not quite as solid of an album as the defining Fizzy Lift, the ambition alone of this album makes it a worthwhile listen for both fans and the curious. -AMG

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Save Pluto - Age of Lowered Expectations - 2007

Their debut album, Age of Lowered Expectations, is reminiscent of Barenaked Ladies meets Matthew Sweet. It’s fun, it’s smart, and it rocks. The group’s musicianship shines through on the album, with all three band members sharing lead vocal duties on various songs.
Shawn Moynihan (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Alan Miller (guitar, vocals), songwriting partners since high school, have been recognized by Billboard Magazine's National Songwriting Contest, and were commissioned to write the theme song for the New York Yankees' minor league team on Staten Island. Miller's guitar skills, displayed prominently on the album, have also been featured in Guitar One Magazine. Gautam Peri completes the lineup on bass and keyboards. -CD Baby

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Another album, another band, another name.

Matthew Bannister has made numerous records under different names, with different people - first Sneaky Feelings in Dunedin in the 80s, then the Dribbling Darts of Love in Auckland in the 90s, a solo release as One Man Bannister - Moth (2007) - and another band effort -The Weather’s Aroha Ave (2008). And now the Changing Same.

Why so many names? Why not just use your own? “I’ve never felt comfortable being a solo artist. Music to me is something you do with other people. That’s what makes it fun. When I get new people, it’s a new project. Of course it’s a bit of a disaster from a publicity/career point of view.”

Since 2008 Matthew has been living in Hamilton, where he works at Wintec, who also support his music activities. “I make a CD, and it counts as research!” The album was mostly recorded at the studios in the Music Dept there. “But I have the same software at home, so I could take away live backing tracks and overdub in my own time. You get live feel, but also lots of time to fiddle with additional parts - the best of both worlds.”



The Changing Same are:
Matthew Bannister: guit./bass/vox
Nick Johnston: keys
Stan Jagger: drums

The Changing Same’s CD is available through Powertool Records, or can be downloaded at the bandcamp site. They’re also on Facebook.

The Jigsaw Seen - My Name Is Tom - 1991

This is the Jigsaw Seen's 1991 EP for the now-defunct New Jersey-based Skyclad label. The mini-CD featured an early version of "Persephone Again" (the track was later re-recorded for release on the Swedish-released Pop Under the Surface, Vol. 1 compilation and the band's own self-released Zenith from 2000) and a cover of Love's "The Daily Planet." -AMG

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The Rumble Strips - Girls and Weather - 2007

The Rumble Strips don't take any chances on Girls and Weather, but that's because they don't need to. If the Devon foursome's fun, innocent, and refreshingly light tone -- not to mention their eschewing of guitars in favor of horns -- isn't enough to make their debut album stand out, then their musicianship and wry lyrics certainly are. It takes a few listens to discern the Rumble Strips' technical proficiency, because it's all too easy to get caught up in the fun that they're having instead. There's no build-up to the revelry -- Girls and Weather gets off to a rollicking start with "No Soul," a tune that sounds a bit like a Kaiser Chiefs tune that replaces synthesizers with a deliberately off-kilter brass section. It's immediately followed by "Alarm Clock," which tells the story of a young slacker through the use of an infectious melody, singalong chorus, and cheery self-deprecation. Happy melodies coupled with bittersweet lyrics are a running theme throughout the album, but it's a formula that works well for the Rumble Strips, especially when they're poking fun at the Walter Mitty-like fantasies of average Joes. The best example of this on the album is "Motorcycle," a riotous take on the "cars and girls song" that alternates between the mundane reality of a 10-speed bike and the sunny fantasy of a motorized chick magnet. There are times when the band's giddiness is a little too overwhelming -- the repetition of the chorus on "Clouds" quickly goes from endearing to annoying -- but it's a minor complaint in the end. Girls and Weather loses neither steam nor charm throughout; it's an album for adults who want an excuse to behave like kids again. -AMG

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Zumpano - Look What the Rookie Did - 1995

