Few artists are as timeless as former Smiths frontman Morrissey. On his ninth solo album, he’s as sharp as ever. Lyrically not too many people can get away with lines like “It’s not your birthday anymore, there’s no need to be kind to you.” There is not so much a single standout track (although “I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris” comes close), as this is a solid consistent album. Unlike earlier works, his optimism is on full display here. He even mentions “It’s a miracle I made it this far…” in the first track “Something Is Squeezing My Skull.” 

Well here’s some insanely creative and eccentric pop. With Beatlefest kicking off in New Jersey this year on March 27th, we present a group that certainly has a Fab fetish. The Poor Richards are R.A and J.A. Richard with an 18 song debut that recalls both The Pillbugs and The Spongetones, with a vast array of pop hooks. Opening with the bass lead “Remember, Remember” gets the celebration going, with enough well placed riffs and make it’s repetitive lyrics tolerable. One of the best songs here “Don The Suit,” is a Magical Mystery Tour era treat. The duo takes bits from different Beatles eras for “La La Love” with a touch of those DIY harmonies, that recall Chris Breetveld. “Mr. Travers” has a killer riff and structure, similar to “Day Tripper” and makes it easy to enjoy. Other tracks get a bit dodgy, as “All His Falling Downs” which plays off-sync until the wonderful chorus, in a clear nod to XTC. But for every miss, there are at least two charming tracks, for example “Norwegian Friend” guitar and piano recall Emmitt Rhodes. Some songs are clearly demos, and some are fun experiments (“Every Single Day”) that would be real gems if taken to the next level. If you noted all the bands I referenced then you’ll find this album is worth inclusion on your playlist.

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Starbelly genius, Dennis Schocket released a solo album last year, and it’s as good as you think it is. “The Cinderblock Mansion” is power pop with an alt. country flavor, that crosses the genre a bit like Wilco’s “Summerteeth” did. With an assist from Myracle Brah’s Andy Bopp, and he starts with the rootys Stones-like “Lovesick Blue” and the very Tom Pettyesque “About the Girl” with a relaxed guitar strum and melodic narrative straight out of “Full Moon Fever”. But the alt-country vibe doesn’t dominate the album and the jangle of “Another Perfect Breakup Song” is a nice highlight. By the time we get to “Breathe” we start to move into a more Wilburys’ styled pop song that has a sweet hook. Then the wicked bluesy opening of the guitars in “Tangerine Scene” gets slightly into a Beatlesque honky tonk and it’s one of my favorites here. The “Girl of the Year” is one of the best singles you’ll hear, with nice multi-tracked harmony in the chorus and descending baselines which recall former band mate Cliff Hillis. Not a bad track is to be found on the album, from the bouncy alt. country pop of “Ghosts” to the sing-a-long tamborine and guitar gem “Unified” – everything is good here. It could’ve made my top ten last year (if I found it then). Fans of the above mentioned bands, and fans of The Jayhawks or Old 97’s may want to give it a try too.

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