Here's what was played on the Palo Alto Pop Overthrow for May 27, 2008:
Artist
Track
Album/Label
Malkmus, Stephen & The Jicks
Dragonfly Pie
Real Emotional Trash Matador Records
Shins, The
Phantom Limb
Wincing the Night Away Sub Pop
Destroyer
Dark Leaves From A Thread
Trouble In Dreams Merge Records
Penn, Michael
Coal
Free for All Bmg Distribution
Paper Airplane
Four Trucks Sitting In The Snow
Middlemarch Allhail Records
Apples In Stereo, The
Onto Something
Electronic Projects For Musicians Yep Roc Records
Belle and Sebastian
If You're Feeling Sinister
If You're Feeling Sinister The Enclave
Sloan
Gimme That
Action Pact Koch Records
Finn, Neil
She Will Have Her Way
Try Whistling this Work Group, the
@Foo Fighters
Generator
There Is Nothing Left to Lose Rca Records (Modern)
Moyer
I Feel Bad
Some Things Go In Circles Newport Hill Records
**Rewinds, The
Alone in the Dark
The Rewinds Livewire Recordings
Spinanes
Valency
Strand Sub Pop Records
@Redd Kross
Girl God
Show World Mercury Records
New Pornographers, The
Challengers
Challengers Matador Records
**Rewinds, The
Ghostriders
The Rewinds Livewire Recordings
@Mars Volta, The
Eriatarka
De-Loused in the Comatorium Universal
**Rewinds, The
It's Not the End
The Rewinds Livewire Recordings
@Breeders, The
It's The Love
Mountain Battles 4AD
+Gay, The
Opulent Canine
You Know the Rules Mint Records
*Brian Lovely
JustaboutasIdon'tknowwhat- asIthinkyoucanget
Superimpose The Beat Parlor
Wiretree
Don't Need It
Bouldin Cobaltworks Music Division
+Dan Wilson
Against History
Free Life American Recordings
@Matt Pond PA
I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
Winter Songs Altitude Records
+Pernice Brothers, The
Somerville
Live a Little Ashmont Records
** Featured Album * Featured Track + Former Feature @ Request/Dedication
Palo Alto Pop Overthrow with Phil Andrews Tuesdays from 7-9AM PST/10-Noon EST KZSU Stanford, 90.1FM / http://kzsulive.stanford.edu/ Blog at http://www.palopop.org/
Brian Lovely is an extremely talented musician and songwriter who has toured with Adrian Belew, worked with Eddie Money, and wrote for the Blessid Union of Souls. Based out of Cincinnati, Brian has spent much of his time performing with his own band, Brian Lovely's Flying Underground, as well as having recorded and produced many other Cincinnati musicians via his recording studio and label, The Beat Parlor.
Lovely's album "Superimposed," released in 2002, was hands down my favorite pop album of that year. The standout track on this otherwise amazing album is the tumultuously-named "JustaboutasIdon'tknowwhatasIthinkyoucanget."
Not where I started, not where I want to be. Who put all this nothingness in front of me? On my way to somewhere out there guess I'm not there yet I'm justaboutasidon'tknowwhatasIthinkyoucanget.
The Rewinds are an indie pop/rock band from Birmingham, Alabama. They formed in early 2005 and recorded a demo under the name "All Tomorrow's Parties." Glenn Drennen played guitar, Chris Markham played bass, and Brooks Marks was on drums. In late 2005 they signed to Livewire Recordings, added singer and guitarist Michael Shackleford to the line up, and renamed themselves "The Rewinds." Their self-titled release was released in 2006. The band appears to have faded into oblivion some time after touring and working on a demo in 2007. Some tracks from that demo are available on their Myspace page.
Favorite tracks: 12. Alone In the Dark, 4. Ghostriders, 11. It's Not the End, 9. Melody, 5. Killing Me, 1. New Shade of Red, 3. Something Else
Here at the Palo Alto Pop Overthrow we love Jason Falkner's instrumental/lullaby album of Beatles music, entitled "Bedtime with the Beatles." We were all but giddy to know that Jason Falkner was working on a followup album to his 2001 release. Finally, the tracklist has been announced, and the album will go on sale from Adrenaline Records on June 17th.
