Rejoice! A new Mike Viola album will soon be upon us! The first track “Paul McCarthy” is a not-so-subtle look at the life of a certain Beatle. The Lemon Twigs also have an advance single release, and “Corner of My Eye” features a heart-breaking lead vocal. Big Stir releases a new single from the late 90’s band Popsicko, and “Ashtray Mouth” was written by frontman Keith Brown. RumBar Records release the rare Boston punk pop band Matweeds only recorded material, a “lost” classic for sure. The prolific Dropkick is also back (does Andrew Taylor ever sleep?) and we’ve got the advance “Telephone.” After scoring in our top ten last year, Jeff Shelton is back with the heavy riffs of Hot Nun again, although this track feels really closer to The Well Wishers style. Finally Brit alt. rocker Chris Wesson is a new discovery for me, and he deserves to be heard by you.
Category: Singles Only
End-of-January Singles, EPs and a Freebie: Ryan Allen, Luddites, Ilko Birov, Floral Portrait, Brock Pytel
After a relatively warm January, we settle in and see Ryan Allen is already following up his #7 album of 2022 with a new concept album. This is a taste, we’ll review the entire LP soon. Boston’s Luddites does a good job with old-school power pop riffs, and Bulgarian singer-songwriter Ilko Birov knocks this single “Mrs. James” out of the park. Fans of Elliott Smith and Dave Davies will enjoy this. Jason Bronson and Jacob Chisenhall bring us the warmth of Floral Portrait, a slice of sunny orchestral pop in the tradition of Brian Wilson. Fans of The Wondermints will appreciate it and it’s our freebie. On a louder note, Brock Pytel (formerly of The Doughboys, the Montreal punk band and NOT Richard X. Heyman’s band) has a new single and it’s got a catchy fatalism, akin to Bob Mould playing The Rolling Stones. Onward to Spam… I mean, February!
November EPs: The Vice Rags, The Morning Line, Christopher Peifer, Orbis Max, and Peter Hall
As we prepare to stuff our faces for the holidays, let us not forget our ears. These EPs are all perfect for that lull before dinner is prepared. The Vice Rags are back, with Paul Rosevear (Readymade Breakup) mixing bluesy rock and roll with attitude. Check out “Midnight Ride” and “Voodoo Hoodoo,” and ask why RumBar Records hasn’t signed them! San Francisco band The Morning Line also returns with a collection of crafted rock, check out the excellent “Lookin’ Right At You.” Criminally underrated Christopher Peifer has a solid sound and tells musical tales akin to Paul Westerberg and Alex Chilton. Check out “Wide Receiver,” Twisted” and “Left The Map.” Orbis Max has collected quite a few singles over the past few months, it’s compiled on This Just In. This post ends with an odd, but a beautiful single by Peter Hall. “In Plain Sight” speaks to me personally this season. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
September Singles, Freebies, and Eps: The Orion Experience, Danny Wilkerson, Canadian Invasion, Geoff Palmer, Bill DeMain, Rooftop Screamers, and more
It’s the World Premiere of The Orion Experience‘s new single “Moving” is a loving tribute to the 80’s legend Kate Bush. A favorite artist of lead singers Orion Simprini and Linda XO, they do a killer version with sharp riffs and harmonies. More will be coming, but for now, check out last year’s rich tapestry of danceable pop Fever Dream EP.
Danny Wilkerson (Pengwins) comes up with a sweet love tune “Strawberry Sherry,” and a new album isn’t far behind. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard from the underrated Philly band Canadian Invasion, the new EP features re-mastered tracks from Songs for the Atco Ghost (2006) – it’s a FREEBIE, so pick it up. And Geoff Palmer is back with a tribute to the great Dee Dee Ramone by Standing in the Spotlight. Highlights include “Brooklyn Babe,” “Baby Doll”, and “Emergency” which are just a few gems off this fun EP. Missing summer yet? This FREEBIE and massive treasure trove from Ice Cream Man Power Pop, Indian Summer is a perfect gift. Plus a few more singles for you; Bill DeMain sings about the “Lone Ranger” with swooning strings akin to Jeff Lynne. Finally, the Rooftop Screamers get the great Tim Smith (Jellyfish, The Lickerish Quartet) to sing about “The Great Unknown.”
Late August singles, freebies, and EPs: Kurt Baker, Los Imposibles, The Jangles, Myles Josephh, The Black Watch, Dave Scarbrough, Late Cambrian
Summer is almost gone, but the great music keeps accumulating. The great Kurt Baker is on “Electric Fire” as he rocks away on this newest single and says you “need a little rock and roll in the soul.” Spanish band Los Imposibles delivers a blistering Beatlesque rocker “Todo Al Revés” (translated “All Upside Down”) and just enough of a retro shine, but if you’d like something a little simpler, The Jangles are just as catchy, emulating classic Everly Brothers, Jan & Dean, or The Monkees (check out “The Letter”) and it’s a FREEBIE! Myles Josephh is a frequent collaborator with Kai Danzberg, and here we have his sweet debut EP loaded with epic melodies. A band that I’ve long neglected but shouldn’t is The Black Watch, and lead singer John Andrew Fredrick has been a crack songwriter for years. I love the rich sound of his newest EP. Hopefully, you heard the top-ten sounds of Dave Scarbrough‘s debut — well he had a few more songs hidden away on the “Happy Ever Extras” EP. The featured video is Late Cambrian with an early pop tune “It’s Always Something” from their upcoming album “Future Snacks” – Tasty!