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SHELVES

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Mar 132012
 

FUZZY LOGIC

With the resurgence of 90s alternative/powerpop/rock, bands like Girls, Yuck, WU LYF, Radical Dads and the like channel the influences of Pixies, Teenage Fanclub, Dinosaur Jr and Weezer into a beautiful noise. In these circumstances, it seems appropriate that in the Singapore indie rock scene Noel Yeo, Melvin Ho and Robin Chua, members from two nineties bands (viz Suchness and Livonia) have, together with Brian Leery (from Leeson) released a smashing debut album that succinctly captures the zeitgeist of these  sweet and fuzzy times.

The name of the band is Shelves and the eponymous debut LP that has resulted from this collaboration rivals anything its Western contemporaries have mustered so far. Seriously folks, songs like “Against The Wall” and “(She Wakes Up To) The Beat” would have gotten the hipster crowd at the recent Laneway Festival agog with blind worship, if not for the notoriously illogical anti-Singapore sentiment that pervades music lovers here.

Bottom line, kind people, is that it can only be about good music i.e. memorable melodies, crunchy guitars and an easy vibe that appeals to the teenage pop-rocker in all of us. Tracks like “Holiday”, “Killer Concern”, “It’s Always Summer”, “Sussed Out” and “Superstar” are so filled to the brim with superior tunes that it’s almost criminal that a songwriting talent like Noel Yeo still remains an obscure commodity.

Hopefully, Shelves will redress any injustices in this respect and earn Shelves the love and acclaim the melody-driven quartet truly deserves. You can either purchase the vinyl LP at one of the band’s shows or digital download at the Bandcamp link below.

Official Site

 

Upcoming Shelves gigs:

Mosaic Music Festival 2012 Esplanade Outdoor Theatre 13 Mar 2012

Identite w/ Obedient Wives Club HOME Club 23 Mar 2012

The Pigeonhole 30 Mar 2012

Mar 052012
 

‘There is Only Love” (Single)

In the spirit of presenting you, kind PoP visitor, the most promising and exciting new power pop out there in the wasteland of contemporary pop-rock, I give you The Running Jumps. Consisting of Joel Martin (vocals, guitar, keys), Todd McDearman (guitar, keys, vocals), Dave Johnstone (drums) and Sid Jordan (bass, vocals), The Running Jumps claim an affinity for albums like XTC‘s Skylarking, Jellyfish‘s Spilt Milk, The BeatlesSgt. Pepper, The Kinks‘ Village Green Preservation Society and The Zombies‘ Odessey and Oracle.  All this with a Guided By Voices or Superdrag edge.

“There is Only Love” is the band’s new single and the influences mentioned above offer fair representation of what to expect. Edgy and sweet when it needs to be, the song has an engaging chorus hook which will keep you humming along before too long. The vocals probably need work in certain points but there is no denying the strength of the songwriting. Looking forward to more from The Running Jumps!

Buy the single from CDBaby.

Mar 022012
 

When I started Power of Pop back in 1998, my favourite ‘genre’ was ‘power pop’. Wiki defines ‘power pop’ as

“…a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are usually kept to a minimum, and blues elements are largely downplayed. Recordings tend to display production values that lean toward compression and a forceful drum beat. Instruments usually include one or more electric guitars, an electric bass guitar, a drum kit, and sometimes electric keyboards or synthesizers. While its cultural impact has waxed and waned over the decades, power pop is among rock’s most enduring subgenres.”

When discussing ‘power pop’, inevitably the song used as a reference point is Big Star‘s “September Gurls”.

It’s easy to discern all the elements of ‘power pop’ that Wiki listed out in this song. Melody, harmony and gleaming guitars all in strong evidence. Of course, Big Star itself had many other kinds of musical styles but ‘power pop’ will always be the ‘genre’ the band will be most closely associated with.

The 90s Pop Underground was definitely influenced by Jellyfish (pictured above). The band formed around the nucleus of Andy Sturmer (Vocals, drums) and Roger Manning Jr (keyboard, vocals) and released two legendary albums (in ‘power pop’ circles, in any case) viz. Bellybutton and Spilt Milk. Sadly, Jellyfish‘s ‘power pop’ was out of synch with what was popular at the time i.e. ‘grunge’ and the band soon broke up after the failure of Spilt Milk. But its legacy was felt strongly for the rest of the decade. Here’s a video of the band playing “Joining a Fan Club” live. Amazing harmonies and dynamics.

In the wake of Jellyfish, many other ‘power pop’ bands also signed with major labels and released excellent albums which failed to register with the ‘grunge’ loving public. This list would include The Grays, Wanderlust, Jason Falkner and Greenberry Woods. A couple of ‘power pop’ indie labels like Not Lame and Big Deal soon surfaced to feed the appetites of the Pop Underground fans but by the early Noughties (despite initial mainstream successes of Fastball and Semisonic, the scene had faded away somewhat.