Here's what was played on the Palo Alto Pop Overthrow for May 20, 2008:
Artist
Track
Album/Label
Jellyfish
The King Is Half Undressed
Bellybutton Charisma (Modern)
Malkmus, Stephen & The Jicks
Dragonfly Pie
Real Emotional Trash Matador Records
Brilliant Mistakes, the
Stupid Love Song
Dumb Luck Aunt Mimi's Records
Galactic Heroes, the
Neat Street
How About San Francisco? Magic Marker Records
Spectacular Fantastic, The
Limitless And Free
Consume Ionik Recordings
Breeders, The
It's The Love
Mountain Battles 4AD
Destroyer
Dark Leaves From A Thread
Trouble In Dreams Merge Records
Camera Obscura
If Looks Could Kill
If Looks Could Kill Thread Records
Pale, The
Wake-Up Call
Gravity Gets Things Done Sidecho Records
Apples In Stereo, The
On Your Own
Electronic Projects For Musicians Yep Roc Records
Bleu
I Won't Go Hollywood
Redhead Aware Records
Matthew Sweet
Thing
Son of Altered Beast +5 [Japan] BMG Music
Paper Airplane
Missing
Middlemarch Allhail Records
@Mott the Hoople
All the Way From Memphis
Greatest Hits Columbia Legacy
**Breakup Society, The
Nobody Likes a Winner
Nobody Likes a Winner Get Hip Recordings
+@Wiretree
Don't Need It
Bouldin Cobaltworks Music Division
+Gay, The
Opulent Canine
You Know The Rules Mint Records
**Breakup Society, The
By a Thread
Nobody Likes a Winner Get Hip Recordings
@Fountains Of Wayne
Maureen
Out-Of-State Plates Virgin Records America (Ny)
+Dan Wilson
Against History
Free Life American Recordings
*Pernice Brothers, The
Somerville
Live a Little Ashmont Records
Grays, the
Very Best Years
Ro Sham Bo Epic Records
+Belles, the
Never Said Anything
Omerta' Lakeshore Records
**Breakup Society, The
The Day Before the First Day of the Rest of My Life
Nobody Likes a Winner Get Hip Recordings
Flaming Lips, the
Fight Test
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Warner Brothers (Modern)
@Redd Kross
Jimmy's Fantasy
Phaseshifter Polygram Records (Modern)
+Gin Blossoms
Curious Thing
Major Lodge Victory Hybrid Recordings
** Featured Album * Featured Track + Former Feature @ Request/Dedication
Palo Alto Pop Overthrow with Phil Andrews Tuesdays from 7-9AM PST/10-Noon EST KZSU Stanford, 90.1FM / http://kzsulive.stanford.edu/ Blog at http://www.palopop.org/
You simply can't find a better baroque pop lyricist than Joe Pernice. Throughout his musical career, first in The Scud Mountain Boys, then in Chappaquiddick Skyline, and finally through his work with brother Bob as The Pernice Brothers, Joe has consistently penned some of the saddest, yet most poignant lyrics known to yours truly.
The song "Somerville," off of the 2006 Pernice Brothers album "Live a Little," takes listeners down through a backstory of bitterness and regret of a man who isn't happy with his current surroundings. "Give me back the rags, [and] the neurotic" he sings, about the thought of returning to Somerville, the little neighborhood of his lament.
The City of Somerville, Massachusetts--or "Scummerville Slummerville" as its residents affectionately refer to it--is the black sheep of the metro Boston area. Boston is, well, Boston, while Cambridge has the prestige afforded to the city of residence for both Harvard and MIT. Somerville has none of these aspects.
I'm gonna take a lover / gonna take her back to Somerville / don't care if she's pretty when we leave Suck City.
"Nobody Likes a Winner" is the second release from the Phoenix-based group The Breakup Society. The group, originally from Pittsburgh, is the direct work of lead singer and guitarist Ed Masley, whose unique vocals lend to the kind of punky power pop that the Breakup Society executes so well. Ed formerly led the band The Frampton Brothers, who broke up in the middle of the recording of Breakup's first album, leading to the comical name of the band.
The other members of The Breakup Society depending on the town in which the Society plays - the Pittsburgh-based crew consists of Greg Anderson on lead guitar, Dan MacIntyre on drums, and Andy McDuffie on bass. Now that Ed is based out of Phoenix, he has recruited Bob Hoag on drums, along with Scott Marceau on guitar and Jeff Owens on bass.
Speaking of Bob Hoag, who is a prolific drummer, formerly of The Ataris and Pollen, he recorded and produced this album in his own personal recording studio named Flying Blanket Studios, along with the aforementioned Pittsburgh-based version of the Breakup Society.
