Pop Fair

The Merrymakers - Rare B-sides and Compilation Tracks

2012-01-15T06:45:00.000-08:00

So its early 2012 and I'm still waiting to to hear the entire Soundshine album by David Myhr (only released in Japan as I write this). In anticipation, I was listening to the two albums by his previous band "the Merrymakers".

The Merrymakers were a Swedish Power Pop unit co-lead by David Myhr and Anders Hellgren. Their two albums "No Sleep till Famous" and "Bubblegun" were some of the best examples of Power Pop to come out of the Swedish Power Pop renaissance of the late 1990's. In my opinion 1998's "Bubblegun" is maybe the best single album from that scene, benefiting from the arranging, producing and co-writing of Jellyfish leader Andy Sturmer.

The Merrymakers were only together for a short time. They appeared on the scene in 1992 and released two classic albums (along with one hard to find early singles collection). By 1998 they were gone (The band continued to exist until 2010 but there was nothing released after 1998 - I wonder if there are any good unreleased material from that 1998 - 2010?). Here is a collection of their B-sides and compilation tracks for your listening pleasure. This compilation reminds me of how great this band could be (makes me anticipate David Myhr's Soundshine release that much more).

1 Feel A Whole Lot Better - Byrds cover From "Full Circle: A Tribute To Gene Clark"
2 Somebody Made for Me - Emitt Rhodes cover. Bonus track from "Bubblegun"
3 Parachute - B-side of "Monument of Me"
4 No More Lonely Nights - McCartney cover from Tribute Compilation "Listen to What the Man Said"
5 What About? - Bonus track from "Bubblegun"
6 You Get What You Give - New Radicals cover from the Bam Balam Explosion Compilation
7 Love (You Can Make it Alright) - B-side of "Monument of Me"
8 Still Someone to You - B-side of "Monument of Me"
9 Strange Kind of Girl - From 1998 compilation "Somewhere Down the Road"
10 High Horses - 1993 track from split flexi included with Swedish SOUND AFFECTS magazine
11 Saltwater Drinks (Remix) - B-side of"Saltwater Drinks"
12 The Prettiest Star - B-side of "Superstar"
13 Superstar (Remix) - B-side of"Saltwater Drinks"

Thanks to one of my Power Pop friends (you know who you are) for helping me pull this collection together. We would not be listening to all of these great rare tracks without your generosity.

Top 25 Power Pop Releases of 2011

2011-12-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

Time to say goodbye to 2011 and in spite of the lack of any commercial acceptance to speak of, it was a year of great Power Pop releases. Notable by their absence are two releases that didn't make it out (in the states) this year. "Besides" by Blue and "Soundshine" by David Myhr. We've heard a lot of tracks from these two releases but still haven't had the chance to hear the entire albums. Oh well, these will represent a great start on the year in 2012. My favorite Power Pop albums of 2011 follow:

Fountains of Wayne - Sky Full of Holes
I love this album and think its a return to form for FOW. There isn't a bad track on the album and each track builds upon (and flows into) the next. On his album Electro De Perfecto, Mike Viola wrote a tune entiled "Soundtrack of My Summer", however "Sky Full of Holes"ended up being the soundtrack to my summer this year. Perfect summer pop album.

Pugwash - The Olympus Sound
Another collection of winning Beatlesque tracks by Irish Power Pop genius Thomas Walsh and the crew. Thomas can't seem to write a bad song and "The Olympus Sound" just raises the bar on an already high standard. Keep em coming Thomas. We are listening!

Paul Steel - LL Cosmonaut
This one just snuck in under the wire in December. Brighton Power Pop phenom Paul Steel is back with a new EP released under the moniker of "LL Cosmonaut". Yes I know that its just an EP (and one of the tracks came out on Myspace last year), still the material is so strong, the arrangements so rich that it ended up as one of the best of the year. You have to hear this one for yourself. No one working today is producing Brian Wilson influenced material of the quality of Paul Steel. Looking forward to hearing the rest of the tracks in 2012.

David Mead - Dudes
This fine album has already received a lot of great press (deservedly so). I concur that David Mead is back and Dudes is his best Power Pop album in years. The album flips between sweet folk ballads and rockers with strong hooks. Wonderful record!

Mike Viola - Electro De Perfecto
For 2011, Mike releases a more serious and rockin effort...and of course its terrific front to back. The songs mine familiar melodic territory but somehow achieve something new. Mike mixes in louder guitars, pares down the arrangements and deals with more serious themes and still produces a collection of memorable songs. A great effort!

The Wellingtons - In Transit
Australia's Wellingtons deliver another collection of smart, insightful pop songs. Check out tracks "Adamant" and "Baby's Got A Secret". No better tunes were released this year in my opinion.

Popfilter! - Pop This
Boston's Popfilter finally released the epic pop song-cycle they'd been working on and its a stellar release. This one sounds like the Cars meet the Sweet. Great production and a nice album all the way through. Listen to this one!

The Red Button - As Far as Yesterday
Seth Swirsky is one of the best singer songwriters working today and the sophomore release by "The Red Button" his band project with Mike Rukeberg delivers another album of mid period Beatles influenced pop.

Greg Pope - Monster Suit
The man is a phenomenon. For each of the last four years, we've been treated to an annual Greg Pope release. This year, its a soundtrack and a terrific collection of songs to boot.

The Nines - Polarity
In 2011, the Nines put out their own collection of B-Sides and Demos and the collection hangs together very well. Castaways from the Nines are better than efforts by most other bands. I will always be a Nines completest and I hear that there is another collection in the works for 2012!

Captain Wilberforce - Ghost Written Confessions
A new album from Captain Wilberforce this year continues his streak of three great prog/romantic pop albums. This one starts slow and serious but builds into sweeping rockers. By track five, he had me....again!

An American Underdog - Always On The Run
Personal favorite, Andy Reed released a great set of tunes under the band name "An American Underdog". This album features tuneful gems start to finish. Welcome back Andy Reed.

The Genuine Fakes – The Striped Album
The Genuine Fakes continue to carry the torch of Swedish Power Pop. Tunes are strong and the band plays hard. Hopefully this one plus the new one by David Myhr will help rekindle the Power Pop torch in Sweden in 2012.

Brandon Wilde - Hearts in Stereo
I've been following Brandon Wilde for years. Loved his earlier release "Songs From the Deep Sleep" and his band project "Black Bunny". "Hearts in Stereo" continues with an album of quirky insightful pop.

The Turnback - Drawn in Chalk
Mid period Beatles. Great albums released on the Rainbow Quartz label. The Turnback evoke them all. I couldn't stop listening to this one.

The Bangles - Sweetheart of the Sun
I had no idea that Bangles would return with a vital lively effort like "Sweetheart of the Sun" but here it is. This album pushes all the buttons. Lots of 60's influenced Power Pop, a strong cover in Open Your Eyes by the Nazz... and of course there are the harmonies.

Cirrone - Uplands Park Road
This is the rocker of the year. Evokes "The Shazam" or "True Love". Great playing. Great production and strong songs.

Robyn Hitchcock - Tromso Kaptein
Didn't hear about this one much in Power Pop quarters but it works very well for me. This is one of those well arranged Hitchock efforts (as opposed to those tossed off ones he releases - I like those too, just not as much). This one has strings, strong melodies and of course feature's Robyn's warped lyrics. The Beatles in an alternate universe.

Smith and Hayes - II
The second album by Smith and Hayes is another tribute to the Beatles. The thing is that Smith and Hayes write really good songs, have great players and produce a nice sounding album. I particularly loved the track "Turn it Up". A classic!

Tommy Flake - Second Skin
I didn't know about Tommy Flake but "Second Skin" his 2011 albums is a winner throughout. Reminds me of Tommy Keene or Adam Schmitt. Great effort.

The Ditchflowers - Bird's Eye
Sophmore effort by Brian Merrill (formerly of Barely Pink) and Ed Woltil. Just like their first, "Bird's Eye" helps evoke Jim Boggia and Jon Brion. Good songs that you want to listen to over and over.

Michael Oliver & The Sacred Band - Yin & Yanxiety
I really liked this one all the way through. Nice rockin effort with good power pop hooks. well recorded. A very strong album.

Longplayer - Longplayer
Miss ELO? Can't wait for another ELO tribute like LEO from Bleu and Mike Viola? Well Longplayer is the group for you. Very entertaining release. Nice new tracks in the style of Jeff Lynne.

Meyerman - Who Do You Think You Are?
Another rockin' effort. Meyerman knows the moves, has the hooks and plays em well. The Cars meets Superdrag. A great one for your car.

Richard Snow and The Inlaws - Am I Really That Boring?
Always enjoy the British jangle pop from Richard Snow. It's great to have a new effort to listen to.

Happy Hollidays and a safe happy New Years to all!

David Mead - More Out Takes, Demos and Studio Performances

2011-12-03T21:30:00.000-08:00

David Mead put out "Dudes" late last month and as promised, its a return to classic Power Pop form. Dudes artfully weaves the gorgeous folk pop he demonstrated on last year's "Almost and Always" with the same type of Beatle influenced tunes he explored on 2006's "Tangerine". Obviously "Dudes" is a serious contender for Power Pop CD of the year.

For new listeners, David released a free compilation of hits and out takes called "25 days to Dudes". If you haven't downloaded this collection, do so while it's still available and free. There were three "new" out takes made available on the collection. I've included them in my new collection of demos, studio tracks and out takes. The remainder were released on earlier version of Mead's web sites. Check out my previous collection of out takes, demos and rare tracks. Dudes is great...so purchase it now. Also, check out this new collection of rare tracks and let me know if you have something I'm missing.

1 Lease on Life - out take from "Indiana"
2 Slow Night - out take from "Mine and Yours"
3 Hallelujah, It's a Girl - demo from "Tangerine"
4 Dudes - studio performance from the Ivy League
5 Bucket of Girls - out take from "Luxury of Time"
6 Girl on a Roof - studio performance from Ivy League
7 I Hate It When We Fight - duet with Joy Williams
8 Sweetheart Sorrow - demo
9 Rainy Weather Friend - demo from "Almost and Always"
10 From My Window Sill - studio performance from World Cafe
11 Nashville - studio performance from Ivy League
12 Hallelujah, I Was Wrong - demo from "Tangerine"
13 Didn't I Warn You - out take from "Mine and Yours"
14 Indiana - studio performance from World Cafe
15 Last Train Home - demo from "Almost and Always"
16 Little Boats - studio performance from Tune In at Home

Pugwash - In My Own Time (Rare Tracks #2)

2011-11-19T14:07:00.000-08:00

Today's rare Power Pop gem comes to us courtesy of the ever creative Mr. Thomas Walsh of Pugwash. This collection is the second of several compilations of rare demos and acoustic tracks recently posted by Thomas on YouTube. How many of these terrific rare tracks will we get? Only Thomas knows. He's been publishing one or two tracks every day for the last month of so. I've loved checking every morning for unreleased Pugwash tracks. I particularly treasure the two unreleased out takes that never made official Pugwash albums. (Any more of these laying around Thomas?). There are also a handful of live radio show performances as well. One of them is a cover of the early Bee Gee's tune "In My Own Time" - a dead ringer for Revolver-era Beatles if every there was one. Great Version!

If you haven't purchased this years Pugwash release "The Olympus Sound", you better go ahead and do so. It's Pugwash so every track is filled with sweet Beatlesque melodic hooks. Along with Fountain's of Wayne's "Sky Full of Holes", this one is in the running for Power Pop release of the year! Enjoy this collection of rare tracks:

1 Heal Me - B-side of "Answers on a Postcard"
2 In My Own Time - Live Bee Gees cover
3 It Doesn't Matter - Out take from "The Olympus Sound"
4 Pedalo - Bonus track from "The Duckworth Lewis Method"
5 Low - Out take from "Eleven Modern Antiquities"
6 Take Me Away - Acoustic version
7 Sunrise Sunset - Demo
8 Home to Me - Alternate mix
9 Telephone Line - Acoustic ELO cover
10 Finer Things in Life - Demo
11 The Canon and the Bell - Early mix
12 This Could be Good - Acoustic version
13 Anchor - Dub mix
14 Song For You - Demo
15 15 Kilocycle Tone - Demo
16 Ram On - Acoustic Paul McCartney cover
17 Answers On a Postcard - Demo
18 There You Are - Acapella
19 Four Days - Demo
20 Inside the Gullet of the Pelican King - Unreleased instrumental
21 Mr. Blue Sky - Live ELO cover from "The Duckworth Lewis Method"
22 Fall Down - Acoustic version

Mike Viola - Live Set from Boston

2011-11-06T14:54:00.001-08:00

Mike Viola is touring in support of his new album "Electro de Perfecto". I'm really looking forward to catching his set - but the good news is that we have a sneak peek of the show courtesy of one of the readers of our blog. Its a high quality audience recording of Mike's recent show in Boston. Thanks so much for sending it on for everyone to enjoy. A great description of the set follows:

"I caught Mike Viola and band opening for Rachael Yamagata at the Brighton Music Hall, (formerly Harper’s Ferry) in Alston, Mass. on Oct.30. Great sound and a tight band (just MV with a bass player and drummer). Mike played most of the new album, Electro de Perfecto that night, though looking at the setlists posted on his blog he’s been mixing in more older songs at other gigs. With only a 45-50 minute opening slot he still found room to be himself….casually improvising here, encouraging a sing-along there, joking with the audience. Every band today, young or old, could learn a thing or two from Mike about how to entertain an audience-it's as if he walks into your living room, plugs in and asks what you want to hear! If you’re a MV fan and haven’t yet, definitely purchase his new album/cd…it’s vintage Mike, stripped down to a power trio format with the same quality songwriting MV fans have come to expect!"

