Jamie Hoover “Top Banana”
Jamie Hoover (Spongetones) with his first new music since 2019, and “Genghis Khan” is a loaded opening, with horns and percussion dominating the melody. Hoover almost channels Jimmy Buffet with “Bourbon Understands,” a love ballad to alcohol. The standouts here are blues rock “Repo Man” and Michael Ruiz (Paul Collins) drums on “Kim Kardashian,” a fan letter made after her split with Kanye West. A nice collection of singles that deserves more attention.
The Poster Boy “Hooks”
Power pop from Budapest, Hungary, and the opener “Infinite Moment” reminds me of The Posies mixed with the Gin Blossoms and Depeche Mode with lead singer Imre Poniklo leading the way. “On Bartók, In Love” takes a minute to get its footing, but it’s worth the wait. The style gets a little more eclectic after that, and almost becomes easy listening with “Fly Away,” another highlight “Marathon” is a dramatic power ballad. Music that deserves to be heard.
Gizmo “Buddy System”
Charlottetown is the capital and largest city of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, home of Gizmo. Fans of early-era Sloan will hear a kinship, but this impressive 4 song EP is just great hook-filled power pop. The overlapping harmonies on “Luanne” and “Deepest Skin” with deep chords running underneath are awesome. The other 2 tunes have a wall of sound built by guitars riffs and drums, and my only critique here is that it is way too short. Like all good EPs, this makes you beg for more. Highly Recommended.