Dave Dill "Follow The Summer"

Saving the best for last (end of the month)? Many other power pop sites have raved about Dave Dill this month, so now it's my turn. Dave's musical development has improved by leaps and bounds with "Follow The Summer" Starting with "Today," it's a perfect sunny summer pop song that evokes "Runt-era" Todd Rundgren with Brian May guitars. The harmonies and dreamy guitar swirls are accented by tamborine smacks, like early 10cc singles for AM radio. Next, "Miss America" is the ultimate McCartney meets Eric Carmen ballad with lush melodies that'll make classic pop fans swoon. "Happily Ever After" is another amazing mid-tempo number with a blistering guitar solo on par with classic Badfinger. "Never So Beautiful" has a playful bit of XTC styled chord changes and uses all those classic rock influences to fashion out a true masterpiece along the lines of Andrew Gold's "Fraternal Order OF The All." Other songs "Don't Remember" and "You Don't Believe it" also resemble Gold's best work. After the album mid point it ventures into Beach Boys land with "Pink Skies." I will stop here, as you could keep reading raves all day about Mr. Dill. Every song is strong here and easily gets a nod for Top Ten for 2008. Sunshine pop fans shouldn't even hestitate here. After you buy this album, put it in the player, listen to it, rinse and repeat.

Dave Dill's web site | My Space | CD Baby




Dave Dill's "Follow The Summer" Video

Supergrass "Diamond Hoo Ha"

Did people just forget about Supergrass? One of the best British bands of the mid 90's has returned to form. The buzzing bass in the opener "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" reminds you why they can still school bands like Jet, The Strokes and The Hives. Lead vocalist Gaz Coombes hasn't missed a step either, he still has that 70's T-Rex swagger down pat. The Guitars and drum beat on "Bad Blood" bounce along to the chorus, and then rocks hard. One of the album's highlights "Rebel in You" is a Bowie-like throw back to the days of "We're in it for The Money" with blusey guitar distortion and loud harmonies that sticks in your head all day. The next track is the "When I Needed You" with it's Beatle-influenced bass line and great melody. Then on "Rough Knuckles" you have a funky bass lead and echoy chorus that drips with cool aloofness. Then the group fires on all cylinders, with all kinds of instrumentation contributing to a song like "Whiskey and Green Tea," it's similar to Queen or Sparks in technique, but the hooks get lost here. Overall the album just doesn't have consistency of earlier efforts, and a few ho hum tracks are filled in here ("Outside") although the last song "Butterfly" is a edgy classic and the anthemic chorus here almost redeems the album. Supergrass fans will want this for sure. Others will enjoy it too, if you like your alt power pop loud and proud. 

Supergrass web site | My Space



Performing "Rough Knuckles" in the studio.

Scott's Garage "Scott's Garage"

Scott’s Garage is a four-piece power pop band from Richmond, VA who's debut came out just recently. A good mix of Beatlesque guitar and bass work open the song "She Mean's Everything" from the self titled album. The laid back guitar solos a la George Harrison are a welcome sound on the follow up tune "Fading Away". Bassist John Bollinger, vocalist and guitarist Gary Hankins, and multi-instrumentalist Greg Marrs joined drummer Scott Baird in his garage for jamming... and that's how they got the name. These guys know their stuff too, the track "Girl" crackles with Southern style guitar energy, similar to bands like the dB's and Don Dixon. "Some Day Some Way" sounds like a great lost Hudson Brothers single and my favorite here. Then the album veers a little more into country rock ballad mode with "Tell Me Why." But the smooth choruses and rock guitar come back on "Simple Truth," with a catchy riff and solo flourishes sure to please. "One Good Reason" even sounds a little like Badfinger, with Hankins vocal yearning desperation from a break-up. A very pleasant listen from beginning to end.

