These treats are so sweet! An aquatic mermaid lair, fairy wings, a candlelit room filled with potions, and a pet lion are just a few of the fantastical aspects that add to the whimsical storyline of the “Campari” music video from popster Toni Cornell. Everyone’s favorite DIY bedroom pop producer Mo Troper is back, and you have “The Best Seat In The House” to this bouncy power pop gem. Seattle’s The Rallies compile some of their newest singles, please listen to my fave, “I Believe.” Another excellent modern power pop band Dazy has an excellent EP ready, and ‘Bad Penny’ doesn’t have a bad song, really! Another real sweet gem here is the return of the mod-influenced Shake Some Action and you are ‘Running Out of Place To Run’ so you may as well enjoy these excellent tunes.Finally, the ever lovin’ Vista Blue. This new freebie single fits today’s theme, but the band has a great tradition of baseball themed EPs, and the new one ‘The Shift Is Dead’ is a fun soundtrack to this year’s World Series. Enjoy the sugar rush, kiddies!
Category: EP reviews
October Non-Halloween singles and EPs: Maura Weaver, Corin Ashley, Brad Marino, Late Cambrian, Webstirs, Future Teens
Maura Weaver’s ‘Strange Devotion’ came out last month, but feels more appropriate for Halloween. Especially the single “The Face,” shown in this video. High quality indie pop that deserves more attention here! Also back is Corin Ashley with his new EP, check out the pop goodness of “Empathy Centre” and my fave here, “Monkey.” Rocker Brad Marino needs no “Voodoo” to get me interested in his fantastic riffs, always a welcoming sound. Late Cambrian is back with a quirky indie pop gem “Into The Lilac Tree.” It’s got great chord shifts and Olive’s amazing vocal floating behind the swirling melody. John Wlaysewski’s layered composition is really impressive here. It’s been a long time since I heard from Chicago’s Webstirs, but this new tune is a good sign that I will enjoy their new album. Finally, Future Teens have very meme-aware lyrics on “Adjust Failure” about future anxiety and seems perfect for these times. A standout line; “I’m not getting any younger and it’s clear to me now.” Next week, bring out yer dead, or some candy!
Say Goodbye-to-Summer singles and EPs: The High Frequencies, Maple Mars, The Chelsea Curve, Flutter, Bobby Conn, Jared Bond
Firstly, The High Frequencies (with Lisa Mychols) sings some “Modern Love” for the new Jem Records compilation celebrating David Bowie. Like all the Jem comps, it’s loaded with talent and class. Big Stir Records helps celebrate the 25th anniversary of California pysche-poppers Maple Mars and it “Couldn’t Have Been A Better Time” to put out a single. If you ever need a solid catchy rocker, just ask The Chelsea Curve as “Kindawanna” scratches that itch. This month’s freebie is courtesy of Denver’s cool band Flutter and the “When You Love Somebody” EP. Really great raw power pop without the frills, and you’ve got no excuses–so download it. For true art, check out Bobby Conn‘s “Bobby’s Place” a sonic feast of styles, but I loved the glammy “Sixties Babies” the whole EP pushes all the right pop buttons, so check it out! Finally, Jared Bond‘s “Sugar Rush” has the definitive summer lyric; “I’ll play you something chill, catchy, and cool. Let’s take a little dip in the kiddy pool.” Enjoy this last weekend at the pool, kiddies!
Father’s Day: doubleVee, The Krayolas, Mark Ward, Richard Snow, The Rallies, DelCobras
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads. Plenty of great new music to share with your dad today, starting with Allan Vest & Barb Vest (Starlight Mints) as doubleVee who release “Everyone’s Lonely Under The Sea” in anticipation of the release of the ‘Periscope at Midnight’ EP. The rest of the EP is excellent! Dig that bass line! Next, The Krayolas deliver a sweet tribute to Brian Wilson with “Surf’s Down” a newly released gem from the Tex-Mex trio. Speaking of tributes, Mark Ward has done a cool EP full of covers, interpreted in his own way. Check out the pop bounce of Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind,” a great song with a whole new spin. With all the anxiety going on in the world today, Richard Snow has a very timely response to the conspiracy culture we’re in on “Governments Always Lie.” The Rallies are also back with a simple song that“Comes and Goes” and it really impresses during the harmony-filled bridge. Philly Green Day inspired rockers DelCobras have a great single here with “Untied (She’s The One)” with that infectious chorus. Enjoy a nice cold drink with these tunes. Cheers!
April Showers: Corin Ashley, Chris Stamey, The Lemon Twigs, Geoff Palmer, Rocket Rules, Crossword Smiles, The Supernaturals
A massive amount of quality music is coming out now: Firstly, check out the return of Corin Ashley with “Empathy Centre,” with it’s guitar crunch and free wheeling lyric, “The Commandant of kindness would like a word with you…” Next the biggest surprise; a super team up of Chris Stamey and The Lemon Twigs doing a gorgeous Beach Boys styled ballad, and the album is expected this summer. Geoff Palmer returns with his punk pop perfection on ‘Kodak Flash’. Each song here is a winner! Next, this month’s freebie is the dense, lush dream pop of Rocket Rules. Give it a listen with headphones. Another new gem is Crossword Smiles latest “Falling All Over Myself” and the consistently good band The Supernaturals with a new pair of tunes destined for the upcoming album “Show Tunes.” Enjoy the sun, popaholics!