Singer-bassist Gary Frenay and drummer-producer Tommy Allen, two of the four members of Power Pop Hall Of Famers The Flashcubes, continue the band’s covering-the-classics approach as The Half-Cubes. A year after their 12-track Pop Masters LP, they upped the ante with new full-length Pop Treasures, featuring no less than 24 fresh versions of gems from the rich history of music (The Motors, Pernice Brothers, 10cc, Eric Carmen, Phil Seymour, Dwight Twilley, Rubinoos, Del Amitri, The Pursuit of Happiness, OMD, Cheap Trick, 20/20, Trashcan Sinatras, etc.), often with guest spots for the original artists (Rubinoos, The Sighs, Van Duren, Moe Berg, etc.). This is a fascinating 78-minute journey with respect for the past but with both feet in the present, and remarkably, given the versatility of choice cuts and contributors, it still is an organic whole. Such perfectly executed pop songs, full of hooks and excelling in harmony vocals, are timeless.

Pop Treasures, produced by Tommy Allen, is out now digitally and on CD through Big Stir Records. Featuring Gary Frenay (bass, lead vocals, acoustic guitars), Tommy Allen (drums, percussion, vocals, bells, whistles), Randy Klawon (guitars) and Fernando Perdomo (guitars), with – on select tunes – a little help from Billy & Bobby Alessi, The Pursuit Of Happiness’ Moe Berg, Rob Bonfiglio, Magnus Börjeson, Paul Carbonara, John Denicola, Van Duren, Nick Frenay, Bob Halligan Jr., Mark Hudson, Matt Jardine, Mike Kallet, Maura Kennedy, Jim Laspesa, Bertolf Lentink, Pernice Brothers’ Bob Pernice, Rubinoos’ Jon Rubin & Tommy Dunbar, Darian Sahanaja, Jonn Savannah, The Sighs’ Bobby Laroche & Tommy Pluta & Matt Cullen & Tom Borowski, Rich Spina and Billy Sullivan.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Big Stir || Discogs

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