MySpace | CD Baby

The Bon Mots "Forty Days and Forty Nights with The Bon Mots"

Michigan based music vets The Bon Mots are one of indie rock's best kept secrets. Opening with "Walk to California" it's a hook filled mix of guitar jangle and sleepy organ. Leader Eric Chial has a great rock vocal, similar in cadence to Steve Winwood that evokes a blues soul and free spirit.  Mike Coy does vocals on the other half of the songs here and has a even gentler pop style, similar to Keane."Past or Present" rely on the ambiance and bass lines of past jangle bands REM, The Church and even The La's. You couldn't get a better Byrds sounding opening lick than on "Oh Her Telephone." The song is a mid-tempo ballad that flows through your ears with that lush Rickenbacker texture. The next tune, "Reasons, Dear" is truly beautiful pop and the ever changing chords and lyrical story to keep the listener interested. Almost every song here shines, including the very Zombies meets Donovan vibe on "Festival Girls" and it's another amazing gem. The latter half of the album gets a bit softer and gentler, like in "Last Time" but is not likely to have you hit a forward on the player. The musicanship here is immpecable as well, the classic sound just works well for them and the harmonies and jazzy guitar jams in the choruses make it a perfect psychedelic pop mix that I haven't heard since The Mother Hips. After hearing this you are more than likely to check out the earlier album on CD Baby. The fans of bands I mentioned here will love the Bon Mots, so get them and if you get a chance, see them live.

The Bon Mots web site | MySpace | CD Baby | Not Lame

PopFest Update and Cartoons!

I saw this comic at viruscomix.com and it made me chuckle so I wanted to post them and add the links to larger versions. I love ripping on crappy bands like Nickelback.

Those FREE popcasts hosted by James Deem just get better and better, so tune in and support the bands at the PopFest in July. The latest one (#15) features Andy Bopp of "Myracle Brah" a true guitar pop hero. You can download them on their Charlotte Pop Fest My Space page or through Itunes.

We Are Scientists and The Kooks

Some major label indie pop sophomore releases making waves recently:

We Are Scientists "Brain Thrust Mastery"
This is the group's second album for a major label after the hit debut "With Love and Squalor", and it opens with the intense, bloated "Ghouls," full of guitar squalls/feedback, a constant percussive tapping, and robotic repeating lyrics. Things get better later on with some downright catchy indie pop ("After Hours") and some synth drum dance pop ("Lethal Enforcer") that sounds like leftovers from an 80's OMD album. No doubt about it here, the good tracks are worth the effort, like the smooth rock of "Impatience" and the gentle "Spoken For." The buzzing bass backdrop of "Altered Beast" is another hooky bit of pop goodness. Unfortunately the other tracks are mediocre Duran Duran retreads at best and even songs that have all the elements of a catchy hit ("That's What Counts") die on the creative vine. Three or four tracks alone would make this a good EP, but that's it for me. Cherry pickers welcome here.
We Are Scientists Page | My Space | Itunes (After Hours Single)

The Kooks "Konk"
The Kooks return with their second album "Konk" and it delivers more of that great Brit-power pop. The twelve tracks bop and bounce with catchy guitar hooks and beats, and Luke Pritchards vocals that are very much like The Cure's Robert Smith on happy pills. Every song is enjoyable here, and "Always Where I Need To Be" rocks with a unstoppable "Do Do Do" chorus and handclaps during the bridge. The songcraft skills of these guys are also excellent. “Mr. Maker” is a bit of a nod to Mr. Davies, with it's personality-in-a-song story. After all, this was recorded in Konk Studios (thus the album title here). "Do You Wanna" is similiar to Ok Go in approach and sound. And it's just wonderful. The strong guitars and funky rhythm of "Stormy Weather" is another standout that can't be ignored. It's rock that you can dance to and that I can play over and over again, never skipping tracks. It also makes an excellent soundtrack to your workout as well. Feel the burn, baby!
The Kook's home | My Space| Itunes

Listen to the new Sloan album FREE

Link to the enitre album streaming for Sloan's Latest "Parallel Play" -- It sounds pretty good on first listen. I'll give a review soon, but you know it's gonna be worth the listen. From the YepRoc Records label.

