Browsing Tag
power pop
9
Score
The Rockometer: MCII by Mikal Cronin
Mikal Cronin MC II Merge Records Should the career arc of Mikal Cronin follow that of his frequent collaborator, the San Francisco, garage rock wunderkind, Ty Segall, his early 45s could start paying down your mortgage and get the kids off to college. I exaggerate, but MCII is such a leap in quality, similar to the one Segall made on his Drag Cit...READ MORE
Play Me: “It’s In You It’s In Me” by Sloan
The last time the long-running, Canadian power pop act, Sloan, came through Cleveland, they were celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 1992 album, Twice Removed with a two set show which included the album from front-to-back and a second set of their greatest hits. Inspired by how well the anniversary tour was going, they mentioned how they'd record a new album and then do a similar event for the follow-up to Twice Removed, O...READ MORE
Watch Me: “Sunshine” by Nights
It should go without saying, but not every band in your local scene arrives fully realized. For every one act you're convinced could be huge, ok indie huge, if only the right person or right website would only notice, there are countless others who need more time to get it right. Unfortunately, when you're working local gigs in a town like Cleveland, time isn't always your ally. Whether it's band members moving away or the tedium...READ MORE
7
Score
The Rockometer: S/T by California X
California X California X Don Giovanni Records By deftly straddling the line between power pop and hard rock, Big Star and bigger guitars, Guided by Voices "Motor Away" and Motorhead, Badfinger and Soundgarden's Badmotorfinger, California X's self-titled debut is the type of album you'll know whether it is for you within the first 30 seconds of l...READ MORE
Three Fer Thursday: New Jams by Iceage, Merchandise, and the History of Apple Pie
Like a turbo-charged, military-grade Hummer tuned for the drag strip, "Coalition," the new single by Danish punks, Iceage, somehow manages to be burly, intimidating and fleet all at once. It's body, fortified by thick, hanging guitars, seems more apt for the disinterested or those who'd rather feign disinterest while sheathing a crowd in scorching noise. And yet, from the first drum kick, it's off to the races for this battle...READ MORE
Twofer Wednesday: The History of Apple Pie and Parakeet
Excuse me while I play old. You see, back in the day, it was easy to judge a band by its name. For example, there was the geography rule. Any band named after a common city, state, country, or geographic location universally sucked. Kansas sucked. Asia sucked. Boston, Chicago, and Europe all sucked. Recently, I've found the awkward spelling and mangled punctuation rule a good one, too. tUnE-yArDs is the best example of this rule i...READ MORE
Play Me: “Screaming Skull” by King Tuff
Is there anyone in 2012 making better power pop records than Kyle Thomas and King Tuff? Following his Sub Pop debut, a self titled affair which featured the heart of a slacker and the musical command of a seasoned pro, Thomas now has a new 7" on the way...READ MORE
The Rockometer: Researching the Blues by Redd Kross
Redd Kross Researching the Blues Merge Records Kiddie punks, pop-culture junkies, pranksters, producers, pop music savants, friends of and collaborators with Danny Bonaduce (I shit you not) and hardcore revivalists, Jeff and Steve McDonald of Redd Kross have been all that and more during a 31-year career which began opening for Black Flag at an 8th grade graduation party in 1981. With Researching the Blues, the band's seventh al...READ MORE
The Rockometer: S/T by King Tuff
King Tuff King Tuff Sub Pop With a preference for ripped jeans, tees and baseball hats, King Tuff's Kyle Thomas doesn't look the part of rock star. Not even the rocker hair flowing behind that brim communicates rock style. It's too scraggly and unkempt. And with song titles like "Alone and Stoned," "Loser's Wall," and "Stupid Superstar," one wouldn't necessarily peg him as an especially ambitious musician, either. Maybe a slacke...READ MORE
“Researching the Blues” by Redd Kross
A big part of the story of Redd Kross' reunion has nothing to do with Redd Kross, per se. Before it was even announced that there would be a new Redd Kross album in 2012, bassist Steven McDonald was already enjoying a career renaissance as part of Keith Morris' veteran, hardcore outfit, Off!. Who knew there would be an appetite for 30-something/40-something/50-something hardcore in the year 2012? I certainly never imagined ...READ MORE
Play Me: “Sixpack” by Jeff the Brotherhood
And now for something completely different from Nashville's Jeff the Brotherhood. Well, maybe not completely different, but certainly different than that extended, freaked out cover of Hawkwind which anchored the Orrall brothers' last release, an Upstairs at United Session released for Record Store Day. In contrast, "Sixpack," hearkens back to some of the finer power pop moments found on their 2011 release, We Are the Champions, wh...READ MORE
