POWER POPAHOLIC FEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Our friends over at POWERPOPAHOLIC.COM have put together this rather splendid compilation album following their very own festival and all the proceeds from the sale of the album will go to The American Red Cross in order to help those that suffered after the recent hurricane Sandy.

Bands on the album: Lannie Flowers, Sitcom Neighbor, Cliff Hillis, The Wellingtons, The Honeymoon Stallions, Rick Hromadka (Maple Mars), King Washington, Eytan Mirsky, John Laprade, The Heartless Devils, Joe Giddings (Star Collector), The Hillary Step, Dave Rave, Vinnie Zummo, The Turnback, The Toms and Klaatu. Over 17 songs for your listening pleasure! It’s a great way to discover new sounds at a great price and help those in need.

Download and stream the album here: Bandcamp

Visit our friends at http://www.powerpopaholic.com

Larabee - Expose a Little Wire & Sunset Drive

 Let me introduce you to a band raised on a steady diet of Motown, Soul, British Invasion and tons of Nick Lowe.  Larabee are a breath of fresh air in a manic world, armed with little nuggets of country tinged rock and roll with some power pop sensibilities.  The bands first EP "Expose a Little Wire" was released last year, however, Matt Maguire, singer/songwriter/guitarist is no newcomer to the music scene, he was in a band called The Bensons back in the late 80's which broke up after a couple of years and after a decade and a half of absence from the music scene (the usual break of work and family) he decided to dust the guitars off and start recording music again and for that we should be grateful.

This summer Larabee released a new instrumental single, "Sunset Drive" which has a distinctly twangy  surf sound, something for the after surf chill out maybe? 

All in all, after listening to these offerings, I can only hope that Larabee go on to release a full length long player sometime in the not too distant future.

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Larabee here: Facebook

Stream and buy Larabee's music here: Bandcamp

Official Website: http://www.larabeetheband.com

Phenomenal Cat - World of Secret Pleasure FREE DOWNLOAD

Phenomenal Cat release the tenth single in the single a month for 2012 project and they are showing no signs of exhausting the pace.  Bearing in mind that these songs are written, constructed and recorded every month, the quality of the each song is extremely impressive and "World of Secret Pleasure" is no exception.

Some bands take two years to write and record a ten track album of this quality, we have 10 great tracks in just ten months and two more to follow to complete the project.

Show the band your support by downloading the single FREE or Name Your Price.  The band hope to release a physical copy of the album on vinyl sometime next year so every penny made will go into that and hopefully recording a follow up album, although I think the band may take a couple of months break after this marathon!

Phenomenal Cats Tim and Dan lay down some brass in the garage for last months "Leisurewear" single.

Download "World of Secret Pleasure" and the previous 9 releases here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, like and love Phenomenal Cat here: Facebook

Kurt Baker - Brand New Beat. OUT TODAY

Kurt Baker's first full length since leaving The Leftovers and he has delivered, as near to damn it, the perfect Power Pop album with "Brand New Beat."  The songs are extremely infectious, as we have come expect from Kurt's offerings, and as per usual we lose the ability to sit still for the duration of the album whilst joining in on every chorus on every track.

Kurt has a saying "Have a good time all the time" this is a saying he clearly lives by and it certainly transcends into his music which is fun from start to finish, on this album, and on his 3 previous EP releases.  The songs are well well crafted with a good mix of melody and rawness to them, this is real kicking rock 'n'roll music.

A teaspoon of Elvis Costello, a half pint of Paul McCartney, a gallon of Joey Ramone and just a dash of Rick Nielsen...put it in your nose, mouth or oven on a Saturday night. By 2AM you'll have something resembling the likes of Kurt Baker. Repeat often.

4077 Photography.

This album has basically walked into my top albums of the year list and Kurt Baker has proved beyond any doubt, that he is a master craftsmen when it comes to Power Pop, in years to come when we are talking about the Power Pop classics, Kurt's name will be right up there with the best of them and I am sure that there is still more to come, hopefully much, much more!

