Need Gift Ideas for the Melodic Pop Fans In Your Life? For You? We’ve Got ’em, All This Week

November 26, 2018May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

We are now officially in the 2018 holiday gift giving season. I know…it seems like only yesterday, blah blah blah… Well, it does, but here we are again, faced with making those decisions that, year after year, are just plain hard to make.

Well, we’re here to make it all easier for you. We’re here to help you to choose gifts for the melodic pop fans in your lives (and for yourself). Relax. Below, you’ll find new reviews of new 2018 releases, in-depth as always, along with links that will take you to the very websites from which you can purchase them. You’ll also find links to previously posted reviews of albums you should consider.

Be with us every day this week. There’s a whole lot of gold out there from which to choose the perfect melodic pop presents for your friends and loved ones. Let’s get started.

Mikah Wilson | Sunshine Grooves
(You are the Cosmos, Burger Records, 2018)
A real find, Los Angeles’s Mikah Wilson pretty much defines the state of sunshine pop in 2018. Let’s just say that if your jam is 1960s Beach Boys, Curt Boettcher, current sensations the Wrecking Two and their like-minded compatriots, this will be your jam, too. Comprising “Sunshine Grooves” and the two songs contained on the “Sweet Jules” single (“Sweet Jules” and “Look at the Way”), this is the soft-pop EP of the moment. Don’t miss it.

Where to Get It: You are the Cosmos, Bandcamp

Various Artists | White Lace and Promises: The Songs of Paul Williams
(Curry Cuts, 2018)
Curry Cuts’ loving tribute to singer, songwriter and all-around entertainer guy Paul Williams, White Lace and Promises, releases on December 7 in digital form and around a week or so later in physical form and on streaming platforms. I’ve already sung its virtues here, where I waxed poetic about some of the tracks. I’ve now heard the entire megillah, so it seems prudent for me to wax poetic some more.

It’s obvious, to me at least, that the artists who have signed on to Andrew Curry’s latest tribute harbor a great affection for Paul Williams’ work; each of the 23 tracks here functions as a great big hug, a happy thank you to the artist for doing what he does so very well.

Here are some of my favorites, standout tracks all:
* “Someday Man.” Zach Jones turns in an affectionate, somewhat faster version than Paul Williams’ cut
* “You and Me Against the World.” Lisa Mychols ramps up the tempo on this classic. The harmonies and electric guitars really shine
* “Rainy Days and Mondays.” Cliff Hillis sings this lovely song, made famous by Karen and Richard Carpenter, solo
* “I Won’t Last a Day Without You.” Chris Price gives the Carpenters’ version a bit of a run for its money, turning in a lead vocal that is sincere and without question his best yet
* “You Give a Little Love.” This song from famed film Bugsy Malone gets a joyous Broadway kind of treatment from the Corner Laughers’ Karla Kane, and it’s fabulous
* “An Old Fashioned Love Song.” Cait Brennan turns one of Paul Williams’ greatest songs into a deeply-felt, alternative romp, centered around Cait’s intense, emotional vocal

“You know you’re gonna be remembered for the things that you say and do,” Karla Kane sings as part of “You Give a Little Love.” Wise words that have deep meaning. The world is going to remember the great works of musical art that Paul Williams and his collaborators have given to the world; here, 23 artists have paid homage to that art, and we, the world’s listeners, are the grateful recipients. White Lace and Promises: The Songs of Paul Williams is essential listening.

Where to Get It: Releases December 7 in digital form and about a week later in physical form and on streaming platforms; you can pre-order on Curry Cuts’ Bandcamp page

Karla Kane | “Goodguy Sun” b/w “Sisters of the Pollen”
(Big Stir, 2018)
B karla kane - sisters of the pollen cover karla-kane-goodguy-sun-cover ig Stir Records, helmed by good guy Rex Broome and good gal Christina Bulbenko from the Armoires, have set into motion a series of delicious digital singles with this double-sided wonder from the Corner Laughers’ Karla Kane, whose 2017 folk-pop solo album, King’s Daughters Home for Incurables, was a big spinner on Pure Pop Radio.

