I've been waiting a quarter century for someone to have the good sense to give the greatest '77-style Brit-punk band of the '90s (that was actually based in Southern California) the proper compilation album treatment. I always thought that if you collected all of Bladder Bladder Bladder's singles along with some choice comp cuts, you'd have something that could stand toe-to-toe with just about any punk rock album released in the '90s. Finally, in 2025, Marco from No Front Teeth Records has proven me right! NFT had previously reissued Bladder Bladder Bladder's lone LP, 2000's On the Job. But I always maintained that the band's odds and sods were just as good if not superior to the album. Now Giving Punk a Bad Name collects most of that stuff, and it's essential listening for any human who never tires of listening to first wave UK punk rock. Yes, these tracks were recorded in the late '90s in California, but this album will practically transport you to 1977 London. As British expats who relocated to the U.S.A., the Bladder lads stood out like a sore thumb in the '90s SoCal punk scene. In classic tracks like "White American National Killer," "Crime Pays," "Living a Lie," "U.S. Dole Queue," and "No Go Girl," you can hear the influence of the music these guys grew up on. They simply ignored two decades of punk rock's evolution and wrote songs that today's algorithms would lump in with the likes of The Clash, Sex Pistols, Chelsea, Cock Sparrer, Generation X, and The Damned. Mick Bladder was the larger-than-life front man — a big, brash personality with a sharp wit and sense of humor that was unafraid to offend. Sterling Paramour was the guitar hero and occasional lead vocalist. Bassist Alex Creith wrote and sang a fair number of ace tunes as well. This was a band willing to engage in serious social commentary but never willing to take itself seriously. These guys had swagger in spades and the tunes to back it all up. Their songs were meant to be enjoyed under the influence of alcohol and were most likely written that way as well. In my book, Bladder Bladder Bladder should have been massive.
In today's sprawling digitalized underground music scene, Bladder Bladder Bladder has been largely lost to history. As you may imagine, Google searches for "Bladder Bladder Bladder" mostly turn up unpleasant medical information. Outside of the band's contributions to High Society International's The British Punkinvasion Vol. 5, its music cannot be found on music streaming sites (although you can find the collected singles on The Switchblade New Wave's YouTube channel). The release of Giving Punk A Bad Name on perhaps the planet's preeminent punk rock record label will introduce the band's music to a whole new generation of fans — and delight old ones like me who have been wishing this record into existence for decades. Bladder Bladder Bladder was one of a handful of bands that I'd describe as the soundtrack to the very worst years of my life. And when life is at its bleakest, the music matters the most. As I listen back to these songs, I'm encouraged to discover that they really hold up — that I wasn't 100% full of shit when I championed these hooligans the first time around. Included here are tracks from 7" releases on Pelado Records and 77 RPM Records as well as a number of cuts from compilations you may have forgotten about (who remembers the Battle For The Airwaves Vol. 1 7" on Radio Records?!). It has all been remastered for your listening pleasure.
What I like about reviewing music in the streaming era is that I can absolve myself of any responsibility for you spending money on music you end up not liking. I'm merely asking you to hit that play button and invest a few moments of your time in something you might want to buy. But with Giving Punk A Bad Name, it's a tougher sell. I'm asking you to fork over some of your hard-earned cash for a record you cannot listen to first. Some of you will have to pay exorbitant overseas shipping fees. But trust me: you will not be disappointed. And it's not like No Front Teeth has ever let you down. Bladder Bladder Bladder are giving punk a band name, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
How about this for an incredible, hard-to-believe fact: Broken Ballads & Savage Beats is the first vinyl album by The Prostitutes in nearly 28 years! I have had the honor of writing about this band dozens of times since 1996, but this is only my second time reviewing a Prostitutes release on 12" vinyl. That's wild!