1. Soundtrack of My Summer
2. El Mundo de Perfecto
3. Me and My Drinking
4. Field of Guns and Roses
5. Maybe, Maybe Not
6. Here's The Rub
7. Girly Worm
8. Let's Have a Baby
9. Chemical Night
10. Get You Back

Bleu - Besides B-Sides

2011-10-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

One of the best releases of the year is itself a B-sides compilation. This one an official release from the ever prolific, always brilliant Bleu McAuley. Bleu has pulled together some of his recent demos, outtakes and B-sides and assembled another masterful release that really shows the depth of his songwriting and his amazing voice. If you haven't picked up "Besides" yet, then you really need to. Bleu is making the project available in two formats. Vinyl with digital download and digital download only (...with some minor differences in track listing that drive completest like me crazy.)

Speaking of completeists. I searched my archives and found a number of tracks that didn't make the cut on Besides. These are later tracks than the early B-sides compilation I posted before and none of them are the same as Bleu's official effort. Check them out. Even Bleu's castaways are very, very good. As usual, please let me know if you have something rare that I'm missing.

1. Glass Houses - Outtake from "Blizzard of 05" period. Posted on MySpace

2. Golden Handcuffs - More recent disco track in the vein of "Blow up the Radio" from Besides. Posted on ReverbNation

3. I Have to Have You - Recent track that Bleu has been doing at solo shows.(I was expecting this on Besides). Cool tune. Posted on SoundCloud

4. When it Rains it Pours - Another outtake from "Blizzard of 05" period. Posted on MySpace

5. Sakura (Cherry Blossom Bloom) - Compilation track from "Together We Are Not Alone"

6. Taylor Locke (Rex of Rocke) - Fun track. A "note" to Taylor Locke of Rooney fame. Posted on Soundcloud.

7. Blacklight - Another disco track in the vein of "Blow up the Radio" from Besides. Posted on ReverbNation

8. Cold, Cold Christmas - One of those great bluesy gospel tracks Bleu does so well. This one a Christmas song from ReverbNation

9. Ordinary Breakdown - Yet another outtake from "Blizzard of 05" period. Posted on MySpace

10. I'm in Love with My Lover (Acoustic) - Solo acoustic version from "Brixton Sessions" video

11. How Blue (Acoustic) Not the version from Besides. This solo acoustic track is also from a "Brixton Sessions" video

12. Happy Birthday Mara - Personalized track for a Kickstarter supporter. Posted on Soundcloud

New Mike Viola - New Bonus Tracks

2011-09-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

Mike Viola put a new album out last week and its a great one. "Electro de Perfecto" represents a slight shift of direction for Viola. It's more stripped down effort, tighter and more focused than his previous release "Lurch". This time, Mike is fronting a new electric trio and he means business. The new tracks are a bit louder yet the the hooks are classic Viola. If you regularly check out this blog and you haven't picked "Electro de Perfecto" up yet, walk don't run to your nearest record store! A strong candidate for Power Pop album of the year.

Mike and the new trio are touring the states this fall and I'm really looking forward to checking out the show.

In honor of the new release, I've put together a compilation of recent bonus tracks. Mike is great about leaking out A-quality tracks onto the fan-o-sphere and after listening to this sequence of tracks, I have to say that Mike's castaway tracks are better than most artists formal releases. Enjoy and PLEASE let me know if you have any rare Viola tracks, I don't have here. I really appreciate it.

1. Find Somebody to Love - Bonus track from "Lurch"

2. Something Electric - Bonus track from "Lurch"

3. Chemical Night - Unreleased track from Mike's MySpace page

4. This is Life, This is Love - Track from "The Right Track" compilation

5. Unbroken - Non-album track released on EMI Music Publishing Site

6. Water By the Bed - Track from "Peace" compilation

7. Burn at Both Ends - Non-album track from SoundCloud

8. Superkid (Acapella) - Unreleased track from Mike's MySpace page

9. Time For Everything to Change - Unreleased track from Mike's Facebook page

10. Bee Vee (Intro) - Unreleased track from Mike's Facebook page

11. Happiest Day - Non-album track released on EMI Music Publishing Site

12. Motel Mood - Bonus track from "Lurch"

13. Smile - Non-album track from SoundCloud

Ice Cream Hands - In Your Arms

2011-08-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

The posting today is from one of my favorite bands, Melbourne's Icecream Hands. The band began life in 1992 and released a series of class albums that somewhat resemble the output of country mates Crowded House. Though I'm a fan of Neil Finn, I like Icecream Hands even better.

If you've never heard Icecream Hands, I'd recommend the 2004 "best of" compilation entitled "You Can Ride My Bike". Loads of classy pop songs with plenty of addictive hooks. Also included in that package is a great b-sides compilation disc. I also love the solo albums by lead singer Chuck Jenkins. He's put out four CDs. Each one a gem.

Icecream Hands produced their last album "The Good China" in 2007 and has only gotten together occasionally since that time. That album featured more vocals than usual by bass player Doug Robertson and guitar player Marcus Goodwin.

This compilation complements the "official" B-Sides disc that came with "You Can Ride My Bike". It pulls together a number of more recent solo tracks from all the band members along with a few later b-sides by the band. Let me know if anyone has anything I'm missing. Also let me know if anyone has the very rare live acoustic album entitled "Live at Manchester Lane". I've been looking for that one for some time. Enjoy!

1. In Your Arms - Charles Jenkins outtake from his website.
2. Unbuckling the Bible Belt - Unreleased Icecream Hands song from MySpace.
3. Only Way Out - Icecream Hands B-side from the "Come Along" single.
4. The Black Madonna - Rare Charles Jenkins solo track from "Shake Yer Popboomerang" compilation.
5. I Love That Women - Charles Jenkins guest on lead vocals on this track by the band "Four Hours Sleep"
6. I Booked an Ambulance - Charles Jenkins outtake from his website.
7. Hang Around - Icecream Hands B-side from the "Come Along" single.
8. Never Need to Know - Icecream Hands B-side from the "Come Along" single. Drummer Derek Smiley sings.
9. All The Kings Men - Solo acoustic track by Charles Jenkins from the "Off The Record" radio show.
10. Said and Done - Track by Marcus Goodwin's previous band "Yolk" from his MySpace site.
11. My Old Guitar - Charles Jenkins takes turns on guest lead vocals on a track by the Melbourne band "The Killjoys".
12. Seduced by the Moon - Charles Jenkins outtake from his website.
13. One to Right - Solo track by Marcus Goodwin from his MySpace site.
14. Leaving Kansas - Charles Jenkins outtake from his website.

The dB's - Part 2 of fantom's Guest Post

2011-07-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

Here is part two of fantom's excellent guest post of dB's rarities. The dB's were alternative pop group who released a series of essential pop albums during a period that spanned the early 80's to the early 90's. For the uninitiated, I'd recommend picking each of their official releases, "Stands for deciBels" (1981), "Repercussion" (1982), "Like This" (1984), "The Sound of Music" (1987). Each are classics of the genre.

Lead songwriter/singers Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey also released a pair of essential releases as a duo I'd also recommend picking up "Mavericks" and "Here and Now". An exciting new dB's album entitled "Falling Off the Sky" has been recorded and is scheduled for release later this year. A few tracks have dribbled out in advance of that release.

Fantom's post today is the second in a series of a posts of rare tracks that are essential to the completist amongst us who must posses every recorded second. Thank you Fantom!

Thanks for the warm welcome, Haper - here's the promised sequel. Hopefully playlist file will keep things better organized this time.

1. Excitement - We start with The dB's playing Feb. 22, 1982 in New York what would become one of Chris Stamey's signature songs when he shortly thereafter went solo.

2. Lord of the Manor - Holsapple and Stamey covering the Everly Brothers, Aug 25 1990 in Winston-Salem

3. What I Dig/Espionage - The dB's succeeded several other combos that included Holsapple, Stamey, Will Rigby or Mitch Easter in various combinations, and some of their songs made it into early dB's sets. Here the band segues between two Sneakers songs, Dec. 28, 1979 in Winston-Salem.

4. This Crazy Town - An odd track from a widely circulated collection of demos said to be from 1983/1984. Something from a cancelled soundtrack?

5. Seeing Eye Dog medley - One of my favorite Holsapple tracks from The H-Bombs, another pre-dB's combo

6. The World Keeps Going Round - Cover of the Kinks, dating I believe from 1979, off a tape that mysteriously surfaced in the college radio station mailbox

7. Ask for Jill 3-D - Stamey, with Matthew Sweet and Don Dixon as The Jacks, deconstruct The dB's song on the legendary Luxury Condos, Coming To Your Neighborhood Soon compilation

8. Do You Believe in Magic - A more straight up cover from Holsapple and Stamey, from June 21, 1991 in Atlanta

9. Diamond - The dB's take on the Golden Palimono's track (written but then not sung by Holsapple) at the 1988 reunion of the original lineup

10. House Is Not A Home - Another H-Bombs treat

11. Let's Live for Today - Sneakers themselves in a cover

12. (Untitled) - The oddest track from that 1983/84 Demos set. Who's the female singer?

13. Angels - Holsapple and Stamey on killer track from their first album, on Best of Mountain Stage Live, Vol 5

14. Looking for a Home - An original, I guess, from the last days of the dB's, July 14, 1987 in New York.

15. Money from England - The H-Bombs at Duke University, March 1978. Prescience about the dB's Albion contract?

16. You Can't Take Her - The most interesting of the 1983/84 demos.

17. Elvis, What Happened? - This time, Holsapple under the guise of Mr Bonus, from Luxury Condos

18. Everlasting Love - Cover of the chestnut, Oct 29, 1980 in Carrboro

19. Tomorrow Never Knows - And a take on the Beatles, Oct 20, 1981 in Greensboro

20. Big Time - The full dB's taking on another Stamey solo track to be, from the 1983/84 demos

21. Caught In These Blues - Think I've got the wrong name for this one as think it's a cover... Holsapple in New York, Oct 9, 1985.

22. Do Ya - The dB's in cover mode, June 20, 1985 in New York

23. Death Garage - The dB's take on track from single Holsapple released before joining the dB's, Oct. 20, 1981 in Greensboro

24. The Newlyweds - Holsapple & Stamey take on the Stamey solo track, June 24, 1991 in Northampton, Mass.

25. My Baby Does Her Hairdo Long - The standout track on the whole Bible of Bop, an unusual 1982 album Kimberly Rew split between tracks with The Soft Boys (his fabulous old band with Robyn Hitchcock), The Waves (his then new band with Katrina,
yes)... and with the dB's.

Fountains of Wayne - Newer B-Sides and TV Tracks

2011-07-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

It's almost here. The new album by Fountains of Wayne "Sky Full of Holes" will be out in the next couple of weeks and from what I've heard so far, we have a serious contender for Power Pop album of the year! The new set of songs are filled with Fountains of Wayne's trademark stories of quirky characters and absurd modern life. Of course there are plenty of hooks and this time there are a quite a few allusions to summer fun. In fact, it really seems like they planned this release to correspond with summer in the northern hemisphere. Looking forward to hearing the full release when it comes out.

As is customary around here, I put together a compilation of some of the more recent b-sides, bonus tracks and songs played on American TV in anticipation of the official album release. None of these tracks can be found on "Out of State Plates" the official collection of B-sides released in 2005. For fans of Fountains of Wayne more rockers, you'll want to listen to this collection. Its a nice up-temp balance to the more mellow new album. Let me know if anyone has any rare tracks I'm missing!

1. Sense Into You - Japanese bonus track from "Traffic and Weather"
2. The Story In Your Eyes - Moody Blues cover, bonus track from "Sky Full of Holes"
3. Cookie Jar - Chris Collingwood song from "Ciao My Shining Store" compilation
4. You Gotta Go - Japanese bonus track from "Traffic and Weather"
5. Bus Stop - Hollies cover from "American Dreams" NBC Show
6. Too Cool For School - From "Scary Movie" soundtrack
7. Song of the Passaic - Bonus track from "Sky Full of Holes"
8. Monster House - Written for "Monster House" movie but not used.
9. Better Things - Kinks cover from "This is Where I Belong" Kinks tribute
10. Tell Me What You Already Did - From "Robots" soundtrack
11. Crank Yankers - from "Crank Yankers" show on Comedy Central
12. Joe Stein - from “Hey Joel” VH1 show
13. Bad Neighborhood - from “Hey Joel” VH1 show
14. Captive Audience - from “Hey Joel” VH1 show
15. A Busty Lad - from “Hey Joel” VH1 show
16. Androdgyny - from “Hey Joel” VH1 show

Even More dB's Rare Tracks - Guest Post!

2011-07-11T19:21:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm honored to be able to present a guest post from fantom, a valued friend and poster to this blog. Fantom, I loved the tracks and learned a bunch to boot. Thanks much.....Haper

So afraid need to give some context to these first few. If Like Flies on Sherbet perhaps comes unexpectedly to mind when the mp3s start to roll, there's a reason. The tale begins in early 1978, when the first pilgrims made their way to Memphis to pay homage to Big Star, not long departed and with its legend hardly born? ?--? three classmates from Winston-Salem: Mitch Easter, Will Rigby and Peter Holsapple and tracked down Chris Bell and Alex Chilton, who was then recording Like Flies. (Some months before Chilton had been playing and recording in New York with fellow classmate Chris Stamey...)