There is a lot of good music currently out, and I'll get to some major label releases as well as indie power pop over the next few weeks. Like I always say -- too much music, too little time.

Sloan's web site | My Space

The Offbeat "The Offbeat"

This is a neat little self produced gem that is only for sale at Kool Kat Musik and Unsigned Bands. Pure Beatlesque pop style is lovingly recreated by songwriters Tony Cox and Darren Finlan. With Rickenbacker strum and wistful harmonies, it will take you back to the "Rubber Soul" era. The catchy "Lonely Girl" sets the Merseybeat mood, and then add a bit of Herman's Hermits meets Zombies on the lovely "Keep it Real." It's also not slavish imitation, but strikingly original songs done in that retro-style. Bits of old school psychedelic pop and folk style also come out on "Say The Word" not unlike the classic Turtles. The album closer "Here Comes Summer" is a dead on amazing Monkees-styled track played with garage-like abandon. The vocals are excellent and sun kissed melodies bear repeat listens. This CD-R was started in 2004, finally came out and thank goodness I found it, thanks to a heads up from powerpopaholic fan, Maurice. Go to the bands website to hear the several album tracks. It's highly recommended to all classic power pop fans and especially Beatle fans.

Offbeat web site | KoolKat Musik | CDBaby

Tony Low "Winter of Black Ice"

I consider this one of the best tracks off of his album "Time Across the Page" Check it out!

My Space | CD Baby

Adrian Bourgeois "Adrian Bourgeois"

California pop artist Adrian Bourgeois starts with a great pedigree (his dad being part of the power pop band Bourgeois Tagg in the 80's) and he's been playing since he was three years old (no kidding). He's been weaned on a steady diet of Beatles, Beach Boys and Neil Young growing up in Sacramento, CA. Opening with "Mr. Imaginary Friend," it's fresh harmonies and Beatlesque melodies are best compared with Jason Falkner and Michael Penn. This debut continues to be engaging and immediate with the gentle ballad "Clown Review" and continues with "Juniper" an Elton John meets McCartney piano ballad. Other highlights are the violin and guitar ballad "To Be (The First Man on Earth)" which brings comparisons to Elliott Smith or Nick Drake. The very Todd Rundgren-like "Silk from Ashes" picks up the tone with great melodic chorus and those fabulous "do-do-do" backing vocals. The song "My House" has a sweet catchy guitar lead with a superb vocal melody. "Melt in My Mind" continues the chord twisting theatrics with a full horn section and organ solos, that recall the best of Ben Folds. The dreamy "Summertime" continues in that style and doesn't pull any punches either, as Adrian puts his soul out onto the table here. The Christian faith come out in "Jesus," and is the sole overtly "Contemporary Christian Music" track. This album is pure power pop and this guy is only twenty years old (Drake Bell has some competition here) and did all of the instrumentation and arrangements. This is a very impressive debut, a top ten contender and I can't wait to see what's next. Don't miss this one.

My Space | CD Baby | Adrian's site

Kingsizemaybe "King Size Maybe"

As a collaboration between Gary Eaton (founding member of the Continental Drifters) and Robbie Rist, this is country-pop-rock with a little honky tonk and a little blues mixed in along the way. Fans of The Band, Crazy Horse and even Bruce Springsteen will appreciate the way Kingsizemaybe mix just the right amount of garage into their country. With four different vocals in the band (including Shelli Eaton), their sweet harmonies get it right and Robbie Rist's guitar adds a bit of hard edged fuzz to the entire album. It's pure unapologetic mid-western rock and soul and the easy shuffle of "The Treasure of Love" and "Big Maybe" charm the listener with Rist's guitar twang and Easton's distinct lead vocal. “Rolling Vatican Blues” is a great road tune and will appeal to Tom Petty fans with it's jam band quality. "Dallas" is a rich jangley ballad that Lynyrd Skynyrd used to excel at, and my favorite song here. The fast paced "Keep Your Eyes on The Road" is a toe tapping, knee slapping good time. I'm a big fan of alt. country music - but this is not really it. However, I can appreciate the albums complex balance of lyric and traditional melody. And as a power pop music critic, it's tough to render a verdict on this one. But, if your tastes allow for country music, you'll easily enjoy this one and even if you're not into this genre, it's a good place to start.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

