What can I say, we have even more music to report on. The Eggmen Whoooooo! are a quirky band that gives us “Eggman Vs Hellboy” and some comic book nerds saw the video, and there was much rejoicing. I have to call out the best EP of August, The Junior League‘s ‘Nattering Nabobs’ – just listen to “Skinny Tie” and count the power pop references! Under the radar The Bye Bye Blackbirds have been releasing some singles, and judging by the strutting “The Girls Walk” they’ve lost not a single step. The Successful Failures also return with plenty of pop twang on the excellent “Costume Party.” Something new from Sweden, The While is a band consisting of power pop royalty with Fredrik Norberg(Popsicle) and Johan Bergqvist(The Genuine Fakes.) Finally some beautiful jangle pop from Spain courtesy of Young Scum with “Lighter Blue.” Enjoy!
Category: Singles Only
August singles: The Burkharts, Stray Arcade, Late Cambrian, Hubbell Benson, Strange Neighbors, The Junipers
Hot Summer singles and EPs: The Martial Arts, The Shang Hi Los, The Mediocre Friends, Teenage Tom Petties, Bad Moves, Shake Some Action!
A cool new video for The Martial Arts (aka Paul Kelly) for the single “Exploding Crushing Inevitable” from his upcoming album ‘In There Like Swimwear.’ It’s tough not to love The Shang Hi Los, with its bouncy rocker “Op-Operator” they continue the party with, “Morganatic Panic,” proving these guys have a big hit album in the making. Remember Gay Elvis from Readymade Breakup? Well, he has a new project, The Mediocre Friends and it’s the opposite of mediocre. Plus, it’s a freebie! I also enjoyed “Kissed Me in Seattle,” by Teenage Tom Petties, with its catchy fuzzy melody, it sounds like a keeper. Two bands I follow are back; Bad Moves has a new album coming out, and Shake Some Action! gives us a great-sounding EP with a crisper retro sound. Check out “I Want You,” and pick this gem up today!
More June EPs, singles, previews: Nick Lowe, Candy Whips, John Wlaysewski, Lisa Mychols, Golden Richards, dB’s
Nick Lowe keeps on rockin’! With the help of his reliable bandmates Los Straitjackets on every track, Nick showcases his impeccable songwriting skills over a wide range of musical styles. Indoor Safari proves that Nick Lowe is just as influential as he was when he first entered the music industry fifty years ago. Next, Candy Whips brings a fusion of new wave and pulsating synth-pop while John Wlaysewski (Late Cambrian) adds his synth melodies, so check out “Doing Shit, Trying Not To Be Sad.” Power pop queen Lisa Mychols has been very active on social media lately, with new recordings from The Masticators! coming up. Check out her demo of “PopSound.” Golden Richards has a great single about an old-school rapper, “Doctor K” trying to impress a girl. Finally, I wanted to shout out about the new re-issue of the dB’s Stands for deciBels a classic power pop album that was way ahead of its time. The remastered sound is just amazingly well done. Enjoy!
June EPs and singles: Freddy Monday, Stonedog, Michael Slawter, It’s Karma It’s Cool, The Stone Souls
The romantic balladeer Freddy Monday provides us with “Passing By Hours,” a sublime and melodic single that I can’t resist. Check it out on Apple Music—next, a shout-out to Stonedog, with a freebie that hits the sweet spot on its opener, “Time Machine,” and the late 70s guitar riffs come out on the impressive “Hourglass.” The always-interesting Michael Slawter has an EP with experimental power pop, and it’s worth your time. All the songs are cool, but check out the jangling “Down to Witness” and rocking “Little Mind” to get a taste. It’s Karma It’s Cool are back with some summer music and we get those buzzing “Autumn Recruits.” The Stone Souls have a few singles out, and this is the latest, a surf-styled tune with horns on “No Sense of Time (It’s Alright).” Enjoy that summer sun and the music, it’s June!