Bambies - "Dirty Taint"

I first wrote about Bambies back in 2019 when the Montreal trio released "Red Guitar" -- the second-ever release on Reta Records! From the start, I was absolutely floored by this band's super fun mix of punk, pop, and high energy rock and roll. Now Sami, Franki, and Feli are back with "Dirty Taint", a new single that teases their forthcoming album Summer Soon. According to the band, the song is about "answering the call of invisible forces, internal chemistry or whatever it is that brings you to the right place, at the right time to have a perfect night". That's a vibe I can totally dig! "Dirty Taint" is the kind of song you crank up loud when you want to feel really great about being alive. It's rare to hear a band sound this poppy while still maintaining an aggressive punk rock and roll edge. But that's exactly what Bambies have pulled off here! Summer Soon is due out in August on Spaghetty Town and Wanda Records -- and somehow Bambies manage to be a perfect fit for both labels! I am so pumped for this album!

-L.R.

https://thebambies.bandcamp.com/track/dirty-taint
https://www.facebook.com/lesbambies

The Idolizers - ConCretins

The Idolizers are back! Less than a year ago, this New York City based punk group released a terrific debut EP on Rum Bar Records. ConCretins, the follow-up, builds off of The Idolizers' foundational sound but also shows considerable growth. Paired down to a power trio (MikeDee ThrillSergeant on bass and lead vocals, Jon Pozzuto on guitar, and Tommy Brimstone on drums), The Idolizers continue to exemplify New York style punk rock and roll. Out on Rum Bar Records, ConCretins features seven tracks of gritty, high energy rock and roll steeped in the sounds of '77 and its musical progenitors (Stooges, New York Dolls, MC5). From the opening strains of "Action!", it's apparent that The Idolizers remain faithful congregants of the church of the Dead Boys and Johnny Thunders. However, this release finds the band branching out a bit and incorporating some power pop influences into its glam/punk/rock and roll attack. Songs like "Riot Radio" and "Until Then" are hooky, sing-along numbers with plenty of hop in their step. Elsewhere, the band brings the thunder on the blistering "All the Way" and tears into some timeless old style punk rock on "All Night Long". The very essence of New York City comes oozing out of every note these guys play. This, my friends, is real deal punk rock and roll. Crank these tunes loud and let the world know that you are not to be messed with!

-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/concretins
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords
https://www.facebook.com/IdolizersNYC/

The Checkered Hearts - Joystick

Now here's a true super duo for you! In the modern world of melody-driven pop music, Lisa Mychols requires no introduction. She's a legend of the Los Angeles pop scene as both a solo artist and a member of too many bands to mention. Hillary Burton fronts honeychain -- one of my favorite power pop bands of recent memory. Mychols and Burton have been friends since meeting in junior high and most recently performed as the duo NUSHU. Now they have reassembled as The Checkered Hearts and released their debut EP Joystick on Chicanery Chick Records/Golden Robot Records. Joystick is a collection of covers that ought to delight anyone who geeks out over classic power pop. As the title and cover art suggest, all the songs date back to the 1980s and late '70s. The songs covered include The Cars' "My Best Friend's Girl", Housemartins' "Happy Hour", Phil Seymour's "Precious To Me", Kirsty MacColl's "They Don't Know", and The Knack's "Good Girls Don't". There's also an original number called "So Long, Maybe" thrown in as a bonus track! This is a true collaboration. Mychols and Burton trade off on vocals and various musical instruments. These are all really great covers. Obviously, you can't beat the source material. But these two amazing talents infuse these classic tracks with plenty of their own delightful personalities. How can you not love this EP?! If you dig what you hear, be sure to also check out The Checkered Hearts' covers of 10cc's "I'm Not In Love" and Shocking Blue's "Love Buzz"!

