Powerpopulist

Ben Kweller - No Mean Feat

2012-02-01T20:12:00.011-06:00

From forthcoming LPGo Fly A KiteDue 7 Feb onThe Noise CompanyBen Kweller has one of the most affecting voices in rock, and if the samples at Amazon mp3 are any indication, we can't wait till next Tuesday for the full affect [sic].*Here's a fave from Sha Sha.Wasted And Ready by Ben Kweller on GroovesharkMySpace | Amazon | iTunes | eMusic*Not sure if it's apropos to sic a sic on ourselves, but, hey

Summer Twins Warm Our Winter

2012-01-26T02:02:00.016-06:00

Oh, but we do care, and very much, for this nifty number by Riverside siblings Chelsea and Justine Brown. The song is from their self-titled Burger Records debut, which you can stream here and purchase here. Six more free and legals are downloadable at Bandcamp. The Twins will be joining The Nerves' reunion tour this Spring, featuring powerpop legends Paul Collins and Peter Case. Thanks to

Music of the Sphere: Deleted WG, Ride, Yuck, Girls, GbV, Chad & J, Ghost W, M Crenshaw, FOW, Even, Doozies, Ketamines, Sinead O'C, et. al. . . .

2012-01-24T00:39:00.018-06:00

Butterface's li'l sister, ExcepterThere must always be a catalyst, right? (The correct answer = "Right.") In this case it's finding one of our latest eMusic purchases over at mp3hugger (see below). As previously noted, the hugger don't keep 'em posted for more than a few days, so go check out ". . .Funky Hairdo" now, and we do mean then. (You're probably already too late.) Thanks to all these

Cardinal's Red Letter Day

2012-01-23T23:21:00.009-06:00

Cardinal - Love Like Rain mp3from 23 January releaseHymnsonFire RecordsWe heard this excellent song streaming at a faveblog several weeks ago and had it slated for purchase on dropday, i.e., this one. Imagine, then, our pleasure at finding it nestled in our emailbox this very day, compliments of the ever-generous Team Clermont. Cardinal, viz., Richard Davies and Eric Matthews, put out their debut

The Plimsouls' Magic Touch

2012-01-11T20:29:00.006-06:00

Here's one from the primo L.A. poppers' forthcoming 16-song live album, Beach Town Confidential, due out on 7 February on Alive Records. We're especially enjoying the persistent guitar's happy hook diddling our left ear. You? Click that down arrow to download it. The Plimsouls - Magic Touch by Pavement PR

From When The Sun Hits Compilations: Famous & The Sunshine Factory

2012-01-10T22:12:00.008-06:00

The excellent shoegaze blog When The Sun Hits has released two compilations, both available for free downloading at Bandcamp. A third is due to drop tomorrow. Here are a couple of poppier items that caught our ears. Many thanks to Amber and Danny for making them available.WTSH teased us with a promise of more information about Famous, and we're confident we're gonna get it.&amp;amp;amp;

Holy Wave Makes the Cut

2012-01-07T13:09:00.010-06:00

We just came across this Austin (Texas) psychpop outfit over at NWMusicDX and really like what we're hearing. Do the widget thing and, if you like, left-click the Sonicbids mp3 link to download.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://holywave.bandcamp.com/track/golden-truth"&amp;

We'll Gladly Be La Sera's Third, Fourth, Fifth, Whatever

2012-01-06T20:12:00.014-06:00

La Sera - Please Be My Third Eye mp3from forthcoming sophomore LPSees The Lightdue 24 March onHardly Art RecordsHardly Art says the new album will be "more direct, more aggressive" than last year's, dreamier eponymous debut. Either way's fine with us. Speaking of the debut, we're still adoring this previously posted beauty.La Sera - Never Come Around mp3MySpace | Amazon mp3 | iTunes | eMusic

Ho Ho Hozac!

