Drip a Drop of Flat Five Fun (and More!) on Pure Pop Radio

July 31, 2020 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

A brand-new, most welcome drip of fun from Chicago’s artisans of pure pop mastery tops today’s roll of new adds to Pure Pop Radio’s ever-growing playlist.

Streaming in rotation along with a wide variety of catchy melodic pop nuggets both old and new is the new single from the Windy City’s Flat Five, whose 2016 debut long player, It’s a World of Love and Hope, was a musical tapestry of epic proportions. “Drip a Drop” is a wonderful example of how it is done (see how they done it in a live take from November 2019):

We now pivot from the Flat Five’s great new single to Rick Hromadka’s top-flight collection of wonderfully-realized pop ‘n’ roll songs, Better Days. We’re spinning three tracks in rotation on Pure Pop Radio: “The Ever After”; “The Last Volcano,” the last song recorded for the album, and the only one for which Rick plays all of the instruments, except drums; and “I’m Here to Entertain You,” a fun track possibly introducing a new genre: circus pop.

Pure Pop Radio favorite Kyle Vincent turns in another grand group of luscious melodic numbers on his latest album, Whatever It Takes, and we’re playing four in rotation: the upbeat and quite catchy “Bubblegum Baby,” “Two Cans and a String,” “The Girl in the Flower Shop,” and an affectionate tribute to the magical powers of “A Gilbert O’Sullivan Song.”

Kai Danzberg, who’s built up a strong following in the pop community with his last few releases, sees four more songs from his new album, Rockshow, added to the Pure Pop Radio playlist: “You and Me,” a real toe-tapper; “Living Room,” the upbeat “Making it Right,” and the very Paul McCartney-ish “Waiting for You,” our favorite new slice of Kai.

Add to all of the above a track from Jim Basnight’s 2019 album, Not Changing (“Having Fun”) and a new song from Your Friend Jebb (“Change of Seasons”) that features Lisa Mychols and Tom Richards, glorious upper-register harmonies, and a melody gift-wrapped with warmth.

Get ready, set, and go to the player depicted below, click play, and lose yourself in a wonderland of catchy melodic pop music on Pure Pop Radio. Listen all weekend long and into the weeks and months ahead, and don’t forget to save the player to your desktop and tablet. Enjoy!

Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the premier website covering the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, and a wide variety of features.

Pure Pop Radio brings the greatest melodic pop music in the universe to your waiting ears, 24 hours a day.

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation Podcasts: Kyle Vincent (Airdate: March 21, 2018)

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

By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

kyle vincent miles and an ocean Kyle Vincent sat in front of the Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation microphones on March 21 to talk with me about his new album Miles and an Ocean. We discussed a variety of topics, including the wonder of Barry Manilow and working with the Rubinoos’ Tommy Dunbar. We also played, and talked about, songs from Miles and an Ocean and 2016’s Kyle Vincent Sings the Great Manilow Songbook. Soft-pop, and Kyle Vincent, fans will not want to miss this show.

Kyle Vincent’s Miles and an Ocean is available in the store at kylevincent.com, and on Amazon and iTunes.

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Listen to my interview with Kyle Vincent from the March 21 edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation by clicking the play button on the following player, or click on the Pure Pop Radio button to the left to download (then right click and choose “Save audio as” to save the file to your computer). (This interview is presented in scoped format; the songs have been removed due to copyright concerns.)

Listen to a wide selection of previously-aired Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation interviews by clicking here.

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Pure Pop Radio’s signature shows, Alan Haber’s Pop Tunes Deejay Show, playing the latest and greatest melodic pop songs from today and across the decades, and Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, the premiere Internet melodic pop talk show, air weekly on Pop that Goes Crunch Radio.

Listen to the Pop Tunes Deejay Show on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 pm ET (two different shows every week); In Conversation airs every Wednesday night at 9 pm ET. Don’t miss a minute!

Tune in to Pop that Goes Crunch Radio by clicking on the following snazzy-looking button:

Looking for New Music Adds? Why, We’ve Got Some!

