| Good Music For Good People |
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April Update
| AWESOME NEW POP! |
POWER POPPIN' GOODNESS! |
MELODIC SWEETNESS! |
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PETER & THE PENGUINS
SWEDISH IMPORT - a stunner for fans of The Spongetones and other newer bands that have
arrived in the last few years happily digging up the Mersey sounds of
early Beatles like The Fore and The Offbeat.!!
"They usher in the new beat(le-esque) era, and are the
latest, fab stewards
of the good ship Beatle-esque to steer the ears of melodic pop fans and
denizens of the beat music era to a rousing chorus of yeah, yeah,
yeahs.There`s no doubt about it: Peter and the Penguins is the
Beatle-esque
`it` band of the moment. If Beatle-esque and beat pop are your game,
then you`re in for a great time, and you can`t beat that!" - Alan
Haber, Buhdge.com
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DAVID GRAHAME
*** MORE BIG, BIG NEWS! Another bonafide power pop classic -
no question. 40 copies arrived the other day and only a few are
left - DO NOT WAIT! ***
If you have noticed, in the last few months, I have made
available some
of long out of print titles from David Grahame. Yes, for a short
time.The latest one to be unearthed is "DT & The Disagreeables".
It`s hook after hook after hook. Usually such
albums leave the passionate pop fan breathless at the end. But as with
his body of work, the feeling here is "ready for me, bring it on". Such
is the light, easy and transcendent joy of albums such as "DT And The
Disagreeables".
Top 5 of 2004! The mercurial Mr. Grahame
strikes again, doling out a bunch of sweet pop tunes that are impossible to shake."-John Borack, Amplifier.
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COMES WITH BONUS 15 song CD-R 'best of' compilation called "The Not Lame Years"!! LIMITED!!
The latest evolutionary step for Carpenter is "Redepmption
#39", for me his most consistent, most accomplished project yet.The
album showcases an uncompromising, stylised sonic palette that reflects
the album`s starker themes and content.
While it has the familiar colours of powerpop and alt.country his fans
have come to expect from his solo output, this material comes from a
more distinct creative place.
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SKINNY TIE ALERT!! Japanese Only CD!
The Pleasers were all about the Merseybeat side of that new strain of
Beatles inspired power pop that was evolving at the time. They were a
bit too worshipful of those sounds(and looks - they all dressed in
matching suits and skinny ties ala The Knack) to make a dent on the
upheaval of the music scene of the time but just listen to the samples
below and you will find that this is a band that is great find for many
Not Lamers. This CD has 24 tracks total. 12 from their released EPs of
the time and 12 bonus.
Extremely Highly Recommended!
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TONY COX
A FIND!!! Yeah, this what pop fans are always looking for - that
unknown, undiscovered treasure and Tony Cox IS. "Unpublished" is an
album of gorgeously executed, perfect pop songs will leave you
breathless - as good as anything else you will hear all year.
"10 out of 10. This Tony`s first release and consists of 11
self-penned, perfectly crafted pop songs.If you love melodies that
float around your head for days you will love this album. Tony`s songs
are effortlessly structured in a classic pop style." - CD Universe
"It is refreshing to be able to listen to an album made in 2009 that
marries itself so lovingly with 60`s Power Pop. Tony Cox will find his
place in the Power Pop spotlight." - Modern Power Pop blog
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THE LEFTOVERS
The Leftovers have moved into my Top 10 for 2009 so far!
"pure pop perfection - add a
strong punk influence, ala the Ramones, salt in a bit of Elvis Costello
and pepper with The Beatles and you are feasting on the tasty treat we
know as "The Leftovers"."-Smart Punk.
Filled with ultra-catchy power pop gems, "Eager to Please" successfully
combines the classic 60`s sounds of The Beatles, Beach Boys and Phil
Spector and the 70`s Power Pop of Elvis Costello, The Romantics and the
Rubinoos, while keeping the upbeat energy of the Ramones and The Queers.
