👉 Album review here,
If you care about power pop, and classic rock energy this one is worth your time.
Dublin born Conor Lumsden has always chased the perfect pop moment. With The Number Ones, he built a tight unit where every member mattered and every song snapped into place. Now with Music City, he steps out on his own and swings for something extra special.‘Welcome to Music City’ took six years to finish. What started in Dublin stretched to New York, London, and even Konk Studios, once home to The Kinks.
“It’s Alright” is a bouncy pop melody that sets the mood and sets the blueprint up. A great hook, glittering chorus, and lean lyrics that stick after one spin. “When The Day Comes By” and “Do I?” feature clean melodic rock without any bloated production, or studio trickery. And the shimmering harmonies on “Little Favour,” and tight “Pretty Feelings” show that Conor’s influences include Big Star, and several other 70s bands without sounding like an homage. No filler here at all, and “Common Sense” leans into T-Rex styled glam, with jagged riffs, catchy chorus and the addition of vocalist Tina Halladay. Granted some songs are almost “too pretty” like the dream-like “Autumn Song,” with its wall of backing vocals and jangle. Overall a great debut, and Highly Recommended.
This is a bit off the beaten path, but Brighton, UK band Congratulations has various musical styles, creating a fun and energetic sound. While it defies genre definition, its got plenty of catchy hooks and rhythmic rock. The opener “Nevergonna” has lots of danceable funk, and lead singer Leah Stanhope fearlessly runs from Madonna-like coos to Gwen Stefani shouts, all while the chaos swirls around her.
“Fought 4 Love” has a wicked glam riff that dares you it stand still, blending 80s pop with a chorus that plants itself in your brain for days. “This Life” and “Dr. Doctor” both have electro-pop-funk that mixes Prince and Devo together almost seamlessly. What keeps it together are those hooks. No matter how far they stretch, they circle back to melody (most of the time.) The middle of the album goes off the deep end a few times. “Hollywood Swingers” shifts all over the place, it’s so quirky and loud it can’t be ignored. If you have a spirit of adventure, check this fun album out.
The winds are getting colder. And I’m almost another year older. So let’s open up the presents early. Firstly, The Lemon Twigs are always a great stocking stuffer with the new singles “I’ve Got A Broken Heart” and the garage rocker “Friday (I’m Gonna Love You)” full of joyous “na na nas.” Next, a very child-like response to a Scrooge by The Hilken and Melissa Band with acclaimed singer Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo) on “What’s So Bad About Christmas” and the garage rock of Boston’s premier all-female rock cover band, The Other Girls singing “I’m Not Getting Anything for Christmas.” Both are great new Xmas originals!
The Supernaturals are on their third Christmas EP, the keeper here is “I Won’t Let You Down This Xmas.” But for some anthemic Xmas pop punk, check out Greg Antista and the Lonely Streets. Another treat is The Krayolas, and Beach Boys fans will love “Giddy-up Santa.” Perfecto! But for the pissed off among us, Geoff Palmer delivers his Xmas sneer with “Merry Christmas I Fucked Your Snowman.” But I couldn’t end this with such piss and vinegar. So take a deep breath, and listen to the excellence of Music City’s “Only Home For Christmas.” And the best gift is the band has a new LP cooking for 2026.