March 10, 2016May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

Things are hopping here at the spacious, newly-fake-wooded-floored Pure Pop Radio headquarters, and by hopping we mean we’re having to hop over things that are in the way, that have been put there by the team of flooring professionals that just installed a new not-carpet surface to walk on. Well, that was something to live through for two days this past weekend, and then there’s the cleanup! Whoa!

And through the events of the past few days, which are hitting up against the start of television and radio broadcasts of Washington Nationals spring training baseball games–spring is springing, for sure–we’ve been listening to and adding to and reveling in a whole lot of new music that has been added to the ever-growing Pure Pop Radio playlist.

Here’s some of what we’ve just added to our 24-hour rotation (tons more new music coming next week!):

The Foreign Films | The Record Collector (Side Four) It occurs to us that there must be as many style paths floating around in Bill Majoros’ brain as there are Real Facts printed underneath Snapple bottle caps, and the evidence, it seems, is clear on the fourth side of the master’s upcoming double-record set. Bill has been releasing this album one side at a time; this time around, the songs are perhaps a bit more soulful and fit together like a tightly-knit glove.

Here’s the rundown on the latest six songs from the Films, all of which are now spinning in rotation: “Aloha Blue Sky,” a tempting slice of Philly soul buoyed by rock ‘n’ roll spirit; “Falling Like a Star,” a John Lennon-esque number with an air of mystery; “Time Disappears (La Lune de L’amour),” a gospelized ballad; “Dream Another Dream,” another Lennon nod, this time in ’50s “Starting Over” mode; “Sunset by the Sea,” a breezy ballad dressed in Steely Dan comfort clothes by way of “Rikki Don’t Lose that Number” and Van Dyke Parks-ish marimba and steel drums accents; and “Letter to Our Future Selves,” a winning pop song by way of Jim Croce and Paul McCartney (surely the inspiring duo of the year so far), with a touch of Pure Pop Radio favorites Muller and Patton thrown in for good measure (Bill, meet Muller and Patton).

If the Foreign Films’ The Record Collector doesn’t wind up in voluminous top 10 lists this year, we’ll eat the hat we don’t wear. Seriously…this is great.

The Longplayer Orchestra | “All in the City” It’s been six years since we came across one of the most refreshing, exciting and, most of all, fun albums we’d heard in ages–the debut long player by Longplayer, subsequently to be called The Longplayer Orchestra. Comprising Goran Hjertstedt, Ulf Holmberg, and Ian Haugland, who was Goran’s partner in the glorious Brains Beat Beauty, the LPO has released the first track off the forthcoming album, Memory Lane, and it’s the usual LPO fare: fun, lively, tuneful, hooky and just vaguely ELO-ish (well, maybe more than vaguely). LPO’s music gives us great pleasure; we can’t wait for the full album. Great, great, great.

The Del Zorros | “Step Away from My Heart,””Hold You All Night Long (Dream Little Dreamer),””The Henrietta,” and “Downton Abbey (Let’s Go)” “Come on down to the shining river; it goes on and on and winds forever,” Lance and Leigh Bowser (aka Monty and Stede Del Zorro) sing rather romantically in the lovely, satiny “The Henrietta,” a song from last fall’s glorious Del Zorros long player, Wilmington, now a single release that just gets under your skin like the best things you love. And speaking of love, “Hold You All Night Long (Dream Little Dreamer)” is a song that you will, you know, love–a soulful strutter of epic proportions, if epic, in this case, is the feeling you get dancing with the one you love, ever so close. “Step Away from My Heart” is a Staxian stomper, perfect for the dance floor, and “Downton Abbey (Let’s Go)” is a timely sendoff for the popular PBS program that just concluded its loving run. Monty and Stede are doing great work, and we’re proud to be featuring it on Pure Pop Radio.

