Category: Power Pop Review

The Nines and Kevin Robertson

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The Nines

The Nines “Echoes of Past Future”

It’s been too long, but The Nines have returned at last. Steve Eggers with some help on drums from Bill Majoros records an alternative universe 1970s-era album using vintage Tascam and Yamaha consoles. He succeeds in getting that vintage sound, and there is no denying Eggers songwriting and compositional talent, even through lo-fi speakers.

Starting with “Give Your Heart Away,” it’s a solid, catchy gem with layered harmonies. And his familiar Jeff Lynn style returns for “Summer’s Never Been The Same.” For those who remember listening to a worn cassette tape, the fidelity is eerily accurate, especially on the psychedelic jam “Open Book.” The songs are so good here, you’ll be clamoring for more, like “Hit The Ground Running.”

“Sailor Girl” and “You Get By” are brilliantly period accurate and very memorable. “Away from You” is a worthy spiritual successor to 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love.” The soulful pop of “How did we get it all so wrong?” feels like a different album, and is that actually sung by a different duo? Steve tells me it’s studio trickery to change his voice. Wow! Not every idea here is fleshed out musically, but the ones that do, make this album another highly recommended Nines album.

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“Kevin

Kevin Robertson “Yellow Painted Moon”

Kevin Robertson (The Vapor Trails) has quickly produced a prolific collection of albums, and his latest treads familiar ground. ‘Yellow Painted Moon’ starts with the jangling gem “We Found the Summer,” a song with echoes of classic bands like The Byrds, America, and Neil Young. The album follows this template and with “Message of Love,” it gets into a very relaxed groove.

“Of the Night” is equally enjoyable with its Western harmonic touches and harmonies. Another gem is “Traveling Band,” with a really sweet Rickenbacker rhythm that gives way to a wicked solo break. Fans of The Beau Brummell’s will really enjoy that one along with “Quicksand,” which sounds like a lost track from that band. Robertson’s rich melodies and charming approach set a great mood on “Feelings Show,” a catchy folk-rock tune. Overall, a really good album that deserves repeat listens. For the fans, he’s got a group of alternate bonus tracks in a separate album. Highly Recommended.

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More August Music: Tamar Berk, doubleVee, FOND, The Spongetones, Elena Rogers, Fernando Perdomo, Broken Glass Kid

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August heat continues. The talented Tamar Berk has a new video single and she’s got a new album coming up in September. doubleVee has a great EP that I want to feature here, starring Allan Vest (ex-Starlight Mints) and Barb Vest. The opening track “Submarine Number Vee Three” is a richly produced gem with strings leading a cool melody!  FOND is a heavier rocker, akin to a DIY Weezer check out “Complacent” and “Hooking Up.” They’ve got spunk to spare. I’m especially excited for the return of power pop hall-of-famers The Spongtones. They do the “Honest Work” and I can’t wait to hear the rest of the album. Next, Elena Rogers is a singer/songwriter from North Carolina with a beautiful voice and melodic skills displayed on “Song About Me” and it’s a real gem. I’ve always enjoyed Fernando Perdomo’s work, and here he’s got a rare Billy Joel tune that he put’s his stamp on. Finally, I’ve got a new item off-the-beaten-path from Broken Glass Kid, check out the moody atmosphere of “Unravel.” It’s perfect for those hot summers when you just want to cool off.

The Lolas and Peppermint Kicks

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The Lolas “Big Hits and Freak Disasters”

This is not a greatest hits compilation. Tim Boykin, the brains behind The Lolas has been releasing multiple digital-only singles since 2021, and now we get it all together in one beautiful package. Boykin never fails to deliver, whether he’s channeling psychedelic pop, British Invasion, jangle pop, or bubblegum hooks.

The album’s opening track, “Work is the Blackmail of Survival,” is very much like a jangling Byrds tune with great harmonies in the sunny chorus. “Shut Me Down” is pure West Coast bubblegum pop bliss, and “Call Your Name” is a dense guitar attack with a garage vibe. “Trick Myself” is very much like an early Who single, and when it comes to the ideal jangle of ’80s college rock, “From the Start” is spot on. As a singles collection, it varies in style from the mellow “I Wish You A Happy Journey” to the new wave synths meets guitars on “Down We Go.” With songs like these, Tim Boykin reminds us why The Lolas are one of the most reliable—and under appreciated—names in power pop.

Let’s also give props to Kool Kat Musik, which is still putting out tangible power pop CDs in the digital age, supporting musicians like Boykin and keeping the scene alive for both fans and collectors. Highly Recommended and makes my top ten album list for 2025.