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For Fans of Mike Viola, early Ben Folds, Jon Brion, Michael Penn and ELO.
It is just outstanding piano driven pure pop with some great
arrangements. Thick with sharp percussive rhythms, tinkling piano,
great arrangements and, of course, hooks and unforgettable grit. Holmes
is brimming with influences from 70s era American rock and The Beatles
but is produced with an ear for multiple genres and personal touches.
"Mixing in pop influences as varied as Ben Folds, Jeff Lynne/ELO,
Jellyfish, The Beatles, and maybe even a dash of Beck, he still manages
to create an organic enough pop sound." - AbsolutePowerPop blog
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2 CD set, VERY Limited Copies and a big return from a Not Lame fave!
This 2 CD set is a brilliant recording of jangle, psychedelia and
colorful melodies. The album is about as ambitious as a pop album can
get. "Everything that great rock and roll was meant to be: euphoric,
pained, sweet, dark, dangerous, passionate, surprising and wholly
addictive. 4 1/2 stars." - Ottaway Citizen
"Close breathy harmonies, dreamy pop collages and intelligent
wordplay
deceptively beautiful psychedelia and the smart, sardonic asides. This
record is a compelling journey through heartbreak."- Rough Trade
"Clever but heartfelt lyrics and gorgeous pop melodies" Top 10 albums
of 2008 - Montreal Mirror.
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THE FAVORITES
An album stuffed to the brim with head-bopping pop hooks. It`s an album
suited for throwing the top down on your convertible and driving to the
beach, the perfect record to toss on the iPod for a party.
"One of the brightest discs of 2008! They remind me
quite a bit of The Meadows (more their first album that
the new one), The Gin Blossoms, The Rembrandts, and to some extent a
less smart-assed Fountains of Wayne or an Americanized The Feeling.
This is one of those discs that will jump right out of the speakers at
you, and one I can see slotting into my Top 20 or better come year`s
end." - Absolute Power Pop blog.
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The Shadow Kabinet RETURN! Working out a carefully crafted
gem that channels `66-era George Harrison, Andy Partridge and Martin
Newell and more.
You`ll find deposits of Syd Barrett Floyd, The Move and Skip
Bifferty slipping in and out of focus, too. "Deserves to take his place
among the distinguished company of several
English `60s-inspired psych-pop troubadours. If you are so inclined you
can detect in his music traces of Bowie, Syd, Donovan, Ray Davies,
Robyn Hitchcock, XTC, Martin Newell and a score of lesser lights, but
such influence-spotting is to miss the point." - Shindig!
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YOUR GRACIOUS HOST
2 CD-R's in this collection. The self-professed `low-fi` tunes on Disc 1 most remind me of early
Shoes and The Deal, who many Not Lamers will recall as being on the
great, unknown power pop bands from the early/mid 80s. There are 21
songs over the 2 discs here and most them are going to the style of
power pop fans of the Not Lame persuasion love discovering
This is a rocking manifesto filled with sweet vocal harmonies, chiming
guitars, and stick-in your-head melodies set to compelling, often
confessional lyrical landscapes.
"If you fetishize the pop (and I mean the power kind) you may not be
able to handle the pop-gasm of auto-erotic asphyxiation level you will
get from this masterpiece" - Rocktober.
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THE MONTGOMERYS
The Mongtomerys name will be familiar as they released a few CDs in the
late 90s and early part of this decade that captivated many of us.
This
effort has a very strong influence from XTC but he sound now has
evolved into different territories here, expanding with
more exploratory and expansive, challenging song arrangements and
flirting with a strong Ray Davies pivoting point. Inspired by the traditional songwriting style of bands like The Kinks
and The Beatles, The Montgomerys blend rock and roll calassicism with a
modern edge. Genuine passion, pop sensibility, and honest lyricism are
some of their greatest virtues.
