Kid Gulliver - "Carousel"

 

What a year it has been for Simone Berk! Already she has co-written and sung lead on WhistleStop Rock's single "Queen of the Drive-In", recorded an extraordinary version of "He Knows I Love Him Too Much" for the Goffin & King Foundation ISO BOOTH Cover Competition (she won!), and released a couple of tremendous singles with her power pop band Kid Gulliver. Now we can add a new Kid Gulliver music video to all of this excitement. "Carousel" was originally released in 2018 as part of Kid Gulliver's SPREE EP. The band decided to bring it back this fall as its latest single, and a brand-new video has been produced for the occasion. On the heels of the more straight-forward power pop of "Susie Survived Chemotherapy" and "i wanna be a pop star", "Carousel" is a dreamy and quite beautiful number. I love how the pretty melodies and tenderness of Berk's vocal only heighten the melancholy of David Armillotti's lyrics. The contrast between childhood innocence and adult disillusionment is a timeless theme in art, and here Kid Gulliver explores it in a moving and compelling way. It's a dandy little pop song that absolutely merited a rebirth in 2020. If you like what you hear, I recommend checking out the full EP!

-L.R.

https://kidgulliver1.bandcamp.com/track/carousel
https://www.facebook.com/kidgulliver/
http://www.kidgulliver.com/

Muck and the Mires - Take Me Back To Planet Earth

Don't call it a concept album, but Take Me Back To Planet Earth sure finds Muck and the Mires affected by the world we're living in right now. This mini-album was written while all the band members were under lockdown and coping with the frustration of not being able to play shows and entertain live crowds. With nothing else to do, Muck and the gang opted to go the 1967 Beatles route and become a studio band! So they wrote six brand-new songs, which they were eventually able to record at Q-Division Studios in Boston with Matthew Tahaney. The tapes were then shipped off to the legendary Jim Diamond, who proceeded to work his mixing and mastering magic. And so here we are! 

Out now on Rum Bar Records, Take Me Back To Planet Earth is a vintage Muck and the Mires high energy garage rock and roll pop extravaganza. It was originally intended to lean in a power pop direction. But as these songs came to life, the band's love for the British Invasion and '60s garage rock ultimately prevailed. If these guys had the COVID blues, they sure didn't allow that to subdue their spirit. This is a super-fun collection of upbeat numbers that will have you dancing around the house and looking forward to the day when you can experience these songs live in the company of other human beings. Lyrically, Muck and the Mires have never been more topical. While not specifically inspired by the pandemic, the title track is about feeling alienated from the modern world and longing for simpler times. Similarly, "Six O'Clock Baby" explores technology addiction and the decline of real social interaction. Elsewhere, the band opines on the strange nature of modern love with the companion pieces "She Blocked My Number" and "Zoom Breakup". While these songs could not be more of a soundtrack to our present moment, I have a feeling that they will be very relevant well beyond 2020. Imagine a person from 30 or even 15 years ago time traveling to today and witnessing a world where relationships can be canceled with one touch on a smartphone and people gather in groups to stare at their screens individually. They probably would think they were on a different planet! 

While a few of  its songs do say profound things about modern-day society, Muck and the Mires have approached Take Me Back To Planet Earth with a sense of humor (that cover art is a hoot!) and their usual commitment to making music that is meant to be thoroughly enjoyed. This isn't serious stuff. This is rock and roll, and it's absolutely great! Familiarize yourself with these songs now and be prepared to dance and sing along when it's finally safe to go out and see bands again. You know that when Muck and the Mires return to the stage, people are gonna go nuts!

-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/take-me-back-to-planet-earth
https://muckandthemires.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords
http://www.muckandthemires.com/
https://www.facebook.com/muckandthemires

Nerve Button - Volume 2

So if you're not yet hip to maritime sham glam, now is an opportune time to become so. By next year, it will be passé after it becomes the official soundtrack of the QMJHL bubble. Moncton, New Brunswick based goon squad Nerve Button is back with its first album in four years and first new recordings since January of 2018. The album title Volume 2 makes it clear that Nerve Button is still Nerve Button. And thank the heavens for that. Just in case another band tries to claim that they invented maritime sham glam, Nerve Button has cemented the phrase as its intellectual property by making it the title of Volume 2's opening track. In a brilliant move, the band chose to make its signature song an instrumental. So what is maritime sham glam? To my ears, it's '77-style punk rock created under the influence of North American proto-punk and U.K. junkshop glam (and probably a few other things as well!). 

