Category: Power Pop Review

Modesty Blaise and Marc Valentine

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Modesty Blaise

Modesty Blaise “Melancholia” (25th Anniversary Remaster)

For years, Melancholia remained out of reach, the standout album from Bristol indie pop collective Modesty Blaise absent from streaming while its reputation quietly grew. An example of retro style reworked to sound timeless. Now we have a 25th Anniversary 3-disc edition  featuring a newly restored master, unreleased outtakes, and updated artwork.

Formed in Bristol in 1993 by Jonny Collins, Modesty Blaise gained early attention with their debut single “Christina Terrace,” produced by Edwyn Collins, which led to an ITV appearance and eventually supporting Robbie Williams on tour. Gregory Jones and Jonny Collins approached the remaster as an excavation, not a rewrite. The goal was to reveal what was already there. Known for dense, layered arrangements, the band now benefits from improved clarity and dynamic range. Details that once blurred together now come into focus, making the album feel fuller and more immersive. And it’s damn impressive, as this album captured a band pushing indiepop beyond its limits. This reissue proves the album always had more to offer. Now you can finally hear it. Super Highly Recommended!

Amazon | Spotify

Marc Valentine

Marc Valentine “Uncommon Side Effects”

Marc Valentine (Last Great Dreamers) has been playing in bands since he was thirteen, and his glam-infused power pop album ‘Uncommon Side Effects’ is on Little Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records. The album is “about misadventures of youth and chasing rock’n’roll dreams.”

The opener “NY UAP” sets the tone fast. Big guitars, catchy melody, and a solo that demands attention. “High In The Underground” follows with swagger and big hooks that will draw you in right away. “The Other Side” continues that run, built on tight structure and a chorus that sticks after one listen. This album works because it balances energy with weight. “Loneliest Part” slows things down and lets the mood breathe, with synths adding depth instead of gloss. Valentine understands that strong pop needs contrast, not a constant sugar rush. Next “Tiger On Glass” he ramps the energy back up, next “Half-Moon Pendant” strips everything back to acoustic. Across 30 minutes, Valentine delivers a sharp display of power pop songwriting, pairing strong melody with tasteful guitar work. Highly Recommended and a nominee for my top ten of 2026 list for sure.

Amazon | Streaming Platforms

End of April: Doug Gillard, Thesaurus Rex, Dave Cope and the Sass, Swive, The Chelsea Curve, Bullseye

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Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices, Nada Surf,etc.) has a new album coming out and a tour in May. I am always looking forward to Doug’s work. My FB search came upon Thesaurus Rex, high speed math rock that its kinda like TMBG in a way and I liked it. It’s been a while since I caught up with Dave Cope and the Sass, as he’s been churning out a ton of material (I will visit it all later) but his newest EP has a real gem, check out “Swedish Film.” Swive is a San Deigo band with a great sound on “Del Rio” and they fell under my radar years ago, but you can check out the debut from 2024 (Highly… you know!) The Chelsea Curve is back with more catchy music, just listen to “The Rideout.” Finally, Bullseye is a slacker band from New York City that reminds me of Big Star a little, check out “Dangers of The Heart.” Enjoy the Spring (looks like NYC is finally gonna thaw).

The Pretty Flowers and David Brookings and The Average Lookings

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THE PRETTY FLOWERS

The Pretty Flowers “Never Felt Bitter”

The Pretty Flowers, an indie rock band from Los Angeles, are on their third album and have a strong passion for both punk from the 1980s and power pop from the 1970s, as well as melodic indie rock from the 2000s. The bombast of “Big Dummy,” highlights our chaotic anxiety and “Came Back Kicking” hits even harder, driven by sharp guitars and tight rhythms that recall late 80s college rock with a modern edge. The opener “Thief of Time” is another winner with its jangly, melodic hook that sticks fast.

What stands out is the songwriting. The lyrics carry tension, frustration, and small flashes of hope, often in the same breath. On “Convent Walls,” he takes a direct shot at corporate control and shrinking space, while “Ring True” pushes forward with a raw punk wall of sound. Even when the tone gets heavy, the melodies stay accessible. Musically, the band pulls from a wide range of influences without sounding derivative. You will hear traces of The Replacements and nods to The Cars and U2. ‘Never Felt Bitter’ delivers strong hooks, varied songwriting, and a clear sense of identity. If you want a modern indie rock record with power pop DNA and real substance, this one earns your time. Highly Recommended.

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David Brookings

David Brookings and The Average Lookings “Exposure”

David Brookings and the Average Lookings are back. Brookings started out in Richmond, Virginia, then he headed west to LA and then Memphis. Thats where he recorded three albums at the famous Sun Studios. Opening track, “Coldwater Canyon” has a relaxed Southern vibe with catchy pop verse (even if he is talking about California).

Like other songs in Brookings past,“Exposure” has an element of humor. In this case it’s about the promises of fame, and the words of a fast talking producer selling the band. Other songs have a great pop bounce like “It’s Giving Cringe” and “Where Did I Go Right.” We also get a retro-styled ballad about “My Last Little Shred of Youth,” about a feeling we all get growing old. Highlights include the heartbreak of “She Dissed You Too” and a biographical ballad about his wife “Shelby.” Overall, a great sounding album with plenty of worthy gems. Highly Recommended.

