Pure Pop Radio’s Four-Day New Music Songfest Is On!

alan-mic-zWe’ve rolled up our collective sleeves and we’re digging the sounds. All you need to do to join in on the excitement of our Four-Day New Music Songfest is tune into Pure Pop Radio by clicking on one of the listen links below, and, of course, see what we’ve just added to the playlist by reading the reviews that follow below.

As in the past, we’ve added hundreds of new songs and artists to our playlist. There’s a lot to talk about, so let’s get going. Here comes day one! We lead off with a song that’s making a lot of music fans sit up and take notice…

the monkees she makes me laughThe Monkees | “She Makes Me Laugh” You’d have to be living well under a rock–somewhere so deep that even Pizza Hut won’t deliver there–to have missed the biggest news of the century: The Monkees are back with a new album in mere weeks from now with songs written by such talents as XTC’s Andy Partridge and Paul Weller. Produced by Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger. Did we say the Monkees are back? Good Times is the album, and the first single is “She Makes Me Laugh,” written by Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo. That it’s inordinately catchy and very Monkees-ish goes without saying. That we’re playing this song in heavy rotation…well, that goes without saying, too. Welcome back, boys.

the posiesThe Posies | Solid States We continue with this week’s festivities with this new, long-awaited album from power pop heroes the Posies–an album that is poised to be a massive hit with fans, and for very good reason. Solid States finds Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow, in large part, in pure, melodic pop mode throughout. Lovers of gorgeous, catchy melodies will swoon to such terrific songs as the should-be-hit-bound “Unlikely Places,” with its seductive verse melody and knockout chorus; the dramatic, powerful “Squirrel vs Snake” (the album’s title is part of the lyric); and “Rollercoaster Zen,” sounding like it could have been on a late-period Steely Dan album (a good thing). Do Auer and Stringfellow hit the ubiquitous “it” out of the park? You know we like a good baseball metaphor, so…yes they do. Essential listening. We’re playing six songs in rotation: “Unlikely Places,” “Scattered,” “Titanic,” “Squirrel vs Snake,” “The Definition,” and “Rollercoaster Zen.”

lindsay cowsillLindsay Cowsill | Love is Strange A shot of joy like you haven’t felt in seemingly forever will hit you squarely in the melodic pleasure zone upon listening to the bright and lovely sounds on this mighty terrific EP from Mark Lindsay and Susan Cowsill.

You will so dig the five covers of classic songs from the ’50s and ’60s and one incredibly great original from Mark (that wouldn’t be out of place on a Prefab Sprout album); all of these recordings will have you jumping for…well, you know. Mark and Susan sound as good as they ever have–even better, if that’s possible (and it is). The duo delivers top-flight performances throughout. Susan’s vocal on the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’,” in particular, is a complete, yes, joy.

This is not only one of the best melodic pop releases of the year, it’s one of the best in many years. We’re playing, in rotation, the aforementioned Righteous Brothers hit, plus Mickey and Sylvia’s “Love is Strange,” Sonny and Cher’s “Baby Don’t Go,” the Dave Clark Five’s “Because,” the Mark Lindsay original “Love Will Make You Smile,” and Bobby Darin’s “Dream Lover.”

Love is Strange, which was produced by Mark Lindsay, was recorded, mixed and mastered in slambang fashion by Kurt Reil at the House Of Vibes. The Grip Weeds do a smashing job backing Mark and Susan on “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin'”; other guest musicians include the Doughboys’ Mike Caruso, and Mike Fornatale from the Left Banke reunion. Another essential release. You’ll love it.

mcpherson grant cheeseMcPherson Grant | “Cheese” and “My Favorite Thing” Pop 4’s Scott McPherson and his partner-in-musical mayhem, Jamie Grant, return to Pure Pop Radio with another two massively entertaining tunes–a double a-sided single, no less–that will have you desiring so much more.