The Prostitutes as an entity within the punk rock universe have survived numerous breakups, implosions, relocations, and reboots. I was reasonably certain when the first iteration of the band collapsed in 1998 that The Prostitutes were gone forever — destined to become one of those bands of punk lore that burned hard and fast before irreversibly going up in flames. But two years later, Kevin McGovern revived the band from the ashes with a mostly new lineup — and within months it seemed The Prostitutes were again dead and buried, surely this time obliterated beyond the point of no return. Or so we all thought. Nothing, it turned out, could really kill The Prostitutes. What started out as a punk rock band from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania became a compulsion that followed Kevin McGovern wherever he went. And even as time passed and the supporting casts continued to revolve, the music continued to fiercely rage against the dull trappings of conformity. If an esteemed scribe like Mick Fletcher describes McGovern as a "punk rock legend," that's not an overstatement. The Prostitutes were more than worthy of a second proper LP, and I love that it comes to us courtesy of SahLugg Records and super-fan Kenney Garrett.
Broken Ballads & Savage Beats is a Prostitutes retrospective that aims to cover the band's full career through 2019. It does include five tracks from the band's original, legendarily-volatile classic lineup, but it also includes three songs from the short-lived Y2K Prostitutes, a couple tunes from the band's 2000s California iteration, and several songs from the late 2010s when McGovern brought the band back to the East Coast. Essentially, the album splits the band's history into two halves: Side 1 is 1995 through 2000, and Side 2 is post-2000 (along with the closing demo track from McGovern's early '90s band Mainliner). And there's no drop-off from one side to the other. Of course "123 Go" and "Suicide Is Fun" are classics. But if "Sick to Death" or "Cheap Highs" were your very first exposure to The Prostitutes, you'd instantly want to hear more. Sometimes with band retrospectives or best-of compilations, the track selection can be too obvious or too encompassing. But that's not what is going on here. This album gives a balanced overview of a quarter century of The Prostitutes. It's not trying to be a best-of or a greatest hits comp. What it really is is a carefully-selected group of songs that collectively make a great punk rock LP. If you're looking for something more exhaustive, there are plenty of options available via Bandcamp. But if you want to own a Prostitutes LP that can throw on the turntable and enjoy along side all your other classic punk albums, Broken Ballads & Savage Beats will not disappoint. I love that this album was made to exist as a vinyl record. Sure, you can still download it if that's your preference. But this retrospective was made for Prostitutes fans who are vinyl lovers. The red vinyl and artwork look great, and the liner notes were penned by Mr. Kevin McGovern himself.
If you had bet me a million dollars back in 1996 that I would still be writing about The Prostitutes in my mid-50s, I'd be in big trouble now. I never would have believed that I'd still be writing about music at this age, and I certainly wouldn't have believed that a Prostitutes album in 2025 was remotely possible. But here we are. Broken Ballads & Savage Beats instantly earns a spot on the short list of classic punk rock compilation LPs. And I'm betting this won't be the last time I have the occasion to write about this band!
"Imagine Being Eric," Ricky Rochelle's new solo single, is an absolute delight. While the song has the spirit of pop-punk, it's definitely a departure from Ricky's usual style of music. It's more on the quirky side of new wave/power pop with hints of classic indie/alternative. What I love about this song is that it's exactly what the world needs way more of right now. It comes from a place of empathy, compassion, and kindness. Mailman, cat dad, and '80s table tennis star Eric is a lonely soul who has presumably given up on finding love. The song doesn't judge or poke fun at him — it invites you to put yourself in his shoes. And you do so because you could be in his shoes or maybe already have been. This could have been a bummer of a song, but the sweetness of Ricky's vocal delivery gives it a much warmer vibe. The best songs about loneliness make us feel more connected to our fellow humans, and I would absolutely put "Imagine Being Eric" in that category. The song's chorus is so simple in structure yet so brilliantly crafted. You won't hear a catchier song this year. Ricky Rochelle is just one of those singers who's naturally likable. You hear him through those headphones and feel like a friend is talking to you. And that's part of the magic of "Imagine Being Eric." He's got another single coming out next Thursday, and I can't freaking wait!
