Artists A thru
D
The Adventures of Jet are a ridiculously good and different Power Pop band. "Muscle", is pumped up with terrific melodies, tight harmonies and great musicianship. "Muscle" is one of those albums that keeps revealing something fresh during each listen. Give it 5 or 6 full spins and it's appeal will become undeniable.
Similar Artists: The Cars, Devo...they are just a different sounding band.
Favorite Tracks: "Emily Mazurinsky", "Drag", "The Flaming Ghost"
Similar Artists: The Cars, Devo, Cake
Favorite Tracks: "Wasted Time", "Don't Make It So Hard", "Rock And Roll"
Similar Artists: Letter To Cleo, Lit, Sugarcult
Favorite Tracks: "Flavor Of The Week", "Blue Day", "I'm A Fool"
American Hi-Fi--Hearts On Parade (Maverick)
"Hearts On Parade" sounds so fresh, its a joyous return to form of one of the best Power Pop bands on the planet. This release sounds like it was an absolute blast to record. Listen to the 70's pop/funk/disco groove of "We Can't Be Friends" and "Hell Yeah!" and try to keep from dancing. The keyboard-laced verse of "The Everlasting Fall" is enjoyable enough, until you get to hear the glimmering, sing-along chorus which renders your ears helpless to it's mega-hook. Stacy Jones' lyrics add to the fun as does the production of Butch Walker and the rest of American Hi-Fi. This CD was mixed by Paul David Hagar, who also mixed our favorite release of 2004, The Argument's "Recess Serenade".
Featured Tracks: "Hell Yeah!", "The Everlasting Fall", "We Can't Be Friends"
The Argument--EP (Rostrum Records)
So okay, we're a little late to the game on this one, but if it hasn't already been said somewhere else, The Argument rocks! We can't think of a Power Pop band out there right now who's music is so consistently outstanding. "Sorry In Advance" features soaring vocals over slapping drums. This tune is so sparse, its amazing how melodic it is. "Sarah Somethin'" is an all-out rocker with a chugging, keyboard supported verse and a cool stop-and-go chorus. A cool guitar riff and handclaps make a great song greater on "Once I Get Goin'". Ted Comerford's production picks up right where 2004's RECESS SERENADE left off. The only question I have is...where the hell is "NYU Girl"? I heard this song performed at one of their shows and was blown away. Here's hoping its on a new soon-to-be released full-length CD!
Featured Tracks: "Sorry In Advance", "Sarah Somethin'", "Once I Get Goin'"
The Argument--Recess Serenade (self-released)
The Beatles--"Revolver" (Parlophone)
Year Released: 1966
Favorite Tracks: All of them.
The Beatles--"The White Album" (Capitol)
Year Released: 1968
Favorite Tracks: "Revolution 1", "Julia", "Blackbird", "Happiness Is A Warm Gun"
Drake Bell--It's Only Time
This isn't your kid's TeenNick! For the uninitiated, Drake Bell has his own TV show on Nickelodeon called "Drake & Josh". You'd think that would pretty much seal the deal as far as mediocrity goes. But surprise! Bell has created a killer Pop record. It's commercial Power Pop for certain, but its not overly slick and its maxed out with sing along choruses and harmonies. Jellyfish is used as a reference constantly when describing the Power Pop genre, but honestly, Drake Bell's music is a dead-on example of appropriate use of the comparison. While this isn't Bellybutton or Spilt Milk, its evident that Bell is a fan. Power Pop fans could do much worse opening the major-label weaned ears of younglings everywhere than It's Only Time.
Featured Tracks: "I Know", "It's Only Time", "Fool The World"
The Black Mollys--Overnight Disgrace (Vital)
The Black Mollys rip one out of the rock and roll park with "Overnight Disgrace". The Black Molly's offer up an extremely solid slab of melodic, loud rock here. Tory Stoffregen appears to be a master of the guitar riff and this release is proof, packed with 13 terrific tunes with not a trace of filler to be found. The Black Mollys' music is part Cheap Trick, part Lit, a little Nirvana with some King's X bottom thrown in for good measure.
