I reviewed The Breakups a few years ago when they had an EP, so now these guys have a new album and are definitely ready for the major leagues. Opening with “I’m Thinking of a Number,” it’s a slow grower with smart harmonies in the chorus, it builds its strummy melody similar to The Honeydogs. And it gets better from there, “Run From Rock n’ Roll” is a brilliant gem with a synth hook that would make Ken Stringfellow proud. Then “Better Off Alone” increases the tempo, synth rhythms and the handclaps are infectious.

The ballad “I Don’t Want To Know” is a weary but beautiful song about “ignorance is bliss… I’ll try to savor it while it lasts” accentuated by horns. The horns continue to emphasis the Beatlesque “Shelf life of Butterflies,” and its another winner. Each tune is highly melodic and although it takes a darker turn toward the albums end with more conventional alt. pop compositions (“Amelia”) it manages to hold your attention throughout. Officially releases on Feb.14 (Valentine’s Day) a perfect occasion for The Breakups.

Written over a two month period, Jet Electro is the musical autobiography of a guitarist superhero. The opener “I’ll Never Find Another Girl Like You,” is certainly a catchy slice of rock and roll, and Craig Daniels lead vocal reminds me of Sammy Hagar if he played in the Rubinoos here. We get the Memphis soul of “Buckle Up” and then “For Sale By Owner” describes selling his boyhood home with a background chorus of “Buy it, Buy it.” A Big Star vibe is present in the ballads “I Don’t Know How” and “Fingerprint.”

Next we get some wonderful Gretsch bass and horns for the gem “Walter Cronkite” as the band celebrates the man who gives us “unity and truth.” Some wonderful Beach Boys styled harmonies open up “This Baby Of Mine,” a sweet tune about a man’s love for a 1965 Cadillac. The lone quirky misstep, “100 Girls” is like a great Allan Sherman tune – but it belongs on a comedy LP, not here. Overall a loose, fun pop album with some inspiring guitar riffs and memorable stories sure to put a smile on your face.

With his sixth release Jeff Shelton has fallen into a great groove that makes him so prolific, I would call him the power pop version of Robert Pollard (GBV). Driven by tight, punchy rhythms from drummer Nick Laquintano (Spinning Jennies) the Well Wishers hit the ground running on “Escape The Light” with its mix of REM jangle and Posies styled vocal phrasing. “Allison” has a great fuzzy riff similar to Bob Mould’s Sugar and the piano led “Nothing Ever Changes” is another standout with a great hooks.

The impressive thing here is that Shelton’s sound has more variety than any previous release, and as always no filler to be found. He gets positively inspirational on “Free? No,” the heavy reverb on “Have Some More Tea” keeps things moving, and he gets downright punk on “All I Got.” A great start to the new year and our first nominee for the Top Ten of 2012!

Hannah Cranna “A Real Nice Parade”
With some help from Badfinger alum Joey Molland, Hannah Cranna does a “re-boot” of its 1997 debut from defunct power pop label Big Deal Records. We get an impressive start with “Hello,” a catchy tune in the best Badfinger tradition. This take us to a rootsy “Are You Going Home, Polly?” and some nice harmonizing on “Paul McCartney and Wings,” although the band mentioned in the title has absolutely nothing to do with the song. After a solid first half,  the album relies on re-mastered or re-recoreded tracks from the debut, and while pleasant enough there is nothing here that really sticks, until we get the slow compelling jam “Heroine on Ohio” and this tempo leads nicely into a live cover of Badfinger’s “Money/Flying” with Joey leading the band. Hannah Cranna would do much better if they leaned less on him, and did more to distinguish their sound, but for Badfinger completists this will be essential.

Kensington “Borders”
I saw this on a “best-of” list and gave it a spin. This is a Dutch band with a melodic-rock meets new wave dance sound. “Let Go” opens up with fast dance beats and it’s chorus does grow on you after a few listens. There are plenty of angular riffs and handclaps in “Youth” that qualifies it as power pop (barely). They’ve shared the stage with bands like Razorlight, The Wombats and My Chemical Romance and the duel vocals of Caspar Starreveld and Eloi Youssef mesh quite nicely. “All That I Know” has some wonderful harmonies and then switches to a manic tempo with shotgun riffs. This falls squarely in the alternative pop category, with classical overtones in the songwriting so fans of Sparks and Roxy Music may like it too. Other tracks that impressed me are “Not As Bright” and “Friendly Fire.” Definitely worth exploring.

Wanna see George Harrison’s private guitar collection in detail? A new ipad app will make that possible. For the first time, with the help of unique 360° imaging by photographer Steven Sebring, fans can see the scratches, dings, and worn threads on the guitars as if they were themselves holding the instruments.

Fans will be able to examine Harrison’s private guitar collection, through personal audio recordings from Harrison himself as he introduces many of the guitars and plays sections of songs.

The Guitar Collection: George Harrison iPad app will be released through iTunes on February 23, two days before Harrison’s birthdate.

