Bob of The Pops! Vol.3 – Robyn Gibson (The Junipers) gets better with each group of covers he delivers. Love all this, and it’s a FREE download. Get it now!
Timmy Sean is back with a pure power pop single sure to stay on my playlist all year long.
Andy Reed gives us a slow ballad, and it’s his first solo work this year.
Jay Stansfield hasn’t had an LP ready in a long time, but this new single is a little like Jason Falkner.
Aussie Bryan Estepa delivers a very sweet power-pop tune. Can an album be far behind?
John Dunbar is back with his band The John Sally Ride and he offers some very sage advice. It’s a pep talk set to a catchy beat.
Richard Turgeon just keeps going! After the release of his new LP Lost Angeles, he decided to cover one of the most popular power pop bands of early the 2000’s, The Gin Blossoms (who have a new release out, btw.) Richard does a pretty faithful rendition of that band’s biggest hits. These are both FREE downloads. Enjoy!
William Duke “Quatro”
William Duke is back with a fine short LP (or extended EP) with an assortment of goodies. Duke’s sound is like a mix of The Pernice Brothers and Eric Matthews, with elements of Roots, Soft Psyche, and Baroque pop. He gives us the opening “Caroline And The Silver Screen,” a near five-minute jangling epic. The infectious beat and harmonies stay with you on “Junk #2,” and the moody mid-tempo “Hotel’s End” and “As Good As It Gets” tugs at your emotions. No real filler, and super highly recommended. Plus, it’s a FREE download.
Lund Brothers “Live!”
OK, it’s NOT a freebie. I rarely review live concert albums, but this one was worth it. The Lund Bros’ historic set at Seattle’s Experience Music Project (EMP) showcases a band that captures that “live” vibe with maximum impact. As a stripped-down trio of Chris Lund, his brother, Sean and Gwon Chang – they pull off a great set. Highlights include “Plastiscene” and “In My Hands,” fans of Cheap Trick and Redd Kross will want to check this out!
Vegas With Randolph returns with the power-pop goodness of “Women in Airports” in advance of their next album, Legs & Luggage.
You’re Among Friends are a casual rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. Their music has been described as “rollicking blues at its core with a sugary coating of power pop” by Scene Magazine. check out this FREE download.
Yani Martinelli features some wonderful vocal harmonies and light acoustic melodies. The classical soft-pop style of “Radiohouse 12am” is similar to The Free Design. Simply beautiful and this is a FREE download.
The Susan Constant is a Boston indie band with just plenty of punch to keep power pop fans interested. Check out the solid rant “Constructive Summer,” and it’s a FREE download.
Scott Brookman has decided to go unplugged for good. He’s not going for the polished pop sounds of his past and is now concentrating on low-fi acoustic songs. “How Could I Let It Win?” and “Whatever She Was She’s Gone” have that McCartney vibe. Yani Martinelli, Mario Pilarte López lend a hand, and it’s a FREE download.
Let’s cap things off with a new single from Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies) called “White Noise’, the first track from Steven Page’s new album ‘Discipline: Heal Thyself Pt. II’ which is coming out on September 14th.
The Skullers have covered and recorded a version of punk legend Richard Hell’s single “I’m Your Man” All proceeds will benefit Career Gear, a non-profit organization helping men in need enter or re-enter the workforce.
Joe Algeri is at it again! The Jangle Band returns with an advance single from the second album! And it is a FREEBIE!
Lo-fi goodness from GUMS. It’s a Glaswegian indie band and this freebie compiles the best bits from EPs and singles from 2012-2016.
Kai Danzberg has released a bunch of demos from his critical hit Pop Up Radio. It shows the time and patience needed to put out a solid pop album.
The Paperweight Array – Aaron Hemmington (The Sunchymes) is part of this prog-pop trio from the UK. This new 3-song EP has many influences from XTC to Genesis to Pink Floyd.
Bad Athlete is 4-piece power pop band from Norman, Oklahoma that really feels like a lost Weezer EP. Check out the dense guitars on “Yeah” and “Lonely One” Cape Cartel is a really impressive Canadian band that sounds like a mix of Belle & Sebastian and The Moody Blues. Full of harmonies and alt. rock coolness, check out “Oh Christ.” Oh yeah, this is a FREE download.
DW Dunphy has another terrific compilation for us as Volume 4 of the Co-Op Communique collects some great power pop, rock, punk, and indie folk. Contributions from Gretchen’s Wheel, The Well Wishers, Paul Melancon, The Click Beetles, Soper 8, Phil Yates and much more. A massive 57 tracks and its all a FREE download.