“Cheese” is a lively, jumpy, tasty, funky hunk of, well, musical cheese that bemoans the state of, well, just about everything from TV network news to the quality of current music and contains this rather choice bit of verbiage: “I need a mighty mouse to get all this cheese outta my house.” Mighty Mouse costume not included. “My Favorite Thing,” a lovely, lyrical tip of the hat to Harry Nilsson that features one Zak Nilsson on drums and percussion, is a waltzy bemoaning of the loss of the narrator’s favorite part of a treasured relationship. McPherson Grant: Your new melodic pop obsession, now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio!

joe giddingsJoe Giddings | Better from Here Joe Giddings, forever a Pure Pop Radio star for his work with Star Collector and the JTG Implosion, returns with a knockout collection of one-man-band tracks that sparkle and explode out of your speakers. Joe serves up everything from pure, melodic pop nuggets (“If I Don’t Have Love,” with just a hint of the Partridge Family sound in the background vocals, “Gone So Far” and “Always Raining Somewhere”) to power poppers (“Brand New Day,” with a slight country-campfire element, and “Irrelevant”) and even a heartfelt ballad, inexplicably titled “Final Track.” It’s a veritable feast of Joe, and we’re popping and rocking with seven tracks, including those just mentioned, and “Better from Here.”

sundownSundown | Sundown From Paris, France (not Texas) comes this pop trio with varying degrees of power in its sound. Sundown’s self-titled EP announces itself with catchy songs performed with gusto. We’re playing all four songs: “Solutions and Remedies,””All Woman Like,” “After Some Time,” and the amazing, saxophone-charged “It’s Very Strange.” Good stuff.

hector and the leavesHector and the Leaves | Little Bee London, England’s pure pop explosion Hector and the Leaves, aka Tom Hector, delights with a four-song EP that covers all the catchy, melodic bases we love. Two songs strike a Beach Boys chord: “Loved by You” is a love letter to harmony singing and, in particular, Beach Boys vocal arrangements, and “I Ride My Bicycle” charms with the kind of instrumental flight of fancy the Boys of Summer might have indulged in circa Smiley Smile. “Good Times” is a gorgeous ballad with a lovely melody, and “Little Bee” is a concise, mid-tempo melodic wonder. A home run (there goes another baseball metaphor).

matt duncanMatt Duncan | Free Music This little wonder from up New York way (well, up from where we are) is a fine melodic pop specimen ground in a soulful ’70s, sorta-Bee Gees pop groove (and you can dance to it). “Chutes and Ladders” is a catchy mid-tempo number; “Waking Up” sports beautiful harmonies; and “Night Job” is a pretty ballad, soulful and swinging, with more delicious harmonies. We’re playing these songs, and “Somewhere in Between,” “Tell You What I Know” and “Light Bright.” Lovely.

This seems like a good place to take a rest. We’re coming back tomorrow for day two of our Four-Day New Music Songfest. We’ve got a ton of top releases to chronicle and play on the air for you. Don’t miss a second!

alan-mic-zeeAlan 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, the Posies, McPherson Grant, the Connection 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 or iOS devices! Download Our Mobile App.

Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes
Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes

We Serve Up a Quartetly Add to the Pure Pop Radio Playlist

The past few days saw us spinning some sumptuous sounds from a top-flight quartet of artists. We’ve added these sounds to our playlist; they’re now spinning in rotation, making the world a brighter, more melodic place.

jodee purkypileFrom our old friend JoDee Purkypile comes a new song that the artist describes as “a sad waltz” that features “Revolver-era McCartney harmonies.” He warns that the recording “might rip your speakers.” To all of which we say “Nah,” although we do give the nod to at least the second pronouncement. Frankly, those Macca harmonies in the chorus absolutely slay us. Ditto for the very pop guitar solo. “Here for Love” is a triumph that you’ll want to hear over and over again. At least.

merivalFrom Toronto, Canada comes Anna Horvath, who records under the name Merival and used to be in a band called First Rate People. Lovers is her first-rate, first-ever solo EP. We’d call her music first-rate folk with a pop edge; whatever you’d call it, you’d have to classify it as tasty. We’re playing three songs from Lovers: “Kickin’ You Out,” which charts a course for escape from a relationship that has slipped away; “Dream of Yourself,” a wisp of a tune and a vocal showcase atop a plunking banjo; and “Calendar,” a meeting of spare acoustic guitar figures and Merival’s plaintive voice. Think mid-period Joni Mitchell, if you need a reference point.

sweden just a kidThe band called Sweden and not the same-named country rolls in with a sizzling slice of power pop. “Just a Kid” blazes with lots of guitar fury, a catchy melody, and a children’s choir part that lifts the song’s spirits high. Thanks to Caddy’s Tom Dahl for bringing this one to our attention. It’s a good one.