2011-12-26T18:25:00.013-06:00

According to our records, on 15 December of this year we found much fine tuneage over at Hozac Records. On this, the second day of xmas of this year, we finally post our five favorites. Please do not hate us for the delay, for 'tis the season of love and hypercapitalism.Reading Rainbow - Wasting Time mp3 - Hozac BandpageThe Flips - I Just Don't Know Where I Stand mp3 - Hozac BandpageLover! - No

Dead Parties Come Alive

2011-12-26T17:51:00.007-06:00

Many thanks to When The Sun Hits for the headsup on this dreamy Melbourne fivesome. Read WTSH's excellent interview with guitvoxer Etienne Mamo here.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://deadparties.bandcamp.com/track/in-dreams-of-decadence"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;In Dreams Of

Music of the Sphere: Resonars, Arlo, Left Banke, Pale Saints, J Coulton, Andrew W.K., Boys, FIDLAR, Bass Drum OD, Wax Idols, et. al. . . .

2011-12-16T23:51:00.019-06:00

"Right, that's it, time to post." Thus spake our tiny brain upon finding that excellent song by The Resonars at The Finest Kiss. We're also pretty excited about the other fine tuneage we found at some of our favorite blogs. Thanks, favebloggers, for making us feel that way.Arlo - Runaround - Peter's Power PopThe Boys - Do The Contract Hustle - Raven Sings the BluesReading Rainbow - Runaways - The

Sporting Life's SINGLES

2011-12-14T19:53:00.005-06:00

An excellent LP of singles by San Francisco's Sporting Life is available for "name your price" download at Bandcamp. Thanks to Get Off the Coast for the headsup and excellent song, "Immigrant." Here's our favorite from the album.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://sportinglifewins.bandcamp.com/track/its-not-money"&amp;amp;amp;amp;

Going Down Under for a Spot of xmas Cheer with The JAC

2011-12-06T23:28:00.017-06:00

From Perth, W.A. come three gifts of xmas cheer, one of which particularly rattles our (J&M) chain quite merrily. Joe Algeri of The Britannicas, Jack And The Beanstalk, The Rockefellers, Stonemasons, The Summer Suns, and pseudonymous The JAC, amongst others (and, yes, you, too, can read all this at his info page), was kind enough to send links to three new songs to the Audities list. You can

Guided by Voices: Fats & Doughnut

2011-12-02T01:13:00.009-06:00

Guided by Voices - The Unsinkable Fats Domino mp3from the forthcoming LPLet's Go Eat the Factorycoming on iTunes 20 Decemberand in stores on 17 JanuaryYes, we know, we should have posted the above weeks ago, you've already gripped it elsewhere, etc., etc., but we just got access to another downloadable (see below) by the classic GbV lineup and hope you'll forgive us. Click here to hear and

The Well Wishers' Dreamy New One Due Next Month

2011-12-02T00:21:00.009-06:00

We're delighted to hear from bandleader Jeff Shelton that San Francisco powerpoppers The Well Wishers will be releasing new LP Dreaming of the West Cost on January 24. The song below is downloadable at Bandcamp, where you can also stream the rest of the album. We've loved The Well Wishers for years now, and you can still download some songs we previously posted here and here. We don't usually do

The CRY! Make Us Smile

2011-11-23T15:04:00.010-06:00

In the name of Bash the Father, Bash the Son, and Bash the Holy Ghost, Amen.The CRY! - Girls mp3The CRY! - Forget It mp3The Who--->Sidewinders (aka Sand Rubies)--->House of Freaks--->The Chesterfield Kings--->The Ophelias--->The Soup Dragons--->The LeRoi Brothers--->The LeRoi Brothers) and checked to see if the songs had scrobbled. Well, not only had they scrobbled, but I

From the South Pacific Comes Grand Atlantic

2011-03-11T22:00:00.012-06:00

Grand Atlantic - Poison to the Vine mp3from Brisbane band's forthcoming LPConstellationsWe've loved this fabulous foursome for several years now and can't wait for their next album to come ashore. They themselves are already ashore Stateside, playing their first of many March gigs tonight at Reggie's Music Joint in Chicago. See the concert flyer below for upcoming tour dates. (Click to enlarge.)

Music of the Sphere: REM, B Fox, S Blue, O Sunshine, B Puppy, TP Emotion, F Convention, B Lips, A Manor, S Enz, Hollies, Ramones, Mascots, et. al.

