what Frank is listening to #29 – D.L. BYRON – This Day and Age – (Arista) – 1980
Not having heard of D.L. Byron I bought this one on the strength of the cover art – it looked vaguely "new wave". And, as it turns out, it certainly is US "new wave", in the "powerpop" style.
I've always liked a lot of powerpop despite the fact that in a lot of ways "powerpop" was the major labels response to first generation "punk" … that is, fast, punchy songs with some of the violence, aggression and confrontational aspects removed.
"Powerpop" roots are usually traced back to the Beatles, The Who, The Kinks etc. According to wikipedia… "Pete Townshend of The Who coined the term "power pop" in a 1967 interview in which he said "Power pop is what we play."[5] As early as 1965, the Everly Brothers were playing music that can be called power pop. The duo's "I'll See Your Light" and "It Only Costs A Dime" displayed jangling guitars and an oblique harmonic approach that built upon the innovations of The Beatles and The Byrds. Those groups, along with The Who, The Small Faces and the Beach Boys, are often cited as the progenitors of power pop".
That influence seems clear on bands like "Big Star", "The Raspberries" etc though I find a distinct separation between those early and mid-70s powerpop bands and the new wave inspired "power pop" bands who take their cues from the Beatles (and 60s music generally) but also add the "quirky" aspects of the US and English indie scenes. Although "girls" and "failed relationships" are lyrical obsessions in powerpop there is usually more politics and a certain mild, though frenzied, aggression (is that a contradiction?) in the late 70s stuff (see "The Nerves", "The Plimsouls" and the magnificent "DBs"). And late 70s powerpop is certainly more "punchier" than 80s power pop which seems more obsessed with jingle jangle or melody and harmonies ("Teenage Fanclub", "Posies").
So while late 70s "powerpop" may be "palatable new wave" there were also many acts which hopped on the band wagon and were otherwise mainstream rock acts who just sped up their playing … you can usually spot them as they cant help themselves and tend to leave in the bad 70s guitar solos … "powerpoop"?
This album is produced by Jimmy Iovine – who "was" the US "new wave" (very loosely defined) producer for a while (Patti Smith, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, U2) and the production here is perfect for the power pop style … clear and crisp with an accent on vocals, harmonies and guitar riffs.The album made it to #133 on the charts. Interestingly, the backup band contains members of Billy Joel's band !
Apparently Byron toured on the strength of this album (supporting Bob Seger and The Boomtown Rats) but failed to put out a follow up till 1998 ( he usual hindrances – drug and personal problems). He did release various songs in the intervening period and also had songs recorded by others: "Shadows of the Night," by Pat Benatar which went on to sell over four million copies and win a Grammy (big wig).
There are many good tracks: "Listen to the Heartbeat", "21st Century Man", "Big Boys", "Am I Falling in Love Again". "Lorryanne", "No Romance, No Weekend, No Love"
Perfectly listenable and a highlight of new wave powerpop – a keeper.
sounds:
(originally posted: 18/05/2009)
