The Cynz and The Legal Matters

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“The

The Cynz “Confess”

After the breakout punch of ‘Little Miss Lost’, The Cynz raise the stakes with ‘Confess‘, a tight blast of hook-heavy rock that hits hard from track one. “Woman Child” kicks the door in with crunching guitars and attitude to spare, while their take on “You Wreck Me” by Tom Petty feels built for them, fast, loud, and fearless.

Cyndi Dawson steps up with full throttle swagger, channeling the grit of Joan Jett without losing her own bite. Henry Seiz fires off sharp, driving riffs that keep everything moving. The pace eases on “Ghost Rider” and “Watching You,” both strong on narrative and melody. The emotional core lands with “My Father’s Gun,” a confessional that turns personal scars into strength. “Impossible Ending” delivers classic power pop punch, chiming chords and a chorus that sticks after one spin. “Don’t Give Up” leans bittersweet, proving this band knows how to balance muscle with melody. Produced by Kurt Reil of The Grip Weeds, ‘Confess’ tackles loss and trauma head on. If you want melody-driven rock with heart and grit, this record delivers. Highly Recommended.

Amazon


“The

The Legal Matters “Lost At Sea”

The Legal Matters (aka Keith Klingensmith, Andy Reed, and Chris Richards) deliver another sharp set built on strong songwriting and rich harmonies. “Everybody Knows” kicks things off with a ringing guitar hook and a chorus built on big, confident chords. It sets the tone fast. “The Message” raises the bar. Think The Beach Boys with a glossy studio touch in the spirit of Alan Parsons. At over four minutes, it never drags. The melody locks you in and stays with you. Across the album, the arrangements feel full without getting cluttered. Subtle orchestral flourishes deepen the reflective mood.

“Shake This Feeling” lands at the emotional center. It tackles grown up heartbreak head on, with a slow burn arrangement that lets the weight of the lyrics sink in. These songs deal in adult themes, and the band handles them with restraint and craft. “Stuck with Me” channels the melodic snap of XTC, while “Slow Down” strips things back acoustically. Even when the subject matter turns heavy, the songwriting keeps you engaged. For balance, “It Doesn’t Matter” brings the guitar crunch, and “The Exit Signs” stretches out with Abbey-road styled sweeping vocal harmonies. Overall, highly recommended.

Amazon | Big Stir Records

March singles: The Grip Weeds, TV Sound, Kai Danzberg, The Morning Line, Your Academy, Willis Van Doorn

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March roars in like a lion, but I prefer The Grip Weeds! “Spinning The Wheel” is a kick ass song from their last LP, and it makes a great video. New is the band TV Sound from New Jersey, check out the rock riffs on the middle of “No Guarantees” and “Zak” and you will be hooked. Long time fave Kai Danzberg thought it was “Time To Change,”  and gets a bit heavier than usual here, but his attitude sells it. More to the point, The Morning Line is back with “90s Pickup” and liking that chorus where we “stare to the right, stare to the left.” Pickup this great freebie!  Memphis band Your Academy also is back, and it’s got a “Kind of Love” that sounds like a new romantic classic to me. Finally, Willis Van Doorn from Kansas City, has a bright pair of pop singles here. Expect an album out this summer. Also, next week expects to be much busier for me, so stay glued to this site. More to come!





Mod Lang and Phil Thornally

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“Mod

Mod Lang “Borrowed Time”

Named after the classic song by Big Star, Detroit’s Mod Lang skip nostalgia and get straight to the point, tight hooks, chiming guitars, and choruses built to last. “What I Can’t Have” kicks things off with a hook strong enough to grab you on first listen, channeling the sharp melodic punch of early Kurt Baker and the restless wit of Elvis Costello. It sets the emotional tone for an album driven by urgency, tight songwriting, and pure pop instinct.

Guitarists/vocalists Antonio Keka and Alex Belfie lock into rich, layered harmonies on “In Advance,” pulling from the widescreen pop drama of Big Star and the melodic muscle of The Raspberries without slipping into nostalgia. The Beatles-informed vocal blend feels earned rather than borrowed, especially when “Cocomoda” pivots into a ragged, blues-leaning guitar attack straight out of Keith Richards’ playbook. The band moves freely between styles while keeping a clear identity at the center. Nothing feels padded or tossed in to fill space. Tracks like “TV Star” and “Borrowed Time” hit with relentless momentum, the kind of high-energy songwriting that converts skeptics halfway through the chorus.