A few artists make cameos on "Nobody Likes a Winner." Ward Dotson of Pontiac Brothers, the Liquor Giants, and Gun Club on appears on harmonies, while Scott McCaughey of the Young Fresh Fellows contributes on keys, guitar, and vocals.
Favorite tracks: 1. Nobody Likes a Winner, 8. By a Thread (featuring lead vocals by Scott McCaughey of the Young Fresh Fellows,) 11. The Day Before the First Day of the Rest of My Life, 13. Forget the Past
Here's what was played on the Palo Alto Pop Overthrow for May 13, 2008:
Artist
Track
Album/Label
Digby
Minerva
Falling Up Label X
They Might Be Giants
Sleeping in the Flowers
John Henry Elektra Records (Local)
Spectacular Fantastic, The
Limitless And Free
Consume Ionik Recordings
Destroyer
Dark Leaves From A Thread
Trouble In Dreams Merge Records
Apples In Stereo, The
The Apples In Stereo Theme
Electronic Projects For Musicians Yep Roc Records
Splitsville
Why It Can't Be
Repeater Big Deal
Liz Phair
Everything to Me
Somebody's Miracle Capitol Records
Jayhawks, The
Smile
Smile American Recordings
Wiretree
Don't Need It
Bouldin Cobaltworks Music Division
Malkmus, Stephen & The Jicks
Dragonfly Pie
Real Emotional Trash Matador Records
Fountains of Wayne
Supercollider
Welcome Interstate Managers Virgin Records America
Breakup Society, The
The New Ronnie Spector
James at 35 Get Hip Recordings
Long Winters, The
Shapes
When I Pretend to Fall Barsuk Records
**Gin Blossoms
Curious Thing
Major Lodge Victory Hybrid Recordings
Spinning Jennies
Perfect Girl
Starstruck Cool Buzz Records
+Gay, The
Opulent Canine
You Know The Rules Mint Records
**Gin Blossoms
Someday Soon
Major Lodge Victory Hybrid Recordings
Superdrag
Lighting the Way
In the Valley of Dying Stars Arena Rock Recording Co.
Travis
Writing to Reach You
Man Who, the Epic Records
*Candy Butchers
You Belong to Me
Play With Your Head RPM Records/Sony
+Crowded House
Even a Child
Time on Earth ATO Records
Mayflies Usa, the
Walking in a Straight Line
Walking in a Straight Line Yep Roc Records
**Gin Blossoms
California Sun
Major Lodge Victory Hybrid Recordings
+Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, The
Aspidistra
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, The Bloodshot Records
Ben Folds Five
Best Imitation of Myself
Ben Folds Five Caroline/Blue Plate
+Dan Wilson
Against History
Free Life American Recordings
** Featured Album * Featured Track + Former Feature
Palo Alto Pop Overthrow with Phil Andrews Tuesdays from 7-9AM PST/10-Noon EST KZSU Stanford, 90.1FM / http://kzsulive.stanford.edu/ Blog at http://www.palopop.org/
"You Belong to Me Now" is a cute little number by power pop musician Mike Viola. It was released on his album "Play With Your Head" under the band name of the Candy Butchers. "You Belong" was mixed by award winning producer Bob Clearmountain, who is known for the "Clearmountain Pause."
Mike Viola is a part of the NYC pop scene and has worked with John Flansbergh's TMBG side project Mono Puff, and New Jersey's Fountains of Wayne. Fountains of Wayne singer Adam Schlesinger penned the song "That Thing You Do!" which Mike Viola performed for the movie of the same name. Mike has also collaborated with Boston/L.A. power pop artist Bleu for the Jeff Lynn/E.L.O. tribute band L.E.O.
The reunited Gin Blossoms Source: Hybrid Recordings
The commercial/radio revival of power pop in the United States was due in no small part to albums like 1991's "Girlfriend" by Matthew Sweet, and 1992's "New Miserable Experience" by the Gin Blossoms. With hits like "Hey Jealousy," "Allison Road," and "Till I Fall Away," the Gin dominated commercial radio all throughout the early nineties, while selling over four million records. Even their second major album, "Congratulations, I'm Sorry" in 1996 garnered them some attention, even as their commercial opportunities waned. ("Congratulations" only sold one million copies.)