The Memphis trip made a deep impression (see Will's recollections) and Holsapple moved to the city for a time and recorded a number of tracks with Chilton (Holsapple in turn backed Chilton up on a few tracks found on bootlegs like Beale Street Green.) Not long after, Holsapple joined Stamey, Rigby and Will Holder in New York, where the dB's had just gotten underway.

I've been under the sway of the dB's ever since Like This hit my ears just as they were starting to stretch open in high school. They were the first band I went to see in a club and I put together an eight-hour tribute to the works of Holsapple and Stamey at the peak of my college radio years. I even went to work in Winston-Salem for a while - not really because of the dB's, but did manage to see Holsapple play on my birthday.

The zip compiler decided the order of tracks to this collection, for worse or better....

1. Crimson & Clover - a rude cover from the Chilton sessions to kick off with
2. The Fight - early prototype of the dB's track, from the Chilton sessions
3. You Said To Me - a nice original, as far as I know, from the Chilton sessions
4. I'm Not Lying - more from the Chilton sessions
5. Couldn't I Just Tell You - Holsapple in the guise of The Guild, from the For the Love of Todd tribute album
6. You Just May Be The One - from the Here No Evil Monkees tribute
7. Ups and Downs - demo for the Repercussions track, with much different approach to the song (and a bit much drum machine)
8. Pushing It Back - demo from the The Sound of Music sessions
9. Paper Hat - Rigby's tribute to Chris Bell, from his solo EP for the Hello Recording Club
10. Bride School - The first of our Holsapple demos from the late 1980s or early 1990s
11. Genericola - The jingle that never was, from same period
12. Get Used To It - ditto
13. I Look For You - a poor quality copy of Holsapple's contribution to the Bonograph Sonny Gets His Share tribute album -- that actually would have fit nicely with Mavericks
14. I Want To Learn To Waltz With You - Holsapple singing song that would appear on the Continental Drifters' Vermillion with Susan Cowsill leading on the mike
15. Leave My World Alone - a mysterious dB's demo from 1982
16. Lousy Lay - Annoyingly, I can't remember the story on this Rigby release and even Google barely mentions
17. No Time - Holsapple from the Lynne Me Your Ears tribute
18. Rendezvous - demo of the Like This track
19. Taken - a dB's demo of the track that would later end up as a duet on Mavericks
20. Theme from Insomnia - an instrumental demo from late 80s/early 90s
21. Your Walkman Looks So Good On You - ditto
22. You've Been On My Mind - feels like a cover... a Chilton session track that made its way to me separate from the others so the zipper's closing out with it

I'm inspired. Working on Vol 2 for Haper.

Until the New dB's...World To Cry

2011-06-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

...so the new dB's album is supposed to come out some time this summer and I'm psyched. As I've mentioned in previous posts, Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey are two of my favorite songwriters. I loved 2009's Stamey Holsapple record and also enjoyed the live shows from that group. I was recently excited to find out that Peter Holsapple just released a compilation of tracks he did for the song-a-month Podcast series "Radio Free Song Club". Holsapple fans and completists should rush out and support Peter and purchase it. I did and it has some precious moments.

However, I'm still craving that complete dB's experience, so I put together a CD of some tracks that have dribbled out during the last few years. A couple of these come from the dB's web site. Two are ripped from a limited edition vinyl 45 that came out on this year's Record Store Day. The two tracks from that 45, "Picture Book" and "Write Back" are probably extracted from the new album release expected this summer. A couple of other tracks were harvested from Peter's posting on "Measure for Measure" a series on the New York Times website on songwriting. I'd recommend reading Peter's posts if you haven't got there yet. Finally I've included a couple of tracks from Peter's Myspace page. These are some pretty rough versions. If anyone has better copies of these (or any other dB's rarities) please let me know.

Enjoy this taster. Looking forward to the real album. Hope we don't have to wait another five years

World to Cry - 2005 track from dB's web site - what a great song!

Write Back - Will Rigby track from 2011 Record Store Day
Collectors 45 vinyl

Diggin’ In - From Peter Holsapple Myspace site

Picture Sleeve - Chris Stamey track from 2011 Record Store Day Collectors 45 vinyl

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted - Cover of Jimmy Ruffin Track from 2005 benefit for New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund after Hurricane Katrina

Hollywood Waltz - Outtake from Stamey Holsapple Mavericks released on 2008 reissue.

Jennie Goes to High School - From Peter Holsapple Myspace site

All Talk (Demo) - Demo from Peter's 2008 "Measure for Measure" New York Time series

Rain Around Here - Outtake from Sound of Music released on dB's web site

Meet Me in the Middle (Demo) – Outtake from Peter's "Out of My Way" album

Lay it On the Line - Track from Radio Free Song Club not issued on Peter's recent CD

Molly Says (Demo) - Demo for Sound of Music Track

All Talk - from Peter's 2008 "Measure for Measure" New York Times series

David Mead - Waiting for "Dudes"

2011-06-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

This summer promises to be a hot one full of high quality "big name" Power Pop releases. Already announced are new albums from Fountains of Wayne, Seth Swirsky and The Red Button, Pugwash, the dB's, David Myrh (from the Merrymakers) and Bleu. Everything that's leaked so far from these releases indicates that we'll have lots of great Power Pop to listen to as temperatures climb.

One release I am particularly anticipating is "Dudes", the new one by David Mead. David raised 20,000 from Kickstarter earlier this year to pull together a new Power Pop album produced by Fountains of Wayne leader Adam Schlesinger. This is going to be a great one and a welcome return to form from the Nashville based singer songwriter. I've written about David Mead before and consider him one of the lesser known heroes of American Power Pop. He's done pop albums, folk albums and worked in a diverse set of bands. For the last three years he's worked in a series of projects including a "Almost and Always' fine acoustic project, a kid's album under the name "Davey Ukulele and the Gag Time Gang" and a collaborative punk project called Elle Macho.

In anticipation of Dudes I've assembled a collection of tracks culled from recent David Mead projects.. There are four acoustic tracks originally on Mead's "Almost and Always" from a video blog session in a duet with Swan Dive co-lead Bill DeMain. There are four short tracks from the never released effort entitled "Vitamin D" that David leaked on his Blog. There are also four tracks extracted from his 2010 kid's album released under the moniker "Davey Ukulele and the Gag Time Gang" (the lyrics are aimed at kids, but Mead can't help but craft excellent pop hooks, whoever the audience). One of the Davey Ukulele songs is an ode to Mead's dog Stan. Nice tune that sounds like a lost Harry Nilson track to me. I've also included yet another great song about the very same animal that David wrote with Bill DeMain. DeMain released it on the last Swan Dive album. Enjoy this compilation and go out and buy Dudes when its released. Need to support this struggling Power Pop talent.

Sunrise (From the unreleased "Vitamin D" Project)
Goodnight, Mr. Night (From "Davey Ukulele and the Gag Time Gang")
Rainy Weather Friend (Duet with Bill DeMain from LaundroMatinee Video Session)
We Are The Sunshine (From the unreleased "Vitamin D" Project)
On a Sunny Day (From the unreleased "Vitamin D" Project)
Down the Drain (From "Davey Ukulele and the Gag Time Gang")
Blackberry Winters (Duet with Bill DeMain from LaundroMatinee Video Session)
Buddying Up (From "Davey Ukulele and the Gag Time Gang")
Last Train Home (Duet with Bill DeMain from LaundroMatinee Video Session)
The Happiest Day (From the unreleased "Vitamin D" Project)
Me and My Good Dog Stan (From "Davey Ukulele and the Gag Time Gang")
Half Breed Stan (From Mayfair by Swan Dive, Co written by David and Bill DeMain. David on backup vocals)
Twenty Girls Ago (Duet with Bill DeMain from LaundroMatinee Video Session)

New Pugwash Album on the Way!

2011-04-30T06:09:00.000-07:00

Great news at Pop Fair! Thomas Walsh's new Pugwash blog confirms that the new Pugwash CD entitled "The Olympus Sound" is complete! He's leaked out a few minutes of music to tantilize fans and no surprise, from what I've heard so far, the tracks are pure Beatlesque joy! I'd advise listening to a few minutes from the first track "Answers On A Postcard" and hear for yourself.

Hey Thomas I'd love to get a pre-release listen of that "Listening Copy" to do a proper review!

By now it's almost assumed that Mr. Walsh is surrounded by a great band peppered with big name guest stars. This time Andy Partridge and Dave Gregory from XTC co-write and produce selected tracks. Ben Folds makes a guest appearance on piano.

As usual to wet your appetite before the official release, I'm posting my ever more complete collection of rare Pugwash "Odds and Sods". You'll see that most of these tracks are cleverly chosen covers. Almost all were posted By the talented Mr. Walsh himself during last year. (I posted a few lower quality version of these back in 2008) As always they are great.

If anyone has any Pugwash collectibles that I'm missing, please share!

On With the Show (Idle Race Cover)
Dr. Robert (Beatles Cover)
You're Like Manchester (John Shuttleworth Cover)
Tinsel and Marzipan (Christmas Single)
To My Maker (Colin Hare Cover B-Side of "This Could Be Good")
Thanks For Christmas (XTC Cover)
Home to Me (Track Left off of Jollity B-Side of "This Could Be Good")
All You Need is Love (Beatles Cover)
At Abbey Road (I Want You Back In My Life Instrumental)
Radio Ga Ga (Queen Cover)
I Can Hear The Grass Grow (Move Cover Live Acoustic)
You Just May Be The One (Monkees Cover Live Acoustic)
Two Wrongs (Live)

Looking forward to release day!

Paul Steel - Demos and B-Sides

2011-03-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

Can't wait for the new one by Paul Steel. His 2008 masterpiece "Moon Rock" was my favorite album of that year. What a terrific album start to finish! "Moon Rock" pushes all of the buttons; Beach Boys harmonies, pop punk energy of bands like Supergrass, Blur and the Wannadies, wonderful cheesey 60's hooks like the Wondermints. All wrapped together with killer production (Paul produces it all himself) What a talent! So here we are again, waiting for three years for the next release by a major Power Pop talent. The good news is that Paul has been great about dribbling out his demos and B-sides. (Obviously a very active writer and producer). It's no surprise that these one-offs are of the highest quality. I put this compilation together and can't stop listening to it. If it was out officially, It would be on my top ten list for sure. When's the official release Paul?

Ray Gun (B-side of "In a Comma" single)

Admit Defeat, Don't Delete (Demo)

Tall People Can't Be Trusted (From the "15 Second Songs" series)

You Can't Fool Me, Ginger Man (From the "15 Second Songs" series)

Holy Moly, Telesthesia (Demo)

Fairweather Friend (B-side to "Your Loss" EP)

Fashion Police (Demo)

Ocean ("Beach Boys-like" single featuring poetry by Stephen J Kalinich)

When I Kissed Her I Felt Sick (Demo)

My Sister Found a Grain of Rice (From the "15 Second Songs" series)

Can't Talk Now (From the "15 Second Songs" series)

Your Loss Shawn Lee Remix (B-side to "Your Loss" single)

Psychedelia Smith (Unreleased session track about Delia Smith)

Making Sense of Christmas (From "We Love Yule" Christmas Compilation)

Ghost That Burned Your House Down (From as-yet unreleased "The Cold Crow's Dead" project with X-Cert's singer Murray Macleod)

Surf's Up (Live acoustic version of Beach Boys classic)

The Bigger Lovers Are Back!

2011-02-19T12:42:00.000-08:00

Very excited to hear the new "Little Giant" EP from the Philadelphia band "The Bigger Lovers". From 2000 through 2004 the Bigger Lovers released three classic Power Pop albums "How I Learned to Stop Worrying..", "Honey in the Hive" and "This Affair Never Happened". All are in print and are very much worth your time - if you haven't heard them.

The band produced a potent mix of alternative rock that demonstrated echos of 80s/90s bands like the DBs and Let's Active. Listen again and you could also hear elements from 60s bands like the Who and the Kinks. In 2005 the band played their farewell concert and called it quits. Band members scattered to become members of the other bands. (Notably, drummer Patrick Berkery became the drummer for the Pernice Brothers.)

The announcement of new Bigger Lovers material is big news at Pop Fair. To celebrate here is my collection of Bigger Lovers B-sides, Demos and Compilation tracks:

We Bloomed (from Bonus EP for "This Affair Never Happened")
Glow Girl (From Who Tribute Album "Who's Not Forgotten)
Private Party (From Tallboy Vinyl single, left off the album "How I Learned To Stop Worrying")
Queen of Eyes (Cover of Soft Boys song. B-side of Private Party Vinyl Single)
Throwback (B-side from European single Threadbare)
On the Vine (from Bonus EP for "This Affair Never Happened")
So It Goes (Nick Lowe Cover from The Stiff Generation: If It Ain't Stiff It Ain't Worth a Tribute)
Needy (Outtake from the album How I Learned To Stop Worrying)
Whole Wide World / Hey Little Child Medley (from Bonus EP for "This Affair Never Happened")
Talon Show (Myspace Demo)
Bought Your Ghost (Live on WFMU)
Forever is Not So Long (Live on WNBR)

Great stuff. Hope the band puts out a full album and tours.

Mark Bacino - Rare Tracks and Demos

2011-02-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

I received several comments about the order of my Top 25 list for last year...and I started second guessing myself. So I went back and listened to my list. What a great year in Power Pop it was! I also confirmed my top choice.

For me the new effort by Mark Bacino takes top honors. Queen's English"" is simply the best written and fully realized Power Pop project of 2010. Mark successfully channels 1960s and 1970s American pop tradition into present day. I hear lots of Harry Nilson references. Lots of Beatles and Beach Boys influenced tunes. The album is beautifully arranged with nice brass and strings throughout. It also sounds great too. Mark has a business in music production and has turned it up on his own project. If you regularly check-in with this blog and don't have this album, stop right now and go get it!