In very recent years, I've found my tastes in punk rock gravitating towards bands that don't take themselves at all seriously. I'm really into bands that are totally stupid, but in a smart sort of way. With that in mind, it all makes sense that a new Nerve Button album was exactly what I needed. I love the band's mix of a classic '77 sound and lyrics that fall into the tongue-in-cheek/of questionable taste/"That's so wrong!" category. Volume 2 is a super fun record full of dumb, obnoxious songs that ought to be played loud enough to irritate neighbors, passersby, spouses, and family pets. You can hear that throwback Canadian (by way of the U.K.) first wave sound on some tracks and a more overt glam influence on others ("Pink Jellybean", "Queen of the Tarts"). In a year in which angry and/or political punk music has been omnipresent (and not without good reason), songs about stolen underwear, getting sloshed, liking it "up the chuck", and the sound life philosophies that will keep you off of Dateline NBC are a welcome reprieve from all of the heavy seriousness of the moment. But while Nerve Button might like to goof around, its music is anything but a joke. Recorded live off the floor, Volume 2 is an absolute ripper of a record. The tunes are killer, and that guitar tone ought to be the envy of any garage/punk group. You may know some of these guys from famous infamous bands they've played in, but Nerve Button ought to be huge in its own right. Volume 2 is hands down the best punk rock album I've heard all year. Get it from Wanda Records!

  

-L.R.

https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/volume-2

https://nervebutton.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/nervebuttonband/

Geoff Palmer & Lucy Ellis - Your Face Is Weird

Hands down, my favorite song released this year is a cover of John Prine's "In Spite Of Ourselves" recorded by Geoff Palmer and Lucy Ellis. No matter how bleak life gets or how doomed this world seems to be, one listen to this recording always gives me a reason to smile. Palmer had been wanting to record this song for years, but it just never quite fit in with any of the records he was making. But once it became apparent that 2020 had been "canceled", Palmer reached out to his good friend Ellis and asked her if she would record "In Spite Of Ourselves" with him. She quickly said yes, and Palmer brought in his pal Zack Sprague to round out the band. In the wake of Prine's death from COVID-19 in April, the Geoff & Lucy version of "In Spite Of Ourselves" proved to be both an extraordinary tribute and a ray of hope in very dark times. Then came the delightful news that this was just the beginning of the Palmer and Ellis duets! 

"In Spite Of Ourselves" was originally intended to be one half of a single on Stardumb Records. But these two had so much fun collaborating on recording and chatting about music over Zoom happy hours that they decided to just keep going! Not knowing for sure if any labels would release it, they made an eight-song mini-album. Out today on Stardumb Records on 10" vinyl and Rum Bar Records on CD, Your Face Is Weird includes six covers and two original songs. The idea of these two individuals forming an intercontinental super duo is beyond exciting. They are two of my favorite people in music today. They both have roots in the pop-punk scene and have since grown into two of our finest modern-day creators of pure pop songs. What I love about this project is that these songs are not bound to any specific genre. The idea was for Palmer and Ellis to just record some songs they loved that would be fun to cover. They also wrote a couple of originals that perfectly fit the vibe of the album. 

If you're a fan of these two artists as I am, you surely had high hopes for Your Face Is Weird. Well I'm here to tell you: it more than lives up to expectations! The original number "SWIM" matches the pure delightfulness and joyful vibes of "In Spite Of Ourselves". It's a sweet pop song not too far removed from Lucy and the Rats - but with an obvious Geoff Palmer touch as well. In these cynical times, we need songs like this that bask in the wonders of falling deeply in love. It will warm my heart to no end if someone makes this their wedding song. That chorus ("Do that thing you do where you move slowly...") is nothing short of magical. It gives me the feels every single time! The other original "Crash" is a high-energy rocker reminiscent of the Beach Boys and first album era Connection. It's just so much fun. If Mike Love had sung co-lead on a Nikki and the Corvettes track, it would have sounded an awful lot like this! And with this album being three-quarters cover songs, it's fortunate that they're all terrific. Where else are songs by Kieran Kane, Blag Dahlia, Burt Bacharach, and Sam Cooke going to sound like they were meant to be on the same album? I love that these two weren't afraid to take on beloved songs that some people would probably consider untouchable. Seriously: no one will ever do "In Spite of Ourselves" better than John Prine and Iris DeMent. But Palmer and Ellis have come darn close, and in the process they've turned countless individuals into John Prine fans. And while Kirsty MacColl's "They Don't Know" is one of the most perfect pop songs ever written, Palmer and Ellis just might have made my second-favorite version ever (and that's no slight to The Speedways or Tracey Ullman!). How do you top Sam Cooke's "Having a Party"? Well, you don't. But if you're Geoff Palmer and Lucy Ellis, you work up a super fun version that essentially serves as a theme song for the entire album.

It can be hard to view the glass as half full (or even a quarter full) in a year like 2020. But when Geoff Palmer found himself with time to kill, a door opened to a duet with Lucy Ellis that quickly turned into a full-fledged musical partnership. Had 2020 gone a different way, this dream pairing of pop titans may have never occurred. As expected, these two sound great together. And Your Face Is Weird definitely gives you a taste of what those virtual happy hours were like! To wish for a sequel seems a little greedy, so I'll just focus on enjoying one of this year's true feelgood albums. Vinyl is available in Europe from Stardumb Records and in the USA from The Machine Shop. You can also get the CD from Rum Bar Records  and the cassette from Memorable But Not Honorable!