“Goodguy Sun,” written by Cleaners from Venus’s Martin Newell, is a charmingly melodic, very British mid-tempo ballad with the Bye Bye Blackbirds’ Bradley Skaught playing alongside usual fellow travelers Khoi Huyhn and KC Bowman (Gina Sperindle contributes lovely vocal harmony). Kane’s “Sisters of the Pollen,” a mesmerizing folk-pop pearl recorded with husband Huyhn, closes out with an a cappella workout and the actual sound of bees doing their business. Delicious.

Where to Get It: Bandcamp, Big Stir Records

Irwin | Ride On (2018)
Jamie and Steve’s Jamie Hoover worked with Bill Irwin, from late-1980s-1990s Georgia pop-rockers Impulse Ride, to produce this tasty EP, pairing four new tracks with two previously unreleased Impulse Ride tracks from 1994. The new tracks, mostly mid-tempo, tuneful slices of pop, were written by Irwin and Hoover and feature both on a variety of instruments. Of the new songs, “King,” a soulful Beatlesque power ballad with Paul McCartney-inspired bass and an indelible melody, and “Georgia Peach,” an easygoing sway of an Americana-soaked pop song with a lovely, joyous melody, are tops.

Where to Get It: CD Baby, Amazon

Kenny Herbert | “I’m Growing Old With You” (2018)
Kenny Herbert’s charming pop confections were a mainstay of my playlists throughout Pure Pop Radio’s 23-year history. I continue to be enthralled by everything Kenny adds to his considerable, collectible catalog. His latest release is a typically melodic, uptempo love song, inspired by Caroline, the love of his life. It has a lovely Bobby Goldsboro-meets-Gallagher and Lyle vibe about it. It’s one of those very special recordings that just makes you feel good to be alive.

Here’s a live take on this wonderful song:

Where to Get It: iTunes

More Great 2018 Releases, Perfect for Gift Giving

We’ve reviewed many terrific 2018 releases, any of which would make great gifts for the melodic pop fans in your life. Here are just a few (click on the links to read our reviews and then add the releases to your shopping list):

Vegas With Randolph | Legs & Luggage (Reviewed 10.31.18)
Everet Almond | An Introduction to Everet Almond, Windsor Field, and Everet Almond (Reviewed 10.30.18)
The Grip Weeds | Trip Around the Sun (Reviewed 10.17.18)

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Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the premiere website covering the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, and a wide variety of features. We’ve been around since the first weekly Pure Pop Radio shows, which began broadcasting in 1995 and ended this past August. Welcome to your number one home for coverage of the greatest melodic pop music in the universe from the ’60s to today. Happy holidays!

New on Pure Pop Radio 07.11.17: Terry Draper’s “She’s All Mine,” Cliff Hillis, Carpenter Caswell, Vegas With Randolph featuring Lannie Flowers, and More

July 11, 2017May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

Spins and Reviews | 07.11.17
By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

Terry Draper | “She’s All Mine” (from the album Remarkable Women) (2017)
Written this past May, recorded in June, and released just days ago, this freshly-plucked, catchy tune, a love song about Terry’s wife Anna, celebrates her charm in a rather charming way. It’s from Terry’s album Remarkable Women, releasing this Friday, and it’s the perfect summer song, a bouncy, singalongable, and quirky creation. In other words, it’s a keeper. Bonus coolness factor: Dig the key change (a semi-tone modulation) about three-quarters of the way through.