As with many successful bands, the Gin Blossoms broke up just after the peak of their career, in late 1997. Members of the band went on to various other unsuccessful bands. Jesse Valenzuela, singer and guitar player for the Gin, went on to write songs and do session work for The Rembrandts and Stevie Nicks, among others.
In 2002, just a mere decade after the release of their biggest album, "New Miserable Experience," the Gin Blossoms reformed as a band and went straight back into touring on the road. The next few years allowed the members to grow together as a band, and in 2006 they went back into the studio to record a new album. No longer with A&M Records, the Gin Blossoms went the independent route and released on Hybrid Recordings, entitling today's featured album "Major Lodge Victory."
The Gin Blossoms' lineup includes original members Robin Wilson and Jesse Valenzuela, along with bassist Bill Leen, and guitarist Scotty Johnson.
Favorite tracks: _3_. Someday Soon, _9_. Curious Thing, _12_. California Sun, 1. Learning the Hard Way, 11. Fool for the Taking
Canada has had a string of good luck in the past decade with indie pop. Immediately bands like The New Pornographers, Destroyer, and Zumpano come to mind. It turns out that all of those bands have hailed from the musically incestuous indie music scene in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Here's one band from Vancouver you may not have heard of, but who deserve another closer look: they're called "The Gay." The members of The Gay have played in or with Maow, Neko Case and Her Boyfriends, Superconductor, and Vancouver Nights. By their credentials alone, this power pop indie supergroup should strike a chord or two that you're already quite familiar with.
This week's featured track is called "Opulent Canine", off of the album "You Know the Rules." The album, released in 2003 on Vancouver label Mint Records, is produced by drummer Kurt Dahle of the New Pornographers. Naturally there are comparisons to be made, but I'll save you from them. Just know that there are similarities -- the tasty, tasty similarities of highly sugary power pop.
Of all the things that can be said about musician and songwriter Dan Wilson, it can definitely be said that he has led an interesting life. Dan has been at the helm of two completely different, successful bands: Trip Shakespeare, which originated in Minneapolis in the early 80s, and Semisonic (unfortunately known to the public for their hit "Closing Time") which Minneapolis exported in the 90s.
Coming down from the success of Semisonic as a band (and their subsequent downfall, as eloquently described in their drummer Jake Slichter's book "So You Wanna Be a Rock Star"), Dan has gone on to work with numerous notable artists as a songwriter and musician. In 2002 Dan sang background vocals on Boston power pop musician Bleu's major label release "Redhead." He later worked with Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket, and also with Mandy Moore. More importantly, Dan has produced Mike Doughty's last two albums, which have faired quite well in college radio.
In 2006 Dan Wilson had the unique opportunity to work with the Dixie Chicks. He co-wrote many of the tunes on their album "Taking the Long Way," in which the band had a crisis of sorts due to fanbase and industry fallout in reaction to their comments about President George Bush. The track "Not Ready to Make Nice" earned Dan and the Dixie Chicks a Grammy Award, and in total the album earned Dan and the Chicks 5 Grammy Awards.
What does an musician, formerly of two famous bands, who has made a name for himself working as a collaborator, songwriter, and producer, do? Well, they go back into the studio and release a solo album, of course! Building on his connections and calling in some favors, Dan Wilson's 2007 release "Free Life" is peppered with artist appearances - Sheryl Crow, Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek, Bleu, Gary Louris of The Jayhawks, and so on.
One of my favorite tracks from the record is called "All Kinds." It was recorded in a rush, but the result is amazing. Dan Wilson talked about its genesis:
That track happened so fast, I didn’t know what hit me. One night, after a long day in the ballroom, I told the remaining three musicians that tomorrow first thing we’d record ‘All Kinds,’ and I sang them the song. Bleu, who’d played guitar that day, got a wild-eyed look and announced that we were going to record the song right now. It was late, but we ran back upstairs and put on our headphones. Ken Chastain, our percussionist, picked up a Fender bass. We did three takes of the song, everyone ran out to their cars and the day was done. I didn’t know that anything special had happened until the next morning when I listened back and discovered we’d nailed the perfect version.
While the album isn't power pop per se, its stellar cast of musicians (many of whom have written or performed very solid pop, pop/rock, or power pop) have executed an amazing record that you can listen to from beginning to end with ease.
Favorite tracks: _2_. Free Life, _9_. Against History, 1. All Kinds, 12. Hand on My Heart
