Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio is the archive for the premiere website that covered the melodic pop scene with in-depth reviews of new and reissued recordings, and a wide variety of features. We are now closed for new activity.
The latest and greatest pure, melodic pop hits are streaming on Pure Pop Radio, but hurry–you have only until August 25 to bop to the catchiest beats in town!
What’s new and now playing in rotation on Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio? “California Moon,” Fernando Perdomo’s new single, featuring Pat Sansone (Wilco, Autumn Defense), is top of the pops, as are four standout, propulsive tunes from the Turnback’s soon-to-be-released album, Spinning the Earth in Reverse.
Speaking of spinning, the Jangle Band’s new single, featuring the Byrdsian “The Guy Who Used to Care,” is playing in hot rotation, as are new songs from Azwel’s latest long player, Phantasmagoria, and new releases from Scott Brookman, Yani Martinelli and Friends; Lannie Flowers (another in his growing line of free songs being released prior to Lannie’s new album coming due in the fall); and McPherson Grant, whose debut album features the Klaatu-ish tune “The Marvelous and Mysterious Adventures of Sir Ollie and His Ox,” supported percussively by Klaatu’s Terry Draper.
New songs from Optiganally Yours, Tsar’s Jeff Whalen, George Usher and Lisa Burns, Michael Slawter, Jeffrey Foskett and Jeff Larson, Sean Solo, Miami Dan and the Hayes Street Band, Farrington, Wilkerson, Tony Valentino, and many more of your favorite artists are also being featured in these last 11 days of broadcasting.
Remember that we will be active as active can be here on the Pure Pop Radio website, even though Pure Pop Radio will be going off the air on August 25. So fire up your Internet radio receptacle, groove to the pop tunes, and we’ll see you on the air.
Pure Pop Radio plays the greatest melodic pop music from across the decades, 24 hours a day (until August 25). Listen by clicking on the Live365 Listen Now button at left. Hear us once and you’ll be a listener for life. Join us, won’t you? You’ll be glad you did!
Dance the day (and the night) away all this week during Pure Pop Radio’s Swinging New Music Dance Party. Here are more of the new artists and songs that have been added to our playlist, all now playing in rotation!
Swinging Spins and Reviews | 8.2.16 | by Alan Haber
Tony ‘n’ the Recruiters | “Dirty Water”
The Standells’ classic “Dirty Water” sizzled into the number 11 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in July of 1966. It’s still sizzling today, this story of dirty water and curfews and women and, yes, Boston, spoken/sung/snarled by Dick Dodd over one of the great, meaty, down-and-dirty guitar riffs of all time. Guitarist Tony Valentino is still at it–still spreading the dirty gospel by playing the song live and by waxing a brand-new recording of it that sizzles like the original so a whole new generation and older fans, too, can get down and dirty with it in the context of today’s skewed world. This new version, produced by Tony and sung with pumped up passion by Steve Loizos, is lit up at a faster pace, chugging through the last measure of the chorus with a thrilling, ascending chord pattern, and it’s all to get the pressure rising, which it does and which it should. This track won’t calm anyone down, but it’s not supposed to. Take a bow, Tony; we’ll all wade through that dirty water with you anytime. Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio. Connect with Tony Valentino on Facebook
Bent Van Looy | Pyjama Days
Bent Van Looy, based in Paris, France and a member of the band Das Pop, released his first solo album, Round the Bend, produced by Jason Falkner, in 2013. This top-notch follow-up, released this past March, is a lovely collection of sweet-sounding catchy melodies sung with assured style. Every song sparkles; every song will make you smile, from the upbeat pop number “My Escape,” beautifully arranged with little Beach Boys vocal flourishes weaved in; “Mr. Fletcher’s Song,” a melodic mid-tempo ballad that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Randy Newman album, and the sumptuous title track, a three-minute genius construct, nicely orchestrated and adorned with a smile-inducing whistle. The next time a friend asks what’s new–what’s good–you can point to this artist, to this album, and tell them it’s not just good…it’s great. Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio: “30 Days Without Sun,” “1000 Deaths,” “Downtown Train,” “High and Dry,” “Mr. Fletcher’s Song,” “My Escape,” “Pyjama Days,” “Sink or Swim,” and “Wind is Blowing.” Where to Get It: Bandcamp
Drums and Wires UK | “All the Things” and “I Should Have Known”
Ex-Squire bassist Jonathan Bicknell’s current project will be releasing, later this year, a concept album titled Ups, Downs and Merry Go Rounds, which concerns itself with the trials and tribulations of life. Until then, we have this smashing single pairing a couple of power popping classics. Performed with gusto and infused with strong melodies and passionate playing, I’m sufficiently jazzed for the album’s arrival. Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio. Where to Get It: iTunes
