Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Playlist for November 11th, 2008

Here's what was played on the Palo Alto Pop Overthrow for November 11, 2008:
ArtistTrackAlbum/Label
Buried BedsForever in YouEmpty Rooms
http://www.buriedbeds.com/
Simon AppleWithout a SoundFrom the Toybox
Trunk
Matthews, EricBlack to Light BrownSix Kinds of Passion Looking For an Exit
Self Release

+SqueezeDay I Get HomePlay
Reprise Records
Stevens, SufjanChicagoIllinois
Asthmatic Kitty Records
Folds, BenGolden SlumbersI Am Sam
V2 Music Limited

McCartney, PaulJenny WrenChaos and Creation in the Backyard
Capitol Records
+Jay, MatthewCall My Name OutDraw
Capitol Records
Pernice BrothersOvercome By HappinessOvercome By Happiness
Sub Pop Records

+Cash, BrentGood Morning SunshineHow Will I Know If I'm Awake
Marina Records
Penn, MichaelOut of My HandsResigned
Epic
The Mayflies USASo YoungWalking in a Straight Line
Yep Roc Records

**Velvet CrushAtmosphereTeenage Symphonies to God
Creation Records Limited
+Manning Jr., Roger JosephDown in FrontCatnip Dynamite
Pony Canyon
Sweet, MatthewAll Over My HeadBlue Sky on Mars
Volcano Entertainment

**Velvet CrushStar TripTeenage Symphonies to God
Creation Records Limited
@Malkmus, Stephen & The JicksGardeniaReal Emotional Trash
Matador Records
@Belle and SebastianStep Into My Office BabyDear Catastrophe Waitress
Rough Trade Records

**Velvet CrushWhy not Your BabyTeenage Symphonies to God
Creation Records Limited
@Redd KrossSecret LifeShow World
Mercury Records
von Sneidern, ChrisAnnalisaSight & Sound
Heyday Records

The Spinning JenniesPeer PressurePeer Pressure
Vast Records
** Featured Album
+ Former Feature
@ Request/Dedication

Palo Alto Pop Overthrow with Phil Andrews
Tuesdays from 7-9AM PDT/10-Noon EDT
KZSU Stanford, 90.1FM / http://kzsulive.stanford.edu/
Blog at http://www.palopop.org/

Velvet Crush: "Teenage Symphonies to God" [featured album]

"I’m writing a teenage symphony to God."
-Brian Wilson
The leader of The Beach Boys once said that about his album "Smile", then very much a work in progress, which ended up not being finished for decades. In the mid-90s, the pop/rock band Velvet Crush released an album that tipped their collective hats to Mr. Wilson. The Crush brought in Mitch Easter to produce a record tinged with harder rock, moments of alt country, and lots of melodious guitar hooks.


"Teenage Symphonies to God" by Velvet Crush
Ric Menck drums for the band, having also worked with the likes of The Pernice Brothers and Matthew Sweet. Paul Chastain provides the vocals and bass, and Jeffrey Borchardt rocks the guitar.

Favorite tracks: 11. Star Trip, 5. Atmosphere, 3. Why Not Your Baby (originally by Gene Clark), 1. Hold Me Up







"Atmosphere" performed by Velvet Crush with Matthew Sweet

Label: Creation Records
RIYL: Matthew Sweet, Sloan
Four stars.

myspace, official site, wikipedia, AMG
Amazon: album
Rhapsody

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Playlist for November 4th, 2008

Here's what was played on the Palo Alto Pop Overthrow for November 4, 2008:
ArtistTrackAlbum/Label
McCartney, PaulJenny WrenChaos and Creation in the Backyard
Capitol Records
Pernice BrothersThere Goes the SunDiscover a Lovelier You
Ashmont Records
Matt Pond PAFairleeNature of Maps, the
Polyvinyl Record Co.