In the UK and Europe, there were also pockets of ‘power pop’ bands that also drew from 70s punk and 80s post-punk to remain relevant to critics but were essentially holding true to the traditions. Teenage Fanclub and a host of bands from the Scottish indie scene (like BMX Bandits and Captain America/Eugenius) flew the flag strongly for melodic guitar pop that bordered on ‘power pop’. But one UK band that really captured the imagination of the Pop Underground was Silver Sun.

Great melodies with crunching guitar work makes for primo ‘power pop’! However, the same decline that was seen in the USA was basically mirrored in the UK as well for ‘power pop’. So here we are in 2012 and the last decade or so has not been kind to ‘power pop’ and there has not been any significant ‘power pop’ band/artist in a long while. However, if you looked closely at bands like Surfer Blood, Best Coast and Cults, the unmistakable affinity for 60s pop blended with the modern guitar sound may be a subtle re-invention of ‘power pop’ for a entirely new generation of music lovers. I leave you with Singapore’s very own ‘power pop’ masters Typewriter with its instant classic, “That Deepest Blue” and hope that like me you will dream of a ‘power pop’ future…

JEFF LITMAN

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Feb 142012
 

 

Dangerously Uncool

Seriously folks, when was the last time power pop was considered ‘hip and cool’? The 90s maybe, when power pop bands still got major label deals e.g. Weezer, Jellyfish, The Grays, Wanderlust, Semisonic et al. NYC singer-songwriter Jeff Litman makes no bones who inspires his craft – Tom Petty, Elvis Costello & Paul Westerberg have all been favorably mentioned – and in this day and age, that just about might be career suicide! After all, if the kids of today don’t even know who the hell Sir Paul McCartney is then how in the world would they be able to connect with songs that trickle down from the seminal work of the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Byrds?

But I will emphasize – who cares, right? Call me a blind optimist but for me, holding on to the melodic ideals is really what it’s all about. So yes, I will champion a talent like Jeff Litman who (on his second album – Outside) puts such loving detail in every chord, arrangement and lyric without cynical pandering to attention-deficit young people. Elvis Costello once put his songwriting into perspective by describing it as “creative plagiarism” – the key word being “creative”. So whilst it is clear that the tools Litman utilizes comes from a kinder and gentler age (crafted tunes, organic instrumentation, thoughtful arrangements) but with these implements, Litman has fashioned an album that has enough flair and verve in it to maybe sway the shallow, casual music fan.

So the joy and pleasure comes in equal measure in the soaring chorus of “Over and Over”, the rollicking rhythm of “Runaway”, the hypnotic chord progression of “Chasing My Tail” and the way the melody falls comfortably together on “Don’t Want to Talk About It”. It is easy to discern that with the elements of country-folk, rock n’ roll and power pop prominently featured that the kind of music that Litman deals in is so out of synch with everything that passes for modern pop music in 2012 that there is an almost contrarian appeal working here.

And why would you be content to be lemmings hurtling down sharp cliffs at the bidding of the hipster pied pipers (mixed metaphors whoa!) when you can – if you so choose – broaden your minds to rock music that is timeless and will never ever date. Even as I allow the sweet balladic tones of “Time Heals Nothing” to sweep me away, I realize that I do not need to succumb to the principle that just because classic pop-rock is unfashionable, we can ignore the quality songwriting and arrangements that this kind of music invariably possesses in favor of image and ‘indie cred’.

So here I am again drawing a line in the sand – yes Outside isn’t perfect and it may not even be 100% original but it sure has enough heart n’ soul to encourage this foolish lover of ‘old school’ rock to continue to keep the faith. Indeed.

Official Site

 

TRANSMISSION PARTY

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Feb 062012
 

’11 EP

Discovered on Twitter! Yes, thanks to a chance encounter on social media about an hour ago – I am reviewing this really cool EP from Transmission Party (aka Tommy Byrnes). This four-track EP provides a good range of what Transmission Party is about – a classicist take on pop-rock music that takes the best of the sounds of 60s, 70s & 80s and refreshes them for a new generation. If music is cyclical (and it is) then surely it is time for smart, melodic and imaginative pop-rock to make its return.

I personally am quite taken with (You’re My) Lighthouse, which channels the Dukes of Stratosphear uncannily with its poignant Beatles and Beach Boys references to produce a truly gorgeous chorus. Right Left Good Bad and Don’t You Worry ‘Bout Me are bouncy catchy numbers that recall the blue-eyed R&B of early Who, Mick Jones’ B.A.D, Todd Rundgren and Paul Weller. Finally, we have the psychedelic nugget that is Boredom which is a little by-the-numbers but still interesting for its faithful evocation of flower-powered 1967. Certainly, one can detect glimpses of The Idle Race, the Move and Traffic.

