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