-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/your-face-is-weird
https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/your-face-is-weird
https://mbnh.bandcamp.com/
https://www.stardumbrecords.com/products/geoff-palmer-lucy-ellis-your-face-is-weird-10
http://www.themachineshoprocks.com/Geoff_Palmer_Lucy_Ellis_Your_Face_is_Weird_10_p/epgeofflucy.htm
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/
https://www.instagram.com/geoff_palmer/
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords
https://www.facebook.com/stardumbrecords/

The Beatersband - Vol Due

The Beatersband out of Italy operates under a cool concept. Formed in 2018, this trio aims to modernize the vocal music of the '50s and '60s by re-arranging it in a punk/pop/rock and roll style. In its choice of covers, the band especially emphasizes the rock and roll, girl groups, and doo wop music of the pre British Invasion years (1955-63). On its first release last year, the band produced a lively set of covers of Ritchie Valens, The Crystals, The Ronettes, Paul Anka, Bobby Freeman, and Elvis. Now The Beatersband are back with a second volume of covers. This time, the group tackles such songs as the Goffin & King/Shirelles classic "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", Neil Sedaka's 1960 smash "Calendar Girl", the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby", and The Chantels' early girl group favorite "Maybe". Expanding their repertoire from just American music, The Beatersband also take on 1960s European hits by i Ribelli and Francoise Hardy as well the folk standard "If I Had A Hammer" in the style of Rita Pavone's cover version. I don't think I've ever reviewed a cover band before, but I really love the idea of this band and the way it's executed. Singer/guitarist Donatella Guida has a lovely, appealing voice. And while all of these songs have been given fresh arrangements, they retain the soul of the original versions. Whether you're into punk rock and roll or just plain rock and roll, you are sure to enjoy The Beatersband. I mean, come on: who doesn't love oldies?!

 

-L.R.

https://thebeatersbandvintagepunkrocknroll.bandcamp.com/album/vol-due

https://www.facebook.com/thebeatersvintagepunkrocknroll/

https://www.instagram.com/thebeatersband/

Heap - EP

The mighty Heap returns! Legends of New York City punk rock and roll since the mid-'90s, Heap have a new self-titled EP out on Rave On Records. Produced by Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, this three-songer is truly all hits and no shit! On this collection of tunes, Tim Heap shows why he's the patron saint of fuck-ups, beautiful losers, tough luck cases, and perpetual outcasts everywhere. This man is one of the most underrated songwriters out there. He continues to combine boozy rock and roll a la Johnny Thunders, The Replacements, and the Dogmatics with a clever, insightful, and devastatingly funny lyrical vision. "No Mas" is of course inspired by the famous Roberto Duran quote. On this trashy rock and roll meets power pop number, Heap reflects on "things that used to be that aren't anymore". Lyrics like "I've never been the right amount of drunk...or punk" are truly classic Heap! "Renting" is literally about renting - and figuratively about how we're all fighting an uphill battle until the day we die. Who can't relate to that? The high-energy rocker "You Remind Me of Me" is one of those "it's funny because it's true" type songs - exploring how we often take an immediate dislike to people who remind us of the worst parts of ourselves. "You remind me of me...when I'm being an asshole" has to be the line of the year! 

It has been a number of years since Heap released new music, and clearly the band had some great material stockpiled for this new release. Any of these three songs could have been an A-side in its own right.  Together, these tracks form an absolutely unstoppable release. Tim Heap has written a trio of profound songs touching on the universal themes of impermanence and self-loathing. And as always, he and his band mates (George Chambers on lead guitar, Paul Koenigsberg on bass, and Frank Saitta on drums) demonstrate how to play rock and roll with hooks and heart. If this EP leaves you wanting more, head on over to Bandcamp and dig into the classic Heap long players Don't Call Us We Already Broke Up and Heap on the Cheap!

-L.R.

https://heapnyc.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HEAPnyc
https://raveonrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RaveOnRecordsRock

Field Day - "Everything, Everyone"/"The Next Day"

Out today from Boston foursome Field Day, "Everything, Everyone"/"The Next Day" is essentially a pair of singles released on one 45. Field Day features former Boston Globe rock critic Joan Anderman and her longtime colleague Dan Zedek on guitar and vocals. As you might expect, this duo's songwriting and musical aesthetic bring to mind the classic indie rock of '80s and '90s Boston. These new songs were recorded at Boston's Q Division studios with Rafi Sofer. What makes this such an appealing release is that the two tracks are so different from each other. 

"Everything, Everyone", featuring Anderman and Zedek on dual vocals, has a warm, jangly feel to it that I would describe as textbook indie pop. I like that the song is on the mellow side but still packs a solid punch. Anderman and Zedek are a likable pairing on vocals, and the lead guitar on the track is absolutely dazzling. If you fondly recall late '80s/early '90s college radio, you need this song in your digital collection. "The Next Day", featuring Anderman on lead vocals, proceeds in a darker, more mysterious direction. The band achieves an extraordinary tone on this slow-burning rocker. The song is cool, elegant, and haunting all at the same time. I love the way the hard-striking bass lines and angular guitars support Anderman's captivating vocals and lyrics. I've been completely fascinated by this song - hanging on every word and taking it in as if it's a short film or story. I could not be more impressed. "The Next Day" is a true work of art. At no point could I just casually hear it in the background. I'm compelled to immerse myself in it. 

