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Monthly Archives: November 2018

Jangle Thursday: The Hanging Stars, Arthur Alexander, Dumb Things and more!

29 Thursday Nov 2018

Posted by Dennis Pilon in Poprock Themepark

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Arthur Alexander, Pre Nup, The Dumb Things, The Hanging Stars, The Incredible Vickers Brothers, The Maureens

Screen Shot 2018-11-29 at 4.28.35 PMTime to get your jangle on – it’s jangle Thursday! Why Thursday? I don’t know. Maybe people just need a bit of sparkle to carry them through to the weekend. This installment takes a broad view of what jangles, not limiting the pool to just the Rickenbacker electric 12 string crew (not that there’s anything wrong with them …).

Calgary duo Pre Nup get things rolling with some pretty nice jangle guitar on “The Grudge” from their recent LP Oh Well. Vibing a neo-1990s pop-grunge sound, the lead and rhythm guitars propel this song along at a wonderfully relentless pace. The Incredible Vickers Brothers take us in a more folk rock direction with “Mirrors” from their latest Torch Songs for Swingers, a sophomore record ten years in the making. Strummy with nice sparkly fingerpicking, the song segues effortlessly into some great hooky poprock. Now let’s take things into a more mellow mode with London’s The Hanging Stars, a band seemingly just off the Tardis from 1969 country-rock land. On Songs for Somewhere Else, the band display their mastery of a late 1960s laid back sound al la The Band or the Byrds. So many possible songs to choose from but “Pick Up the Pieces” captures the pleasant but still hooky sentiment of those times.

Next we set off for the Netherlands to hear what The Maureens have been working on for their much anticipated follow up to 2015’s fantastic Bang the Drum. Singles have been emerging this past year (reviewed here) and they do not disappoint. The latest is “4AM,” a swingingly delightful pop confection, full of jangly guitars and hooky vocals. The new album is Something in the Air, due to drop in February 2019, and it can’t come fast enough! Speaking of travel, Dumb Things hail from Brisbane, Australia and their self-titled debut album has a wonderful live quality to all its melodic poprock tunes. Case in point, opening track “Driving Home” with it’s driving rhythm guitar and dogged hooky lead line. Party dance number, totally. Wrapping things up – Arthur Alexander. No, not that Arthur Alexander (of “Soldier of Love” and “Anna” fame), but this one, formerly of power pop legends the Sorrows and the Poppees, and One Bar Left is, surprisingly, his first solo effort. Given his recorded resume, it’s not a shocker that the album is great, mining a melodic rock and roll seam perfected by his afore-mentioned bands as well as a bit on the boogie side of bands like Rockpile. So many super tracks but check out the early Beatles/British invasion jangle “I’ll Get Your Love Someday.” Perfection!

You could stream these tracks from Pre Nup, The Incredible Vickers Brothers, The Hanging Stars, The Maureens, Dumb Things, and Arthur Alexander but what if you lose the internet? Are you prepared to risk running low on hooks? Jangle peace of mind comes cheap at just 99 cents a tune.

Compilation cornucopia: Ice Cream Man, Reverse Play and International Pop Overthrow

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

Posted by Dennis Pilon in Poprock Themepark

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C86 Rediscovered, David Bash, Ice Cream Man, International Pop Overthrow, International Pop Overthrow 21, Reverse Play, Songs We Learned in Sundae School

Screen Shot 2018-11-27 at 6.27.33 PMOne way to get caught up on the amazing onslaught of music coming out is to let someone else do the sorting. Compilation records emerged almost simultaneously with advent of the long playing ‘LP’ in the 1950s, offering music consumers a load of hits or exposure to new artists at bargain prices. Of course, groove-cramming 20 artists on a single album did come at a cost – these were not ‘high fidelity’ releases! But I certainly recall hearing a lot of acts via such releases that I might not have discovered. Today digital compilation albums don’t suffer poor sound quality and once again serve to introduce audiences to broad genres of music – and power pop and poprock are no exceptions. While every track may not be winner on your garden variety compilation album, our three examples come pretty close!

