Category: EP reviews

EP Reviews and Singles: Danny McDonald, Popular Creeps, Zach Jones, Vanilla, Arthur Nasson

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Danny McDonald

Danny McDonald “Modern Architecture”

Danny McDonald is skilled in several genres. “Cordyline” bursts from the speakers with authority, very much in the mold of Paul Westerberg and it hooks you right away. Unfortunately, it’s only a minute long. Next, “The suburb I grew up in” is a country-style duet with Anna Burley, and its a nice jangling slice of roots-pop.

Then we get about a minute of punk and another minute of power pop. “Keeping The Dogs At Bay” is another catchy chorus, and thankfully it’s over 2 minutes long. I like short songs, but most of this was just way too short. However, the sampler just made me want more McDonald, so it is successful in marketing his talent.

Amazon

Popular Creeps Detroit

Popular Creeps “Bloodshot Red”

A motley crew from the Motor City, Popular Creeps do a good job playing fast and loose rock and roll, and the opening track “Out of My Head” is a super-catchy tune that will get you following along with handclaps and a kick-ass guitar solo. The sound is a little like The Replacements, with a barroom vibe similar to The Connection. “Down & Out” builds a solid core riff and keeps you interested with its well-written lyrics and melody. “Metal Kid” is a good vignette about a kid who “smells like smoke on a Friday night.” Lots of great tracks, and highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Singles

“Like The Tide” boasts a solid twang and Zach’s soulful lead keeps this sounding like a hit single Neil Young might have done back in the day. The bonus here is that Zach has an audio “behind-the-scenes” feature in addition to the song demos. Sweet!


Jayson Jarmon and those dudes from Vanilla are back with a heavier rocker. It’s got some cool riffs — check it out.

Arthur Nasson is back, and he’s “Unglued” – This is a catchy theme that reminds me a little of Roy Wood.  Get this on Amazon

EP Reviews: The Seven and Six, Vista Blue, Dogmatics, Nick Bertling, The Martial Arts

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The Seven and Six is a new band with the ever-talented Lisa Mychols and Tom Richards. This is great power pop with a beat you can dance to. This is Mychols in her natural habitat, each song hits the right notes, kicks ass and with its upbeat tempos, it’s super highly recommended.

Vista Blue dials back its natural punk influences and turns up the Beach Boys-inspired power-pop tendencies. “Summer Wonderland” is a sweet single with some great harmonies and the other tracks are a cut above the usual seasonal music. Get this one now! Available at Amazon


The Dogmatics is a more traditional garage rock and roll band from Boston thanks to our buddies at Rum Bar Records. Fans of The Replacements or The Johnny Thunders will dig this one. And who else will write a song about the current United States Secretary of Commerce? Also available at Amazon.


Nick Bertling made this faithful group of Monkee cover tunes in honor of the late Peter Tork. It even has a cover of a Kellog’s jingle! Not an EP, but a labor of love and it’s a great FREE download.


The new EP from The Martial Arts (aka Paul Kelly) is a quirky pop romp that is both catchy and idiosyncratic. The other songs are just as infectious and melodic. Get it on Amazon.

 

Happy Halloween with Vista Blue and The Skullers

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Vista Blue

Vista Blue “Tricks and Treats”

Punk poppers Vista Blue are back as they tear through 11 Halloween themed tunes with a dose of extra heavy fuzz. “I Don’t Wanna Trick or Treat With You” is a brilliant Ramones styled shot in the arm, and it sets the template. “I’m Gonna Be You For Halloween” is a great put down in the same vein, as are all these tunes. The songs are mostly under two minutes, so even though the songs are homogeneous, it’s still a lot of fun.

The tempo is frantic and stays in fast mode, some highlights include: “Angela Loves Me,” “Make A Wish” and “Don’t Change The Channel.” Pop-punk is perfectly suited to the Halloween season, so grab your treats while they are fresh.