"Everything, Everyone"/"The Next Day" is that rare pairing of four minute+ songs that don't drag. Each track unfolds into a beautifully developed work of passionate & literate rock. These tracks are being released as a limited-edition 7" record on Light of Day Records. They're also available via the usual streaming platforms. If you like what you hear, be sure to also check out Field Day's three excellent EPs via Bandcamp!

-L.R.

https://fielddaymusic.bandcamp.com/album/everything-everyone-the-next-day
https://www.facebook.com/fielddayboston
http://www.fielddaymusic.com/

The Bookends - Calliope

Out today on the legendary and iconic JEM Records, Calliope is the fantastic second album from American garage rock duo The Bookends. Karen Lynn (vocals, guitar) & Sharon Lee (vocals/bass/keyboards) have a special kind of chemistry. They are first cousins and have been inseparable since birth - hence the lifelong nickname "The Bookends". As the band The Bookends, Karen & Sharon blend their voices beautifully and dig deep into their shared affection for 1960s pop music. The 14-track Calliope was designed to be uplifting and exuberant - a veritable amusement ride for the soul. This is music that makes you feel good, and the absolute joy that went into this album's creation is apparent at all points. Musically, these songs touch on everything from the British Invasion to '60s garage rock to power pop to psychedelic rock. Evocative of amusement park fun and child-like wonderment, the title track demonstrates how to make a Beatles influence feel new and exciting in 2020. Listening to the bright and energetic "Face The Facts",  I can't help picturing The Bookends performing on a '60s TV show. "Stop Right There" is flawless 1970s-style power pop, while "Keep Keeping On" will have you merrily dancing around the house all night. Bursting with melodies and harmonies, "Make It Alright" and "Got To Tell You" are the blasts of sonic sunshine I truly needed at this moment in human existence. "She's Got It" sounds like it was lifted from the soundtrack of a '60s spy thriller. The radiant and symphonic "World" brings this ride to a blissful conclusion. It's not lost on me that "Calliope" and "World" are meant to bookend (no pun intended!) the upbeat and hook-laden rock and roll of the 12 tracks in between. The former is a tone-setter for an album that's sure to lift your spirits. The latter is like a warm summer breeze that comes upon you and assures you that everything is going to be alright. I always love an album that ends in such a way that I want to go back and listen to the whole thing again! 

Calliope is a swinging success on all fronts. The harmonized vocals of Karen & Sharon, the album's feature attraction, are everything you would expect and then some. The songs are consistently spectacular. The musicianship (kudos to session players Buck Ellis, Ward Reeder, Larry Alvarez, and Frank Labor!) is top-notch. And the production is what all garage rock/power pop releases should aspire to. You could spend all day picking out the influences, which The Bookends wear on their sleeves. But even with its distinctive '60s flavor, Calliope is by no means an album limited to "retro" enthusiasts. The Bookends have given us a fresh take on timeless sounds, and each listen only delights me more. Pop people and garage rock enthusiasts, here's one for all of you all! 

-L.R.

https://www.facebook.com/thebookends2/
http://www.jemrecordings.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Jem-Records-607560186079388/
https://thebookends.bandcamp.com/

Self-Cut Bangs - self titled

2020 will be forever remembered as the year of "pandemic rock". Isolated in their homes without anything to do but what they live to do, musicians of all walks of life have been recording in their bedrooms, basements, garages, kitchens, closets, and showers for several months now. In many cases, these artists have created this music just to stay sane or derive some enjoyment in trying times. But what happens when you make music just for the sake of making music - and suddenly you realize you've really got something? That's what recently happened to Cayley O'Neill (Dark Time) and Shawn Petsche (Napalmpom). They created the project Self-Cut Bangs as a way to kill time during quarantine. It started with writing and recording one song. This quickly grew into a tradition of spending every Saturday creating a new song, just for themselves. At some point, they listened to what they had and thought, "Hey, this is actually really good!". They decided to share their recordings with the world, and today the debut album from Self-Cut Bangs officially exists! 

Beyond the fact that Self-Cut Bangs is the greatest possible band name for a pandemic year, I'm very thankful that O'Neill and Petsche did not insist on keeping their recordings private. They've given us one of the year's best albums. It doesn't really sound like Dark Time or Napalmpom. Heck, it doesn't really sound like anything else out there. This record is a combination of numerous cool things. In these nine songs, there are elements of everything from post-punk to power pop to glam to garage to punk to straight-up rock and roll. If anything, I might say that is a throwback to the indie and alternative rock of the '90s and 2000s. It's got huge hooks, thundering guitars and drums, and really fantastic lyrics that have meaningful things to say about our world. If "modern rock" were still a viable commercial radio format, I could easily imagine a number of these songs being hits. I'm kind of shocked that this album was home-recorded, because it sounds so massive. I had to wonder if these two actually live in a recording studio! In all seriousness, the very talented songwriter Lorrie Matheson mixed and mastered these tracks and did an an absolute bang-up job. "Pillow Talk" and "Perfect Posture" form as good of a 1-2 punch to start an album as I've heard this year. Both songs deliver knockout choruses that ought to compel the masses to sing along. The rest of the album ain't so bad either. I dig the variety, as Self-Cut Bangs maneuver their way through new wave/post-punk ("Ace"), crunching '90s alt-rock ("Time With You"), mega-cool glam rock ("Shapeshifter"), retro synth-pop ("Legends"), big riff hard rock ("Dying Is An Art"), and everything in between. 