-L.R.

https://thecheckeredhearts.com/home

https://www.facebook.com/TheCheckeredHearts/

https://dielaughingrecords.bigcartel.com/product/the-checkered-hearts-joystick

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7YzMlaoKgV7ykAGRw03pEg

https://www.facebook.com/ChicaneryChickRecords/

https://lisamychols.bandcamp.com/

https://honeychain.bandcamp.com/

Neighborhood Brats - Confines of Life

We've arrived at that time when the great full-lengths albums of the year are really starting to pile up. And while I've struggled to keep up with all of them, my intention is to make sure I hit all of the most essential titles sooner or later. It sometimes feels like I've been writing about Neighborhood Brats forever. It's actually been just short of ten years. It's kind of hard to believe, then, that the band's new LP Confines of Life is only its third full-length album! Out on Taken By Surprise Records in Europe and Dirt Cult Records in North America, Confines of Life is the Neighborhood Brats' most stylistically diverse album yet -- and also its most urgent! On this release, vocalist Jenny Angelillo, guitarist George Rager, drummer Nick Aguilar, and bassist Mike West continue to operate under the influence of first wave California punk and early '80s punk/hardcore -- while also adding elements of pop, surf, post-punk, and modern punk rock. Angelillo and Rager -- who have kept this band going through multiple lineup changes over the years -- have found another dynamite rhythm section in Aguilar and West. 

Confines Of Life, which blazes through 12 tracks in 22 and a half minutes, matches its furious musical power with a message that comes through clear as day. Neighborhood Brats aren't pulling any punches: they have no patience or tolerance for racism, sexism, transphobia, xenophobia, fascism, the patriarchy, or misogyny. On this album, they rage against many of these things while lamenting a world besieged by environmental crisis, systematic oppression, and economic inequality. Songs like "Who Took The Rain" and "Transitional Housing" find the band embracing a pop sensibility like never before, while "Migraines" is a perfect example of what "post-punk" music ought to be. "Signs and Semantics", which is all at once dark, melodic, and intense, is the kind of song that nobody could pull off quite like Neighborhood Brats do. And with this being a Neighborhood Brats album, you know to expect your fair share of raging and pissed-off hardcore tracks. "FFBF" and "Harvey Weinstein Is A Symptom" are two of the best songs this band has ever done in that vein, and they should be played excessively loud while you scream along to every lyric. 

Is there a better punk rock band in existence than Neighborhood Brats? Honestly, I can't think of one! This band has it all: musical chops, a powerhouse singer/lyricist, excellent songwriting, and something (actually lots of things) to stand for. While Neighborhood Brats have not veered far from their original musical blueprint, they have continually progressed through their early EPs and each of their full-length albums. Confines of Life manages to be a vintage Neighborhood Brats album even as it finds the band taking another step forward. Even with all of the wonderful styles of music that exist in this world, there are times when nothing but kick-ass punk rock will do. If you find yourself in that situation, I highly recommend Confines of Life.

-L.R.

https://neighborhoodbrats.bandcamp.com/album/confines-of-life
https://takenbysurpriserecords.bandcamp.com/album/confines-of-life-lp
https://dirtcultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/confines-of-life
https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodbrats

Kid Gulliver - Gimme Some Go!

Following its amazing run of singles in 2020-21, Kid Gulliver has finally given us a bigger taste of its musical talents. The Boston-based pop group has released a four-song EP called Gimme Some Go! on Red On Red Records. What I like about this release is that it shows multiple sides of Kid Gulliver. It leads with a cover of the Bee Gees' classic "I Started A Joke". It's pretty ballsy to take on a song as perfect as "I Started A Joke", and I have to hand it to Kid Gulliver here. Rather than try to top the original (impossible!), the band chose to completely transform it. If you were not aware of the Bee Gees version, you could easily mistake this for a Kid Gulliver original! It's got a new wave/power pop feel to it, and Simone Berk's approach to the lead vocal is unexpected in the most wonderful way. This, my friends, is how you do a cover song! The video for the song (embedded below) is a real hoot. It's a throwback to all of those old school "performance clip" music videos, and there's a very special guest star appearing on bass! 

Having set such a high bar for the rest of the EP, Kid Gulliver follows through with three excellent original songs. The haunting "Lila Dreams" brings to mind early '80s U.K. indie rock and weaves a sad tale of quiet despair. The interplay between David Armillotti's guitar and Lee Harrington's bass on this track is nothing short of stunning. "Gimme Some Go!" is the real surprise of this release. Who knew Kid Gulliver could do ska --  and do it well?! To close out the EP, "Stupid Little Girl" is a jangly power pop number that you might describe as "vintage" Kid Gulliver. Let it be said that the world can always use more pop songs which illuminate the imprudence of falling in love with a serial killer. Being a particular fan of well-crafted dark humor, I find myself in awe of Armillotti's lyrics and Berk's matter-of-fact treatment of them. In a just world, this song would be all over the radio! 

