Redd Kross and Sparkle*jets UK

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The Black Watch

Redd Kross “Redd Kross”

Jeff and Steve McDonald have been doing their brand of power pop for over 45 years, and have transformed themselves from snot-nosed young punks to elder statesmen who can rock and roll all night (and party every day!) This new album carries on from 2019’s Beyond the Door and raises the ante. It’s a massive 18 tracks of their most intense and captivating music to date. Pulsating with vitality, crackling with intensity, and chiming with sweet harmonies, it shows a conspicuous dedication to songcraft.

On glam rockers like “Candy Coated Catastrophe” and “Stunt Queen,” the brothers strive for a heavy stadium sound that is on par with their best songs. On poppier numbers, their Beatlesque influences pop through, like “Good Times Propaganda Band” with its swirling bass line. There are simply too many highlights to list, and the band does vent about rockstar life in “What’s in it for you?,” “Way Too Happy,” and “Terrible Band,” which are both catchy and lyrically interesting. However, the band doesn’t slow down the tempo or tone much. Even power ballads like “The Main Attraction” build up quickly to loud harmonies. Still, this remains a triumph and gets a nod for inclusion in my year-end top ten list. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Sparklejets UK

Sparkle*Jets UK “Box of Letters”

Sometimes the stars align with a power pop band that hasn’t been heard from in a while. After 2002’s Bamboo Lounge, it looked like the band was done. Even though the album was planned and recorded in 2006, bad luck prevented it from getting finished. But the band got back together for last year’s cover collection, Best of Friends, proving that magic was still there. The core lineup of singer-guitarist Susan West, multi-instrumentalist Michael Simmons, and bassist James Knight are joined by Joel Valder (drums) and Tisha Boonyawatana (keys, vocals). They all sound like they’re having fun here.

Opening with a cover of The Zombies’ “This Will Be Our Year,” it’s a richly layered tune with many impressive sonic details. “Goodbye X3” and “Love Burn” showcase Susan’s vocal personality perfectly, and then we get the Jellyfish-like “Princess Needy” with its bouncy chorus and the disco break midway through. More highlights include “I Can’t Wait for Summer,” a beautiful Beach Boys pastiche, and the title track “Box of Letters, ” a grower that builds on sweet nostalgia and is so catchy. Plenty of gems are sprinkled here, and other than the ‘80s lounge pop of “Where’s The Moment,” it’s all killer, no filler, and highly recommended!

Big Stir Records | Amazon

Fourth of July Special: Brian Ray, The Drolls, Gentlemen Rogues, Friends of Cesar Romero, Steven Wright-Mark, Brad Marino, Muck and the Mires

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It’s been a long time, but Brian Ray (guitarist with Paul McCartney) returns with a new album in August. The new single, “When The Earth Was Round” is a small sample of what to expect. Freebies are here! The Drolls and Gentlemen Rogues deliver plenty of fuzzy punk power pop. Check out “Happy Hour,” and “Connection.” Then South Dakota’s Friends of Cesar Romero have a new high-energy EP, so check out “Last Summer a Year From Now.” Speaking of summer, we have a wonderful pop single from Steven Wright-Mark called “Summer Sky,” Hopefully, a new album isn’t far behind. Another great EP is Muck and the Mires newest, “Zoom Breakup,” with a high-tech way to dump your date. Finally, Brad Marino has been listening to those old hot-rod-era Beach Boys and The Rip Chords. He decided to add to that vintage genre with his car songs on “Hot Rod Rampage.” I love that cover of “Shut Down!” And in case you missed Steve Conte’s new song… Happy 4th of July!






Hot Summer singles and EPs: The Martial Arts, The Shang Hi Los, The Mediocre Friends, Teenage Tom Petties, Bad Moves, Shake Some Action!

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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!





The Black Watch and Valley Lodge

powerpopaholic
The Black Watch

The Black Watch “Weird Rooms”

With the help of his son Chandler, who traveled to Austin, TX to record ‘Weird Rooms‘ with producer/multi-instrumentalist Misha Bullock and his wife Sara, lead singer and lyricist John Andrew Fredrick—a writer and prolific songwriter—releases his twenty-third long-player from The Black Watch. In contrast to most bands these days, The Black Watch just gets better with each release.

It starts with “Myrmidon,” a swirling psyche pop gem with a jangling rhythm and thick descending baseline akin to “Dear Prudence” with choral backing. “Miles & Miles” also has a shimmering texture, that builds up a wall of sound with a dreamlike cadence. “Gobbledegook” and the title track “Weird Rooms” follow this with more 80s-styled guitar riffs, displaying a richly composed stream of consciousness. There are bits of “weird” interludes between some tracks, that serve to move us along the album, from one “room” to the next. “Fruit Stripe Gum” has a strong horn and drum-guitar combo that recalls an old western theme. Overall, it is a sensory experience that proves more intoxicating the longer you listen to it. Highly recommended.

Amazon


Valley Lodge

Valley Lodge “Shadows in Paradise”

Vally Lodge (Dave Hill, Phil Costello, Eddie Eyeball, and Rob Pfeiffer) continues to chug along, as one of the top power pop bands out of New York. The group draws inspiration from various sources, including Cheap Trick, Maroon 5, and Thin Lizzy. “Daylights” opens with a rousing guitar riff, it’s a catchy, silly song with lyrics like “I’m not your basketball, but I’ll bounce all over your head.” Next is “I Wrote a Song,” which also bounces along with Olive Hui (Late Cambrian) dancing in the video.

There are a few songs that have a rock vibe with funky electronic beats like “Secret Lover,” and “Dirty Dishes,” but power pop fans will eat up the brilliant “After School,” with its frantic guitar solo and “Hanging Around,” which starts almost like a Foo Fighters song, with a bass-heavy intro and settles into breezy “do-do-do” harmonies. In the end, ‘Shadows in Paradise’ is an enjoyable album with more than enough great songs to make this one highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik