Category: EP reviews

March Singles and EPs: The Airport 77s, Juan y La Hormiga, Skeleton Staff, Cmon Cmon, Strawberry Moon, Bret Tobias

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The Airport 77s are back with a new single “If It’s On, I’m In,” and its a great little tune about dating. Look for more coming up, but first a soothing song from Juan y La Hormiga (aka Muchas Hormigas and Juan Pablo Mazzola) about the romance “After The War” in Valencia, Spain. Big News here is the long awaited return of Skeleton Staff with a neat EP ‘Hepto-Altruism’ where they scale back their operatic ways, but lean on baroque harmonies and pop jangle. Everything here is a a gem so listen all the way through. Belgian alt pop band C’mon C’mon is as polished as you can get, check out “Turn off The Lights” and “All the Other Kids.” Strawberry Moon are a Virginia punk pop band with a measure of cool, check out “Rearview” and the rocking “Polly Pocket World.” and it’s a freebie – so download away! Finally, a sweet single from The Bret Tobias Set that is an ’80s-styled jangle that hits the sweet spot. Enjoy.





March Singles & EPs: Ally Kerr, The Speedways, Pretty Rude, Slow Motion Film, Clean Lines, Jeremy Messersmith, The Cynz

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“Lucky Streak” is new smooth pop from Ally Kerr, and the only use of a child’s voice in a current song I didn’t find annoying. Nice video too, album out in April. I wish NYC winter would leave already! Next The Speedways have really gem with “Visiting Hours” and it’s like a lost Elvis Costello hit. NYC rockers Pretty Rude are pretty damn good. Some glam touches on “Who Do You Think You Are (I Am)” won me over, but the entire EP is brilliant. Slow Motion Film are some members of Amoeba Teen, and it’s a different sound from that band. Check out “Painting Tattoos” and “The Ba Ba Ba Song.” Clean Lines is a band from Madrid, Spain and they kick ass all over the place with “Nuisance.” Fans of The Buzzcocks, The Nerves, The Ramones will enjoy it. A new single from Jeremy Messersmith wishes we can all be “Billionaires.” That’s a really nice dream, but Elon isn’t giving away anything to me. Finally, The Cynz have a new single with “Heartbreak Time,” and it really rocks with those harmonies and guitar licks. Enjoy!






February Singles and EPs: Midnight Callers, Super 8, Hanemoon, Seely Jurgens Band, Strange Neighbors, The Grip Weeds

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The Midnight Callers have a brand new cool cover of the Bay City Roller hit “Saturday Night.” Hopefully this is a sign the band has a new album coming! FYI- I’m going to claim this next awesome song as my new radio theme for 11L RNI, it’s “Pop Radio” by Super 8 featuring Lisa Mychols. Check it out! Hanemoon is one of those bands on the edge of my radar, pleasant jangle pop with strong emotional resonance. “Easy on the Wildlife”  is worthy listen for sure. Seely Jurgens band has a touch of Bread meets Eagles on “We’ll try.” Next Strange Neighbors continue to dazzle, check out “Influencer,” a guide that I should probably follow to be a better content producer. Finally, The Grip Weeds are back! New psychedelic pop at it’s finest on the 3 song EP ‘Easy Clues’ so play and absorb this until the LP is ready. If you are a newbie to this band check out ‘Infinite Soul: The Best of the Grip Weeds.’




January EPs and more: Hexham Heads, Ramírez Exposure, Tom Henry, C Duncan

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These guys are great. Melbourne musicians Van Walker (Swedish Magazines/Livingstone Daisies) and Mic Hubbard (Spencer P. Jones/Ella Hooper/Downhills Home) created Hexham Heads out of a love of loud guitars and hooky pop melodies. EP expected out soon.

Spain’s Víctor Ramírez did a series of sunny albums with Marc Jonson last year, now he continues the journey with an easy going EP inspired by a poetry collection by Ray Bradbury, as he reflects on the theme of nature and individualism. Check out “I Don’t Get It” and “Beneath the Sun.”
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Tom Henry is a new musician from Los Angeles, born in Chicago. His early works aren’t as distinctive, but this debut single “Bella” of his upcoming album has a great retro-feel, and he’s listed Big Star, and The Raspberries as influences. Play attention to this future power pop star.

Sometimes I toss aside my power pop, and my sappy romantic side comes out. This song caught my ear, as the talented C Duncan  sings the old fashioned pop of “It’s Only A Love Song.” The album of the same name, has some brilliant pop ballads in it. Get it on Amazon

Great December EPs: Wyatt Funderburk, Sweetboy, Super 8, Blend Eleven, Softjaw

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Wyatt Funderburk “Fleeting and Finite” and “Parkside”

Wyatt is comparable to a “5-tool-player” in baseball. Does many things extremely well, from songwriting, playing, singing, producing, etc. He does punk pop to perfection with Kurt Baker, but I can think of very few people who have the skills to pull off a Brian Wilsonesque combination of melody and earnest romantic delivery. He gives us a double EP (one under the name “Hibiki”) Don’t believe me? Listen to “You’ll Know” and you’ll know! Get it on Amazon


Sweetboy “A Day in the Park”

Local NYC indie pop band has some amazing songwriting, check out the title track “A Day in the Park,” “Island” and the epic chorus of “End of The World.” This is a band you should keep your eyes on for future greatness. Get it on Amazon


Super 8 “Goes J Pop”

Sorry if you were expecting Kenshi Yonezu, but Paul “Trip” Ryan (aka Super 8) does a fine job with these Japanese pop covers (including a Beatles cover). Check out “Keep Doing It” with its shamisen accents. Get it on Amazon


Blend Eleven “Deepest Cuts”

This Aussie band with great sound builds everything off the 12-string acoustic strum. A cover of the classic Cat Steven’s “The First Cut is The Deepest” sets the stage, very much in the vocal mold of Extreme’s acoustic gems. And it’s a freebie to try – so pick it up, and listen to the band’s other material. Get it on Amazon

Softjaw “Softjaw”

Deceptively cool vibe on the opener “Pleased With Me” drew me in, as this Long Beach, California band has a perfect power pop approach. “Don’t Go Walkin’ Out On Me” and “Dragging Mt Feet” are pure gems. This is another band that flirts with greatness, as each song hits the mark and it’s a contender for best EP this year. Get it on Amazon