Pop culture musings by Kevin Mathews
Background
A recording of Elvis Costello’s performance at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Part of his Detour Show tour where Costello plays solo acoustic versions of select songs from his immense discography, using the “Lupe-O-Tone” television set to tell the stories behind the songs.
Continue reading “DVD REVIEW: ELVIS COSTELLO – DETOUR LIVE AT LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL”
Thoughts about how the various superhero TV shows did this week. Spoilers, duh!
Fans get upset when one of their favourite bands break up but nowadays it does seem that these breakups are more of a hiatus, and the band can always come back re-energised for that reunion tour. Add Copeland to the list! The alternative rock band (consisting of Aaron Marsh, Bryan Laurenson, Jonathan Bucklew and Stephen Laurenson) are not only back but will return to Singapore for their fourth concert. We caught up with Marsh via email.
There was a Farewell Tour and now Copeland is back. Why?
The band broke up in 2010. We all wanted to follow different paths, start new businesses, focus on families, and things of that nature. 5 years later, we all felt like there was still more we wanted to do with Copeland’s music.
Background
Toronto quartet that somewhat traded off an early reputation as punks/noiseniks on debut EP – Repulsion – into something a bit more expansive than a ‘genre’ stereotype.
Here at Power of Pop, we want to emphasise that it’s not always about the new rock n roll but remembering all the great rock n roll that laid the foundation for the new rock n roll that is still being made, despite the challenges and the obstacles.
This week… we look at the glam rock of the early 70s!
T. REX – GET IT ON (BANG A GONG)
It seems the only reason for this trailer to exist is the *SNIKT!* at the end. Yes, so we are teased that Wolverine will be in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Background
Nicolas Godin is a French electronic musician best known for being half of the music duo Air. Contrepoint is Godin’s debut solo album and is said to be heavily influenced by the works of JS Bach. Intriguingly, Godin’s solo album comes close on the heels of the new release from Starwalker (which features Godin’s erstwhile Air partner, Jean-Benoit Dunckel)
Continue reading “ALBUM REVIEW: NICOLAS GODIN – CONTREPOINT”
Background
Guided by Voices (GBV) is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Formed in the 80s, the band has made frequent personnel changes but has always maintained the presence of principal songwriter, vocalist Robert Pollard. GBV has disbanded & reunited twice in the last six years. However, for this new album, Pollard played every instrument – the first time that this has happened in the band’s history.
Continue reading “ALBUM REVIEW: GUIDED BY VOICES – PLEASE BE HONEST”
POP CULTURE IS LIFE!
Changing things up a little – every Sunday, I will be sharing some of my thoughts about why pop culture is so important to me.
Thoughts about how the various superhero TV shows did this week. Spoilers, duh!
By Marilyn Yun Jin
SINGER-SONGWRITER NICHOLAS CHIM RELEASES NEW SINGLE OVERBOARD AHEAD OF THE GREATEST ENEMY EP
Another music icon has passed away in 2016. This time, it’s Prince.
Rest in peace.
Background
PJ Harvey is an English musician, singer-songwriter, writer, poet, and composer. With new album The Hope VI Demolition Project, Harvey has now released nine LPs. Harvey wrote the songs during her travels to Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Washington D.C. with photographer/filmmaker Seamus Murphy between 2011 and 2014.
Continue reading “ALBUM REVIEW: PJ HARVEY – THE HOPE SIX DEMOLITION PROJECT”
Rock ‘n’ roll might not have the same commercial or cultural impact it used to have but we promise to keep the flag flying.
Here are videos of new music you should be listening to that expresses the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. Enjoy!
Background
A two-man band conjuring their own unique variation on blues and roots rock, 7Horse are an offshoot of the popular alternative rock band Dada, with group members Joie Calio and Phil Leavitt stepping up with a new sound and approach. In 7Horse, Leavitt tackles drums and lead vocals, while Calio, who plays bass in Dada, shows off his skills on guitar. Livin in a Bitch of a World is the duo’s third LP.
Continue reading “ALBUM REVIEW: 7HORSE – LIVIN IN A BITCH OF A WORLD”
Background
Hailing from Louisiana, Brass Bed started out in the mid-2000s parlaying the influence of 70s power pop into sophisticated music. Now pared down to a trio (Christiaan Mader, Jonny Campos and Peter DeHart), In the Yellow Leaf is the band’s fourth LP.
Continue reading “ALBUM REVIEW: BRASS BED – IN THE YELLOW LEAF”
Singer-songwriter, Gentle Bones returns with a new street single, “Geniuses & Thieves”, taken off his upcoming as yet-to-be titled EP.
Bennett Bay releases debut single entitled “Komorebi”
Thoughts about how the various superhero TV shows did this week. Spoilers, duh!
Synopsis
A 2015 American coming-of-age drama written and directed by Marielle Heller, based on the graphic novel The Diary of a Teenage Girl: An Account in Words and Pictures by Phoebe Gloeckner. The film stars Bel Powley as a 15-year-old girl (Minnie) who becomes sexually active by starting a relationship with her mother’s boyfriend (played by Alexander Skarsgård).
Continue reading “REEL TO REAL: THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL”
Synopsis
Based on all-new interviews and including 72 rare photos, Trouble Boys: The True Story of The Replacements is the definitive biography of one of the last great rock ‘n’ roll bands of the twentieth century.
Continue reading “BOOK REVIEW: TROUBLE BOYS – THE TRUE STORY OF THE REPLACEMENTS (BY BOB MEHR)”
Suffice to say, this looks amazing! Enjoy…
Dr. Strange will be in cinemas in November 2016.
Background
Black Mountain is a Canadian rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia. The band is composed of Stephen McBean, Amber Webber, Matt Camirand, Jeremy Schmidt and Joshua Wells. They have released four albums and eight singles.
Background
Peter Wolf is an American rhythm and blues, soul and rock and roll musician, best known as the lead vocalist for the J. Geils Band from 1967 to 1983 and for a successful solo career with writing partner Will Jennings. A Cure For Loneliness is his eighth album.
Continue reading “ALBUM REVIEW: PETER WOLF – A CURE FOR LONELINESS”