I must concur with Ralph Rivera -- Kid Gulliver somehow manages to get better with every new release! Gimme Some Go! is full of pleasant surprises and truly splendid songs. Armillotti and Berk as a songwriting and vocal tandem are on some kind of roll. More, please!

-L.R.

https://kidgulliverred.bandcamp.com/
https://kidgulliver1.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kidgulliver
https://www.facebook.com/redonredrecords/

Randells - Kicks

It seems appropriate that The Randells would release an album just in time for the summer. This trio from the south of Sweden creates an eternal summer with its music. Even if it's below freezing outside, a Randells record always transports you to a world of warm weather, abundant sunshine, picturesque beaches, and pretty girls. Following a great run of singles in 2020, The Randells have hooked up with the labels Monster Zero, Waterslide Records, and Memorable But Not Honorable to release a dynamite full-length album called Kicks. Over the course of 12 tracks, The Randells execute their patented mix of pop-punk, bubblegum, and surf to ear-pleasing perfection. You know what you're in for: buzzing guitars, sticky-sweet melodies, and lyrics ranging from sentimental to silly. The legendary Perry Leenhauts mixed and mastered the album, so of course it sounds like a million bucks! 

When I think about my longtime fondness for European pop-punk, bands that immediately come to mind are Travoltas, The Yum Yums, and The Hawaiians. I'd put Randells in the same category. The influence of the Ramones and Beach Boys is obvious, but this band offers its own fresh take on that storied musical tradition. Kicks really is a perfect pop-punk album -- satisfying on both the pop and punk sides of the equation. It's on the bubblegum side of pop-punk, but for sure it absolutely rocks! Play it now as you soak up the summer. And when the temperatures turn cold and the sky grows dismal, this album will take you back to the beach in spirit.

-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/kicks
https://www.facebook.com/randellstheband
https://randellstheband.bandcamp.com/album/kicks-2
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterZeroPunkrock

French Girls - self titled

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, French Girls are fronted by Che Beret (aka Chela from The Peeps and Hell on Heels). Chela is an alumnus of some of the coolest record labels this planet has ever known: Bomp!, Dionysus, Sympathy for the Record Industry, and Lipstick Records. You can now add Rum Bar Records to that formidable list. Out today on Rum Bar is the first full-length album from French Girls -- which kicks out ten tracks of exhilarating garage punk in just 21 minutes. Joining Chela (bass, vocals) are guitarist Jean Jacques Clouseau III, guitarist Michel Ouioui, and drummer Chiffon Baton (let us take a brief moment to applaud the sheer brilliance of those stage names!). Musically, this band totally hits that sweet spot where garage rock intersects with punk rock. That may seem like an obvious definition of garage punk, but these days you can't be too sure. French Girls bring us the real deal stuff: simple trashy pop tunes that are full of energy and attitude and straight-up fun to listen to. This band doesn't believe in any sort of musical excess. None of these tracks go too far past two minutes, and you never have to wait long for a hook. My first thought after popping this disc into my car player was, "This sounds like it could have come out on SFTRI a couple of decades ago!". The modern-day garage scene is sorely missing more bands like this, and I will gladly deign to cliché and call this album a breath of fresh air. "No Morals" is an instant garage punk classic. "Summertime" merits permanent placement on your "essential summer songs" playlist. "Aerobicise", re-recorded from the band's 2013 debut EP, is one minute and 45 seconds of pure energy and excitement. These ten tracks always fly by in what seems like a flash, and then I just push play and re-start the fun! If you, as I, fondly recall the late '90s/early 2000s heyday of garage punk, this debut long player from French Girls will be music to your ears.

-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/french-girls
https://frenchgirlsphx.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/frenchgirlsphx
https://www.instagram.com/frenchgirlsphx/
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/french-girls

The Cudas - Alien Vacation

How about another perfect summertime pop record! Based in Cape Town, South Africa, The Cudas are the creation of singer and multi-instrumentalist Reinhard van Biljon. He writes the songs, plays all the instruments, and performs all the vocals. Alien Vacation, The Cudas' new EP, was inspired by an actual vacation to the Space Coast region of Florida. Alien Vacation is a classic celebration of summertime fun at the beach -- but with a really cool sci-fi/outer space twist! Musically speaking, this hits all the sweet spots for power pop: huge hooks, crunchy guitars, and soaring harmonies. With synthesizers adding a distinct new wave feel, I'm ready to book an alien vacation myself! As you climb into the car and head for the beach (or beyond!), these four tracks will make the perfect soundtrack. "Autorama" just might be the song of the summer!