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April EP and Single Madness: Brad Marino, Softjaw, Phenomenal Cat, Onesie, Radio Days, Randy Klawon, Shake Some Action!

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Brad Marino has the formula and it still works! His new LP “Agent of Chaos” is out (review soon) and he’s calling my bluff, just check out the video. Next, one of the strongest extended EPs I’ve heard this year is Softjaw. Similar to the Uni Boys, almost every song here is great and a text book perfect example of modern power pop. Next, another great band, Phenomenal Cat from the UK holds nothing back, this is pop art as power pop. I loved “Seatown®” and “21st Century Englishman” with its touch of psychedelic pop akin to Donovan. Brilliant stuff here that should not be missed. Tough to follow, but Onesie rocks out with this new single “Meetcha At Minnies (The Captain’s Song).” Another return is Italian band Radio Days with a new album coming soon, and we get a new single to start. “I Won’t Give Up” is a blast of energy, glad to have them back. Next Randy Klawon (Flashcubes/Half Cubes) gives us a stellar pop single “All is Fair In Love.” Finally, the retro pop of Shake Some Action! new EP “Too Many Secrets” feels like a soundtrack for a lost Austin Powers sequel. Love the atmosphere here. Yeah baby!

Turn Turn Turn and Cut Worms

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THE PRETTY FLOWERS

Turn Turn Turn “All Hat No Cattle”

Adam Levy (of The Honeydogs), Savannah Smith, and Barb Brynstad come together through a shared love of tight vocal harmonies rooted in 60s and 70s country, folk, and pop. All three hail from Minnesota, and their chemistry drives a warm, hook-filled take on Americana. Early releases leaned into jangly textures reminiscent of The Byrds, but over time they’ve sharpened their identity into something closer to a modern country act with strong pop instincts.

The album opens with “Antietam,” a gospel-tinged track that puts those harmonies front and center right away. “Cities” shifts gears with a mariachi-style rhythm, adding variety without losing momentum, while “Magnolia Tree” offers a softer, more reflective moment. As the record unfolds, the sound tilts more toward pop, though the songwriting never loses its roots. And there’s no shortage of hooks here. “Trouble” rides a lively honky-tonk groove and stands out as an easy highlight, while “Serious” has a smooth, swaying feel that sticks with you. “Manitowoc” features standout pedal steel work and feels closest in spirit to Levy’s work with The Honeydogs. Barb Brynstad’s “Hungry Ghosts” channels the melodic sensibility of Fleetwood Mac, especially the style of Christine McVie, and ranks among the album’s strongest tracks.

This isn’t power pop, but the blend of bluegrass, country, gospel, and pop lands with real appeal. If you value strong melodies and tight harmonies, this one earns your time. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

“Cut

Cut Worms “Transmitter”

Guest Review by Jack Serpick
With his new album ‘Transmitter’, singer-songwriter Max Clarke, known by his stage name Cut Worms, ventures into new territory. In a brave choice that feels personal, Clarke drops the ‘60s-style reverb that many fans have come to associate him with. In 2017, the Ohio native released his debut EP, ‘Alien Sunset,’ with Jagjaguwar and attracted a following through a streak of passionate live performances, opening for artists like Foxygen, Nick Lowe, the Growlers, the Lemon Twigs, Mild High Club, Wolf Parade and more.

Clarke has since released three well-recieved studio albums with Jagjaguwar, each with that signature vintage sound. Clarke spent the summer of 2024 on the road with Wilco, after which, Jeff Tweedy invited him to record at his loft in Chicago, where Clarke studied illustration at Columbia College of Chicago before kickstarting his solo career in Brooklyn. ‘Transmitter’ is the result of Clarke’s time in the loft and Tweedy’s influence pleasantly oozes out. Highlights of the ten tracks include “Walk in an Absent Mind,” “Shut In,” and “Dream”– the first of which is particularly Wilcoesque, with intimate and weary vocals. A contemporary comparison that immediately comes to mind is one of my favs, the Queens band called Frog.

Like his vocals, Clarke’s lyrics feel more intimate too, capturing deep feelings of fear and anxiety, as well as hope and love–though some lines are a bit on-the-nose—“My days are numbered…I can’t handle the truth,” he whines on “Barfly.” Still, it’s clear he’s got a lot to say. Tracks like “Walk in an Absent Mind” evoke not only Wilco, but Elliott Smith and Iron & Wine; they’re gentle and, yet again, intimate. On the other hand, tracks like “Long Weekend” and “Don’t Look Down” are more intense, recalling indie twang contemporaries like MJ Lenderman. On a third hand, the final track, “Dream,” has an entirely different vibe, an extremely solemn one that concludes the album with a haunting piano tune and crushing lyrics like, “What if I can’t find my way back home to you? … It’s over too fast.” Though Clarke’s range is impressive, Transmitter taken as a whole feels a bit scattered. Still, several tracks will no doubt make appearances in many spring playlists, including my own.

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