Category: EP reviews

EP Madness: Jamie Hoover, The Poster Boy, Gizmo

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Jamie Hoover

Jamie Hoover “Top Banana”

Jamie Hoover (Spongetones) with his first new music since 2019, and “Genghis Khan” is a loaded opening, with horns and percussion dominating the melody. Hoover almost channels Jimmy Buffet with “Bourbon Understands,” a love ballad to alcohol. The standouts here are blues rock “Repo Man” and Michael Ruiz (Paul Collins) drums on “Kim Kardashian,” a fan letter made after her split with Kanye West. A nice collection of singles that deserves more attention.


Poster Boy

The Poster Boy “Hooks”

Power pop from Budapest, Hungary, and the opener “Infinite Moment” reminds me of The Posies mixed with the Gin Blossoms and Depeche Mode with lead singer Imre Poniklo leading the way. “On Bartók, In Love” takes a minute to get its footing, but it’s worth the wait. The style gets a little more eclectic after that, and almost becomes easy listening with “Fly Away,” another highlight “Marathon” is a dramatic power ballad. Music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon


Gizmo

Gizmo “Buddy System”

Charlottetown is the capital and largest city of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, home of Gizmo. Fans of early-era Sloan will hear a kinship, but this impressive 4 song EP is just great hook-filled power pop. The overlapping harmonies on “Luanne” and “Deepest Skin” with deep chords running underneath are awesome. The other 2 tunes have a wall of sound built by guitars riffs and drums, and my only critique here is that it is way too short. Like all good EPs, this makes you beg for more. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

August EPs and singles: Pretty Flowers, Tracy Shedd, Tony Molina, Lemonade Shoelace, Elephant Stone, Råttanson

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It’s getting hotter out there. Love the Pretty Flowers new video, as the band will “rescue indie rock from the brink of extinction,” with their new single “Hit Nothing.” Look out for the album review soon! Next, Tracy Shedd has “Let it Ride” a summertime indie pop anthem about being patient and trusting your gut, with the soothing bassline and hypnotic rhythm. Tony Molina‘s melodic jangle-fuzz returns with a new album on the way, we get a preview with “I’m Not Down.” If you’re looking to expand your psych-pop horizons then check out the EP by Belfast’s Lemonade Shoelace. The spacey pop is akin to bouncing on clouds, as described in “Hopscotch in the Sky.” Another psych-pop mention is the new Elephant Stone single “Lost In A Dream.” A band that really deserves serious consideration is Råttanson. These Swedish garage guitar masters light it up with the new EP “Trebled Region.” Lots of new releases to highlight, so stay tuned.





August singles and EPs: Tamar Berk, The UniBoys, The Evening Sons, Kai Danzberg, Pretty, Julez and the Rollerz

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New month, new singles, and EPs. Tamar Berk has a video for her upcoming Tiny Injuries album and it’s a grower with layered guitars and her hushed vocal, as she dances around. Coming out in another week, and yes we will review it! The UniBoys are also coming back with their skinny-tie-inspired power pop, “I Want It Too” which has so many neat audio cues, I can’t wait for the rest of this one. The Evening Sons are also on Curation Records and impress with “Superspreader,” a solid hook-filled chorus. Myles Josephh & Kai Danzberg write a lovely ballad “On My Way” for a song contest (I voted for it), pick it up. Toronto band Pretty has a funk-punk time with “Coca Cola Deathsquad,” but I liked  “Food For The Moon” and its dense Soundgarden-like chorus. Finally, the sweet rocking Julez and the Rollerz from LA, deliver on this deserving EP. Check out “Sorry I’m Just A Waste of Time” and “Confess.” Cool!





July Singles: The Worriers, Tamar Berk, Vanilla, Tommy Sistak, The Slip-Ons, Hurry

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It’s July! Trust Your Gut, the latest album by The Worriers (due in September) have this cool video for now. The band, led by lead singer Lauren Denitzio, has a highly approachable songwriting style full of folksy flourishes and driving guitars. Tamar Berk is back after her winning turn last year on Start At The End. She hasn’t missed a beat, and I look forward to more strong memorable melodies, as the preview shows. Vanilla also comes back with new music from the Pish Posh collection recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. Speaking of Abbey Road, local Beatlesque troubadour Tommy Sistak wants to “Take Me Along.” Next, Singer Brock Pytel (Canadian pop-punk band The Doughboys) and Brian Minato (Sarah McLachlan) are  SLIP~ons, and they bring GBV energy with them. Finally, I don’t know much about Philly power pop band Hurry, but they have nice harmonies – kinda like Teenage Fanclub and the album is due in August. Enjoy the fireworks!





Mid April Goodies: Les Lullies, The Genuine Fakes, The High Strung, The Forces, The Linda Lindas, Gregory Pepper & His Problems

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Looking for a little punk pop in your life? France’s Les Lullies new single “Zero Ambition” is an advance of their new album Mauvaise Foi out May 19th. The band plays it hard with nods to rock and punk influences both new and old (Ramones, D4, The Saints, The Real Kids, The Records, MC5). The Genuine Fakes are most genuine with “Websites” a very sweet song reminiscent of Fountains of Wayne. The High Strung has an album on the way too, and you get a taste with “Different Animal,” its driving tempo about “leaving shit behind.” Dutch band The Forces look to dazzle with harmonies on the new EP, and more details are in an interview on Sweet, Sweet Music blog. The Linda Lindas found after the flash of indie pop fame last year they have “Too Many Things.” It wouldn’t be the first time the music business has “killed” an artist, or that an amazing talent just walked away — but Gregory Pepper & His Problems always felt like he’s given his soul and maybe as an audience, we didn’t pay close enough attention. No Thanks is his final album, and the bile-filled hostility is wrapped up in candy-sweet melodies. Although its a name-your-price point, I’d pay a tribute to Gregory. We will miss him, and I hope his problems get resolved.