All very exciting stuff and am looking forward to more from Transmission Party!

Download the EP at the Official Site. Watch the video of Don’t You Worry ‘Bout Me below.

 

PoPTV – DAVID MYHR

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Jun 092011
 

Ex-Merrymaker David Myhr is busying readying his new album – Soundshine – and Looking For A Life is the 2nd single Myhr has released ahead of the new album. Poptastic! Check out the video, which fits the sunshine pop to a ‘t’. Surely one of the most eagerly anticipated powerpop albums in recent memory. Stay tuned.

Official Site

THE SMITHEREENS

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Apr 252011
 

THE SMITHEREENS Smithereens 2011 (eOne)

Amongst the power pop faithful, New Jersey band The Smithereens remain one of the standard bearers for the genre’s fading influence. In a modern rock scene where power pop is often mistaken for pop-punk (ugh!) – it’s vital for bands like The Smithereens to be recognized as the champions of power pop!

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SCOTT GAGNER

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Apr 162011
 

As much as I love power pop, I often find myself disappointed with ‘new’ releases of the power pop persuasion. Reason being that most of the time, the artists concerned seem to be satisfied merely regurgitating past glories of the best power pop and fall into the derivative trap. So, I am quite excited about the new album from singer-songwriter Scott Gagner (release date: 1 June), based on the two advance tracks now available for free download. Basically, these tracks contain enough freshness and verve to suggests that Gagner is using his declared influences (Guided by Voices, Wilco, Elvis Costello) as mere starting points. The high melody and energy levels certainly bode well. Check them out! Review to come…

Download: I Hate To Say | Take Two

Official Site

SHALINI

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Jan 142011
 

SHALINI Magnetic North EP (Self-released)

I must confess that too much power pop nowadays sounds so jaded and tired, I tend to cringe a little when I come across power pop bands/artists. But I’ll always have time for Shalini! This 90s powerpop songstress (full name – Shalini Chatterjee) has over the course of six commercial releases bless the pop underground with her heady rendition of the girl-pop power tradition i.e. The Go-Gos, Blondie and the Bangles. On this new EP, Shalini gives fans six slabs of pure powerpop, without any compromise or concession whatsoever.

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APEX MANOR

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Jan 142011
 

APEX MANOR The Year of Magical Drinking (Merge)

Don’t ask me why but for some reason, power pop and country-folk somehow seem to sit well together. I often think of Scotland’s finest (viz Teenage Fanclub and BMX Bandits) perfect examples of this oddity. The now defunct Broken West also epitomized this lovely blend of power chord and twang and now that band’s singer/songwriter Ross Flournoy has come up with a new name (Apex Manor) and a new album (The Year of Magical Drinking) to continue in this grand pop tradition.

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THE DAVENPORTS

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Jan 082011
 

THE DAVENPORTS Why the Great Gallop? (Motherwest)

In many ways, the 90s were the last time power pop fans were blessed with a true ‘golden age’ when bands like Jellyfish, the Grays, Wanderlust, Splitsville and the like, gave us memorable power pop music that lives on to this day. In fact, the state of power pop is so dire now that other ‘genres’ have co-opted the name! I mean, Plain White Ts is NOT power pop. Sheesh!

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JELLYFISH

Sophisticated orchestral pop (think Sgt. Peppers/Pet Sounds/Odessey & Oracle/Forever Changes) has never really gone out of style; it has merely gone underground. The Divine Comedy, The High Llamas and Eric Matthews are other notable modern practitioners that easily come to mind.

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HINDU RODEO

Indulge me, folks, as I muse a little. A great comic book writer named Mike (Nexus, Punisher, Flash) Baron introduced me to the world of the powerpop underground in the late 90s. One of his strongest recommendations was an album by a band with the oddest name – Hindu Rodeo. This power trio (consisting of drummer Jimi Englund, guitarist Dirk Freymuth and singer-songwriter-bassist Joel Sayles) released a fabulous debut eponymous album in 1995, which is a buried treasure and a wonder to discover.

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I’ve been ranting and raving about how music fans nowadays don’t bother about the past. So, I’m gonna the push the past in your face – like it or not! :)

POWER POP!

When Power of Pop was first set up in 1998, my main concern was to promote the power pop genre and/or the Pop underground scene.

Power pop?

Yes, the term was originally coined by The Who’s Pete Townshend when asked to describe the band’s then new single – Pictures of Lily – to the NME.

“Power pop is what we play—what the Small Faces used to play, and the kind of pop the Beach Boys played in the days of ‘Fun, Fun, Fun’ which I preferred.”

