Comps and Tributes: The Raspberries and Direct Records

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“The

Various Artists “Play On: A Raspberries Tribute”

We all know The Raspberries as the template for what a 1970s power pop band should be—tight harmonies, big guitars, and hooks that refuse to quit. Sure, Badfinger may have coined the term first, but The Raspberries perfected the formula. Their catalog has inspired generations of melodic rockers, and while tributes have come before, Play On: A Raspberries Tribute hits differently—it’s a love letter from the artists who truly get it.

Right from the start, Rick Springfield injects new life into “Go All The Way,” making it sound as vital as ever. In a different take, Vicki and Debbi Peterson (Bangles) do a solid “I Wanna Be With You,” and the Lemon Twigs crush “Let’s Pretend.” Plenty of muscle with Eric Dover’s version of “Ecstasy” and Shoes cover “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)” with technical perfection. With 37 tracks, and a wide variety of artists, it really breathes fresh life into most of these classic songs.

Credit goes to producers Ken Sharp and Fernando Perdomo, who’ve assembled a dream lineup—chart-toppers, cult heroes, and rising indie names—all celebrating the band that nailed the perfect blend of Beatlesque melody and driving American rock. Play On doesn’t just revisit the Raspberries; it reminds us why they still matter. Super highly recommended.

Think Like A Key Music | Amazon

“The

Various Artists “The Direct Records Story”

What would you do if you stumbled across a dusty box full of DIY cassette tapes from the early ’80s? Direct Records did just that—reviving a treasure trove of Mod, Pop, Beat, and Psychedelic gems that never made it past local scenes and college radio. The label’s vast archive captures a lost era of post-punk melody chasers and jangly romantics, and thanks to Kool Kat Musik, these songs finally have a second life across three volumes.

Most of these acts are unknown for a reason, though a few cuts capture genuine spark. Others feel more like demos stuck in nostalgia mode, imitating the past rather than reinventing it. Volumes 2 and 3 stretch into the late ’80s and early 2000s with mixed results. There are nuggets to be found, but you’ll have to dig through a fair bit of filler to uncover them. But for diehard pop archaeologists, the digging is half the fun.

Kool Kat Musik



Power Popaholic Interview: The Nines (Steve Eggers)

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The Nines (Steve Eggers)

Canadian Power Pop Master Steve Eggers (The Nines) Talks “Echoes of Past Future”
In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Steve Eggers, the creative force behind The Nines, to dive deep into his brand-new album Echoes of Past Future — a stunning collection that feels like it was unearthed straight from the golden era of 1970s pop and rock.
Steve opens up about the songwriting process, his favorite recording techniques, and how he managed to capture that authentic vintage warmth that defined artists like The Beatles, Todd Rundgren, and 10cc. We talk about the gear, the mindset, and the creative philosophy that makes this album sound like a lost classic — yet still fresh and emotionally resonant today.
🎧 Listen to “Echoes of Past Future” here
🎶Read the album review here

Cool EP artists: J. Fla, Mikayla Geier, Jacks, Stacy!, The Needmores, Vibeke Saugestad

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So much great new stuff out now! Two pop ingénues (or vamps) have musical chops to impress, starting with J.Fla with “One Sweet Day in Paris” from her new EP ‘Moon Eater’ and Mikayla Geier who shot the video in Paris for the ultra catchy gem “Piano in the Sky” which kind of echos the sound of Sugarplastic in the chorus. Love the video, even though the ending is kinda sad. Then we go to a remastered ‘Box’ EP by the band Jacks. This has a retro-pop feel even though it was originally recorded a few years ago. Next, Stacy! is an Amsterdam band with a lo-fi power pop sound, reminds me of those Italian power pop bands like Radio Days. The Needmores is a domestic gem, with plenty of energy and melodies to match “Side X Side” is a great starter here. Of course who can forget that power pop princess Vibeke Saugestad has the full EP out now and every track here is a gem. Enjoy!







New October singles and more: Speedfossil, Silk Cut, Cindy Lawson, Richard Turgeon, Dave Cope and The Sass, The Pozers

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Another month in the books, and we welcome October with a new anthology collection from Boston’s Speedfossil, starting with a new track “Peg Leg.” It’s got a choice f-bomb in the chorus, so pay attention! Not sure where I found Silk Cut but the opener “Good Morning” was a brisk reminder that fall is coming. Next, the legendary punk queen Cindy Lawson‘s “The Reckoning” has an energy and attitude. Next we again recognize Richard Turgeon fresh off his amazing ‘Shungite’ EP we have a freebie Pavement cover of “Date with IKEA.” Next, Dave Cope and The Sass pop in with a quick rocker “Don’t Let My Dreams Come True,” like a grunge tune without the grunge (can you picture an alternate universe where Nirvana would cover this?) Finally, a shout out to Kool Kat Musik for the compilation POP AID 3. A good cause and good music always are a perfect match, plus you have a new Pozers song! How cool is that?




Benny J. Ward and The Sonny Wilsons

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Benny J Ward

Benny J. Ward “SUPER!”

Benny J. Ward (Rinehearts) isn’t shy about going big — ‘SUPER!’ is fuzzed-out, hook-heavy, and unapologetically loud. From the start, Benny rides thick distortion-filled bass riffs, his vocals buried under garage fuzz, and it hits like a wall of sound on the opener “TELEVISIONS!”

But the hooks aren’t far behind. “Scratch That Itch” delivers a great punk-pop melody that lives up to its title, while “Ice Cream Headache” is just as sticky and infectious. Benny throws in some deeper influences with “Tell Me Tell Me,” where 70s acid rock vibes (think Cactus or The 13th Floor Elevators) seep through the pop earworms. It’s a great balance — no matter how sunny the melodies get, there’s always a grit bubbling underneath.

The momentum dips a little at the midpoint, but things fire back up with the scrappy punk blast of “I Didn’t Mean It.” His cover of Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Want to Be With You” is another surprise — rougher around the edges, but it works in his fuzzed-out framework. Closing highlight “Up and Down” rides buzzy guitars and a shakeable chorus, ending the album on a high-energy note. ‘SUPER!’ might wobble in spots, but Benny J Ward’s mix of distortion, melody, and sneering energy keeps you invested. It’s a scrappy, fuzz-pop ride that’s both messy and fun — exactly the kind of garage rock chaos you want. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


“The

The Sonny Wilsons “Maybe”

The Sonny Wilsons are a 5-piece band from Memphis, Tennessee. While Jon Auer (The Posies/Big Star) lends his production touch and some contributions, ‘Maybe’ is really the vision of Adam Yancey and Allen Couch. What they’ve crafted here is a clean, melodic rock record that dips into different styles without ever feeling like a cookie-cutter effort.

The title track “Maybe” sets the tone with a crisp, polished sound. The vocals stand out most here, landing somewhere between Chicago, The Posies, and The Well Wishers. “Deserea” shifts gears with a country-rock flavor and gentle harmonies, showing the band’s range early on. An early highlight is “Miss Kinetic,” driven by solid drumming and a strong chorus hook, with layered harmonies toward the close that tie it all together. “The Art of Letting Go” leans more into that Posies-style fuzz, building tension with climbing harmonics. Similar thick riffs show up on “Ones and Zeros” and the droning “Who We Are.”

But The Sonny Wilsons also know how to pull things back. “Desert Song” is a relaxed love ballad, while “Quicksand” stands out as a lighter, sing-along gem with a breezy, catchy vibe. Together, these tracks hint that the band is still exploring and defining their voice — and that’s part of the charm. Overall, The Sonny Wilsons deliver a debut that’s polished, versatile, and worth keeping on your radar.

Amazon