James Patrick | “Pet Your Stereo” and “Rabbit Hole Blues” Look no further than the short and sweet power-packed nugget “Pet Your Stereo” that’s shooting straight out of the glam-pop well for your Marc Bolan-y fix. From James Patrick’s upcoming album (think April), this is a sizzler–a groovy contemporary stomper oozing replayability for maximum enjoyment. And, as good as “Pet Your Stereo” is, “Rabbit Hole Blues” might just be even better. A Todd Rundgren-esque song with just as much Paul McCartney DNA sprinkled on top, with three fairly distinct parts, it’s a pure pop winner. Great stuff.

Phyllis Johnson | “30 Trips Around the Sun” Gee whiz, Phyllis Johnson…when are you going to make the album that’s sure to blaze around the sun and swoop up a grand, adoring, worldwide audience for your beautiful music? Here is Phyllis’ latest modern classic, a delicious channeling of Aimee Mann-esque mid-tempo balladry that hooks you upon first listen. Lovely.

Dion and Paul Simon | “New York is My Home” Who doesn’t stop in his or her tracks to soak in a new song from the great musical poet of New York, whose streets resonate with his legacy? Dion’s new song, sung with another Big Apple poet, Paul Simon, is a gorgeous, soulful love letter to the city that remains a most vibrant, shining star. Terrific.

Kenny Herbert | “Forever and Beyond,” “You,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” We continue to swoon to the sounds of one of our favorite singer-songwriters, who we’ve been playing on the air for quite a long while. Kenny’s new album, Forever and Beyond, is set for April release and we can’t wait. We’ve got a trio of love songs for you, in advance of the release–the title track, arranged for acoustic guitar and understated orchestration, and a beautifully sung charmer; the oh-so-pretty “You”; and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a love letter to Frank Capra’s classic film that also points to having a wonderful life in the here and now. We can’t wait for the full album.

Kyle Vincent | “Narita (Tokyo Girl)” and “Whatever Happened to Fun” Here’s a real springtime treat, slightly in advance of the season. “Narita (Tokyo Girl)” is a wonderfully catchy, upbeat pop song with a great, catchy melody; “Whatever Happened to Fun” is a fun, new recording of the classic song released by Kyle’s former band, Candy, in 1985. It’s always great to have new Kyle Vincent songs to play on the radio.

Linda Perhacs – “The Dancer” This intoxicating, atmospheric number, co-produced by Fernando Perdomo and Wilco’s Pat Sansone, is alive and vital; it will presumably be included on the artist’s next album, only her third since 1970. You won’t be able to get this song out of your head. Gorgeous.

The April Family | “1943” Michael Carpenter, Casey Atkins and Kylie Whitney, whose 2014 album, Something About Ghosts, was one of our favorite records of that year, come together to deliver a swampy, soulful (there’s that word again) track that bubbles with emotion and fury. Factor in the amazing Kylie vocal and you’ve got a track that makes you want to hear more. Superb.

Tom Shaner | I Hate to See Your Spirit Fade Perhaps more on the folk and blues sides of life’s musical equation than pop, Tom Shaner’s songs exude a certain seductive energy that is all in there, emotionally speaking. A protege of Jeff Buckley, Tom logged time in New York City band Industrial Tepee. We’re playing seven great songs from this superb album, including “New York City is Paradise #2,” “Tide of Love” “Vanessa the Vegan Murderess,” “Your Complication Soul,” “When the Devil Comes Callin’,” “I Can’t Be the One,” and “Wandering Heart.” A beautiful, soulful record.

Velasco | “I Can’t Surf” Decidedly sitting on the pop side of the musical fence, this singer-songwriter out of Paris (the one in France) follows up his two EPs and four singles with a sweet-sounding, upbeat, catchy song set to a relaxed surf beat. Love, love, love it. Welcome Giuseppe Velasco to Pure Pop Radio.

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There you go: just some of the latest adds to the Pure Pop Radio playlist. And, as usual, we’re just getting started! Be with us next week for more runs through some of the latest songs and artists we’ve started playing in rotation. Until then, why not click on one of the listen links below and tune into the greatest melodic pop music in the universe!