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WEEZER Hurley (Epitaph)

On the 1st single released from Weezer’s new album Hurley, Rivers Cuomo sings, “Memories make me want to go back there”. Considering that Weezer fans (and ex-fans) constantly harp on the band’s past glories, this is perhaps the ultimate irony. Fact is, with Hurley, Weezer embarks on a new chapter in their careers – for the first time, the band have released an album on an indie label, in this case Epitaph (well, okay, a major indie, but an indie nonetheless).

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PAUL COLLINS King of Power Pop! (Alive Naturalsound)

Well, that’s some claim isn’t it? But can Paul Collins back with up with the music?

Collins has cache in the power pop community, having being a part of The Nerves and The Beat (not to be confused with the English band of the same name), both legendary power pop outfits in the late 70s/early 80s. Since the 80s, Collins has been mainly involved in the power pop scene in Spain and has been a Spanish resident for some time now.

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This piece of delicious news came in the mail –

The Posies announce their U.S. Fall 2010 tour with co-headliner Brendan Benson and opening act Aqueduct, in support of their upcoming album BLOOD/CANDY on Ryko. Kicking off in Milwaukee on November 5th and wrapping up in their hometown of Seattle on December 11th, the tour spans over 20 major U.S. cities and immediately follows their European tour which begins September 28, the same day BLOOD/CANDY will be available nationwide.

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THE 88 Self-titled (88/Rocket Science)

As the years progress, I find it more difficult to properly describe the music of a band that has its roots in the 60s or 70s. Nowadays, the youngsters don’t even seem to recognize bands from the 90s never mind 20/30 years before. Which is a bit of a problem with LA power pop quartet The 88 as the band is quite obviously heavily in debt to the seminal works of the Kinks. Not surprising as the 88 has been participating recently in worldwide tours as both opening and backing band for Ray Davies of The Kinks!

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The Posies premiere their first song Licenses To Hide off the anticipated CD Blood/Candy (Out Sept 28th) with Ryko. The single, featuring angelic guest vocals from Lisa Lobsinger (lead singer of Reverie Sound Revue and vocalist of Broken Social Scene). Read the PoP review of Blood/Candy here.

Listen

Official Site | Myspace

Buy Blood/Candy

 

THE POSIES Blood/Candy (Rykodisc)

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JODY PORTER Close to the Sun (Engine Room)

Fountains of Wayne guitarist Jody Porter steps out of the comfort zone with this excellent debut solo album. Retaining all the hooks of his parent band, Porter’s debut is I guess a little more rockier but never once sacrificing an iota of melodic appeal.

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The Futurists represents the musical meanderings and lyrical musings of Paul Housden who is also the singer and guitarist in Foxx on Fire. A debut album will be released soon, featuring the Adrian Whitehead on keyboards, the Terepai Richmond on drums and the Jak Housden on guitar and production. There will be an album launch with hot dogs, balloons… the whole schmear!

Listen: The Futurists – She’s The One

 

ROONEY Eureka (Califonia Dreamin’)

Is powerpop making a big return in 2010? The last time power pop impacted the public consciousness was in the 90s when bands like Weezer, Superdrag, Fountains of Wayne and Sloan had hits in the Billboard Charts. In the 00s, power pop went seriously under the radar although bands like Phantom Planet and Rooney kept the US power pop flag flying.

NB. I don’t include the likes of Plain White Ts or All-American Rejects into the powerpop equation as the word “emo” crops up too much in association. Whatever…

With the critical acclaim that the retro-leanings of Free Energy is getting now, it seems appropriate for Rooney to release their new album, Eureka, which I believe is their finest yet, brimming over with catchy melodies, sophisticated arrangements and hooks galore.

Eureka certainly lives up to its name and to its obvious influences – the Beatles, the Beach Boys, ELO and Raspberries – and as an album stands up to closer scrutiny. Individually, the songs explore the diverse spectrum of the classic pop-rock of the 60s-70s milieu – crunching guitars, moody pianos, lush orchestration, sweet harmonies and crucially, hummable tunes.

Highlights for me include the dynamic All Or Nothing, the breezy Holdin’ On, the (blue-eyed) soulful I Can’t Get Enough, the jaunty (John Barry channeling) Only Friend and the frenetic Hunch. But seriously folks, this album is a keeper and for fans of driving, smart, melodic pop, a sheer pleasure to have and hold.

Check out a “behind the scenes” video of I Can’t Get Enough over at MTV.

Eureka will be released on 8th June.

Official Site

Myspace

 

nines5_small.jpg

THE NINES Grand Jukle’s Field (T.A.S. Gold Recordings)

Powerpop fans know that they’re safe with The Nines.

By and large, The Nines have a fixed agenda – basically channel the likes of Paul McCartney and XTC into gloriously tuneful pop nuggets that are bright and shiny without a cloud on the horizon.

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