Favorite Tracks: "I Can't Care", "Every Other Day", "Window"
The Blakes--"New Tattoo" (Artist Amplification Records)
Similar Artists: Jellyfish, Queen, The Tories
Favorite Tracks: "Hysterical", "Used", "Something Good"
Bleu--"Redhead" (Aware/Columbia)
"The first truly great record of 2003." - Amplifier Magazine
Similar Artists: Robin Zander and Todd Rundgren front Jellyfish and Cheap Trick
Favorite Tracks: "Could Be Worse", "Get Up", "I Won't Go Hollywood"
The Cars--"The Cars" (Elektra/Asylum)
Year Released: 1978
Favorite Tracks: "Just What I Needed", "My Best Friend's Girl", "Good Times Roll"
The Cars--"Candy-O" (Elektra/Asylum)
Year Released: 1979
Favorite Tracks: "Dangerous Type", "Candy-O", "Night Spots"
CATCHpenny--From Where You Are
Minneapolis-based Catchpenny open up their terrific debut with an all-out rocker titled “Tell Me Tomorrow” and it’s a great way to set the stage for the hooky choruses and two-part harmonies to be heard all over this one. There’s nothing fancy about Catchpenny. The songs here are tight and with any justice would be playing all over the airwaves. "From Where You Are" is a radio-ready wonder, reminiscent of All-American Rejects, Owsley and American Hi-Fi.
Featured Tracks: "Tell Me Tomorrow", "When You're Gone", "Jealousy"
Cherry Blossom Clinic--The Great Poptastic Splendor Bomb (David Thomas Crow Music)
"A highly energetic 10-song CD that is a testament to bombastic power pop at it's finest. Extremely Highly Recommended!!" -- Not Lame Records
Similar Artists: Weezer, Ozma, Green Day
Favorite Tracks: "Something New", "Falling Off The Edge Of The World", "Go!"
The Churchills--"Big Ideas" (Corporate Greed/BMI)
"...it's safe to say that the trio are putting the power back into power pop."--PopMatters.com
An awesome release full of unreal harmonies and super-hooky mid-tempo tunes.
Similar Artists: The Posies, Jellyfish, The Tories
Favorite Tracks: "She Won't Let It Go", "Na Na", "Blind, Deaf and Dumb"
The Churchills--The Odds Of Winning (Near Records)
The Churchills have and continue to excel at producing beautiful Power Pop. "The Odds Of Winning" is of course, no exception. Silky smooth vocals backed by flawless melodies are the rule here. "Sometimes Your Best Isn't Good Enough" may be the best Churchills tune we've ever laid ears on. "I'm A Sucker For A Girl In Uniform" rocks with total confidence, evidence of a band at the top of their craft. Wonderfully produced and executed, it's yet another stellar effort from this top-of-the-heap rock and roll band.
Featured Tracks: "Sometimes Your Best Isn't Good Enough", "I'm A Sucker For A Girl In Uniform", "It Only Hurts When I Breathe"
Similar Artists: The Tories, Sugarbomb, The Cardigans
Favorite Tracks: "Beautiful (Coulda Woulda)", "Ex-#1 Fan", "Wrong Side Of The Bed"
The Class Of '98--Touch This And Die (The Militia Group)
Here's yet another stellar release on The Militia Group label. The Class of '98 is one of those bands that creates music that gets in between our ears and renders us unable to function normally. These are nearly criminally catchy tunes; harmony-riddled pop gems sounding similar to label-mates Let Go, as well as Dibs, The Churchills and The Click Five.