One of my biggest misses in recent years was sleeping on Keep Pretending, a great album released by Borderlines back in 2023. It's an A+ pop-punk record, and 24-year-old me would be chewing out present-day me out for being so late to the party. Luckily I get another crack at Borderlines. On February 14th, this long-running Portland, Maine–based foursome will be releasing a new EP called Repair Kit on Mom's Basement Records. In advance of the EP, the band has a new single/music video out called "Okay, Socrates." That's a brilliant title for a terrific song. I'd say Borderlines are spiritually aligned with label mates The Young Hasselhoffs and Hoaxxers. They lean to the pop side of the pop-punk style with smooth vocals and thoughtful, reflective lyrics. So yes, this is what you'd call pop-punk for grown-ups, and I absolutely love it! "Okay, Socrates" is a song about what it's like to be so stuck in a routine that you're literally trapped. I'm always a sucker for the juxtaposition of dark lyrics and upbeat melodies, and on top of that I'd be lying if I said I didn't relate to the song at least a little. If you like pop-punk, I highly recommend you check out this single and the full EP when it comes out!
It's no overstatement to call The Grip Weeds legends in the indie pop universe. They've been releasing music for more than three-and-a-half decades, and they are responsible for some of the finest psychedelic pop rock 'n' roll recordings of modern times. They've successfully brought the classic sounds of the '60s and '70s into the 21st century, and they've been a cornerstone of the JEM Records roster since it was relaunched as a proper record label a decade ago. This is one of those bands that is just pure excellence defined: any Grip Weeds recording is like a master class in guitar pop music. If you love melody, harmonies, and superbly crafted & produced pop songs and aren't familiar with The Grip Weeds, you've got decades of great music to catch up on! Early Clues, the band's new EP, is basically a teaser for its forthcoming long player Soul Bender. I love the idea of giving fans a taste of what to expect from the full album. As the title suggests, the band is dropping hints here. What blows me away is that any of these three songs could be the best song on a great album. And you know they didn't just cherry-pick the best three tracks from the album because then no one would need to buy the album. So if this is just the taster of what's to come, all I can say is wow!
"Conquer And Divide" is a garage rocker with some real pep in its step. Here the band works under many of the same influences that fueled its garage/psych covers album DiG. It rocks like there's no tomorrow, and it ought to have you jumping up and down in no time flat. That guitar solo is a stone cold ripper! "Column of Air," the band's ode to the joy of creativity, basks in gorgeous melodies and warm '70s vibes. If you're seeking majestic production and dazzling guitar work from The Grip Weeds, well, this song delivers! To close it out, the love song "Flowers For Cynthia" hits that later '60s sweet spot where baroque and psychedelic pop converge. The song, co-written by David Wojciechowski of the Insomniacs, balances its despairing lyrics with a gorgeous melody and heavenly harmonies. I can't help but sense a wink and a nod to The Zombies' "A Rose for Emily." No complaints there!
I was surprised to discover that Early Clues represents the first new original songs from The Grip Weeds since 2019. If you've been waiting with great anticipation for these tracks, I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. And you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to conclude that Soul Bender is going to be a varied affair and one of the year's best albums!
Daniel James, who has been responsible for some of my favorite records of the past decade, is back with an absolutely smoking new Daniel James Gang EP/maxi single titled Darkness Over This Town. Alongside Logan Stang, Johnny Cyanide, Geoff Palmer, and Miski Dee, Daniel tears through four tracks of grimy old school Midwestern punk 'n' roll with mega-tasty pop hooks. Is there anyone out there who does this sort of gutsy punk rock with a bleeding power pop heart better than Daniel James? Daniel's songs aren't just catchy and super-tough —they're also passionate, soulful, and totally fierce. As great as all those Indonesian Junk records were, this new stuff might be at a whole other level. The EP would be worth the price of admission just for "Misery" — one of the best tracks of 2024. "Darkness Over This Town" and "Lies" are every bit as good.
