Jeremy Messersmith and Hurry

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Jeremy Messersmith

Jeremy Messersmith “Fox/Coyote”

Jeremy Messersmith’s latest record, ‘Fox/Coyote,’ didn’t slip under my radar. Released in April, it has been sitting on my review list, waiting for its turn. Now that I’ve spent some time with it, I’m glad I did. This is a strong musical statement, an “easy listening” record on the surface, but underneath those inviting melodies are sharp observations, lyrical wit, and plenty of emotional defiance.

Messersmith has never been afraid to speak his mind. Following the invasion of ICE agents into Minneapolis, he unleashed the single “Fuck This.” ‘Fox/Coyote’ isn’t nearly as strident, but the record carries plenty of the same conviction. “Billionaires” rides a laconic beat while imagining a more equal society, while “Boomers” is a mid-tempo ballad seemingly designed to provoke a reaction. Messersmith knows exactly how much tension to build into a beautiful melody. “Stallions” is a standout, a surprisingly touching song about finding love in midlife. “Can’t Get Out of My Way” turns awkward self-reflection into something both funny and painfully relatable, while “I Don’t Trust That Boy” delivers a steady jangle wrapped around a father’s advice. It’s an thoughtful album without becoming ponderous, political without turning into a lecture, and melodic enough to make you want to come back for another listen. Highly Recommended.

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“Hurry"

Hurry “Zoned Out”

The Philadelphia power pop band, Hurry is back. Lead songwriter Matt Scottoline wears his early Teenage Fanclub influence proudly. Hurry kicks off “All Sunk In” with crunchy guitars and rich harmonies before the lead synth arrives to carry the melody. The title track “Zoned Out” is a another example of the laid-back melodic approach. “Moving After You” takes the connection even further, featuring Teenage Fanclub’s own Gerald Love on vocals. Notable tracks include “Just Fine” and “The Dumbest Person You’ve Ever Seen.”

Nostalgia has always been part of power pop, and there’s nothing wrong with leaning into your influences. Still, a little more variety in the songwriting and arrangements would have pushed ‘Zoned Out’ to another level. Even so, this is an easy recommendation for anyone who misses the fuzz guitars and Gerald Love’s influence from the current lineup of Teenage Fanclub. For some listeners, that’s all you need.

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August singles and EPs: Games We Play, Jeff Graham, The Gershwin Brothers, Vista Blue, Jamie Turner, Semisonic

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Yeah, these guys (Games We Play) have been a viral sensation, and now they are poised to do it again. “The Smash” is a pretty damn accurate account of what goes into your head when songwriting. Jeff Graham is new to me and he really brings the riffs! Check out “Leaving Chicago,” due out late August and you’ll be impressed. The Gershwin Brothers are a “supergroup” in my opinion, a band led by Dave Foster (Fuzzbubble) with personal faves Lane Steinberg and Mike Fornatale on guitar. “Doomscrollin’” kinda says it all in our crazy world. Its been a while, but Vista Blue is back with another Ramones inspired freebie for you all. And Jamie Turner can “Paint A Good Picture” especially if it involves retro 60s sounds. Finally, a new single from legendary power pop band Semisonic “Don’t Give Up Yet.” I will keep the faith as long as you do!

The Amplifier Heads and Banda AL9

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The Amplifier Heads

The Amplifier Heads “Super 8”

The legendary Sal Baglio was a founding member of East Boston’s The Stompers, and has since been a fixture in The Amplifier Heads and The Peppermint Kicks. Baglio helped create the kind of blue collar East Coast rock that has inspired many, and on ‘Super 8’ he is keeping the faith. “Rock N’ Roll Riot” kicks things off with an explosive two-minute history lesson delivered at Ramones speed. The song is about the Moondog Coronation Ball and the birth of rock ’n’ roll.

He continues with the Stone-styled swagger of “Hot Stars” and the Louie Louie-inspired riffs of “A Girl Named Chop Suey.” The influences are obvious, but Baglio wears them proudly. “They Don’t Dance Anymore” reminisces about the time when people danced to the music on the radio. In contrast, the brilliant “Superstar” struts as he sings, “I don’t know what it’s like to be you.” Each song is a standout, and there is no filler. ‘Super 8’ is a love letter to the days when guitars, basses, drums, and saxophones ruled. It’s a shout-out to aging rock-and-roll wild men. If you need a reminder of why rock ’n’ roll was so much fun in the first place, turn this one up loud. Highly recommended.

