It seems a while since I've been around Classic Power Pop. It isn't a reflection on the genre, it is just that the recent revival has had a slightly harder edge moving it nearer to Indie and it is joyous to hear the results. The relative lack of the Classic makes this album sound even better.
Mark Ward's move from Alaska to Washington meant leaving behind his Alt Americana band, Last Train. Now solo, without the band input. he reverted to his younger years love of Power Pop. Although songs here such as Villain and River demonstrate his strength in Americana and Country.
However from the get go this is classic Power Pop of the highest order. The opener, I've Been Around is classic late 70s UK Power Pop with a stunning Jangle and hook. Kiss Me Kiss Me Kate jangles even more, very American, a little Tommy Keene, a little Windbreakers.
I'm ready slows things down nicely, very Acoustic at times, it feels very 80s and is great Commercial Guitar Pop. Paint My House may be my favourite here, more Angular, wonderfully Indie, yet suitably melodic, a little Cotton Mather maybe.
Little Frames is very 60s Byrds, mixing West Coast Rock with a riff that Jangles, but gets really close to Psych Pop. Wasted On My own Again goes the whole hog with a Psych Pop verse matched to a big chorus.
Love Me Once Again is great Merseybeat and Pixie Girl is almost Rockpile. Let 'Er Rip is splendid Power Pop with a big dash of Jangle Pop. An album built on memorable riffs, singalong choruses with big harmonies and essential melody. A crackerjack of an album!
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