I can't look at a song title like "Darkness Over This Town" and not think about how fitting it is for present-day America. I suppose you could say the exact same thing about "Misery," right? Even if these songs are more personal than political, they certainly capture the zeitgeist of 2025. To me, the vibe of this record is what solo Stiv Bators might have sounded like if he had gone in a more straight-forward punk rock direction but still retained his love for The Raspberries. I dig how "Lies" sounds huge and melodic but also totally raw in the very best way. And of course Daniel's lead guitar work is pure fire. Wait? Did Daniel cover a New Model Army song? Fuckin' right, he did! Now there's a band that never gets enough love! Darkness Over This Town is available now on compact disc from Bandcamp, or you can stream it from all the usual platforms. This is my favorite release of 2025 so far. If you love it too, you have impeccable taste.
Holy crappers: this is how you do budget rock! Shit Missile is a band out of Berlin playing trashy lo-fi garage punk with the perfect mix of bad attitude and primitive abandon. Its new self-titled release is out on River Trash Records, a tape label out of Winnipeg run by Joe from Poison Suckers and Fashion Bathers. I heard this thing and was immediately blown away. Who needs professional production or pretty cover art when you can just put your heart, soul, and guts into some savage three-chord rock 'n' roll? There's nothing fancy going here: just raw, ear-bleeding fury that has me fondly recalling the 1990s heyday of blown-out garage punk. I'm not really a format geek like I was many years ago, but this does feel to me like the kind of release that would be awesome to experience on cassette tape. However you choose to listen to this, play it freaking loud!
Imagine if I had predicted 45 years ago that 20/20 and The Vapors would both release excellent albums in the first two months of 2025. Would anyone have believed me (especially considering I was only nine years old)? What a wonderful thing music is! Back To California (out on SPYDERPOP and Big Stir Records) is 20/20's first new album since 1998. And without trying too hard to be "vintage" 20/20, it proves to be an accomplished and truly inspired showing from legendary songwriters Ron Flynt and Steve Allen (joined by Flynt's son Ray).
Rather than attempting some kind of deliberate "return to form," Flynt and Allen have built on their entire body of work and put their virtuoso songwriting skills on display. Back To California is a splendid guitar pop record that doesn't cling to any genre in particular. Its hooks and melodies are undeniable, but it's not looking to turn back the clock to 1979. Far from a copy of 20/20's classic debut album, this is precisely the album you would hoped the band would have given us decades later. It's a little mellower and more sophisticated — more timeless American pop-rock than power pop per se. It's the work of a couple of esteemed & seasoned artists whose songwriting has matured and evolved over time while still emphasizing timeless melodies and indelible hooks.
The curse of authoring the greatest power pop ever made is that every subsequent record you release will be compared to it. But 20/20 has never looked back, and has just gone about the business of crafting first-rate pop music. Back To California is arguably their finest and most consistently strong release since that first album. Absolutely one gets the sense 20/20 has come full circle — revisiting its old stomping grounds with a perspective that can only come from living life and growing wiser. Of course the album has moments where you'll hear flickers of the 20/20 of yore, but the 20/20 of today is a joy to behold entirely in its own right. Back To California puts on a master class in guitar-forward, melody-driven pop. To paraphrase Mike Patton, what did we do to deserve this record?