2011-03-04T23:04:00.026-06:00

Weekends seem the ideal time to post a long list, especially considering up to what these great bloggers have been. Many thanks to them for hosting and posting the following. Click pretty much anything in colors below and away you shall be whisked.Seapony - I Really Do - 5 ActsFairport Convention - Tale in Hard Time - The Decibel TollsDavila 666 - Hanging On The Telephone (The Nerves cover) -

Remeet The Fantasies

2011-03-03T22:44:00.016-06:00

We recently sent you to The Decibel Tolls to grab this psychsurfspacepopperocker--Woah, we're speakin' German!--and today found it at Bandcamp, along with a couple more free and legals. We are invited to Meet The Fantasies, but actually finding information on "America's Phenomenal Pop Duo" is quite the challenge. Not to worry, though. Based on what we've put together from Bandcamp, elbo.ws, and

Jon Fratelli: Eh-Oh So Fine

2011-03-03T00:58:00.014-06:00

Jon Fratelli of Glasgow's The Fratellis snagged us immediately with great hooks and strategically placed "eh-oh eh-oh eh-oh's" in "Rhythm Doesn't Make You A Dancer." Fratelli has recently completed his still untitled solo LP, due out later this year. Thanks to Tasha Anorak at Anorak London for the headsup. You can download it by clicking below and you can find other Anorak London Soundclouded

Mrs. Magician Weave Spells

2011-03-02T23:37:00.009-06:00

These San Diegans have definitely cast a spell or three over us the last several weeks, and we're woozy with pleasure. There's maybe not enough of the aroma of petrol and old paint cans to call it "garage," so we're going with "garage apartment." Whatever, it's poppy and catchy and we love it (as previously suggested). You'll find more at Bandcamp.Facebook | Bandcamp | Loud & Clear Records |

David Myhr Makes Merry(-sounding) Single

2011-03-01T20:09:00.009-06:00

David Myhr of the late, great Stockholm band The Merrymakers today released the first single from his forthcoming LP Soundshine, due out later this year. Listen to "Got You Where He Wanted" via Bandcamp below and download if you like (no email required). We love it and can't wait to hear the rest of the album.David Myhr Website | The Merrymakers MySpaceThe Merrymakers Amazon mp3 | The Merrymakers

Capital Tuneage from Dot Dash

2011-03-01T00:00:00.016-06:00

Dot Dash - Color and the SoundDot Dash - Tragedy/DestinyDot Dash - Learn to FlyWashington, D. C.'s Dot Dash is made up of former members of Julie Ocean, Swervedriver, and Modest Proposal (among others), all of whom we've hugely enjoyed.*** It's therefore not shocking we love what we're hearing by this new incarnation. The band got in touch with us late last week and kindly granted permission to

Need More Girlfriends'? (Please note the apostrophe.)

2011-02-27T19:04:00.013-06:00

Picture partly chosen because of guy scratching head (dramatic)While flipping through the estimable Bradley's Almanac this afternoon, I came across Girlfriends, a Beantown band two songs of whose I'd previously recommended. But I also found and very much liked the following song and thought you might, too. If you like it, click "Download" and get it at Bandcamp (in exchange for an email address--

Peter Bjorn & John's New Pounder

2011-02-27T00:49:00.019-06:00

PP&J aren't whistling "Dixie"--or anything else--on this (relatively) hard-hitting little number. Take a listen and if you're inclined to add a fourth (or even fifth) thumb to the (bottom) picture, click "Download" to download. "Breaker Breaker" is off the beloved Stockholmers' forthcoming album, Gimme Some, due out in March.We'd also like to include a couple of previously posted numbers for your

The Sunshine Factory: Mobile Pop 'n Gaze

2011-02-25T01:01:00.017-06:00

We recently pointed you toward the excellent blog The Decibel Tolls for an excellent song by excellent Mobile, Alabama shoegazers The Sunshine Factory and then strolled off and bought some for our ownselves. While poking around last weekend at the excellent blog NW Shoegazing, we found an excellent interview with the band, plus directions to a wealth of Bandcamperie and other fulfilling items.