-L.R.

https://thecudas.bandcamp.com/album/alien-vacation
https://www.facebook.com/thecudasmusic

Slow Faction - "Bubble Gum For Josh" (Demo)

Well I can definitely say that in my long "career" of writing about music, this is the first time that a band has ever dedicated a song to me! I must say it's an honor! This all started when I wrote, "Slow Faction doesn't write songs about bubblegum and pretty girls". Born from that joke is a brilliant new demo titled "Bubble Gum For Josh". What I appreciate about this song is that it's an impassioned reflection on Slow Faction's purpose and singer John Youens's growing sense of alienation from a culture that has become desensitized to injustice. Essentially this song explains why Youens doesn't write songs about bubblegum and pretty girls. It's not that he's a miserable human or some kind of Debbie Downer. Simply put, his songs reflect the world as he sees it. 

Clearly I have no objection to bands that do write songs about bubblegum and pretty girls. But there's also plenty of room in this world for music that aspires to make the world better a place or at the very least rage against the forces that oppress. The history of protest music is practically as long as the history of music itself. Slow Faction is a politically-minded punk group in the classic style, and "Bubble Gum For Josh" is a vintage Slow Faction track. It delivers its message loud and clear. But first and foremost, it's a great anthemic punk tune in the tradition of The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers. 

The modern use of "social justice warrior" as some sort of slur is the ultimate Orwellian perversion. Who in their right mind wouldn't want to be a warrior for social justice? Slow Faction ought to wear that tag like a badge of honor. Not everyone wants to hear the message, and that's perfectly okay. But contrary to what is said in this song, people are listening. Give 'em hell, boys!

-L.R.

https://slowfaction.bandcamp.com/track/bubble-gum-for-josh-demo
https://www.facebook.com/slow.faction

Pogy et les Kéfars - Dans Ton Rétro

Dans Ton Rétro is the debut full-length album from Pogy et les Kéfars -- a delightful power pop/punk band based in Marseille, France. A co-release between Crapoulet, Bitume Rugueux, and No Front Teeth Records, this 9-track long player is so tuneful and infectious that it transcends the language barrier. The lyrics are in French, so I have no idea what the band is singing about. But ultimately, that just doesn't matter! Dans Ton Rétro is just a super fun album. It's got energy, hooks, and a spirit that brings to mind the late '70s/early '80s heyday of punk rock, new wave, and power pop. At a lean nine tracks, this album is filler-free and chock full of hits. If you're a regular reader of this blog, Pogy et les Kéfars are definitely a band for you!

-L.R.

https://pogyetleskefars.bandcamp.com/album/dans-ton-r-tro-2
https://bitumerugueux.bandcamp.com/album/br007-pogy-les-kefars-dans-ton-retro
https://www.facebook.com/pogyetleskefars/
https://www.facebook.com/bitumerugueux/
https://www.nofrontteeth.co.uk/

The Reflectors - "All Made Up"

The mighty Reflectors are back with another pair of splendid power pop tunes! Having released one of the finest power pop albums of recent memory in last year's aptly-named First Impression, this Los Angeles foursome is now set to release a follow-up titled Faster Action. The new album's first single, "All Made Up", is out now on Time For Action Records. Again The Reflectors are in classic power pop territory. "All Made Up" brings to mind the vintage LA sound circa 1980 and could practically pass for a lost 20/20 song! With its punchy guitars, huge catchy chorus, and thoughtful lyrics, it's every bit on level with the best songs off of First Impression. On the B-side, "Every Time" is exclusive to this release. It's on the punkier side of power pop -- with more than a little Buzzcocks influence coming through. In typical Reflectors fashion, this song will have you tapping your toes and humming along in no time flat!

Colored vinyl editions of "All Made Up" have already sold out, but copies still remain on black vinyl --- for now! Be sure to hit up Time For Action Records for ordering information. Stay tuned for news about The Reflectors' new album!