Minus the pressures and expectations that usually come with making an album, Self-Cut Bangs have produced an original and tremendously exciting work of rock and roll. Time will only tell if this turns out to be a one-off project or the start of the biggest band in the universe. But either way, the birth of Self-Cut Bangs must be considered one of the bright spots of 2020. 

-L.R.

https://selfcutbangs.bandcamp.com/album/self-cut-bangs
https://www.facebook.com/selfcutbangs

Brick Nova - self-titled

Brick Nova, a foursome from the Philadelphia area, has just released its third album. This self-titled long player is a fine example of music that doesn't really fit into any category beyond the broad umbrella of "alternative" rock. I can hear the influence of everything from power pop to '90s college radio to classic rock to "post-grunge" to 1970s AM radio pop. I guess you could call these guys "indie rock", but what the heck does that even mean? I'm reminded of people I knew in college who would talk of their "eclectic" tastes in music while I rolled my eyes in suspicion. But for real, Brick Nova totally pulls off eclectic! On this album alone, there are songs that bring to mind Teenage Fanclub, Weezer, Big Star, The Strokes, Alice In Chains, and Jack Johnson. And it works! At the end of the day, what matters is that the music's good! Opener "Good Luck" is laid-back guitar pop shooting off a warm breeze of melody. If "(Perpetually) Tired" were any catchier, Governor Wolf would shut it down in a heartbeat. "Hey, My Friend" sounds like '90s indie rock and '70s soft rock had a baby. "Dreaming" is a sweet & timeless pop gem. "City Girl" somehow combines hipster cool with genuineness and charm. "Hold" is a well-executed and exceptionally pretty ballad. 

Brick Nova is the kind of band that exemplifies the spirit of independent music. These guys like all kinds of different music and bring it all together without any creative limitations or need to define themselves in terms of genre. What is coherent across these 14 tracks are an undeniable flair for melody and a totally unaffected quirkiness. This is an album that's pleasant to listen to but also really interesting. It's got much of the spirit of the indie/alternative music I came of age to, yet it also feels young and cool in the context of 2020. I like that these songs challenged me. I didn't know what to make of them on first listen. But as I went back to them, I found myself wanting to hear them over and over again. And isn't that what good music is all about? Good stuff from my corner of the globe! 

 

-L.R.

https://bricknova.bandcamp.com/album/brick-nova

https://www.facebook.com/bricknovaband

https://www.bricknovaband.com/

Deseos Primitivos - self titled

It has been a while since I've reviewed any straight-up punk rock, but I do have something good for you today! Oakland's Deseos Primitivos have just released their debut album on No Front Teeth Records in the U.K. and Going Underground in the USA. On this full-length debut, Deseos Primitivos tear through 12 tracks of powerful and aggressive punk rock that brings to mind first generation LA punk and early '80s hardcore while still coming across as fully contemporary. This my kind of old school punk. It rips hard, but it's got a touch of melody as well. It's got hard-hitting guitars, a blistering rhythm section, and really strong lead vocals. The lyrics, sung in Spanish, address themes such as "revenge, homelessness and gentrification, colonization, and sensual tales of taboo dreams". This band is not fooling around. With passion and fury, they create music that speaks to their reality. If you enjoy fist-pumping, sing-along punk rock anthems, this record is full of 'em!

-L.R.

https://deseosprimitivos.bandcamp.com/album/deseos-primitivos
https://www.facebook.com/deseosprimitivos/
https://www.goingundergroundrecords.com/products/pre-order-deseos-primitvos-deseos-primitivos-vinyl-lp
https://www.nofrontteeth.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/No-Front-Teeth-Records-117591658310943/

Neon Bone - Make It Last

When it comes to classic pop-punk in 2020, Neon Bone is as good as it gets. Out on Monster Zero, Make It Last is the fourth album from this Münster, Germany based artist/band. It sounds very much like the previous three, and that's a very good thing! When you've got a winning formula, there's just need no to mess with it. In the case of Neon Bone, that winning formula mixes equal parts '90s Lookout! Records, later '50s/early '60s rock and roll & doo-wop, and the first four Ramones albums. Make It Last, like so much of the pop-punk music I love today, would be great pop even if it weren't punk. But it's plenty punk, and the bit on the press release about this being a band that "will get the kids and the 30+ crowd to start the pogo and spill beers" could not be more dead-on. Make It Last strikes a perfect balance between '90s pop-punk revivalism ("You're Eating My Brain", "I'm Coming Home", "Tripping"), oldies/rock and roll influenced numbers ("Baby, Don't You Cry", a cover of the old Ricky Nelson hit "It's Up To You"), and those sappy love songs that I can never get enough of ("Girl You Should Know", "I Got A Friend", "Don't Say No More"). If you're expecting anything new from Neon Bone, well this sure isn't it. But if you're seeking more of those buzzsaw guitars, silky-smooth harmonies, and songs about girls, it's satisfaction guaranteed. Get your vinyl here!

