Saturday, September 05, 2026

Perilous - "Overwhelmed By Reality"


Buffalo, New York's Perilous, a foursome I consider one of the best old school punk rock 'n' roll bands currently operating, has just unleashed an absolute anthem for these times on its new digital single. A title like "Overwhelmed By Reality" pretty well summarizes the zeitgeist of 2026, doesn't it? At a moment when there are so many things at the personal and worldly levels to make us anxious, fearful, or just plain depressed, coping with reality really can be an overwhelming, emotionally draining thing. It's as if the one thing that actually unites us all is the acknowledgement that everything sucks. In true Perilous fashion, this song pairs this dark, highly topical subject matter with upbeat, hook-laden power pop punk rock that throws it back to the classic music you grew up on. Pauline really pours her heart into that lead vocal, and this song is as rocking as it is relevant. Perilous just keeps on bringing the hits! On the B-side, "Rock & Roll Runaway," Bob Cat takes on lead vocals and really leans into his love for the Ramones and the timeless '60s sounds that inspired them. It's a fun, simple punk rock song that contrasts nicely with the A-side.  

Whether you call this type of music old school punk, classic punk, or just plain rock 'n' roll, Perilous are one of the bands keeping it alive. And they are doing it with joy, passion, and enthusiasm. Anything they put out is in the must-buy category, and of course that's true of "Overwhelmed By Reality"! $2.99 won't even get you a gallon of gas these days, but it will get you this thumper of a digital 45!

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Patton - "The Best of My Love"


Well here's something really amazing! Patton is a musical project formed by, of course, the Pattons, to celebrate their parents' 50th wedding anniversary. You know I love family bands! This single has been in the works for quite some time, but it was kept a super top secret until today. Given that more than a few Vista Blue fans frequent this site, I can say with great confidence that a lot of you are going to love this Vista Blue–related project. Mike is on guitar. Todd is on bass. Brett, I believe for the first time since The Loblaws days, is singing lead! Mike's kids Nolan and Alana both play drums. Mike's wife Donna sings some harmony vocals. Beyond me saying that I hope a full Patton album will one day happen, I'm just so moved by this digital single (a Bandcamp exclusive). Imagine if you possessed musical talent and used it to create something this beautiful for your parents/grandparents/in-laws on the date of their 50th anniversary. That's a sweet and special thing. 

The A-side is a punched-up cover of The Eagles' classic "The Best of My Love." While my 25-year-old self would have been deeply ashamed that I'd ever refer to any Eagles song as a "classic," 55-year-old me is a total sucker for '70s soft rock. So I was pretty stoked by the song choice. If you are familiar with the bittersweet lyrics and are wondering why this song is appropriate for an occasion like this, well, this was the song that the happy couple danced to at their wedding 50 years ago! So of course it had to be the lead track. Man, Brett totally smashed that vocal! 

On the B-side, "Apartment C" is an ode to the old Patton family residence in Chalmette, Louisiana. It's an upbeat, poppy original that's lovingly sentimental without being sappy. Writing a song for your parents' 50th anniversary has to be a daunting task. You don't want to screw it up. You don't want to lay it on too thick. What we have here with "Apartment C" is simply perfect. If this song doesn't have you a little misty-eyed, you might be a robot or something monstrous like a Crimson Tide fan (I kid). And how about a shout-out to Chris for that guitar solo! 

A lesser family band might have claimed its name was inspired by Van Halen, but Patton will tell you that they are emulating Nelson. Since I've been willing to die on the hill of Nelson being a good band for 35 years, I fully endorse the choice. 50 years ago, a couple of teenagers fell in love, got married, and formed a family. This single is a celebration of all of that. Think of all these amazing people playing on this record who would never have existed if these two people had not believed in each other and taken a leap of faith together! I'm grateful that this single, which was created for a private family celebration, has been made available to the world at large. I think people will be moved by it. I think people will tap into the joy it exudes. If you could somehow quantify the amount of love that went into these two songs, Rate Your Music would have to adjust its algorithms and allow six-star reviews. Happy anniversary, Cindy and Mike!

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Thursday, September 03, 2026

Radio Days - Off The Record


It sometimes feels like I've been writing about Radio Days forever, but my first review was back in 2013. So that's not quite forever. Still, a 13-year relationship between Radio Days and Faster and Louder is certainly considerable. This band is one of the surest things in modern music. Every record they put out is a timeless & beautifully crafted work of traditional power pop. If I had to list my favorite 25 power pop bands of all-time, there's a very good chance Radio Days would make the cut. 

Off The Record, the band's new album (out tomorrow on Wild Honey Records and Ammonia Records), isn't particularly surprising in terms of musical style or approach. But why would you want it to be? When it comes to Radio Days, I just want great pop songs. I never tire of the band's approach because they do it so remarkably well. And their sound is so fresh because they infuse modern power pop influences into their classic, '60s and '70's–inspired songwriting foundation. In 2016, I named their long player Back in the Day my album of the year, and I'd do it again if I had to re-evaluate the LPs that came out that year. Off The Record might be every bit as good. Radio Days as a band have definitely matured and refined their talents over the years, but they've never lost sight of those things that matter the most: memorable melodies, silky-smooth harmonies, perfect choruses, and timeless love songs. As a craftsman of melody, Dario Persi is criminally underrated. He's also a wonderful singer. The band's lyrics, written by Paco Orsi and Mattia Baretta, will remind you why you first came to love pop music and why you keep going back to it. 

It seems almost unnecessary to say that Off The Record is a classic power pop record since that's the only kind of record that Radio Days bother to make. But I will say that while many power pop bands kind of grow tiresome if they don't change up their approach over time, Radio Days are on album #5 of pure power pop classicism and are only getting better. With each new album, I keep thinking, "This is finally the one they won't be able to top." And then the next one comes out, and I say the same thing. I'm done doubting these guys. 99.9% of bands would wish for a greatest-hits compilation as good as Off the Record. From the punchy and melodious "I Won't Give Up" to the all-the-feels majesty of "One Heart One Love" to the sun-kissed '70s splendor of "Paralyzed" to the pure pop bliss of "She's My Girl" to the laidback, Weezer-ish stunner "I've Got a Song" and all points in between, this album is all killer and no filler. And it certainly didn't hurt to have Bruno Barcella, one of the finest music producers in the business, recording and mixing these songs. 

While Off the Record will certainly appeal to folks who love their classic power pop, I don't think a word like "retro" correctly captures the vibe. Radio Days aren't trying to bring back power pop — they're simply one of many bands keeping the legacy alive. As 2026 continues to establish itself as an extraordinary year for guitar pop albums, I hope people will realize that one of the very best of the lot has come from Milan, Italy.

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