It’s Karma It’s Cool and 2nd Grade

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It's Karma It's Cool

It’s Karma It’s Cool “Woke Up In Hollywood”

Last year Lincoln UK band It’s Karma It’s Cool delivered a quirky fun EP full of energy led by vocalist Jim Styring (The Popdogs). Now we’ve got a full-length follow-up that demands attention. Joining Styring is Danny Krash (drums), Martyn Bewick (guitars + more), and Mikey Barraclough (bass) with guest spots from Rex Broome (The Armoires), Lannie Flowers and Brian Barry (Flaming Cortinas.)

Opening with “Our Love Is An Amplifier” it brings to mind Anton Barbeau with its quick synth patterns, strong percussion, and catchy chorus. It then goes to a false ending, before it picks up even more stream. Both “Back In `78” and the title track wistfully look at a rocker’s career with its ups and downs as Jim sings “It’s not how far you’ve traveled, it’s the distance left to go.” Those guitar riffs are an integral part of the power-pop gem “The Girl Who Gave You Everything” thanks to Lannie Flowers and “Healer’s Leap” has those great jangling chords, and harmonica, as “the hipsters turn themselves around!” Next, “Sunflowers” is another keeper with great guitar textures, vocal harmonies, and Danny’s key drumming. Not everything works (“New Age Eve”) but enough does, and this is a very solid debut. Check it out.

Kool Kat Musik


2nd Grade

2nd Grade “Hit to Hit”

Are 24 tracks of music too much to handle at once? Not at all. 2nd Grade’s songs are so short, it’s like they were made for a second grader with ADD; most songs no longer than a minute. Lead singer-songwriter Peter Gill is like a mix of Adam Schlesinger and Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices) in that he throws his emotions and feelings to the wall to see what sticks, and when it does stick it’s ultimately great DIY bedroom pop.

Opening with a fuzzy surf-rocker “W-2” about how annoying it is to do your taxes – it has a single chorus and then it’s gone. “Trigger Finger” is a handclapping gem about a “punk rock world” and “Velodrome” is like a mini Fountains of Wayne tune. The songs are funny and/or heartbreaking – and best of all, the good ones have killer hooks. But the short length of the songs are both a blessing and a curse, luckily we get a few tunes that really stand out like, “When You Were My Sharona” a nostalgic gem that looks back and the Big Star-like vulnerability of  “My Bike” and “You’re So Cool.” If you remove the wheat from the chaff, you’ll really enjoy this album. It’s music that deserves to be heard.

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Peter Baldrachi and The Sunchymes

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Peter Baldrachi

Peter Baldrachi “Slow Recovery”

Boston musician Peter Baldrachi explores the country genre with his latest LP, as only a few tracks could be considered power pop. The opening title track certainly fills that requirement; a rich production filled with snarling guitars and blaring horns. Next, “People Don’t Change” is an effective ballad with steel pedal guitar twang, and “Seasons” adds piano and some harmonies to the mix.

“In My Heart” is more poetic, and as a lovelorn troubadour Balderachi succeeds here. “Side By Side” returns to the rock side briefly, but the remainder of the album is mid-tempo country songs. “Killing Time” is another winner here, the compelling chorus tells of “missing you and wishing you were here.” Something about it feels like early Mike Nesmith in parts and it is definitely music that deserves to be heard.

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The Sunchymes

The Sunchymes “The Sands Of Time”

The UK based band The Sunchymes continue their fusion of late ’60s psychedelia and power pop just in time for summer. Starting with “Emily Layne” and “She Waits For Your Smile,” they have the same elements; jangling guitars, echoing percussion, and multi-tracked vocals. Stylistically it’s very familiar.

Thankfully the songwriting gets better as we dive deeper; “I’ve Got A Vibe” is a terrific sunshine pop single and the layered vocal harmonies are a highlight. The catchy “Telepathy” is like The Byrds and The Wondermints combined, with great chord progressions. “Down At Sunchyme Bay” and “Sometimes” are pure Beach Boys pastiche, and this is what The Sunchymes do best. Additional highlights include “Try,” “Meet The Seeker” and “In A Century’s Time.” Fans of the retro-styled power pop will want to pick this up for sure.

