David Myhr – Soundshine

Monday was a great day for fans of power pop, because Lojinx released David Myhr’s solo debut Soundshine. The expectations were sky high, because David Myhr used to play in The Merrymakers, which is one of my all-time favourite power pop groups. Thankfully Soundshine fills those almost unrealistic expectations extremely well. This really is pure pop perfection and it’s no wonder that the album has gotten a fantastic reception in the pop-minded blogosphere. For example both Powerpopaholic and Absolute Powerpop think it’s the the album of the year so far. I can pretty much agree. Even though my addiction to Mörönsyötti has reached such heights that Soundshine probably can’t knock it out from the album of the year spot, this definitely is my favourite pure pop album of the year (and the opening track Never Mine is a strong candidate for the song of the year award). This catchy-as-hell pop heaven has more beautiful melodies than there are country songs about Carolina. I enjoyed the lyrical side of things as well. I have to mention the opening lines of Wanderlust. Sometimes I’m able to make art out of indecisiveness and therefore the line “I used to think I had a problem making up my mind / Now I’m not sure anymore” just made me smile. If you are looking for timeless melodies and harmony-filled pop music, you really can’t go wrong with Soundshine. Perfect spring soundtrack and if you are listening to this I guarantee that even the nastiest sudden cold spell can’t remove the sunshine from your heart.

David Myhr Website

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Arthur Alexander – The Girl That Radiates That Charm

File under: the best songs in the world. That’s pretty much the only reason why I posted this. But I suppose it’s a mighty good reason. Eilen Jewell introduced this song to me sometime late last year and since then I’ve listened to it so many times that I’ve lost count. Tonight is one of those nights when I ended up listening to The Girl That Radiates Charm on repeat. I still don’t know too much about Arthur Alexander, but damn.. this song is just perfect.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb0xFOEs6Go]

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Video of the Day #95: Jacco Gardner

Are you looking for new baroque pop and psych pop artists? If you are, this one is for you. Jacco Gardner from the Netherlands lists artists like Billy Nicholls, Duncan Browne, The Zombies, The Beach Boys, Curt Boettcher as his influences. So Jacco is definitely a man with great taste in music and he is also able to create a bit of magic himself. Action Weekend Records recently released his debut 7″ single Clear the Air and it is such a great baroque pop/psych treasure. This is the a-side Clear The Air.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yjlXKliYYA]

Jacco Gardner Website

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Red Jacket Mine – Listen Up (If the World Is Going to Hell)

This new single Listen Up (If the World Is Going to Hell) was my first introduction to Seattle-based Red Jacket Mine. They’ve released two full-lenghts in the past (Lovers Lookout from 2009 was actually produced by one of my biggest heroes, Ken Stringfellow), so I’m joining the party rather late. However, I think I need to preview the earlier material as well, because I’m really enjoying Red Jacket Mine’s soulful pop music. “Curtis Mayfield meets Nick Lowe” says the bio about the a-side of the single. Now that’s a good way to lift the expectations extremely high. This is Listen Up (If the World Is Going to Hell):

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9neR520ANo]

And this is the b-side Rosy Days (There’s a moment or two in here that makes think of Joe Algeri/Jack & The Beanstalk)

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/36965901″ iframe=”true” /]
 
Besides making great music, Red Jacket Mine’s frontman Lincoln Barr is also listening to great music. Lately I’ve been also listening to the artists he recommended on this Ardent interview. I knew Bahamas and Jason Collett beforehand, but Zeus, Peter Elkas and The Golden Dogs were new to me and I’ve really liked them. Especially Zeus.

Red Jacket Mine Website

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