The title says it all. This debut effort from Vancouver's Zumpano is an astounding piece of infectious, guitar-driven pop. The group's original material is outstanding, but the lone cover proves to be one of the album's highlights -- a compelling version of Jimmy Webb's "Rosecrans Boulevard" (previously recorded by the Fifth Dimension and Johnny Rivers). With Webb as an influence, it's no wonder Zumpano end up crafting such sophisticated yet melodic compositions of their own. In the '60s, tracks like the Zombies-esque "I Dig You" would have been all over the charts and the radio, but in the 1990s, there seems to be less of an audience for such inventive, intelligent pop. However, the freshness of Zumpano's sound, combined with adventurous melodies and rhythms, makes this an essential piece of work. -AMG

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Parthenon Huxley - Mile High Fan - 2005

Parthenon Huxley had a pretty sweet job between 1987 and 1993 -- he was a contact songwriter with MCA Music Publishing, and he got to spend his work days writing tunes, recording them with first-rate musicians and getting paid for the privilege. Best of all, it appears no one was riding herd over Huxley regarding what he should be writing about, judging from Mile High Fan, a 15-song collection of Huxley's demos from the period, which includes catchy songs about heroin addiction, soaring real estate prices and urban sprawl. According to Huxley's liner notes, a number of his MCA demos became basic tracks for his first album, 1988's Sunny Nights, and the recordings collected here sure don't sound like songwriting demos -- the combo Huxley put together for these sessions evolved into his band P. Hux, and they sound professional as all get out, especially guitarist Rusty Anderson, whose Eddie Van Halen-esque Stratocaster gymnastics are certainly impressive if more than a bit overstated on several cuts, and drummer Rob Ladd, who pounds with conviction. Huxley's material here walks a tightrope between witty power pop and muscular hard rock, and the two sides don't always get along, with the guitar shredding often getting in the way of the melodic side of these recordings. But there are some good tunes here that work just fine with the band, especially "This Isn't Yesterday" and "Bazooka Joe," and Huxley's smart-ass wit is welcome throughout. Mile High Fan isn't perfect, but it's as polished and satisfying as any of Huxley or P. Hux's "real" albums, and this certainly deserved better than sitting on a shelf at some publisher's office for 13 years; Not Lame are to be commended for finally giving this music the public hearing it deserves. -AMG

True Believers - True Believers - 1986

Legend has it that the True Believers' pre-production process with producer Jim Dickinson before they began sessions for their first album consisted entirely of a conversation in the car as the band picked him up from the airport and drove to Austin's Arlyn Studios. While Dickinson has a splendid track record producing maverick rock bands, for this project money and time were in short supply, and the True Believers album suffers a bit accordingly. The sound is thin and lacks the punch that the group's three-guitar lineup demanded, and the gated snare sound on Kevin Foley's drum kit is such a mid-'80s cliché that it sounds almost comical more than a decade down the line. But if True Believers captured a great band under less-than-ideal circumstances, it leaves little doubt that this really was a great band; Alejandro Escovedo, Javier Escovedo, and Jon Dee Graham all sing, write, and play guitar well enough to lead fine bands on their own, and together they were a guitar army in the truest sense of the phrase, thinking and performing as one and leaving behind some inspired music as a result. (Bassist Denny Degorio also helped write a number of the album's best songs, and drummer Kevin Foley holds down the backbeat with smarts and precision.) True Believers was the only album this group would release during their lifetime, and while it doesn't get the full impact of their live show on tape, it gets just enough of it down to prove that this band's reputation as one of America's greatest roots rock bands wasn't just talk. -AMG

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The Shore - The Shore - 2004

