Nick Lowe keeps on rockin’! With the help of his reliable bandmates Los Straitjackets on every track, Nick showcases his impeccable songwriting skills over a wide range of musical styles. Indoor Safari proves that Nick Lowe is just as influential as he was when he first entered the music industry fifty years ago. Next, Candy Whips brings a fusion of new wave and pulsating synth-pop while John Wlaysewski (Late Cambrian) adds his synth melodies, so check out “Doing Shit, Trying Not To Be Sad.” Power pop queen Lisa Mychols has been very active on social media lately, with new recordings from The Masticators! coming up. Check out her demo of “PopSound.” Golden Richards has a great single about an old-school rapper, “Doctor K” trying to impress a girl. Finally, I wanted to shout out about the new re-issue of the dB’s Stands for deciBels a classic power pop album that was way ahead of its time. The remastered sound is just amazingly well done. Enjoy!
Vegas With Randolph and Mark Bacino
Vegas With Randolph “The Future Store”
It’s been over 5 years since Vegas With Randolph’s ‘Legs and Luggage’, came out, so it was time for a new album. John Ratts, Brock Harris, Dave Purol, and Eric Kern remain in fine form, blending melodic power pop with adult-oriented rock and roll. With 22 tracks, this is a massive effort. The opener, “What if?” is a fast-paced rocker that looks to the future. But even better is the catchy gem “N.S.A.” about a relationship with “no strings attached.” Several other rockers here are winners; “A Pretty Good Run,” and “Don’t Stop for Love.”
Midway through is a 6-part hard rock medley, “Triple Play,” where the band’s persona shifts a bit to more prog-pop, akin to Kanasas or Journey here, and it’s good, although separating the tracks is disruptive. The “Days & Days” segment feels a bit forced here, but overall, the 9-minute suite is best enjoyed together (it’s an unbroken track as a bonus). Then it’s back to your regularly scheduled power pop program. More highlights include “Lake Paradise” and excellent “I’ll Be Waiting For You.” The band sounds like it’s having fun, there are plenty of great songs here with very few missteps. Overall, highly recommended.
Mark Bacino “Top of the World”
It’s been a long road for New York’s Mark Bacino. His debut LP, ‘Pop Job’ from 1998, was one of the albums that started my power pop obsession. His albums were infrequent, but always worth it. It’s been 14 years, and Mark has emerged once again, and his point of view on life is the focus of ‘Top of the World.’ With a mature perspective, his once bouncy pop optimism has given way to a weary, mindful acceptance of things.
The opener “Kaylee Hughes” has a fast, catchy tempo that gives it an energetic and fun feel. It’s a bluesy New Orleans jazz sound typical of artists like Dr. John. However, most of the album is in a mood like “Flop of the World,” with a tuba and piano melody, recalling Harry Nilsson’s “Think About Your Troubles.” The easy-going sad sack on “Why Does This Woman Love Me?” and “Shaky Hand” have a similar vibe. He makes some stabs at lifting the mood on the tin-pan alley pop of “I Like Wearing Clothes” and a spark of optimism on the excellent “Young Heart.” There is some instrumental filler, and “How the Story Ends” is like a lost Randy Neuman tune about health resignation, and how he “forgot cholesterol tasted so great.” Overall, it’s a good album with crisp production and a few memorable songs. If you’re looking for more of a power pop vibe, I’d visit earlier albums.
June EPs and singles: Freddy Monday, Stonedog, Michael Slawter, It’s Karma It’s Cool, The Stone Souls
The romantic balladeer Freddy Monday provides us with “Passing By Hours,” a sublime and melodic single that I can’t resist. Check it out on Apple Music—next, a shout-out to Stonedog, with a freebie that hits the sweet spot on its opener, “Time Machine,” and the late 70s guitar riffs come out on the impressive “Hourglass.” The always-interesting Michael Slawter has an EP with experimental power pop, and it’s worth your time. All the songs are cool, but check out the jangling “Down to Witness” and rocking “Little Mind” to get a taste. It’s Karma It’s Cool are back with some summer music and we get those buzzing “Autumn Recruits.” The Stone Souls have a few singles out, and this is the latest, a surf-styled tune with horns on “No Sense of Time (It’s Alright).” Enjoy that summer sun and the music, it’s June!