Some of the highlights. "Queens English" is nice rocker recalling "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting". "Happy" is the first of three tracks influenced by Harry Nilson. (Harry seems like a big influence on Mark.) "Muffin in the Oven" sounds like Owsley's "Uncle John's Farm" (which always sounded like "Saturday in the Park" by Chicago to me.) "Camp Elmo" is the second of the Harry Nilson type tracks. "Angeline and the Bensonhurst Boy" is another of my favorites. A nice mitempo shuffle with a great Jellyfish-style refrain. "Bridge & Tunnel" is the third Nilson style track. "Blue Suit" a sleeper and another favorite of mine. It's an acoustic Bossa Nova number that sounds like some of the more recent efforts by Nashville band, Swandive

All and all a great album! Can't get enough. Here are some demos and commercial jingles from Mark that helped complete my collection:

Every Night
In Colour
Down to the River
(Love Theme From) Shark
Camp Elmo (Live Acoustic)
Listening to the Band
For Real
Let's Go
Lighter Than Air
(Do the) Julie

Mark has posted liner notes for the compilation at his blog. Thanks Mark for letting us post this!

Top 25 Power Pop Releases of 2010

2011-01-02T17:51:00.000-08:00

2010 had its share of bad news (the terrible loss of Will Owsley and the end of Not Lame). Even so, it actually ended up a strong year for Powerpop releases. Probably the best portfolio of great albums in years. My favorite 25 releases:

Mark Bacino - Queens English
Finally Mark Bacino released the masterpiece I knew he had in him. Its a classic and the production is great (Mark has been working as a producer and it shows). More on the best release of 2010 later!
Buva - Not Scary! Friendly
I've already written about this one. Great singer songwriter pop with clever hooks and stellar production. An unexpected treat!
Duncan Maitland - Lullabies For The 21st Century
It sounds like a long lost XTC album. Great British pop from frequent Pugwash collaborator Duncan Maitland. This one has been a few years in the making and it shows.

Seth Swirsky - Watercolor Day
Seth's a Power Pop genius and this is his Sunshine Pop concept album. I loved this one - though maybe not as much as his first effort.

Damien Lott - Damien Lott
Didn't see this one coming. A great effort by Spanish singer Damien Lott. Lots of well deserved comparisons to Jason Falkner on this. A mix of Spanish and English songs. Cool songs. Great chord changes.

Jason Falkner - All Quiet on the Noise Floor
It's Jason and a good one by him. More complicated arrangements this time. Two new arrangements of Jason classics and a nice Bill Nelson cover....maybe someday it will come out in the states! Whatever he puts out, I'll buy it.

Farrah - Farrah
England's answer to Fountains of Wayne, Farrah put out yet another fabulous slice of cavity causing pop. The Archies got nothing on these guys...I look forward to every track.

Slumberjet - Slumberjet
A big year for Irish Power Pop. Barry O'Brien and the boys sound like Jason Falkner mixed with XTC and that's a great thing.

Hans Rotenberry and Brad Jones - Mountain Jack
Seems like everyone missed this one. A dream collaboration between Shazam lead vocalist Hans Rotenberry and Power Pop producer extraordinaire Brad Jones. I love the songs and the production. I do believe that this second effort by Brad Jones puts him in the same lofty company as Jon Brion.

Saul Zonana - Phatso
Saul Zonana is a genius and Phatso is a return to form. His last one "Blue Monkey" was a more prog effort. Don't know why this one didn't get more play. It is full of Saul's trademark Beatlesque pop.

Timmy Sean - Songs From & Inspired By Noisewater
The former lead singer of rock band Luzer has put out a convincing tribute to both Jeff Lynne and the Beach Boys. A great and surprising solo effort. Timmy's new band "Sir Video" sounds great as well. Very much in the Cheap Trick vein.

The Candles - Between the Sounds
Sounding like a cross between Rhett Miller and the Lemonheads, "Between the Sounds" is great driving music. Keeps sounding better with each listen...

Greg Pope - Blue Ocean Sky

The Davenports - Why the Great Gallop
Not sure whether this one should be in here as a 2010 release. The Davenports have been working on this one since 2007 and it looks like this one may make it into broader release in 2011. Lots of Fountains of Wayne style pop songs with a slightly more serious side.
Taylor Locke - Marathon

Joe Reyes - Worry Row

The Contrast - God of Malfunction

The Posies - Blood/Candy

Three Hour Tour - Looking For Tomorrow

Edward O'Connell - Our Little Secret

Bleu - Four

Teenage Fanclub - Shadows

Genuine Fakes - The Striped Album

Oranjuly - Oranjuly

Charles Jenkins - Walk This Ocean

Buva - Something That You Need to Hear!

2010-10-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

Whoa! Sometimes listening to new music can really surprise you. I got such a surprise today. Just listened to the new album by Buva (the solo project by Pasadena artist Tom Wolfe) and I'm telling you that this album is in contention for best Power Pop album of 2010 (competing with "Queens's English" by Mark Bacino for that honor). It's a warm immediate effort that has the casual feel of early McCartney solo projects. The songs start in understated fashion but each one builds to reveal clever and sublime hooks. I am loving this! Its clearly a power pop must listen and it's easy to check it out for yourself. The entire album is streaming on the Buva website. Don't wait. Listen to this and let me know what you think.

I loved the debut EP by Buva but was a bit disappointed by his 2006 sophomore effort "All This Humming". That album has some terrific moments but was a bit introverted and mellow for my taste. The new album "Not Scary! Friendly" is much better. Lot's of upbeat tunes. Great hooks. Subtle arrangements.

To celebrate, here is the sum total of my Buva rarities . Two compilation tracks, one instrumental and four solo acoustic tracks from an earlier version of Buva's website. Enjoy these but PLEASE go out and buy the man's album! More of this please Tom!

Something That I Need to Hear (Acoustic version)
Can I See You (Compilation track from the Smallville Soundtrack)
Crawling From the Egg (Instrumental from MySpace)
She Makes Me Fall Down (Acoustic version)
First Cut is the Deepest (Compilation track from the Heartbreak Kid Soundtrack)
Just Step Away (Acoustic version)
She Likes the Sound (Acoustic version)

Mike Viola - Radio Show Tracks

2010-10-03T08:41:00.000-07:00

Here are some great rare tracks by Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers extracted from three radio broadcasts, one from WERS in Boston and two from WFUV in New York. The sessions span 2004 through 2008 and sound very good to me. Mike plays solo, in a duet with Kelly Jones and with a full band.

These tracks span his career, from the Blue Thumb album through Lurch, with one track not available anywhere else. He performs his own version of "Beautiful Ride" from Walk Hard, the Dewey Cox Story (Viola and Dan Bern wrote the music for John C. Reilly to sing in this 2007 mocumentary). Also of note is a band version of "Hair of a Dog", a great track that was only released as a solo acoustic version on "Just Before Dark".

Canned Hunt (Solo Guitar)
Girly Worm (Duet with Kelly Jones)
Not So Bad at All (Band Version)
Beautiful Ride (Solo Guitar)
Sparkle (Solo Piano)
Let's Have a Baby (Band Version)
I'm Not Over You (Solo Guitar)
What to Do with Michael (Solo Piano)
Hair of a Dog (Band Version)
A Way to Say Goodbye (Duet with Kelly Jones)

A huge thanks to Yoshi who had the foresight to archive these broadcasts and was nice enough to send them along to me. Really enjoying them. They're holding me over until Mike rereleases Hang On Mike on vinyl....looking forward to the bonus tracks coming with that release.

Let me know if anyone has any additional radio session from Mike.

Metro Jets - The Morning Show

2010-09-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

The 1990's were great times for Swedish Power Pop. Bands like Popsicle, The Trampolines and the Wannadies were making terrific poppy records that mixed bubblegum hooks with punk attitude. With the exception of the Wannadies, many of these bands only produced one or two albums and by 2000, very few of the Swedish Power Pop bands were recording any more.

In 2004, the Metro Jets represented a minor Swedish Power Pop resurgence. They were a "Supergroup" of sorts featuring the talents of Magnus Börjeson , the leader of the prototypical Swedish Powerpop group "Beagle" as well as David Birde, the guitar player and sometime lead singer of the Malmo based band "Brainpool". The Metro Jets released three essential singles, some minor movie music and then promptly faded from view.

This compilation includes all of the Metro Jet's released material along with two late compilation tracks by Beagle . It starts with an overture of sorts by Brainpool extracted from Brainpool's 2004 rock opera entitled "Junk" called the "Metro Jets Permiere Concert". Evidently a fictional band called "The Metro Jets" were characters in that opera. (Must have been the origin of the Metro Jets name.) Rounding out the collection are some unfinished incidental tracks posted on the Metro Jets old website as well as some music recently posted by Magnus Börjeson.

I'll admit that the collection trails off at the end - however you have got to hear track number 2, The Morning Show. It's a Powerpop classic. If you like this, you should really pick up Favorita (another post-Beagle project from Magnus Börjeson ). Great stuff.

Metro Jets Premiere Concert (From Brainpool rock opera "Junk")
The Morning Show (Metro Jets single)
Love Grows (Late Beagle track covering Edison Lighthouse from "Right to Chews" bubblegum compilation)
Boat (Incidental music posted by Magnus Börjeson on Sound Cloud)
The Midas Touch (B-side of Metro Jets single)
Lady Gwendoline (Metro Jets single)
Aluminum (Demo posted on old Metro Jets website)
Well, It's Only Pain (Late Beagle track from International Pop Overthrow Vol. 4)
Fish (Incidental music posted by Magnus Börjeson on Sound Cloud)
Jingle Jangle Christmas (Metro Jets Christmas single featuring Helena Josefsson & Vibeke Saugestad)
Glasgow (Demo posted on old Metro Jets website)
Grand Desert (Incidental music posted by Magnus Börjeson on Sound Cloud)
Neon (Incidental music posted by Magnus Börjeson on Sound Cloud)
Robbie W's Best (Demo posted on old Metro Jets website)
Metro Jets Premiere Concert Part 2 (From Brainpool rock opera "Junk")
Candle (Incidental music posted by Magnus Börjeson on Sound Cloud)
Pastis & Petanque (Incidental music posted by Magnus Börjeson on Sound Cloud)
Woman and Gramophone (Incidental music posted by Magnus Börjeson on Sound Cloud)
Metro Jets Permiere Concert Live (From live performance of Brainpool rock opera "Junk")

The Grays - Live at the 40 Watt Club

2010-08-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

I found it! I've been looking for this rare Grays show in my archives for years and finally found it this weekend. It's from a show from the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia and includes songs culled from "Ro Sham Bo" as well as solo tracks from Buddy Judge and Jason Falkner. There are also covers of "He's Frank" by the Monochrome Set and "Blessed" by Simon and Garfunkel.

A great concert by a great (if short lived) band. Track listing as follows:

Everybody's World
Same Thing
Eloquence
Very Best Years
Oh, Nevermind
He's Frank
Nothing Between Us
Nothing
Not Ready Yet
Both Belong
Is It Now Yet?
My Home Is Not a House
Not Long For This World
Spooky
Blessed

...however now that I have a chance to listen to it again, this show doesn't actually sound that good. If anyone has a better copy, please contact me.

For a better listen, you may also want to download a slightly earlier concert uploaded to this blog (posted in the comments, thanks Jay) back in 2008. It's an audience recording but a pretty clear one.

KC Bowman - Pioneer Playfaire

2010-07-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

Here is another compilation by one of my personal favorites, KC Bowman. KC is one of the "leaders" of a loose confederation of artists based in Oakland known as Preoccupied Pipers . The Pipers are political, satyrical and often just plain silly. Even so, they've been putting out great albums since the mid 90's. In my opinion, KC's tracks are more polished and accesible than other members of the Pipers. They are tuneful, nicely arranged and adopt a beatleseque vocabulary in suprising ways.

This is my second collection of KC tracks extracted from Piper's albums. Two of the tracks were contributed directly by KC Himself (thank you KC!) You may also want to check out my first collection and don't miss KC's first solo record "Fresher Tin Villages". It is a masterpiece and KC has released it free on his Facebook page.

Be forwarned that KC's world is inhabited by strange characters behaving in suprising ways. The word play is clever. The world view is somewhat left of center. You may already live there but if not be prepared to be drawn in:

Pioneer Playfaire
The Dulcolax
Clown Torture
Sorting Out the Rules
The Prom King
The Lusty Horn
Wo Larry 3
Night-Circling Sharks
Linus's Fists of Death
Winter and Rough Weather
Down Boy Down
Reap the Plains Sown
Stumblin' In
Birthday Joel
History One
For Fear of Boring Laius
Pretty Ringtime
Pop Glass Ceiling
Night-Circling Sharks II
History Two
Sense of Reason
Lunkhead
You Should Be Sober
San Rafael in Love
History Three

The Posies - Pay You Back in Time

2010-07-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

Just got the good news that the Posies are due to release their next album entitled Blood/Candy on September 28th. I'm extremely excited about that and a big Posies fan. I've decided to "finish" up my Posies B-Sides and rarities project. Readers of this blog will recognize that I started this project more than a year ago with my first Posies Rarities compilation "Every Bitter Drop".

This collection is part two and finishes out my collection of non-album tracks. I've only included covers or tracks not on other Posies albums. There are two tracks from the upcoming Blood/Candy album taken from a recent KEXP studio session. These new tracks are very nice and preface another essential release from the Posies.