-L.R.  

https://reflectors.bandcamp.com/album/all-made-up
https://www.facebook.com/thereflectorslosangeles
https://www.timeforaction.de/shop/the-reflectors/all-made-up/
https://www.facebook.com/Time-For-Action-Records-299324823433736

The Prostitutes - "Shapeshift"

When it comes to all of the things that are cool about music blogging, it does not get any cooler than having the opportunity to write about the almighty Prostitutes in the year 2021! I came up in the later '90s era of punk rock and will forever insist that The Prostitutes were the greatest punk group of that period. After the band's first and second breakups, I lamented that this musical force of nature had been silenced forever with so much more left to give. But with the tenacity of a cockroach, Kevin McGovern has re-grouped The Prostitutes time and time again in different locales with different lineups. And the one thing that has remained unchanged through it all is the quality and the power of the music. Out on Last Punkers Records, the band's new EP "Shapeshift" is its first vinyl release since 2009. It took six months to record and probably even longer to be pressed due to COVID-related delays. But it was well worth the wait and will disappoint absolutely no one. 

Much like The Prostitutes' recent digital releases ("Shake Rattle Die", "Nineteen", "Cheap Highs"), "Shapeshift" retains the fire and the ferocity of The Prostitutes' vintage recordings while adding modern production touches and the kind of sophisticated songwriting approach you'd expect from a seasoned veteran of the punk scene. Dark and raging but also catchy and tuneful, "Shapeshift" is everything you could want from a Prostitutes song. On the B-side are two more ace tracks: the moody, hard-hitting "Needle In the Red" and the fierce, blistering "Rat Race". Vinyl is limited to 300 copies (50 on black and 250 and violet) and is sure to go fast. If you've been waiting a decade plus for the return of The Prostitutes to your turntable, satisfaction is guaranteed! And when it comes to that voice, there's nothing else like it in the punk world! 

It's still hard for me to believe that my first Prostitutes review was written 25 years ago. If you had told me back then that Kevin would still have this band going in the dystopian future of 2021 and would still be making records this good, I would have sworn you were insane! Click here to order the vinyl!

-L.R.

https://theprostitutes1.bandcamp.com/album/shapeshift
https://www.facebook.com/tutespunk/
https://lastpunkrockersrecords.bigcartel.com/

Dany Laj and The Looks - Ten Easy Pieces

 

Ten Easy Pieces, the fourth album by Sudbury, Ontario's Dany Laj and The Looks, has been a fixture in my car CD player for a couple of weeks now. While it's most definitely an album for all seasons, Ten Easy Pieces is the perfect summertime rock and roll record. It's well documented that I was a big fan of the band's previous two albums Everything New Is New Again and Alive & Kicking. But with zero hesitation, I'll say that Ten Easy Pieces is the best album yet from Dany Laj and The Looks. With the previous albums, there were obvious "hits" that stood out. This time through, it's hard to pick a standout track since they're all so good. And the feel of this album is a little different as well. While it certainly has its serious, more melancholic moments, the overall vibe is joyful, energetic, and just plain fun. This is music that puts a smile on my face!

It's hardly surprising that Ten Easy Pieces is such a strong collection of songs. In advance of this album, Laj spent two years writing new songs and rearranging old ones. Some of these songs date all the way back to the early 2000s. 38 songs were eventually paired down to 12, and there's not a single sub-par track in the bunch. On this release, the band functions as a trio with drummer Dusty Campbell joining Laj and his musical and life partner Jeanette Dowling. The album also features appearances by Laj's pals Paul Loewenberg (keyboards), Greg Mihajic (harmonica and keyboards), Dunstan Topp (drums), and Zack Tymchuck (percussion). Ten Easy Pieces is a fine example of the musical appeal of Dany Laj and The Looks. The punk and power pop elements remain, mixed seamlessly with influences ranging from '60s pop to garage rock to indie rock to straight-forward rock and roll. "Smile", which channels the Beatles via early Elvis Costello, is an infectious opener that sets the tone for the entire album. "You & Me", the album's most recent single, is so catchy that it ought to come with a government warning. If "Don't Keep Me Guessin'" doesn't have you up and dancing within 30 seconds, there may be no hope for you. "Pick It Up" and "I Play Guitar" are every bit as rockin' and hook-laden. While the second half of the record is not without its up-tempo tracks ("Till Jockey's Lament" and "Wanted To Be Loved" are both top-notch rockers), it also sneaks in some quality deep cuts. "One More Hole" is "mellow rock" done right, while "Smoke In the Sun" is a wild foray into psychedelic garage territory. "In Other Words" brings John Lennon to mind. "Who's Pickin' On You" is a terrific cover of a little-known gem by the John Borra Band. 

