Category: Singles Only

Tax day singles: Lindsay Murray, Orbis Max, Fallon Cush, Tony Marisco,The Krayolas, Tommy Keene, The Blusterfields

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“Fields” features Lindsay Murray (Gretchen’s Wheel) and Orbis Max with drums by Daniele Silvestri. Neil Christie (Emperor Penguin) produced the video. The song compares the end of a relationship with the shifting of a landscape and how even the most permanent landmarks crumble to time and “progress.” Fallon Cush returns with a lively blues-rocker “Sweet Johanna” and Tony Marisco has a sweet EP of jangling songs, fans of The Byrds will certainly enjoy this, check out “Sleepwalker.” The Krayolas honor Dwight Twilley with a classic cover of “I Hear You Knockin’.” The late great Tommy Keene is always worth revisiting, a new digital EP was recently released so don’t hesitate to check it out. A new band to me is The Blusterfields, “Everyone is Dead” fits well with this group, with some jangle and harmonies. Finally, a freebie — RumBar Records After School Special is a 5-song EP with pop-punk artists like Pavid Vermin, J. Prozac, The Cretins, WiMP!, and The Glimmer Stars. Enjoy!





Retro-feelin’ Singles: Frank Royster, Bryan Estepa, Super 8, Jamie Turner, Solitary Bee, Wifey

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Retro influences are all around. It’s been a long time since I heard from Frank Royster, and this song is great. It’s a perfect mix of Beach Boys-Beatles with gorgeous chord shifts. Love it! I can’t wait for the album! Another winner channeling the past is Bryan Estepa. “Is There Anybody There?” is a beautiful single that recalls yacht rock classics. Super 8 delivers a little sunshine pop with “Keep Doing It” from his upcoming album. Jamie Turner turns back the clock a little further with “Ordinary Song.” The boys from It’s Karma It’s Cool have a side pop project called Solitary Bee with an early ’80s feel. It’s not all soft sounds, as Wifey channels ’90s rockers like Bowling For Soup, with the freebie “Mary Ann leaves the Band.” Enjoy!



Marching on more EPs and Singles: Kanak, The Second Summer, Round Corners, Nerd Magnet, Tony Low, Big City

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New Jersey band Kanak, produced by the legendary Ed Stasium (The Ramones, Talking Heads, Motörhead) made a good impression – and their new EP is out next week. One of the best EPs I’ve heard is The Second Summer, with each song a winner from their debut undertow. Fans of The Posies and Teenage Fanclub will love this highly recommended EP. Round Corners is Greek artist Elias Papastamatiou with a slick 70s-styled pop on “How Do You Do?” Japanese band Nerd Magnet attracted me to their new single “Take A Walk.” Native New Yorker Tony Low returns with an EP of Covid-inspired songs (that was a while ago, right)? Finally, New York City’s Big City has a terrific alt-rock swagger and cool on “Full Service” a very Thin Lizzy-inspired band.





March singles: Luke of Ulysses, Willie Dowling, The Amplifier Heads, Chaft, Softjaw

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New month, and new singles! ‘Car Trouble’ is the debut solo single from Luke of Ulysses (UK Psych-Glam revival pioneers Ulysses). Luke played all the instruments and sang, except for a guest spot from his wife, Lily, as a hot French alien in the video. See the Bandcamp below for more! Willie Dowling has another single (“The Cure”) from his upcoming album to share (as a freebie), and The Amplifier Heads turn up the guitars and sax as it’s more rockin’ aliens. I had never heard of Chaft before, but I will be looking into this smart pop rocker from Norfolk, Massachusetts. Each of these 3 songs hit the mark, beautifully written and mixed. Finally, a solid single from California band Softjaw. “Waiting at the End” is a meat-and-potatoes power pop song along with a second single, “Pleased With Me” completed this month. Both deserve to be heard, and I hope a full-length LP is in the works.





More February EPs and singles: Jordan Jones, Curling, Calendars, Sirius Voltage, Little Miss Echo, Suzy Goodwin

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Jordan Jones is a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles with solid melodic skills, and his latest EP, And, I, You, is a gorgeously rendered piece of 70s-influenced pop. Clear influences from ELO, Hall & Oates, Fleetwood Mac, and Gilbert O’Sullivan. While his previous LP earned kudos for its Rundgren-like rockers, this slickly produced slice of soul is another side of this brilliant artist. It’s a quick listen and likely will be on my top ten EPs for the 2024 list.  Get this gem on Kool Kat Musik.

I don’t think I gave Curling a fair shake or a good listen last year, and now it’s getting the “deluxe” treatment. The angular guitar melody of “Shamble” recalls Colin Moulding, and there is more here that deserves to be heard, especially the inspiring “Hi-Elixir.” Japan’s power poppers Calendars are back with a quick single, “Apart” and it’s great to hear them again. While we are overseas, Portuguese rockers Sirius Voltage deliver “For Your Dreams,” a riff-tastic slice of swagger. On a lighter note, Little Miss Echo brings to mind Papernut Cambridge meets The Beta Band, with the catchy “Optigan.” Finally, a Motown melody from Suzy Goodwin, mixed by studio master Michael Carpenter.