Category: EP reviews

Mid April Goodies: Les Lullies, The Genuine Fakes, The High Strung, The Forces, The Linda Lindas, Gregory Pepper & His Problems

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Looking for a little punk pop in your life? France’s Les Lullies new single “Zero Ambition” is an advance of their new album Mauvaise Foi out May 19th. The band plays it hard with nods to rock and punk influences both new and old (Ramones, D4, The Saints, The Real Kids, The Records, MC5). The Genuine Fakes are most genuine with “Websites” a very sweet song reminiscent of Fountains of Wayne. The High Strung has an album on the way too, and you get a taste with “Different Animal,” its driving tempo about “leaving shit behind.” Dutch band The Forces look to dazzle with harmonies on the new EP, and more details are in an interview on Sweet, Sweet Music blog. The Linda Lindas found after the flash of indie pop fame last year they have “Too Many Things.” It wouldn’t be the first time the music business has “killed” an artist, or that an amazing talent just walked away — but Gregory Pepper & His Problems always felt like he’s given his soul and maybe as an audience, we didn’t pay close enough attention. No Thanks is his final album, and the bile-filled hostility is wrapped up in candy-sweet melodies. Although its a name-your-price point, I’d pay a tribute to Gregory. We will miss him, and I hope his problems get resolved.




Last Day in March Goodies: Lost Hearts, Novelty Island, The Blakes, Everet Almond, Canadian Invasion, Dazy

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The debut single “Hate Yourself” by Nashville’s Lost Hearts is radio ready gem with a swaggering rock n’ roll attitude.  Max Frye’s vocals are set against a pounding guitar background and relentless energy as he sings about a toxic relationship with a former partner. Next, Novelty Island is one of those bands on the cusp of greatness (and another LP) but we have a single “Eureka, I Can See!” that will tide us over. The Blakes released some out-takes that are so good, I wonder why we haven’t heard more, as “What You Own” kicks ass. Everet Almond has discovered a very groovy Clavinet on the cool single “Insanity,” and veteran band Canadian Invasion delivers a nice freebie, Your Favorite Lies EP. I really liked “The Charms of Adeline” with its pedal steel guitar. And finally, Dazy is back with another EP of fuzz-drenched goodness called Otherbody. Check out “Every Little Thing,” “ESTAO,” in fact this is good all around. Don’t be an April’s Fool, and get this fresh batch!






More March Singles, Freebies, and EPs: The Tearaways, The Deadlights, Peter Hall, The Plus4, Ransom and Subset, Friends of Cesar Romero

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Great song from The Tearaways, from the upcoming album ‘And Now For Our Next Trick.’ due out at the end of the month. The jangling alt. rock alter-ego of Jeff Shelton The Deadlights returns with a new single here, and I was impressed with the melodic EP by Peter Hall called About Last Night. The title track rocks, and “For Love” has some ELO overtones, but overall very very good. Keith Hale aka The Plus 4 sings about a UFO sighting I guess and the radio-ready single by Ransom and Subset is a real treasure that’s a free download. Loud punk rock from Friends of Cesar Romero all the same tempo, but I liked the “Bittersweet Nothing Symphony” best, and it’s a free download too.





Support P. Hux and some EPs that deserve to be heard: Old Town Cryer, Flathead, Andy Bopp, The Photocopies, The Pozers

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The great P. Hux has a new album he’s finishing up, mixing, mastering, and other details. You only have a few days left to contribute to one of the best power pop artists around. Visit the Kickstarter site. Old Town Cryer has a bluesy live performance last year at The Fallout Shelter in Norwood, MA and half the proceeds go to The Pine Street Inn, a charitable organization whose mission is to end homelessness. From Marseille, France comes Flathead, an energetic power pop band that advertises “No Synths… Only Guitars.” Another great power pop veteran, Andy Bopp is back with an EP of sweet tunes; “Roger” and “Poison Girl” which is like a mix of Bowie meets Robert Pollard. Love this! The Photocopies have a neat new release that hums along, check out the fuzzy pop “Holiday Romance” and  “Like Teenage Love.” Finally, The Pozers video for “Two” comes from Crybaby Bridge. It’s my favorite song from the album. Enjoy!





End-of-January Singles, EPs and a Freebie: Ryan Allen, Luddites, Ilko Birov, Floral Portrait, Brock Pytel

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After a relatively warm January, we settle in and see Ryan Allen is already following up his #7 album of 2022 with a new concept album. This is a taste, we’ll review the entire LP soon. Boston’s Luddites does a good job with old-school power pop riffs, and Bulgarian singer-songwriter Ilko Birov knocks this single “Mrs. James” out of the park. Fans of Elliott Smith and Dave Davies will enjoy this. Jason Bronson and Jacob Chisenhall bring us the warmth of Floral Portrait, a slice of sunny orchestral pop in the tradition of Brian Wilson. Fans of The Wondermints will appreciate it and it’s our freebie. On a louder note,  Brock Pytel (formerly of The Doughboys, the Montreal punk band and NOT Richard X. Heyman’s band) has a new single and it’s got a catchy fatalism, akin to Bob Mould playing The Rolling Stones. Onward to Spam… I mean, February!