Johnny Stanec “Narrow Is This Ghost Town”
Former frontman for First In Space,  Stanec’s solo debut has a variety of styles on display from guitar pop to alt. country. The echoing jangle of “Goodnight My Love” opens the album a little like a U2 anthem. “Let Me Know The Enemy” is a much better song with a strong vocal performance and memorable guitar-led chorus.The next few songs start to drag a bit, although “I’m Not Young Anymore” is moving mid-tempo ballad that reeks of bitterness. Thankfully there are a few gems here as “Sunny Days Are Nothing New” and “Going Tonight” – both are terrific singles. The album finishes strong enough, but it’s a little uneven in spots. However, this is a great showcase for Johnny’s vocal moods and songwriting.

Dirtywings “Off The Earth”
Australian band anchored by Bec Wolfers falls somewhere between Liz Phair and Christina Aguilera. “Gingerbread” and “Superglue Myself”  are comfortable slices of ear candy and Paul Patterson (lead guitar) knows his way around a riff or two. Lyrically they pull no punches and go from morbid musings (“When My Body Dies”) to weird love songs (“I’m Your Jesus”). Unfortunately it’s tough to sustain interest pass the album’s second half, although the best written song here “Big Brother’s Watching” really taps into the problem of today’s mindless PC censorship. I would hope the band grows stylistically and keeps their warped POV intact on the next album.

Sometimes it makes sense for a power pop artist to test out a different sound. That’s exactly what Justin Kline is doing with this new band Origami Hologram.  Using a noise pop template Justin is joined by Dan Wax (Bass, background vocals) and Jamie Mclane (Drums) recording it all in his home studio in Murfreesboro, TN. “Bats In The Attic” uses textures like Robert Pollard, with amp hum and feedback as part of each song (mostly as a backing layer) and extra fuzzy guitars. Justin’s earnest vocals and harmonies still work each on composition, the standout being “Ghost Horse”. It’s all pretty good and best of all it a FREE Download. Enjoy!

This came out very late in December, but it merits recognition as my favorite new EP so far this year. Named after a great Monty Python sketch, this German pop band  has put together an all-star cast of guest musicians on this short, but impressive Beatlesque release (you get the hint from the “Let It Be” styled cover).

The first song “Beautiful Sunchild” features the talented Rick Hromadka (Maple Mars) and it’s swirling chorus is comparable to The Wondermints at the height of their powers. Next Netherlands artist William Oudijk leads us through the “Port of Amsterdam” with a lush orchestration that brings to mind ELO with acapella harmonies between choruses. Next Luke Jackson is leading “Ain’t A Good Solution” with both a fast paced tempo and terrific guitar solo work.  Then Roger Klug gives us “Long Long Way” with a reference to a “long and winding road”  along it’s piano melody. Each song is excellent – and this collection of singles will find its way to a spot on your permanent playlist. My only wish is Movement Two isn’t far behind. Bravo!

For pop icon Dwight Twilley, Soundtrack is an autobiography, not unlike Ringo Starr’s reminiscing on Liverpool 8. It opens with “You Close Your Eyes,” which closely resembles those early hits that mirrored Tom Petty’s work with layered rhythm guitars and ascending bass lines.The album standout “Bus Ticket” has more lyrical muscle with honky-tonk memories and a kick ass guitar solo. The morose themes of “My Life,” “Skeleton Man” and “The Cards Will Fall” drive home the message that “Life is a short journey so you better get it right.” But overall the look back is affectionate and grateful on the title track and “The Lonely One.”

The album is also a tribute to his former partners Phil Seymour (on “Good Things Come Hard,”) and long time lead guitarist Bill Pitcock IV (on “The Last Time Around”). Twilley fans will hear echos of Sincerely in spots and although not as immediate as The Green Blimp, it still packs plenty of punch.

Dark Ocean Colors “Dark Ocean Colors”
The duo of Scott Hunt and Mark Mikel have worked on many projects together (including The Pillbugs and The Sprags) to create a rich tapestry of psychedelic textures and looping melodies using numerous instruments (guitars, Mellotrons, violins, etc.) and old analog gear to give it an authentic vintage sound. “My Barbara Closed The Doors” gets started right where the Pillbugs left off and it sounds great. “Crashing The Sky” sports a marching beat to the swirling guitars and vocal harmonies. Fans of progressive rock will also love this, as it’s a got a strong instrumentation on “The Other Line” and sunshine pop fans will swoon over “Lazy Lighthouse Jupiter Band” and the baroque “Same Old Mistake.”

This is an album is a real grower for audiophiles that reveals gorgeous musical tidbits with each listen. It did appear on a few “best of” lists for last year for that reason — as even weaker tracks, like “She’s  A Cornucopia” are performed so beautifully, despite the lack of a hook. Best comparison I have is The Olivia Tremor Control’s Dusk At Cubist Castle but with better harmonies. Just listen to the vocals on “Dream Away” and try not to be impressed. This is one great headphones album.

Listen to “My Barbara Closed The Doors”

Jenny O. “Home” EP
Jenny O. reminds me a bit of Anya Marina mixed with Janis Ian, it’s got hints of folk, blues and a very sparse production. Honestly the bass hook and brazen lyrics on “Well OK Honey” just drew me in here and its cool beyond words. “All My Wishes” is a great showcase for Jenny’s melodic vocal and the gentle folk acoustic guitar and steady beat makes “Won’t Let You Leave” another winner.

Another solid melody is on the old piano ballad “I Do I Do” where it builds with double tracked harmonies and tambourines to a complex weave of melodies that would make Brian Wilson proud. I can’t wait till the full length – this EP is highly recommended for sure – also check out the video.

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