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An extremely stong, out of nowhere debut from this Washington DC power
pop band who have been working together for a very long time.
"Reminiscent at times of other multi-fronted power pop groups
(Fastball, Sloan) as well as Willie Wisely and Fountains of Wayne, the
result is a left-field surprise that deserves attention in the power
pop community.there are plenty of standouts... this one touches all the power pop bases!" - Absolute Power Pop blog.
VERY, VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and a band that is going to be around for
some time bringing pleasure to music fans like you and me
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SECRET POP BAND
"Pardon The Solar Interruption"
Order Today -- $11.00
Here`s a surprise from an old Not Lame friend. Ape House was a very
solid power pop band that released a few strong albums in the early
part this decade and then went dark. Their leader, J. Frote has
returned with his new project.
"Secret Pop Band belt out one catchy number after another. "Your New England Winter",
the breezy "Solar Interruption", and the Kinksian "Week Old Beer" are
the highlights, but close behind is the rocking "Sunday`s Hard Rock
Falls" and the amusingly titled "Rachel Harmony"." -Absolute Power Pop
blog.
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2 CDs - one is his most recent album "Record"and the second one is
2008s "Here We Go" - Norwegian Only import.
Hopefully, the name will
sound familiar to many of you as Jelle Paulusma was the lead singer and
guitarist in Darryl-Ann, a Norwegian band that had serious pop bands
excited and filled with energy with what the emerging pop scene could
deliver in the late 90s and early 00s.
"For those who lament the loss of Darryl-Ann, this does not disappoint.
It contains the same kind of mesmerising guitar figures and off-kilter
arrangements you expect from his old band!" " - Bucketful Of Brains.
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THE SELDON PLAN
Their 3rd CD & their best. Easy to call on this one, such is the immediate flair this
material settles into reminding me of more pop-oriented The Black Watch
and more direct Camera Obscura.
"They have created a highly consistent,
soaring piece of indie pop. Each song features lush arrangements,
well-crafted harmonies, and intelligent lyrics. The vocals are gentle
and soothing with richly textured music to match. This record goes down
nice and smooth, with no bitter aftertaste. There are a host of
creative extras peppered into the songs, such as a bits of trumpet and
cello, some well placed hand claps or la-las, all of which keep things
fresh and surprising." - Bills Music Forum.
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THE STARS EXPLODE
"Doug Edmunds Presents..."
Order Today -- $10.00
SOLO PROJECT FROM THE GLADHANDS MEMBER!
ONLY 13 COPIES OF THIS!! It is out of print! Extremely Limited!
Taking a Todd Rundgren/Jon Brion DIY approach, Edmunds tracked the
record almost entirely alone at home, layering one part after another,
while staying true to the limitations of his 8-track analog format.
"There are also many layers within each song, but they blend together to
form a finely tuned whole that comes across as interesting rather than
just noisy. There is something new to discover about the album upon
each listen." - The Daily Tarheel.
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BRIAN JAY CLINE
A return from a long time Not Lame favorite from the late 90s and early
00s. Brian Jay Cline returns after taking a 5 year break from recording
and, as has been his tendency in the past, exploring new vistas and
challenges.
"Nashville Tracks" is a calling card of an veteran.
Cline pumps out a straightforward, guitar-driven brand of
modern day
country rock with upbeat melodies that carry "everyman" wisdom. Cline
is one of those artists who continues to a large body of work
that is taken for granted, overlooked and ignored - make it NOT so with
his reemergence and renewed vigor to share his talents.
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THE STEEPWATER BAND
As child growing up in the 70s, I was weened on the basics and
foundation of big ass rock and roll - old style, great style, never go
out of style rawk. Enter: The Steepwater Band.
"If your favorite Black Crowes album is a compilationyou mae yourself,
without ever wanting to go back to the fillers, this one is perfect for
you. There is riff laden Faces-like swagger a plenty, with standouts
all over. ..I would say this the one ROCK album you should invest in
this year!" Shindig! Magazine.