21 (Outtake)
Keep Me Guessing (Outtake)
Leave Me Be (From Australian bonus disc of Amazing Disgrace)
The Glitter Prize (From KEXP session)
Every Christian Lionhearted Man Will Tell You (Bee Gees cover off of B-Side of Ontario single)
Magnifying Mirror (From outtake)
Depression Child (Demo)
What's Going On (Big Star cover studio outtake)
Dreaming (Blondie cover from 2 meter sessions)
Plastic Paperbacks (KEXP session)
Becks Bolero (Outtake)
Oh Michael (Demo)
Thinking Out Loud (Demo)
Surrender (Cheap Trick cover outtake)
Ladies and Gentlemen (Demo)
Now They Want Your Head (Demo)
Ooh Child (B-Side from UK version of Definite Door)
Finally See It Right (Demo)
Pay You Back in Time (Demo)
Forrest Recovery (Demo)
Diary of an Insecure Girl (Demo)
Trace My Falls (Demo)
Revelation to Follow (Demo)
Wiggly World (Outtake)
Christmas (from "Just Say Noël" Compilation)
Come Along and Dance (Demo)
What The World Needs Now Is Love (From Austin Powers soundtrack with Burt Bacharach)
Fete le Muzz (Outtake)

As usual, please let me know if you have something I'm missing in these two collections...

Bleu - Just Another American Pie

2010-06-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

Here's one from the extremely talented and prolific singer songwriter, William James McAuley III, otherwise known as "Bleu". This is a set of early tracks by Bleu, many of which date from 2000 and 2001 before his first full length album "Headroom". Most were pulled down from an earlier version of Bleu's website "Bleutopia" several years ago.

Bleu is really great about releasing/leaking his work out for his loyal fan's to hear and enjoy but you need to stay up with it because many of these leaked tracks take years before formal release...or never get formally released at all..and then they vanish! This can help you get up to date.

Looking forward to Bleu's next release "Four" coming in October.

Sayonara (From early version of Redhead, left off final release)
Don't Leave Me Hanging (Unreleased demo from 2001)
Natalie (From Workaday Day EP 2000)
Just Another American Pie (Unreleased demo from 2001)
Nobody Calls It Rock n' Roll Anymore (Unreleased demo from 2001)
Somebody Else (Demo version of Redhead track 2002)
It'll Never Be The Same Again (Unreleased demo from 2001)
Just a Song (From Japanese version of Redhead)
Terrible Secret (Headroom track rerecorded for Redhead but only released as b-side of Get Up)
Today's The Day (From Workaday Day EP 2000)
The Ol' College Try (LEO Demo Version)
2 Cool for School (B-side from Natural Highlights EP 2002)
Ursula Major, Ursula Minor (From early version of Redhead, left off final release remix)
Snow Day (From A Bing Bang Holidang EP 1999)
Jingle Bells (From A Bing Bang Holidang EP 1999)
Twelve Days of Christmas (From A Bing Bang Holidang EP 1999)

As always, please let me know if I have missed anything from this era. I appreciate it.

Cotton Mather - Innocent Street

2010-05-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

This one is a response to a recent request. It's a collection a collection of demos, b-sides and compilation tracks by the Austin band Cotton Mather.

In the 90's Cotton Mather released three essential Power Pop albums that strongly evoked mid-period Beatles. In my opinion their second album Kontiki is one of "the" classics. Great songs, subtle and interesting production and a sequence that really hangs together. Lead singer Robert Harrison has evolved this sound in his latest project Future Clouds and Radar. He has two albums out that are well worth listening to.

The collection below is drawn from a series of postings from the sadly closed music blog Eternally Yours - so much thanks there:

Flying (Tribute to Badfinger)
Innocent Street (From Bam Balam Compilation)
Spin My Wheels (Electric Version Posted on Website)
Password (Working Demo)
Little Star (From French Version of Kontiki)
Don't Bother Me (Tribute to George Harrison)
Homefront Cameo (Acoustic)
Private Ruth (Acoustic Bonus from French Version of Kontiki)
Lily Dreams on (Alternative Version from French Version of Kontiki)
Ship Shape (From Crafty Flower Arranger)
Aurora Bori Alice (Live Radio B-side of Password Single)
Church of Wilson (Live Radio B-side of Password Single)
Heaven's Helping (B-side from The Big Picture)

Owsley - Singles, Bonus and Compilation Tracks

2010-05-12T16:49:00.000-07:00

I had been working on this project before hearing the news of Will Owsley's death.

This is a collection of tracks by Owsley from singles, guest appearances, and compilations:

Psycho (A-side of single released in 2005)
Changes (EP Track from Christian Band "Blue Sky Secret", co-written and some singing by Owsley)
Endlessly (Demo)
Mess With Me (Japanese bonus track from first album)
Leave It All Behind (Demo for Amy Grant)
Upside Down (B-side of single released in 2005)
Got a Lot On My Head (From "Substitution Mass Confusion" Cars tribute)
When Lonely Comes Around (From Owsley Yahoo Group sung by Owsley and Vince Gill and written by Owsley/Gill)
Band On the Run (From Paul McCartney Tribute "Listen to What the Man Said")

Please fill me in if you know of any more rare tracks I've missed.So sad that there will be hearing no new work from Will.

Please support Will's family in their time of need. Donations in honor and memory of Will Owsley can be made to:

The Will Owsley Family Fund
c/o Christ Community Church
1215 Hillsboro Road
Franklin, TN 37069

Will Owsley - We'll Miss You

2010-05-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

I'm really having a hard time with the news that Will Owsley died today. Though I only caught his performance once, Owsley exemplified the kind of powerful tuneful music that Power Pop can be. He only released two official albums, but the quality of Owsley's music was of such a high order it will influence others in the space for years to come.

Will, we are going to miss you.

Haper

http://popfair.blogspot.com/2008/01/great-lost-owsley-album.html

Mike Viola - Even More Rare Odds and Ends

2010-03-31T19:08:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's been a while since my last post. Life intrudes. Here is an assortment of rare odds and ends from Mike Viola. Some of these tracks are demos for his fabled "Blue Thumb" record. Still others date back to Mike's teenage years with his band "Snap". Each and every one of these tracks was contributed privately by the readers of this blog. Thank you!

(By the way, I'm still looking for Mike's long out of print electronic release "Temple of Static". Please let me know if anyone reading this has this ultra-rare release)

The latest news is that Mike is recording new duet tracks with Kelly Jones. Very excited to hear these when they are baked....

Jim Boggia - Acoustic Radio Show

2010-02-13T14:57:00.000-08:00

Here's a great acoustic radio show from Jim Boggia. Most of the material is from his latest release "Misadventures In Stereo". However there is one new track and one from his all star project 4 Way Street. I continue to maintain that Boggia is one of the great Power Pop artists playing today.

Enjoy this beautifully recorded session. Great stuff.

By the way, the demise of the Snowcap music download service really impacts the availability of Jim Boggia's rare track back catalog. He had posted many of his rare demos on Snowcap and since its end the only way to get them is at his concerts.

The Davenports - Where is the Great Gallop?

2010-01-16T14:43:00.000-08:00

Whatever the cause, waiting for great Power Pop album that never comes out can be extremely frustrating. (Credit the current screwed-up state of the music industry.) In late 2008, the Davenports released a single and a few b-sides from the soon to be released third album "Why the Great Gallop". The tracks were great, filled with terrific hooks and clever word play, sounding a bit like Fountains of Wayne. (This makes sense since singer Scott Klass spent some time in an earlier version incarnation of FOW.)

2009 comes and goes and no album. A Scott Klass solo track shows up on a compilation and that track is wonderful too. According to a recent post on the the band's Facebook site, they are remixing the album yet again. Hopefully this time they can navigate through the murky waters of the music business and get this great album released. I can't wait to buy the whole thing. Listen to this taster of early tracks and let me know if you don't love this as much as I do.

Jason Falkner - Softcore

2009-11-15T15:36:00.000-08:00

Over the last month, I have been listening a lot to the new Jason Falkner CD "All Quite on the Noise Floor". I think its one of his best in years. It really shows you the great work that Jason is capable of.

A great effort like this brings out the completest fan in me and I recently discovered a few Jason tracks from soundtrack of the movie "The Informers" that I didn't know existed. With these tracks, Jason returns to that 80s Gary Numan synth sound he explored with TV Eyes (his 2006 project with Roger Joseph Manning Jr. and Brian Reitzell). If you haven't heard the TV Eyes album, head over to King Size Mong's blog and check it out straight away.

I've collected a companion collection of Falkner tracks either with Manning and Reitzell or in the 80's synth pop style of TV Eyes. Included are four early demo tracks by TV Eyes from when the group was going to be known as "Softcore". These are different versions/mixes of four of the tracks that eventually ended up on the TV Eyes CD. Special thanks to King Size Mong for making me aware of the hard to find TV Eyes "Softcore EP" they also released.

Below is a track listing of the collection. Enjoy and please let me know if you have something I have missed in this vein.

Search for Tomorrow (From "Logan's Sanctuary" by Falkner, Manning Jr., Reitzell)
Won't Last Forever (From "Softcore EP" by TV Eyes)
Only You (From "The Informers" Soundtrack by Falkner, Meldal-Johnsen, Palmer, Stanley)
Fade Away (From "Softcore Demos" by TV Eyes)
Touch and Go (From "Substitution Mass Confusion" Cars Tribute by Falkner)
Assimilation Process (From "Softcore EP" by TV Eyes)
Stop Me (From "Softcore EP" by TV Eyes)
Playground Love (Air live with vocals by Jason)
She's a Study (From "Softcore Demos" by TV Eyes)
On the Subway (From "Lost in Translation Soundtrack" by Manning Jr., Reitzell)
Another Night (From "The Informers" Soundtrack by Falkner, Meldal-Johnsen, Stanley)
Shibuya (From "Lost in Translation" Soundtrack by Manning Jr., Reitzell)
The Party's Over (From "Softcore Demos" by TV Eyes)
Mission Submission (From "Softcore Demos" by TV Eyes)
Gone For Good (From "The Informers" Soundtrack by Falkner, Meldal-Johnsen, Stanley)

Stamey Holsapple - On The Radio

2009-10-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

I loved the "Now and Then" CD by Chris Stamey and Peter Holsapple, released earlier in 2009 - one of the best releases of the year in my opinion. If you were lucky enough to see them live, you saw them play a number of covers that didn't make it on the official release. They regularly played the Everly Brothers classic "Lord of the Manor"and the Chris Bell/Big Star song "I Am the Cosmos" in addition to hauling out some older DB's classics.

What follows is a collection of tracks from their Mountain Stage concert and an in studio acoustic performance from WFMU. Nice sounding recordings from some of my personal favorites.

Fountains of Wayne - New Acoustic Tracks

2009-09-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

I really like the two new songs that Fountains of Wayne performed at their recent Mountain Stage Acoustic Concert, "The Summer Place" and"Cemetery Guns". I also think that the song entitled "Cold Comfort Flowers" is a great tune as well.

...so it looks like the new Fountains of Wayne project is going to be another great effort by the boys from New Jersey. Until the new CD is out, enjoy these acoustic tracks. They sound great!

Mitch Easter - More Rare Tracks

2009-09-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

Below is a second volume of Mitch Easter rare tracks . I'm very happy to say that these were gathered from (or suggested by) comments about the previous Mitch Easter Rare Track compilation posted in July. I had lots of suggestions about tracks I had missed.

A number of readers posted their own compilations and now that some of these links are dead I have compiled them together. This group of tracks are primarily studio tracks and are the first of three posts. I'll post the other two compilations of live tracks in weeks to come.

For me this is really the point of this blog. Thanks to everyone for their contribution. I really appreciate it!

Gimme Gimme Good Lovin (From "Right to Chews" Bubblegum Compilation - Dean Suggested)
Sudden Crown Drop (1999 Alternate Version - Posted by Anon)
Kizza Me (From "Not The Singers But The Songs" A Tribute To Alex Chilton - Posted by Anon)
Chalk Outline (Unreleased Songs From Mountain Stage - Posted by Anon)
Nature (Unreleased Songs From Mountain Stage - Posted by Anon)
Jane (Dead End) (Unreleased Songs From Mountain Stage - Posted by Anon)
Decline and Fall (Sneakers Remix)
Invisible Hills (Unreleased Bonus Track by Let's Active)
Sweepstakes Winner (Alternate Version - Bonus Track by Let's Active)
Horizon (Alternate Version - Bonus Track by Let's Active)
Bad Machinery (Alternate Version - Bonus Track by Let's Active)
A Room With A View (Alternate Version - From Mondo Montage by Let's Active, Fantom clarified)
Prying Eyes (From Shake to Date, Correctly labeled this time - Requested by Jim, Fantom clarified)
Law Averages (From Shake to Date - Requested by Jim, Fantom clarified)
Dirty Reasons (Posted by Fantom)
We Do What If (Posted by Fantom)
Premonition (Posted by Fantom)
I'm Sorry (Posted by Fantom)

Mike Viola - Kenmore Square

2009-08-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

For completist Candy Butchers fans, here is the Kenmore Square album by Mike Viola and Snap. This album, originally released in 1990, is quite good. Catchy songs that sound very much like later Candy Butchers tracks. "One More Word" for instance, foreshadows "The Killing Floor" from "Falling into Place", released nine years later.

To my ears, this album has more to do with later Candy Butcher albums like "Falling into Place" or "Play With Your Head" than the more acoustic self titled "Candy Butchers" album released on Blue Thumb or the "Live At La Bonbonniere" EP. Anyway, its Mike Viola and that means its great. Well worth a listen.

