Bash On Pop: October 2020
Hi, Everyone!
We got some nifty power pop morsels for ya this month, so dig in and chew vigorously!
The Midnight Callers-Red Letter Glow (JEM; CD)
Right off the bat, you’ve gotta love a band who name themselves after a Badfinger song, and Red Letter Glow has all the goods necessary to cook up quite a power pop disc! Gorgeous harmonies, strong hooks, and some mighty guitar playing mark every track. Without sounding too hyperbolic, this album is great enough to stand among the best of the past five years. Yes, it really is that good! Fans of Cheap Trick, Artful Dodger and yes, Badfinger will especially appreciate what these New Jersey boys have created. As a fun bonus, the album ends with a blistering rock version of the Bill Withers soul classic, “Use Me”!
Joey Molland-Be True To Yourself (Omnivore; CD)
Since the 1970s we’ve known what Joey Molland can do, as a guitarist, singer and songwriter; as a member of Badfinger, his songs graced every one of their albums (and he’s the only member of the band for whom that can be said). Since Badfinger’s demise, he’s released solo albums of various success and quality, but he’s definitely reached his peak with Be True To Yourself, and it seems his power pop stew only needed one more ingredient: Mark Hudson, who produced and co-wrote all of songs on the album. Molland is in fine voice throughout, and man, there are some really good ones here, like “Better Tomorrow”, which very much recalls the Badfinger days; “Rainy Day Man”; the swirling “I Don’t Wanna Be Done With You”; the lovely ballad “Loving You”; and “Shine”, which could have been placed on a McCartney album without anyone finding out it didn’t belong. To paraphrase Molland himself, Be True To Yourself is “a winner”.
Marshall Holland-Paper Airplane (MLM; CD and LP)
See what I did there, following Molland with Holland; cheeky, eh? Marshall Holland is a pop artist supreme from Oakland, California, and Paper Airplane is replete with pop music delights. The lead track, “Our Fate” opens with that classic “My Sharona” drum fill, and features an irresistible chorus. Holland puts on his spiffiest Costello outfit with “She Buys A Dress (To Match With Her Pink Belt)” and “Whatcha Gonna Do” is a Nick Lowe-esque scathing commentary on Mr. Trump. Much of the rest of the album is prettier and gentler, and a breath of fresh air. Don’t miss out on this one!
Nick Frater-Fast & Loose (Big Stir; CD)
This prolific gent from Croydon, UK continues to churn out awesome pop melodies on his latest album, Fast & Loose. The album begins with the go-go instrumental title track (a bold move), and probably the most viable single, “Let’s Hear It For Love”, but really picks up steam in the second half; “Cocaine Girls”, “So Now We’re Here” and the bubblegummy “California Waits” are particularly buoyant and irresistible, but everything herein is delicious power pop of the first order. I honestly can’t imagine anyone reading this column wouldn’t love this album…and there’s no doubt more to come, before we know it!
The Blam Blams-Opening Night (Self-Released; CD)
One wouldn’t expect a group of young Nashville cats to record such a lush, elaborate, theatrical album, but Opening Night will whet the appetites of Queen and Jellyfish fans in particular, and pop music fans in general. Lead vocalist Bradley Owens is not unlike a cross between Freddie Mercury and Roger Joseph Manning Jr., and both his and the band’s skills particularly shine on the title track “Opening Night”, “Overture”, “Isabella” and the album’s coolest tune, “You Got The Drop On Me”. Admittedly, not every track is filled with hooks, but they’re all clever, inventive and redolent with musical acumen. On a personal note, I cannot wait to have them play an IPO festival, because their show will no doubt be spectacular!
Cheers, until next time! 🙂