In addition to his work with Candy Butchers, Viola has released numerous solo records. "The Strawberry Blonde" is one of many highlights in his catalogue, and it can be found on his 2007 album, "Lurch."
Showing posts with label Mike Viola. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Viola. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
"The Strawberry Blonde" by Mike Viola
You probably haven't heard of Mike Viola but odds are you've heard his work at some point. Viola got his start in the mid-90s with his band, Candy Butchers, writing and performing delectable power pop. His songwriting and producing talents have since been embraced by a multitude of artists ranging from Mandy Moore to Fall Out Boy to Matt Nathanson.
In addition to his work with Candy Butchers, Viola has released numerous solo records. "The Strawberry Blonde" is one of many highlights in his catalogue, and it can be found on his 2007 album, "Lurch."
In addition to his work with Candy Butchers, Viola has released numerous solo records. "The Strawberry Blonde" is one of many highlights in his catalogue, and it can be found on his 2007 album, "Lurch."
Friday, December 14, 2018
"I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of The Week" by Mandy Moore
When people spoke about Mandy Moore in the 2000s they mostly thought about her as a young pop princess. She had a successful recording career with popular songs like "Candy" (#41) and "I Wanna Be With You" (#24).
Today, most people think of Moore's acting career, most famously the hit show This Is Us. She still gets to impress with her vocal chops during the show as a part-time singer in a bar band.
During her transition from music to acting, her 2009 album, "Amanda Leigh," is often overlooked. It is not the typical album of pop fluff one might expect, but a well-crafted pop album in which powerpop mastermind Mike Viola had a heavy hand. "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of The Week" was the first single, and while it failed to chart, remains one of the finest tunes in Moore's catalogue.
Today, most people think of Moore's acting career, most famously the hit show This Is Us. She still gets to impress with her vocal chops during the show as a part-time singer in a bar band.
During her transition from music to acting, her 2009 album, "Amanda Leigh," is often overlooked. It is not the typical album of pop fluff one might expect, but a well-crafted pop album in which powerpop mastermind Mike Viola had a heavy hand. "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of The Week" was the first single, and while it failed to chart, remains one of the finest tunes in Moore's catalogue.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
"Ya Had Me Goin'" by L.E.O.
In 2006, modern powerpop songwriter Bleu gathered some of the best players in the genre to pay homage to Jeff Lynne and E.L.O. Likeminded musicians who contributed to the project included Mike Viola, Hanson, and Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish).
The project resulted in a single album called "Alpacas Orgling" and it is simply magnificent. A mix of upbeat rockers and melodramatic ballads, this record sounds more E.L.O. than some of their own. Channeling the ability of Jeff Lynne to effortlessly blend rock, pop, and dance, "Ya Had Me Goin'" is the ultimate feel-good party song. Sounds like it came out of a late 70s time capsule (in a good way)!
The project resulted in a single album called "Alpacas Orgling" and it is simply magnificent. A mix of upbeat rockers and melodramatic ballads, this record sounds more E.L.O. than some of their own. Channeling the ability of Jeff Lynne to effortlessly blend rock, pop, and dance, "Ya Had Me Goin'" is the ultimate feel-good party song. Sounds like it came out of a late 70s time capsule (in a good way)!
Monday, April 30, 2018
"There Goes My Baby" by Kelly Jones
A brilliant little record called "SheBANG!" was released in 2008 by independent artist Kelly Jones. Power pop god Mike Viola had his capable hands all over this project, co-writing many of the songs, playing several instruments, producing, and arranging the record. Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne, Tinted Windows) also co-wrote one of the tracks ("Crazy Talk").
The result is a treasure of a power pop record that should have seen mainstream success. Jones has a sweet and beautiful voice that carries these catchy tunes to lofty heights. Check out "There Goes My Baby" as a sample, but do yourself a favor and listen to it all!
The result is a treasure of a power pop record that should have seen mainstream success. Jones has a sweet and beautiful voice that carries these catchy tunes to lofty heights. Check out "There Goes My Baby" as a sample, but do yourself a favor and listen to it all!
Sunday, February 28, 2016
"Father To Son" by Ned Brower
We'll get to the terrific power pop band Rooney in good time, but today's feature is Ned Brower, drummer for said band. In 2010, Brower teamed up with another fan favorite in the power pop genre, Mike Viola, to produce his solo record, "Great To Say Hello".
The entire album is off the charts, but the song that gets to me the most is "Father To Son". With lyrics that will leave a tear in your eye, this upbeat pop tune feels like a Brian Wilson track. I can't find a video, but you can sample the song here and on Amazon or iTUNES. While you're at it, don't miss the other highlights from this amazing little record, especially "Underneath Your Spell" and "Hide Your Secrets Away".
The entire album is off the charts, but the song that gets to me the most is "Father To Son". With lyrics that will leave a tear in your eye, this upbeat pop tune feels like a Brian Wilson track. I can't find a video, but you can sample the song here and on Amazon or iTUNES. While you're at it, don't miss the other highlights from this amazing little record, especially "Underneath Your Spell" and "Hide Your Secrets Away".
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