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.
Category: Singles Only
July Singles: The Worriers, Tamar Berk, Vanilla, Tommy Sistak, The Slip-Ons, Hurry
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!
June singles: The Diners, Wesley Fuller, Brad Marino, The Gypsy Moths, Pretty, Ex-Norwegian
You wouldn’t know it was summer in NYC with that Canadian smoke cloud hovering, but the music certainly says so. The Diners are a new band, the combo of Blue Broderick and fellow songwriter Mo Troper. Paste Magazine compared the new single “The Power” to Big Star and the Raspberries, so I’m all ears here. It’s been a few years since I’ve heard Melbourne-based power pop boy wonder Wesley Fuller, and he sounds even better than before, going “Back to Square One.” Brad Marino reads off his record collection, and I could listen all day. The Gypsy Moths sing about a classic Coney Island Amusement park, with cool sax blasting away. If you want more noise distortion with your rock, give Pretty a listen. It settles down into a Cramps meets Soundgarden vibe which is kinda nice. Finally, Ex-Norwegian talks about a “Real Bad Bunny,” but he’s not talking about this guy, right? I like the B-side “Send Nudes” even better!
More May singles: The Bayonets, The Well Wishers, The Lolas, Scoopski, Kurt Baker
Brian Ray (Paul McCartney) is back with his old-school band The Bayonets. He let loose with his newest video, maybe more suited for Halloween (whatever) but it’s got a nice hook. The reliable Well Wishers are also back with the dense “So Important” and The Lolas have a great single here with “Trick Myself,” one of their best IMHO. Scoopski has a quirky single, like Green Day without the guitars or Billy Joe’s snarl. Honestly, check out the catchier “Double” that came out earlier. Finally, Kurt Baker returns to true form (minus the hair) for “Secrets,” and it’s no secret that Kurt is one of the top power poppers out there. More music to comb through each week, my review pile is growing at a furious clip, so stay tuned.
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May singles: Mason Lowe, The Half-Cubes, Librarians With Hickeys, K. Campbell, The Odds, Eytan Mirsky
April showers bring May flowers. Well, it certainly has been showering music. We start with the fuzzy rock of Mason Lowe, who’s got a new album coming out soon and this little song is called “Plastered.” The Flashcubes (Gary Frenay, Tommy Allen, etc) teamed up with Bob Pernice (Pernice Brothers) to form the Half-Cubes as they cover the “Weakest Shade of Blue.” I was very impressed with Librarians With Hickeys‘ jangling gem “Can’t Wait ‘Till Summer” and I agree with the sentiment. Another strong jangling performance is “Neil & Joni” written, performed, and recorded by K. Campbell in Houston, Texas with backing vocals by Mandy Kim Clinton. It has been ages since I’ve heard Canadian power pop legends The Odds. It seems a kinder, gentler band emerged with all that maturity. Finally, our FREEBIE today is brought to us by the earnest singer-songwriter Eytan Mirsky. I guess he’s been thinking about sexy flight attendants in “Lost You in the Jet Stream.” ENJOY!