Buzz Zeemer “Lost and Found”
Vocalist Frank Brown, a veteran of the Philadelphia music scene, and guitarist Tom Conwell created the band Buzz Zeemer in the late 90s. Brown crafts guitar-driven melodies that are more refined than your average power pop band. After two successful albums the band vanished, but 25 years later it returns with unreleased tracks recorded between 1993 and 1997.
“Happy Hour” is a great hook-filled opener and a perfect example of how dynamic power pop was in the late 90s. We’ve got 14 tracks of goodies that go well with fans of The Lemonheads, The Replacements, and The Gigolo Aunts. Lots of highlights here, and this is a collection that deserves serious study; from the contemplative “Sometimes” to the churning grunge of “What I’ve Got.” The melodic gems “Don’t Pull Away” and “The Chosen One” were favorites of mine. Highly Recommend.
Onesie “Liminal Hiss”
The Brooklyn-based power pop band Onesie, fronted by guitarist/singer/songwriter Ben Haberland is back after 4 years. The band has always been unorthodox but repeated listens show their rich talent. The minor key riffs on “Permaspring” and “Robocall” have a slight Field Music feel to them, yet Onesie is true to itself with its own laid-back, casual style. “What You Kill” has a great catchy hook in its chorus and its driving drum beat. “Let Me Guess” is equally an earworm.
The style shifts slightly with “Morning Warren” a mix of funk rhythms and jangle is the definition of modern eclectic pop. Another good comparison is The Mommyheads, especially with “Another Day in The Experiment” and “Live Yuppie Scum.” The band’s unpredictability and mashing of styles is a feature here, not a bug, and will keep you listening. Highly Recommended.
Pony in the Pancake “In Dreams”
Pony in the Pancake is an Albany-based indie band known for their harmonies, depressing lyrics, and easygoing approach. These tracks use lo-fi guitars and garage-rock rhythms, creating soundscapes that recall traditional surf-pop with a modern twist. While not always compelling there are some highlights like “We’ll Go Walking” and “Forever.” The download is “name-your-price,” so you can check it out risk free.