If you listen to The On and Ons' new album Come On In, your first thought might be that this band surely belongs on JEM Records. This group has five albums out in Australia and has established quite a track record for turning out melody-driven, '60s-influenced guitar pop of the highest quality. Come On In compiles standout tracks from the band's back catalog along with three brand-new songs to create a true representation of the very best of The On and Ons. Needless to say, the album is stacked with hits. When it comes to The On and Ons, music is a family affair. The band was formed by brothers Glenn Morris (lead guitar/lead vocals) and Brian Morris (drums/vocals). Dennis Wilson, their brother-in-law, is on guitar. Clyde Bramley (Hoodoo Gurus, The New Christs) rounds out the lineup on bass. Stylistically, this is vintage JEM Records type stuff: exceptionally well-crafted pop-rock with musical and vocal talent in spades. I'm hearing the influence of The Who, Beatles, Hollies, etc. with touches of garage rock, power pop, and modern rock. Simply put, this is truly excellent pop music. Glenn Morris is a fantastic songwriter, and Wilson's pristine guitar work takes these songs to another level. Songs like "Roller Coaster" and "Been There" take inspiration from the golden age of pop rock 'n' roll in a way that's more timeless than retro. "Long Ride" and "She's Leaving" will give you power pop fanatics something to shout about. "Let Ya Hair Down!" is pure British Invasion goodness. "Run to Tomorrow" is garage rock as the music gods intended. Come On In is the band's JEM debut, and it stands toe-to-toe with just about anything the label has put out. Marty Scott sure knows how to pick 'em!
Kurt Baker has been on a major back-to-his-roots run with his recent singles, and I am loving it! I first came to be a fan of Baker's music back in the early 2010s, and what I found so appealing was the way he was reimagining the sounds of late '70s/early '80s power pop through the lens of '90s pop-punk. In particular, his collaborations with Wyatt Funderburk were as up-my-alley as music gets. There was something about those two guys combining their talent, influences, and creative vision that produced guitar pop magic. Well here we are in 2025, and they are still writing songs together — as they have been since 2009. Baker's new single "Warm in the Winter" is a vintage Baker/Funderburk creation: an infectious power pop rocker with more than a little Lookout! Records in its musical DNA. I'm always a sucker for a good love song, and this one concerns a love interest who runs hot and cold at the most inopportune times. Baker and his pals (Funderburk, Rich Kelly III, and Geoff Palmer, who kills it on guitar) do amazing work here imbuing this tale of doomed romance with a fun, energetic feel. Once that chorus gets its hooks into you, you'll be hearing it in your head all day. The lyrics are clever and relatable, and that melody is worth its weight in gold. The song was written during the same sessions that produced the superb Rock n Roll Club album. While "Warm in the Winter" didn't end getting recorded for the album, clearly Baker knew he still had a gem of a song in his back pocket. So here it is — fortuitously arriving in the dead of winter. If the intersection of power pop and pop-punk is your sweet spot, you're going to enjoy this one!
The golden ears of Sir Malibu Lou strike again! One of my favorite things Rum Bar Records does is to do deluxe reissues of releases from the recent past that may have been overlooked, underexposed, or undeservedly slept on. In the case of The Hellflowers from Los Angeles, Deluxe is literally the name of the album! The Hellflowers have been a band for a decade and have released two full-length albums and two EPs since 2016. Deluxe, which collects the songs from the band's long players Por Vida! (2019) and Vamonos (2024), is actually my introduction to this band. I must say that I'm quite embarrassed about not already being hip to The Hellflowers. Where have I been? With its driving, pop-influenced old school punk style, this band could not be any more up my alley. How can I not dig a band that finds the sweet spot where Blondie meets the Ramones and The Go-Go's meet the Buzzcocks, all with a distinctive Southern Californian punk rock 'n' roll flavor? These tracks are catchy and tuneful without being over-polished, and singer/guitarist Christina joins an impressive list of powerhouse crooners already on the Rum Bar roster.
At 20 tracks, you're getting a whole lot of bang for your back with Deluxe. The title is no lie! And the quality is high from start to finish. While the digital release mixes the songs up, the CD includes the two albums back-to-back. This allows you to follow the band's creative progression. Por Vida! is mostly straight-ahead poppy punk; Vamonos finds the band expanding its core sound and embracing numerous musical genres. I can't decide which I album I like better, and luckily I don't have to. Deluxe lets me have my pastrami and eat it too! If first-rate punk-pop is what you're after, it doesn't get much better than "Come On, Let's Dance" or "Vacation." And with Vamonos, the musical variety is upped in a big way. The title track is an excellent surf rock instrumental. "Little Boogie" is hoppin' hot-rod rock 'n' roll. "Running Through the Fog" is a moody, new wave-ish number that sounds straight out of the '80s. "String" is pure pop at its finest. "Fucked Up Nation" is classic SoCal punk rock with contemporary lyrical urgency. "Girl U Want" is a great take on a Devo classic. "Way Out West" is terrific country rock.