With Ten Easy Pieces, Dany Laj and The Looks have delivered a set of pop/rock and roll songs that absolutely delights from start to finish. Laj as a songwriter is as rock-solid and dependable as Carey Price between the pipes. He and Dowling have infused their music with their special chemistry, and that especially comes through on this release. I've never had the pleasure of seeing this band live, but the vibe of this record is how I imagine the vibe of the group's on-stage performances. If you haven't yet seen the music video for "You & Me" directed by Ryan Thompson, check it out below. It's absolutely insane! Ten Easy Pieces releases on LP today on the Toronto-based label We Are Busy Bodies. CD release (with five digital bonus tracks) has been licensed to Rum Bar Records!

-L.R.

https://wearebusybodies.bandcamp.com/album/dany-laj-and-the-looks-ten-easy-pieces
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ten-easy-pieces
https://danylaj.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/danylaj
http://danylaj.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords
https://www.facebook.com/wearebusybodies

Johnathan Pushkar - Compositions

Well Johnathan Pushkar has gone out and squashed the sophomore jinx! The Nashville-based pop tunesmith is back today with Compositions -- his second album on the legendary Jem Records. I described his 2019 debut Straighten Up as "the Wonders album that never was". And while Compositions remains largely in that same British Invasion/'60s pop lane, it is by no means a mere repeat of its predecessor. On this release, Pushkar really comes into his own as a storyteller. Each song presents a self-contained story. And while the subject matter largely pertains to love and relationships, these songs do reflect Pushkar's personal growth over the past couple years. Like so many others, he found himself changed by the events of 2020. What results is a more mature and well-rounded sophomore release from one of the pop world's most charming and impressive young talents. 

Written from the perspective of a young man eagerly anticipating a long-awaited reunion with his sweetheart, "Any Second Now" sets an optimistic tone that does bring Straighten Up to mind. And a song like "Can't Get You Out of My Mind" reminds us that the Johnathan Pushkar we first fell in love with is not completely going away. But what makes Compositions so appealing is how it runs through such a wide range of emotions and human experiences. The Beach Boys inspired "Does What She Does" spins a tale of a girl who lives to breaks hearts, while "Just Friends" dives deep into the pain of unrequited love. "Alexandra" is a sinister story about a girl who never wants to leave your side -- literally. "Making Plans" is about spending a summer apart from your true love and pretty much just wanting to be miserable the whole time (sounds like something I would have done!). Elsewhere Pushkar crafts tales of destined love ("Red Eye") and abandoned dreams ("No One Ever Said You Had To Stay") that are practically novels condensed into three-minute pop songs. For me, the high points of the album are "Gonna Be Alright" and "Love Will Save the Day" -- where Pushkar reflects on the trying times of the past year and ultimately offers reassurance that things will get better. It's as if he's giving the listening audience a giant virtual hug. I, for one, welcome that very much! 

Complementing Pushkar's 11 original songs is one very special cover of Paul McCartney's "Junior's Farm". Pushkar's version features drummer Geoff Britton -- who played on the original recording! Dan Ealey appears on the track as well, playing the same Rickenbacker bass he famously lent to Paul McCartney! 

Compositions, like Straighten Up, was produced by Wyatt Funderburk. I would be hard-pressed to name a more perfect union of artist and producer. Both of these guys are all about timeless guitar pop, and together they create magic. The influences driving Compositions range from Buddy Holly to the Beatles to the Beach Boys to modern-day power pop, yet there's never a doubt that you're listening to a Johnathan Pushkar record. His voice and style are unmistakable. His innate likeability, which was already undeniable on Straighten Up, has reached another level on Compositions. Listening to this album is like spending time with a good friend. Compositions is a big step forward for Johnathan Pushkar, yet it still satisfies on a pure pop level. You know how sometimes you'll hear an artist's sophomore release and call it "different" because you can't say it's better than the debut? Well there's no need for the D-word in the case of Johnathan Pushkar's sophomore long player. Compositions is considerably better than its predecessor and an absolute treat for all of you who love guitar-driven pop music.