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Where to Get It: Terry Draper’s website’s digital store, iTunes

Cliff Hillis |Many Happy Returns (Tallboy, 2017)
Always a reliable writer and performer, Cliff returns with arguably his finest release, an EP’s worth of pop songs that sing. Even the bouncy popper “Time an Evangelist,” a hopeful look at today’s fractured political landscape, is a catchy treat whose heart beats proudly (“Poor musician/Sings a protest song/All he wants is the world to sing along”). The title number is a pure poppy delight with a fun, vocally percussive underpinning; the four-on-the-floor “Never in a Million Years,” a co-write with Robbie Rist, rocks with a determined guitar attack as it pops; and the lovely mid-tempo ballad “With All the World,” written with Pure Pop Radio favorite Bill DeMain, is alight with Burt Bacharach-y horns. Wonderful.

black box Now playing on Pure Pop Radio: “Time an Evangelist,” “Many Happy Returns,” “With All the World,” “Hey Pretty Face,” and “Never in a Million Years”
Where to Get It: Tallboy Records on Facebook, iTunes

Elliot Schneider | “The Moon Has Flown Away” (2017)
This catchy, upbeat pop-rocker, the first track released from Elliot’s upcoming album, Don’t Put All Your Eggs In One Basketcase, ticks all the boxes for listeners and ups the ante with luscious background vocals supplied by the Italian band Cirrone, whose new EP is currently spinning on Pure Pop Radio. Eminently catchy and an earworm, to boot.

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Where to Get It: CD Baby, Amazon

Carpenter Caswell | “High Hopes” (Big Radio Records, 2017)
The third single from superstar duo Michael Carpenter and fellow Australian Allan Caswell is ostensibly country, but as soon as you hear it, you will see why I say it’s pop, dressed in country outer gear. Buoyed by strong percussion, tears-in-your-eyes slide guitar, and a melody to stop your ears in their tracks, “High Hopes” is a hopeful slice of country-pop. The upcoming Carpenter Caswell album seems a cinch for high marks.

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Where to Get It: CD Baby, Amazon, iTunes

The Ronson Hangup | “Hickok’s Curse” (2017)
The first single from the Hangup’s forthcoming and long-awaited second album is an engaging, dynamic, upbeat pop song that raises the stakes from the band’s terrific first collection. A great melody draws ears to a great tune. Don’t miss the brief carnival-like tempo change about halfway in. In fact, don’t miss this song.

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Where to Get It: Amazon, iTunes

Vegas With Randolph featuring Lannie Flowers | “The Weekend’s Coming” (2017)
Another sizzling track, wearing its power pop heart on its energetic sleeve, from the much-anticipated, forthcoming This is Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio Volume 4 compilation (we’re also playing Ray Paul’s terrific “I Need Your Love Tonight”). “The Weekend’s Coming” mixes the considerable talents of Washington, D.C.’s Vegas With Randolph and Texas pop powerhouse Lannie Flowers for an enticing, toe-tapper that features strong vocals, a particularly enticing bridge, and that magical hook.

black box Now playing on Pure Pop Radio
Where to Get It: Coming soon

Nicky Fingers and the Motor City Lobsters | “One More Chance” (2017)
Band names are everything, or at least they used to be, and they still are, if you look long enough. Back in the glory days of the 1960s, for example, when you came upon a band called, say, the Hollies, you had a pretty good idea of what you were going to get. With a band name such as Nicky Fingers and the Motor City Lobsters, you’re really not sure what’s in store before you play their one and only song. Nicky Fingers could be a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who’s spent time with a guy of questionable repute, and the Motor City Lobsters could be guys with, you know, claws of some sort, in whose grip you would not want to wind up.

Turns out, however, that Nicky and his Lobsters are perfectly acceptable to bring home to the parents on date night. Nicky and the Motor City Lobsters are the collective nom de plume of New Trocaderos keys man Kris “Fingers” Rodgers, driving popster Nick Piunti, Andy Reed, Donny Brown, and Michael Chaney (who co-wrote “One More Chance” with Nick), attorney-at-law and writer-of-catchy-tunes, about whose work much has been written rather glowingly as toes all over the land are tapping down into the floorboards with a certain panache. Therein lies the pedigree, true as true can be, but still the question remains: Do Nicky and his Lobsters, hailing from the Motor City, thrash and crash their way through some kind of speed metal arrangement of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” or, you know, what?