It's weird to be just now learning about a band that has been putting its blood, sweat, and tears into its music for a decade. But Deluxe allows me (and now perhaps you) to immediately enjoy the fruits of all that hard work and perseverance. It's kind of like discovering a TV show that everyone else has known about for years and then binging it in a month. In the song "Music's My Love," Christina sings the words "Music is love." Nothing could be truer, and that love sure comes through in all these songs. And while this may be a Rum Bar product, let the record show that the very best song on the album is a Mexican-spiced love song to tequila. Lou, you knew I was going to love this album, didn't you?!
When Civil Rats reached out to me about their new tape label, Dummest Records, I knew that anything they put out would likely be up my alley. Their last release, in fact, was Log Flume's Splash Hit!, one of my favorite albums of 2024. Next up from Dummest Records is the latest album from Philadelphia's Total Whine. Now Total Whine is a hard band to research online. No matter how many times I tell Google that yes, I meant Total Whine, not Total Wine, I still get stuff about wine. Luckily the music speaks for itself. Miss Mess, Ian Rubbish, and Eskimo play straight-up punk rock that's raw, catchy, and super fun. They put out their first demo back in 2018 and have amassed an impressive array of releases over the ensuing years. There is a shared spirit with Civil Rats in the respect that both bands' songs are chock full of attitude, humor, and relatable real-life observations.
There's something about Total Whine that reminds me of the thrill of discovering punk rock back in the '90s — especially from DIY demo tapes. Total Whine is obviously not a demo, but it has that feel of a band recording itself in the rawest, most stripped-down way as possible. I feel like if you saw Total Whine live, it would sound very much like this album. Miss Mess has tremendous charisma and spirit on lead vocals, and all these songs will have you tapping your toes and shouting along. Songs like "1234," "Corpo (Are You Talking to Me?)," and "My Room" (which is my new personal anthem) will get your heart racing if bratty yet tuneful punk is your thing. There are also tracks like "Taking It Home" and "Anywhere" that show a softer, more garage pop side of the band. All in all, this is a fantastic set of tunes. It's my first favorite punk rock album of 2025. Keep an eye on the Dummest Records Bandcamp page for information about a cassette release!
Ah, The almighty Roxies! There are not sufficient words in the English language to convey how much I love this Berlin-based band. They have a new album called Keep You Up At Night releasing in March on Flight 13 and Dirt Cult Records — and I'm stoked, of course! In advance of the album, new single "Animals" is vintage Roxies — a head-on collision of power pop and old school punk with infectious hooks and thoughtful lyrics "about self-determination, humanity and equality." What's not to love? Once again, the legendary SmaiL ShocK is on hand for recording and mixing duties, and the track sounds great! This is music that will have you both dancing and feeling inspired! With some bands' pre-album singles, I might endorse waiting for the album. But come on: this will only cost you €1, and two months is way too long to wait! But if you do want to pre-order the album, hit one of the links below!
I always enjoy an exciting new band that seemingly comes out of nowhere. Night Candies popped up on Bandcamp yesterday with a digital EP called Rock'n'roll Fantasies. It's seven tracks of really cool girl group–inspired power pop/punk from a Spanish-based band with lyrics sung in French and English. As far as I can tell, Night Candies have no social media presence. So the band is a bit of a mystery, but I sure like the music! All these songs clock in under two minutes long and are catchy as heck with rockin' lead guitar and a hoppin' beat. Who can't relate to a song called "1981 Again (I Wish It Was)"? It will cost you zero dollars and nine minutes of your time to check out this EP, and I recommended doing just that!
