If you dig Falkner, Sweet, Keene, or any of the other giants of the power pop continuum, you need to seek this record out

10 MP3 Songs in this album (37:10) !
Related styles: POP: Power Pop, POP: Jangle Pop

People who are interested in Marshall Crenshaw Jason Falkner Tommy Keene should consider this download.


Details:
Detroit power pop trio Chris Richards and the Subtractions will release their full-length debut Sad Sounds of the Summer on Gangplank Records on March 17th. Produced by Gangplank-founder David Feeny at his own Tempermill Studios just outside of Detroit, the album contains 10 songs of hook-laden, melody-intensive pop confection.

In addition to singer/songwriter Chris Richards, the Subtractions feature bass player Todd Holmes and drummer Larry Grodsky. While Sad Sounds of the Summer is the first release by the Subtractions, it follows a number of successful solo releases by Richards, who with bandmates Holmes and Grodsky have been fixtures on the Detroit scene since their time in 80âs and 90âs outfits Hippodrome and The Pantookas. Richardsâ last release, 2004âs The Mystery Spot, received glowing reviews from The All Music Guide and Pitchfork.

Richardsâ love of power pop, which combines an affection for the music of the British Invasion along with 90âs bands such as Teenage Fanclub and The Velvet Crush, is reflected in their guitar-driven approach. Says Richards, "We are all about songs dripping in melody and delivered with a punch! The simplicity of power pop makes it very endearing to us."

The bandâs sound also has global appeal, thanks to power popâs enduring popularity far beyond its British and American shores. According to Richards, âI've been fortunate to have my records released and do well in Spain, Sweden, Japan, and Australia and both the press and fan reaction have been amazing. It's a challenge trying to let fans in multiple countries know weâve got a record out, but thereâs such a great network of the genreâs fans out there that word just seems to spread.â

The recording of Sad Sounds of the Summer took place over multiple sessions in 2008 at Detroitâs Tempermill Studios, produced and mixed by Tempermill owner and multi-instrumentalist David Feeny (Blanche, American Mars). Richards and Feeny have a long history recording together, a relationship that Richards says thrives on Feenyâs sense of humor and his commitment to making pop records with our patented style of harmonies. âWorking out harmonies can be a very tedious process,â says Richards, âso we tend to joke around a bit to make the whole process a bit easier to take.â
The bandâs goals for Sad Sounds of the Summer are well-suited to their no-nonsense approach. Says Richards, âOur goal as musicians is to continue to create pop records for now people, to sell a few more records than the previous one, and to play our songs in far-away lands.â