International music, Power Pop

Power Pop #15: The Merrymakers

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I’m not sure has anyone missed these power pop entries, but now there’s definitely time for another episode. Ex-Merrymakers David Myhr will play at Flavour of the Month (Pikku-Torre, Turku) on this friday 2nd of march. Before writing one last reminder about the upcoming show and focusing on his new excellent solo material, it’s time to celebrate the past and post a couple of songs by The Merrymakers. This Swedish pop group created two stunning albums in the 90s. No Sleep ’til Famous and Bubblegun are both amazing. Bubblegun is actually one of my all-time favourite power pop albums and Popsicle, The Wannadies and The Merrymakers will probably always the most influential Swedish bands to me. Here are Saltwater Drinks and April’s Fool from Bubblegun. Plus a promo clip for Bubblegun.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS5NZDRcia8]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tavZ7E-MetQ]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gozOb9aAmUU]

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International music, Video of the Day

Video of the Day #89: Daniel Romano

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Canadian Daniel Romano released a wonderful vintage country album Sleep Beneath The Willow last year. It took the spot #14 on onechord.net’s album of the year list. The opener Time Forgot (To Change My Heart) has now a music video. Such a great song.. and there’s actually 3-4 better ones on the album. That’s how strong the album is.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no3tNgZXIvE]

Daniel Romano Website

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International music, News

An American Underdog – Always On The Run

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I’ve been meaning to write about this amazing pop album for a month, because it deserves some.. well actually a lot of.. love. There’s also another good reason to write about it, because it was just released on vinyl in february 2012 (came out in october 2011 on CD).

Michigan-based songwriter/producer Andy Reed is the man behind An American Underdog and he has created an impressive pop record. Always on the Run is a melodic heaven that reminds me of all kind of great things from Jellyfish to The Beach Boys. These delightful pop songs are full of insightful arrangements. I’ll Miss You Girl should be a hit in the same vein Cherry Twister songs should have been hits in the year 2000. Always on The Run is a classic pop album and it’s not a surprise that it was widely praised on several power pop blogs last year. This is the opener Your Reign Is Over. You’ll find plenty of more sample songs from his soundcloud page.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/22340222″ iframe=”true” /]
 
An American Underdog Website
An American Underdog at Facebook

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International music, Video of the Day

Video of the Day #88: Tyler Butler

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Yer Bird Records will be re-releasing Tyler Butler’s Winter King on 20th of march. To celebrate the upcoming release, Tyler and Yer Bird have set up a video series and they will post a new live video every tuesday until the release. Winter King took some high positions on the year-end lists of my favourite folk-minded blogs (Slowcoustic, Common Folk Music) and it’s definitely time to introduce my heart to Tyler Butler’s music when Winter King comes out. I think we might hit it off rather well, if this video of Plover is a sign of things to come. Finnish folks are certainly quite used to the same kind of chilling conditions as this Canadian folk musician. Check out more videos at winterking.ca where you will find a new video each tuesday.

Tyler Butler :: Plover from Yer Bird Records on Vimeo.

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