Tis the season for even more lovely holiday singles. But there’s more — a great compilation album by Geoff Palmer (The Connection) and a full covers album by the prolific Richard Turgeon. And both are FREE downloads for a limited time!
Category: EP reviews
EP and Singles: Pat Buchanan, Clean Spill, Karla Kane, Armchair Oracles
Pat Buchanan is a mainstay of the Nashville music scene and was a founding member of the well-respected power pop group Idle Jets whose 1999 release Atomic Fireball garnered rave reviews. Pat’s new single “Sandbox” is a look back at Brian Wilson’s late ’60s state of mind.
Clean Spill is a Santa Barbara laid-back rock band that just pushes my buttons. These guys are literal beach boys; frontman Pat Curren’s dad is a world champion surfer, and he and bassist Geoff Shae, guitarist Cameron Crabtree, and drummer Charlie Fawcett can often be found out riding waves in between band practices. Get the full EP “Nothings On My Mind” on Amazon
The Armchair Oracles, Norway’s best-kept secret has a new single out! The band is Atle Skogrand (vocals/guitar), Jan Ove Engeset (bass), Charlie Wise (drums) and Bjorn Gamlem (guitar) and they’ve played at IPO festival, so you know they’re good! Get it on CD Baby | Amazon
Karla Kane is our final treat, an autumn gem written in England by Martin Newell (Cleaners from Venus)and performed/arranged in California by Karla and her pals; KC Bowman, Khoi Huynh, Bradley Skaught and Gina Sperinde. The song is being released in conjunction with the autumn issue of Big Stir Magazine (in which Kane interviews both Newell and Robyn Hitchcock).
Get it at Amazon
Videos and Freebies: Coach Hop, Andy Ketch, Gerry O’Keefe, Skeleton Staff
This is a sweet single by a new band called Coach Hop, the brainchild of London musician Charlie Laurence. It’s very much in the Weezer-style and while on the surface its a love song to the titular pop star by a fan, upon closer inspection is an observation on the state of the modern music industry. Get it on Amazon
Chicago-area artist Gerry O’Keefe was part of powerpop act The Hideouts. His melodic style blends classic popcraft with roots- and folk-based elements. “Tenth Round Punches” and “Never Was A Dancer” are standouts on this unusual solo release. FREE download.
Boy, do I miss Skeleton Staff. It sounds like the funk that the band has been in since the Cabaret-like musical KURFÜRSTENDAMMNED remains, as “It’s Murder” is a low key paean to gun culture apathy. But it does have a neat break at the 2:50 mark and it is a FREE download.
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
Videos and freebies: The Weeklings, Spygenius, Dominique Leone, Ancient Babies
The Weeklings are back! It’s a new single that was recorded during the Abbey Road sessions for Studio 2 last year and has never been released. Look for it now on Amazon.
Dominique Leone sends us some wonderful piano songs with complex arrangements and solid melody. Check out “Domestic Bliss” and the rich multitracking on “I’ll Always Be Right Here.” And yes it’s a FREE download on Bandcamp.
Ben from the band Onward Chariots, has a new project called Ancient Babies with a mix of melodic rock, disco and electro dance pop. Yeah, this isn’t what I usually feature here but definitely check out the last track “Rolling Like A River” a rocking garage styled theme.
Spygenius of Canterbury, England, last album Pacéphale (pah-say-fahl) is being re-released in the USA. The band plays pop in the jangly, hooky, mold of XTC or Robyn Hitchcock and it’s accompanied by an illustrated storybook — check it on Big Stir Records or Amazon.
Dominique Leone sends us some wonderful piano songs with complex arrangements and solid melody. Check out “Domestic Bliss” and the rich multitracking on “I’ll Always Be Right Here.” And yes it’s a FREE download on Bandcamp.
Ben from the band Onward Chariots, has a new project called Ancient Babies with a mix of melodic rock, disco and electro dance pop. Yeah, this isn’t what I usually feature here but definitely check out the last track “Rolling Like A River” a rocking garage styled theme.
Spygenius of Canterbury, England, last album Pacéphale (pah-say-fahl) is being re-released in the USA. The band plays pop in the jangly, hooky, mold of XTC or Robyn Hitchcock and it’s accompanied by an illustrated storybook — check it on Big Stir Records or Amazon.