Pugwash "Eleven Modern Antiquities"

Although many iconic power pop bands are influential, very few bands can be called a standard barer for a genre. After the demise of XTC in 2002, other bands would keep alive the style and vision of Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, but none with the perfection of Pugwash (although The Sugarplastic come close). Pugwash's newest release ‘Eleven Modern Antiquities’ is a perfect power pop album, with a dazzling array of guest musicians, including Andy Partridge & Dave Gregory of XTC (Andy co-writes two tracks with leader Thomas Walsh), Neil Hannon of The Divine comedy, Michael Penn, Jason Falkner, The Section Quartet and Nelson Bragg of The Brian Wilson Band. The result is an amazingly awesome pop sound and best described by reviewer Alan Haber, "Walsh is a pop pundit who fuels his ideas with his deep-seated love of the pop form, whose admiration of the classic pop sound brought forth by bands like the Move and the Electric Light Orchestra and XTC knows no bounds, who lives and breathes what lies at the heart of great pop music and knows how to mix all of that up and create songs steeped in ideas that sing with melodies and harmony and the odd musical quote, and has the good sense, thank God, to share it all with the world." The songs along the album have the right amount of balance, from soft ballads to multi-harmonic mid-tempo rock. Every track works, but the highlights here are that modern single "Take Me Away" with a killer bassline that drives the melody. Other ear melting tracks are the ELO-styled ballad "Here" and the sunny perfection of "Your Friend," my favorite on the album. XTC fans: Don't even think of buying anything else until you get this album, a top ten of 2008 potential winner for sure. I prefer to call the album "Eleven Modern Miracles" it will cure whatever ails you.

My Space | The Pugwash website | Kool Kat Musik | Not Lame

This is Ivy League "This is Ivy League"

More pop genius it seems comes from Brooklyn, New York this year than I can keep track of. The sweet indie pop/folk duo "This is Ivy League" are a perfect spring breeze, with a new easy going, soft pop album. Ryland Blackinton and Alex Suarez, gained a bit of fame as part of Cobra Starship (playing on the soundtrack for the forgettable movie "Snakes on a Plane") and then they tried to revive the sound of the 60's pop of "Ivy League" and took up part of the name. It opens with gentle guitar and harmonies of "The Richest Kids." The song is an excellent single that weaves melodic jangle and wistful vocals, a lot like early Beau Brummels. Next, the sophisticated coffeehouse folk of "Viola"is just oozing cool all around (snaps, you latte sippin' cats). With roots in the sound of Chad and Jeremy and the modern stylings of Belle and Sebastian, or Morissey the duo charm you with the bouncey pop of "London Bridges." The classic "A Summer Chill" is my favorite track on the album, as it perfectly melds the classic and the modern. The duo's vocal dynamic will remind casual listeners of the classic Simon & Garfunkel in the tune, "Til the Day." The retro 60s english sound returns on "Visions of Tokyo," that has the wonderful feeling of Gerry and The Pacemakers if updated for today. Like label mate Pelle Carlberg I reviewed last year, or Camera Obscura, "This is Ivy League" works even better. The music is filled with shimmering harmonies, slick guitar work and a punchy rhythm section that nicely usher in the spring. So far, the album is only available from 27 records.

