The debut EP from The Shang Hi Los was a little rough around the edges, but at its heart, it had some great songs. The musical marriage between guitarist Danny Kopko (Watts) and Jen D’Angora (Downbeat 5) seemed to be a perfect one, and their mix of garage rock and retro pop suggested great things ahead. A couple of years on, this full length album is bigger sounding, more slickly arranged and better produced, creating the kind of record that’s almost everything fans could’ve hoped for. By tackling various different styles throughout, it sometimes has a restless spirit, but some strong vocals – aplied brilliantly throughout – ensure the material hangs together well as a showcase for the Boston band’s talents.
Tag Archives: power pop
Listen: Justine And The Unclean share new single ‘The Chasm’
It’s been two years since the world last heard new music from Justine And The Unclean. Their last single, ‘Scorpion Bowl To Go’, released at the beginning of 2021, delivered some high energy power pop with a big lyrical hook, but their long overdue return outshines that previous effort.
RANSOM AND THE SUBSET – Perfect Crimes
Ransom And The Subset’s debut album ‘No Time To Lose’ celebrated a wide spectrum of pop/rock influences, and with the help of power pop heroes Ducky Carlisle and Brian E. King, vocalist/multi-instrumentalist RanDair Porter created the kind of debut that felt timeless in its own way. The release didn’t really connect with a massive audience, but was well received by those who actually heard it, setting strong foundations in place for a timely follow up.
THE JACKLIGHTS – Womanchild / Underachiever
In terms of releasing their debut EP, the timing couldn’t have been any more unfortunate for The Jacklights. The Covid pandemic meant that they couldn’t put in the promotional hard yards in front of a home crowd; instead they were forced to rely on word of mouth and strong online press support to get things rolling. However, those who found the band around that time seemed very supportive, and with good reason. Although a few of the vocals were a little loose, the release showcased a solid band whose stock sounds – falling between classic, US-centric college rock and 90s punk – really delivered in terms of chunky melodies.
THE DOLLYROTS – Hey Girl / I Touch Myself
Over the years, The Dollyrots have carved out a fine sound blending power pop melodies with pop punk-ish riffs. Their albums are home to some really sugary tunes, but thanks to some taut bass work and a constant nod back to the 90s and bands like Other Star People and The Muffs, their guitar driven pop/rock has never felt completely saccharine.