Free Albums that you should pay for: Empty City Squares, The Eisenhowers, Ruby Bones, Gentle Hen

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Declare your independence from the lamestream music machines and pre-programmed, autotuned crappy corporate pop. Support your local artists and donate to them, so they make more great music! These are full albums – all for “name-your-price.” It’s been some time but the awesome Empty City Squares delivers a collection of great singles collected during the year. The opener “Hail To The Cheato,” a decidedly vicious takedown of a certain president. The songs are really good here, so download and enjoy! The Eisenhowers were quiet for over 12 years, but they came back to ‘Judge a man by the company he keeps’ a worthy album that I discovered a bit late, but if you want a taste of Raymond Weir’s band, then get the “bonus tracks” on ‘Too Much Music.’ New Jersey’s Ruby Bones pays tribute to their favorite indie bands, and they do such a good job it’s worth way more than the $3.50 they are asking. Gentle Hen‘s 2017 LP ‘Sneaking Up On The Moon’ is our final entry here, but it’s stuffed with indie-rock gems, like “Made Up Stars” and “Life of Leisure.” They say the best things in life are free, and these are likely the best free albums you’ll get this year, so toss these bands a few bucks!

 




OK, this aint free — but at $3.50 it’s close enough to make my list.

Wanderlust and John Larson and The Silver Fields

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Wanderlust

Wanderlust “All A View”

From 1992 to 1998, Wanderlust had it all; they opened concerts for The Who, and their debut album ‘Prize‘ was one of the rare power pop albums to break through to mainstream success. But like many bands, they lost their major-label contract and despite a terrific follow-up album through Not Lame Records, the band disappeared for a while. They had saved a few songs for a third album that never arrived… until now. Scot Sax found a DAT tape featuring acoustic recordings of those songs. And so, Sax, Rob Bonfiglio, Mark Getten, and Jim Cavanaugh reunited this year.

Opening with a near instrumental title track, it’s almost like you are stepping into a time machine, and it leads to the heavy guitars on “Black Currant Jam” a densely packed rocker, with plenty of layered riffs that come together nicely towards the coda. But then the magical “Something Happens” reaches out like a lost hit single with a strong hook that keeps you locked in. “Corduroy Moon” is just as strong, and “Trick of the Light” is another iconic single with a magical chorus sung by Bonfiglio. Compared to earlier Wanderlust, the band is mellower, but they take chances; “Critical Mind” is a beautifully creepy tune about stubbornness, and “Inspiration” is another winner with a bit of an Eagles vibe. Highly recommended and it gets a nod for my top ten of 2021 list.

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John Larson and The Silver Fields

John Larson and The Silver Fields “The Great Pause”

‘The Great Pause‘ refers to last year’s Pandemic and John Larson (formerly of The Marlowes) and The Silver Fields decided to step it up, and each song here is compelling. “Perfect Crime” is a catchy little song with a neat little verse about guilty thoughts. The songs vary in style and substance, and it all feels very DIY, but it’s got an authentic heart.

I also enjoyed character-based songs about frustration and dreams, like “Blue Mind” and “I Hate To Wait.” Larson also has a love of classic rock, and “Are You Willing To Move?” is designed to get you dancing. Those looking for traditional power pop will enjoy  “Painting In The Rain,” “Told Ya,” and the Rickenbacker jangle of “Progress.” Highly Reccomended.

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Summer Singles and EPs: D.A. Stern, Kerosene Stars, Everet Almond, The Amplifier Heads, Gentle Hen, B.U.D., The Maladaptive Solution, Cult Stars from Mars, You Filthy Dog, Daryl Bean

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And the flood of summer music just washes over you… This is the biggest haul in a long time, as bands are releasing all that music created during lockdown last year. Let’s start with a new EP from Los Angeles-based, New Jersey-raised D.A. Stern. Stern is one of those young artists that can legit be called upon to carry the torch of power pop into the future. The first single “I Look A Every Face (Cindy)” has that brilliant harmony-drenched approach. The video was directed by Dom Costabile and Andrew Narvaez. Pre-order here.

Many bands are back from self-imposed exile: Chicago rockers Kerosene Stars has a new single that asks “Where Have You Been?” a good question considering the chorus rocks! Then we get Everet Almond with a bouncy piano gem that sticks to you pretty nicely. The Amplifier Heads are “Summer Dazed” with its Beach Boys “Do It Again” vibe. Love those “mm-bop-did-its.” Gentle Hen did a summery re-mix of its memorable “She’s Got It Bad,” and it’s really good, so check out the LP it came from originally. Want some power? Get B.U.D.‘s single “What’s the Point of This (If I’m Not Into It)” it’s a bit Weezer-ish with a crashing chorus. It’s been a long time since I heard The Maladaptive Solution (how did I miss this single?) but info is sparse on them, so enjoy “Consort (Queen of Everything)” an epic mid-tempo rocker, and Jim Bacchi’s Cult Stars from Mars shows his “Funny Face” and its pure power pop greatness (I want an LP, Jim!) UK band You Filthy Dog is another EP that collects music from the past year, and “Face The Wave” and “Loved” remind me a bit of Carl Newman’s old band Zumpano. Similarly, with a ’90s vibe Mr. Strangelove (aka Daryl Bean) sings love songs for “Phoebe Waller-Bridge” and it’s all good.









