Amy Rigby and Colman Gota

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Amy Rigby

Amy Rigby “Hang In There With Me”

Amy Rigby has been a sane musical voice of truth since her debut in 1996’s Diary of a Mod Housewife. Early in her career, she worked with her husband Will Rigby (dB’s) and then collaborated with Wreckless Eric (who she later married in 2008).

Hang in There With Me focuses on mortality, aging, and youthful missteps looking back over the years. “Hell-Oh Sixty” really lays it out plainly, but without bitterness or regret. She explains each decade with verses that define her feelings at the time, all accompanied by a powerful guitar strum. Rigby embraces this “cool” persona throughout the entire album. The theme is that no matter how old you get, the question remains, “Should you quit, or at least slow down?” The music asks again on “Too Old To Be So Crazy” and channels brilliance with “Dylan in Dubuque” as she sings “Sometimes I play the martyr, but I mostly play myself.” Plenty of solid songs here make this definitely music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon


“Colman

Colman Gota “Don´t stop playing guitar”

Colman Gota from Spain took four years to create this new album with producer John Pfiffner, which also his debut on Kool Kat Musik. Gota’s energetic guitar work is a supported by a catchy “na na na” chorus on the opener “Big In Taiwan.” The frantic pace continues on “Always Late,” and the title track “Don’t Stop Playing Guitar,” Colman keeps things lyrically simple but remains nuanced. Unlike past albums where he emulated Tom Petty’s style to a degree, here he leans on the big riff and chorus much more.

Another notable track, “Crack the Code” is a question of communication with your partner, and “Paint It White” adds some horns to the mix, and the arrangement is richer for it. His batting average is higher here than in the past, and with 17 tracks this feels like a double album. Other highlights include “Enemy,” “Two Chords and a Lie,” and the twang infused gem “Way Around It.” Overall a very nice representation of Gota’s talents and it definitely is highly recommended.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

Freebie Friday! Music that deserves to be downloaded!

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These four albums are listed as “name-your-price” downloads. I would encourage you to contribute to these artists, after all, they are spreading a wealth of music.

Yours & Mine “The Shadow You Cast”

Solid New York alt. rock trio with a melodic gift, and “I’m Not Ready to Go” reminds me of a Posies-Gin Blossoms hybrid. “Pushing up Daises” and “Shadow” are more driving power pop. Overall a great little album, and this band is bound for future stardom if anyone with a brain ran a major record label. Get them now, before that happens.

Sparky Bosque “Corkscrew Soul”

The last album Patrick from Sweet Sweet Music blog featured, Sparky Bosque was described by him as a cross between The Eels and Parthenon Huxley. The clean strums of “Do No Wrong” and sweeping “Poor Annie” do have an emotional component similar to P. Hux, and while not everything here works, the sullen atmosphere on some songs are irresistible, like “About You.” Check it out.

Rick Murnane “Summer Fun”

Northampton, Mass musician Murane tells us straight up “why would everybody want to be like everybody” on “Monkey in the Zoo.” He collected a group of songs, and boasts a country ballad on “Rodeo Billy” and suburban angst on “Bring You Down.” In a rough and tumble way, his voice reminded me of Peter Holsapple (dB’s) on “These Days.” Very cool.

Macseal “Permanent Repeat”

Long Island emo-band does good here, “Golden Harbor” will scratch that indie-emo itch, without too much grinding feedback. And the band can get downright anthemic on the great “Four Legs” and “Permanent Repeat.” Also check out “Beach Vacation” and “Hide Out.” Fans of Goo Goo Dolls will enjoy this too. Music that deserves to be heard!

Late August singles: Dany Laj and The Looks, Dust Star, Orchidella, Randy Klawon, The Chords UK

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Dany Laj and The Looks lean into the skinny pop style with this cool new single “Meet Me On The Floor.” “Shadow On The Hill,” Dust Star‘s newest single, was great, and it makes me want to listen to the band’s first record. Onsie has a new one, a swirling gem with many key changes, and Orchidella is a Sheffield band with a debut album, it’s first single is a catchy little tune written back in 2021. Musician Randy Klawon (The Choir, Cyrus Erie) recently contributed to the new Half-Cubes album, but his single is pretty cool too! Finally The Chords UK‘s new single remembers “Indie Disco Friday Night,” with not a single note of actual disco music (I love it). The lyrics really speak to me. Note: Last week I featured Scott Roberts’s “After We Go,” little did I know an Eytan Mirsky cover was done six years ago! Also – coming up for our long weekend is the return of Freebie Friday!





The Cle Elum and The Yum Yums

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The Cle Elum

The Cle Elum “It’s Ok If It Falls Apart”

Tennessee band The Cle Elum is the duo of Sarah Sargent Pepper and Ian Lee. Stylistically, it is all over the place, but it’s got some great songs here. The opener, “Handclaps & Harmonies” is a perfect rocker for fans who don’t trust the singer and “don’t care what the words mean.” The style and tone change to Elvis Costello for “…Remember When,” and then 80s-styled rock on the memorable “I am a Robot” with singer Matthew Caws.

“Old Folks” is another quality tune that gives great advice with a hook. It does best with the layered arrangements and synth melody on “Did I Get High” and the Tom Petty-esque “I Wanted To Sleep.” While not every song here maintains the quality, there are enough worthy songs to rate this album highly recommended.

Bandcamp


The Yum Yums

The Yum Yums “Poppin’ Up Again”

Norwegian band The Yum Yums is likely one of the most underrated power pop bands playing today. Next to Japan’s Shonen Knife, I can’t think of another band that does buzzy, Ramones-derived pop better. But more than applying the hook-filled three-chord aesthetic, the Yum Yums approach their music with a dynamite sense of melody, harmonies, and bubblegum sweetness those boys in black leather never had.

Poppin’ Up Again continues a great run of albums since 1993, led by Morten Henriksen. The first three songs stick closest to the Ramones template; “Vitamin U,” “Got Me Good,” and “Do You Like Me” are brilliant high-energy pop. The band adds Beach Boy-styled harmonies on “Baby Doll,” and many tunes have an old-fashioned innocence (like “Dance,” “Candy”) with a sincere sentiment, and buzzing guitars. It’s hard to find a single bad track here, although “Foxy” sounds a little too much like Rum Bar Records labelmate Brad Marino. But despite that, this album is highly recommended and added to my Top Ten list for 2024.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik