Eytan Mirsky, You’re Among Friends, and Jim Trainor

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Eytan Mirsky

Eytan Mirsky “All Over the Map”

Eytan Mirsky is my favorite self-deprecating troubadour. And ‘All Over The Map’ is among his best works, beginning with the appealing “Did What I Came to Do,” where his only purpose is to make his lover smile. Next, “Apologize in Advance” is very much in the Nick Lowe mode of honky-tonk pop about his poor behavior. Both “Inside Job” and “Two Piece Puzzle” make excellent use of metaphor, but “Almost Didn’t Cry” is probably Eytan’s best ballad ever. The song takes a sincere approach to depression and is melodically effective. “The Satisfaction” is another excellent ballad. Other standouts include the upbeat “My Little Tricycle,” which is perhaps the only auto song about three-wheelers (such as the Polaris Slingshot) I’ve heard, and “Lost You in the Jet Stream,” which is loaded with aero-centric language. Naturally, this comes highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


You're Among Friends

You’re Among Friends “As Normalcy Slips Away”

You’re Among Friends (Anthony Doran, Kevin Trask, and Mike Janowitz) are a Cleveland-based trio who specialize in quirky casual pop and have impressive musicianship. Fans of jam bands will like that YAF incorporates melody into its weaving baselines and jazzy beats. Highlights include the sardonic songs “There’s Nothing Left Here” and “Forced to Act It Out.” And this band doesn’t just play by the numbers; “Move On With What You’ve Got” features an interesting reggae groove. Hey, it’s a free download, so check them out.

Amazon

Jim Trainor

Jim Trainor “Listening To Understand”

Jim Trainor is letting his melodic freak flag fly here. “Nothing” is loaded with great hooks, and “Always Been You” unfolds like a lively conversation between friends. Added highlights include “I Don’t Wanna Be,” and “Must Be Love.” At the album’s midpoint Jim gets adventurous with some jazz and boogie stylings on “Another Sucker” and “Better Than You Do.” When he opens up on these tunes emotionally, the songs soar, and his message hits its stride. A few misfires, but without a doubt this is highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Spooky Stuff: Halloween Sounds and Timmy Sean

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“The

Various Artists “Chilling, Thrilling Hooks And Haunted Harmonies: The Big Stir Records Halloween Grimoire”

Big Stir Records brews up a perfectly ghoulish collection for the season with Chilling, Thrilling Hooks and Haunted Harmonies. The label’s roster dives headfirst into Halloween fun, mixing hooks, humor, and just enough creep factor to keep things lively. Each song opens with a brief spoken-word intro—mostly unnecessary, but it does help set the spooky tone.

Sparkle*jets U.K. bounce in with “Eyeball Eater,” a candy-coated cousin to “The Purple People Eater” and  The Incurables “Halloween Bride” are made for any Halloween dance floor. The Armoires shift gears with “Full On Witch Mode,” all dreamy séance energy and ghostly charm. The Spongetones deliver a crisp jangle on “Spirit World,” Shplang goes darker with the reverb-laden “Frankie’s Back,” and Graham Parker & The Goldtops stir up some bluesy mischief on “Music of the Devil.” With over 20 songs, not every spell hits its mark, but the spirit of the season shines through. For fans of smart pop with a spooky twist, this collection is a playful and tuneful treat bag worth digging into.

Big Stir Halloween


“The

Timmy Sean “Transmissions From The Timmyverse”

Similarly along the lines of Steve Eggers (The Nines) and Fernando Perdomo, Timmy Sean has embraced some AI tools to create “The Timmyverse,” a universe of “artists” with their own musical style. But each of these personas are created with an Artificial Intelligence assist. Timmy Sean has dived headfirst into this new technology with a massive amount of music. Volume 1 of “The Timmyverse” has funk, disco, glam and more. He continued this in a second volume this month, and the best part is that he includes the non-AI altered “original” versions of the songs (and in most cases I like them better) with “the enhanced versions.”

In the hands of a skilled musician and producer, the AI versions sound great. He’s done wonders with Beatles covers, and he gets better with each attempt. Because it jumps around style-wise, its easy to pick and choose your favorites. Stay tuned to his Bandcamp page as he grows this universe, you may find some surprises like the solid “7teen.” Check it out!

Bandcamp only

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!