beatlesque pop rock

11 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Acoustic, POP: Power Pop



Details:
About the Artist
Braden Blake first appeared on the independent music scene in 1995 when a demo by his new band, Super Deluxe, was snapped up by Portland label Tim/Kerr and released with much critical acclaim. Super Deluxe quickly became a fixture on the northwest music scene, sharing the stage with other local favorites like The Presidents of The United States of America, Harvey Danger, and the Posies. Soon wined and dined by many labels, Warner wasted no time in signing the band, remixing "Famous" and releasing it under their newest label, Revolution Records. "Famous" went on to be named "power pop record of the year" by Melody Maker Magazine, Britain's largest music publication. Rolling stone called Super Deluxe's "buzzing guitars and soaring harmonies equal parts Cheap trick, Big Star and Redd Kross - (they) draw a very diverse crowd."
Songs from "Famous" were featured on various movie and television soundtracks, and also appeared on several compilation CDs. Super Deluxe spent the next few years touring the U.S. and Europe to support "Famous" and their follow-up album, "Via Satellite".

After the breakup of Super Deluxe, Blake made a natural transition into the role of solo performer with regular appearances in Seattle music venues. After a few years of playing intimate live shows to a devoted audience, Braden Blake has finally returned to the studio, to recount "A Year in Pajamas".

Album Description
'A Year in Pajamas' is the first solo release by former lead singer and primary songwriter of Seattle's power-pop band 'Super Deluxe'. The album is a quiet, introspective journey through the rocky terrain of heartbreak, joy and self-doubt experienced by one man during one particularly tumultuous year. "It's not necessarily what I originally envisioned sonically," says Blake, "but as a whole I think it's a pretty cohesive work,and sums up a time period fairly acurately, in a matter of minutes."

A Year in Pajamas is indeed an intimate glimpse into Blake's world, populated with a cast of characters that confuse and delight him, tantalize and tempt him, disappoint and abandon him. The lyrics, replete with double-entendres and mysterious turns, are contradictory at their core; they are at the same time honest and misleading, melancholy and hopeful, confident and self-deprecating. They ask the questions that lie deep at the heart of all relationships with others - ones we rarely dare address. The fundamental nature of these questions means every listener will relate.

Sonically, a lot of musical territory is covered. Blake's trademark juxtaposition of bouncy melody over serious subject matter is here. And though perhaps not as easily accessible as his work with Super Deluxe, with every listen more is gleaned. And of course, his influences are apparent; artists like Aimee Mann and Michael Penn, Elliot Smith, Neil Finn, the Beatles and the Byrds.