Category: EPs

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.”
Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

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

The Power Popaholic Top 25 EPs of 2024

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While reflecting changes in technology and distribution, today’s EPs are vital tools for musicians. Back in the old days, 45s usually had one song on the A-side, usually a hit or lead single, and a supplementary tune on the B-side. Conversely, EPs often feature three to nine songs, providing a more complete view of an artist’s work free from the dedication of a full album. Because of their increasing use, I included more EPs in this year’s list. Additionally, this style is advantageous for the many “rookies” out there. Like my albums list, many bands have those melodic and catchy elements rather than being strictly “power pop.” Enjoy!

  1. Softjaw “Softjaw”
  2. The Second Season “Undertow”
  3. The Junior League “Nattering Nabobs”
  4. Shake Some Action! “Trip to Yesterday”
  5. Paul Crane and the Overend Watts “Halfway Home”
  6. The Genuine Fakes “Extended Play Vol. 1”
  7. Peter Freebairn “Silhouettes & Cigarettes”
  8. Big Bad Bobby and the Shoe Horns “Like That, But Louder”
  9. Wyatt Funderburk “Fleeting and Finite”
  10. Wifey “Just a Tease”
  11. Gramercy Arms “The Making Of The Making Of”
  12. Sad About Girls “Sad to Go”
  13. Jordan Jones “And I, You”
  14. The Dynamo Hymn “The Dynamo Hymn”
  15. Daz & The Demons “8 songs”
  16. The Drywall Heels “Today’s Top Hits Playlist”
  17. Big City “Full Service”
  18. Classic Traffic “Turn It Up”
  19. The Leb Trip “Rising High”
  20. The Sunchymes “In the Back of Your Mind”
  21. Secret Molecules “High Tide”
  22. Sweetboy “A Day in The Park”
  23. Housewives “Home At Last”
  24. The Fuzzy Berries “Goji”
  25. Peter Hall “What Are You Waiting For?”