Singles and Freebies: The Empty Hearts, Ex-Norwegian, Kai Danzberg, Chris Catalyst, Richard Turgeon, Rozwell Kid and the TM Collective

What can I say? The Empty Hearts are a kick-ass power pop band and they’ve got a Beatle on the skins for this nostalgic look back. It’s awesome to see Ringo here, but I liked the B-side “Tell Me Reasons Why” even better. Can’t wait for the album!

Ex-Norwegian is back after his greatest hits LP from last year, and we’ve got this sweet marching tune to chew on.

Kai Danzberg is joined by Drake Bell on this slick pop tune. It’s got some nice orchestration, a cool guitar break and worth a listen. Maybe it’s part of an upcoming album?

UK musician Chris Catalyst gives us a good example of teenage angst played into a positive theme that is really catchy. “Happy” will make you smile for sure, and its a FREE download.

Richard Turgeon gets into Jackson Browne territory with this mid-tempo guitar song. Another FREE download, and totally worth it.

Rozwell Kid is more punk-pop, check out the Weezer-like “Letterman” is loaded with melodic fuzz and  “Let The Spider Chill” is cool and the brilliant closer “Dr. Doom” is another winner. This EP is a FREE download.

Atlanta based TM Collective has been creating a lot of cover albums over the past few years, just a group of musicians getting together to sing and play favorite artists and soundtracks from Devo, Amy Winehouse, to Rocky Horror. The Beach Boys tribute caught my eye and its got plenty of charm. A big FREE download — explore the band’s catalog!

Singles: The Vinyl Skyway, Vanilla, My Little Hum, Rozwell Kid, The Inside Passenger, Joe Kane, Andrew Stonehome, The Hangabouts

Holy Cow! There is a bumper crop of great music here. Let’s dive right in… 

Boston band The Vinyl Skyway dazzles with this excellent single. Songwriters Andy Santospago and Michael Hayes know how to hook you with their harmonies and minor chord shifts. Worth multiple repeats!

The band Vanilla follows up from its smart LP Mystik Knights of Tacoma with this horn-filled gem that about a tree fort that is either an emotional security blanket or the ultimate man cave.

My Little Hum is husband and wife duo Dan Jewett (guitars/bass) and Yuri Jewett (vocals/keyboards). They do a great job here with a strong jangling melody and Yuri’s sweet vocal harmonies are comparable to Karla Kane. Part of the upcoming album Pioneer. Check it out!

Rozwell Kid delivers a quirky punk song that just stuck with me. It’s a FREE download that starts out quiet and then breaks out (Hey, maybe Rolling Stone will pay attention?) Lyric video here.

The Inside Passenger is a new musical project from fan-favorite Cliff Hillis. It’s definitely a different style; Melancholy pop music made for late nights.

Glasgow treasure Joe Kane (Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab, The Owsley Sunshine, BMX Bandits) has put together these little glammy, fabby singles with those Ringo-like drum fills and Lennon-like vocal noodling. So much fun it will stick fast! “If you love your booty clap your hands..” Love it!

Andrew Stonehome is a songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist from North Dakota. He deserves your attention for this excellent power-pop single. Album coming next year.

Detroit’s The Hangabouts are also working on something new! You can hear some Elvis Costello influence here, and it’s a true gem with a soulful guitar break midway through. Keep your eyes and ears out for a new LP soon!