March roars in like a lion, but I prefer The Grip Weeds! “Spinning The Wheel” is a kick ass song from their last LP, and it makes a great video. New is the band TV Sound from New Jersey, check out the rock riffs on the middle of “No Guarantees” and “Zak” and you will be hooked. Long time fave Kai Danzberg thought it was “Time To Change,” and gets a bit heavier than usual here, but his attitude sells it. More to the point, The Morning Line is back with “90s Pickup” and liking that chorus where we “stare to the right, stare to the left.” Pickup this great freebie! Memphis band Your Academy also is back, and it’s got a “Kind of Love” that sounds like a new romantic classic to me. Finally, Willis Van Doorn from Kansas City, has a bright pair of pop singles here. Expect an album out this summer. Also, next week expects to be much busier for me, so stay glued to this site. More to come!
Category: Singles Only
Snow day singles: Freddy Monday, Uni Boys, Richard Turgeon, Waterboarding School, Plastic Family, They Might Be Giants
Enjoy the winter wonderland! Yes, Valentine’s Day is long gone, but I thought of this one for my wife’s birthday and Freddy Monday brings me a perfect love song to give her. Uni Boys are coming back and as expected, they have a great new album I cannot wait to review based on the single “I Don’t Want Dream Anymore.” The always talented Richard Turgeon shows his sweet side with “Girl Like You.” Next from overseas, we have Gothenburg, Sweden band Waterboarding School, a bit messy in a cool DIY loose way, and Netherlands Plastic Family delivers the classic power pop sound perfectly! Finally, those dudes from They Might Be Giants have never slowed down and we like to check in once in a while. Loving that “Wu Tang,” too! Okay, enough fun, go back to shoveling that snow.
Video premiere and more stuff: The Smug Brothers, Ridel High, Pop Boomerang, The Happy Somethings, Sr. Pez, Pop Boomerang
The Smug Brothers are back with a new album, due in May titled ‘Gravity Is Just A Way To Fall’ check out the premiere of a new video by skate legend Dave Ackels. You can pre-order the album here. Now some FREEBIES! Next before Tsar became a big Hollywood power pop band, Ridel High was there, and here is a new digital EP of remastered ’90s demos. Next, UK band The Happy Somethings deliver happy folk pop that have us “Thinkin’ ‘bout good times.” and from Elche, Spain this psychedelic pop band Sr. Pez is just “Walking In Circles.” Finally, I am happy to report the return of Pop Boomerang Records compilations, this new one is ‘Electric & Eclectic Rarities Volume 2.’ It bundles up previously unreleased songs, demos, live versions, rare B-sides and a huge array of covers. Enjoy the snow melt!
Late Jan Singles surge: MaveriX, Vegas With Randolph, The Corner Laughers, Girl for Samson, The Pretty Flowers, Captain Wilberforce
Enough snow for you? Here’s a bigger shovelful of great music. I am really liking what I hear from MaveriX. They’re responding to a world of phoniness with a visceral, high-voltage song designed for sweaty nights and unrestrained revolt. Look forward to more from them. On a similar vein, Vegas With Randolph is back with a new single, “Let’s Fool Around” and I dare you NOT to sing along with that “doo-doo-doo” chorus. Next up, Joe Pernice adds a soulful touch to “The Black and The Blue” in advance of his new album. Love those Pernice Brothers and those “bittersweet stories.” The Corner Laughers have a more folk pop approach on their new Big Stir Records single. Girl for Samson also has some folk mixed with that indie pop, and I really liked “Jehovah.” The Pretty Flowers really know how to craft a hook, and the advance track “Came Back Kicking” is excellent. Hope we get more of that when the LP releases in March. Captain Wilberforce give us a terrific freebie this month, with “Got it.” You should get it now. Enjoy the hot cocoa and the tunes.
New Singles for 2026: Kurt Baker, Olle Schelin, Vanilla, Mod Lang