-L.R.

http://www.jemrecordings.com/
https://www.johnathanpushkar.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Jem-Records-607560186079388
https://www.youtube.com/c/JohnathanPushkar

The Dents - self titled

It was always my belief that The Dents should have been huge. I know I say that about a lot of bands, but it's especially true in the case of The Dents. In the middle 2000s period of punk rock, The Dents were one of the best bands going. They had killer tunes, a blistering live act, and two powerhouse vocalists/songwriters in Michelle Paulhus and Jennifer D'Angora. They were beloved in their hometown of Boston but never properly recognized across the globe. The band released a criminally underrated debut album called Time For Biting in 2005 -- which sadly turned out to be the only LP the group would make in its original run circa 2003-2007. Fast forward to today: The Dents have been back together a while and are primed to take the world by storm. Out today on Rum Bar Records, The Dents' self-titled EP is their first official release in 14 years. Three of these tracks were released digitally in 2018, and opening cut "Last One Standing" is a remix of one of the band's signature songs from back in the day. Altogether it makes for a terrific package. There are four songs on the CD plus three digital bonus tracks. Listening to these songs, I'm struck by how much the world still needs a band like The Dents in 2021. The sound is melodic but hard-edged, bolstered by rocking musicianship and top-notch production. Paulhus and D'Angora are exceptional vocalists both individually and in harmony. There was a time in the not so distant past when you could hear music like this on your favorite "alternative" radio station.  

Interestingly, the centerpiece of The Dents' self-titled EP is a cover of "Homeless" -- a song originally written and recorded by Holly Beth Vincent for her project The Oblivious in 1993. "Homeless" was the first song that Malibu Lou shared with me in advance of the EP, and I can totally understand why. The Dents absolutely shine as a band on this nearly six minute track -- sounding more than ready to rock the roof off of an arena near you. Both lead singers are vital to this powerful duet, and Craig Adams tears it up like the guitar god you already knew he was. "Last One Standing" is certainly the anthem of this EP, and "Want It Back" is probably the most obvious "hit". But it's the stunning cover of "Homeless" that is the real "grower" here. Every time I go back to this EP, I'm struck by the song's brooding intensity. The Dents honor a hidden gem of Holly Beth Vincent's catalog but also manage to make the song their own. I also like the way "Homeless" fits in with the rest of the tracks. It's different, but by no means does it sound out of place on this EP. 

A lot has changed in the independent music universe since The Dents' heyday. These days we have social media, streaming platforms, and a vast network of underground radio programs promoting punk/garage/rock and roll bands all over the world. If a band put out a CD in 2005, the only way to hear it was to...buy the CD! Today, a song can go viral in moments. It is in this particular environment that The Dents release their first new EP in a decade and a half. It delivers four (or seven) tracks of powerful punk rock and roll with killer hooks. Something tells me The Dents won't be Boston's best-kept secret very much longer.

-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-dents
https://www.facebook.com/thedents
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords

Hayley and the Crushers - "Cul-De-Sac"

For my first post of unofficial summer 2021, I present the brand-new single from one of my favorite bands, Hayley and the Crushers! The band was recently signed to Kitten Robot Records, a label founded by pop icon Josie Cotton back in 2018. Now that's truly a match made in heaven! "Cul-De-Sac" is the Crushers' first release on Kitten Robot, and of course it's amazing. It was recorded and mixed by legendary punk producer Paul Roessler at Kitten Robot Studios in Los Angeles. "Cul-De-Sac" is not your typical "summer song", but it's an extraordinary pop song and a new high point in the annals of the Crusherverse. Inspired by Ira Levin's novel The Stepford Wives with an added touch of COVID PTSD, this is a song about feeling trapped in a supposedly sunny place. Hayley's lyrics powerfully evoke the silent suffering of mid-century housewives doomed to lives of forced domesticity ("And when he asks you why you're so cold, you're somewhere else/you tell him cul-de-sac is French for Dead End"). It was mere coincidence that the song was recorded during a worldwide pandemic -- when Hayley and Dr. Cain were essentially trapped in a sunny cul-de-sac of their own. So while "Cul-De-Sac" is not a COVID song per se, its themes are extremely relatable at this moment. It's a little bit of a different kind of song for Hayley and the Crushers. It's moody and haunting, with Roessler's production magnificently playing up the range of emotions layered in the song. And Hayley's lead vocal? Just wow! "Cul-De-Sac", like last summer's remarkable single "Jacaranda", proves that great pop need not lack substance. For the full backstory on "Cul-De-Sac", check out this post from Hayley's personal blog. Click here to find the single on your favorite streaming platform!

-L.R.

https://hayleyandthecrushers.bandcamp.com/track/cul-de-sac
https://www.hayleyandthecrushers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hayleyandthecrushers
https://kittenrobot.com/records/
https://www.facebook.com/kittenrobotrecords/