The Pearlfishers and The Embryos
The Pearlfishers “Making Tapes for Girls”
Scottish multi-instrumentalist and vocalist David Scott has an unusual talent as a composer and arranger for making what is a labor of love appear easy. Since the 1990s, under the direction of Scott, The Pearlfishers have been releasing excellent adult pop music in the vein of Neil Diamond, Todd Rundgren, and Brian Wilson. ‘Making Tapes for Girls’, their most recent album, continues in the same contemplative vein as 2019’s ‘Love and Other Hopeless Things.’
The topic reflects David’s deep appreciation for melancholy and breakup music; as the title track explores his need to share his favorite music on cassette tape mixes for girls. “I didn’t know how to say the right thing/so I left it to Joni and Paul,” he says. It’s a beautiful, wistful melody that then leads into “Kisses on the Window,” a bittersweet breakup song, that tugs at those same feelings.
Another gem, “Put The Baby In The Milk,” boasts great chord shifts akin to Carole King, with a gorgeous chorus. Other songs here take a few spins to sink in, but they do make a positive impression. Check out “Hold Out for a Mystic” and “The Word Evangeline.” While not everything hits, David’s unique lyrical spin and meticulous song construction make these tunes special. Highly Recommended.
The Embyros “Selling What You Want To Buy”
It’s only a few years from ‘National Absurdatory’ but this sounds like a new band to me. Tighter arrangements like the guitar rhythms and subtle spacey harmonies of “Fortunes” have replaced earlier loose, funky material. The power pop of “Frozen City” has a slight DIY feel, but it’s got some really sweet accents in the chorus, and then the style changes and it’s all ’90s Neo-Psychedelia with “Little Demon.” This is a great tune that has a vibe similar to early-era Dandy Warhols.
The band bounces around stylistically, but some songs stand out. The ’80s-styled dance tunes “He’s A Hypocrite” and “Do The Donkey” are okay, but the band really shines on the melodic “Somehow She Knew” and the bass-lead melody “I’m a Man.” The moody jams “The Embyos Live” and the epic “Onandonandon,” which is over eight minutes long, serve as the album’s bookends. There are just enough gems here to earn “highly recommended” status.
Extra Arms and Motorists
Extra Arms “Radar”
Extra Arms, a Detroit band, has always been quite good, and on 2022’s ‘What Is Even Happening Right Now?’ they leveled up. ‘Radar’ continues that trend, and we have a fantastic album here full of infectious power pop hits that will stick in your head.
They named the album after bass player Ryan Marshall’s dog. Why not? They start with the howling feedback of “Be Someone Else,” with a killer beat, and monster energy. Influences are a great mix of The Replacements, Elvis Costello, The Buzzcocks, and The Cars. There is no “doggy-do” here, and the first 5 songs are all killer, including “Everything Disappears,” “All Good Things Take Time,” and “I Don’t Wanna Surrender.” The song “Shut’Em Down” in particular is a relentless, fast-paced assault that is ideal for your running or exercise soundtrack.
There is a breather mid-way on the smooth “Space and Time” with strategic steel pedal accents, and then it gives us an amazing closing rocker, “Mad Dog Blue,” and you can hear Allen struggling with the concept of time passing beneath it all. Overall, a great album, and it makes my top ten list this year! Highly Recommended.
Motorists “Touched By the Stuff”
The Motorists are a group of lifelong friends and colleagues from Toronto who, in their catchy and energizing music, combine the rough-edged fuzz of modern rock with the nostalgic jangle of college rock from the 1980s. This sophomore album has more of a power pop edge, with short, catchy tunes that have some elements of new wave mixed in.
“Decider” has that jangly, post-punk, fuzzy melody. “Call Control” is another standout with its bass lead. It’s a fuzzy gem that recalls Echo and The Bunnymen or The B-52’s with its guitar rhythms. But it isn’t that predictable, with different elements of alt-rock and occasional vocal harmonies on “L.O.W,” and “Forced Perspective.” The Sloan-like guitar riffs on “Barking at the Gates” surprised me. No filler here, and worth repeat listens for sure. Highly Recommended.