Magic from Only Son

2011-02-25T00:29:00.013-06:00

Only Son - Magic mp3from NYC auteur's sophomore LPSearchlighton MRIWhat can we say, the song lives up to its name. Thanks to Marni Wandner at Sneak Attack Media.MySpace | iTunes | Amazon mp3 | Bandcamp | eMusic

Instant Pleasure from The Measure (SA)

2011-02-19T17:32:00.017-06:00

The Measure (SA) - Revisionist mp3from New Brunswick, NJ band's 2008 12" EPSongs about People . . . And Fruit N' ShitonDon Giovanni RecordsWe are but a few moments into acquaintance with this band, so it is a measure of our instantly aroused affection that we rush this post into cyber. Don Giovanni certainly knows how to woo (duh), as you might recall our recently posting an excellent song by

Music of the Sphere: Pugwash, Ringo D, Moon T's, Smith W's, Monotonix, Mew, PP&J, TPOH, Guitaro, Primitives, Papercuts, Go! Team, Kinks, et. al.

2011-02-09T20:50:00.019-06:00

We love you, Ringo, oh, yes, we do. . .We've come across a nice combo of old and new the past week or two. Please thank, as we do, the fab bloggers who hostedposted these. (Click colored words below to go cavortin'.)Smith Westerns - Dye The World - 5 Acts - late-BeatlesquePeter Bjorn & John - Second Chance - AWmusicMew - The Zookeeper's Boy - mp3huggerPapercuts - Do You Really Wanna Know - Austin

Orders From. . .The District Attorneys

2011-02-09T00:15:00.018-06:00

The District Attorneys - Sweetheart All Reckless And Humble mp3from Atlanta band's self released EPOrders From. . .We were pleased to send "you" over to Rollo & Grady for this excellent song last summer and are excited to be able to post it, courtesy of Team Clermont, on the occasion of the EP's national release. Visit The D.A.'s' Team Clermont page for another free and legal and the sites below

More Philly Phun: The Asteroid #4

2011-02-08T10:57:00.016-06:00

The Asteroid #4 - Wicked Wire mp3The Asteroid #4 - Ignition Slated For Eight mp3from Philadelphia psychonauts' 6th LPHail To The Clear FigurinesReleased TODAY viaThe Committee to Keep Music EvilIgnition was/may have been/will be at 8, but we have been/are/will be tripping with these glorious Psychadelphians many a time, past, present, and future. Thanks to Team Clermont for headsups, permishes,

Philly Phun with Dangerous Ponies

2011-02-04T14:06:00.021-06:00

EP | DP | LPDangerous Ponies - I Only Wear My Favorite Clothes At Home mp3from Philadelphia septet's phorthcoming debutDangerous Poniesdue 22 March onPunk Rock PayrollThese young stallions and phillies don't appear all that dangerous, but perhaps something more threatening lurks beneath the habiliments/saddles/blankets. Anyway, we can't wait to hear the rest of their debut LP. We went over to

Make Off (or Make Out, or both) with Make Out

2011-02-04T13:37:00.006-06:00

Make Out - I Don't Want Anybody That Wants Me mp3This song by former Junior Senior member Jesper Mortensen's new New York band echoes a sentiment Marx and I can certainly agree with. That's he (Jesper, that is) on guitar and backup vocals, New York native Leah Hennessey on lead vocals, Anders Christiansen on bass, and Olivia Alminiana on skins. The songs are from their debut EP, How To, due out

Locksley On Wisconsin!

2011-02-01T11:25:00.006-06:00

Badger State powerpoppers Locksley have offered up a nifty number called "Oh, Wisconsin!" at their Bandcamp site. You can download it for free or by donating to Wisconsin-based charities. Thanks to Chris Vinyard at Big Hassle Media for the headsup. (They offer more information here.) And here's the song, in case you want to check it out first.

Music of the Sphere: Smithereens, New P's, 78 Saab, Soul Asylum, An Horse, MGMT, Shins, Bears, JEFF, Dexy's, Tame Impala, et. al.

2011-01-29T21:30:00.019-06:00

We thank these bloggers most sincerely for making the following available.The Smithereens - Behind the Wall of Sleep - Star Maker MachineThe New Pornographers - Letter from an Occupant - Music for Kids Who Can't Read Good78 Saab - Karma Package Deal - Peter's Power PopSoul Asylum - Runaway Train - The Vinyl VillainAn Horse - Trains and Tracks - Austin Town HallBears - How To Live - Rollo &

eMusic pppurcha$e$ - Late December 2010: Whole Lotta Luscious Lala

2011-01-29T13:12:00.006-06:00

We found beaucoup bon boomboom at eMusic last month and even had to buy a Bonus Pack to accomodate our near-insatiable desires of the Euterpetic kind. (If you're not following all of that, don't worry, neither are we.) Click here to check out all 117 powerpop, indiepop, shoegaze, psych, and garage ditties. Highlights include the 2007 debut by Dutch poppers The Madd, brilliant songs by Sheffield's

Music of the Sphere: Sweet Bulbs, Swervedriver, Built to Spill, Jameses, Parting Gifts, Whirl, Peter & Gordon, TPoBPaH, P Kelly, I McCulloch, et. al.