 

mimi boswellRock photographer and guitarist Mimi Boswell and her friends, a stately group of cohorts that includes the Doughboys’ Myke Scavone and Richard X. Heyman, enter our playlist with a tough-as-nails pop/rocker, exhibiting equal echoes of the Rolling Stones and the Rascals. “Torn to Pieces” was mixed and mastered to rocky perfection by Pure Pop Radio pal Kurt Reil at his House of Vibes studio.

purepoplogoGet cozy with these and more than 8,100 other like-minded tracks by tuning into 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 Spongetones, the Nines, Kurt Baker, the Connection 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.

Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes
Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes

The Grip Weeds’ Kurt Reil Is On Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation Tonight!

grip-weeds-cover-largeThe mighty Grip Weeds’ How I Won the War, a great musical statement from one of pop and rock’s top bands, releases tomorrow. Tonight, Monday, April 6 at 8 pm ET, Kurt Reil goes behind-the-scenes on the record, nothing less than the band’s  career-high, top sonic achievement.

grip-weeds-2This show takes the soup-to-nuts approach that In Conversation is famous for. Kurt takes listeners through the recording of the album, telling behind-the-scenes stories about the Grip Weeds’ new songs. He even talks about the creation of the package art. You’ll hear what went into the writing and recording of three numbers–“Force of Nature,” with its Who-like intensity; “Life Saver,” a driving power pop tune; and the sweetly-realized number sung by Kristen Pinell, “Over and Over.”

grip weeds kurt reil 2Set your pop ‘n’ roll alarm clocks for tonight, Monday, April 6, at 8 pm ET and get set for an information-filled and quite lively interview with the Grip Weeds’ Kurt Reil. It’s all for you on the latest edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation.

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation is Internet radio’s premiere melodic pop talk show. Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation puts the spotlight on artists, writers, music critics and record company executives who talk candidly with Alan Haber about their work. Archived, podcast versions of interviews are posted on the In Conversation PodOmatic podcast page; click here to listen to more than 60 shows previously broadcast on Pure Pop Radio.

Click here to download our app for listening on the go with Android and iOS devices!

Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes
Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes

The Grip Weeds Have Won the War! Kurt Reil Talks About the Band’s Great New Album on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation This Coming Monday Night at 8 pm ET

the-grip-weeds-how-I-won-the-war-coverThe time has come for the release of the brand-new album from the mighty Grip Weeds: How I Won the War, a great musical statement from one of pop and rock’s top bands, releases this coming Tuesday. The night before, on Monday, April 6 at 8 pm ET, Kurt Reil guests on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation for a wide-ranging talk about this career-high, top sonic achievement.

the-grip-weedsThis show takes the soup-to-nuts approach that In Conversation is famous for. Kurt takes listeners through the recording of the album, telling behind-the-scenes stories about the Grip Weeds’ new songs. He even talks about the creation of the package art. You’ll hear what went into the creation of three  numbers–“Force of Nature,” with its Who-like intensity; “Life Saver,” a driving power pop tune; and the sweetly-realized number sung by Kristen Pinell, “Over and Over.”

the-grip-weeds-kurt-reilMore fun you simply can not have, folks. Set your pop ‘n’ roll alarm clocks for this coming Monday, April 6, at 8 pm ET for an information-filled and quite lively interview with the Grip Weeds’ Kurt Reil. It’s all for you on the latest edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation.

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation is Internet radio’s premiere melodic pop talk show. Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation puts the spotlight on artists, writers, music critics and record company executives who talk candidly with Alan Haber about their work. Archived, podcast versions of interviews are posted on the In Conversation PodOmatic podcast page; click here to listen to more than 60 shows previously broadcast on Pure Pop Radio.

See you on the radio this coming Monday night!

Click here to download our app for listening on the go with Android and iOS devices!

Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes
Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes

Kurt Reil Interview Podcast Fever, Every Little Thing is Fab, Scott Gagner Wednesday Night on In Conversation. It’s the Week Ahead on Pure Pop Radio!

Get down, get funky pop fans! The week ahead on Pure Pop Radio is nothing less than a sweat-induced, feverish pinata full of melodic pop excitement!

Ken Michaels' Every Little Thing...For the Beatles Fan Who Craves All Things Fab! Airs Every Monday at 9 pm ET on Pure Pop Radio!
Ken Michaels’ Every Little Thing…For the Beatles Fan Who Craves All Things Fab! Airs Every Monday at 9 pm ET on Pure Pop Radio!

