The Click Beetles - Emerald Green

 

I have at times been accused at times of having a downer on Power Pop. I know it is hard to believe that I would upset anyone, but there you have it. The truth is I haven't any such thing. The problem has always been too many of the fans or more relevantly fan groups. IDHAS became what it is on the back of Power Pop then it just moved in other directions, but I still love the genre, 

It suffered dreadfully with the "Is It Power Pop" brigade and that made it uncool for bands to be linked to it. It also became ageist and more than a little bit, all new music is shite. I understand that people like the things that they've always liked, but that doesn't suit a Blog that concentrates on the new and under appreciated.

There is good and bad in every genre, but there is the overhang of mediocre when people try to define something rigidly, it just limits the audience. When a band gets Power Pop right, it can be the most uplifting thing ever and The Click Beetles get it right all of the time. Dan Pavelich's adventures with Drummer, Van Dyke Brown are exceptional .

Whether it is the Merseybeat of the 60s, the New Wave or Pop Rock of the 70s or the revitalised 90s, they master the sound. They are at their best when they Jangle, Goodbye Margot and Modern Girl best represent this beautifully. The addition of Andrea Perry's vocal on Natalie Would is a triumph, great UK 60s Beat that ventures into Psych Pop.

Return The Sun begins with a Blues Riff but settles into a splendid melancholic Pop Rock affair which is very 1967 but with a hint of late 50s. Dear Liza Jane is as good a piece of Toytown as I've heard recently, delivered at pace with the feel of a Kids 60s UK Cartoon theme. Green has a cracking Bass run that drives it and the guitar is hypnotic, even creeping into Jangle Pop at times. 

What You Do may be the best thing on the album. There is so much in its 3 minutes 20. Power Pop, Psych Pop, UK Beat and much more. This isn't an album that has been thrown together. There is plenty for the Power Pop fan, but there are also big steps into other directions. That keeps Emerald Green interesting and relevant and as good an example of great Guitar Pop as I've heard all year.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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The Click Beetles - Pop Fossil

It's been a while since we've heard from Dan Pavelich, six years or so since Wake Up To Music and he's been missed, particularly as great Pop Rock albums seem thin on the ground at the moment. Pop Fossil is just that and more.

There's a real 70's feel to the album, so much so that you can imagine it being an Arista release in 1976. From the wistfulness of Four Leaf Clover to the Bottom like backing of the Rock and Rolling  Alone. Rosanne even sounds like it could be a song on Miami Vice.






The album seems best when it jangles on the likes of Dreamland and Hey Renee and even the big opener, If Not Now Then When? jangles in the chorus in what is a real big beat affair. Don't You Call My Name is another real sing along. Four Leaf Clover even gets Spector-ish in the production.

This is a great second album from a very under rated talent. The big sound and big hooks dominate in what is yet another triumph for Keith Klingensmith's Futureman Records label. Get ready to tap your feet and sing along.






You can listen to and buy the album here.


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