Dropkick and The Morning Line

powerpopaholic
Dropkick

Dropkick “Throughlines”

Andrew Taylor and his Scottish bandmates in Dropkick have spent years honing a signature blend of melodic power pop, Americana, and alt-country. While their early work drew heavily on the Byrdsian 12-string flourishes of Teenage Fanclub, Tom Petty, and Wilco, Dropkick has evolved into a far more mature outfit—armed with crunchier guitars and sharper hooks.

“It’s a Long Way to Fall Down” kicks off the album with a bright, jangling riff and Taylor’s soothing lead vocals, capturing everything that makes the band so distinct. “You Ought to Know” builds on that momentum using layered harmonies to elevate an already sticky chorus. Elsewhere, buzzing riffs drive the energy of “Toe the Line,” while subtle, soft strings turn the ballad “Circles” into a welcome shift in tempo. Other standouts include “Leave It Understood,” a poignant reflection on avoiding wasted time, and the offbeat chord progressions of “The Start of My Decline.” This is easily one of the year’s strongest releases and a serious contender for my top ten list.

Amazon

—

‘Softjaw

The Morning Line “Stars”

‘Stars’ by The Morning Line is a welcome reminder of why guitar-driven indie rock never really goes out of style. Spanning 21 tracks, this career retrospective pulls together the best of the Northern California band’s catalog, alongside two new songs and an early demo dating back to 2004.

Frontman Stephen Smith’s distinctive voice and thoughtful lyricism give the music plenty of character. The band strikes a sweet spot between ’80s college-rock jangle and rootsy Americana. Standout tracks include “Spellbound,” “Stars To Me,” and “90s Pickup.” These songs are rich in detail and will leave you eager to dive even deeper into the rest of the album. And while several tracks didn’t quite leave a lasting impression, none of them felt like filler—every song genuinely deserves a listen.

Amazon

Melodic sweets: Gene Champagne, Allie Kenny, Cliff Hillis, Bob Hillman, The Speedways, Loose Lips, Nick Piunti

powerpopaholic

So much good new music out there. Gene Champagne asks “Gimme Ammunition” and he’s locked and loaded here! Check out his new EP ‘Too Pop For Punk Too Punk To Care’, as fans of The Ramones would say “Hey Ho! Let’s Go!” check this out! Next, another Facebook find, Allie Kenny has some powerful mentors guiding her (Mitch Easter, Chris Stamey) and it shows with this brilliant single “Night Train.” Next, my friend Cliff Hillis is back with another catchy EP, ‘The Square Root’ about the nerd life (and how cool it is). Bob Hillman is ‘King of Bees’ but he don’t sting. Smooth adult pop, is the name of the game, with ample help from drummer Pete Thomas and Matthew Caws (Nada Surf). The Speedways are back to remind us why they’re one of power pop’s best, delivering another dose of classic Costello-style punch with “All Bets Are Off.” Need more speed? Loose Lips cranks up the tempo. Meanwhile, one of my personal favorites, Nick Piunti, takes a quieter route with a low-key acoustic EP that reveals a more intimate, heartfelt side (and it’s a freebie).

Halloween Treats: Electric Johnson, The Goldstars, Three Imperial Royals, The Cheap Cassettes, Benny J Ward and Big Stir

powerpopaholic

Time to dust off those monster mash records and give your speakers a proper fright! Halloween is creeping up, and I’ve got a fresh batch of power pop treats with enough bite to keep the candy corn crowd happy. First up, Electric Johnson takes us to “Frankenstein Island” with a video worth checking out. Most impressed with The Goldstars who give you an entire LP loaded with Halloween music. Three Imperial Royals, The Cheap Cassettes, and Benny J Ward round out this spooky stack of tunes. My only trick here is dragging out Big Stir’s excellent Halloween Grimoire from 2025, because its so good you’ll scream. So grab your favorite goblin, turn up the volume, and let’s get this party startled!

Quichenight and The Toms

powerpopaholic
Quichenight

Quichenight “Waterville & Surf”

Nashville’s Quichenight have the talent and musical chops to make something special, even if they haven’t quite figured out how to pull all the pieces together. After several years of playing, the band still defies easy categorization, drawing from The Grateful Dead and Funkadelic. The combination hits the mark right away on opener “Saratoga,” with its terrific guitar hook and killer bass line. It’s an impressive start, but the rest of the album struggles to maintain that momentum.