Bandcamp only


The Skullers

The Skullers “Freight Trains & Party Games” EP

Weehawken, NJ band The Skullers have a new EP. While this isn’t Halloween themed, the band name lends itself to the season. Opening with the echoing beat of “Still Life,” it has plenty of power pop grit along the lines of Matthew Sweet with some ’60s psych-pop details.

The jangling guitar and catchy, driving beat of “She Denies The Things She Loves” recalls the recent Liam Gallagher. They add real guitar muscle to “Convenient” with its compelling reverb bass and a layered chorus. Overall a great set of tunes that foreshadows great things for The Skullers. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby

New EPs: Propeller, Bananagun, Super 8, It’s Karma It’s Cool, The Coolies

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Propeller “Three Steps to Better Listening” – The San Franciso duo of Greg Randall and Will Anderson are at it again! Not really an EP, but an A/B single with an acoustic version, but it’s so damn good. You will be hooked!

Bananagun “Do Yeah” – Is this a long lost gem from the early ’70s? It’s a hypnotic mix of afrobeat and psyche pop that wouldn’t sound that out of date on a retro beatnik soundtrack. Groovy.

Super 8 “Head Sounds” EP – UK-based Singer/Songwriter Paul Ryan has been very busy this year. The cover is a parody on Pet Sounds,  and the music is an interesting mix of compulsive melodies, and it does have horns and harmonies. This EP is a prelude to the full-length version scheduled for release in 2020.

It’s Karma It’s Cool “Hipsters and Aeroplanes” – Jim Styring (The Popdogs, B-Leaguers) is back with this hook-filled gem of an EP available on Kool Kat Musik. It’s got an catchy energy and Jim’s vocal inflections are similar to Buddy Holly. It’s also a grower that gets better with multiple listens.

The Coolies – “Uh Oh! It’s​.​.​. The Coolies”  Three amazing artists: Kim Shattuck (The Muffs), Palmyra Delran and Melanie Vammen. They make magic here and 100% of profits will be donated to The ALS Association in the memory of Kim’s passing. Originally released in July, It’s bittersweet that this was the only project for the three, but at least we have it.

Highly Recommended EPs: Pugwash, David Woodard, Cape Cartel, Kid Bear

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Pugwash is one of the best-loved, hardest working bands and its talented team is led by Thomas Walsh, whose unique melodic stylings continue to amaze. This new EP is no exception and deserves to be added to your collection. “You Can Build A House On Love” starts the party and every track thereafter is a new classic. The band’s entire catalog is now on Bandcamp, so if you are missing anything – you now have no excuses. What else? How about a loving tribute to Walsh’s songwriting skill? It’s the gift that keeps giving.

David Woodard has a new EP ready, and he’s upped his game with “We’re Not Coming Back,” a Beatles-styled gem that sticks fast. The title track (“Everything in Between”) pours it on thick, with horns and a march-like rhythm straight out of “It’s Getting Better.” Next, “Nine Hundred Ninety Nine” recalls P.Hux with its melodic chorus. Not a bad track in the bunch. Get it on Amazon.

Quebec rockers Cape Cartel sophomore EP gets some influences from Beck on the opener “Vitamins,” and bounce to fast tempo power pop on “The Matador.” They also take some real risks musically on “Flying” and the catchy, breezy “I’m Still Your Man,” which will stay on my playlist for a while. Even the finale “Boy Bruiseless” has wonderful harmonies in the chorus that deserves to be heard. This is a band headed for greatness. Just listen. Get it on Amazon.

Chicago’s Kid Bear isn’t what I normally listen to, but its damn good roots-rock. A chance encounter with country legend Steve Earle changed everything for guitarist and songwriter, Matt Neuroth. As Matt tells it, “I was sitting in Matt Umanov Guitars in Greenwich Village and in walks Steve Earle. He picked up an acoustic guitar and just started strumming some chords.” Matt’s encounter inspired him, so comparisons with Steve Earle, Neil Young, or Lou Reed is purely coincidental. EP2 has some real gems; “A Simple Thing” and the bluesy riff “All The News” are just infectious. Check it out on Amazon.