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Sunshine Boys and Bill Lloyd

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Sunshine Boys

Sunshine Boys “Work and Love”

Call it kismet or synchronicity, but the sweet combination of veteran Chicago musicians Freda Love Smith (Blake Babies, Mysteries of Life), Dag Juhlin (Poi Dog Pondering, The Slugs), and Jacqueline Schimmel (Big Hello, Justin Roberts) are tighter than ever and they have continued to develop as a band. The second full-length LP finds them with a more consistent and established style.

“I Was Already Gone” is a brilliant opener with the catchy hand-clapping chorus, and the jangling followup “Infinity Girl” is like REM meets Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices). Next, “Summertime Kids” and “The World Turning Around” have an infectious positive vibe that runs throughout the album, and the hooks are still prominent. Eventually, the songs become more introspective, like “No Showdown.” The insightful “Every Step” has Dag singing about coming to terms with his grown-up, moved out daughter, with its violins and acoustic guitar rhythms. Similarly, “Right Where You Need It” speaks to keeping things precious close to heart. The warmth of these songs continues, without any filler and it deserves multiple plays this summer. Highly Recommended.

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Bill Lloyd

Bill Lloyd “Don’t Kill the Messenger”

Bill Lloyd is a treasure with talent that doesn’t quit. Many artists have done “quarantined” albums recently, but Lloyd’s “Don’t Kill The Messenger” hits home with the facts we live in today, and “there’s nowhere safe inside a troubled mind.” This catchy title track is followed by “Undone,” a rocker with perceptive lyrics about “burning bridges” and a crunchy guitar solo.

“Etch-A-Sketch” takes an 80s new wave approach, with a simple percussion and angular guitar flourishes. Another highlight here is “The Girls of Sylvan Park” which is a jangling gem about mid-life dating. Another big highlight is “You Got Me,” a boogie guitar tune that’s pure passion about traditional rock & roll, like a lost Rockpile track. “Sorry, I Gotta Take This” is another great track that recalls Nick Lowe. “Baby’s In The Mood” and “I’ll Take It From Here” are workman-like efforts that are less memorable, however, there are no duds here and this album is still highly recommended.

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The Corner Laughers and Willie Nile

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The Corner Laughers

The Corner Laughers “Temescal Telegraph”

California’s tightest pop combo The Corner Laughers are like fresh lemonade on a summer day; cool and refreshing. The band is made up of veteran talent; Karla Kane (vocals/ukulele), Khoi Huynh (guitar/bass/vocals), Charlie Crabtree (drums), and KC Bowman (guitar/bass/piano.)

The music is a meticulously crafted mix of sunshine folk and power pop, “The Calculating Boy” starts as a character study, similar to XTC in its layered catchy structure and jangling rhythm.  Karla’s vocals lead the melody, but the remaining instrumentation holds it all together. The sing-along gem “Changeling” has a swaying beat and boasts a great guitar solo (it’s my favorite here). “The Accepted Time” is more serious, with hooks in verses about accepting life in the present. A few tracks are from Karla’s last solo album, but now given the full band treatment; best exemplified by “Sisters Of The Pollen” with those harmonic hums and buzzes. We don’t get some serious guitar buzz until the floral “Lord Richard” which plays like a rock madrigal. No filler here, as each song is accessible and deserves many listens. Highly Recommended.

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Willie Nile

Willie Nile “New York At Night”

There are so many musicians that define themselves as New York City bred, but Willie Nile owns that definition. He’s written and recorded many albums about NYC and its denizens, and his love for the place always comes through in each song. The theme “New York Is Rockin'” opens the album like a passionate response to Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” It mentions all the boroughs, sports teams, and local heroes (The Ramones). It will get even jaded city dwellers singing along.

The blues-rock guitar and Nile’s raspy vocal work to great effect on “The Backstreet Slide” as he channels both Bo Diddley and Lou Reed. “Doors of Paradise” slow synth rhythm is both calming and catchy as Nile mentions that those doors “swing both ways.” The title track is another effective rocker and “Surrender The Moon” keeps the monologue of nighttime life in NYC going strong. Nile’s ballads are stylistically comparable to Bruce Springsteen, “Under This Roof” being a standout. A solid effort and highly recommended.

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