Rare Sealed Hot Dates LP for sale on Ebay

RARE Hot Dates LP has shown up for sale on Ebay. And it's STILL SEALED!

For those interested, click on the photo, or follow this link:

HOT DATES ON EBAY

Propeller- Don't Be Sorry, Again

New album from the group Propeller!

Fun, pop rock & Powerpop.  Energetic music.

The album opens with the song "Gone Too Far", and while a decent enough song, didn't feel to me like a "first track album opener".  The second track "Nothing" opens with guitar riffs and hand-claps, and is one I probably would've used as an album opener. (hand-claps are ALWAYS an attention-getter)

Some other highlights include "Never Going Back (To You)", "She's Out There", and "Summer Songs". The ladder has both "summer" and "radio" in the lyrics so two sure fired PowerPop attention getter "buzzwords" are put to good use.

Overall a good album. If I had to choose something constructive to critique I would say the lead vocal could use a little diversity.  The whisper like quality of the lead singer's voice is fine, but with it never changing, it can tend to make the listener mistake one song for another after a full listen to the album. That, however, is only a very minor critique. Still fully recommended! Don't be sorry, pick it up!

.CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PROPELLER MUSIC!

Sam Page "Breach"

A nice little gem showed up in my inbox recently.  Sam Page "Breach".  Sam has a nice pop sensibility woven with indie attitude.

The opening track "I Don't Want To Think About Her Anymore" opens up the album nicely with an immediate guitar hook and catchy chorus. The trend continues with "Hold On" and "Now I Know". (the latter opening with an acoustic guitar hook)  "Crush/Loving You" starts as a ballad, yet switches gears into a rocker, transitioning seamlessly between the two.

The song "Pheromones" is perhaps my biggest listening frustration on the album. Witty lyrics, but the music doesn't really take off until the last quarter of the song. The first 3/4 only includes guitars/bass and a little percussion. If I weren't reviewing the album and I were just a casual listener, I would've given up and hit "next" before realizing the song picked up.

"A Little Love" picks things up again with great harmonies and another catchy chorus.

"Take It Easy" is my personal favorite of the album.  Lots of attitude coupled with hooks and power chords. It's very reminiscent of the 80's alternative scene and groups like The Starjets or a more rocking Knack. If you only check out one song from this album, this would be the one.  If it were me, I'd have opened the album with this track!

"Thinking About Thinking Of You" is what I would consider the most forgettable track which never seems to really go anywhere, but still, it is listenable.

Ironically, "Hello" ends the album as the last track.  Another song that starts as a ballad, but morphs into a rocking number at the end.  The transition doesn't morph as smoothly this time, but it's still a nice track.

Overall, a very enjoyable album that has been played over and over in my car for a couple of weeks now. Great driving music.  

The positives:  Great hooks, crunchy guitars, nice harmonies and often clever lyrics. Sam is a nice songwriter and he knows the limitations of his voice and doesn't over-reach.

The negatives:  If I had to offer any criticism, it would be minor. I would say that the drummer could have lightened up on the use of the crash cymbals.  A few songs contained far too many which compromised some of the crispness of the songs.

Click on the picture below to go to Sam's page.  The digital download of his album is only 6.99 and my personal favorite "Take It Easy" is a FREE download.  Check it out.  Tell him Powerpopulation sent you!

When you check out Sam's music, come back to Powerpopulation and rate the album below!

             

"Taking My Time" Plus Many Bonus Tracks- $5

Digital Album

Immediate download of 26-track album in your choice of MP3 320, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire.

Buy Now  $5 USD

 

 

REVIEW: Trolley "Things That Shine And Glow"

From the opening licks of "I Woke Up", you know you are in for a treat. If these songs were loaded into a time machine and transported back to the early/mid 60's, they would most likely dominate the garage/pop movement of that time.  

Highlights for me are "I Woke Up", "Til I'm Gone", "Out Of Love", and "She's The Kind Of Girl", just to name a few. 

If I absolutely HAD to pick some aspect I didn't care for, it would be minor. "I Can't Hide" was a song I kept waiting to build up, but it never did, it stayed the same throughout, so it was rather anti-climatic, and the harmony in "In The End" seemed a little odd in some places, but like I said, only minor details.

I highly recommend picking this up from the band, and tell 'em Powerpopulation sent you!!

Click HERE or on the photo to be taken to Trolley's Band Camp page for purchase.

REVIEW: The Heartbreaks "Funtimes"

I'll keep this short and sweet. 4 out of 5 stars! Modern Rock/Pop with definite power pop sensibilities, and even has a little bit of an 80's feel in a couple of spots. For some reason, the track "Delay, Delay" brought to mind Modern English.

Lots of hooks here, and just as the title suggests, it's Funtimes!

(WARNING: explicit words on "Hand On Heart".  Maybe more, but that's the only one I noticed as I was listening through the first time)

The Knack "Live In Los Angeles 1978"

Record Store Day 2012

I picked this up today. Although an official release, the quality is pretty much bootleg.

Only for completists. 

Let Me Out

My Sharona

Romeo Eyes

Art War