Vista Blue - "50 Years"

There are few things I enjoy more in life than a happy love song. And if it's coming from one of my favorite bands, I'm going to be doubly delighted. On its new single "50 Years," Vista Blue has brought us the ultimate happy love song. The song celebrates the 50th wedding anniversary of the band's good friends Kent and Barbie Duffy. Kent co-wrote the lyrics with Mike, and then Mike and Mark recorded the song. Kent and Barbie gave their blessing for the song to be released for streaming, and now we all get to share in the celebration!  

First of all, congratulations to Kent and Barbie! 50 years of marriage is an amazing, beautiful thing, and I wish you many more anniversaries to come! Secondly, I'm really blown away by what a genuinely fantastic song this is. To be able to write a song like this that's heartfelt, beautiful, and sentimental without being cheesy is an amazing achievement. The song takes a matter-of-fact approach that is touching and relatable. I'd be lying if I said I didn't tear up the first two to seven times I read the lyrics. The line "I closed my eyes and opened them/And now it's been 50 years" absolutely gives me goosebumps (I'm feeling the exact same way today about 17 years!). I love the way the song looks back at all the things that have happened in those 50 years — the places Kent and Barbie have lived, the children they've raised, the songs on the radio that have come and gone. And here they still are. The last verse incorporates a passion for music into their love story and reflects on memorable shows they've seen together. And of course, Mike and Mark perform the song joyfully and splendidly. 

There's so much darkness and despair in this world right now, so a song as sweet and uplifting as this was exactly what I needed. I don't think Mike ever gets enough credit for being an excellent singer (honestly, it was the first thing I noticed about Vista Blue back in the day), and here he takes on the tall task of having to give voice to the words that came from another person's heart. But that plays to his natural sincerity as a singer. What an inspired performance, and what a wonderful anniversary gift to give to dear friends! Much is made of Vista Blue being lyrically unconventional for a pop-punk band, but isn't that exactly what makes this band so endearing? Even when they're not doing love songs, the love is always coming through since every song means something to them. Here, they are doing a love song, and it couldn't be more perfect.

-L.R.

https://wearevistablue.bandcamp.com/track/50-years
https://open.spotify.com/album/2awtXMz9yGmiyJ0POpL9QE
https://www.facebook.com/wearevistablue

Mauro & The Mob - What Have I Got To Lose

Mauro Venegas (ex Speedways, Godfathers, Jonny Cola & the A-Grades, the Rocks ) has launched a new solo-ish project, and of course it's brilliant! "What Have I Got To Lose," Mauro & the Mob's debut single, will be released on vinyl this fall by Spain's Snap!! Records. The digital tracks are already available from Bandcamp and well worth owning in advance of the 7". The title track, featuring David Ryder Prangley on bass and Steve Grainger on drums, is a straight shot of rockin' power pop with impassioned vocals and a killer chorus. On the flip side, "Don't Look Now" (featuring additional playing by producer Jez Leather) is a little more '80s new wave-ish and quite reminiscent of the excellent songs Mauro wrote for the last Speedways album. Those guitar lines are immediately recognizable as his, and they mingle nicely with the keyboards that drive the song. This is a very nice pairing of tunes: one a little punchier, and the other a little moodier. But which one is the hit? It's a tough call! Keep your eyes peeled for information about the vinyl release, which is slated for September! This will be up there with the best singles of the year. 

-L.R.

https://snaprecordsspain.bandcamp.com/album/mauro-the-mob-what-have-i-got-to-lose-fun-7103
https://maurothemob.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591281673793

Tiger Bomb - 15 Super Hits

You have to love an album with the name 15 Super Hits. Right off, you know to expect nothing more and nothing less than fun and timeless rock 'n' roll. There will be no robot voices or seven-minute songs about dragons. You know that when you put that record on, you'll soon be dancing and singing along and generally having a great time. Tiger Bomb, a band co-fronted by Chris Horne from garage rock legends The Brood and Lynda Mandolyn from Fabulous Disaster, has been at it for nearly a decade now. I am more than a little chagrined that I've never previously reviewed this band that was practically tailor-mode for this blog. But the great thing about being a fan of music is that it's never too late to get hip (pun intended) to all kinds of good stuff. With a lineup rounded out by Amanda Ayotte (Legendary Unknowns) on bass and Jessica Smith (The Resistance) on drums, the Portland, Maine–based Tiger Bomb plays upbeat & infectious garage rock influenced by girl groups, punk rock, power pop, and classic pop and rock 'n' roll. Yeah, I know: that sounds like something I would be into! Out on the legendary Get Hip Recordings, the aptly named 15 Super Hits features 15 original songs that could easily pass for covers of forgotten '60s classics.  