Alongside modern torchbearers like The Lemon Twigs, Uni Boys, and Sharp Pins, this record shows why modern power pop keeps pushing forward. Every melody lands, every arrangement serves the song, and the result ranks among the year’s strongest releases. This one belongs firmly in the top tier of 2026. Super Highly Recommended.

Amazon


Phil Thornalley

Phil Thornalley “Stacked”

Phil Thornalley steps away from the polished studio pop associated with his Todd Rundgren and Jeff Lynne influences and plugs into a louder, band driven sound rooted in the punch of Weezer and Blink-182. With Casey Shea on vocals, Alice Gütt on bass, and Ruby Cohen on drums, the project leans hard into bright guitars and upbeat energy built for early 2000s alternative radio. These songs slide easily alongside playlist staples from Bowling for Soup, Smash Mouth, and Green Day. “You Could Have Anyone” leads the charge with a sharp hook and an easygoing guitar riff, while its lyrics tap straight into teenage frustration, complete with eye rolling rebellion aimed at parents and authority on the song “Parents.”

“It’s You That I Want” delivers one of the album’s strongest melodic turns, and “Summer Looks Good On You” slows the pace without losing its singalong pull. The momentum slips in the back half, where “Sweet Believer Medley” leans heavily into Smash Mouth territory while folding in nods to The Monkees and Neil Diamond. It plays more like an indulgent detour than a necessity. The closing track “Hold Me” rebounds with a breezy, retro pop feel that restores some balance. Even with uneven moments, the record delivers enough hooks and nostalgic punch to earn a recommendation, especially for listeners raised on turn of the millennium power pop.
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Apple Music

Snow day singles: Freddy Monday, Uni Boys, Richard Turgeon, Waterboarding School, Plastic Family, They Might Be Giants

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Enjoy the winter wonderland! Yes, Valentine’s Day is long gone, but I thought of this one for my wife’s birthday and Freddy Monday brings me a perfect love song to give her. Uni Boys are coming back and as expected, they have a great new album I cannot wait to review based on the single “I Don’t Want Dream Anymore.” The always talented Richard Turgeon shows his sweet side with “Girl Like You.” Next from overseas, we have Gothenburg, Sweden band Waterboarding School, a bit messy in a cool DIY loose way, and Netherlands Plastic Family delivers the classic power pop sound perfectly! Finally, those dudes from They Might Be Giants have never slowed down and we like to check in once in a while. Loving that “Wu Tang,” too! Okay, enough fun, go back to shoveling that snow.





Music City and Congratulations

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Music City

Music City “Welcome To Music City”

Dublin born Conor Lumsden has always chased the perfect pop moment. With The Number Ones, he built a tight unit where every member mattered and every song snapped into place. Now with Music City, he steps out on his own and swings for something extra special.‘Welcome to Music City’ took six years to finish. What started in Dublin stretched to New York, London, and even Konk Studios, once home to The Kinks.

“It’s Alright” is a bouncy pop melody that sets the mood and sets the blueprint up. A great hook, glittering chorus, and lean lyrics that stick after one spin. “When The Day Comes By” and “Do I?” feature clean melodic rock without any bloated production, or studio trickery. And the shimmering harmonies on “Little Favour,” and tight “Pretty Feelings” show that Conor’s influences include Big Star, and several other 70s bands without sounding like an homage. No filler here at all, and “Common Sense” leans into T-Rex styled glam, with jagged riffs, catchy chorus and the addition of vocalist Tina Halladay. Granted some songs are almost “too pretty” like the dream-like “Autumn Song,” with its wall of backing vocals and jangle. Overall a great debut, and Highly Recommended.

Amazon


congratulations

Congratulations “Join Hands”

This is a bit off the beaten path, but Brighton, UK band Congratulations has various musical styles, creating a fun and energetic sound. While it defies genre definition, its got plenty of catchy hooks and rhythmic rock. The opener “Nevergonna” has lots of danceable funk, and lead singer Leah Stanhope fearlessly runs from Madonna-like coos to Gwen Stefani shouts, all while the chaos swirls around her.

“Fought 4 Love” has a wicked glam riff that dares you it stand still, blending 80s pop with a chorus that plants itself in your brain for days. “This Life” and “Dr. Doctor” both have electro-pop-funk that mixes Prince and Devo together almost seamlessly. What keeps it together are those hooks. No matter how far they stretch, they circle back to melody (most of the time.) The middle of the album goes off the deep end a few times. “Hollywood Swingers” shifts all over the place, it’s so quirky and loud it can’t be ignored. If you have a spirit of adventure, check this fun album out.
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Amazon