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CARTOGRAPHER
A 7 song mini-CD from San Francisco artist Scott Gagner, whose band is
called Cartographer and who create an immediately engaging sound right
off the back with lead off track The Trouble With You. The 7 songs here play effortlessly and in coherence with each other
with grace and style and hint at great things to come with future
efforts.
"Cartographer is a fine example of good songwriting in the
classic style of REM or Wilco, with a rich melodic sound." - Power Pop
Aholic blog.
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E. JOSEPH & THE PHANTOM BAND
A backward glance to a sounds of 80s The Church, Psychedelic Furs and
Echo And The Bunnymen while pushing forward into the 00s. Usually, it
is U.K. based bands that explore these sounds and bringing a U.S. angle
to these influences, E. Joseph and The Phantom Heart bring a freshness
and original flair to their influences. "Supremely melodic tunes in the
vein of The Church and occasionally Echo and the Bunnymen - Don`t miss this! " - Dagger Zine
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An original dose of many musical styles and influences, wrapped inside a
humor-filled package that make is a truly beguiling and irresistibly,
captivating release. It`s hard to pin down general references as each
song has a different launching pad but you`ll hear such oddities as
Captain Beefheart/Zappa playing with CCR and The Neville Brothers on
the same night. Others remind me of Adrian Belew, as well as Barenaked
Ladies, Camper Van Beethoven and The Flaming Lips. Like we hinted
at....eclectic, but oh so very cool!
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BRIAN CHARLES
SPECIAL LIMITED PRICE.
Japanese only now, which includes bonus trax,
not on the long out of print US version. An outstanding debut and
filled with Myracle Brah/Matthew Sweet/Gin
Blossom-ish styled choruses and hooks and a bunch of songs that sound
like they belong on radio through-out the Western world. Some moodier,
slower parts (and quirkier lyrical twists) remind me of Not Lame artist
Frank Bango, not an easy feat! Will also remind many of Greenberry
Woods and early Adam Schmitt! 16 pearly white pop gems and one that
gets the highest leaven of recommendation from these quarters.
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MONET9
Very cool find! Monet9 is a totally enigmatic CD - There is no
information on the internet to go, no name or picture of an artist
attached to it.
However, it is clear Monet9 is one man, one artist who
has worked up some mighty fine songs in a home studio and all of them
that hint as a more accessible version of DIY great LMNOP while working
up other influences like Marc Bolan, early/mid 80s post REM bands and
singer songwriter folk pop.
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CRASH KINGS
Crash Kings sound like Ben Folds and Jack White joined CK bros Weezer
in a Queen tribute band. Look at "Mountain Man," for example. Dead-on
White Stripes lead vocals, theatrical piano-driven back-up (hello, Ben
Folds) and epic guitar crunch a la Weezer emulating Queen.
"Crash Kings occupy a curious unclaimed space between the White Stripes
and Ben Folds Five -- a space unclaimed not so much because nobody
thought of it, but nobody really wanted it." -
AMG.
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DOUBLE NAUGHT SPIES
SPECIAL LIMITED PRICE. Special Japan only re-issue of this wonderful little gem from 1999 and which
tacks on 4 bonus trax(Fiesta, Love Letter Bomb, Dirty Girl, One Last Time).
Note: The leader of this band now operates as Maple Mars. Ripe as a perfect
Pinot Noir! They mix healthy portions of Cheap Trick, Redd Kross and Liquor
Giants and have the talents of one heckuva great songwriter, Rick Hromadka.
Sweet melodies, up front `n proud hooks and generous dollops of 70`s guitar
rock that showcase "two part harmonies, hazy psychedelia and hard-driving
instrumentation that distinguishes its appealing style of punchy pop-rock"
-LA Times.