Nothing of the sort, it turns out. In fact, “One More Chance” is nothing less than a celebration of pure pop, an old-fashioned kind of energetic four-beat after four-beat thumper with the kind of melody and hook construct that begs repeat plays. It’s catchy, too, and it’s kind of reminiscent of the poppier side of Bruce Springsteen (of “Where the Bands Are” fame). There’s a little Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in there, and there’s some Bob Dylan too, which you can detect from Nick’s as-usual affecting vocal.

One even quick-and-gone look at the artwork for “One More Chance”–a mix-and-match, leave-them-where-they-fall smattering of faux psyched-out skulls and old-fashioned-from-back-in-the-day, push-the-button-and-out-come-some-raised-letter-labels that spell out the band name and song title–and you’d likely exit stage left or even right and run for the hills. But you’re more likely to smile and hit the repeat button on your music player of choice.

Nicky Fingers and the Motor City Lobsters are coming to your town–not actually coming there, but making a sounds-like-a-hit appearance from out of your speakers–and it’s okay to make them right at home. Skulls are optional.

black box Now playing on Pure Pop Radio
Where to Get It: Bandcamp

Populuxe | “Garage Sale” (2017)
Seeded in Brooklyn in the late 1990s, this trio, comprised of Mike Mallory, Mark Pardy, and Rob Shapiro (listed in alphabetical order because Mike, Mark and then Rob sounds sort of musical, I guess), open up their new song with pounding, purposeful drums that segue into an XTC kind of song, charged with melody and guitars and all kinds of changes, and you will likely like it as I do. The trio is joined by Gracie Wall, who sings background vocals. The tune was recorded in California, which is the other coast, depending on where you live. This song is great wherever you live.

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Where to Get It: Amazon

More reviews coming…before you know it!

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New on Pure Pop Radio 6.28.16

June 28, 2016May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

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Spins and Reviews | June 28, 2016 | by Alan Haber

More hot spins now rattling the airwaves on Pure Pop Radio:

Gary Ritchie | pop·ti·mis·tic Texas popster, by way of the Windy City, returns with another master class in how to do it right as rain, sitting behind an authentic Ludwig drum kit and slinging guitars over his musical shoulders. Fifteen songs, and not a duff one in the bunch, including the Merseybeat-styled charmer “Let’s Pretend,” the echoes-of-Duane-Eddy-esque “Look Away Girl,” and the Roy Orbison-rooty mid-tempo ballad “Dial 9” (“for an outside line”). Worth, as the set kicker says, a million dollars.
Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio: “Book of Answers,” “Carol Says,” “Dial 9,” “It’s Not Automatic,” “Let’s Pretend,” “Long Live Love,” and “Look Away Girl.”

Tommy and the Rockets | Beer and Fun and Rock ‘n’ Roll Another ace project powered by the pop and roll genius of super criminal defense attorney Michael Chaney, whose handiwork can also be heard in the grooves of the New Trocaderos. Ten pop-rockers, co-written, except for one, by Chaney and Thomas “Tommy” Stubgaard, who plays all of the guitars, bass, and provides handclaps, shake the house, as it were, with a catchy, Beach Boys-influenced sunshine anthem (“Here Comes Summer”) and a couple of energetic Ramones nods (“Silly Teenage Love” and “You Want Me (But I Don’t Want You)”). Cheery, toe-tapping fun prevails throughout.
Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio: The entire album. “Beer & Fun & Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “Here Comes Summer,” “Need Your Love,” “Silly Teenage Love,” “Miss You So Much,” “What am I S’pose Ta Do,” “Take My Advice,” “Mommy’s Little Girl,” “You Want Me (But I Don’t Want You),” and “Time to Rock.”

