Halloween Treats: Toni Cornell, Mo Troper, The Rallies, Dazy, Shake Some Action, Vista Blue


These treats are so sweet! An aquatic mermaid lair, fairy wings, a candlelit room filled with potions, and a pet lion are just a few of the fantastical aspects that add to the whimsical storyline of the “Campari” music video from popster Toni Cornell. Everyone’s favorite DIY bedroom pop producer Mo Troper is back, and you have “The Best Seat In The House” to this bouncy power pop gem. Seattle’s The Rallies compile some of their newest singles, please listen to my fave, “I Believe.” Another excellent modern power pop band Dazy has an excellent EP ready, and ‘Bad Penny’ doesn’t have a bad song, really! Another real sweet gem here is the return of the mod-influenced Shake Some Action and you are ‘Running Out of Place To Run’ so you may as well enjoy these excellent tunes.Finally, the ever lovin’ Vista Blue. This new freebie single fits today’s theme, but the band has a great tradition of baseball themed EPs, and the new one The Shift Is Dead’ is a fun soundtrack to this year’s World Series. Enjoy the sugar rush, kiddies!




The last of the Christmas Music: CokeRoque, Dan Miraldi, Shake Some Action, James Clark Institute, Sunturns, Pigeon Club, The Krayolas

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. My top 25 of 2024 is due to post January 4, 2025, so stay tuned!






Halloween, here and gone! Otonoke, Shake Some Action, Barbara, 20/20, Black Flamingos


Maybe I went a little overboard with these holiday posts. Oh well — in the spirit of cosplay, check out the video for my new favorite anime Dan Da Dan. The song by Japan’s Otonoke isn’t power pop, but it’s frantic and catchy. See how many anime characters you recognize in the video!
On a serious note, Shake Some Action! leans harder into it’s recent retro sound on the new EP Chase The Light. Solid rock and roll that’s just timeless, so check it out. Brothers John and Henry Tydeman are known as Barbara and they’ve got the grand pop harmonies down pat on Happy Days! EP, and melodies as sweet as candy corn! Another treat is the return of power pop legends 20/20; original members Steve Allen (vocals, guitar) and Ron Flynt (bass, vocals) return older and wiser on “Back to California.” Finally we actually has some real Halloween music, courtesy of Black Flamingos. What’s the Cryptkeeper’s favorite type of comedy? Deadpan humor! Have a fun night, boys and ghouls!



Mid August EPs and singles: Cliff Hillis & Dennis Schocket, The Laissez Fairs, Jamie Turner, Sorry Monks, Scott Roberts, Shake Some Action!


It is a joy to hear Cliff Hillis and Dennis Schocket play for “fun” and deliver this amazing new EP. Every single song is a gem and deserves a space on your playlist. While summer is still here, check out the retro-fuzz of The Laissez Fairs, “Living in The Summer,” and the song “Idiot Proof.” Speaking of retro-sounding new artists, Jamie Turner has popped out another single “Hum Drum” that sounds like a lost Beatles single from 1968. The bedroom pop of Sorry Monks has been hit or miss for me, but he scores on “Young Man.” Scott Roberts reached out to me with his music, and I enjoyed the Big Star-like “After We Go.” Finally Shake Some Action! gives us another echoing single “Spend Your Days In The Sunshine.” Good advice for the remainder of August.






Hot Summer singles and EPs: The Martial Arts, The Shang Hi Los, The Mediocre Friends, Teenage Tom Petties, Bad Moves, Shake Some Action!

A cool new video for The Martial Arts (aka Paul Kelly) for the single “Exploding Crushing Inevitable” from his upcoming album ‘In There Like Swimwear.’ It’s tough not to love The Shang Hi Los, with its bouncy rocker “Op-Operator” they continue the party with, “Morganatic Panic,” proving these guys have a big hit album in the making. Remember Gay Elvis from Readymade Breakup? Well, he has a new project, The Mediocre Friends and it’s the opposite of mediocre. Plus, it’s a freebie! I also enjoyed “Kissed Me in Seattle,” by Teenage Tom Petties, with its catchy fuzzy melody, it sounds like a keeper. Two bands I follow are back; Bad Moves has a new album coming out, and Shake Some Action! gives us a great-sounding EP with a crisper retro sound. Check out “I Want You,” and pick this gem up today!