Category: Singles Only

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.’




Drumroll… It’s almost here.

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Enjoy a few New Year’s celebration songs.



The year in review 2024

The phrase “power pop” alone makes one picture jangly guitar riffs, catchy tunes, and vibrant energy. Think Big Star, Badfinger, Cheap Trick, and The Raspberries. But where does the genre stand today?

While the classic sound still resonates with some, the genre’s boundaries have blurred significantly. Rising independent artists challenge easy classification and push artistic limits. Punk, metal, techno, and many other influences permeate the music from indie rock to alternative pop. This combining produces a vivid, always changing soundscape. Rarely do artists limit themselves to a rigid power pop template. Instead they use several techniques to create original sonic tapestries. An album might feature a driving power pop anthem alongside a brooding ballad, an experimental electronic track, or a raw, punk-infused outburst. Actually, I’ve seen more music this year than last year — along with less of that traditional power pop sound.

This eclecticism isn’t necessarily a departure from the spirit of power pop. At its core, power pop celebrates melodic songwriting and infectious energy. From the jangly guitars of the past to the cutting-edge sounds of today, these ideas can be articulated in innumerable ways.

The result is a more dynamic and exciting musical landscape. While purists might lament the loss of a “pure” power pop sound, this evolution ensures the genre remains fresh, relevant, and constantly surprising. Onward to 2025! Next post is the Top 25 of 2024.
 

It’s December goodies: The Leb Trip, Jupiter Motel, Action Shelly, Barry Walsh, Incredible Weapons, Rum Bar Records assortment

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The Leb Trip is the new indie psych folk rock pop project by Jordi Bel, guitar and voice of the Barcelona psych rock band Stay and ‘Rising High’ is the new EP produced by Daniel Wylie (Cosmic Rough Riders). While it’s too short and bittersweet, I still liked it. Check it out. Jupiter Motel is the side-project of Steve Monteith, long-time guitarist of Star Collector. It’s got that nostalgic rocker vibe. Get it at Kool Kat Musik. Action Shelly is a based in Italy but rooted in the UK sounds. Fans of early XTC will like them, even their debut from last year. Barry Walsh really has a great song here with “The Sound,” a self-referential gem! Incredible Weapons is a study in contrasting sounds, sweet female vocals and spacey synths, heavy guitar riffs with hooks, just listen to “Crushing it.” Finally our friends at Rum Bar Records gives us a Black Friday freebie — 38 mouth watering tracks, but only the first one, “Santa’s in a punk band now,” has that Christmas theme. More on those records later this week!