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

Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, the Internet’s Premiere Melodic Pop Music Talk Show Podcast Returns to PodOmatic With Five New Shows!

March 17, 2015May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

Tell all your friends, wake up your neighbors and let the melodic pop music conversation flow freely from sea to shining sea: Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation has returned to PodOmatic with five brand-new shows featuring your favorite melodic pop artists and personalities.

Now posted and available for online listening and/or download on In Conversation’s PodOmatic page: five new shows featuring the Weeklings’ Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger, Kyle Vincent, Beatlefan Executive Editor Al Sussman, Terry Draper (Klaatu), and the Dowling Poole’s Willie Dowling and Jon Poole. Each show delivers in-depth, behind-the-scenes talk that you need to hear about each artist’s music and topics of importance. Plus, Spotify and YouTube direct song links are provided for each show, where available.

The artists and personalities featured in the five new shows just posted:

* The Weeklings’ Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger, speaking about their just-released, self-titled monophonic album and how the project got off the ground.

* Kyle Vincent, talking about his new album, Detour, and his approach to songwriting. Listen also for Kyle’s reminiscences of famed music legend Kim Fowley.

* Al Sussman, talking about his informative book, Changin’ Times, November 22, 1963 – March 1, 1964: 101 Days that Shaped a Generation. Listen for 13 songs from 1963 with expert commentary from Al.

* Terry Draper, talking about his latest solo album, When the World was Young; his studio, Swamp Manor; and other fascinating topics.

* The Dowling Poole’s Willie Dowling and Jon Poole, discussing their debut album as a duo. Willie and Jon also talk about how they got together and made music magic in the studio.

More new Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation shows are coming soon. Meanwhile, listen online and/or download these exciting shows. And while you’re at our PodOmatic podcast page, check out all of the previous shows we’ve posted. You’ll love them!(P.S. Give us a like if you like what you see and hear!)

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

The Weeklings and Kyle Vincent Make Pure Pop Magic this Week on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation!

March 2, 2015May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

Last week, Pure Pop Radio’s signature melodic pop music talk show, In Conversation, electrified the airwaves by airing first-time-broadcast interviews with Terry Draper and the Dowling Poole. We’re still fired up; this week, the Weeklings, with Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger, and Kyle Vincent step in front of our microphones and speak with Alan Haber for a couple of fun, in-depth talks that feature tracks from their latest, stellar recordings.

Kyle Vincent is up first tomorrow night, March 3, at 8 pm ET with the inside story of the making of his latest album, Detour. We also talk about Kyle’s approach to recording. And that’s not all: Kyle reminisces about the late Kim Fowley, for whom Kyle worked for a few years. Plus, you’ll hear some songs from Detour. It’s another in our series of spirited talks about the greatest music in the universe…melodic pop! (This show repeats on Wednesday, March 4 at 3 pm ET.)

The Weeklings’ Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger are up next on Thursday, March 5 at 8 pm ET with a lively back-and-forth about their self-titled, debut album, recorded in glorious monophonic sound. Glen and Bob talk about the album, how the band got together, and other fun topics, including the challenge of recording in mono and covering some of the choice tunes that John Lennon and Paul McCartney gave away. You can also “Meet the Weeklings” when this program airs again on Monday, March 9 at 6 pm ET, the night before the album’s release on March 10. It’s gonna be real fab!

We’re excited about both of these programs; we know you will be too! There are lots of new In Conversation shows coming up–details to come very soon!

See you tomorrow and Wednesday for Kyle Vincent, and Thursday and next Monday for the Weeklings. You couldn’t have this much fun on your own if you tried!

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

New Songs? New Artists? We’ve Got ’em! Welcome to New Adds Wednesday!

January 14, 2015May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to New Adds Wednesday, for which we have gathered together a melodically-charged group of songs and artists that are new to the Pure Pop Radio playlist. We’ve got so much music to add–more than 150 songs have been added in just the past few days, with more to come–that we’ll also be reporting on our buoyant crop of newbies tomorrow and next week.

