Great December EPs: Wyatt Funderburk, Sweetboy, Super 8, Blend Eleven, Softjaw

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Wyatt Funderburk “Fleeting and Finite” and “Parkside”

Wyatt is comparable to a “5-tool-player” in baseball. Does many things extremely well, from songwriting, playing, singing, producing, etc. He does punk pop to perfection with Kurt Baker, but I can think of very few people who have the skills to pull off a Brian Wilsonesque combination of melody and earnest romantic delivery. He gives us a double EP (one under the name “Hibiki”) Don’t believe me? Listen to “You’ll Know” and you’ll know! Get it on Amazon


Sweetboy “A Day in the Park”

Local NYC indie pop band has some amazing songwriting, check out the title track “A Day in the Park,” “Island” and the epic chorus of “End of The World.” This is a band you should keep your eyes on for future greatness. Get it on Amazon


Super 8 “Goes J Pop”

Sorry if you were expecting Kenshi Yonezu, but Paul “Trip” Ryan (aka Super 8) does a fine job with these Japanese pop covers (including a Beatles cover). Check out “Keep Doing It” with its shamisen accents. Get it on Amazon


Blend Eleven “Deepest Cuts”

This Aussie band with great sound builds everything off the 12-string acoustic strum. A cover of the classic Cat Steven’s “The First Cut is The Deepest” sets the stage, very much in the vocal mold of Extreme’s acoustic gems. And it’s a freebie to try – so pick it up, and listen to the band’s other material. Get it on Amazon

Softjaw “Softjaw”

Deceptively cool vibe on the opener “Pleased With Me” drew me in, as this Long Beach, California band has a perfect power pop approach. “Don’t Go Walkin’ Out On Me” and “Dragging Mt Feet” are pure gems. This is another band that flirts with greatness, as each song hits the mark and it’s a contender for best EP this year. Get it on Amazon

Holiday music: Willie Wisely, Kai Danzberg, Mike Brunacini, Dean & Britta & Sonic Boom, Reno Bo, Ben Folds

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The best way to enjoy holiday music is early December. It’s weird how we all love those songs after Thanksgiving, but hate the sound of sleigh bells after Christmas. Original holiday music has always been something I’ve enjoyed listening to because it’s fascinating to hear how different artists interpret their own personal holiday memories. Enjoy these presents from Willie Wisely, Kai Danzberg, Mike Brunacini, Dean & Britta & Sonic Boom, Reno Bo, and finally Ben Folds.





TV Pins, The Restless Age, and Mt. Misery

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TV Pins “Aircutter”

TV Pins is a band from Midlands, UK combining 1970s Americana, Britpop, and a touch of New Wave. The album opener “Oh Yeah” is perfect intro with the thump of drums into a heavy bass lead melody like a Britpop version of Big Star.

“Bye Bye Reseda” is a slightly different vibe with horns, but there are plenty of gems here like the breezy strum of “Magpie Eyes” and the unique “Roundabout” which goes in many melodic directions. “Everysingletime” recalls Crowded House at times, and the bouncy genius of “Last Rites” is my favorite here. This band does not do “cookie cutter” pop, hence the styles differ considerably. Definitely highly recommended.

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The Restless Age “Losers Party”

The Restless Age (Will Bryant, Lee Falco, and Brandon Morrison) are from Athens, Georgia,  and the album ‘Loser Party’ may not be power pop in sound, but definitely in spirit. The melancholy piano title track is a ballad that recognizes “my kind will never rule the earth,” but it has some great chord changes.

These guys really shine on the ballads with their crisp three-part harmonies and pensive emotional delivery. Check out “Time Can’t Go Back Now,” “Save Me,” and “Murky Water” for some gorgeous songwriting. The mid-tempo tracks aren’t as memorable, but “Freak Show” is another keeper. This is a band to keep your eye on and definitely deserves to be heard. Check them out!

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“Mt.

Mt. Misery “Love In Mind”

Hartlepool, UK’s Mt. Misery is a jangle pop band that fans of Dropkick or Teenage Fanclub will really enjoy. The opener “Hey” has those subtle jangling chords, soothing background harmonies, and the earnest lovelorn belief that “everything will work out fine.” The next several songs also hit that sweet spot, as “Movies,” “On My Mind,” and “Sunday Song” all feel like a cozy vacation from the winter blues.

We can all sense the haze of naïve love and the uncertainty of youth as the laid-back tempo lingers a bit longer across the album on tracks like “You Call My Name” and “Love To Give.” While it feels a bit repetitive in parts, there are enough goodies here to make this a highly recommended album.

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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!





Ed Ryan and DB Edmunds

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Ed Ryan “Along for The Ride”

The new album ‘Along For The Ride’ by Ed Ryan is a veritable gold mine of well written songs that highlight his musical abilities. Heartfelt lyrics and hooks that transports listeners into Ryan’s imaginative universe. Standout tracks like “Better Than That” and “Make It Happen” demonstrate Ryan’s knack for blending catchy melodies with easy-to-hum arrangements.

Ryan’s vocals, however, slightly limit the album’s full potential even if the songwriting and production are clearly excellent. Although his voice exudes emotion and authenticity, it sometimes lacks the youthful clarity required to raise these great songs to their best. “Heart On My Sleeve” is a raucous rocker that would really benefit from a growling-styled delivery. His vocal delivery works best on the mid-tempo ballads like “Solitary Man” and “Imperfect Life.” Clear influences are Tom Petty and other mid 70s styled rockers.

From reflective ballads (“Poppe’s Garden”) to energizing rockers (“Find Me A Girl”), the album covers a broad emotional spectrum to appeal to any power pop fan. All things considered, ‘Along For The Ride’ is evidence of Ed’s unquestionable skill and commitment to his trade. Highly recommended!

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DB Edmunds “Everybody Knows By Now”

Originally a founding member of late ’90s power pop faves The Gladhands and main singer/songwriter/guitarist for Chapel Hill-based The Stars Explode, DB Edmunds began his solo trip in 2022 with EP ‘Life’s Wild Ride’. This new full length album was written in the wake of COVID lockdown, and its starts out promising, produced by the legendary Mitch Easter. The opener “Give It All You Got” is a bittersweet rocker about perseverance in the face of difficulties. “Chasing Yesterday” captures the melancholy tone as it explores the process of people losing their bearings, but a standout here is “(Don’t You Go) Wishing On A Falling Star” which has late 80’s sound, a great vibe is here, and would’ve been a hit if released in that era.

Another great song is “All The Possibilities,” starting with a Rickenbacker riff that blends into a layered melody about UFOs. The style changes on “Blind Faith,” which mines the late era Who for musical inspiration. A good song, but it shifts in style again on “The Weight of The World,” a slow jazzy song akin to a James Bond movie theme. The album is performed and played to perfection in the end, however the abrupt changes in style are distracting. DB seems to explore more than compose, and you will want to pick out some favorites here, as this is music that deserves to be heard.

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