Sorry about the low quality tracks. I got these years ago and I forget where I got them....also please let me know if anyone has any more Mike Viola or Candy Butcher rarities.

Enjoy.

Mitch Easter - Rare Tracks

2009-07-20T20:21:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to my treasured Let's Active records of late and marveling at how good those three albums were. Mitch Easter channeled influences such as Big Star and Television into a unique psychedelic stew, all flavored by the Athens Georgia, North Carolina sound from the early 1980s. All three Let's Active efforts are great and well worth picking up.

I really liked Mitch's comeback effort "Dynamico" from a couple of years ago and I saw him touring with Don Dixon and wife Shalani. Very nice show. I was all set for new high output period. However so far, only the one record. Mitch has produced far more music than he has put out under his own name.

To stretch his catalog a bit, I put together a compilation of Mitch songs from tribute records, a couple of songs that he authored and sang from Shalani records and a few songs that Mitch sang lead on from the Sneakers projects with Chris Stamey. There also a couple of Let's Active B-sides and some brief appearances by Mitch and Don Dixon on TV.

I've got to admit that this compilation will be enjoyed most by really serious fans (though everyone SHOULD hear Mitch's version of the Monkees classic Vallerie - at least once).

Let me know if you have anything I'm missing here.

KC Bowman - Preoccupied Piper

2009-07-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of people who haven't yet encountered KC Bowman. Little known outside of di-hard pop circles, he has been writing and performing power pop songs in the style of XTC (with a bit of Apples in Stereo thrown in) for the last ten years. Great power pop tunes representing a somewhat skewed outlook on life (also think They Might Be Giants).

Bowman was one of the original driving forces behind the California band Lawsuit . Since Lawsuit broke up in the mid 90s, He has presided over a loose configuration of like minded artists known as The Preoccupied Pipers. The ever changing roster of the Preoccupied Pipers take turns writing and singing and have released a string of great albums. I strongly recommend checking them out. There is great stuff on every Pipers release.

KC's solo album Fresher Tin Villages was released in 1998. In my opinion, it is an absolute classic - and KC has kindly made it available for download here. Don't miss this one!

To accompany Fresher Tin Villages, I've assembled a sampler of Preoccupied Pipers tracks with KC singing lead. This is great stuff, not to be missed. If you haven't heard him before, you are going to want entree into KC Bowman's world.

Jason Falkner - Web Sessions

2009-05-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

Its frustrating being a Jason Falkner fan. You wait for years for an official release and then end up having to buy an expensive import version of the album. Don't get me wrong. I am really looking forward to the new version of "This Time" when the American release of I'm OK You're OK" finally comes out.... but we could really use some NEW work from Jason. His web site says he is done with yet another album of tracks. I wonder how long it will be to his new material sees the light of day? It would be great if we had a method to pay Jason to release new tracks directly to his fans.

As a stop gap, I've been listening to two web sessions. A great sounding set of studio tracks from groupee.com and some live material from crackle.com. If you haven't been to these websites, you are missing some great Jason videos. I recommend checking them out. Lots of fun.

Most of this material was released on "I'm OK You're OK" and the groupee tracks sound much better than the live crackle tracks. Have any other rare tracks from Jason? Please let me know.

Jason Falkner and XTC fans meet... Barry O'Brien and Slumberjet

2009-04-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

This little known Irish band is a terrific find for lovers of Jason Falkner, Pugwash and XTC. For the last several years Barry O'Brien has made guest appearances with Pugwash. He is a kindred spirit producing top flight Power Pop. In 2004, Barry released a four song EP entitled "Spark" that name-checked Pugwash, XTC, Jason Falkner and Elliot Smith. Every track is a winner on that EP, shining with great playing and great hooks. These tracks were released pretty widely and are freely available on Garageband and Stumble. I've collected them here for convenience

When I recently checked Myspace to see what Barry had been up to, I found his new band Slumberjet and two new tracks and they are excellent! To my ears the track "The Letter" sounds like a lost track from a Jason Falkner album. Try it out and let me know if you agree. I've looked long and hard, but there are the only six finished tracks available from this band as yet. I added a couple of low quality acoustic recordings I found to round out the collection.

According to their Myspace site, Slumberjet has finished recording their new CD. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album.

Do not miss this great new band!

The Posies - Every Bitter Drop

2009-04-04T07:38:00.000-07:00

For a band that has broken up more than a few times, the Posies have had a remarkably consistent and high quality output. I think that all of their albums feature creative melodies and great playing. The solo records from both Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow are also well worth picking up.

Its been a while since the latest Posies release and of course it would be great to hear a new effort. Until then, here is a compilation of b-sides and tribute tracks . Its the first of a couple compilations that I'll post. I think this collection works pretty well in the order here. Be warned - it is heavy on cover songs. Auer and Stringfellow bring a lot in interpreting the work of others.

Many of these tracks were included in the long out of print Not Lame box set "At Least At Last" though I don't think all of them were included in that package.

Enjoy Every Bitter Drop

The Jon Brion Collection

2009-03-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

Jon Brion has released precious little considering his influence in the Power Pop world. After his work with the Grays in 1994 it took seven years for his solo tour-de-force "Meaningless" to finally see the light of day. The rumors of that album preceded its actual release by several years. Individual tracks kept leaking out slowly on the Internet.

When it finally was officially released, Meaningless was indeed a masterpiece. A hand crafted set of originals and covers that showed how Jon's work been a critical part of the Gray's sound. In them, you also clearly heard his influence on the sound of Aimee Mann's first few solo
records.

Of course, Jon's career since that time has focused on high profile producing jobs (Fiona Apple, Rufus Wainwright, Kanye West...) as well as his extremely successful career in scoring films. In those films he has tantalized Power Pop fans by seeding a few great Jon Brion vocal tracks among the instrumental pieces. Great for faithful collectors, but frustrating for everyone else waiting for his next solo album.

As a stop gap, I've collected all of the vocal tracks so far from Jon's soundtrack efforts here along with a track each from a Queen Tribute album and a Hollies Tribute album. Please let me know if you know of something that I am missing. To pad out the collection, I've also included a solo performance that Jon did for KCRW.

Jon Brion - Strangest Times

This is great stuff and I think the collection hangs together well. For true Jon Brion collectors, there is very little new here. For the Power Pop fan new to Jon Brion's work, try these tunes and let me know what you think.

Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey - Here and Now

2009-01-18T11:34:00.000-08:00

In the 80s, the dB's were one of the best and most influential power pop groups on the scene. They released a round of classic CDs and then faded from view. They have made several attempts since then to rekindle the flame, each sputtering out after a few months.

Exciting news. Former dB's co-leaders Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey are preparing a new album Here and Now and are performing a few dates in anticipation of its release.

Though I don't have much in the way of rare Stamey Holsapple material together, I did unearth a couple of rare compilations for each of them.

Chris Stamey - Alaska is a compilation of rare singles and an EP released during 1992 and 1993. I pulled these down from the Jeff Giles's classic Jefftoblog blog. As far as I can determine, these files are no longer available. Great stuff that I had not heard before. Highly recommended for Stamey lovers. Thanks Jeff!

After the dB's broke in the early 90s, Peter Holsapple joined the New Orleans based jangle rock super group, the Continental Drifters. Though Peter's then wife Susan Cowsill usually sang lead for the Drifters, Peter sang at least two or three songs on each of their three albums.

Peter Holsapple - Continental Drifter is a collection of the Continental Drifter songs that Peter sang lead on (with one ringer pulled from his solo album). Some great material here. I think "Too Little Too Late" is up there with the best of the later dB's material.

1981 Stands for Decibels

1982 Repercussion

1984 Like This

1987 The Sound of Music

1991 Mavericks (Holsapple and Stamey)

1993 Ride the Wild Tom Tom

1994 Paris Avenue

Millard Powers

2008-12-31T15:35:00.000-08:00

This post is by request. It's the long out-of-print complete album by the co-leader of the Semantics, Millard Powers. I finally found the original way back in cold storage.

Initially issued as a virtual album on the original incantation of MP3.com, this album shows how critical Powers was to the sound of the Semantics - in addition to Will Owsley who we all know turned into a two hit Power Pop comet phenom. Both had classic (and somewhat similar) Power Pop voices

I've posted most of this before , intermixed with some of the demos for the Semantics album . Here is the complete posting with the original mp3s in the original order in all of their glory. This version includes Millard's solo redo of the Semantics classic "Jenny Won't Play Fair".

Enjoy.

...and Happy New Year!

Dada - Bonus Tracks and Rarities

2008-11-30T05:27:00.000-08:00

I'm afraid I'm late with this one.... Here is a bonus track and rarities compilation from Dada. These LA based power poppers have released 8 CDs over the years. I'd describe their sound as slick California pop with a strong hint of electric blues. (They are often compared to the Police but I don't hear it). When they are great (and they often are), their hooks rank with the best. Their playing is loud, powerful with amazing harmonies. I recommend checking out each of their releases below. You can find used copies of most of them for cheap.

The tracks in this compilation were compiled from current Internet sources (Dada's website, and other bloggers...). I've also included some hard to find bonus tracks from the 2004 reissues of El Subliminoso and American Highway Flower. Those reissues had limited release and are hard to find now. I only came up with two of the seven extra tracks. (Trust me - you are going to want to hear Dada's version of California Dreamin' one of those extra tracks!) If anyone has the others, would you please enlighten the rest of us? I've also included several rare tracks from side project Butterfly Jones.

Several years ago, the Dada Enthusiast List did a better job on a rarities project like this - but the postings there appeared to have gone cold. Maybe one of you is out there...

Great band. Looking forward to their next release.

1992 Puzzle
1994 American Highway Flower
1996 El Subliminoso
1998 Dada
2001 Napalm Springs (Butterfly Jones - side project)
2004 How to Be Found
2005 Live: Official Bootleg
2006 A Friend of Pat Robertson (EP)

New Future Clouds and Radar

2008-10-25T19:33:00.001-07:00

There is a new "Future Clouds and Radar" album scheduled for release in the upcoming weeks - and that's great news. Last year's self-titled album was a welcome return to form by Cotton Mather's lead singer Robert Harrison. In my opinion, it was a candidate for 2007's best release. Stellar Beatles influenced song filtered through a contemporary lens. What I've heard from the new album "Peoria" is just as great.

In honor of the upcoming release, I'm posting a collection of radio performances in support of the last album. Listen closely and hear Robert and the gang revision and repurpose some of the best material from the first release.

Can't wait to hear the new one....

David Mead - Unreleased Songs, B-Sides and Demos

2008-09-30T15:40:00.000-07:00

I really think that David Mead is one of the most underrated Power Pop artists of our time. He has issued four beautiful albums and possesses an other-wordly voice with an amazing range. However the most exciting thing for me about Mead's output is the quality of his writing.

I highly recommend all of his albums. 2004's Indiana and his new album "Almost and Always" are quite introspective affairs. "The Luxury of Time" and "Mine and Yours' have their share of rockers. "Tangerine" is classic Beatlesque song-cycle end to end. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

1999 The Luxury of Time
2001 Mine and Yours
2004 Indiana
2006 Tangerine
2008 Almost and Always

On his website and on some fan sites, Mead has issued a generous number of unreleased demos and b-sides. For convenience, I've collected all I could find here. There are some great songs here:

1 Wherever - Intro Version from unreleased version of "Wherever You Are"
2 One Plus One - Original Version from unreleased version of "Wherever You Are"
3 Jonathan Barnum, Talk of The Town - Out take
4 Attitude - unreleased out take from unreleased version of "Wherever You Are"
5 Claws - Out Take from "Luxury of Time"
6 I Like to Run - From kids song compilation "For The Kids Too"
7 Little Sister - unreleased out take from unreleased version of "Wherever You Are"
8 Patience - unreleased out take from unreleased version of "Wherever You Are"
9 Growin' Up - unreleased out take from unreleased version of "Wherever You Are"
10 Full of Myself - "Mine and Yours" Out take
11 Chutes and Ladders - Japanese bonus track from "Indiana"
12 Subway - unreleased out take from unreleased version of "Wherever You Are"
13 Only Living Boy in New York - Simon and Garfunkle Cover from "Everwood" sountrack
14 Three Stars - Demo of David with Daniel Tashian
15 Comfort - Original Demo
16 Sex and the Single Girl - "Luxury of Time" Out take
17 Sweet Sunshine - Demo Version
18 Beauty - Original Version from unreleased version of "Wherever You Are"
19 Fighting For Your Life - Radio Session
20 Venus Again - Demo Version
21 A Gift For You All - Christmas song released for fanclub
22 Christmas is So Far Away - Christmas song released for fanclub
23 I Like Chritmas Cause You Feed Me Real Good - Christmas song released for fanclub

I know that there are some I'm missing, please let me know if you have them.

Ken Stringfellow's Saltine

2008-09-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

Since their first CD, I've been a Posies fan and somewhat of a completist. Today, I've posted a long out-of-print side-project by Ken Stringfellow called Saltine.

Saltine issued a single CD in 2000 during a period when the Posies had "broken up". The writing is strong, however the production is certainly of its time. In addition to Ken, Saltine included Braden Blake of Super Deluxe, a band that was very much influenced by the Posies.

Saltine only officially released the six song EP included here . I've also included a live broadcast concert from the same era. The recording and songs are quite good.

Enjoy and as always let me know if I am missing anything.

Redd Kross - Any Hour Every Day

2008-08-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

You have GOT to love Redd Kross. They evolved from pre-teen LA punk stars during the 1980s into a full fledged Power Pop force during the 1990s. Albums from Redd Kross have been few-and-far-between however, and much of their best stuff has come out as singles and compilation tracks . For the power pop collecter, I recommend all the 1990s albums - from Third Eye on. Essential stuff.

