The Happy Fits and Crossword Smiles

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Happy Fits

The Happy Fits “Under the Shade of Green”

The Happy Fits are a New Jersey trio that buzz right out of the gate with the big single “Around and Around.” This is danceable power pop courtesy of guitarist Ross Monteith and drummer Luke Davis, with vocalist and cellist Calvin Langman leading the charge. The songwriting is creative and the playful style recalls the late 80s or early 90s on “Dance Alone” and the Kardashian-like celebrity story “In The Lobby.”

The power pop hook is irresistible in “Little One” and the big strutting chorus of “Cold Turkey.” The synth leads and is supported by solid guitar rhythms, and the cello strings give the sound real depth. The youthful, catchy approach also reminded me of the 2010 band Fun. and encourages me to check out their previous albums. There also isn’t any filler to be found here, so it deserves to be included as a late addition to my top ten for 2022.

Amazon

Crossword Smiles

Crossword Smiles “Pressed & Ironed”

Michigan-based  Crossword Smiles is the combo of  Tom Curless (Your Gracious Host) and Chip Saam (The Hangabouts, and Curless’s backing band The 46%.) The duo draws inspiration from mid-80s alternative rock (Aztec Camera, Crowded House, The Rembrandts) and comes away with something different and unique. “This Little Town” and “October Leaves” are descriptive songs with compelling harmonies, and the subtleties of “Parallel Lines” are a joy to listen to. Very much like Field Music, but less obtuse and more accessible.

The pair loosen up with “Where’s The Sense” but they are at their best when doing the detailed story-songs “The Girl With The Penchant for Yellow,” and “Second Guesser.” While nothing is that immediate, the songs grow on you with repeated plays. The melodic “Take It On The Chin” is a great closer too, so overall a very fine album with quality musicianship. Highly Recommended.

Big Stir Records | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Ho-ho-holiday music: More presents under the tree for y’all

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More brand new Christmas music. Love the collaboration by Coke Belda & El Inquieto Roque here, more traditional goodies from Dropkick, and Riverboat Gamblers, We have the youth vote with The Linda Lindas, and the sexy “Hey Santa” by Cindy Lawson. The Light Music Company is Mr. Martin Newell (The Cleaners From Venus) of Essex and Ms. Rachel Love of Sussex, whose combined talents have concocted this small oeuvre of their compositions to help facilitate your enjoyment of the festive season. Before we get too dignified, The Stompers gives us what we really want for Christmas, and punk princesses The Dollyrots do the “Chipmunk Song” — OK? A last-minute addition is Kai Danzberg‘s “Last Christmas” with a different melody.

 









While not a Christmas tune, this is a rare one by Jamie Hoover (Spongetones) hosted by fellow blogger Richard Rossi. Lots of fun!

Dot Dash and The Nervous Eaters

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Dot Dash

Dot Dash “Madman in the Rain”

This may be Dot Dash’s seventh album, but Madman in the Rain almost feels like a debut. Remember the thrill of late 80’s alternative rock? R.E.M, The Connells, The Windbreakers? You get that giddy feeling with the jangling opener “Forever Far Out” and its breezy follow-up “Space Junk, Satellites.” “You Gotta Have A Heart, To have a Heart Attack!”  is the melodic phrase on “Tense & Nervous”  that jumps out at you in celebration.

Additional highlights include “Airwaves,” and “Everything = Dust,” and while not everything here sticks, most songs do. Guitarist/vocalist Terry Banks and bassist Hunter Bennett are joined by drummer Danny Ingram on this terrific album. It’s both immediate and engaging. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Nervous Eaters

The Nervous Eaters “Monsters + Angels”

The Boston-based punk rock band The Nervous Eaters may be old geezers, but they play a mean mix of garage rock, with grizzled bravado and energy. I mean, Mick Jagger is 79, and Neil Young is 77, so you’re still allowed to rock the house.

While more guitar pop than punk, Monsters + Angels is a superb showcase for songwriter Steve Cataldo’s thoughts on aging and other reactions to a world in crisis. An early standout here is “Superman’s Hands” with its jangling verses and forceful hook. “Hop Sing Said” is another chugging rhythm about the city, and “Chad” is a dramatic rocker about the ingenue that got away. Overall a very, very good album without a hint of filler, even the slower “Evilynn (Zombies and Sapphires)” recalls Procol Harum at points. A terrific comeback for a band that never should have left. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Dowling Poole and Brad Marino

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Dowling Poole

Dowling Poole “Refuse”

The duo known as Dowling Poole delivers selections from a few previously released EPs, and other digital sources. Willie Dowling and Jon Poole injected more politics into the subject matter for these tunes, and they remain very effective. “The Strawman” is a magnificent opener about political corruption, and in direct contrast is “Miles Checks Out” with its breezy verses and carnival-style cadence.

The band goes out of its way to avoid the typical verse-chorus structure, like on “Bright Spark” and gives us both elegance and whimsy on “Push Repeat.” Over the years the influence of XTC has waned and Sparks has increased with this band. That may be a challenge for some, so if you’re looking for simple melodies, go elsewhere. Otherwise, highly recommended.

Amazon


Brad Marino

Brad Marino “Basement Beat”

Brad Marino (The Connection) has a new obsession with The Ramones. He’s composed an entire album of music that sounds like The Ramones. The music is simple three-chord manna, under 2 minutes each, and when it works it’s a lot of fun. Songs like “Communist Creep” and “Spy for the BBI” have enough of a hook to get you boppin’ your head.

However, some songs just sound way too similar, or songs with all verse-no-chorus like “Dream Last Night.” While I appreciate the love, this only made me want to listen to Rocket To Russia. Recommended for Brad Marino fans, others may want to start with Even The Score.

Amazon

Ho-Ho-Holiday Music: It’s beginning to look a lot like…

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Well… here we go again. Enjoy the sounds while we countdown the days until the new year and my year-end top 10 list. I have several more reviews to post and of course, brand-new Christmas music. I made an exception with The Minus 5, but everything else here is new. Both Vista Blue and The Happy Somethings are a “name-your-price” download. Enjoy!