Screen Shot 2018-11-27 at 6.32.07 PMWayne Lundquist Ford is the ‘Ice Cream Man,’ a UK expat living in Sweden and producing a regular radio show that combines sixties retro classics with new material that runs the full gamut of power pop and then some. Ford’s particular blend combines garage rock with some surf rumble and straight up power pop. Songs We Learned in Sundae School is a monster collection of 163 tunes, all available for free download from the Futureman bandcamp site. Of the 150 different artists that appear here, we’ve also featured 26 of them on Poprock Record. Great minds, fools not differing – whatever the reason, I won’t repeat all the overlap. Suffice to say, Ford’s got great taste! I’ll just highlight a few cuts that really appeal to me that I didn’t already know.

Screen Shot 2018-11-27 at 6.33.21 PMReverse Play: C86 Rediscovered sees a variety of bands reinterpret the New Music Express cassette of indie pop tunes from 1986 that featured Primal Scream, The Primitives and The Pastels, among others. Some tracks have a decidedly shoegaze gloss to them while others sound like more polished or alternate takes of the originals. On the whole, it’s a pretty solid tribute/homage to the original record. But, if I have to choose, the standout tracks for me would be “Emma’s House,” from the incomparable The Catherines, the janglicious “Kill, Kill, Kill” by The Death of Pop, and Ed Ling’s beautiful acoustic rendition of “Velocity Girl.”

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 9.19.05 PMDavid Bash is a power pop institution, hosting live showcases of new talent in countless cities on two continents – every year! His insatiable appetite for hooks and keen ear for up and coming talent is apparent on his most recent multi-CD compilation, International Pop Overthrow 21. This collection features power pop defined in the most broad and inclusive terms (as it should be). Of the 69 featured songs, we’ve also highlighted 8 on Poprock Record, so clearly I’ve missed a lot of good stuff! As there’s too much here to review in detail, I’ll just whet your appetite with a few standout tracks, IMHO.

https://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/2-01-pretty-underwear.m4aCaper Clowns – Pretty and Underwearhttps://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/2-05-the-cool-kid.m4aThe Legal Matters – The Cool Kidshttps://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/3-10-kiss-a-memory.m4aLannie Flowers – Kiss a Memoryhttps://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/3-16-i-wont-be-home-tonight.m4aThe Genuine Fakes (featuring Jon Auer) – I Won’t Be Home Tonight

In these dark times, the world needs melody, ringing guitars, and songs about love. The compilers here have done all the heavy lifting for you, all you have to do is reach out and click ‘download.’ Click on these links to start getting your copies: Ice Cream Man, Reverse Play and International Pop Overthrow.

I think I hear a single: Summer Magic and Modern Space

21 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by Dennis Pilon in Artist Spotlight

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Flip For It, Modern Space, Sharks and Other Dangers, Summer Magic

The research and development side of this operation is skint. There’s just too much music to explore and not enough time to check all the possible sources of great new music. So sometimes I cheat. When I really want some quality I head over to Don Valentine’s I Don’t Hear a Single to catch up on what he’s found. Don’s plugged into some secret power pop society that funnels him only the finest jangle-inflected, melody-drenched rock and roll. Seriously, aside from the occasional foray into his prog-influenced youth, Don seldom lets me down. Like these two exhibits: Summer Magic and Modern Space – great albums full of should be hit singles.

Summer Magic’s Sharks and Other Dangers combines a late 1970s new wave sensibility with a contemporary power pop sound that could easily be filed next to recent releases like Ruler’s Winning Star Champion or Caddy’s Ten Times Four. It’s all captured on the opening track and obvious single, “Hey.” But the whole record is worth getting to know. Check out the killer B52’s guitar rumble undergirding “Tracing a Bird on Construction Paper,” or the very Beatles Revolver vibe of “Charles de Gaulle,” or the late 1960s sunshine pop sound of “Attraction Corridors,” or the new wave-meets-Beach Boys aura of “A Certain Little Chord.” Another candidate for single would be the hook-riddled “By Your Side,” which somehow manages to make the distinctive sax bleat of the 1980s sound cool again.

https://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/01-hey.m4aHey!https://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/02-tracing-a-bird-on-construction-paper.m4aTracing a Bird on Construction Paperhttps://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/07-by-your-side.m4aBy Your Side

Meanwhile right in my own Canadian backyard can be found the stupendous Modern Space who manage to blend melodic guitar rock and roll with an addictive dance groove. Reviewers have drawn comparisons with The Vaccines and I would agree but add Vancouver’s Zolas as well as Portugal the Man, particularly on the toe-tapping single “Flip For It” and the relentlessly hooky “Do or Dare.” And then there is the melodic standout, “Ship is Sinking,” a hip-swaying, arm-waving, crowd sing-along, for sure. And for a more traditional rock and roll approach click on “Come and Get It.” Be forewarned, Flip For It is a Saturday night dance party album.https://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/01-do-or-dare.m4aDo Or Darehttps://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/05-ship-is-sinking.m4aShip is Sinking

Don and I would love to see these two act explode into super stardom. Why not help us out? Visit Summer Magic and Modern Space online right now and do your part.

Around the Dial: Starbelly, Bill Lloyd and Van Go

14 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by Dennis Pilon in Around the Dial

≈ 4 Comments

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Bill Lloyd, Everybody Loves You When You're Gone, Four, Starbelly, Van Go, Working the Long Game

Screen Shot 2018-11-14 at 11.09.51 PM.pngIt’s melody central today on Around the Dial. The station appears to be just stuck on hooks. But that’s OK.

Screen Shot 2018-11-14 at 11.10.44 PMJust getting around to raving about last spring’s hottest poprock release, Starbelly’s Four. I’ve raved about Starbelly member Cliff Hillis’ catalogue before but I have to say, there is nothing like putting a whole bunch of really talented guys together to get even more amazing results. As an album, Four is a strong hook-filled jaunt clearly influenced by the Beatles, solo McCartney, Squeeze and all those others great melodic groups, with a few surprises. I’m digging the low key melodic swing of “Lay Low” and the staccato groove of “Yes, I Love Her Again” with it’s great lead lines and background vocals. “Emily Says” sounds very mid-period Squeeze to me. “Jesus Freak” starts very pop psychedelic Beatles but then throws in a Billy Joel melodic twist in the verses while “Antidote” I swear is a great lost Aimee Mann deep cut.

https://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/08-yes-i-love-her-again-1.m4aYes I’ll Love Her Againhttps://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/11-jesus-freak.m4aJesus Freakhttps://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/13-antidote-1.m4aAntidote

Screen Shot 2018-11-14 at 11.12.11 PMSeems everybody is loving Bill Lloyd’s new record Working the Long Game and I am no exception. I’ve really liked the few songs I stumbled on from his past work and only just figured out he was one half of the amazing country pop duo Foster and Lloyd! But this new album is something else, solid all the way through. “Satellite” is the killer hit single material, at least on my poprock radio station. It’s got the chorus that hooks you in and keeps you waiting for it to come around again. “What Time Won’t Heal” has a very cool late 1960s folk pop vibe. The album also clearly channels some Elvis Costello-isms on “Til the Day that I Break Down” and “Interrupted” while “Miracle Mile” and “Shinning” had me feeling very Marshall Crenshaw. And then “Yesterday” is just brilliant rocked up pop in a Matthew Sweet sort of way. All this name-dropping is just my way of saying, this guy’s got the poprock goods.

https://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/01-satellite.m4aSatellitehttps://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/06-til-the-day-that-i-break-down.m4aTil The Day That I Break Downhttps://poprockrecord.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/11-miracle-mile.m4aMiracle Mile

