The Martial Arts Archives

May singles and more: The Martial Arts, Speedfossil, Goodman, Vanilla, Sad About Girls, The Fuzzy Berries

May 4, 2024May 4, 2024 powerpopaholic

The Martial Arts‘ new album, is due in August of this year. The Martial Arts is Paul Kelly, who for over 15 years has been a mainstay of the Scottish music scene as a member of BMX Bandits (nice pedigree). “No Victory” is the first big single. Speedfossil is also back with a cool EP, all good songs, so check out “Magic Trick.” NYC’s own Goodman also returns with a new single, “Only Testimony,” from his 7th album. Vanilla continues to grow Pish Posh, and I enjoyed the yacht rock groove of “She Loves Me Not.” Another crunchy EP is Sad About Girls, check out the Keith Moon drum rolls on the epic “As Another Minute Passes By,” Finally, Melbourne kids The Fuzzy Berries will simply charm you with those melodies. Listen to “Clarence In Wonderland.” A great start to May!

Ho-Ho-Holiday Music: It’s beginning to look a lot like…

December 17, 2022December 24, 2022 powerpopaholic

Well… here we go again. Enjoy the sounds while we countdown the days until the new year and my year-end top 10 list. I have several more reviews to post and of course, brand-new Christmas music. I made an exception with The Minus 5, but everything else here is new. Both Vista Blue and The Happy Somethings are a “name-your-price” download. Enjoy!

May EPs: The Martial Arts, Cliff Hillis, Dropkick, Old Town Crier, Joe Dilillo

May 12, 2021May 12, 2021 powerpopaholic

The quirky under-rated Martial Arts does what it does best. Brilliant modern pop in “Guilt By Association” and “Bethany” with memorable choruses, and “The Wild Humdrum” is a Sparks-like gem that is just too much fun. Cliff Hillis gathered his “Brunch Sessions” inspired by this past year of social distanced shows, and I just love the acoustic version of Nik Kershaw’s “Wouldn’t It Be Good.” So UK band Dropkick has been super busy this year, dropping a Greatest Hits LP, and releasing expanded editions of their first 2 LPs. A FREE sample of “Obvious” is here for you to pick up. Old Town Crier aka Jim Lough makes us an old-fashioned blues pop EP; “Don’t Go” is a keeper. Unsung heroes are what power pop celebrates, and we should celebrate long-time producer-engineer Joe Dilillo coming from behind the soundboard to the microphone with “Loser Girl,” a great ballad with help from the Lickerish Quartet. More details on Joe at 50thirdand3rd.

<a href="https://themartialarts.bandcamp.com/album/getting-stranger-by-the-month">Getting Stranger By The Month by The Martial Arts</a>

<a href="https://cliffhillis.bandcamp.com/album/the-brunch-sessions">The Brunch Sessions by Cliff Hillis</a>

<a href="https://dropkickmusic.bandcamp.com/album/obvious-2021-version-mini-album">Obvious (2021 Version Mini Album) by Dropkick</a>

<a href="https://oldtowncrier.bandcamp.com/album/im-longing-for-you-honey-in-middleboro-mass">I’m Longing for You Honey in Middleboro, Mass by Old Town Crier</a>

More Xmas Presents: Another Sleigh-load of Holiday Singles and More!

December 13, 2020December 13, 2020 powerpopaholic

Wow! The space under the tree is just packed now. Notable goodies include a full album of music inspired by the classic A Christmas Story by Ralphie’s Red Ryders (a regular contributor to our pages under a new pseudonym) and our annual single by The Slingsby Hornets. Nick Lowe adds his Christmas standards and The Martial Arts do a fine job – check out the brilliant original “Snow Flakes.” Add to this The Decibels, John Dunbar, Stop Calling Me Frank, and The Heatwaves and you’ve got another great holiday mixtape!

EP Reviews: The Seven and Six, Vista Blue, Dogmatics, Nick Bertling, The Martial Arts

November 19, 2019November 19, 2019 powerpopaholic

The Seven and Six is a new band with the ever-talented Lisa Mychols and Tom Richards. This is great power pop with a beat you can dance to. This is Mychols in her natural habitat, each song hits the right notes, kicks ass and with its upbeat tempos, it’s super highly recommended.
<a href="http://thesevenandsix.bandcamp.com/album/ep-1" class="broken_link" rel="nofollow">ep#1 by The Seven and Six</a>

Vista Blue dials back its natural punk influences and turns up the Beach Boys-inspired power-pop tendencies. “Summer Wonderland” is a sweet single with some great harmonies and the other tracks are a cut above the usual seasonal music. Get this one now! Available at Amazon

<a href="http://wearevistablue.bandcamp.com/album/hit-the-floor">Hit the Floor! by Vista Blue</a>

The Dogmatics is a more traditional garage rock and roll band from Boston thanks to our buddies at Rum Bar Records. Fans of The Replacements or The Johnny Thunders will dig this one. And who else will write a song about the current United States Secretary of Commerce? Also available at Amazon.

<a href="http://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/shes-the-one">She’s the One by Dogmatics</a>

Nick Bertling made this faithful group of Monkee cover tunes in honor of the late Peter Tork. It even has a cover of a Kellog’s jingle! Not an EP, but a labor of love and it’s a great FREE download.

<a href="http://bertlingnoiselaboratories.bandcamp.com/album/the-frodis-tape" class="broken_link" rel="nofollow">The Frodis Tape by bertling noise laboratories</a>

The new EP from The Martial Arts (aka Paul Kelly) is a quirky pop romp that is both catchy and idiosyncratic. The other songs are just as infectious and melodic. Get it on Amazon.