The Toxhards and The Humbugs
The Toxhards “Your Neighborhood”
Sometimes, the components are greater than the whole. The Toxhards, a LA garage rock band, have a concept LP that doesn’t tell much of a story. However, the band’s unwavering dedication to superb pop and rock is evident here. The band’s wacky theatrical image is compelling, akin to a circus opera at a heavy metal festival, they sound influenced by Pink Floyd, Queen, Tally Hall, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. They’ve already made an impression locally, with a sizable TikTok and Instagram following, so their debut album definitely raises the bar.
The intros are effective in establishing a mood but run a bit too long; then we get the first song, strums of “Beatrice,” a gentle rocker that amps up quickly to heavy Foo Fighter-like riffs. It’s a fun, wild ride to its loud crescendo. Then it dials back dramatically to the quiet title track “Your Neighborhood,” which recall a Roger Waters inner monologue. Then we get “Get Creative! Or Get Radicalized!” with Queen-like harmonies and boisterous chorus, and it’s simply great from the melodic croon to the screaming “Na, na, na, na!” Another gentle gem is “Apple TV” with handclaps and hooks sticking in your head on that chorus.
But the album’s highlight is “DIE! DIE! DIE.” The song begins with a funky rhythm and bass line, and the lead singing, “Don’t you love the feeling when a song comes on the radio, and it sounds like they wrote it for you?” Next, “Satan’s Little Hell Song” is reminiscent of Queen’s “Stone Cold Crazy” in a frenzy. Overall, a thrilling set of tunes, the most schizophrenic rock album I’ve heard in a while. Highly recommended and a top ten contender. Thanks to my brother, Dan, for finding this one.
The Humbugs “AM Operetta”
Veteran Minneapolis band The Humbugs are Adam Marshall (guitar, lead), Tim Formanek (bass), and Matt Baccoli (drums), with an assist from Kristin Marshall and Mike Senkovich. Some nice power pop and a few folk tunes here, many pulled from Adam’s songwriting archives in a homage to the many different styles of music that was being played on AM radio in the 1970s. However nothing here sounds like it came directly from that era, it’s all original music.
The opener “Be Careful What You Wish For” is a solid start, with lots of jangle and a nicely constructed, distinct verse. The catchy “Take Out The Trash” is my favorite here, with great hooks and harmonies. The styles vary from here, Kristin’s lovely vocal leads on the pensive “Further From Yesterday” and “Never Noticed Me.” Highlights include “Tearing Me Up” and the bouncy ender “Doing Something Right.” Overall, a really good album with minimal overindulgences. Technically released last year, but the band recently posted their catalog on Bandcamp (also worth checking out.) Highly recommended.
The Mayflies USA and Tasmo
The Mayflies USA “Kickless Kids”
The Mayflies USA are power pop heroes from North Carolina, combining big electric guitars and big pop hooks. Chris Stamey of the dB’s produced the group’s first two albums, ‘Summertown’ (1999) and ‘The Pity List (2000)’. After 23 years, these guys are back, produced, recorded, and mixed by Tim Harper (The Connells) and Chris Stamey helps out again as well. The band’s indie cred is intact with the opener “Thought the Rain Was Gone” with band members Matt Long, Matt McMichaels and Adam Price realizing they “can’t go back in time,” but they can still write a musical hook that sticks. “Calling the Bad Ones Home” is equally impressive, balancing the catchy chorus with a solid layered rhythm and a sober vocal approach akin to Old 97’s. The title track continues this pleasant Southern journey, as it slows a little on “Less Lost,” but things pick up again on the solid “Cabbagetown.”
If you grew up on a diet of the Chapel Hill focused sound (The dB’s, Peter Holsapple, Don Dixon, REM) this is pure comfort food. Its got a nice mix of power pop, alt. country and rock. While it doesn’t quite recall the rocking days of old, this is a more mature group and the mellow vibe is the primary sound here. Highly recommended.
Tasmo “Keeps Me Up at Night!”
Tasmo is an indie rock band from Seattle that crafts catchy, short DIY songs. Kicking off with “Maryanne,” it serves as a strong introduction with its lively vocals and guitar highlights. The blend of early ’80s power pop and ’60s songwriting simplicity is a familiar reference, yet Tasmo’s lead singer Duffy Graham maintains a limited vocal range, particularly on the subsequent track “Wha’ Do I Care?” While this style is reminiscent of Uni Boys, it tends to stay true to its unique sound without much tonal variation. The album improves when they incorporate more rhythm guitar in “Only Got One,” featuring its dynamic stop-start key changes.
I enjoyed the dreamy “I’m Getting A Band Together,” which is filled with that pure enthusiasm reminiscent of the early Beach Boys albums (though lacking the harmonies). The story “The Day That Tatie Got Shot” about a hunting mishap almost comes off as a parody or novelty tune, and it concludes powerfully with “This Time it’s For Real.” Although this is a solid beginning, I eagerly anticipate more from Tasmo.
More May goodies: Autos, Vanilla, Best Bets, Mustard Service, Gentlemen Rogues, The Modbeats
Small Yards and Tomas Nillson
Small Yards “Small Yards”
Seattle’s Small Yards creates a style that straddles the boundaries of post-punk, garage rock, and power pop. The new self-titled album demands some attention with its opener “Heartache,” with a garage rhythm and a multi-lead vocal by Jenn Miller that sticks with you. Then “Realize” has continues the fun, with more of bar room jam. Quick songs like “Downtown” and “Shake Me Loose” recall The Ramones with its tight guitar and drum interplay, it’s also very catchy.
The band is very consistent, and the combination of male and female vocals will please fans of The Muffs and other similar bands, “She Comes” is another big highlight with great vocal harmonies. The guitar work is also memorable, check out the riffs on “So Far Way” and the power pop gem “Strawberry Summer.” Overall its a little too short, but their is no filler here either. Highly recommended.
Tomas Nilsson “Inside My Universe”
Tomas Nilsson (The Mop Tops, ANC4) is a songwriter, singer and guitarist from Sweden. Tomas wrote all of the songs and sings lead while he is assisted by Janne Borgh on bass, acoustic guitars and backing vocals, Niclas Österberg on drums and Lisa Sydhagen on backing vocals and keyboards. Overall, this is fine jangle pop with the opener “Oh What A Shame” sounding very much like a Byrds outtake. The reverb is heavier on the Tom Pettyesque “Guess I’m In Love Again” and “Tired of Being Tired” with a solid hook here.
Tomas has an older sounding vocal that suites these blues influenced songs best. Higher energy singles like “Wonder Girl” benefit from the addition of a female vocals in the chorus. And it really helps on songs where Lisa is out front more like the dense melody of “Inside My Universe.” The songwriting is a bit uneven, but it includes great standouts like “Stupid Friends” and “Give It All I Got.” Uninspired “Desert Island Holiday” and “I’m Lost In Her Eyes” are a bit ho-hum. Despite this, fans of jangling Rickenbacker guitars and Tomas’ other bands will enjoy it for sure. It’s music that deserves to be heard.