Ken Sharp | New Mourning Veteran music man Ken Sharp delivers an album crafted for summer listening and featuring guest turns from Pure Pop Radio favorite Rob Bonfiglio and some guy named Rick Springfield. Although informed by the emotional rollercoaster he’s had to ride during the last few years, and taking into account producer Fernando Perdomo’s description of this record as “the feel-bad album of the year, but in a good way,” these songs emit a joyous sound. Check the very-Merrymakers sound of the ringing guitars-grounded “I Should Have Known” and the very-Raspberries pop-rocker “Let’s Be Friends.” For more muscle, turn to “Mr. Know It All,” powered by crunchy guitars and a strong, catchy melody. But definitely turn to New Mourning, a towering achievement.
Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio: “Let’s Be Friends,” “Solid Ground,” “Burn and Crash,” “L.A. Can Be Such a Lonely Town,” “Mr. Know It All,” and “Put the Blame on Me.”

Cliff Hillis | “Love Not War (Summerpop Mix)” The title song from Hillis’s most recent EP gets a summer sound makeover, which is to say it’s perhaps lighter in tone, and about a minute shorter, than the original, but with the same sound pronouncement: “It’s time to make love, not war.” Gather up the beach balls, hot dogs, and blankets and celebrate the warmer weather while simultaneously keeping a thought or two for peace in our time. Cliff nails it…again.
Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio.

Laurie Biagini | “Busy Body” From Canada way comes a happy-sounding new song from this always bright and cheery singer-songwriter. “Busy Body,” which will be part of the forthcoming album Stranger in the Mirror, shuffles along merrily, telling the tale of the office person to avoid. Another great track from a performer who never disappoints.
Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio.

Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the original 24-hour Internet radio station playing the greatest melodic pop music from the ’60s to today. From the Beatles to the Monkees, Gary Ritchie, McPherson Grant, Tommy and the Rockets, and the New Trocaderos, we play the hits and a whole lot more. Tune in by clicking on one of the listen links below.

Listen to Pure Pop Radio on the go using your Android and iOS devices! Download Our Mobile App.

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Cliff Hillis Kicks Off Pure Pop Radio’s Week of New for You Delights

March 15, 2016May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

We’ve got a lot of new music to report to you this week–we’ve added a ton of new songs and artists to the Pure Pop Radio playlist. To kick off our bounty of delights, we present Alan’s feature review of a fantastic EP from one of pop music’s greatest talents.

Cliff Hillis | Love Not War Artists like Cliff Hillis make my job easy by always delivering top-flight releases. Love Not War’s seven musical pearls constitute nothing less than the writing of the book on the pop EP as high art; every song is a dream construct, a marvel of melody and harmony.

cliff hillis with guitar From the single-worthy, should-be-hitbound “A Boy Downtown” and “Suicide Doors,” a meeting of the minds that recalls the spirit and sound of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Cecelia,” to the pop-rocking, Dave Edmunds-meets-Paul Simon “Buddha’s Belly” and the pretty, shuffling “Don’t Drown the Wind,” which satisfies with an entrancing and beguiling wordless harmony section that will make you drop to your knees, Love Not War is another great, early 2016 release that will undoubtedly earn top marks from all concerned at year’s end.

As you might expect, and because it’s the right thing to do, we’ve added the entire lot of these songs to our playlist. So, in addition to the above-mentioned songs, we’re playing “Mayor of Midnight,” “Too Many Songs,” which ends with a lovely, orchestration that absolutely satisfies, and the title track, which has been in our rotation for awhile. Simply fanstastic through and through.

– Alan Haber

* * * * *

More tomorrow. While you watch the clock tick and tock until then, why not click on one of the listen links below to enjoy the more than 8,400 handpicked songs we have playing on our air? You’ll love them all!

Listen to Pure Pop Radio on the go using your Android or iOS devices! Download Our Mobile App.

Day Seven is Pure Heaven: Pure Pop Radio’s New Music Explosion Rolls On!

October 23, 2014May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

We quite simply can not be stopped! It’s day seven of the Pure Pop Radio New Music Explosion and, yes, you betcha, we’re not even close to being done. We’re now into phase two (it’s top secret!) of our adding frenzy, which will continue tomorrow and into next week and beyond. We couldn’t stop even if we tried!

Let’s dig in, shall we?