TravisWriting to Reach YouMan Who, the
Epic Records
Simon AppleEven Clowns Will CryFrom the Toybox
Trunk
+Jay, MatthewCall My Name OutDraw
Capitol Records
Nova, HeatherWe Can Work It OutI Am Sam
V2 Music Limited

+Cash, BrentGood Morning SunshineHow Will I Know If I'm Awake
Marina Records
Belle and SebastianWinter WooksieLegal Man
Matador Records
Belles, theOmertáOmertá
Lakeshore Records

@WiretreeDon't Need ItBouldin
Cobaltworks Music Division
LambchopThe Lone OfficialAwcmon
Merge Records
Buckley, JeffForget HerGrace (Re-Issue)
Columbia
+SqueezeDay I Get HomePlay
Reprise Records

**Death Cab For CutieLong DivisionNarrow Stairs
Atlantic Records
+Manning Jr., Roger JosephAmerican AffluenzaCatnip Dynamite
Pony Canyon
Teenage FanclubThe Town and the CityHowdy!
Thirsty Ear Communication

**Death Cab For CutieNo SunlightNarrow Stairs
Atlantic Records
+StarbellyOrdinary NowEveryday and Then Some
Not Lame Recordings
BleuThat's When I CrashRedhead
Aware Records

**Death Cab For CutieCath...Narrow Stairs
Atlantic Records
+Sweet, MatthewByrdgirlSunshine Lies
Shout! Factory
+The Corner LaughersYou Two Are The OnesTomb of Leopards
Sandbox Records

The Spinning JenniesTea & ApathyThe Best of the Spinning Jennies
Cool Buzz Records
New Pornographers, theLetter From An OccupantMass Romantic
Mint Records Inc.
von Sneidern, ChrisSunWood+Wire
Mod Lang Records
** Featured Album
* Featured Track
+ Former Feature
@ Request/Dedication

Palo Alto Pop Overthrow with Phil Andrews
Tuesdays from 7-9AM PDT/10-Noon EDT
KZSU Stanford, 90.1FM / http://kzsulive.stanford.edu/
Blog at http://www.palopop.org/

Death Cab for Cutie: "Narrow Stairs" [featured album]


Death Cab for Cutie

Ben Gibbard, Chris Walla, Nicholas Harmer, and Jason McGerr, or "Death Cab" as their fans call them, released the album "Narrow Stairs" this summer on Atlantic Records. This is their second outing for the major label, but Death Cab's genesis and reputation are built on their long stint as the darlings of college radio, totaling six releases on Barsuk Records. Along the way, vocalist and guitarist Ben Gibbard has had additional indie success with his electronic and indie pop project "The Postal Service."

Favorite tracks: 9. Long Division, 3. No Sunshine, 4. Cath, 8. Your New Twin Sized Bed

Label: Atlantic Records
RIYL: The Decemberists, The Postal Service
Three stars.

myspace, official site, wikipedia, AMG
Amazon: album
Rhapsody

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Playlist for October 28th, 2008

Here's what was played on the Palo Alto Pop Overthrow for October 28, 2008:
ArtistTrackAlbum/Label
Matt Pond PAEverything Until the East Coast EndsIf You Want Blood
Altitude Records
+Pernice BrothersSomervilleLive a Little
Ashmont Records
The VinesI'm Only SleepingI Am Sam
V2 Music Limited

Lee, ChrisSail OnCool Rock
MISRA
Matthews, EricWorthySix Kinds of Passion Looking For an Exit
Self Release
+@The GayOpulent CanineYou Know The Rules
Mint Recordings

Lovely, BrianSuperimposeSuperimpose
Flying Underground
+Julie Ocean#1 SongLong Gone And Nearly There
Transit Of Venus
@Belle and SebastianStep Into My Office BabyDear Catastrophe Waitress
Rough Trade Records

@New PornographersThe Electric VersionElectric Version
Matador Records
+Manning Jr., Roger JosephLove's Never Half as GoodCatnip Dynamite
Pony Canyon
The ShinsKissing the LiplessChutes Too Narrow
Sub Pop Records

**BleuIntro / Forming of The Major LabelsEXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
http://www.palopop.org/
**The Major LabelsVelveteen QueenAquavia
http://www.myspace.com/themajorlabels
The ChurchillsIt Only Hurts When I BreatheThe Odds of Winning
Near Records
PugwashTake Me AwayEleven Modern Antiquities
1969 Records

**BleuFavorite track or "single" from the album?EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
http://www.palopop.org/
**The Major LabelsDon't Hear a SingleAquavia
http://www.myspace.com/themajorlabels
AthenaeumWhat I Didn't KnowRadiance
Atlantic Records (Modern)

**BleuHow do listeners get ahold of you?EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
http://www.palopop.org/
**The Major LabelsRichard RandolphAquavia
http://www.myspace.com/themajorlabels
**BleuCollaborations / working with Dan WilsonEXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
http://www.palopop.org/
+The BellesNever Said AnythingOmerta'
Lakeshore Records