“Sentimental Heart Attack” takes a mellow, swirling approach, complete with a Dylan-esque vocal delivery, while “My Biggest Organ” recalls the loose, funky groove of the Dead’s “Shakedown Street.” “Wait For You” boasts some lovely sounds, but its chorus never quite delivers the payoff you’re waiting for. Thankfully, “Funny Ears” gets things back on track with a reggae beat and a self-deprecating lyric  while “Cat Shit Blues” has a rowdy garage-party vibe.

There’s plenty of talent here, and you get the sense Quichenight are having a blast exploring their musical influences. The trouble is, too many songs feel like promising jams in search of a stronger melody or a memorable chorus. “Saratoga” proves they have the goods, so a little more consistency would go a long way. For now, this is an enjoyable showcase of musicianship with a standout opener, even if the whole never quite matches the promise.

Bandcamp only

–

The Toms

The Toms “Make My Day”

Tom Marolda is one of those power pop veterans who knows exactly what he does best, and I’m always happy to hear him stick to his guns. The Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer delivers another dose of melodic goodness. The best part is that Tom’s music never feels like a nostalgic exercise or a dated homage to the past. “Make My Day” kicks things off with sweet Beatlesque psych-pop harmonies, a steady bass line, and a disruptive mid-song break that keeps things interesting.

“Another Nervous Breakdown” and “Someone’s Taking You Home Tonight” are the kind of melodic gems that would have fit comfortably on his must-own 1979 debut album.“15,000,000,000 Years of Evolution” is another standout, leaning into ringing Rickenbacker guitar riffs while adding orchestral textures that give the arrangement extra depth. Marolda even recruits fellow New Jerseyan Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi for “She Moves Like Sex.” Not every track hits the sweet spot, but there’s plenty to enjoy here. Tom knows his strengths and plays to them, making this another entertaining set worth your time.

Amazon

Nick Frater and The Allwells

powerpopaholic
Nick Frater

Nick Frater “Nick Frater”

Nick Frater is back with another collection of smart, melodic pop, and he wastes no time getting things going on this self-titled LP. “Another Night on the Town” opens with a warbling guitar riff, handclaps and a strong melody that immediately pulls you in. “Mirror Mirror” turns inward, with Frater trying to read the mood of a party before finally admitting, “click twice if you wanna go home.”

“Nothing to Lose” is another standout, built around a catchy piano melody that occasionally recalls 10cc. “Two of a Kind” uses an echoing guitar riff between the choruses, giving the song an extra layer of character.“Nevermore” kicks off the second half with a faster pace and a knowing nod to The Move’s “I’m a California Man.” Frater keeps adding little details throughout the album, and several songs reward repeat listens, like “Every Trick in the Book,” and “Lazy Castles.” Not every track here is gold, but Frater continues to prove he has plenty of ideas left in the tank. When the songs connect, they’re smart, melodic and packed with character. Highly recommended.

Amazon

–

The Allwells

The Allwells “The Allwells”

What does modern power pop sound like? The Allwells have the answer, and they deliver it with enough hooks, jangling guitars and rock ’n’ roll swagger to make the old-school faithful take notice. The Canadian band draws heavily from the early ’80s catalogs of Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, The Jam and The Cars, but this never feels like a nostalgia exercise.

The songs sound fresh, immediate and familiar in all the right ways. Lead singer Sam George has a voice reminiscent of Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook, and after years of playing in cover bands, the Allwells have absorbed plenty of classic rock and pop by osmosis. The opening track, “Any Day Now,” leaps straight into your brain and hooks you immediately. The jangling guitars, energetic chorus and earnest lyrics make it a perfect single. “Walk All Over You” brings dense instrumentation and steadily building verses that pull you in from the start. “Greta” has a fresh Costello vibe, telling the story of life in a rock ’n’ roll band without sounding like a period piece. The band switches gears on “Nice,” a mid-tempo narrative with an easygoing verse that sways into an uplifting chorus, dripping with cool. Overall, this is a strong debut from a band with the songs, chops and personality to reach a much bigger audience. Don’t miss this one.

Amazon