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Banda AL9

Banda AL9 “Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9”

Banda AL9 brings the joy of Beatlesque power pop without overthinking it. This Brazilian duo, brothers Matheus Khouri and Thiago Khouri, have come a long way since their 2022 debut. After catching the attention of Little Steven’s Underground Garage and landing on Wicked Cool Records for their American summer release, the brothers arrive with an album packed with hooks, harmonies, and plenty of sunshine.

There’s hardly a dud in the bunch. The Khouris stack those sweet brotherly harmonies throughout, while tracks like “She Calls Me Love” and “American Girl” wear their Fab Four influence proudly. Then they crank up the energy on the Kurt Baker-penned “She Can Do It All.” The lyrics stay light, romantic, and carefree, which suits the music perfectly. Banda AL9 delivers the sort of power pop that begs for a summer afternoon, a shady spot on the beach, and something cold in your glass. Sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the wheel (as The Lemon Twigs have demonstrated repeatedly.) You just need great melodies, ringing guitars, and a chorus you want to sing along with. Banda AL9 has all three. Highly Recommended.

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David Woodard, Scott Gagner and The Low Priorities

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“David

David Woodard “Skeletons”

After a bruising battle with music distributors, Nashville rocker David Woodard takes all that frustration and plugs it straight into ‘Skeletons,’ a defiant blast aimed at the industry suits who wanted him to throw in the towel. The opener, “Circle of Friends,” sounds like a rallying cry for every indie artist who has ever been told to know their place. Woodard’s vocals are rougher here, often doubled and pushed into the red, while the music leans closer to the punk-pop punch of The Descendents than his previous work. Fans of The Well Wishers will enjoy this approach as well. “Carrying Everything,” “Déjà Me,” and “Between The Stupid and Clever” deliver some of the album’s strongest hooks. There’s plenty of attitude here, but Woodard never lets the aggression bury the melodies. “Skeletons” turns industry frustration into loud, catchy revenge, proving there’s still plenty of fight left in this Nashville rocker. It’s music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


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Scott Gagner

Scott Gagner “Sweet Tooth”

Minnesota singer-songwriter Scott Gagner’s new album feels like someone stumbling out of the darkness and blinking at the daylight. “Beyond the Blue” tells us to “open the door” and “find a thread” of happiness in a pretty messed-up present. The bouncy single “Sugar Rush” is a standout, with Gagner bouncing off the walls “like a human cartoon,” turning a sugar high into a surprisingly effective metaphor for choosing optimism when everything around you says otherwise. There’s a definite Todd Rundgren vibe here, especially his early work, with simple percussion and plenty of space around the melodies. “In The In Between” has a clever little song structure, while “Purple Heart” floats along on a mellow synth line accented by Rachel Hunter’s ethereal backing vocals. But beneath all those bright colors, Gagner keeps dropping hints that trouble is lurking around the corner. “Queen of California” and “Nothing Left to Lose” carry an uneasy sense of impending disaster, while “If It’s Really Over” sounds like the moment the darkness finally catches up. Gagner searches for reasons to stay hopeful (“Ear Can See”), but he isn’t pretending the world is suddenly okay.

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“David

The Low Priorities “Dice”

Sydney-based trio The Low Priorities score immediately with the opening title track of “Dice,” a jangly meditation on the randomness of life that lands a terrific hook in the chorus. The laid-back lead vocals give the songs a mellow, almost effortless feel, while the guitars bring plenty of melodic muscle underneath. “Somewhere in Between” keeps the momentum going, and much of the album follows this winning formula. “A Known Unknown” is an another standout, while “San Miguel” turns up the volume with heavier riffs and a story about an ’80s romance. “Vivienne” and “Ruler of Venice” are solid little narratives, both lifted by those tasty guitar leads. The Low Priorities keep things consistent throughout, although several tracks wander past without quite delivering the hook needed to stick in your head. Still, there are more than enough memorable moments here to make “Dice” an easy recommendation for fans of melodic indie guitar pop.

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Power Popaholic Interview: Ryan Hamilton

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Ryan Hamilton has lived many lives as a musician. For years, I’ve covered Ryan’s records at Power Popaholic, so it was great to finally sit down with him and talk about the road that led to his outstanding new album, “Haunted by American Dreams.” It was rated one of my favorite albums this year – read the review.

We discuss leaving the music business, finding his way back, and turning life’s hard truths into sharp, heartfelt songs. If you love honest songwriting, big hooks, and stories of second chances, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.