Here Comes the Reign Again: The Second British Invasion We’ve now added the 19 songs we’ve been playing from this great compilation, sans producer Andrew Curry’s spoken introductions, which may return at a later date. The second British Invasion is alive on Pure Pop Radio! Here’s what you will hear, in rotation: An American Underdog – “Things Can Only Get Better,” Big-Box Store – “Kids in America,” Bleu – “Dont You Forget About Me,” Chris Collingwood – “Life in a Northern Town,” Cliff Hillis – “Wouldn’t it Be Good,” David Mead – “Save a Prayer,” Eric Barao – “Tainted Love,” Eytan Mirsky and Alyson Greenfield – “No One is to Blame,” Jim Boggia and Pete Donnelly – “Good Two Shoes,” Kelly Jones – “Something About You,” Linus of Hollywood – “Every Time You Go Away,” Mike Viola – “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” Minky Starshine – “True,” People on Vacation – “Cruel Summer,” Taylor Locke – Dancing with Myself,” The Corner Laughers – “Our House,” The Davenports – “Freedom,” The Nines – “Life’s What You Make It,” and The Wellingtons – “Only You.” We think it’s safe to say that this nifty package will be under some decorated trees this coming December.

The Jigsaw Seen | Old Man Reverb This veteran band’s latest album is a solid collection of upbeat pop and roll and ballads, heavy on the guitars and emotive vocals. Amongst these classic tunes, you’ll even find a song that could very well serve as the soundtrack to a classic western film! All of these eight songs are now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio: “Idiots with Guitars,” “Die Laughing,” “Understand,” “Madame Whirligig,” “Hercules and Sylvia,” “Your Mind is Like Mine,” “Abide,” and “Grief Rehearsal.” Very cool.

Jeff Thomas’ All-Volunteer Army | “The Devil Wants Your Self Control” This extremely cool song from the great Jeff Thomas and crew opens up with a dead-on, Al Kooper-era Blood, Sweat and Tears vibe and immediately segues into an upbeat rock groove as if it were hitched to a speeding locomotive. Chicago-esque horn stabs lead this energetic slice of pop ‘n’ roll to the finish line. Funky, rocky, poppy and all that, this is more proof, as if more proof were needed, that Jeff Thomas is… cool.

Ron Flynt and the Bluehearts | Big Blue Heart This 2014 reissue of Ron’s 2000 album with the Bluehearts adds two must-have bonus tracks to the mix, making it a must-buy for fans. We’ve been playing a couple of tracks from this album since it was first released, and have taken the opportunity to add a few more this time around. We’ve also added one of the bonus tracks, a great song called “Go to the Window for Kenee.” We’re also playing, in rotation, “Holding On,” “I See Blue,” “Northern Town,” “River Road,” “True Love,” and “Darkness.”

The Above | Waterbury Street From the rockingest borough of New York City come the beat-riffic sounds of the Above, whose second album was released this past June. The dozen nuggets on Waterbury Street evoke the spirit and the sound of early- to mid-sixites British R&B-inflected pop. A swinging time is guaranteed for all. We’ve added six energy-filled tracks to our playlist, including “Coming Around,” “Do You Have a Healthy Mind,” “Goons,” “You Make it Real,” “Do What You Wanna Do,” and “Broken Soul.” Now get on the dance floor and groove!

The Airwaves | Release Sweden’s own Airwaves specializes in original, ABBA-riffic, and catchy, seventies-sounding songs that really get under your skin. We’ve added three tracks to the Pure Pop Radio playlist: the mid-tempo charmer “Famous,” the powerful “Miracle,” and the ABBA tribute, “Hey You Ring Me Tonight,” which includes a fair share of ABBA references in the lyrics. Pretty fun.

Jesse Rimler | Four Songs Drawing on a wide range of influence, from pop standards to Harry Nilsson and, most especially, Randy Newman, California singer-songwriter Jesse Rimler writes and performs beautiful songs full of inspiration and pure joy. He’s released only four so far, but each one of them is a gem and points toward a growing catalog full of similar treasures. We’re playing everything Jesse has released: “Secret Password,” “My Elevator Story,” “How We Lost Her,” and “Sylvia’s Dream.” We can’t wait for the next treasure to surface.