Corey Landis | Therapy Dog
The precursor to Corey Landis and the Attacks, added to our playlist this past Wednesday, is a different beast all around, but no less vital. More of a personal approach informs these songs, three of which are now playing in rotation: the emotional waltz “Poltergeist,” the equally emotional title track, and the punchy, quirky “Airport.” Corey Landis is one of my favorite, recent discoveries. Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio: “Poltergeist,” “Therapy Dog,” and “Airport.” Where to Get It: Bandcamp
The Del Zorros | “Yes I Want You (We’re Gonna be Married)” Lance and Leigh Bowser’s latest is a sweet, pretty paean to love, love, love. It’s the same old story with the Del Zorros–infectious melodies, top-flight songcraft, and the ability to push the right, catchy buttons each and every time. Why, oh why, can’t these guys release a new song every day, ’cause that would suit me just fine. Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio. Where to Get It: CD Baby
The Recreations | “Swing Together” Update: My pal Scott McPherson (Tiny Volcano, Pop 4, McPherson Grant) turned me on to this amazing track, and I reviewed it in early May. I’d like to echo and expand on my earlier rave: Fronted by pop visionary Yohei, this is a vital mix of soft pop, Burt Bacharach, Jellyfish, swing and jazz that comes together as a wholly unique creation you will never forget. A true kitchen-sink production. You’ll be singing this one to yourself for a month after hearing it. From Tokyo to your waiting ears. Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio. Where to Listen to It (Other than Pure Pop Radio): Soundcloud (This song is not yet available for purchase.)
Tomorrow, I’ll be doing maintenance on our virtual dance floor, which is taking some beating, what with all the dancing shoes a-scuffing it up! I’ll be back on Thursday and Friday with more reviews of new music being added to the Pure Pop Radio playlist! Meanwhile, tune in by clicking on one of the listen links below, and enjoy!
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, 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.
Yesterday’s list of new songs and artists added to the Pure Pop Radio playlist was only the beginning: We’re just getting started making our unique mix of melodic pop songs from the ’60s to today sing with joy!
Here is another list of just some of the new songs and artists we’ve added to the playlist in the past few days. All are now spinning in rotation on your original 24-hour-a-day home for the greatest pop music in the universe.
Let the melodies begin flowing!
The Ravines | Everything’s FineWe suppose it would have been a bit cheeky to call this album Everything’s Really Super Great, but that’s the way we felt the first time we took these songs for a spin. Just over a half hour long, the 10 songs here will simultaneously lift your spirits if they need lifting, make you smile when you’re thinking frown, and put a lilt in your step. The band’s press materials draw comparisons to Tom Petty, Teenage Fanclub and Crowded House, and boy, are they spot on. I’d add James Taylor into the mix, especially considering the deftly played acoustic guitar in “Queen Bee.” When the harmonies and background vocals come in, you’d swear heaven had deposited itself on earth. The song’s lovely melody is simply icing on a very tasty cake.
“Right Man Wrong Time” is an uptempo, catchy guitar pop number reminiscent of the much-loved band Venice. “Working Class Girl” is a charmer, a message to the one who can make the singer happy; the message is “don’t go where you’re not appreciated–come here, come home.” The songs, by vocalist and guitarist Chris Corney, are spectacular, and the band plays like they’re having the best time of their lives. We’ve added the entire album: the aforementioned songs, and the title cut, “Blue Eyes,” “Tambareen,” “Daydream,” “Dead Letters,” “Indigo,” and “It’s Only Love,” which starts off in the Who’s “My Generation” territory and quickly becomes a bit of a beat number driven by tapping toes. Yes, yet another entry in the best-of-2015 sweepstakes. Really great.
Carlie Mari | “Share Your Loving,” “When You Were Mine,” and “Sweet Setting Sun” Thanks to Cloud Eleven’s Rick Gallego, whose new album, Record Collection, is tearing up the Pure Pop Radio airwaves, for alerting us to this talented young woman and her fine songs. Produced by Rick, who played most of the instruments, these three songs are top of the pops with us. “Share Your Loving” is a pop torch song with a strong melody and Carlie’s expressive vocal. “Sweet Setting Sun” moves from gentle ballad to a more fully realized arrangement, again buoyed by Carlie’s great vocal. And “When You Were Mine” is a lovely number adorned with a gorgeous melody. We look forward to hearing more. Now playing in rotation.