Screen Shot 2018-11-14 at 11.13.22 PMLast up a band I discovered commuting between Toronto and Peterborough, Ontario in 2005, Van Go. “Dear You” (from that year’s Pop Your Heart Out LP) just grabbed me like a good ear worm should. But after that I lost track of the band. That is, until their record company alerted me to the release of their latest full length release, Everybody Loves You When You’re Gone. I’m happy to report they’ve still got it! Things kicked off well with “I Wish I Could Be Grateful,” the obvious single with a great melodic hook in the chorus. It’s also great news that the band’s distinctive and addictive vocal attack is still in evidence here, particularly on tracks like “Miles Away” and “Tell Us How You Really Feel.” Title track “Everybody Loves You When You’re Gone” is also a winner melodically, while still delivered with some rocking muscle.

Starbelly, Bill Lloyd and Van Go are all deserving of your aural and financial attention. You know the drill.

Say hello to Hi Lo from Super 8

07 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by Dennis Pilon in Artist Spotlight

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Hi Lo, Super 8

Screen Shot 2018-11-07 at 10.31.38 PMThey say the third time around is the charm but, frankly, if you didn’t light up hearing Super 8’s first two records this year, you may be immune to his retro-1960s brand of hooky, summer-infused tune-age. Yes, you heard right, three albums in one year! Bringing back productivity standards not seen since the mid-period Fabs, one play of Hi Lo confirms it isn’t coming at the expense of quality. This installment is another delight! The vibes here vary, sometimes sounding very Arthur-era Kinks or late 1960s country Rolling Stones or even early 1970s Van Morrison. Check out the great laid back late 1960s sunshine pop of the opening track “Mr. Sunshine” or the cool beach groove of “Good Times.” The whole record is very mellow party listenable but with a few very cool surprises, like the brilliant Beck-like deconstruction of Neil Diamond’s “Cherry Cherry” and the spot-on Smiths’ riffing of “If Ignorance if Bliss.”

With all this product, Super 8 must have bills. Get over to bandcamp and buy the whole catalogue. After all, how far off is record number four …

Having fun with They Might Be Giants

04 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by Dennis Pilon in Artist Spotlight

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I Like Fun, The Communists Have the Music, They Might Be Giants

Screen Shot 2018-11-03 at 11.56.31 PMI just saw They Might Be Giants last night here in Toronto and I’m in love again. How can a basically two-man band be so talented? So smart. Seemingly endlessly inspired. Incredibly musically proficient. Funny, political, and wonderful to just listen to ad libbing comedy between songs. It was a show that seemed both spontaneous and perfectly executed, performed by extraordinary guys playing at being easygoing and unpretentious. It took me back to my joy in discovering them with their third album, 1990’s Flood. I just couldn’t believe how interesting and intelligent their songs were. And the hooks were glorious!

Screen Shot 2018-11-03 at 11.57.46 PMThis year Brooklyn’s joy released their 20thalbum of original material with I Like Fun. And it is just freakin’ fabulous. The guys keep churning it out year after year but the quality does not take a hit. “Let’s Get This Over With” kicks things into gear with a jaunty uptempo melody and driving piano, “While I Left My Body” has a great droney hook, “All the Time” is just straight up pop goodness, and things just carry on in a very TMBG set of veins after that. I love the deft jazzy piano base undergirding “Mrs. Bluebeard” or the Beach Boysy sound of “This Microphone” or the more straightforward poprock vibe of “Last Wave.” But special attention must go to “The Bright Side,” the obvious single to me, with its super hooks. The band got the album out early this year but hardly let up on their amazing productivity, mounting a world tour and releasing even more brand new material on their special Dial-a-Song Direct website. Check out the video for their latest melodic zinger: “The Communists Have the Music.”

Go directly to They Might Be Giants’ website to find out about their fanclub, the Dial-a-song promotion, or when their amazing live show will be near your town!

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