1982 Born Innocent
1984 Teen Babes From Monsanto
1987 Neurotica
1990 Third Eye
1993 Phaseshifter
1997 Show World

I've collected most of their fine singles and compilation tracks here. Enjoy and let me know if I've missed anything. I hear they are working on a new album (don't get too excited. They've been promising that for years.) Can't wait....

The Andy Sturmer Demos

2008-07-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

In 1990 and 1993, Jellyfish released two mind-blowing Power Pop classics, Bellybutton and Spilt Milk. Though years later we continue to feel the effcts of those amazing albums, Jellyfish was never (really) heard from again (...well not if you don't count Not Lame Record's excellent live and rare tracks compilation from a couple of years ago).

Band members have put out their own fine efforts. The Roger Joseph Manning Jr. cds have been great ... and obviously Jason Falkner and Eric Dover have gone on to find their own voices and to release Power Pop epics of their own. However we have heard almost nothing from the lead voice and major song writer of Jellyfish, Andy Sturmer. What follows are all the demos that Andy sings on that have leaked out over the years. (I get requests for this stuff often.)

For avid readers of this blog, these tracks are probably old news. Great songs all (at least until the end of the compilation where Andy's recent work on cartoon soundtracks is featured) but there is nothing new or different here. However, for the uninitiated, these tracks should be a revelation, very much in the spirit of Jellyfish. You have to wonder why finished versions never saw the light of day. If you haven't heard these songs, you'll want to get them immediately. The original songs are great and the cover versions bring you back to what was great about Spilt Milk and Bellybutton.

Listen to the collection here

Thanks to the contributors from the Andy Sturmer Yahoo Group who remixed and extended some of the unfinished tracks. I really appreciate your work!

As the first track says, "we're holding out for something better..."

Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers - Something Special

2008-07-12T15:37:00.000-07:00

In honor of the upcoming release of the Mike Viola and Bleu's power pop project "The Major Labels", I'm posting some collected demos by Mike and the Candy Butchers. This compilation contains tunes from a number of sources including some songs posted on an older version of the Candy Butchers website.

Some of the best songs are at the beginning of this compilation and though they are great, however I've got to warn against trying to listen to them on headphones. Somebody (maybe Mike?) "released" this stuff a few years ago in a version sure to discourage bootlegging by all except the most devoted fan. The stereo channels are reversed on the first four tracks every couple of seconds or so. The effect is absolutely maddening over headphones - yet you really don't notice at all when listening over speakers.

Listen to them and let me know if you love this stuff as much as I do. Mike should really consider releasing these tracks. Also, if you have any other demos or outtakes from Mike and the Candy Butchers would you let me know about them?

Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers - Something Special

Enjoy. Can't wait till the "Major Labels"!

Mike Viola + Bleu + Ducky Carlisle are "The Major Labels"

2008-07-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

This is a big deal. Mike Viola, Bleu and Ducky Carlisle have just released a killer summer album under the name of "The Major Labels". I've listened to this three times and it is absolutely great! To my ears, lots of 60's pop mixed together with Queen/ELO/Wings style vocal choruses. Think a cranked up sequel to Bleu's LEO project (a fabulous effort if you haven't heard it). Anyone who has any interest in the music talked about on this blog should own this.

Here is the kicker. You can pay what you want to download a digital version of this. Follow the link below. Listen before you buy. I guess they get the money... so support these guys. What are you waiting for? Get this. You will not be sorry.

"Can't Get Enough of..." The Wannadies

2008-07-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

I miss the days when Sweden produced lots of bands concerned with putting "power" in their pop. The Wannadies are one of my favorite Swedish bands from that period. They produced 6 essential albums in 13 years.

Nothing has been heard from the Wannadies since 2003, so I put together a compilation of b-sides and rare tracks . I know that it's far from complete (the Wannadies were great about releasing b-sides and rare tracks).

If you have something I'm missing , please let me know. If you don't know this band, these b-sides should help you see what you've been missing.

1990 The Wannadies
1992 Aquanautic
1994 Be a Girl
1997 Bagsy Me
1998 Skellefteå (Best of)
1999 Yeah
2003 Before and After

Blinker the Star - Collected B-Sides and Demos

2008-06-30T19:20:00.001-07:00

In 1999 Canadian muli-instrumentalist Jordon Zadorozny released "August Everywhere". It was a departure from the two earlier efforts with his band Blinker the Star. Those earlier albums had fine moments but were a bit unfocused, sounding like many indie-bands of the time influenced by Nirvana. August Everywhere was more synthesizer based and contained a series of Beatles influenced tunes mixed in a britpop influenced manner. There is not a bad track on the album. Very much worth picking up.

It took four more years for the next Blinker the Star to release their next album. 2003's "Still in Rome" was a mixed bag. In many ways it returned to the harder edge sound of the two earlier albums. There were great moments though. The pop tune "Got to Go Through It" is great, as is the bitter but catchy "Don't Believe It".

Since 2003, Zadorozny has released a tantalizing trickle of songs on the three MySpace pages he controls in addition to his now deleted Blinker The Star homepage. Each of these songs is a nicely produced PowerPop epic. Many as good as the pop contained on "August Everywhere". I've collected all of these songs in one place. They include b-sides from 'August Anywhere" as well as demos and singles from more recent sessions. Also included are three songs by "Abbey", Jordon Zadorozny's new band with fellow Canadian singer Sofia Silva. Silva has a voice that complements these songs and they integrate well with the others that Jordon sings.

Listen to this Collection of Blinker the Star B-Sides and let me know what you think. Hopefully Jordan will eventually release his next epic. These tracks show he has it in him.

1993 Blinker the Star
1996 A Bourgeois Kitten
1999 August Everywhere
2003 Still in Rome

Jason Falkner - Live Acoustic

2008-06-07T13:31:00.001-07:00

I'm very glad that Jason Falkner is putting out something new...even its part two of his Bedtime with the Beatles series. His first volume of instrumental lullabies was filled with clever "Jason" takes on classic Beatles tunes. Lots of fun.

However, what I most appreciate about Jason Falkner are the excellent songs he writes. I'm posting a fine sounding solo acoustic concert from years ago below. These stripped down solo performances help bring out the power of his song writing. I'm enjoying listening to these classics all over again.

Jason Falkner - Solo Acoustic

The Lost Super Deluxe Album

2008-05-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

During the late 1990's the Posies were turning out a series of terrific Power Pop albums. At the same time, another Seattle based band was producing great music closely modelled on that prototypical "Posies Power Pop sound". The band "Super Deluxe" was lead by lead singer Braden Blake. in 1995 and 1997, Super Deluxe released two excellent power pop albums. A coincidence was that Braden Blake's voice sounded remarkably similar to Posies leaders Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow. (I think that Blake subsequently worked with Ken Stringfellow in his "Salteen": project during the couple of years when the Posies broke up - but that's the subject of another post).

Super Deluxe produce great poppy tunes charged with the high energy sound of the bands of that era. They released two excellent albums, "Famous" and "Via Satellite". You can hear "Famous", their excellent out-of-print debut at King Size Mongs fine blog.

After their second CD, 1997's Via Satellite, Super Deluxe faded from sight only to reemerge in 2005 with their fine comeback CD "Surrender". However in 1998 a series of excellent demos for an unreleased third album made their way around. The songs are great and the production excellent and to my knowledge they were never officially released. Enjoy!

..also be sure to check out the 2004 solo album by Braden Blake entitled "A Year in Pajamas". Though much more mellow, its full of memorable Power Pop tunes... and its still in print.

Sweden's Moonbabies - Making Some of Today's Best Power Pop

2008-05-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

Sweden has produced some of the most sublime Power Pop music of the last decade. And though the heyday of Swedish Pop appears to be over (late 1990s bands such as the Wannadies, the Merrymakers and This Perfect Day are no longer recording), there are still many wonderful sounds coming out of that country. The Moonbabies have updated the classic Swedish fixation with sublime melody by adding contemporary electronica and indie attitude to the mix. They produce gorgeous Power Pop updated with recording techniques that superficially make them sound similar to contemporary Canadian bands such as Stars, Mates of State, or Great Northern. I think Moonbabies' melodies are influenced more directly by the Beatles than those other bands.

Over the last seven years, the Moonbabies have released three wonderful albums and a series of singles, EPs and even some early tapes (does anyone have mp3s of those early tapes?). Last year's album "At the Ballroom" was a gem, but my favorite so far was 2004's "The Orange Billboard”. Just listen to Crime O' the Moon off of that album and tell me you don't hear echos of the Beatles or even CSNY. You can stream most of their recorded output at their record label's popup player. If you have never heard the Moonbabies, you are in for a treat.

You can also download two of their best pop singles directly from their website:

War on Sound
Sun AM

Purchase their CDs on their website as well

2001 June and Novas
2004 The Orange Billboard
2005 War on Sound (Mini Album)
2007 Moonbabies at the Ballroom

Most of these albums can be downloaded from iTunes, Rhapsody and eMusic as well.

The Moonbabies have always been really great at making b-sides and demos available for a while on their website but they do take them down after a while. As usual, I've compiled a bunch of b-sides and demos for collectors. Most of the songs on the compilation here were made available by the band over the last couple of years. The majority are demos and left-over songs from The Orange Billboard. Needless to say, there are some wonderful tunes here.

Enjoy... and support these two talented artists. Ola Frick and Carina Johansson have lots yet to say.

Seth Swirsky and The Red Button

2008-04-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

Probably every Power Pop fan agreed that "She's About To Cross My Mind" by the Red Button was one of last year's best Cd's. The talented duo of Seth Swirsky and Mike Ruekberg released a Beatles influenced disc with terrific tunes and sterling production. If for some reason, you were living on a deserted island and missed this one, run (don't walk) to your latest on-line music store and pick it up. You won't be disappointed.

In 2004, Seth Swirsky released his first CD entitled "Instant Pleasure". This one is also a Beatle lovers dream with tunes that could have been lifted right out of Revolver or Sgt. Pepper. Really superb stuff. Its a must as far as I am concerned.

I'm a collector and I've collected some of Seth's demos and b-sides. For me they are also essential tracks however these are all I that I have. I know that I am missing some key tracks. Does anyone have anything missing here?

There are reports that Seth is working on both a Red Button CD AND a new solo CD this year. I can't wait...

Parthenon Huxley - Unacknowledged Genus

2008-04-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

Parthenon Huxley is a sorely under-recognized pop genius. He's been putting out superior Beatlesque power pop for nearly 30 years with a criminal lack of public recognition. As "Rick Miller", he was one of two singer songwriters for the seminal North Carolina power pop band the Blazers. Later as "Rick Rock" he recorded three classic slices of power pop in the Mondo Montage series. in 1986, "Parthenon Huxley" recorded his first album "Sunny Nights", a 1980s Power Pop classic. His 1995 epic "Deluxe" was recorded by his working band "P. Hux". (It's great that this classic is back in print and currently available for download. ) In 1998, Parthenon Huxley joins ELO 2 and then that band is renamed "The Orchestra" when Jeff Lynne demanded control of the ELO name back. Parthenon's classic "Jewell and Johnny" was a high point for the Orchestra.

Parthenon Huxley has put out a remarkable string of P Hux albums, all of them classics and highly recommended. I've included a link to some hard to find b-sides and compilation tracks. There are some great tracks here and you should definitely check them out. But don't miss out on the official releases, they are even better. Almost all of them are available directly from Parthenon Huxley. I've purchased most of mine this way and recommend every one.

1980 The Blazers How To Rock
1988 Parthenon Huxley Sunny Nights
1993 P Hux Mile High Fan (released in 2006)
1995 P. Hux Deluxe
1997 VeG
2001 P. Hux Live In Your Living Room
2001 P. Hux Purgatory Falls
2001 The Orchestra No Rewind
2004 P. Hux In Your Parlour
2005 P. Hux Homeade Spaceship (the Music of ELO)
2007 P. Hux Kiss The Monster

Thanks to Powerpopaholic, I found and enjoyed reading this recent interview with "the man". Sounds like Parthenon is up to some interesting projects. I'll be checking those out soon.

Excited About the New Pugwash

2008-04-01T20:07:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, the Irish band Pugwash is one of the finest Power Pop bands recording today. Band leader and writer Thomas Walsh has worked with Andy Partridge and Jason Falkner and he really deserves to run in that distinguished company. They have a new CD out in the UK entitled "Eleven Modern Antiquities" and from what I've heard it may be the best thing so far this year. I can't wait to receive my overpriced import copy from Amazon!

You can listen to snipets from the CD at their Myspace site.

I loved the single "Take Me Away". I downloaded from Amazon and I really recommend it. It has a great "Revolver" vibe to it. In honor of this new CD I'm posting a few (not so great sounding) rarities I've picked up. They're nice but I'd really recommend the albums if you don't have them:

2005 Jollity
2003 Earworm
(A compilation of some of the tracks from two earlier albums "Almanac" and "Almond Tea". If anyone owns these would you let me know please!)

These are all highly recommended.

The Grays Studio Rehearsals and Radio Shows

2008-03-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about keeping a blog is that you get help on the things you write about. I've had a couple of posters turn me on to some great music. I had thought that had I all of the Jason Falkner unreleased stuff, but I was wrong. Below is a compilation I put together from a couple of postings of some live studio covers performed by the Grays. I put these together with some acoustic radio show tunes from the same era.

The Grays - Studio Rehearsals and Radio Shows

Together, these complement the only release by the Power Pop supergroup the Grays featuring Jason Falkner, Jon Brion, Buddy Judge and Dan McCarroll.