The Big Believe | “Hands Heads Triangles” We added a number of songs from Amanda Thompson’s recording project almost a month ago, and noted in our review that we looked forward to hearing more. Our wishes have been granted: Now playing in rotation is this delicious, piano-based ballad complete with double-tracked and harmony vocals, a catchy melody, and atmosphere to spare. Of course, this song only makes us want to hear more; we hope that wishing will make that so.
Seth Timbs | One Man ArgumentThis 2011 album from the former front man for the group Fluid Ounces (who has played with the Long Players) is a wonderful melodic pop collection full of wonderful songs. In a word, it’s wonderful. We’ve added five songs to our playlist: the beautifully arranged folk-popper “Loved to Pieces,” which is as cuddly and melodic a tune as could possibly be; “Don’t Worry,” another cuddly tune with a beautiful melody; “Horsefeathers,” a popping stomper of a tune; and “Meant to Be Apart” and “Trophy Wife,” the latter of which is another stomper, and Nilsson-esque to boot! Great stuff.
Tommy Sistak | “A New Day” This inventive pop tapestry, bursting with influences from Herman’s Hermits to Roy Wood, is a typically catchy and fun creation from the creative master behind the wonderful Short Songs album, which we continue to spin in rotation here at Pure Pop Radio. It hardly gets better than this.
Tony Valentino and Dan Markell
Tony Valentino and Dan Markell | “Late Night Radio” The Standells’ Tony Valentino has teamed up with Pure Pop Radio favorite Dan Markell for this modern garage-tinged rock and roll classic. Pounding drums and sizzling electric guitar punctuate the toe-tapping proceedings. Now playing in rotation, and proudly so.
* * * * *
Not bad for a Wednesday, right? We’ll have more new adds to our playlist for you tomorrow, including a big blast of now-playing-in-rotation songs from the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Til then!
Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio is the original 24-hour-a-day Internet radio station playing the greatest melodic pop music from the ’60s to today. From the Beatles, the Beach Boys and Bill Lloyd to the Legal Matters, the New Trocaderos and the Ravines, we play the best, melodic tunes anywhere.
By Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio
The latest and greatest pure, melodic pop hits are streaming on Pure Pop Radio, but hurry–you have only until August 25 to bop to the catchiest beats in town!
What’s new and now playing in rotation on Alan Haber’s Pure Pop Radio? “California Moon,” Fernando Perdomo’s new single, featuring Pat Sansone (Wilco, Autumn Defense), is top of the pops, as are four standout, propulsive tunes from the Turnback’s soon-to-be-released album, Spinning the Earth in Reverse. 
Speaking of spinning, the Jangle Band’s new single, featuring the Byrdsian “The Guy Who Used to Care,” is playing in hot rotation, as are new songs from Azwel’s latest long player, Phantasmagoria, and new releases from Scott Brookman, Yani Martinelli and Friends; Lannie Flowers (another in his growing line of free songs being released prior to Lannie’s new album coming due in the fall); and McPherson Grant, whose debut album features the Klaatu-ish tune “The Marvelous and Mysterious Adventures of Sir Ollie and His Ox,” supported percussively by Klaatu’s Terry Draper.
New songs from Optiganally Yours, Tsar’s Jeff Whalen, George Usher and Lisa Burns, Michael Slawter, Jeffrey Foskett and Jeff Larson, Sean Solo, Miami Dan and the Hayes Street Band, Farrington, Wilkerson, Tony Valentino, and many more of your favorite artists are also being featured in these last 11 days of broadcasting.
Pure Pop Radio plays the greatest melodic pop music from across the decades, 24 hours a day (until August 25). Listen by clicking on the Live365 Listen Now button at left. Hear us once and you’ll be a listener for life. Join us, won’t you? You’ll be glad you did!
Tony ‘n’ the Recruiters | “Dirty Water”
Now playing in rotation on Pure Pop Radio.
Bent Van Looy | Pyjama Days
Drums and Wires UK | “All the Things” and “I Should Have Known”
Corey Landis | Therapy Dog
The Del Zorros | “Yes I Want You (We’re Gonna be Married)”
The Recreations | “Swing Together”
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, 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.
Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio 