Category: Singles Only

Freebies and Singles: The Top Boost, Geoff Palmer, Tommy Lorente, Vista Blue, Ken Sharp, Preoccupied Pipers, The Turnback

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The Top Boost earns major kudos for this excellent 3 song EP. On the title track, they’re joined by Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Jellyfish, Imperial Drag). The result is a swirling blend of bubble gum pop sweetness with a wistful lyrical undertone. A+


Geoff Palmer (The Connection) has released a few singles in advance of his next solo LP Pulling Out All The Stops. This one is more than hot, it’s a FREE download. BTW, his former bandmate Brad Marino has LP out too, reviews for both coming soon!

My favorite French power pop musician Tommy Lorente gives us a FREE download, it’s so catchy even if you don’t speak French just sing along with the “Na Na Na Na.”

The reliable punk-pop of Vista Blue continues his sports-themed Ramones influenced rock. Another FREE download!

Ken Sharp spent some time at Fernando Perdomo‘s new Reseda Ranch Studios 2.0 and recorded this little gem about the 1964 World’s Fair. Only a buck, and worth the trip through his imaginary time machine.

A goodie from KC Bowman and friends (aka The Preoccupied Pipers) about another band and its audience? Hey! It’s still a FREE download.
The Turnback is back with a new single “Unloading An Empty Gun”. If you buy it, maybe Todd, Kenny & Barry will reload and give us another album (please!)

EPs, freebies and singles: Un-Teens, Secret Friend, The Well Wishers, The Embryos and Any Version Of Me

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The Un-Teens are classic sounding power pop band with infectious hooks tipping their hat to early punk from Hamilton, Ontario.

Steven Fox’s band Secret Friend is back with a sweet single. Linus of Hollywood (guitars) and Roger Manning Jr. (keyboards) contribute!

Jeff Shelton is busy at work with both The Well Wishers and Trip Wires. “Feelin’ Fine” is a strong single paired with a cover of  Fleetwood Mac’s “Second Hand News.”
Chicago band The Embryos resemble Teenage Fanclub on the standout “Wasting All Your Time,” and the other tunes are good too! FREE Download!
French retro pop enthusiast Any Version of Me is back. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we have a way to download the music – but we can stream these tunes. “Thinking of The Days” has a very Lennon-Harrison vibe, and “Look What You’ve Done” is a hybrid of The Four Tops and The Hollies!

Singles & EPs: Tommy Sistak, Telephone Lovers, Nick Bertling, Baby Scream and Vapour Trails

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First, we got Tommy’s good hat — now we have “A Good Friend.”

Classic power pop guitars! “Two Dollar Baby” is what these singles cost, and its worth every penny!

Nick Bertling brings out his jangling guitars and fuzz melodies in this fantastic EP. “As One Again” is a standout!

Juan Pablo’s tortured Lennonesque melodies float into your brain on this EP. Lovin’ “Fake It Till You Make It.”

Brilliantly indie pop with jangle that will help you find “The Inner Truth.” Hey, it’s a FREEBIE too!

EPs: The Re-Used Electrics, Blank Pages and Sam Hoffman

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The Re-Used Electrics

The Re-Used Electrics “For Johnny” EP

The Re-Used Electrics prowled Houston, Texas from 1980-1985 and was dedicated to translating the spirit of live punk bands of that time to local rock audiences. This 5 song EP is dedicated to Johnny Thunders (aka John Anthony Genzale) best known for his work with the New York Dolls.

The classic guitar instrumental “Pipeline” originally made famous by The Chantays is given a sweet treatment and opens the set. Followed by “Chinese Rocks,” the solid instrumental work does its best to make up for the buried vocals, which resemble a gruff Johnny Rotten. “One Track Mind” and “Pills” are good catchy rock and roll. Definitely meant to be played loud and proud.

Amazon

The Blank Pages

The Blank Pages “Into The Ether” EP

After ending a 7-year hiatus with 2018’s Before Your Summer Fades, The Blank Pages are back with a fresh EP. Guitarist Greg Potter leads the charge with the title track, a catchy anthem with a nice guitar hook. My favorite track here, “Let It Flow” is another jangling gem that rocks with gleeful abandon. The lower key “Snapshots” is more a narrative about a long lost connection and “Welcome To The Unknown” is composed a little like Joe Jackson, a synth and piano lead with driving percussion and swirling guitar rhythm. Highly Recommended.

CD Baby


Sam Hoffman

Sam Hoffman “Fairweather”

Wow, out of nowhere Sam Hoffman sounds like Richard X. Heyman fronting The Junipers, with plenty of that jingle jangle guitar. The opener “December” is just infectious and “Anything At All” is like a Byrds outtake. Some nice McCartneyesque bass highlights “Glencrest Lane,” but Sam’s vocals are a little too buried to make it stand out.

“Good Company” has a slowly rising riff that starts with gentle harmonies and a light melody. Next, the instrumental “Karate” shows us Sam’s guitar chops. Most songs are 2 minutes or less, so this feels a little like Tony Molina’s LP. But Mr. Hoffman gives us a lot more with the 5-minute + ballad “Lorraine” full of strings and western guitar. Not a single dud here and  I was super impressed by this debut. You have the option of a name-your-price Bandcamp download or support the artist through an Amazon purchase. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Big Stir Singles and more!

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Big Stir Digital Singles

The best thing about music on the internet is that it’s immediate. That means anyone who comes up with a timely tune can record it and get it out there right away. The worst thing is that it’s ephemeral and we’ve seen brilliant one-off tunes not getting the attention they deserve because of the blink-and-you-miss-it pace of social media. Big Stir not only has a kick-ass zine, that deserves support – it has an impressive growing roster of power pop artists: Spygenius, The Newds, Plasticsoul, Addison Love and The Armoires (to name a few). So support these artists and check out the Big Stir Singles page!

More NEW Singles!

A wonderful new jangling gem from the Sunchymes – you can’t go wrong here.

Scott Brookman has been locked in his bedroom, doing his DIY pop for years. This single is based on a true story!

I’ve missed Peter Balderachi and I’m glad he’s ready for a “Change”

The Jellybricks are back! Very very cool video shows that Ok Go aren’t the only creative vid kids! The new single “Brooklyn” is out now. Get it!