Sunday, July 12, 2026

Bart and the Brats - Brats Being Brats


Bart is back! Out on Big Neck Records, Brats Being Brats is the 7th 7" record from La Rochelle, France's one-man wrecking crew Bart and the Brats. The title says it all. You should expect nothing different than usual from Bart. He's not attempting five-minute epics or trying to learn a fourth chord. He's not singing about his feelings. He's here to deliver four more tracks of thumping meat and potatoes rock 'n' roll that bridges the 1977 punk explosion to the '90s budget punk heyday. Expect vocals drenched in attitude, lyrics that tell it like it is, pummeling power chords, rapid-fire drums and bass, and songs that never overstay their welcome. Who can't relate to songs about killing your TV and needing three coffees before noon? As always, Lo'Spider was on hand to catch this madness on tape at Swampland, Toulouse. As France shows the whole world that it's unbeatable on the football pitch, Bart and the Brats would make one hell of a run if there were a World Cup of punk rock. Vinyl is limited and sure to go fast!

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Vista Blue - "Wooden Horse"


In addition to holding the record for being the most frequently reviewed band on Faster and Louder (today they surpass Roger Maris with write-up #62), Vista Blue is also the only band that I've ever reviewed both twice on the same day and on back-to-back days. The back-to-back day part of that has been accomplished today, and I know a lot of you are speculating about any improper benefits I may have received in exchange for facilitating such a milestone. Let me reiterate that it would be unlawful for me to accept any shipment of alcoholic beverages brought into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from an unlicensed entity. The truth is that I just really love this band and really love writing about this band. I will go as far as to vow that I will continue to write about music for as long as Vista Blue continues to exist as a musical entity. So yeah, if Vista Blue releases a song in 2050 to celebrate Pete Crow-Armstrong's Baseball Hall of Fame induction, I'll almost surely be there to write a review that you can download from a microchip in your eyeball and read in your flying car. 

Just when I was starting to wonder how nearly every band I love releasing an album in 2026 would impact the musical offerings of 2027, I get my first "I can't wait until next year!" moment. In March of 2027, Vista Blue will release an epic project titled 50 Stories. The album will include 50 songs, which will all be inspired by books and short stories Mike has enjoyed over the years. Given that I'm a book geek when I'm not busy being a music geek and a sports geek, I'm really stoked about this release. The brand-new single "Wooden Horse" is a sneak preview of the album. Leave it Vista Blue to take inspiration from Homer's Odyssey and come up with a love song! The song's release, of course, coincides with The Odyssey hitting movie theaters this week. It's something a little different for Vista Blue. It features strings arranged and recorded by Nicolas Ocampo and falls closer to pure majestic pop than it does to punk rock. That said, it still feels like a classic Vista Blue song. 

Obviously, when you're putting 50 songs on an album (I still can't believe they're doing that!), there's going to be a lot of variety in terms of musical style. So this is just a little taste of what's to come. Mike and Mark really knocked this one out of the park, and I appreciate that the use of strings actually fits the song. They didn't say, "Let's put strings on this track because we can!" They put a lot of thought into this one, and I feel like the folks at Universal Pictures will be pretty upset they didn't know about the song in time to put it in the movie. This tune has bigtime closing credits energy! The connection to the Odyssey is undeniable, yet the song's relatability transcends any particular work of literature. Will this be on Christopher Nolan's personal playlist by year's end? I wouldn't be surprised!

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Saturday, July 11, 2026

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.

Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: ,

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. 

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Tuesday, July 07, 2026

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!

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

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." 

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Thursday, July 02, 2026

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!

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)