 

-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/make-it-last

https://neonbone.bandcamp.com/album/make-it-last

https://www.facebook.com/neonbone/

https://monsterzerorecords.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock/

Nothin' - self titled

Nothin' is a funny and really cool name for a band. "Hey, what are you listening to?" "Nothin'!" Nothin' is based out of Columbus, Ohio. Lead singer Hillary Jones used to be in Pretty Pretty. And while there may be some similarities between the two bands, I suppose you could say that Nothin' is consciously less "punk rock". Nothin' rolls together power pop, '90s twee, and good, solid Midwestern indie rock and roll to create a sound that is simple and satisfying. Let's Pretend Records out of Bloomington, Indiana has released Nothin's self-titled cassette, which is chock full of fuzzy pop songs that will instantly have you tapping your toes and humming along. While Nothin' has branded its musical style "anxiety rock", these songs are more likely to relieve anxiety than they are to induce it. These are fun tunes that really rock, and there can never be too many bands doing that sort of thing. If you like good pop of any variety, this is a band you ought to look into. Jones has an appealing, matter-of-fact vocal style, and as a songwriter she sure knows how to a turn out a killer hook. Don't miss out on Nothin'!

-L.R.

https://nothin.bandcamp.com/album/nothin

https://www.facebook.com/nothin614/

https://letspretendrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/nothin-s-t-tape

https://www.instagram.com/letspretendrecords/?hl=en

Sweeping Promises - Hunger For a Way Out

Hunger for a Way Out, the debut long player from Boston's Sweeping Promises, is straight-up one of the best albums I've heard this year. Walking the very fine lines between DIY punk, post-punk, and new wave, it inhabits the spirit of college radio circa the early '80s while still sounding totally new and original in 2020. Comparisons to the likes of Kleenex/LiLiPUT and Girls at Our Best! are fully on-point, and I'm reminded in spots of everyone from Gang of Four to Blondie to Wire to early B-52's. But in no way does this band sound derivative of any of the aforementioned acts. Unlike a lot of post-punk that comes off icy and lifeless, the music of Sweeping Promises is energetic, dynamic, and intentionally hooky. Powered by angular guitars, captivating bass lines, and truly exceptional vocals from Lira Mondal, these ten songs really command your attention. Some tracks are brooding, others will make you want to dance, and a few manage to be an improbable combination of both. And I don't know if I've ever heard a recording sound this raw and this good! If you're interested in post-punk that's cool without being cold, this is the band you've been waiting for. An extraordinary debut! 

 

-L.R.

https://sweepingpromises.bandcamp.com/album/hunger-for-a-way-out

https://www.instagram.com/sweeping.promises/

https://feelitrecords.bandcamp.com/

Toadskin - self titled tape

Toadskin's new cassette tape reminds me of old school indie rock/punk. This Milwaukee-based trio is made up of Jeff VanDreel (ex Beach Patrol) on guitar and vocals, Trevor Broskowski (bass/vocals), and Logan Byrne (drums). I'm getting an SST Records or old Sub Pop vibe from this six-song tape, which combines elements of stoner rock/metal, punk rock, psychedelic rock, and noisy indie rock. In another lifetime, we may have called this "grunge"! In a totally good way, this is some weird shit. I think it's neat that the songs range from less than one minute long to nearly seven. I'm seeing song titles like "Ice Age Trail", "Sediment", "Edge of the Lake" and thinking, "Earth science has never been so cool!". These are some heavy tunes from the woods of Wisconsin. I dig!

-L.R.

https://toadskinisreal.bandcamp.com/album/toadskin

https://www.facebook.com/ToadskinIsReal/

Kurt Baker - "Over You"

The band is back together! While I've always been a huge fan of all things Kurt Baker, there's a special place in my heart for Baker's collaborations with Wyatt Funderburk. When these two join creative forces, it's a one-way ticket to pop heaven! Baker and Funderburk co-wrote Baker's solo albums Brand New Beat (2012) and Play It Cool (2015) - two of my favorite records of the last decade. After Party, the third release in this trilogy, is coming out October 23rd on Wicked Cool Records! 

After Party was recorded earlier this year (pre-pandemic) with the classic Kurt Baker Band cast in tow: Funderburk on guitar & synthesizer, Geoff Palmer on guitar, Kris Rodgers on keyboards, and Craig Sala on drums. Having had several years to absorb Brand New Beat and Play It Cool, I have come to the conclusion that the latter was even better than the former. And I fully expect After Party to be the best of three. Funderburk considers it to be the best record he's ever made by a long shot, and I've never had a reason to doubt him! "Over You" has been released as an advance single, and it's got that big guitar early '80s new wave power pop sound that I was hoping for. It features timeless lyrics about struggling to shake a breakup. And my god, if there's anything that still unites us all in this shit year 2020, it's that all of our hearts are breakable. Having lived new wave pop-rock firsthand, I've got to say that this song sounds like it could have come pumping out of a poolside portable radio 40 summers ago. From the super slick backing vocals to the dueling keyboard/guitar solos featuring Rodgers and Palmer, the touches on this song are to die for! While Rodgers and Palmer have seen their own solo careers skyrocket in recent years, neither was too busy to lend their musical talents to After Party. 

