PopCycle Reviews

"Magic Trunk of Pop"

by Paolo Milea

It's like going through that trunk of memories, filled with good experiences that are not forgotten, but just dormant somewhere in our subconscious.

There are Ideas that were started and never finished, and when you encounter them again they jump out asking to be taken up and materialized - they want to exist!

And that's what Bruce Moody does on his new album "PopCycle" (Shaken Not Stirred - 2024), recycling, rethinking, revamping, recreating, shaping, breathing out songs from the 80s that were in that "magic trunk of pop".

With the stellar participation of prominent and recognized figures in the power pop community such as Jeff Tracy (Blue Cartoon/solo career) Dolph Chaney, Kei Sato (The Choosers) and Terry Carolan (Just Boys/True Hearts), "PopCycle" renews and reinforces the already Moody's well-known ability to craft perfect pop songs.

12 tracks (plus de magical bonus "Houdini") soaked in engaging melodies, well-cared for harmonizations, and radiating pure vital energy to fuel the body and mind to resist the setbacks of everyday life.

After all, in the end, that's what a good pop album is made for: bringing relief and cheer to people's lives, as "PopCycle" does.

 

Poprock Record - Songs with a Hook   Posted by Dennis Pilon in Poprock Themepark

Bruce Moody revived his early 1980s recordings with a fabulous, sprawling package entitled Forever Fresh! to universal indie-scribe acclaim in 2020. But what comes after the belated happily-ever-after of releasing the songs of your earlier self? For Moody, that meant heading back to his old recordings cabinet to recycle even more ideas from his past. Yet on his new album PopCycle he doesn’t just echo his past efforts, he remakes those ideas, rerecording them while branching out from the sound and styles of his yesteryear. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still pretty eighties. But this time around he draws from a broader set of influences from that decade. “I’m Gonna Tell Her Tonight” has a classic 1980s guitar pop sheen. “Shy Girls” has an energy I associate with early 1980s Hall and Oates vibe. “Little By Little” moves into a more pop techno direction a la a daytime Gary Numan. “Labels” is so that decade, both in sound and content. I love the vocal arrangements on tracks like “It’s Not Like Mine” and “Keep It Together.” Then “Turn Away” sounds like the should-be hit-single to me with its carefully calibrated arrangement. So ear candy. With PopCycle Bruce Moody shows the 1980s have still got a lot more to give.

https://poprockrecord.com/2024/06/01/production-numbers-ken-sharp-bruce-moody-and-mo-troper/


 

BRUCE MOODY is quite an impressive musician that hails from Fort Mill, South Carolina. He has been in the music business since 1968 and worked with Buddy Holly's producer, Norman Petty.

His Bio is very in depth as he, also, worked with MCA Records Joe King Carrasco and The Crowns. Later, he worked with Rick Cheroff who was head of A & R with CBS Records with his band, Private Numbers.

The musicians on this 12 song album are: Bruce Moody-Lead and Harmony vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drums, Organ, Moog, Synthesizer, Oboe, Hammond organ, Sitar, Keyboards, Steel Drums, etc; Terry Carolan-Electric guitar; vocals;  Jeff Tracy-12 String Electric guitar, sitar;  George Palmer-Piano, Organ;  Kei Sato-Rickenbacker 6 string electric guitar; Dolph Chaney-Electric guitar;  Richard Morant-Guitar, harmonies; Rick Poss-Banjo; marching bass drum; Rick Richards-Drums, percussion; Dennis 'Doc' Watson- Ragtime Piano; Patti Moody-Harmonies.

This 12 song CD and 1 Bonus Track was Produced by Terry Carolan and Bruce Moody and Mastered by Carl Saff. I'M GONNA TELL HER TONIGHT kicks off this CD with a cool pop song that has a bit of a reflection of The Knack which is super cool. You could easily get hooked on this song. What a great intro song.

LITTLE BY LITTLE brings a different beat to this song as it's a bit laid back, but the melody and lyrics are super cool. Check it out. LABELS has a great upbeat melody with great lyrics, so listen closely and see if you could relate. I'm quite you. I love the '60's pop feel to this song.

A VERY DULL GIRL reminds of the band, Spanky and the Gang, from the '60's and this song has a very catchy melody that you'll be singing along with in no time. A true classic. I CAN'T HURT THE WORLD has a great bass riff that is superb.

This song is epic in every way and it has all the hooks that could grow on anyone. I love it. ONE BY ONE has more great hooks on this song with an epic guitar riff that will get into your head. The bridge is the best ever you'd want to hear.

WOW! Is all I can say! HOUDINI is a hidden track with a great intro and a sound like The Turtles meets The Kinks with a bit of XTC thrown in. This song is truly a hidden gem and worth the price of admission itself. I highly recommend this CD to all of those who love pop music at its best. I want to THANK BRUCE MOODY for being in touch and you can find him at: Spotify, You tube, Deezer, Apple Music, Pandora, Soundcloud, https://brucemoodymusic.com, Bandcamp and other sites. 

ROCK ON, JIM ALLLFORD [STEEL NOTES MAGAZINE.]

https://steelnotesmagazine.com/jim-allford-presents/bruce-moody-popcycle/

 

Bret Hopkins

Bruce Moody was kind enough to send me a copy of his latest album "PopCycle." Power-pop has been brutally maligned over the years (often justifiably), but Bruce is the kind of guy who gives the genre a good name. These days, not too many records put a smile on my face like "PopCycle" did. It's a really sharp effort brimming with melodic energy and innocence, a nostalgic yet fully vibrant trip. Hey, anybody who plays that ultra-cool style of Rickenbacker (which is the same model I played), can't be all bad!