Tag: Kurt Baker

More May singles: The Bayonets, The Well Wishers, The Lolas, Scoopski, Kurt Baker

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Brian Ray (Paul McCartney) is back with his old-school band The Bayonets. He let loose with his newest video, maybe more suited for Halloween (whatever) but it’s got a nice hook. The reliable Well Wishers are also back with the dense “So Important” and The Lolas have a great single here with “Trick Myself,” one of their best IMHO. Scoopski has a quirky single, like Green Day without the guitars or Billy Joe’s snarl. Honestly, check out the catchier “Double” that came out earlier. Finally, Kurt Baker returns to true form (minus the hair) for “Secrets,” and it’s no secret that Kurt is one of the top power poppers out there. More music to comb through each week, my review pile is growing at a furious clip, so stay tuned.


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Late-July EPs and more: Sloan, Richard Turgeon, Kurt Baker, Sunshine Boys, Geoff Palmer, The Happy Somethings

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Celebrating the fact that Sloan has a new album due out in October, we get the single “Spend The Day” to whet our appetites. What a prolific band, and speaking of prolific, Richard Turgeon has a sweet new EP Rough Around The Edges, check out the riffage on “I Never Loved You,” a classic power pop-sounding gem. The dense grunge-like rhythms are in contrast to the crisp re-released and remastered Kurt Baker solo Brand New Beat. This is without a doubt my favorite of his albums, and every song is top shelf, plus a boat-load of extra tracks (a total of 26) – so worth it.

Sad to say, but The Sunshine Boys are calling it quits, the trio leaves us with a pair of great tunes, both “Underwater” and “The Beginning.” If you want more buzz in your riffs, Geoff Palmer (The Connection) fits your needs perfectly. The FREEBIE this time is the lovely unpolished harmonies of The Happy Somethings from the UK. Great jangling happy melodies, full of irony guaranteed to brighten your day.

Hank Idory and more Spanish Power Pop

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Hank Idory
Spain has always been a hotbed of power pop, even Kurt Baker set up residence there. One of my favorite Spanish language power pop artists is Hank Idory, and he returns with a Sentimental Jamboree. The gorgeous chord shifts in “Nadie Sabe Nada” (“Nobody Knows Anything”) is a ballad that will move you even if you don’t know the language. Officially releases in January 2022.

Here is a playlist that features my favorite power pop en español. If you don’t see an artist that belongs here, just let me know and I will add it. Over 600 songs! Sin inglés. ¡Solo en español, por favor!

October EPs: Bryan Estepa, Four By Four, The Small Breed, Kurt Baker, Drew Beskin and more

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Great new music – Bryan Estepa teased us with the single “Back To The Middle” and now the entire EP is here, and it’s all killer, no filler – tasty bittersweet pop. The Pre-Amps of Madrid, Spain bring the bright pop with harmonies and horns on “Four By Four,” its classic Byrds/Beatles influences played to perfection. But if you really want to go retro, check out The Small Breed in the tradition of New Colony Six. Meanwhile, Kurt Baker is back from Spain and has been releasing a group of singles (which together make a great EP) that proves he hasn’t lost his power-pop chops. Drew Beskin released a terrific LP this past summer, and now he’s got some excellent Halloween singles too. Speaking of October, it leads to a great freebie – Rum Bar Records newest sampler. Like Halloween candy, it’s sweet, crunchy, and maybe has a razor blade hidden in it 😜 .



September Singles: Ward White, Kurt Baker, It’s Karma It’s Cool, Death Party Playground, Bryan Estepa, Mom, The Well Wishers

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With the fall comes a brand-new premiere single “Dirty Clouds” from LA crooner Ward White, from his upcoming album The Tender Age. The gentle chords give way to space-themed resignation assisted by a terrific guitar break. Kurt Baker is also back with a tight pop track that reminds me a bit of Rick Springfield, meanwhile, It’s Karma It’s Cool gives us a frantic vocal and crunchy punk guitar on “Coffee Cup Circles.” If you love that old-school ’70s rock then check out Death Party Playground, but if you crave a more singer-songwriter vibe, you can’t get much better than Bryan Estepa. Swedish band Mom gives us a nice freebie; a collection of covers and a highlight is Marshall Crenshaw’s “There She Goes Again.” Finally, Jeff Shelton (The Well Wishers) donates his guitar crunchiness to California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund for this sweet track, a worthy song for a worthy cause.