Tag: Wifey

September Singles and EPs: The Mayflowers, The Gnomes, Birds Streets, Chris Richards and the Subtractions, The Cle Elum, Wifey

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With September we go back to school, old school that is. Kyoto Japan’s power pop rockers The Mayflowers are back in a big way. For the first time in over four years, their new song “I’m a Soldier” entails confronting oneself, disease, and despair. Really excited for the old school charm of The Gnomes. The new single “I’ll Be There” is a loaded with Beatlesque harmonies with a touch of punk rhythm to those “Yeah, yeah, yeahs.” Another welcome return is John Brodeur’s third full-length as Bird Streets and the great Jason Falkner  is back too, so check out “Mistaker.” The ’80s band Game Theory left it’s mark on many bands and fans, and Chris Richards and the Subtractions is one of them. Listen to this cool cover of “Make Any Vows.” After a pause, The Cle Elum has a bit of advice to “fake it till you make it” with the new single “Something In The Water.” Next, NYC’s own power poppers Wifey have anew LP coming soon, and lead singer/songwriter Teddy Gray sums it up best; “If modern songwriters would stop trying to write their “Desolation Row” and aimed for “Stacy’s Mom” instead, I think we’d all be a lot happier. Our eardrums would be, at least.” Amen, brother.






Late July: Wifey, The Junipers, The Glad Machine, Joy Buzzer, The Chesterfield Kings, Cherry Fez

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A lot is going on this month. The Brooklyn power pop band Wifey is one of the best-kept secret cool bands. They performed their new single “DiMaggio” at The Broadway (thanks to Steven Korn for the video). Bands that have been quiet for a while have new material, like The Junipers‘ “Annie Almond,” which sounds very much in the mold of the Euphonious Trolley EP, one of my favorite recordings from this band. Plus, after last year’s top-ten EP, The Glad Machine is back with a new single, “So High.” It’s a catchy gem that weaves guitars and harmonies together really well. Next, Joy Buzzer an up-and-coming band that was often seen at IPO last year, is back, with a rocking single “You’d Be Suprised.” And I’m not surprised — that they got signed by Wicked Cool Records. New Jersey veteran rockers The Chesterfield Kings also return with “Fly The Astral Plane,” a groovy throwback to the late 1960s. Finally, Cherry Fez is “Superexcited,” to deliver this new single, and I’m impressed with the combination of pensive vocals and frantic percussion – a great single all around. So much good music. So little time. Enjoy!





Retro-feelin’ Singles: Frank Royster, Bryan Estepa, Super 8, Jamie Turner, Solitary Bee, Wifey

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Retro influences are all around. It’s been a long time since I heard from Frank Royster, and this song is great. It’s a perfect mix of Beach Boys-Beatles with gorgeous chord shifts. Love it! I can’t wait for the album! Another winner channeling the past is Bryan Estepa. “Is There Anybody There?” is a beautiful single that recalls yacht rock classics. Super 8 delivers a little sunshine pop with “Keep Doing It” from his upcoming album. Jamie Turner turns back the clock a little further with “Ordinary Song.” The boys from It’s Karma It’s Cool have a side pop project called Solitary Bee with an early ’80s feel. It’s not all soft sounds, as Wifey channels ’90s rockers like Bowling For Soup, with the freebie “Mary Ann leaves the Band.” Enjoy!