My Space | 27 Records website

Listen to "London Bridges"

The Malibus "Now"

Beach Boys fans rejoice! Matt Tyson, a self taught indie artist, has a rare talent for reproducing classic Brian Wilson surf/beach sound flawlessly. The sound primarily sticks to earlier Beach Boys canon (pre-1966) and uses gorgeous harmonies, catchy melodys, with a driving and dynamic sound. The Malibus debuted last year with "Keep an Eye on The Malibus". This new album is more of the same. A whopping 14 tracks will satisfy your surfin' jones for this summer. Opening with the vocal delight "lullaby" it leads to our first big track "Marianne" with a chord structure similar to BB's "She's Not The Little Girl I Once Knew", it includes the multi-layered vocals and horns that sound great. Next "Fun when the Weekend Comes" is a perfect companion to " I Get Around" and just as cool to listen to. But thankfully, many songs sound very fresh, especially the wonderful "You Know What I Mean" which has a bit of a Wondermints feel. Another very original highlight is the heavenly "My Big Mouth" which would sound at home on the new Brent Cash album. The oddest tune on the album is "I Don't Mind" a direct rip of The Who's "Can't Explain" sung with that west coast style. These songs all sound great, including the a capella "Til Summer Comes." The album closer "A Little More Love" is an awesome mix of classic Supertramp and ELO, and I look forward to the next album already. The biggest complaint you can come up with here is a few songs are just a bit too derivative of BB songs. But that issue shouldn't stop you from getting this wonderful album. If you are a fan of the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean and Bruce and Terry you can't miss this.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame

The Brixton Riot "(There's) Something in the Air"

In an effort to have a few hours of fun with iMovie, I created this music video for the Brixton Riot. Using a pile of clips from the movie "The Shining" already on YouTube, I stitched it together. I really could've gone nuts adding tons of quick edits, but it works better with just a few scenes. I wish the video wasn't so jerky, but overall not bad for my first attempt.

Commercials with Power Pop hooks

It’s no secret that commercials are to some extent the new radio. Ask artists that are featured on itunes or even zune's commercials if they don't help sell a few albums. Entire blogs have been written on how the advertising jingle and the TV theme song are a dying breed. But sometimes a pop artist with a knack gets some commercial work. Allen Clapp of the Orange Peels has completed a Target TV spot with a neat version of the Beatles' "Hello Goodbye"

See the ad posted here on The Orange Peels website.

Nice. But in the end it was only Clapp's vocals that made it in the spot. Listen to the original version of "Hello Goodbye"

Right now the hot new song (by whom, I do not know) is for Subway. The song has a really great indie pop hook. It's totally viral and spreading all over YouTube. Not traditional ad music at all. But that’s the point I guess.

The General Store "Mountain Rescue"

It's been a long time since we heard Tam Johnstone, aka The General Store. In 2002, the album "Local Honey" was a nice Brydsian slice of west coast pop. It took over four years to get to "Mountain Rescue" - but it sure as hell is worth the wait. The growth and maturity is evident in this new album and with help from a host of guest musicians it's the most intricately crafted pop album I've heard all year. Starting out the gate with "Early Morning Fuzz," it evokes "Harvest Era" Neil Young, The Byrds, Curt Boechetter and Elton John. The next track,"Come Around" really gets The Eagles, Buffalo Springfield, CSN&Y vibe perfect, as it could have fallen off of "Deja Vu." The remaining tracks here start to allow Beach Boys influence to creep in. "Mountain Side" is the best Carl Wilson track he never made, with a slow slide guitar driving the melody and it's simply gorgeous. A more overt Brian Wilson, Wondermints-type slow ballad, "Girls From The Mall" is similar in tone and approach to "The Warmth of The Sun." The lyric here is the kicker, as the "bleak panorama of suicide" hovers over the scene. "Desert Weathered Highway" is another country flavored tune with catchy beat and it's classic Eagles-styled pop. For you Beach Boys fans, "Nothing Can Come Between Us" is an opus that would fit perfectly on "Smile" and it will give you goosebumps on first listen.Every song here is a winner, as I could ramble about on and on about each one, but I'll stop here. Easy pick for the Top Ten Album of 2008. Don't miss it.