Don't know that cornerstone album? Get over to the Never Get Out of the Boat blog immediately and check it out. if you like anything on this blog, you'll want to hear this!

Thanks to all for helping me complete my collection....and if I'm missing more stuff, will you let me know?

Rare Wondermint Demos

2008-02-24T07:35:00.000-08:00

We are starved for more brilliance by one of the best Power Pop bands there ever was, the Wondermints. Though recently best known as Brian Wilson's backing band (leader Darian Sahanaja is credited with convincing Brian Wilson to finally re-record and release his concept album "Smile"), each or the Wondermints CDs feature amazing melodies informed by a fascination with California 60's pop. In their history, they have released only four CDs:

1995 Self Titled
1996 Wonderful World of the Wondermints
1998 Bali
2002 Mind if We Make Love to You

Each of these are absolutely essential, however all but "Mind if We Make Love to You" are out of print at this point. Somebody needs to re-release these gems, and soon!

Several years ago, there was a set of MP3s in shareland of songs from their "Colored Tape Demos" that didn't make the Self Titled Debut release. More info on that from the All Music Guide review below:

"Throughout the early '90s, the Wondermints recorded a bevy of exceptional homemade demos and small indie singles primarily in co-founder Darian Sahanaja's bedroom studio. Slowly but surely that music circulated through the Los Angeles underground music scene on a series of semi-legendary tapes identified solely by their colors. The band's music, however, still flew under the radar of the music business until the Japanese label Toy's Factory picked up the slack, releasing an eponymous debut in 1995 that cherry-picked the very best songs from those original tapes."

The longstanding Wondermints Fan Site provides more details about which demo tracks were chosen to comprise their debut CD and which were left off.

I've collected many of the left-off demos and b-sides in the link below. Most of these tracks don't sound terrific and I am missing a few tunes (I purposely left off a set of 6 hissy live in-studio cover tunes that never sounded like they belonged with the rest of the more finished tracks). I think that these tracks are absolutely outstanding, a must hear. I know that I'm missing a few tunes - so if anyone has better versions or a more complete set, please let me know.... Hopefully there will be an official re-release of their debut someday enhanced with these "extra" tracks. I'll be standing in line...

Listen to the Colored Tape Demos and let me know if you find these tunes as amazing as I do!

As a bonus, go check out the excellent Power Pop Criminals blog for a link to a great unreleased Wondermints concert CD from Japan.

Eric Matthews - The Imagination Stage

2008-02-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

...so one of the CDs I am listening to most at the moment is the new one by Eric Matthews, The Imagination Stage . For my money, Eric Matthews has been succesfully traversing the already thin boundary between Power-Pop and Chamber Pop for years.

I first became aware of him as the #2 singer in the band Cardinal. In 1995 and 1997, he created two terrific solo albums, It's Heavy in Here and The Lateness of the Hour. He didn't release another CD of his own for another 8 years thought he did make a number of guest appearances on other artist albums. Since 2005, he's been quite prolific - releasing 2 EPs and 2 CDs in three years. The music is of consistent quality with great singing, haunting melodies and impecible production. Eris also plays classical trumpet well. It reminds you of Penny Lane when you hear it within his Beatles influenced songs (listen to the first song on his debut - Fanfare). I warn you that this music is a bit "serious" for some - but I think that it holds up well with repeated listening.

I've included links to buy downloads of all Eric's officially released stuff below. I recomend all of these. I've also embedded Eric's Snowcap store below where he is directly selling 2006's Foundation sounds and his Self Titled EP (also from that year). I've also included link to a compliation of songs from tributes to help fans complete their collections.

A Short Discography:

It's Heavy In Here (1995)

The Lateness of the Hour (1997)

Six Kinds of Passion Looking For an Exit - EP (2005)

Foundation Sounds (2006)

Self Titled Limited Edition - EP (2006)

The Imagination Stage (2008)

Blink and you missed it!

2008-01-27T12:59:00.000-08:00

Well evidently if you didn't act fast enough, you missed picking up the CD from the initial pressing of Mike Viola's fantastic new album "Lurch". But not to worry, for a limited time you can link over to the Power Popaholic's fine blog. There you'll find a link to download mp3s of the entire CD for free. I'd do it SOON if you missed the CD. Its a fine one! Evidently this is a limited time offer.

Another great Mike Viola/Candy Butchers CD that many people missed was his 1995 Debut CD" often known as "the Blue Thumb album". Simply stated - It's a classic. Only a few of the songs actually made it to release on the fake live EP "Live at La BonBonniere." If you don't have it then you can buy it below. This is an embed of Mike's Snowcap store. Mike get's all the money and you get an absolutley great album. Get caught up!

Mike is no longer selling his first CD through Snowcap. Check out an info page on it with a couple of mp3s at Mike's home page.

Great Lost "Owsley" Album

2008-01-12T16:06:00.000-08:00

What happened? In 1999, Will Owsley takes the Power Pop world by storm by issuing his self titled debut album - one of the finest examples of PowerPop ever. (If you don't know this album, don't read another word. Proceed directly to Amazon to purchase the actual CD. Used copies were listed as low as $1.50 last time I checked or download MP3s at Amazon for 9.99. If you like the other music we discuss on this Blog then you need to know this album.)

It took another four years, but in 2003, Owsley finally released his sophomore release, the Hard Way. Though not quite as consitently poppy as his debut effort, The Hard Way still has many amazing moments. Don't have it? Buy it at Amazon in CD form . I saw it used for $3.31 when I looked.

Before an extended period of silence, Owsley release one more single and hasn't been heard form since (the word is that he pays the bills as Amy Grant's touring guitarist. I guess that keeps him busy and employed).

What only dedicated Power Pop collectors have discovered is that Owsley released an earlier effort under the name of the Semantics. In this band, Owsley shares songwriting and singing duties with Millard Powers, the future bass player for Ben Folds. This is simply another must hear, must own album. Powers and Owsley have very similar singing voices and the songs are excellent. Zak Starkey plays drums recalling his lineage. A CD was recorded in 1992 and was supposed to have been released by Geffen in the US. It never came out here. It did have a very limited release in 1996 in Japan. The excellent Blog Peanutus Playground Blog has more info and a download link. You've got to hear this one. You can read much more about the album at the Zak Starkey fan site run by Kathy.

This brings me to the purpose of this post. Around 2000, some demos for the Semantics PowerBill session were cirulated. These included most of the songs on PowerBill but also quite a few songs unreleased anywhere else. A friend of mine intermixed these tunes with most of the tracks from solo CD put out by Millard Powers on MP3.com and there you have it, the lost Semantics/Owsley album! To be truthful, most of the singing is done by Millard Powers on these, however Owsley is heard from on a number of tracks and Powers has a great voice. More importantly, he writes Owsley-like great songs. My personal favorite is Track 4, Standing Still. A power ballad by Owsely that sports a gorgeous chorus.

Owsley, where-ever-you-are, some more material please? Millard, another album from you would be great!

Big News - New Mike Viola

2007-11-23T13:33:00.000-08:00

Around here Mike Viola is a kind of hero. The man manages to combine Elvis Costello with a gorgeous sense of pop melody. If there were any kind of justice, the man would be a superstar. As it is, the release of a new Mike Viola or Candy Butchers (his band name) CD is a cause for celebration.

Mike's got a new one coming out in the next couple of months called "Lurch". He is streaming 5 of the 13 tracks from that release on his website. They are absolutly terrific. I think even better than his last two releases (which I also loved).

Head on over to Mike's site and sample the gem's he's got in store for us. You can preorder that release from him as well.

I particularly like "Strawberry Blonde" and "So Much Better". Amazing pop!

Thank you Mike!

Rare Fountains of Wayne

2007-10-25T18:08:00.001-07:00

Its easy to forget how great they are...and their most recent album has been panned as not some kind of positive step forward. I disagree. The last album Traffic and Weather may not have a standout megahit like Stacy's Mom, but it is still wall-to-wall pop gems.

Here are links to download some rare early tracks hosted on a fan site:
Raise the River
Bluer than Blue
Fading Fast
I Know You Well

The guys recorded a nice concert exclusively for iTunes. I bought it. I liked it.

Don't let up FOW!

Did I Miss the Latest "Bleu"?

2007-10-16T17:46:00.000-07:00

So most readers of this blog know the formerly Boston (now LA) resident Bleu. The guy has a killer voice and a knack for writing great pop hooks. If you don't have his ELO tribute projet L.E.O. Buy it now. You won't be dissapointed. Sublime stuff. featuring guest appearances by Andy Sturmer, Mike Viola and more. Here is a link to download the track You Had Me Goin from his website.

Purchase the entire L.E.O. album download from iTunes.

Bleu recenly released a new EP called Happy Birthday. It's made up of what seems to be personal Happy Birthday messages. Sounds like a weird idea for an EP, however its Bleu and the tracks are great. Purchase Happy EP on iTunes

During 2005, while still in Boston, he recorded a number of tracks and released them over time on his Myspace page. He just released them in high quality versions as as "the Blizzard of '05". These are a bit more serious but still fine tunes. Blizzard of '05 on iTunes . I almost missed these. Glad I didn't!

Ice Cream Hands are back!

2007-10-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

Ice Cream Hands are an Australian pop band who have 5 flawless albums to their credit (not counting last year's best of collection - You Can Ride My Bike ). Their latest CD is entitled "The Good China" and its been out in Australia for several months. It's a return to form for the band who have taken four years off to pursue solo projects.

This time the band ramps up the harmonies, almost evoking Teenage Fanclub. Also this time singer Charles Jenkins shares singing duties with other members of the band.

This is sure to be one of 2007's best.

You can listen to or download the album at Rhapsody. Great Album!

Do you know Jim Boggia?

2007-10-10T17:21:00.000-07:00

One of best singer songwriter working today is Jim Boggia. He's completed two stellar albums. Both are pop classics and are essential listening:

Fidelity is the Enemy

and

Safe in Sound

If you haven't heard this stuff you should. Boggia's got a great gravelly voice and a killer instinct for the pop hook. Check out his podcast page for some great unreleased demos and radio shows:

Some of my favorite tunes from Boggia's podast page are:

Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle

Talk about the Weather

Here.

The "New" Jason Falkner

2007-10-08T19:14:00.000-07:00

In some alternate universe Jason Falkner gets the acclaim he deserves. He writes amazing Power Pop epics - each a three minute wonder. In this real world, his last album "I'm OK, You're OK" is only available in the US as a Japanese import with only fuzzy plans for a domestic release.

Still you need to hear this record. Each tune is truly a gem (some detractors say its not his best. I think that the only real problem here is that Jason plays all the instruments himself.) The songs are great but would be even better with the energy of a live band. Maybe next album . Still very strongly recommended!

Purchase it at Amazon

A couple of years back some great demos leaked out from Jason. Only one of these surfaced on the new album. Here are some of the best tracks from those sessions:

Jason Falkner - Hello Mr. Future Demos

Download these and enjoy. It's amazing how the cast-offs from this talented artist are better than most of what's out there.

Jon Brion - Early Stuff

2007-10-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

Jon Brion is a favorite but he has released very little of his own material. (he has contributed to lots of soundtracks and albums from Aimee Mann to Kanya West) If you haven't heard his band with Jason Falkner from the 90's, the Gray's you should.

Buy his solo album "Meaningless" from CDBaby if you don't have it already. You won't be disappointed.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/jonbrion

Farifax Avenue is a great fan run site dedicated to Jon Brion's work. It has lots of bootlegs. I enjoyed listening to Jon's early work:

http://www.fairfax-avenue.com/bootlegs.php?id=B01

Finally Favorita!

2007-10-07T17:41:00.000-07:00

Legendary CD by the 90's Swedish band Beagle who were in the process of updating their sound and then lost their record contract.

Though never officially released, this classic album has been turning up as MP3s on the web for years. Thanks to Luke at Indiespinzone for finally putting the project out on his own. He did a great job. Great sound. Beautiful package. Extra tracks.

Buy it at Indiespinzone today

I bought it and you should too. A Power Pop classic.

Thank you Luke!

Best new band!

2007-10-07T17:27:00.000-07:00

Everyday I check out the terrific Power Pop blog http://absolutepowerpop.blogspot.com/ . A fabulous resource for the Power Pop lover.

There I learned about "The Treasury". The CD I am listening to most at the moment. Great songs. Solidly played. Terrifically recorded. There are only 6 songs available on their debut EP. I'm waiting for more. The good news is you can listen to the entire EP streaming at their website:

http://www.treasuryband.com/

Wisely's New Album

2007-10-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

Last year's album by Wisely was one of the best of the year. His self titled album won't be out until January - but the entire album is streaming in it's entirety at his record company's website. Great record! Listen to it now:

http://www.evocativepop.com/

Favorite track is track five California.

Mark Bacino

2007-10-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

Mark Bacino released a couple of terrific Power Pop CDs a couple of years ago. He's posted a couple of great new tunes on his website. Check out Happy and Camp Elmo.

Nice stuff. Waiting for the next album Mark

Weren't the DBs supposed to be recording some new stuff?

2007-10-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

The word was that last summer the DB's were reforming and recording some new material. What happened? The last tune available on their website was great. http://www.thedbs.com/audio/World_to_Cry.mp3 How about some more material?

Grapes of Wrath 2007

2007-10-07T15:34:00.001-07:00

No. They're not back, but the Canada's Grapes of Wrath's lead singer Kevin Kane has a great new CD. The first song really recalls some of the Grapes best moments.

Listen to the opening track Last to Know at Sonic Bid.

An excellent reminder of how great the Grapes of Wrath could be.