Featured Tracks: "Everywhere You Go", "Pretend I'm Okay", "Bass Guitar"
The Click Five--Greetings From Imrie House (Lava Records)
Those searching for pure pop/rock will find it on this CD from The Click Five. The classic boy-band trappings are almost a parody here as there is no mistaking that this is a talented group of popsters set on making you sing along to their sugary songs. "Just The Girl" rocks like a softer "Stacy's Mom", and yes, there are Fountains Of Wayne influences to be found all over. The vocals and harmonies are reminiscent of the best of Kara's Flowers and maybe even Hanson, but just under the surface there are beefed-up "Working Class Dog" guitars, sharp synths and hooks-a-plenty. Oh yeah, and listen for the cowbell on "Catch Your Wave".
Featured Tracks: "Just The Girl", "Good Day", "Catch Your Wave"
Collective Soul--Youth (El Music Group)
It's been over four years since we've heard from Ed Roland and the members of Collective Soul. Easily one of alternative rock's most successful acts, they obviously aren't ready to stop wowing us with some of the catchiest songs around. Their new release "Youth" sounds amazing; it's production by Ed Roland and Dexter Green is so clean and clear you'd think you were in the production control room with them. "There's A Way", "Home", "Counting The Days" and "General Attitude" rock with typical CS confidence. Guitar and keyboard riffs ring out as Roland's vocals passionately reinforce each well-crafted tune. This is as good, if not better than anything else they've ever released.
Favorite Tracks: "There's A Way", "Counting The Days", "General Attitude"
The Crash Moderns-- (self-released)
Wow! This debut EP from The Crash Moderns is an outstanding shot of Cars/Churchills melodic pop-rock. There is no question that this one will have you humming along with it's immediately catchy hooks, punchy power chords and touches of Greg Hawkes' flavored synths. This EP is loaded with 5 high-quality tunes, produced by members of The Crash Moderns and The Churchills. We can't recommend this one highly enough.
Featured Tracks: "This Time", "Everybody Hates Me", "Hello World"
Damone--From The Attic (RCA)
Well, we are a bit embarrassed that this slipped by us when it was released...oh, two YEARS ago. Better late than never, this just plain rocks! Power chords and super punchy pop melodies are all over this one. It's feel good, drive your car fast rock and roll. Big time comparisons to Letters To Cleo can be made as well as Veruca Salt, The Donnas and American Hi-Fi.
Featured Tracks: "Overchay With Me", "Driveway Blues", "Up To You"
Deathray--"Deathray" (Capricorn)
Similar Artists: The Cars, Elvis Costello
Favorite Tracks: "Only Lies", "My Lunatic Friends", "Baby Polygon", "10:15"
Dibs--Bevelaquo (self-released)
Let's say someone happens to ask you "What does Power Pop sound like?" Your immediate response should be, "just like Dibs, dummy". "Bevelaquo" blazes with energy, pounding drums drive power-chords on top of strong, tuneful vocals and harmonies. This isn't punk, it's not metal, it's guitar-heavy, relentlessly catchy songs that raise goosebumps with every "la-la" and "aaahh" the Dibs can dish out. Since comparisons are nice to know, Cheap Trick, Fountains Of Wayne, Marvelous 3, Sugarbomb, Badfinger, Teenage Fanclub, The Churchills, and Sweet influences can be found throughout "Bevelaquo". This IS Power Pop!
Featured Tracks: "Fall", "Losing", "Irresponsibility"
Similar Artists: Stone Temple Pilots, Lit, Eve 6
Favorite Tracks: "The Way That I Feel", "Last Time I Saw Memphis", "Tell Her This"
Diffuser--"Making The Grade" (Hollywood)
A more commercial departure than their last album "Injury Loves Melody", this radio-friendly effort is as good as pop-punk gets!
Similar Artists: Sum-41, American Hi-Fi, The Ataris
Favorite Tracks: "Far and In Between", "Breakaway", "New High"
Similar Artists: Blink-182, Offspring, The Police
Favorite Tracks: "Kind Of Day I've Had", "Can't Get You Out Of My Thoughts", "You Knock Me Off My Feet"