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).
Category: EP reviews
New August singles and freebies: Kim McClay, John Larson, Dave Cope, Candybar, Moon Construction Kit, Colin Moulding
Video Premiere: Back when I had a music festival, Jana Peri was dynamite. Kim McClay is built along the same lines of female empowerment and self-love, resilience, assurance and strength. Check out the tune “Velveteen Girls,” a reflection on being a woman in the music industry. McClay spent years cultivating her work in the live music scene of NYC, and she often blends indie, folk, and rock styles, so check out her new EP “Worth It.”
Next, the first single is out for John Larson‘s upcoming LP. The song features David Uosikkinen (The Hooters) on drums and Kenny Aaronson (Bob Dylan) on bass. The ever-active Dave Cope has a new EP ready for you, this gentle acoustic selection features the gem “The Moment Night Ends.” After that we have Candybar’s debut EP fronted by the talented Kait Eldridge (Big Eyes) and my fave here is “Love Comes and Goes,” and it’s sweet! Then a freebie from Moon Construction Kit is a dream-like project from Swiss musician Olivier Cornu, who is Brian Wilson influenced. It’s just hypnotic. More goodies to come. Stay tuned!
Finally I’m thrilled to hear something new from Colin Moulding (XTC) –check out the video! His new single ‘Want It Bad (The Pep Talks and Playing Fields of Old England)’. is available on Burning Shed.
August singles and EPs: Games We Play, Jeff Graham, The Gershwin Brothers, Vista Blue, Jamie Turner, Semisonic
Yeah, these guys (Games We Play) have been a viral sensation, and now they are poised to do it again. “The Smash” is a pretty damn accurate account of what goes into your head when songwriting. Jeff Graham is new to me and he really brings the riffs! Check out “Leaving Chicago,” due out late August and you’ll be impressed. The Gershwin Brothers are a “supergroup” in my opinion, a band led by Dave Foster (Fuzzbubble) with personal faves Lane Steinberg and Mike Fornatale on guitar. “Doomscrollin’” kinda says it all in our crazy world. Its been a while, but Vista Blue is back with another Ramones inspired freebie for you all. And Jamie Turner can “Paint A Good Picture” especially if it involves retro 60s sounds. Finally, a new single from legendary power pop band Semisonic “Don’t Give Up Yet.” I will keep the faith as long as you do!
End-of-July Music: The Goods, Golden Richards, The Schwa, Remo Drivem He’s Dead Jim, Sweet Cream Ladies
The Goods kicked off my week with the jangly pop gem “Summer’s Almost Gone,” and it has me counting the days until the new album arrives. Golden Richards is also back with another single, the wonderfully self-aware “I Want To Be Like Jeff Goldblum.” If you’re into Fountains of Wayne, especially their playful side, this one hits the mark. The Schwa reached out to me on the same day I stumbled across them on Instagram. Funny how that works sometimes. Their new free single, “Gotta Get Away,” sounds like Devo and The Ramones teamed up to play an Offspring song, and somehow it all fits. Minnesota’s Remo Drive also deserves a mention. I somehow missed these singles when they first dropped, but “Live in Pain” stands out with its emotional punch and strong melody. He’s Dead Jim keeps things loose and scrappy with a fun take on summer AOR, while Memphis newcomers Sweet Cream Ladies wear their Guided by Voices influence proudly. The edges are rough, but there’s enough promise here to make them worth keeping an eye on.
Great July EPs and album previews: The High Frequencies, The Long Honeymoon, Bleu, My Raining Stars, Twin Bloom, The Private Eye
Let’s start great fresh cover of Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues” courtesy of The High Frequencies with power pop queen Lisa Mychols continuing to churn out great music every year. Look out for the full Dylan comp on Jem Records. I am thrilled to find out that Bleu is back with a new album and ‘Sargeant Pepper Grinder’ boasts his signature power pop sound, “Start a Band” is a tribute to long time friend, engineer Ducky Carlisle. Minneapolis-based The Long Honeymoon has a very deliberate songwriting method, and it’s all from the heart. Check out “Beauty in Reality.” My Raining Stars is an under rated new wave styled pop band that also deserves attention, listen to “It Will Take Me a While.” Great song writing by Thierry Haliniak. I don’t know much about Twin Bloom, but I liked the Teenage Fanclub vibes of “Summer’s Gone.” L.A. punk poppers The Private Eye have a lot of balls naming a song “Can’t Buy Me Love by the Beatles” but these guys are worth staying for the rest. I liked “Necessity Problem” and “Mary Couldn’t Carry.” Enjoy!