Bob Bonfigio returns with a really strong single, and I know an album review isn’t far behind. Next we have
Tamarack, an indie pop band from Michigan, and it’s a freebie. Well they reference Alex Chilton on “Everything You’ve Heard,” so it gets bonus points in my book. It’s also got lots of lo-fi charm and harmonies.
Gooey Cookie is a melodic punk grunge outfit, and I really liked “Bored to Tears” and “Wired Weird.” Next a high energy freebie from
Friends of Cesar Romero, as part of a trilogy of albums for 2026, so far. These guys are super prolific! Next,
The Linda Lindas do a Ramones version of an old cover “California Sun,” originally a hit by
The Rivieras in 1963. And finally a special thanks to Joe Giddings for turning me on to this rare slice of 1970s pop, “Move Closer to Your World” by
Al Ham. This iconic anthem was created by the same team that gave you the
“Buy the World a Coke” commercial at the time. Young adults can look at the last episode of “Mad Men” for the reference.