So I let loose the flow of Christmas music again! We start with a re-release The Kut‘s Christmas Single “Waiting for Christmas,” while the reliable Kai Danzberg has two great singles; firstly the jingle-jangling “Making It Shine” and then the energetic “Could’ve Been You” featuring Andy Patchell (and it’s a FREEBIE!) Next, we deck the halls with Librarians With Hickeys and The Incurables, courtesy of Big Stir Records where you’ll find more goodies. Two more new singles are out; Ken Sharp‘s “Mr. Sun” seems to channel the late Davy Jones and Italy’s power-pop powerhouse Radio Days returns with “Mercy Baby” and “1998.” Both are impressive singles, and how could we forget Lefty, Rocky, Zeek and Smokestack (aka The Weeklings) with “Christmas Day” which has an Elvis Costello/Beatle vibe! Enjoy. We have 3 more weeks of last-minute reviews before our year-end countdown!
Tag: Radio Days
Radio Days, Watts and David Myhr
Radio Days “Rave On!”
Italian power pop band Radio Rays returns with a new LP, and like comfort food, it warms the soul with a catchy sound that combines the energy of The Beatles, The Knack, and Paul Collins Beat wrapped into three-minute jangling gems. “I Got Love” is a classic power-pop single with a signature riff repeating throughout. The party continues with “Lose Control” and its dense guitar attack similar to The Ramones. Even better is the catchy “Walk Alone” which layers its guitar line perfectly, and builds into a harmonic chorus. It’s likely the best tune here, but there’s plenty more to enjoy.
The angular guitars on “Til The End Of The Night” boasts a gentle quiet verse, followed by a loud chorus about love. “What is Life?” is a fun tune full of guest stars ( Paul Collins, Kurt Baker, The Yum Yums, and The Psychotic Youth). Nearly every track hits the mark, and it sets itself up as a contender for top power pop LP for 2021. Highly recommended, of course.
Watts “Shady Rock and Rollers”
Boston’s local guitar heroes Watts are back with an album that turns it up to “11”. The first track says it all “Loud & Fast,” as lead vocalist Dan Kopko’s grizzled shout describe “that’s how I want my rock and roll!” In the early days of Watts history, the band’s template was The Rolling Stones, and they still have an R&B core sound on a few tunes, like “The Night The Lights Went Down.” But when I heard “Queens,” it was definitely a call out to the band KISS, even the lyric mentions “queens of the nighttime world.” Additional influences like Guns N’ Roses and Cheap Trick are heard as well.
Lots of highlights here, including “Heavy Metal Kids,” “Seventeen,” and “All Done With Rock and Roll.” The music doesn’t falter and is consistently great. There are more than enough gems here to make this a highly recommended pick.
David Myhr “And Now This” EP
David Myhr is a treasured power-pop artist from Sweden, whose band The Merrymakers was one of the best examples of the genre in the late 90s. David has continued to produce high-quality music over the years, and this EP is no exception. The opener “We Wanted To Shine” is a look back to his time in the band and its too short career. The soothing “You Spin My World Around” is a classic mid-tempo love song with bells and harmonies, and my favorite is the electric sitar gem “Egyptian Blue.” With only 4 songs, it’s a short and sweet EP. It only makes me want more Myhr music, and it’s also a top EP for 2021.
Singles: Radio Days, Justine and The Unclean, The Sorels, Ken Sharp, Cult Stars From Mars
Lots of goodies to comb through to satisfy that power pop fix. Italy’s finest import Radio Days teases us with a ballad, then Boston band Justine and The Unclean misses those great drinks I used to get at bars near Faneuil Hall. On a similar party note; The Sorels just can’t wait for the winter to end with this rockin’ theme. Ken Sharp covers Kiss luminaries Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, so those debates about “Is Kiss power pop?” can start all over again. Cult Stars From Mars are created from the ashes of legends Fuzzbubble. This is top-shelf power pop, and if you want a freebie; check out their One Chord Progression.
EPS: Cliff Hillis and Radio Days
Cliff Hillis “Life Gets Strange” EP
The dependable greatness of Cliff Hillis provides another look at the socially distanced life with his usual breezy melodic style. Written with Rhett Miller of Old 97’s, “Let’s Pretend” is a wonderful opener, with a solid buzzing rhythm guitar as Cliff imagines life as it was – and a desire to get close. Next, the title track is a more direct observation of how we’ve rearranged our lives, and the melody is very catchy and effortlessly sticks to your head.
“Good Problems” is a quieter recognition of gratitude and “Tired All The Time” is another melodic gem about COVID stress, but always keeping an eye out for “better days lie ahead.” The short format allows Hillis to only pick the cream of the crop, and even the bluesy ballads sound great. Highly Recommended!
Radio Days “I Gotta Love” EP
Those dudes from Milan, Italy are back with a cool new single that has plenty of power, and a neat hook. Short and sweet, this 3 song EP also includes “Baby Blue” that in no way resembles Badfinger, but recalls a more traditional mid-tempo rock and roll, and “In The City” which has a sharp jangle akin to The Romantics. Highly Recommended!
EPs and Singles: Radio Days, Everet Almond, Jeff Litman, Death of Pop
Italian power pop band Radio Days has a new 4 song EP as the band stretches its wings into a punkier sound on “Time Is Over,” and the ballad “Sometimes” recalls early John Lennon solo. A jangling romantic version of The Ramones “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” is cool and we end off with the surf guitars of “El Delfin Y El Varano.” Get it on Amazon.
Jeff Litman has a FREE download for you with his “Next Affair,” as he mixes the styles of Prince and Elvis Costello, and it is a unique sounding single. Check it out.
The Death of Pop has a new EP out called “Heads West.” The song “700 Spas” has a good contrasting combo of furious percussion, synth, and airy light vocals. It’s short and sweet. Fans of Sparks will love this one.
Get it on Amazon