The word on the street is that the full Kurt Baker Band will tour in support of After Party once life returns to something resembling normalcy. With that in mind, we have much to look forward to - both this fall and beyond. Circle your calendars for October 23rd! 

-L.R.

https://kurtbakerwcr.bandcamp.com/track/over-you

https://www.facebook.com/KurtBakerMusic/

https://wickedcoolrecords.bandcamp.com/artists

The Reflectors - Radio Transmission - KXLU

Today's post is a special treat for those of you who are super fans of The Reflectors or power pop in general. Back in May, I reviewed First Impression, the phenomenal debut album by this LA power pop foursome. First Impression is not just one of the strongest albums of the year. It's one of the best power pop albums of the last several years! If you love the album and still can't get enough of The Reflectors, head on over to the group's Bandcamp and check out Radio Transmission - KXLU - a full-length radio set recorded live on the air last year. The majority of these songs turned up on the album, but there are quite a few that did not (Hint: they are likely to be on the next one!). "Radio Signals" sure sounds like a hit to me! If this is your first exposure to The Reflectors, you will definitely want to start with First Impression. But if you're a fan, Radio Transmission is well worth ten bucks!

-L.R.

https://reflectors.bandcamp.com/album/radio-transmission-kxlu
https://www.facebook.com/thereflectorslosangeles/

Kris Rodgers and the Dirty Gems - "She Likes To Party"

It's been well-established that I've never been big on party songs. So when I hear a party song that I really like, that's kind of a big deal. "She Likes To Party", the latest single by Kris Rodgers and the Dirty Gems, is a party tune that I actually kind of love! Now of course I'm biased because I'm already a big fan of the artist. But what I appreciate about this song in particular is that it's really different. Rodgers co-wrote "She Likes To Party" with his band mates Ryan Halliburton and Tom Hall, and these guys really took some chances. When I think of Kris Rodgers and the Dirty Gems, my mind usually jumps to 1970s classic rock. On this song, the band fast forwards all the way to the mid-'80s with funky bass, effects-laden guitar, a heavy dose of saxophone and trombone, and a full-blown chorus of back-up singers. Throw in some spoken narration, a Charles Barkley sample, and a bad-ass flute solo, and you've got yourself one unique rock and roll song! And of course Rodgers plays the hell out of the piano! The YouTube commentator who pointed out that this song has "got everything" could not be more correct. There's so much going on in this song, and it's a credit to the band that it all works so fantastically. It has even me ready to party! On the flip, Rodgers and the gang tear into Boz Scaggs' 1977 smash "Lido Shuffle" and absolutely crush it. With so many people having mistaken "Lido Shuffle" for an Elton John song over the years, having the modern-day Elton John covering it will only add to the confusion! So if you see Rodgers out and about, tell him you love his Boz Scaggs cover!

"She Likes To Party" is available now on cream and black splatter vinyl from Wicked Cool Records. It features amazing artwork by Spencer Alexander. Look for a new album from Kris Rodgers and the Dirty Gems in 2021!



-L.R.

https://krisrodgerswcr.bandcamp.com/album/she-likes-to-party
https://www.facebook.com/krisrodgersmusic/
http://www.krisrodgersmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WickedCoolRecords

Night Birds - Fresh Kills Vol. II

Man, does time fly! This blog has been around so long that I reviewed Night Birds' Fresh  Kills Vol. 1 when it was still new! I originally imagined myself doing this blog for a year or two, maybe 3 or 4 tops. Nine years later, I just can't bring myself to stop. Don't I have anything better to do with my time? Apparently not! So here I am reviewing the second volume of Fresh Kills, which released today on Bandcamp with all proceeds going to the IDF (Immune Deficiency Foundation). This is a very simple and great idea for a digital collection: it compiles all of Night Birds' singles released since 2013. Included are the entirety of the EPs Maimed for the Masses, Monster Surf, and Who Killed Mike Hunchback? along with several comp cuts and unreleased songs for a total of 20 tracks. Stephen Egerton mastered these recordings, which sound absolutely phenomenal. Now if you've been a Night Birds fan all along, you probably own most of this stuff already. But if you don't, this is like getting a whole new Night Birds album for a $5 download - and in the process you're benefiting common variable immune deficiency research!

There's not much to say about Night Birds that I haven't said 16 times before. This is one of our great modern-day punk rock bands, and just the other day I found myself contemplating how Night Birds have some of the best lyrics in punk music ever (How prophetic was "Left In The Middle", written well before the unthinkable events of 2016?). Let the fans debate whether Born To Die In Suburbia or Mutiny At Muscle Beach is the best point of entry for Night Birds exploration (I might be a troublemaker and make my case for Roll Credits). But if you own and love all the albums and are wondering if Fresh Kills Volume II is really worth buying, the answer is absolutely yes! The Maimed for the Masses tracks hold up great and are highly underrated in my book. "Last Gasp", which I once referred to as a "throttling ode to autoerotic asphyxiation", remains a Night Birds classic. Some of the demos released as Who Killed Mike Hunchback? are arguably superior to the album versions. The instrumental tracks off of Monster Surf show off the band's sick chops. And if you want to hear Night Birds cover the likes of Effigies, GG & the Jabbbers, and Big Boys, this is definitely the collection for you.