Kool Kat Musik

The Peppermint Kicks

The Peppermint Kicks “Pop Rocks In My Chewing Gum”

The great Sal Baglio and Dan Kopko combine their talents with a variety of drummers to create The Peppermint Kicks 2nd album, and it leads to an explosive, heavy punk-pop. “Radio Wham Bam Boom” is a great glam radio show theme song that sets the stage. “Too Sweet” is a great Cheap Trick meets bubblegum track with a kick-ass strutting riff. The garage-rocking “Little Doll (Picolla Pupa)” harkens back to the best of British pop from the 1960s.

Many tunes here follow that template and are fond memories of teen years, “Lollipop Girl” is dreaming about an English magazine model. And plenty of loving references to mid sixties anime with “Gigantor” and “Speed Racer.” Indeed, the enchanting “We Did It All For Rock N Roll” emphasizes the nagging feeling that we all long for that nostalgia when rock and roll was at the top of the cultural zeitgeist. Fans of Sweet, Mott The Hoople, and Queen will love this. Overall it demands to be played loud and its highly recommended.

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August Singles and Previews: Vibeke Saugestad Band, Marshall Crenshaw, Timmy Sean, The Wellingtons, Vegas With Randolph, The Photocopies

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And after the heat waves, August has arrived. Norwegian power pop princess Vibeke Saugestad (Weld, The Yum Yums) is a multi-talented musician and she’s got a new EP coming up soon. This video is a teaser, and I can’t wait. Next, Marshall Crenshaw presents ‘From The Hellhole’ an artisanal selection of tunes recorded in his home studio. It sounds so good, and with the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, Timmy Sean has produced a tribute to the late Heavy Metal pioneer. I’m especially excited for the return of one of my favorite Aussie bands, The Wellingtons. “Always Gonna Be That Girl” proves the band is in fine form with this great hook-filled gem. Don’t forget Vegas With Randolph, as they have a career “best-of” collection coming up, and we hear a deep cut “New Leaf.” Finally, I’ve got a new freebie for you from The Photocopies, check out the jangling gem “Average Schmuck.” You would be quiet the schmuck to not get this EP. This is your last month to enjoy summer, so go outside!

Enuff Z’nuff and Coke Belda

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“The

Enuff Z’nuff  “Xtra Cherries”

It’s hard to pigeonhole Enuff Z’nuff because they’re often grouped with glam or hair metal because of their look and the time period (late 1980s), but their music has always been consistently hard Midwestern power pop akin to Cheap Trick, with Beatles-influenced melodies and psychedelic touches. Chip Z’nuff has carried the torch for the band since 2018, keeping the band alive as a vehicle for his vision. His voice isn’t perfect every time, yet it grows on you, like the opening ballad “Heartbeat.” Next, “No Cold Feeling” is one of the strongest tracks here, the “Na Na Na” really sticks with you, and the alternating riffs are a masterclass in melodic hard rock courtesy of Steve Brown (Trixter, Def Leppard).

“Sanibel Island (It’s Outta Control)” is the ultimate spring break party song, about the Florida beach destination, but the heart of the album is “Heavy Metal,”with its “feeling heavy metal” chorus about achieving that rock star dream. There is a little “spot the influence” on “Back To The Wall” which opens and closes with a Queen riff, and “Magnificent” has great churning guitars and and the lyrics sound like it was written for the new Superman movie, plus it’s got a Beatles reference too! Finally my big highlight is “Take It Or Leave It” and it’s the poppiest of the rockers here, loaded with great minor chords. Enuff Z’nuff are criminally under appreciated in power pop circles. They deserve a reassessment, especially now that Chip is steering the ship with more of a pure pop intent. Highly Recommended.

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“The

Coke Belda “C8ke”

Throughout his career, Coke Belda has always provided high-quality melodic pop; his most recent work is no different. Belda has his own sound, even though he unambiguously admires Jeff Lynne and the Beatles. Starting with “Seeing Red,” it’s a sunny melody with contrasting lyrics about the anxiety of a new Trump administration and “Broken Man” is an accurate assessment of our current White House occupant.

Next, “A Different Nowhere Man” contains great harmonies, but they don’t sound like the Beatles’ “Nowhere Man.” Instead, Belda’s approach sounds more like a Boyce-Hart song with its bouncy piano. “Wondering in Wonder” is another bright melody with a solid guitar break, and “Starlit Dream” (a co-write with David Myhr) is another big highlight here. Loaded with hope and fantastic aspiration, it’s a journey to a magic “starlit land.” The harmonies are also at the forefront of “Tides of Joy,” a Beach Boys-styled gem. While not every song here sticks, more than enough of them do. The theme of the album is made clear on “Echoes and Symphonies,” bursting with gratitude, and I’m grateful for Coke’s music. Highly Recommended.

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