4077 Photography.

Contact, befriend, follow like and love Kurt Baker here: Facebook

Buy and stream the album and previous releases here: Bandcamp

Official Website: http://kurtbakermusic.com

Physical copies and merchandise available here:Jolly Ronnie Records and Interpunk

The Sharp Darts - Shoes Off EP.

Could The Sharp Darts be your new favourite band with their melting pot of Indie/Revival Mod/Power Pop fusions?  They are a relatively newly formed band hailing from Birmigham with the added spice of an Australian member amongst their ranks.

Listening to this EP, you certainly get a flavour of nostalgia from the likes of The La's, Oasis, The Libetines, The Real People and even Paul Weller's earlier album offerings, partner that with some well crafted tunes, uptempo stompers and some tight two part harmonies and you have a recipe for a band that could be destined to go far.

 If the world was a just place and the music scene wasn't being bombarded with the shit from X-Factor and the like, then we might be able to enjoy and reign in the talents of bands like The Sharp Darts and have another exciting era of music.

The Sharp Darts are currently playing around the West Midlands but are looking to cast their net further afield, so keep an eye out for them, or better still ask your local promoters to book them, don't forget to wave your shoes, don't throw them though, you may have to walk home in the rain!

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Sharp Darts here: Facebook

Buy the EP and other wares at the official website here: http://www.thesharpdarts.com

Listen to the "Shoes Off" EP and much more here: Soundcloud

Sundials - When I Couldn't Breathe FREE DOWNLOAD

Sundials from Richmond VA argue the point that nothing is free in life by giving this rather superb album away for FREE and a rather splendid affair it is too!

If you enjoyed the punk pop sounds of Weezer and early Lemonheads then you will revel in delight with this band as they offer all that and more.  The songs are catchy and melodic and will have you singing along to the chorus on the very first listen.

The album is available for free on the bands bandcamp page but they also have a "Name Your Price" going on as well, if you like what you hear, do make a contribution to the band as it goes a long way to making sure that we get to hear more from them in the future and that would be great!

"When I Couldn't Breathe" is a really great uptempo, exciting album, I wish more bands would make music like this so we can breathe again!

Sundial are: Harris M. - guitar/vocals Carl A. - bass/vocals Cory C. - drums

Download the album FREE here: Bandcamp

The link for free download is at the bottom of the track listing, click on the normal "Name Your Price" area to make a contribution to the band.

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Sundials here: Facebook

Official Page where you can buy the bands other records and this very fine T-shirt print below: Sundials

Nine Times Blue - Falling Slowly

Nine Times Blue are an Atlanta based band, who unashamedly wear their power pop/rock influences on their sleeves, often compared to The Gin Blossoms, The Smithereens and Jimmy Eat World, this band delivers classic sounds evoking thoughts of the classic era of Power Pop, whilst also conveying a sound and style which is very much in the now.  

Full of songs about love, heartache, loss and hope…Nine Times Blue continues the tradition forged by their influences by blending infectious hooks, layered harmonies, melodic guitars, McCartney-esque bass lines and a driving backbeat to make you tap your foot and sing along, whether it’s a song about new found love or a devastating break-up. “Falling Slowly” brings to mind the catchiest of Gin Blossoms songs interlaced with Coldplay and Snow Patrol’s lush guitars, and the lush background vocals on “Serena” remind one of the Beach Boys and Jellyfish. "Crazy To Think" is the best song that Nick Lowe never wrote. “Fun and Games” highlights the influence today’s Americana artists have had on Nine Times Blue’s primary songwriter – Kirk Waldrop.

The nine track album that will be released on November 20th is certainly one for those who like their power pop with a rockier edge, although that said, there are enough jangly guitars and melodies for this to sit comfortably in anyones collection, I have really enjoyed these songs and I can see myself pulling this one out for some long journeys in the car as it also makes for excellent driving music, not to be confused with "Drive Time Music" which is usually dull and mundane which are words that can't be associated with this album.

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love the wonderful Nine Times Blue here: Facebook

Official Website: http://www.ninetimesblue.net

Pre order the album here: Amazon

Check out the bands live shows here: Events/Live