**The Major LabelsHummingbirdAquavia
http://www.myspace.com/themajorlabels
**BleuWhat's Next? / GoodbyeEXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
http://www.palopop.org/
The Mayflies USAWalking in a Straight LineWalking in a Straight Line
Yep Roc Records
SemisonicF.N.TGreat Divide
Mca Records (Local)
+The Corner LaughersSee You in HellTomb of Leopards
Sandbox Recordings
Featured Album
* Featured Track
+ Former Feature
@ Request/Dedication

Palo Alto Pop Overthrow with Phil Andrews
Tuesdays from 7-9AM PDT/10-Noon EDT
KZSU Stanford, 90.1FM / http://kzsulive.stanford.edu/
Blog at http://www.palopop.org/

Monday, October 27, 2008

Concert report and interview: Bleu / Wellingtons / Scissors for Lefty


The Wellingtons at the Rock-It Room
source: Jen Cash of Calibree Photography

As promised, here's my concert report from the Bleu, The Wellingtons, and Scissors for Lefty show at the Rock-It Room from October 14th. A great time was had by all. Bleu as usual, charmed the crowd with his carefully assembled, multi-layered/looped approach to pop, while The Wellingtons put on a very tight and very bright set. Clearly, they were enjoying themselves. Finally all of the members of Scissors for Lefty took the stage to much applause; their garagey sound was just want the crowd wanted.


Bleu at the Rock-It Room
source: Jen Cash of
Calibree Photography
Bleu's set list:
  1. Boy Meets Girl
  2. Come N Go
  3. Watchin' You Sleep
  4. In Love With My Lover
  5. Hollywood
  6. 3's a Charm
  7. Singin' in Tongues
The highlight of the show had to be when Bleu stepped in front of the stage monitor and away from the mic. He asked everyone to gather around the stage, up close, and he sang "In Love With My Lover" to the crowd, unamplified. It was a great moment.

Sadly, I bounced out of the venue just as Scissors for Lefty were going on, but for good reason: I conducted an interview with Bleu, which aired today on the Palo Alto Pop Overthrow. Here's the audio:

Bleu (from The Major Labels) interview

Stay tuned for the special edition of the Palo Alto Pop Overthrow, today from 3-5PM PDT/6-8PM EDT on KZSU. You'll get to hear Bleu, Mike Viola, and Ducky Carlisle perform as The Major Labels, live, during the 4PM hour.

Special PAPO shows this week + a power pop concert in SF

I have lots of updates for you this week about what's going on in San Francisco power pop.

First off, on this Tuesday's PAPO radio show, I'll be airing an exclusive interview I did with Bleu McCauley two weeks ago, when he was in town for a gig he did at the Rock-It Room. You'll get to learn about:
  • How his L.E.O. side project/musical collective came together.
  • What it was like working with Dan Wilson (ex-Semisonic) on the solo album Free Life.
  • What's next for the ever-so-busy Bleu (solo releases? collaborations? you'll just have to tune in.)
  • His current project, The Major Labels, which is a trio including Mike Viola and Ducky Carlisle. Speaking of which:

Extra edition of the PAPO, Tuesday 3-5PM PDT:
In-studio performance from The Major Labels


Tune in to KZSU from 3-5PM PDT/6PM-8PM EDT when you'd normally expect the most excellent I Once Was Canadian radio show, for a special edition of the Palo Alto Pop Overthrow. "Hey Phil, why the double duty?" you might ask. Well, it's for a good reason. Not only will you get the double dose of power pop you so rightly deserve, but you'll also get to hear a live, in-studio set from The Major Labels, starting at 4PM PDT/7PM EDT. The "Majors" include Bleu, New York City's own Mike Viola (of The Candy Butchers), and the Boston-based cult record producer Ducky Carlisle. They're in town for a gig that night, which is going to be fantastic:

The poppiest gig this month in SF
Tuesday night at the Red Devil Lounge


The Major Labels
(Mike Viola + Bleu + Ducky Carlisle)
Allen Clapp of The Orange Peels
Pedestrian
The Corner Laughers
(as featured on the PAPO)
Tickets are $5 and the show starts at 8PM.
Tickets: ticketweb.com.


What more could you want from a show? This is as good as it gets, folks. Come out and support our local favorites, The Corner Laughers and Allen Clapp, plus see some of the best rising musicians in power pop today.