Various Artists | It Was 50 Years Ago Today – A Tribute to the Beatles, Vol. 4 Through his Bullseye Records of Canada imprint, label chief Jaimie Vernon has quietly been releasing a series of tributes to everybody’s favorite Fab Four. We’ve been playing tracks from every volume and now, with volume four in house, we’re continuing the tradition. We’ve added seven versions of classic Beatles songs to our playlist. Here’s how our selections play out: Atomic Tracktor: “Revolution,” Dee Long: “Across the Universe,” Fergus Hambleton: “And I Love Her,” Michael Carpener: “If I Needed Someone,” Steve Lawrenson: “Yes It Is,” the Wackers: “She Loves You,” and Walter Clevenger: “I Will.”

Declan Snowden | Getting My Hopes Up From Galway, Ireland and now based in Dublin, Declan Snowden’s EP–available for free on Bandcamp–revels in the kind of pop we greet with open arms here at Pure Pop Radio. The joyous “Believe in Me” and the gorgeous, heartfelt ballad “I’ll Never Be Your Man” are now playing in rotation. We’re pleased to make your acquaintance, Declan.

With day seven of our New Music Explosion in the books, we have only to look forward to day eight, and that’s happening tomorrow. Be back here around noon ET and see what kind of surprises we’ve cooked up to lead you into your popping weekend!

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Welcome to Week Two of Our New Music Explosion. We’re Still Packing a New Music Punch. Pow!

October 21, 2014May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

Hello and welcome, friends, to the show that never ends, and for good reason! It’s week number two, cumulative day five of Pure Pop Radio’s New Music Explosion. We’ve added many hundreds of new songs by your favorite artists and artists new to you. We’re still packing quite a punch. Can you say “Pow!”?

We’ve added rockin’, poppin’ fast-, slow- and medium-paced numbers that will make you smile, laugh, cry and even, perhaps, think. But most of all, we’ve enriched all of our lives with the sound of singable, danceable melodic pop music.

Here are some more tunes and artists we’ve added to the Pure Pop Radio playlist and, remember, there’s more coming every day this week:

Cliff Hillis | Song Machine We suspect that Cliff Hillis is, deep down, an old, musical soul. His songs come straight from the heart and, in a particularly stylish, old-fashioned way, they come to you as old friends. They feel right. They glisten with craft and feeling. The seven songs on Cliff’s particularly grand new EP are among his best yet, and we’re spinning all of them in rotation, from the lovely, opening, mid-tempo, atmospheric examination of fractured identity, “Dashboard,” to “Goodnight Sunlight,” in which the night washes away the gangly day. This is an astounding collection of songs we all will wish we could have written. Also spinning: “Could You Be the Enemy,” “Hang On to the Moment,” “Just One More,” “Tonight,” and “Turn On a Dime.”

The Foreign Films | The Record Collector The musical magician, Bill Majoros, has quietly been recording a four-sided opus up in Canada he calls The Record Collector. He’s releasing one side at a time, at which point he’ll join the four corners of his world into one seamless long player. Side Two is currently out there–five songs that bode well for the next side that will soon be a tangible reality. From side two, we’ve added four tracks to the Pure Pop Radio playlist: the upbeat, rock number “Broken Dreamers”; “Land of 1000 Goodbyes,” a sixties pastiche mixing James Bond melodies, classical flourishes, catchy, pure pop choruses and hints of the Beach Boys; “State of the Art,” a modern power pop tune with sixties overtones; and “Teardrop Town,” sporting spooky echoes of the Eagles’ “One of These Nights” and more James Bondian touches. Very cool, very fun, and all playing now, in rotation.