My Space | CD Baby | Itunes | Not Lame

Used CD Sale

I updated the CD widget on the right with some new CDs and lowered prices on everything. All CDs are from my private collection and not demos. A few rare out of print gems are there and more titles will be added soon.

Writing the blog isn't that easy, and I sometimes get in a rut. I'll check out this blog for few creative writing tips. Any suggestions? Let me know.

The Brixton Riot and The Smith Brothers

The Brixton Riot "Sudden Fiction"
The Brixton Riot is a gathering of four rock veterans from the New Jersey area (The Christies and Electraluxe) and the debut EP is smooth indie power pop all the way. "Sudden Fiction" as the title suggests deals with the writing process and the opener "Battle of The Band" about the rigors of touring, has jangling guitar riffs that bring to mind REM, The Lemonheads and Wilco. Each song on this EP is a gem - my favorite being a wonderful song "(There's) Something in The Air" about the Stanley Kubrick movie "The Shining" about a writer who wants to kill. The entire EP is listenable on My Space. I can't wait for the full length.
My Space | CD Baby

The Smith Brothers "Lost"
The Smith Brothers are not the guys on a box of cough drops. It's another group featured at Charlotte PopFest, and the Smith Brothers have a great classic power pop sound, very much like Teenage Fanclub or Cheap Trick. Pat Dollenmayer and Mike Clark have a true enthusiasm for the music, and it comes out in the opener "Lost" - a Teenage Fanclub styled slice of greatness. The classic guitar sounds continue on "Way We Know" another melodic fuzz covered gem. The pace slows down a bit for "Ducky" which goes for a classic Elvis Costello meets You Am I sound, with wonderful guitar solos and gentle harmonies. Elements of Fountains of Wayne are found in the songwriting style, and I picked this up on "Blame on You" and mid-tempo "Words Fail Me." Another classic here is the bouncy "Addicted To You," with Squeeze-like chordplay and vocal approach. No bad tracks, and you'll surely get addicted to the music here. I hope these guys get bigger distribution, as this is a great CD that all power pop fans will love. A new disc this year is planned for spring -- get this while you wait.
The Smith Bros. home | My Space | Indie Rock

Shake Some Action FREE song download

The band Shake Some Action is working on the new album "Sunny Days" for June release. In the meantime, they have a goodie for you powerpopaholics - a free track! Check out the video above to see the band hard at work.

Listen to "Looking for Someone"

And you can download the track directly from here. This sounds like it's gonna be a great summer.

Brandon Wilde "Songs From The Deep Sleep"

This album comes out of nowhere, and blows me away with amazing songwriting and playing. Brooklyn's Brandon Wilde has a Paul McCartney meets Elliot Smith musical sensibility. Opening with "Whatever You Want" will remind most listeners of Chris Brown or David Grahame, with delicate strum and irresistible vocals. Even the slow alt country ballads like "Ever After" or "Rag Doll" have an amazingly catchy bridge that keeps you engaged. Most of the album is full of low key ballads, but with those clean Macca-styled hooks and arrangements. The ballad "Highway to The Moon" takes a very Radiohead-like turn with wonderful touches of acoustic folk and multi-tracked harmony. The thickest, stickiest hook and my favorite on this album is "Love in Cars." This sole mid-tempo song will have you singing and clapping along in no time. It's been on my ipod all week! The ballad "Cannot Say" evokes a bit of The Small Faces ballads and Brandon's voice almost morphs into Rod Stewart's cragginess. He ends the album with "Hollow" - a Beatlesque ballad of "Blackbird" proportions. My only nit pick here is that there is nothing on the album that is faster paced. But Mr. Wilde is an extremely talented musician and his "Songs From The Deep Sleep" are a well executed collection of subtle musical beauty.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik

The Pinder Brothers "Jupiter Falls" and "Ordinary Man"

"Jupiter Falls"
The Pinder's debut is a sweet affair with a bit of modern mid-tempo pop with "Goodbye Say Hello" and playful lyrics and innocent harmonies bringing the listener along for the ride. The space themed follow up "Jupiter Falls" you hear the falsetto in the chorus and great potential. "Hang on Tight" closely resembles a Rembrandts song and has a pretty good hook too. Another shining example on this album is "Nicolina" which is great first crush-type love song that resembles Toad the Wet Sprocket's mellow, melodic folk-pop. "First Kiss Goodnight" is a ballad where the falsetto takes off and other than the overly sappy lyric ("Somthing in your bright blue eyes says sex is overrated") is a wonderful song. The ender here, "Sunflower" is a delicate and inspirational ballad that is a strong finish here.