For more information about the great work being done by the Immune Deficiency Foundation, check out the IDF web site. The $5 (or more) that you pay for Fresh Kills Vol. II will go to a worthy cause. Go ahead: complete your Night Birds collection! All downloads come with a PDF of liner notes!



-L.R.

https://night-birds.bandcamp.com/album/fresh-kills-vol-ii
https://www.facebook.com/NGHTBRDS

Vista Blue - "There Goes The Sun"

Am I betraying pop-punk Vista Blue if I talk about how much I love power pop Vista Blue? I suppose I should feel kind of bad, but my reaction to new single "There Goes The Sun" is "More of this, please!" With this single, the band aimed to re-create the vibe of its absolutely splendid EP Hit The Floor!, minus the legendary recording studio and slick Perry Leenhouts post-production. Richard Bates has even reprised his role as lead guitarist supreme! Even without the bells and whistles, "There Goes The Sun" fully recaptures the pop magic of Hit The Floor! Seriously, Mike and the gang crushed this one like Ian Happ jumping on a hanging curve. The title track is absolutely stunning. Basically, this is what power pop would be if it worshiped at the altar of the Beach Boys instead of the Beatles. Who needs pricey production when you can craft melodies this gorgeous and sing harmonies to such perfection? In the midst of the most miserable summer of our lifetimes, "There Goes The Sun" is exactly the blast of warmth and optimism that I needed. It's an uplifting song about the hope for a brighter tomorrow - both literally and figuratively. It's easy in tough times to say that everything is going to be okay. But when I hear a song like this, I fully believe it. This is what summer songs are all about! "I Like Brian, She Likes Mike" brings a lightness that perfectly complements the majesty of "There Goes The Sun". It revisits the eternal debate that rages among Beach Boys enthusiasts. Do you favor the tortured genius or the face of the franchise? Is it acceptable to like "Kokomo" better than "Caroline No"? While you could certainly love Brian and Mike, it's a super fun premise for a song.

So to summarize: "There Goes The Sun" is perhaps Vista Blue's least pop-punky release yet, but I still think pop-punk fans will love it. I wasn't sure we would be getting any new music from Vista Blue this summer/fall since the band was so busy completing the debut album by its alter egos Ralphie's Red Ryders. This single ended up being somewhat of a surprise, and it was a very pleasant one at that! This is one of the best things this band has ever done. If you love Vista Blue, you need this single. And even if you've never been a fan, you ought to give "There Goes The Sun" a chance. Richard Bates on guitar adds a whole new dynamic to the Vista Blue experience. Let's hope he's granted band membership on at least a John Stamos level!



-L.R.

https://wearevistablue.bandcamp.com/album/there-goes-the-sun
https://www.facebook.com/wearevistablue

The Suttles - "Broken Hearted"

Today I've got a band for you that really hits my sweet spot! Based out of Paris, The Suttles walk the fine line between power pop and old school punk rock. This band is comprised of Fred, Julian, and Max from Jon and the Vons (Julian was also in that amazing band Protokids). On their debut single, The Suttles show both sides of their musical style. The A-side "Broken Hearted" is '77 punk leaning pop. I'm hearing the influence of The Clash and The Jam, and that is totally cool by me! This is a great sing-along number with legit hooks. On the flip, "Messin' Around" brings to mind the heyday of skinny tie power pop. It's rockin', catchy, and chock full of energy. All in all, this is a tremendous debut that has me excited to hear more. Vinyl coming in October on Les Disques A Rebours!



-L.R.

https://thesuttles.bandcamp.com/album/the-suttles
https://www.facebook.com/The-Suttles-136765567788102/
https://lesdisquesarebours.bandcamp.com/

MOM - "Don't Leave With My Heart"

Yeah! MOM is back! Back in June, the Swedish trio absolutely blew me away with a debut single that was as pop as pop can be. In advance of a debut album titled Pleasure Island releasing on September 22nd, MOM proudly presents its second single. "Don't Leave With My Heart" is a more than satisfying follow-up to the pop smash "Tonight". Again MOM occupies the power pop territory that runs through '70s glam and bubblegum. This mid-tempo rocker delivers sugary sweet melodies and a chorus that is bound to be stuck in your head all day. On the flip, "Cry No More Tears" is a little snappier and more in the vein of new wave pop. This is an excellent pair of songs from one of the best new bands out there. If you're a fan of Racey, Nick Gilder, Milk 'N' Cookies, The Arrows, etc., you ought to be excited for the arrival of Pleasure Island in a few weeks' time. I'll keep you posted!

-L.R.

https://mommusic.bandcamp.com/album/dont-leave-with-my-heart-cry-no-more-tears

https://www.instagram.com/musicbymom/?hl=sv