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PETER HOLSAPPLE & CHRIS STAMEY
The first collaboration in almost two decades by the duo who were the
core of the transcendent The dBs! "With pop this piercingly pure, and
Everlys-worthy harmonies to boot, The dB`s songwriting team has put
together another instant classic" - Fred Mills, Blurt magazine. "3
1/2stars. a beautiful set of grown-up pop, meshing Holsapple`s
emotional directness with Stamey`s headier approach. It`s a highly
effective counterpoint that even works on songs they didn`t write
themselves: The duo`s lilting version of "My Friend the Sun,"
originally by the late-`60s/early-`70s British art-rock band Family,
has the jingle-jangle shimmer of a lost Beatles single, a hit in an
alternative universe far, far away."- Spin.
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WILL DAILEY
Alive with slobberin` guitars, spine-tingling organ fills and lots of
leering catcalls, this rock and soul powerhouse gets both fists and
hips a shakin`. `The line has been drawn, we are the solution,` Stiff
thunders on Electric Revolution. `And you`re either with us or against
us.` Count us among the former.
"Classic Brit rock and early garage punk with an old R&B twist." - Las Vegas City Life
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THE R.I.P.S.
The R.I.P.S. is the new band from Eric Litts who pop fans may recognize as
being in the Rainbow Quartz act, The Get Quick as well as his own band
The Phobes, who made a connection with Not Lamers in the earlier part
of this decade with "he Beginning Of The End"release. It is hard to
describe where "New Century Living" slots itself genre wise as it has a
very ambitious agenda to explore and engage inside of. Though the mod,
punk and garage-rock influences of The Phobes will not be forgotten,
the R.I.P.S. hear a more americana groove beat. Perhaps a bit too
gritty and whiskey-scented for the new neighbors, but cool enough to
make them wanna move.
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THE CLARKS
It is official. Rhett Miller is one of the best and most under rated
songwriters in the United States. His body of consistently excellent
material continues to build and here with this self-titled solo album,
this fourth solo album apart from his work with The Old 97s, is a jaw
dropper. Listen to the soundbites below and savor. " stars. His
strongest solo set ever. What makes Old 97`sa great country-rock band
is the tug of war between Miller`s love for rough honky tonking and
Sixties pop. Playing the later, per his usual solo work, he has made
his strongest set yet. Aided by Jon Brion on bass and guitar, Miller
brings plenty of hooks." Rolling Stone.
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MARSHALL CRENSHAW
"Jaggedland"
Marshall Crenshaw is back with a new album and Jaggedland is a
musically dynamic and lyrically intimate collection of songs creating a
truly a career-defining record harkening back to the best and brightest
from one of America`s greatest songwriters and performers. "One of the
finest songwriters of his age - or, for that matter, any age." -The New
Yorker.
"He has made a compelling and powerful album, and if Jaggedland isn`t
always a barrel of laughs, it`s the most impressive work Crenshaw has
delivered in over a decade."- AMG.
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ORANGE BICYCLE
"Orange Bicycle"
Japanese reissue with 7 bonus trax.
"Somewhat late-in-the-day attempt
at psychedelic pop, this album does have a few advantages, mostly in
the way it`s executed -- for starters, it isn`t as wimpy as a lot of
U.K. psychedelic pop was during this period; Orange Bicycle plays hard
and generates a fairly hard sound, despite their pop orientation, the
wattage turned up fairly high and the vocals pretty intense. The album
is top-heavy with outside songwriting, Elton John, Bob Dylan, and Denny
Laine. " - AMG
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BRIAN OLIVE
"Brian Olive"
"On his solo debut he expands beyond the gritty hard-rock and reworked
blues of Blind Faith and mid-period Stones to include healthy doses of
psych, glam, and most surprisingly, soul and exotica. Influences of the
New York Dolls, T. Rex and Meddle-era Pink Floyd are easy to spot, but
they`re mixed with touches of Stax-style punch, South American rhythms,
breezy jet-set vocals and jazz saxophones. " - Hyperbolium.
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