The Shore's full-length Maverick debut offers enthusiasts of the AAA radio format a palette-pleasing aggregate of spacy Britpop and dusty American rock texture. It's a fashionable, well-appointed album, impeccably designed for the leisuring iPods of listeners who like their music furiously in the moment. Ben Ashley -- songwriting brains and frontman of the Shore -- channels Richard Ashcroft brazenly, particularly the cheekboned one's more dramatic solo work. But that won't matter to those swooning over the Shore's sun-spackled piano ballad "Take What's Mine," or the dusky, loopy, string-laden opener, "Hard Road" -- the sound might be shockingly derivative, but since three out of five Americans have either forgotten or never knew of the Verve and Ride, the Shore's lapping pace and gentle waves will wash forth as fresh and new as a watercolor daydream. "Waiting for Sun" plays soft pop verses off a chorus melody worthy of Embrace's grandeur (more keening strings, stat!), while "It Ain't Right" and "Firefly" do nice things with tensile electric guitar dynamics and changes into fluttery vocal harmonies. In its weaker moments ("Everything We Are"), The Shore drifts into middling alterna-pop. -AMG

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Sweet Apple Pie - Between the Lines - 2004

Pitched somewhere between Sloan, the Apples in Stereo, and Club 8, France's Sweet Apple Pie provide a sound much like their name: warm, sweet, and wholesome. Between the Lines is their second album, and it is a huge step forward from their first. In fact, it is one of the better indie pop records you will hear in 2004. The songwriting is tight, the arrangements are fully realized, and the group vocals are large and lush, sometimes coming close to Polyphonic Spree proportions. Songs like "Harder Than We Thought," "Pray Before," and "Oyster" reflect a '70s influence, sometimes sounding like Squeeze, sometimes like a more flexible ABBA. Always sounding good and hooky, Between the Lines is full of laid-back charm; it's the kind of record that radiates warmth from beginning to end. Playing it is like hanging out with the kind of friend with whom you don't have to say anything; you just have to be there. Add Sweet Apple Pie to the list of bands making adult pop (Walker Kong, the Heavy Blinkers, Young and Sexy) drawn from the '70s and '80s but sounding completely modern and completely fabulous. -AMG

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Rick Parker - Wicked World - 1991

Parker's dynamic voice allows him to sound like three very different vocalists on the same album. On tracks such as "Cause Your Mine" and "Sally's Home" his voice bears a striking resemblance to that of Mark Knopfler. When the music slows, however, his sound metamorphoses into something more akin to Corey Hart. He rounds out his range with some INXS/Michael Hutshens style vocals. But with strong, consistent backing vocals bi guitarist Josh Blake, the album flows nicely. - L.A. Times

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The Hellacopters - Payin' the Dues - 1999

The Hellacopters reconvened for a second album in 1998, churning out a platter that retained the raw ferocity of their debut while featuring even better songs. Payin' the Dues is a winner from start to finish, but special kudos go out to "You Are Nothin'," "Hey!," "Where the Action Is," and "Soulseller." One has to wonder how huge these guys would be if they were American instead of Swedish. The record did so well in Europe that vocalist/guitarist Nicke Andersson (aka Nicke Hellacopter) decided to quit the security of his day job on the drum stool of death metallers Entombed to concentrate on the Hellacopters full-time. Unfortunately, co-leader Dregen chose to carry on with his main band, Backyard Babies. -AMG


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A Gift From John Wicks and the Records!

With Fall comes change. And, thanks to a new Records' Facebook promotion, you can keep yours in your pocket while getting some FREE music
to listen to. John Wicks, lead singer of The Records and co-writer of the hit songs Starry Eyes and Hearts In Her Eyes, has decided to post
a complete live set via his Facebook fan page found right here. Starting
October 2, each week John will be posting one of nine live songs from a set that was recording earlier this year. With guest appearances
from Debbi Peterson of The Bangles and Andy Qunta of Icehouse, this recording is truly one of a kind.

Just "like" the page, and the mp3 is yours.

We'll post one track per week, leading up to the re-release of Rotate due out Noverber 8, this time with three bonus tracks and an all new, pedal
to the metal version of The Records' classic hit "Starry Eyes".

Starting October 2, go to www.facebook.com/TheRecordsFeaturingJohnWicks and click "Like", refresh your browser, and the mp3 will be available
to you...FOR FREE. Check out The Records' main website at www.johnwicksandtherecords.com for news, tour, or any other additional information
about The Records or the new version of "Starry Eyes".