Spins and Reviews | 03.01.17
By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

Today’s batch of reviews features a preview of a new song from Pure Pop Radio favorites Vegas With Randolph, new releases from a trio of prolific melodic popsters, and much more…

Vegas With Randolph | “Women in Airports”
Departing from Fountains of Wayne National Airport, Vegas With Randolph flies the friendly skies with this eminently catchy boarding pass of a song that happily charts a sweet flight path for these Washington, D.C. popsters. Captains of the pop industry, VWR is in full pop song mode with a look at love in all the airborne places, starting on the ground and looking up to 30,000 feet in the air.

The clever, observational lyric stipulates the narrator’s love for females in airports, no matter where they may come from or what their relationship status might be: “Women in airports/Are perfect for me.” But there is at least a small measure of concern in this well-appointed lyric: “I know she has baggage/But does she have baggage?” In fact, he seems quite content and self-assured: “We’ll hit cruising altitude and see/The best is yet to be.”

Are airports the choice spot for companionship in the ’10s? The narrator seems convinced. “I would really like to take you/On the greatest trip you’ve ever seen (so snap your seat belt),” he sings. “Find that sunny place inside your dreams (clouds are fading)/As we pry into the skies of possibility/We will smash the past in our jet stream/The best is yet to be.”

“Women in Airports” is a great Vegas With Randolph song, a pop and roll track sweetened by a gooey, catchy center. Fly in lots of guitars, popping percussion, and great vocals, and you have a classic number that will stay with you as you negotiate your future flight path. Get your ticket today!

Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio

Where to Get It: Bandcamp

Terry Draper | “If I Only Had a Brain”
The former Klaatu member’s creative juices have been flowing fairly regularly of late, which makes us very, very happy. Releasing, since 2014, two full albums–Searching and When the World Was Young–and a retrospective of unreleased material, Window on the World: The Lost 80’s Tapes, Terry has been busy, and he shows no signs of stopping. He’s recorded a treasured number from The Wizard of Oz, the ultimate “what if” song. Terry’s whimsical arrangement is pure sugary heaven. Fun fact, according to Wikipedia: “Originally written by (Harold) Arlen and (E.Y.) Harburg as ‘I’m Hanging On to You’ for the 1937 Broadway musical Hooray for What!, the song was ultimately dropped from that show, and when the pair was later hired to do the songs for (The Wizard of) Oz, Harburg simply wrote new lyrics to the tune.” Purchase immediately? The Scarecrow would probably say “Gosh, it would be awful pleasin’,” and we wholeheartedly agree.

Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio

Where to Get It: iTunes, Amazon

The Del Zorros | “Prudence”
Speaking of continually flowing creative juices, there’s also something in the water over at Casa de Del Zorro. Monty and Stede’s latest is an immensely satisfying tribute to the magic of The Beatles, an easygoing shuffle, in the rhythmic, melodic and lyrical senses. Weaving a bevy of Beatles song titles and melodies into three minutes of Del Zorros charm, the brothers wink along with you and ask that you only sway to the feel and smile. Clueing you into all of the so-that’s-where-that-comes-froms would mean you’d miss out on some of all of the fun, so we’ll only put the spotlight on “Do You Want to Know a Secret,” “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You,” and “Please Please Me.” Oh, and there’s a touch of “Sugar, Sugar” in here, too. Sweet!

Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio

Where to Get It: CD Baby

Scot Sax | “Busy Bee”
Another pretty prolific popster, this one out of Nashville, is beating the drum for pop and roll, with a healthy smidge of soul blended into the mix. We go back a long way with Scot Sax’s music–songs from his time with Wanderlust and Bachelor Number One continue to play in rotation on our air. We’re also playing songs from Scot’s recent releases; his duo album with wife Suzie, Our Album Doesn’t Like You Either, is another Pure Pop Radio favorite playlist add. From Scot’s current collection, Grooved Pavement, comes this fun, soul-pop confection, a singalongable, clapalongable earworm that is a joy from first note to last. Get busy, and bee-lieve!

Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio

Where to Get It: Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes

Geno and the Jukebox | “(Kicked Outta the) Hipster Coffee Shop”
Gene Pompilio, formerly of New Jersey’s prime pop outfit Cosmic Avenger, which also counted his brother John as a member, returns to Pure Pop Radio with a lighthearted, smiling workhorse of a pop song, another mirthful number that will put a smile on your face. There are lots more of these just-over-two-minute-long creations on Gene’s Soundcloud page. Go get ’em!

Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio

Where to Get It: Soundcloud

The Squires of the Subterrain | “Slightly Radio Active”
The Squire (aka Chris Earl) returns to Pure Pop Radio and the world-at-large with the first, powerhouse track off of his upcoming album, Slightly Radio Active. A rather straightforward (for the Squire, at least) pop and roll workout, “Slightly Radio Active” features a guitar line somewhat reminiscent of the Beatles, and the Squire’s usual joie de vivre. And a lot of guitars. Stomp along with the Squire.

Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio

Where to Get It: The Squires of the Subterrain website