First, the fab and gear vibes go crazy tonight at 9 pm ET, March 31, with the latest installment of Ken Michaels’ Every Little Thing. Ken delivers the Fab Four vibes as he presents an interview with George Harrison in which George speaks about perhaps his biggest Beatles number, selections from the McCartney II remaster, and a salute to the great Larry Williams, featuring his songs as recorded by the Fabs, John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band, Paul McCartney, and John Lennon. Don’t be a “Bad Boy” or a “Dizzy Miss Lizzie”–join Ken for another hour-long slice of Beatles fun!

Win a signed copy of the Grip Weeds' Inner Grooves!
Win a signed copy of the Grip Weeds’ Inner Grooves!

Second, the interview with the Grip Weeds’ Kurt Reil that ran last week on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation is now up and at ’em on our PodOMatic podcast page. Find out all about the Grip Weeds’ latest album, a great collection of “Rare and Under-Released” tunes that will amaze and delight your ears. It’s another one of our patented in-depth talks that practically blows your mind! Don’t miss it!

And, finally, third and not least, the terrific Scott Gagner, whose new album, Rise and Shine, is a hall-of-fame-worthy collection of all manner of lovely ballads that I predict will wind up on many of this year’s best-of lists, is this week’s guest on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation. Yes, Rise and Shine is that good–great, even. You’ll hear Scott talk about his musical life leading up the release of Rise and Shine and hear about songs included in that album. It’s a spirited talk that will fascinate you and draw your attention to another of the great melodic pop albums that practically call out to you. Air dates are this Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3 at 8 pm ET.

 

Scott Gagner's marvelous Rise and Shine
Scott Gagner’s marvelous Rise and Shine

So, set your alarm clocks for all of these very cool, melodic events and make your week one to remember! Enjoy!

 

Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes
Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes

Listen to Kurt Reil on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation on PodOMatic!
Listen to Kurt Reil on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation on PodOMatic!

Pure Pop Radio Sizzles this Week!

It's sizzling on Pure Pop Radio!
It’s sizzling on Pure Pop Radio!

Despite the fact that it’s not summer here at Pure Pop Radio headquarters, we’re hearing the chorus of Sly Stone’s “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” because our airwaves are sizzling with the excitement of this week’s special programming.

Ken Michaels' Every Little Thing...For the Beatles Fan Who Craves All Things Fab! Airs Every Monday at 9 pm ET on Pure Pop Radio!
Ken Michaels’ Every Little Thing…For the Beatles Fan Who Craves All Things Fab! Airs Every Monday at 9 pm ET on Pure Pop Radio!

First up tonight, at 9 pm ET, is this week’s notable edition of Ken Michaels’ Every Little Thing–notable because it’s show number nine, number nine, number nine… That should raise the neck hairs on end for most Beatlemaniacs. For this go-round, Ken is spinning a cool Beatles cover from Emmylou Harris (“Here, There and Everywhere”); playing a couple of Wings classics; running a special, archival interview with Billy Preston, accompanied by a quartet of spiritual numbers such as Preston’s “Sing One for the Lord”; and presenting the weekly theme segment, this time focusing on songs with years in the titles, like Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five.” And don’t miss the weekly trivia question at the end of the show. Sounds like an hour well spent! Number nine, number nine, number nine…

This week’s guest on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation is none other than the great Kurt Reil from the Grip Weeds. In this typically wide-ranging interview, you’ll hear about the long, detailed history of the Grip Weeds and go inside the band’s latest release, Inner Grooves – Rare and Under-Released Tracks–a delicious melange that covers just about all of the band’s musical colors. If you’ve ever wanted to know what makes this band tick, this is the interview for you. And, of course, we play a selection of cuts from this wonderful, hall-of-fame-worthy collection. Air dates are Wednesday and Thursday, March 26 and 27, at 8 pm ET.

The Grip Weed's Kurt Reil gets the beat going!
The Grip Weed’s Kurt Reil gets the beat going!

Last week’s Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation interview with Jamie Hoover and Steve Stoeckel, aka Jamie and Steve, is now available for listening and/or downloading on our PodOMatic podcast page. Jamie and Steve go in-depth, from conception to realization, on four of the great songs from their new EP, Circling (“Spin Drift,” “Origami Woman,” “You,” and “Wonder Girl”). This is a fascinating and unique look at how songs get written, played and produced from two of our greatest artists. You won’t want to miss this show! Maneuver over to our podcast page to listen.