So, without further ado, here are just a half-dozen of the latest musical finds we’re now spinning in rotation on our humble radio station (remember: more coming tomorrow!):

Kyle Vincent | Detour. The King of Soft Pop–a master craftsman sculpting peerless, lusciously-rendered songs with deep hooks and even deeper feeling–returns with a typically catchy collection of melodies that come from the heart and soul. Featuring two songs co-written with longtime compatriot Tommy Dunbar from the Rubinoos and another with heritage power popper Parthenon Huxley, Detour is practically overflowing with riches; we’ve added seven of Vincent’s marvelous musical tapestries, including “Happy Me,” “Too Much Time In My Head,” “Whenever the Rain Falls,” “Forget You Girl,” “A Rock In My Shoe,” “Ooh Bop Baa,” and “San Francisco.” It’s always a pleasure to welcome new Kyle Vincent songs into the Pure Pop fold.

Luke Potter | So Sugar. The young Earl of Ear Candy delivers a delightful collection of sugary, radio-ready, instantly singalongable delights. Produced by Bleu, who also plays and sings on the album, this is feel-like-a-million-bucks music, just like the kind that AM radio used to play–singable, danceable, catchy tunes designed to get you smiling and tapping your feet. We were hooked as the first notes played. Our playlist is now featuring five great Potter numbers, including “So Sugar,” “There It Goes Again,” “Sadie,” “Possibility,” and “Chance Worth Taking.”

Donny Brown | Hess Street. Released this past Christmas Day by the fine Futureman Records label, Hess Street sounds like it was recorded especially for Pure Pop Radio. Delightful from start to finish, Brown’s pure vocals combine with lovely arrangements, delicious background harmony stacks and great songs for a delightful listening experience that delivers every step of the way. Brown is a real find. We’ve added all five songs to the Pure Pop Radio playlist: “Lucky Number,” “The Driving Song,” “Bitter Rival,” “Call Me,” and “The Night I Fell for You.” We anxiously await Brown’s next release. Sooner than later, please.

One Like Son | New American Gothic. In 2014, One Like Son’s Stephen Poff recorded a song each week for a project he called 52 Weeks. The songs collected on New American Gothic began life as entries in Poff’s yearlong exercise. New American Gothic is a powerhouse collection that packs more oomph into 51 minutes than is seemingly possible. Catchy power pop numbers like “Falling from My Arms” and “What Momma Knew,” along with guitars, guitars and more guitars, propel this one to the top of the pops. We’ve added these two songs, and two more besides: the title track and the wonderfully titled “Punk Rock Prom Queen.”

Kurt Baker | Muy Mola Live! Recorded at Salty Peet’s Rock Shack in Kenosha, Wisconsin in June of last year, Muy Mola Live! delivers a blazing hot set of originals and choice covers that will literally knock your socks off (we say this from personal experience). Baker’s been a Pure Pop Radio favorite for years, so it’s only natural that we jumped on this one in ASAP fashion. Our playlist is popping and rocking with a quartet of tunes that make us wish we’d been in the audience for this performance: “Love Potion #9,” an amped-up “Cry for a Carajillo” (Beatles fans will recognize this one straight away), “Tried and True,” and “Don’t Go Falling in Love.” Dynamite, to put it mildly.

Small Faces | Small Faces. We’re on a mission to boost our collection of ’60s classics. Our first move in that direction is to pump up the beat in our playlist by adding seven stellar tunes from Small Faces’ 1966, self-titled debut: “You Better Believe It,” “It’s Too Late,” “One Night Stand,” “What’cha Gonna Do About It,” “Sorry She’s Mine,” “Sha La La La Lee,” and “Patterns.” Hearing these songs again is an instant transport back to our favorite decade for pop–a trip back in time to pop music’s grooviest era. More sixties classics to come on Pure Pop Radio.

All of the above-noted classic tracks, and all of the classic artists, are now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio. We’ll have more new adds in the spotlight tomorrow. Be here for all of the fun!

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