The singing and songwriting partnership between Horne and Mandolyn is one of the things that really makes Tiger Bomb special. The former's songs are mostly high-energy garage rock shakers, while the latter's lean more towards power pop. But Horne's songs still have killer hooks, and Mandolyn's songs still pack plenty of punch. And all these songs go together splendidly. It never feels like you're listening to two different bands. Both of these women could carry (and have carried) a band as the lead songwriter, but they sure are dynamite together. I can't think of one song I would want to subtract from the track list, and even a healthy collection of 15 songs leaves me wanting more. 

Given the individuals involved, it's hardly a surprise that Tiger Bomb is such a fantastic band. But this group is more than just the sum of its parts. These four women get rock 'n' roll, and as a unit, they are an absolute ball of fire. They are masters of their craft, yet they play with the energy and enthusiasm of teenagers in the garage. Many of you are reading this and thinking, "What took you so long, dude?" The rest of you will be wondering how quickly you can acquire Tiger Bomb's full discography. Happy shopping!

-L.R.

https://tigerbomb2.bandcamp.com/album/15-super-hits
https://gethip.com/store/tigerbomb-15-super-hits/
https://www.facebook.com/tigerbombband/
https://www.instagram.com/tiger_bomb_band/

Bashful - 'Til It Makes You Sick

This one was an A+ recommendation from Niek. From Richmond, Virginia, Bashful has unleashed an absolute banger of a new album in 'Til It Makes You Sick. I believe the technical way to describe this is "punk rock that kicks ass." You know what I'm talking about: mega-blasting guitars, relentlessly pounding drums, vocals with guts and heart, and hooks that never quit. Pop-punk can often be a hit-or-miss thing, but this is a band that gets it right. Whatever frequent complaints you might have about pop-punk (too wimpy, dumb lyrics, annoying vocals, no originality, etc.) will not apply here. This record is a total firecracker. These songs are as likely to make you want to start a pit in your living room as they are to get stuck in your head. I often have a sweet spot for pop-punk that seems to have been teleported in from the '90s, but Bashful sounds a little more contemporary. I love that you can feel the passion that Bashful put into these songs. This music is infectious and full of life. If I'm sitting on the couch and you ask me why I'm so sweaty, I'll say, "I was listening to Bashful." 

-L.R.

https://bashfulpunkva.bandcamp.com/album/til-it-makes-you-sick
https://open.spotify.com/album/1sxdPf2lu1bwzLnl9NL5U4
https://www.instagram.com/bashfulpunkva/
https://www.facebook.com/bashfulpunkva/

Sparkle Blood - ZIP ZAP

From Lethbridge, Alberta, Sparkle Blood is a terrific trio making punky, poppy, modern rock with thoughtful lyrics and hooks a plenty. On its new album ZIP ZAP, the band (Tyler Stewart on guitar/vocals, Bre Day on drums, and Bailey Kate on bass/vocals) dishes out 12 earworm tracks in just 27 minutes. As a songwriter, Stewart is a master of efficiency. Each song comes in, grabs your attention, and then quickly makes way for the next. A lot of these songs (like "Mad About It," "The World Is Run By Sexist Men," and "In Real Life") are political in nature and don't hold back anything. But overall, the vibe of this record is warm and upbeat ("Totally Ignorant" has to be the happiest-sounding angry song I've ever heard). Stewart has the gift of being someone you can't help but like the moment he opens his mouth to sing. He can write serious songs without getting pretentious about it, and themes of friendship and fun loom large throughout this record. "This album speaks to the importance of recognizing we all have to take an active role in shaping the society we want to live in," says Stewart. "But at the same time, we can't take every moment of every day too seriously." From start to finish, the quality of the songs is top-notch. And the energy level rarely takes a dip. Yeah, I know there are thousands of new tracks coming out every day. It's just so hard to keep up. But Sparkle Blood is very much worth your time. These three make music that will give you hope in humanity. You'll want to buy their record. You'll want to drink beers and watch hockey with them. If this is "happy punk," sign me up for more!