The animated Jamie and Steve in the "Imaginary Cafe" video, created by Cool King Chris
The animated Jamie and Steve in the “Imaginary Cafe” video, created by Cool King Chris
Paul Revere and the Raiders!
Paul Revere and the Raiders!

We’ve also served up a classic, bonus interview for you. We’ve gone back to December 12, 1998 and the old, weekly, live Pure Pop Radio show for an invigorating talk with none other than Paul Revere, from Paul Revere and the Raiders. For those of you who have never heard Revere interviewed, he’s a master of the craft with any number of fascinating anecdotes at hand. You won’t want to miss one of pop music’s greatest showmen telling tales of his long and melodic career. Check it out on our podcast page–click here to make the magic happen!

Every way you look at it, this week Pure Pop Radio is sizzling with lots of exciting programming. Thanks for listening, and enjoy!

 

Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes
Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes

Listen to Jamie & Steve and Paul Revere on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation on PodOMatic!
Listen to Jamie & Steve and Paul Revere on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation on PodOMatic!

It’s Time to Spill the Beans! Next Week on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, We Present…

Mystery drummer!
Who’s hiding in the drummer’s shadow?

So we were playing around yesterday, teasing you all about the identity of next week’s guest on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation. Who was going to emote behind the In Conversation microphones? Who was going to go in-depth and lay the details of their musical life on the line?

Well, a couple of folks guessed the identity of next week’s guest. We didn’t think our clues were going to make the guessing such an easy process! But that’s the way it goes, and now it can be revealed: Next week’s guest is none other than the great Kurt Reil from the Grip Weeds!

The Grip Weed's Kurt Reil gets the beat going!
The Grip Weed’s Kurt Reil gets the beat going!

In this typically wide-ranging interview, you’ll hear about the long, detailed history of the Grip Weeds and go inside the band’s latest release, Inner Grooves – Rare and Under-Released Tracks–a delicious melange that covers just about all of the Grip Weeds’ musical colors. If you’ve ever wanted to know what makes this band tick, this is the interview for you. And, of course, we play a selection of cuts from this wonderful, hall-of-fame-worthy collection.

Air dates are next Wednesday and Thursday, March 26 and 27 at 8 pm ET. This is like a college-level course that will leave you with a hankering for much more Grip Weeds. Cue up those CD’s, folks! Get ready to rock!

Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes
Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes

20 New Songs Added to the Pure Pop Radio Playlist!

We’ve gone and done it again: We’ve added 20 more songs by 8 different artists to the Pure Pop Radio playlist. There’s nothing stopping us!

What’s new? Here’s the rundown:

* Andrea Perry – “I’m So Jealous (of Abigail Bellus).” Hot on the heels of her latest album release, the awesome 4, we’ve added Andrea’s latest song to some pretty good company. We love Andrea at Pure Pop Radio; this song is another marvelous example of just how very good she is.

* The Newds – “Go Getter,” “Mr. Happy Sunshine,” and “Chasing Shadows” (from the band’s latest release, Ready). The Newds have knocked it out of the park with some fine, catchy pop songs that really do the trick.

* The Zags – “Tattoo.” This is the brand new single from the group, a wonderful pop confection you’re going to love.

* Toxic Melons – “Change the World,” “More or Less,” “Not in Love,” and “Take Me (Radio Edit).” These are tracks from the band’s upcoming album, Bus Therapy. There’s a kool Kickstarter campaign going on that you might want to get in on. Check it out! You’ll be glad you did!

* Caddy – “Something About Carina.” This is brand new from the band’s forthcoming album, The Better End. Very Teenage Fanclub, and we know you like that sort of thing!

* Marc Platt – “I Dreamed I Saw the Beatles.” Very cool tune from an artist who’s quickly becoming a favorite around these parts. Very Fab, too!

* Markus Holler – “Little Pretender,” “Blind,” “Let Me Run,” “I Don’t Wanna Live Here,” “Ways of Love,” and “Tell Me” (from Markus’s 2002 album, Achin’ for Summer). The head honcho at Sugarbush Records lets his power pop flag fly on this wonderful album, new to Pure Pop Radio. Superb stuff!

* Third of Never – “Green Roses,” “Life Saver,” and “Indian.” Great power pop, co-produced by The Grip Weeds’ Kurt Reil, who also plays several instruments on the album.

Tune in and sample the wonders of these and the more than 4,300 songs now playing in rotation. Dig in now!

 

Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes
Click on the image to listen to Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio through players like iTunes