Radio Days, Watts and David Myhr

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Radio Days

Radio Days “Rave On!”

Italian power pop band Radio Rays returns with a new LP, and like comfort food, it warms the soul with a catchy sound that combines the energy of The Beatles, The Knack, and Paul Collins Beat wrapped into three-minute jangling gems. “I Got Love” is a classic power-pop single with a signature riff repeating throughout. The party continues with “Lose Control” and its dense guitar attack similar to The Ramones. Even better is the catchy “Walk Alone” which layers its guitar line perfectly, and builds into a harmonic chorus. It’s likely the best tune here, but there’s plenty more to enjoy.

The angular guitars on “Til The End Of The Night” boasts a gentle quiet verse, followed by a loud chorus about love. “What is Life?” is a fun tune full of guest stars ( Paul Collins, Kurt Baker, The Yum Yums, and The Psychotic Youth). Nearly every track hits the mark, and it sets itself up as a contender for top power pop LP for 2021. Highly recommended, of course.

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Watts

Watts “Shady Rock and Rollers”

Boston’s local guitar heroes Watts are back with an album that turns it up to “11”. The first track says it all “Loud & Fast,” as lead vocalist Dan Kopko’s grizzled shout describe “that’s how I want my rock and roll!” In the early days of Watts history, the band’s template was The Rolling Stones, and they still have an R&B core sound on a few tunes, like “The Night The Lights Went Down.” But when I heard “Queens,” it was definitely a call out to the band KISS, even the lyric mentions “queens of the nighttime world.” Additional influences like Guns N’ Roses and Cheap Trick are heard as well.

Lots of highlights here, including “Heavy Metal Kids,”  “Seventeen,” and “All Done With Rock and Roll.” The music doesn’t falter and is consistently great. There are more than enough gems here to make this a highly recommended pick.

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David Myhr

David Myhr “And Now This” EP

David Myhr is a treasured power-pop artist from Sweden, whose band The Merrymakers was one of the best examples of the genre in the late 90s. David has continued to produce high-quality music over the years, and this EP is no exception. The opener “We Wanted To Shine” is a look back to his time in the band and its too short career. The soothing “You Spin My World Around” is a classic mid-tempo love song with bells and harmonies, and my favorite is the electric sitar gem “Egyptian Blue.” With only 4 songs, it’s a short and sweet EP. It only makes me want more Myhr music, and it’s also a top EP for 2021.

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Videos, EPs, and singles, oh my! Willie Nile, Hanson, The Sun Sawed in Half, Zig Zag Hearts, Vegas With Randolph, The Dowling Poole, David Woodard, The Vidprinter, Stoeckel & Pena

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Willie Nile is at it again! Willie Nile’s “Blood On Your Hands” featuring Steve Earle. The new album The Day The Earth Stood Still coming out on August 13, 2021.

HANSON (Remember “MmmBop?”) is all grown-up. But the public doesn’t want them to change. So “Don’t Ever Change” is the new Official Music Video, and the Cheap Trick references are everywhere. Screams “I Love Power Pop!”


After a very long wait, The Sun Sawed in Half returns! A glorious EP with swirling guitar riffs all over the opener “Dried Cherry Blossoms,” the neo-psychedelic effects on “Good King of Summer” are almost operatic in scope. A trip that Jellyfish and XTC fans will really love. Don’t miss this one. Get it on Amazon

The Zigzag Hearts are a new band from Oakland lead by Greg Schneider who knows his way around a riff or two. Frantic layered hooks from top to bottom on “It Aint Easy” and “Cold Heart” meant to be played LOUD. Fan of The Beat, The Real Kids, and Buzzcocks will find a lot to cling to. Greg’s vocal gets lost in the mix a little, but it still rocks! Get it on Amazon


Vegas With Randolph is back (sounding a bit like Bowling For Soup here) as we welcome a return to summer fun.

The Dowling Poole is a band for people who love the sounds of XTC and 10cc. We’ve reviewed all the band’s albums over the years but here is a great opportunity to sample four great tunes for a mere British pound. Almost FREE! Get it and immerse yourself for only a quid!


David Woodard is back with a sharply written gem of an EP! Guitarist/Songwriter has a knack for song stories with great melodies.  “About New York” is a terrific single that sticks in your head immediately. Enjoy the poptastic “Ghosts” and the slowly building “The Last Word.” With each EP Woodard gets better – no filler, all killer. Get this one on Amazon

The Vidiprinter is a Scottish artist with a knack for pop bounce and “Glued To My TV Set” is a ton of fun!

A new duet by Steve Stoeckel (The Spongetones) and Big Stir Record’s artist Irene Peña.  It’s a jangling gem with a nod to The Everly Brothers in harmonies and arrangement. More, please?