George Usher and The Corner Laughers

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“George

George Usher “Stevensonville”

What happens when artists get older? Some keep chasing the same rush, like Cheap Trick still plugging in and turning it up. Others slow things down and focus on life’s little details, like George Usher with his latest release, “Stevensonville.”

This is a concept album built around a small-town landscape, filled with sharply drawn characters. From “Reverend Thomas Pardee,” warning his congregation about creeping dangers, to “Judge John Bailey,” consumed by suspicion, Usher paints a series of interconnected portraits. His worn-in vocal delivery fits the material, giving each story a grounded, lived-in feel. “Mitch Kunkel” has a strong melodic hook and the country-leaning ballads, especially “Mary Beth Merriwether,” show off Usher’s songwriting depth. “Benny Weed” closes things out on a more optimistic note. It is about taking a risk and leaving the past behind, which gives the record a sense of resolution without wrapping everything up neatly.

This is not a quick-hit power pop record. If you connect with the characters and see pieces of real life in them, it will stick with you. And like Benny figures out, there is always a way to move on when it is time.

Bandcamp only (vinyl)


“Corner

The Corner Laughers “Concerns of Wasp and Willow”

Northern California indie pop outfit The Corner Laughers return after a five-year gap, with Karla Kane steering the ship as usual. The opening track “Terra Mia” kicks things off with bright ukulele and a melody that sticks right away, a clear reminder of Kane’s strength as a songwriter.

You get the breezy, laid-back feel of “Dusking,” then a heavier, more sugary pull on “Larkspur Landing.” That mix of light and weight has always been part of their identity, and it still works here, even when the softer moments seem overly sweet. Songs like “Rainbow Cardigan” and “Dark Matter,” which showcase their positive and energetic attitude with a hint of environmental advocacy, are highlights here. The sunshine pop of “Crumb Clean” and “Universe Point” are also underrated gems. Overall a great album, and it’s highly recommended.

Amazon | Big Stir Records

 

The last of March: Rob Bonfiglio, Tamarack, Gooey Cookie, Friends of Cesar Romero, The Linda Lindas, Al Ham

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Bob Bonfigio returns with a really strong single, and I know an album review isn’t far behind. Next we have Tamarack, an indie pop band from Michigan, and it’s a freebie. Well they reference Alex Chilton on “Everything You’ve Heard,” so it gets bonus points in my book. It’s also got lots of lo-fi charm and harmonies. Gooey Cookie is a melodic punk grunge outfit, and I really liked “Bored to Tears” and “Wired Weird.” Next a high energy freebie from Friends of Cesar Romero, as part of a trilogy of albums for 2026, so far. These guys are super prolific! Next, The Linda Lindas do a Ramones version of an old cover “California Sun,” originally a hit by The Rivieras in 1963. And finally a special thanks to Joe Giddings for turning me on to this rare slice of 1970s pop, “Move Closer to Your World” by Al Ham. This iconic anthem was created by the same team that gave you the “Buy the World a Coke” commercial at the time. Young adults can look at the last episode of “Mad Men” for the reference.





Quinn Hawkins and The Monochrome Set

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Quinn Hawkins

Quinn Hawkins “Eccentric”

San Francisco musician Quinn Hawkins was a great find a few weeks ago, and I could not resist a full album review. His sound is strong with late-era XTC Andy Partridge sounds but isn’t limited to that single influence. The arrangements are well constructed, with chords and verses that catch you off guard.

The quirky “Can’t Wait To Go To Bed Every Night” is smart, catchy and so damn melodic. As the song increases its intensity, it goes totally into Dukes of The Stratosphere territory.  Solid guitar pop on “Love The Thought Of You,” and “(Back Off) I’m On Vacation,” with its unusual percussion. Ween influences come out on “Don’t Call Me Your Future,” “Different Level of Hell,” and the brilliant “Hawaiian Stress.” Out of the eleven tracks, none of them feel like filler. My favorite track “Souvenir in The Dirt”is the most XTC-like, but his piano pop ballad “Nothing Seems To Kill Me Now” starts off  quiet, then adds strings as it turns into something more dense, similar to 8×8. Overall a great debut that defies predictable pop, and a contender for my top ten list in 2026. Super highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


The Monochrome Set

The Monochrome Set “Lotus Bridge”

Guest Review by Jack Serpick
By now, fans of The Monochrome Set have learned to be patient. After releasing ‘The Lost Weekend’ in 1985, the whimsical post-punk group broke up and their music has been sporadic ever since regrouping in 2012.  The Monochrome Set returns this month with the characteristically poetic and eclectic ‘Lotus Bridge’. The title track sets the dreamy mood that carries on through the album. Several tracks directly reference dreams in various capacities and the tunes themselves can be disorienting; they spin us, take us in unexpected directions and leave us upside down. It’s an engrossing experience. 

Frontman and lyricist, Ganesh “Bid” Seshadri, builds a mythical world and takes us on an adventure. Tracks like “Diaphanous” bring us into a city with a quick, pulsing beat. Songs in this camp flip-flop between highlighting intense drums and tamer keys or guitar ascents/descents; the group gets frequent comparisons to The Smiths. Songs like “Arcadia” are more mysterious and spacey, highlighting ethereal sounds. “Our Sweet Souls,” is a perfect album-closer, illuminating more drawn-out allegories. In  “Lotus Bridge,” crossing the bridge, whether between the past and future or a dream and the real world, entails leaving people who cannot follow: “We will stay where our broken bodies lay…we are happier this way…go and breathe in tomorrow, where the air will be so sweet.” As a whole the album portrays the contemplation and reminiscence that goes into leaving something behind. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Power Popaholic Interview: Conor Lumsden (Music City)

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Conor Lumsden (Music City)


In this exclusive conversation with Conor Lumsden, the lead singer songwriter for Music City, we go beyond the usual promo talk and get into what really drives the music, and the reality of being a working rock artist today.
You’ll hear:
• Honest takes on songwriting and influence
• What he’s learned touring with The Lemon Twigs
• What he picked up from the band 10cc
• The mindset it takes to keep making music that matters

👉 Album review here, 
If you care about power pop, and classic rock energy this one is worth your time.

Below the music video for “Common Sense” featuring Tina Halladay!

More singles and album previews: The Dollyrots, The Lemon Twigs, Andrew Deevey, In Loom, Quinn Hawkins, The Spindles, The Donuts

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The Dollyrots continue to deliver great rock and roll, and “Attention Span” is a perfect single for our times, and the hook will get you even if you have a short attention span. And that’s not all, as The Lemon Twigs have a new album coming soon. “I Just Can’t Get Over Losing You” is the first bit of ear candy, loving those chord changes btw. Andrew Deevey is a bit more on the simpler side of the melody, but “Money Can’t Buy Me Love” works. In Loom is an experimental pop band from Amsterdam and “Tails” stood out to me, check out that bass line for this freebie. Next, Quinn Hawkins has star potential! The San Francisco artist has a new solo album out and it has a some great songs on it, like the XTC-ish “Souvenir in The Dirt.” Quinn deserves a deeper look! Next some tributes; we start with The Spindles doing a faithful version of The Raspberries “Tonight,” but then The Donuts take things further with legendary power pop/pub rock band Rockpile. The album title, “The Pleasure of Seconds,” signals the idea. The band wrote answer songs to Rockpile tracks, their own second takes on the originals. Rockpile delivered the playful “Teacher Teacher.” The Donuts respond with the flirtatious “Substitute Teacher.” Rockpile asked “When I Write the Book.” The Donuts reply with “Every Book I Never Read.” You get the idea. Check it out.