CD Baby

"Ordinary Man"
The follow up album gets a bit stronger with "Dear Diane," a mainstream adult pop single. There is more electric guitar in this album, although the sweet California-style melodies continue to inspire, like in the next song "Hold Me Tonight." The feel and chord changes of "Waves Crash" is very much like Tim Finn, and my favorite Pinder Brothers song so far. The lyrical content is more mature as well, "Inside Me" is evidence of this with a song about faith in oneself. I miss the high falsetto taking center stage, but all the songs reflect thoughtful songwriters having something meaningful to say with guitars, great lyrics, and lush harmonies.

CD Baby

Like other brothers (Nelson comes to mind for some reason) - both Matt Pinder and Mike Lee Pinder have pop music running through their veins. Actually, the closest sound the Pinders have is to The Rembrandts. This is smooth easy going pop full of romantic subtext. Not every song has a good hook, but the ones that do are true gems here. Both albums here are recommended.



My Space| Pinder Brothers Website

Flying Machines "On a Whim"

The Attorneys have changed their name to Flying Machines and gotten some good airplay on the USA show "Psych" -- they have also bulked up from a three piece to a four, adding a new bass player as well. Keep these guys on your radar for impressive music.

Martin Gordon "The World is Your Lobster"

I'm prepared to crown Martin Gordon the clown prince of power pop. His lastest work "The World is Your Lobster" is a maniacal mix of XTC pop genius and Neil Innes/Monty Python humour. Gordon skewers plenty of sacred cows here, with bouncy pop glee. "Pop Goes Bang" is a clear comment on the state of musical taste today, with lines like "Tell me, will this awful racket never stop?" The next song needs no introduction, "What would Jesus Drive?" -- it's not a hotrod folks. The next several songs stylistically recall 10cc and the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour-era quirkiness. The Gilbert & Sullivan musical experiments continue  ("Am I Alone?" and "A Policeman's Lot is Not A Happy One") and the influence is clearly leaking through to songs like his own "Mirror, Mirror." The silliness is also amped up when compared to his previous works (example: an entire song about a joke "My Dog's Got No Nose" How does he smell? Terrible). The music still has great melodies, and flawless musicianship. Along the way Gordon punctures consumerism ("No Offers At All"), hypocrisy ("Don't Do As I Do") and plenty of pithy observations about the mankind's relationship with his deity ("No More Limbo"). The lyrics demand attention, and even delve into abstract Dadaism ("Just Say Wee"). As with his past works, you get a lot of bang for your buck with 15 tracks. Like me, you'll be screaming for more. Keep it comin' Martin!

My Space | E-Music | Itunes

Wild Weekend Music Festival in Austin

Yup. Another Power Pop festival is scheduled for August 29th - 30th in Austin, TX. I guess the SXSW fest isn't enough for that city! This is a definite retro skinny tie power pop affair. Among the headliners of this 30-band weekend will be first wave UK punk artists The Boys (“First Time,” “I Don’t Care”), appearing for their first U.S. show in over 25 years, and Paul Collins' Beat (“Rock N Roll Girl,” “Walking Out On Love”), Vancouver’s Pointed Sticks, and 20/20 (“Yellow Pills,” “Cheri”) are back together to bring the quintessential power pop sound to the masses, alongside fellow Bomp Records alumni Nikki Corvette (“You’re The One,” “He’s A Mover”). Get more info on My Space


Hear a classic from Paul Collin's Beat...