Yorktown Lads | Songs About Girls and Other Disasters This promising trio, led by sparkle*jets u.k. and Popdudes veteran Michael Simmons, makes melodic pop music magic on their debut album, which boasts endearingly catchy songs like the Lovin’ Spoonful-esque “Sick of Me” and the pure poppy, ELO vibe of “When You’re Famous.” Yorktown Lads are all about the hook, and there’s enough hooks here to fill a very large tackle box. We’ve added seven songs to our playlist: “Something to Write About,” “La La,” “Rewind,” “Home,” “Stairway to Heather,” and the above mentioned pair of classics.

Martin Gordon | Include Me Out Martin Gordon has a long history in the music biz, with stops along the way that include membership in Sparks and Radio Stars and production work galore. Still an artist in his own right, his latest album is a marvel. He lands somewhere between Ray Davies and another Martin with the surname Newell. Both pop and rock with captivating melodies run through Gordon’s veins, and ears around the world are all the better for it. We’ve added a half-dozen songs to our playlist: “Gotta Go Green,” “Stanley Green,” “Nobody Went to the Moon,” “Still Not Lovin’,” “Include Me Out,” and “Girls from the Country.”

Steve Dawson | An Introduction to Steve Dawson of Dolly Varden We’ve been playing songs from Dolly Varden on Pure Pop Radio for a while. A wonderful collection of songs from songwriter Steve Dawson, crafted for his solo career and for the band, have been brought together by Noisetrade as a sampler of sorts–one that shows this masterful songwriter and performer’s range. From the standards-worthy, emotional, soulful mid-tempo ballad, “Love is a Blessing,” to the melody-infused, Squeeze-like charmer, “Preaching to the Choir,” Dawson proves himself to be as good as it gets. We’re spinning, in rotation, the two aforementioned songs and five others: “Del Mar, 1976,” “I’m the One I Despise,” “Long Overdue,” “Obsidian,” and “Today She Found the Way to Break My Heart.”

The Campbell Apartment | Sundogs This veteran band’s upcoming EP is a great showcase for some fine melodic pop music. From this collection, we especially enjoyed the delicious and quite catchy “Love of My Life” and the straight-ahead pop of the upbeat “Something in the Way.” We’re spinning both of these songs in rotation on Pure Pop Radio. We think you’ll enjoy them immensely.

Fernando Perdomo | Warm Originally from Miami Beach, Fernando Perdomo is a talented melody man whose first album, Warm, was released in May. At home with both ballady and upbeat pop numbers, Ferando channels Prefab Sprout on the lovely “Girl With a Record Collection,” and tells the story of a couple whose life together is in the moment and perhaps etched in the darkness of a darkroom in “Photographers in Love.” We’re playing these two songs, and four more, in rotation: “Home is Wherever You Are,” “California Moon,” “This Too Shall Pass,” and “On Sunday Morning.”

Dan Markell | “Carried Away” It’s been a long time since we first played music from Dan Markell’s album Big Ideas on the old, weekly Pure Pop Radio show on WEBR–nearly 15 years ago, in fact. We’re quite happy to have a new track from Dan to spin–an upbeat tune with horns and cool acoustic guitar figures with the usual hook that grabs you and doesn’t let go. Welcome back, Dan.

Kenny Herbert | “Caroline” One of our favorite songwriters and performers since the old Herbert and Howat days, Kenny is back with a new, heartfelt ballad that tugs at the heart strings, and in itself is a virtual master class in writing songs for the ages. It’s now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio.

Livingstone Daisies | Waiting On the Last Minute One of the sweetest gifts to come from Australia in many a moon, the Livingstone Daisies are back with an eight-song long player packed tight with straight-ahead pop and roll, great melodies and the promise of a long career ahead of them. The epic “Pistol Pete,” which begins with an a cappella choir that will send shivers up your spine, is the centerpiece here, and we’re playing it, along with two other songs, in rotation: “Around Here” and “Risking It All.”

Well, there you have it: Another day, another 10 examples of some of the best melodic pop music out there and now spinning in rotation on Pure Pop Radio, along with more than 5,200 other songs you will cherish and love. Be back here tomorrow for another list of some of the latest adds to our playlist, and keep listening to Pure Pop Radio by clicking on one of the handy listen links below. Thanks!

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