Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio

Welcome to week two, day number six of Pure Pop Radio’s New Music Explosion! You already know we’re adding hundreds and hundreds of songs to our playlist, and you probably want to know what’s new today, so here we go. Let’s get right to it!

The Nines | Nine Lives The Nines have always held a treasured spot on our playlist, going back as far as the old, weekly Pure Pop Radio show. We were excited to learn that a new, live release was coming out. Not surprisingly, we were blown away by the songs included, the great vocals and those melodies–those incredible melodies! Steve Eggers and company deliver the goods, as always. We’ve added eight tracks from this top-flight album as proof: “Diana,” “Melanie,” “Falling Down,” “Virginia,” “Queen of the County,” “Marigold,” “Average Joe,” and “Goodnight My Love.”

The Corner Laughers | “Martha (Cincinnati, 1914)” The b-side of the great song “Midsommar,” already playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio, joins its a-side compatriot on the air, which is as it should be. According to the Laughers, “Martha (c.1885—September 1, 1914) was the last known living Passenger Pigeon; she was named “Martha” in honor of the first First Lady Martha Washington.” “Martha” is an upbeat charmer, sung with harmonic gusto by the golden-voiced Karla Kane. And, in answer to your question, this is how it’s done. Now playing in rotation.

Chris Richards and the Subtractions | Decayed–Ten Years of Harmony and Song It would take at least a mile’s worth of real estate to roll out Chris Richards’ credits, so we’ll settle for a reminder that Chris is one-third of the wonderful super group the Legal Matters. And here’s a fact of all matters: He is, for sure, one of pop music’s greatest talents, whose more recent albums are the source for all but two of the tracks on this lively and entertaining look back at what has come before (two tracks are specific to this release, one of which we’re now spinning on Pure Pop Radio). Our picks to click, now playing in rotation, are: “Consolation,” “Don’t Do Anything Tonight,” “And Suddenly,” “Gracefully,” and “In a Sense” (the aforementioned new song we’re spinning). Chris and his kick-you-know-what band make stuff happen. Boom!

Tamas Wells | On the Volatility of the Mind Melbourne, Australia’s Tamas Wells has long been a Pure Pop Radio favorite. We think On the Volatility of the Mind is Tamas’ best album yet. His musical voice, 11 beautiful songs, melodies that make you weak at the knees, a folk-pop stance and immaculate production are collective proof. We’ve added five excellent songs to the playlist, which are now playing in rotation: “A Riddle,” “I Don’t Know Why She Burned Up All Those Greylead Drawings,” “A Snake Bit at the Quarry,” “The Treason at Henderson’s Pier,” and “An Appendix.”

Aerial | Why Don’t They Teach Heartbreak at School From Aberdeen, Scotland comes the trio known as Aerial. Their second album comes a baker’s dozen years after their debut and proves the old adage that good things come to those who wait. Pure pop, power pop, melodic pop–all flavors, in fact, of pop are in full bloom on this glorious album, certainly one of the best of this year. Hooks abound. We’ve added to the playlist 10 of the 12 songs on School, and they are the title cut, “Japanese Dancer,” “Every Word You Say,” “Great Teenager,” “Madeline It’s Me,” “More than Alcohol,” “Dear Anna,” “Go With You,” “Formative Years,” and “Wave Goodbye to Scotland.” Great stuff.

Jeffrey Dean Foster | The Arrow We’ve had songs from Jeffrey Dean Foster’s last album, Million Star Hotel, playing in rotation since it came out nine years ago. Now comes a new album called The Arrow, which is another feather in the cap of this ultra-talented music man. Jeffrey, who put time in with the Right Profile and the Pinetops before setting on a solo path, sings and plays his heart out, overseen by producers including none other than Mitch Easter and Don Dixon. The music might best be described as pop washed with a slightly southern glow. But, mostly, it’s catchy music by a musician who writes catchy songs that sing. We’ve added seven songs to the Pure Pop Radio playlist: “When You Break,” “Morningside,” “The Sun Will Shine Again,” “Young Tigers Disappear,” “Jigsaw Man,” “Hang My Head on You,” and the title cut.

The Most | Moderation in Moderation, Auto-Destructive Art, and Resistance is Useless Retro (sixties) pop in a contemporary mood by way of a great band from Sweden is now spinning in rotation on Pure Pop Radio. The Most bring the beat and melodies to every song on their various releases. We’ve added songs from three of the band’s EPs and their full-length, Auto-Destructive Art, from 2013: “Bad Girl,” “I Got You,” “Really Good,” “I Don’t Want it,” “So Wrong,” “Spiderman,” “Little Girl,” “Easy When You’re Down,” and “The Action.” These tracks collectively deliver a rockin’ and poppin’ good time.

Sir Video | Light Years A very cool and fun side project from popster Timmy Sean, whose songs we have been playing on Pure Pop Radio for a while. Light Years is sorta, kinda dance pop with a melodic pop sensibility. What’s more, it’s infectious and it will put a big smile on your face. How do we know? We’re smiling right now! We’ve added to the playlist four songs from this wonderful EP, including two versions of the title cut–one a soulful, light dance number and the other a gentle acoustic remake. We’re also spinning, in rotation, “(Oh No!) They’re on the Radio” and “Take My Breath Away.”

The Simple Carnival | “Tornado” The Simple Carnival’s recent release, a typically-gentle tune with a lovely melody, is another jewel of a song included in the group’s music video movie, Smitten 3D, currently in production. The Simple Carnival’s Jeff Boller has become quite a star in the 3D video movie world. We’re happy to say we knew him when. Listen for “Tornado,” now playing in rotation. Another long time Pure Pop Radio favorite.

Randell Kirsch | “Smoke is Spreading” A typically catchy pop confection from the legendary Randell Kirsch, from 1990. Randell has probably worked with more top-flight artists than most people can count, from the Beach Boys and the Cowsills to Jan and Dean and Papa Doo Run Run and beyond. Randell is a master of melody, and we simply can not wait until he graces us with a new album. Randell? Over to you!

Day six is now complete. We’ve got more New Music Explosion adds for you tomorrow, so don’t forget to check back for the list. Thanks for reading, and thanks, as always, for listening to Pure Pop Radio!

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