-L.R.

https://sparkleblood.bandcamp.com/album/zip-zap
https://open.spotify.com/album/5tc9wzpziu2QZBfj1DiorD
https://sparkleblood.com/
instagram.com/sparklebloodlovesyou

Consensus Madness - Endeavors

On its debut album, Chicago-based Consensus Madness fills a rather large void in today's punk rock scene. Certainly there are more than a few contemporary bands that could trace their spiritual and stylistic lineage back to The Clash, Sex Pistols, Stooges, Buzzcocks, or Black Flag. There's a whole subgenre devoted to worshipping at the church of the Ramones. But when was the last time you heard a new band and thought, "This is like a modern-day Bags"? Well, Consensus Madness slots into that space nicely with a powerful, rapid-paced sound that meets at the intersection of first wave punk rock and early hardcore with a touch of post-punk/new wave to boot. On Endeavors (out on Iron Lung Records), the band breathes new life into a classic sound. OG California punk vibes co-exist with a distinctly Midwestern sensibility, and you can feel the urgency in the music, vocals, and lyrics. A younger version of me would have been won over simply by a band attempting this sound. But what impresses me is how well Consensus Madness pulls it off. These tunes are killer, and the band sounds tight and energetic. And lead singer Sarah is the real deal. She may be following in the footsteps of Alice Bag and Poly Styrene, but she's no copyist. She's an original in her own right with charisma for days. If you're looking for a band that's got something important to say about life and the world in 2026, crank tracks like "Let's Go To War," "Living and Dying," and "Superfund" as loudly as possible and join the resistance. At a lean 10 tracks, Endeavors will hit you with everything it's got and leave you wanting more. A superb debut!

-L.R.

https://ironlungrecords.bandcamp.com/album/endeavors-lungs-309
https://open.spotify.com/album/36KSCzUoDmty2Qe3zgNDKf
https://www.instagram.com/consensus_madness/

Songs From The Film* - "She Don't Mind"/"Waiting For the World to Explode"

I didn't have much time to cry in my beer over the sudden split of The Cheap Cassettes. Charles Matthews has already launched his new solo project Songs From The Film* (who doesn't love a good Tommy Keene reference every once in a while?). A debut single (and video!) have been unleashed on this very blessed day. Are you ready? Are you excited? 

The beauty of recording solo material is that it doesn't necessarily have to fit in with any particular band or even any particular genre of music. You can just write the songs that are in your heart. Whatever comes out is whatever comes out! My history with writing about Charles's music now dates back 30 years. We were both young men then. Now, we're somehow still young men since 55 is the new 30. The first thing I'll say about this single is that it sounds like Charles. This is him on a plate that you'll absolutely want to eat up. This isn't specifically a punk rock project or a power pop project, but you can hear elements of both — along with all that bubblegum glam rock and big hair new wave pop we all grew up on. Anyone who loved the Dimestore Haloes and Cheap Cassettes will recognize Charles's signature style and voice. It's not like this is his Metal Machine Music. He's still in the familiar territory of hooky three-chord rock 'n' roll with punchy guitars. But at the same time, this is something a little different. You can hear Charles experimenting a little with his guitar tone, vocals, and the overall vibe. The guitar riffs on "She Don't Mind" are by themselves worth the price of admission. 

Upbeat and rockin,' "She Don't Mind" is a more conventional loud pop love song and certified smash. I literally laughed out loud at the entire first verse — not just because of the cleverness of it all but also because I recognized my own experience in those lines. If you can find your person who can put up with all your weirdness and return it with their own wonderful weirdness, that's a priceless, beautiful thing. A line like "And the day we met, I knew I'd be your singin', dancin' clown" hits me so hard that it gives me chills. If that's a little too much feelgood for your tastes, the mid-tempo rocker "Waiting For the World to Explode" ought to be very much to your liking. Who can't relate to a song about being so disenchanted with living in this dystopian timeline that you start thinking that the complete obliteration of the world might be a best-case scenario? Tailgating the apocalypse with a six-pack of Corona would be half-hearted; a 12-pack, though, is a full commitment. I love social commentary, sarcasm, and dark humor. Put them all together, and you've got pure gold. 

Recording by yourself has to be way harder than it seems. You are responsible for getting every detail right, and you're likely to be far more critical of yourself than you'd be of bandmates. When it comes to all those hours spent rehearsing and recording in solitude, you better damn well hope you like the company. It takes a special temperament and skill set to excel as a solo artist. For every George Michael, there are ten Stings. Thankfully, Charles Matthews is the antithesis of Sting. When I first heard "She Don't Mind," I knew that he had freaking nailed it with this new project. It was an immediate "Holy shit! This is good!" reaction. And before I could consider that maybe I was just a weirdo with funny taste in music, bona fide movers and shakers like Malibu Lou and Ryan Meyers had joined the fan club too. I'll gladly throw my lot in with those guys. Songs From The Film* has come out firing like a rocket. Digital is available now from the mighty Rum Bar Records. Vinyl is coming soon from Sioux Records. And how cool is that music video? Add the title of "filmmaker" to Charles's resume!

-L.R.

https://chazmatthews.bandcamp.com/album/she-dont-mind
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/she-dont-mind
https://www.instagram.com/songs_from_the_film/