2011-01-12T22:26:00.022-06:00

We love Sweet Bulbs' name. . .and music.Many thanks to the gracious bloggers for making these earable. Click below to go to their blogs.The Parting Gifts - Keep Walkin' - Austin Town HallThe Jameses - Caribou - Raven Sings the BluesDeerhoof - Hitch Hike (LiLiPUT cover) - You Ain't No PicassoThe Drums - Let's Go Surfing (Knight School Version) - RCRD LBLSweet Bulbs - Down On My Life - RCRD

Big Ayes to Big Eyes

2011-01-07T10:20:00.008-06:00

Long live redundancy, restatement, and repetition.Big Eyes - Why Can't I? mp3from Brooklyn band's 18 January 7"Why Can't I?onDon Giovanni RecordsNo reason not to give multiple big ayes to Big Eyes. Praise, too.MySpace | Don Giovanni Records

Telekinesis: Car Crash

2010-12-27T16:58:00.010-06:00

We're only countin' 8, but math ain't our forte. Hep us, MBL!Telekinesis - Car Crash mp3from forthcoming 15 February release12 Desperate Straight LinesonMerge RecordsMaybe you've noticed (total absolution if not) we've been nicely moved by Seattle band, Telekinesis. We've posted some and bought more, enjoying each and every musical moment we spend together. We wouldn't yet call ourselves

La Sera: Basketful of Beauty

2010-12-27T16:04:00.014-06:00

La Sera - Never Come Around mp3from forthcoming LPLa SeraonHardly ArtThis gorgeous song by Vivian Girls bassist/singer Katy Goodman's new band, La Sera, has us eagerly anticipating their debut album, which is supposed to come around in February. The single, backed with "Behind Your Eyes," is available at sites below.MySpace | Hardly Art Artist Page | iTunes | Amazon mp3

The White Wires Connect

2010-12-11T19:41:00.012-06:00

Old friends and new: WWs, SB, T&EThe White Wires - Be True To Your School ('Til You Get Kicked Out) mp3from their 30 November releaseW W I IonDirtnap RecordsWe unconditionally share these Ottawans' sense of conditional loyalty. We're also loving their music. ABSO LUTELY.MySpace | Amazon mp3 | eMusic

Music of the Sphere: Ultra Vivid Scene, Mojave 3, Cloud Nothings, Vines, Ceremony, Someloves, TV Girl, Wheels, MBV, BKs, Fantasies, et. al. . . .

2010-12-05T00:35:00.030-06:00

Bloody good!Yes, we know we should post more mp3s, but perhaps you won't mind taking one extra step for each of the following. We didn't, but that's just we. Thanks, hosts!Ultra Vivid Scene - Staring At The Sun - Ecstasy in Slow MotionCeremony - Marianne - SKATTERBRAIN - We agree: this is one of our favorite LPs of the year.TV Girl - On Land - Swedesplease - Scroll down to United States,

Bongo Beat's IPO Toronto Sampler

2010-11-18T01:35:00.010-06:00

In anticipation of this week's Toronto edition of the International Pop Overthrow Festival, Bongo Beat Records is offering an excellent four-song sampler as a free download here for the next fourteen days. The sampler includes one song each by Bongo Beat artists Dave Rave, Kevin Kane, Plunt, and Ralph, all of whom will be performing this Friday at The Rivoli in Toronto. Nab the complete Toronto

Hail and Farewell, Not Lame

2010-11-18T00:35:00.010-06:00

I share the sadness of fellow and sister powerpoppers at the news that powerpop giant Bruce Brodeen is closing the doors of his online store and label, Not Lame, on November 24. I've gotten a lot of great music at Not Lame the last few years and am genuinely inspired by the joy, passion, and personal touches Bruce has brought to my enjoyment of music. So I also join poppers world-wide in thanking