Muck and The Mires “Quarantine-Age Kicks”
Boston’s Muck And The Mires are a group of rockers that combine the early Beatles and Ramones, then mashes it up into a groovy garage beat. Lead singer “Muck” has a distinct vocal, like a cross between Randy Newman and Ian Hunter and keeps things moving to great effect. This is a special compilation put together by Bar Rum Records. “This Town Makes Me Feel So Lonely” is an immediate “hit,” and “Next Door To Me” has a catchy riff, handclaps and recalls the Bobby Fuller Four. A pair of songs were produced with the legendary Kim Fowley, and “Double White Line” is the gem from that session. “Lesley” is a loving tribute to ‘60s pop star Lesley Gore and there are a few rockabilly tunes. The pace is fast and the songs are short, so if you are looking for a quick boost to your mood, this will fit the bill. Even “Little Steven” Van Zandt crowned them a #1 Garage Rock band, so yeah… highly recommended!
Pictures of Vernon “bug”
North Carolina band Pictures of Vernon, is the trio of Daniel Gorham (Guitar/Drums,) Anderson Ragan (Guitar,) and Brody Rogers (Bass.) Think Weezer as a starting point. Opening with “Leaving” it chugs along on layered guitar riffs, handclaps, and harmonies. The songs often pause to change direction from quiet to loud, and “Hear Me” is another standout with the plea “It would feel so damn good if you could hear me.” Songs like the gentle bedroom pop of “White Rabbit” are contrasted by the harder riffs of “Kickflip Luis’s Roof Gap.” Not everything sticks, but enough does. This is also a “name-your-price” download, so it’s definitely music that deserves to be heard.
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Sunbourne Rd “Teenage Lyrics”
Sunbourne Rd is a talented dude from Northern Italy with influences that include John Lennon, Paul McCartney’s Wings, and ELO. The opener “Baby! Baby! Baby!” is a riff fueled standout that compares well with a band like Radio Days or Cirrone. “Different Life” and “Fire From The Sun” are Lennonesque mid-tempo songs but “Joke In A Can” gets a little more in Sgt. Pepper’s territory, before it shifts to heavier ’70s styled rock sound. The power ballads “Last Time” and “Long Lost Afternoon” show off some impressive techniques similar to ELO. This short album was an impressive debut, so I look forward to hearing more. Check it out!