Enough snow for you? Here’s a bigger shovelful of great music. I am really liking what I hear from MaveriX. They’re responding to a world of phoniness with a visceral, high-voltage song designed for sweaty nights and unrestrained revolt. Look forward to more from them. On a similar vein, Vegas With Randolph is back with a new single, “Let’s Fool Around” and I dare you NOT to sing along with that “doo-doo-doo” chorus. Next up, Joe Pernice adds a soulful touch to “The Black and The Blue” in advance of his new album. Love those Pernice Brothers and those “bittersweet stories.” The Corner Laughers have a more folk pop approach on their new Big Stir Records single. Girl for Samson also has some folk mixed with that indie pop, and I really liked “Jehovah.” The Pretty Flowers really know how to craft a hook, and the advance track “Came Back Kicking” is excellent. Hope we get more of that when the LP releases in March. Captain Wilberforce give us a terrific freebie this month, with “Got it.” You should get it now. Enjoy the hot cocoa and the tunes.
SLD and Bruce Moody
SLD “Look Back”
With the passing of Tom Parisi, I thought SLD was done. But the duo’s other half, Paul Costanza has managed to keep the project alive. With a renewed sense of purpose, he put together twelve new songs in Tom’s honor loaded with Beatlesque style. Even more impressive is the fact that Paul handled all the songwriting, instruments and recording on his own. And you hear in many of the lyrics a conversation with his cousin.
“Nothing Can Stop Me” begins with layered harmonies in an unusually long (4 min) opener. But it flys by, and next is one of the keepers here “I Believe,” a strong building melody akin to solo Paul McCartney. The album’s first half is exceptionally strong, “A Look Back” is another standout with echos of Harry Nilsson, and “Little Man” enjoys a jangling strum with an emotional resonance in those lyrics. Overall a really good album that Tom would’ve been proud of. Highly Recommended.
Kool Kat Musik on Feb 6
Bruce Moody “Keep Showing Up!”
Bruce Moody is one of those under appreciated artists that pops up every now and again, and here he turns to music for his therapy and our enjoyment. Moody’s style is distinctly in the early 1980’s power pop vein, and fans of The Romantics would feel at home with his style. Moody still has a gift for getting a guitar rhythm in your head, and “Mary Goes Round” does this. Other tunes here are notable, like the jangle and chorus of “Break My Silence” and the light theme “Love Is.” Add to this unique subjects like a love song for 80s model Nastassja Kinski (“Nastassja,”) and a talkative Spirit (“Ghosts”). Another curiosity is an old track “Record Deal” from his band Walkee Talkee. Not everything feels as fresh, but if you dig that era of pop this makes a great listen. Check it out.
Power Popaholic Interview: Stéphane Schück of the Salt Collective
The Salt Collective (2025)
🎙️ Salt Collective is a power pop band with a deep bench. This second full-length album “A Brief History of Blindness” is led by Parisian musician Stéphane Schück and features contributions from many power pop artists, including 1980s college rock icons Chris Stamey (who also produced), Mitch Easter (whose North Carolina studio birthed this album) and Let’s Active’s Lynn Blakely who sings lead or back-up on nearly half the tracks. Additional contributors include Nada Surf’s Matthew Caws, Jason Falkner, R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, Pat Sansone, Aimee Mann, and Andy Partridge.We chat with Stéphane about the band’s history and the next album! Read the album review here!
New Singles for 2026: Kurt Baker, Olle Schelin, Vanilla, Mod Lang
What did I miss? The Elbow Patches, The Goods, Ryan Allen
The days have gotten away from me, and I need to review some 2026 stuff this weekend. But here is another look at some of last year’s great music I did not review in time.
The Elbow Patches “Achingly Familiar”
John Dunbar was working on a new LP for his band, The John Sally Ride but with the sudden passing of legendary bass player, Sal Maida, earlier in the year he vowed to end that band and The Elbow Patches was formed. The jangle and melodic fuzz of the opener “You Can’t Kid Yourself” is a great start. Next the Byrdsian strums of “The Day Got Away From Me” is just comfort food for my ears. Dunbar’s sardonic side is kept in check, aside from tracks like “Who Doesn’t Hate Each Other?” Although there seems to me a sense of resignation in his songwriting. With its retro late 60s style, each track resonates, and like his other musical projects it’s certainly highly recommended.
The Goods “Don’t Spoil The Fun”
This should have been a bit higher on my list, Oakland band The Goods have a mellow melodicism on the opener “April Fools” akin to late period Monkees. You’ll hear that magic on “Sunday Morning Out of The Blue.” They also have a dense chiming jangle akin to Dropkick on many songs. But add those harmonies and you’ve got something special, like on “Raining” and “Me and My Ghost.” The album is also consistent with its style and quality songwriting. No filler here at all. After a few spins, this will stick with you. Super Highly Recommended.
Ryan Allen “Livin’ On A Prayer On The Edge”
Ryan Allen came out with 2 albums in 2025. Both are excellent and Allen just continues to get better and sounds like he’s having fun doing it. ‘One Week Off’ is like an experiment in churning out demos, like Robert Pollard on a 4-track. Great as this album is, ‘Livin’ On A Prayer On The Edge’ feels more deliberate and the songwriting feels more thought out. It also allows thoughtful moments like “Anxious All The Time” and punkier excursions like “Devil’s Juice.” Some tune are just fun like “Spider Sally” while others are driving pop jams like “So What Who Cares.” It’s a very well rounded album that really showcases Allen’s talent. Highly Recommended.