So it's 2025 now. It's crazy that we are now halfway through the 2020s. Remember when we thought 2020 would never end? In commemoration of this half-milestone, I thought it would be fun to look back at my favorite albums of the decade so far. To keep it simple, I just went with the albums I've played the most over the past five years. So some of the 2024 entries are still catching up. And yes, I know that a new decade didn't really begin until 2021. Nonetheless, we're talking about the '20s! Sorry if this list causes you to have to spend more money.
20. Brad Marino - Looking for Trouble (2021) Chuck Berry, Joey Ramone, and Keith Richards walk into a bar and play Rockpile on the jukebox.
19. The Melmacs - Good Advice (2022) Super-underrated power pop punk from Germany with anthemic hooks and thoughtful lyrics.
18. Shanda & The Howlers - It Ain't Easy (2022) This is a classic soul record in any era.
17. Rich Ragany - You Can Get Dark with Me (2024) One of our greatest present-day songwriters at the top of his game.
16. Hayley and the Crushers - Vintage Millennial(2020) This was the album that made me a Crushers super-fan. Poolside glitter trash defined!
15. The Exbats -Kicks, Hits, and Fits (2020) The first of three entries from this band. How perfect of a song is "I Got the Hots for Charlie Watts"?
14. The Cheap Cassettes - They’'ll Never Forgive You For Pop (2024) On their third long player, The Cheap Cassettes give us some great power pop and a whole lot more. Their magnum opus!
13. The Shang Hi Los - Aces Eights & Heartbreaks (2023) Many bands would wish for a lifetime retrospective as hit-packed as this one!
12. Kurt Baker -After Party (2020) Following Brand New Beat (2012) and Play It Cool (2015), this was the third in the trilogy of power pop albums that Baker co-wrote with Wyatt Funderburk. All three records rule, but After Party is arguably the finest of the three.
11. Autogramm - Music That Humans Can Play (2023) The title of this album is all the more poignant at a time when A.I. is starting to intrude into the sacred realm of music. More broadly, it's a reminder that synthesizers in rock music are nothing without the people who program them. While Music That Humans Can Play is clearly inspired by the late '70s/early '80s heyday of new wave and synth-pop, at its core it's a great pop record that I keep going back to.
10. Beach Patrol -Festivus (2022) Domenic Marcantonio is about a decade younger than me, but I feel like I gain wisdom and a more profound understanding of the world from him every time I listen to his songs. "Jung-er Than Yesterday" and "Thanks Coach" from Festivus are two of his most remarkable creations, and who doesn't love a song about The Jerk?
9. The Exbats - Now Where Were We (2021) Still fresh off their delightful album 2020 album Kicks, Hits, and Fits, Inez and Kenny McClain took things to a whole other level with this COVID -era garage pop masterpiece, with songs tackling everything from climate change to pandemic life to record stores to Scooby Doo. This is the first of three albums in my top ten that are the fruit of a creative partnership between a father and daughter (one of them is another Exbats album). Clearly there's something about multi-generational family bands that hits me the right way.
8. Norcos Y Horchata - Forever Disheveled (2022) Detroit's finest street punk rock 'n' roll band's debut album is chock full of anthemic, sing-along bangers. "...Out for Smokes" remains the most on-point song yet written about the dystopian shitshow we are currently living through.
7. Juniper - She Steals Candy(2023) Working with her dad, Michael Shelley, and a whole slew of talented songwriters and musical guest stars from the indie pop universe, Juniper brought a much-needed ray of sunshine to the world when she released her delightful debut album in 2020 at the age of 15. The follow-up, She Steals Candy, was even better — and it remains one of my go-tos whenever I'm craving retro-pop with modern influences (or is it the other way around?).
6. The Airport 77s - We Realize You Have a Choice (2022) From Silver Spring, Maryland, The Airport 77s essentially released one of the best late '70s/early '80s power pop albums in 2022.
5. Beach Patrol - Making Waves (2020) Listening to this album always makes me think of when I first started listening to this album — in the car every afternoon back in January 2020. I can still feel the chilly air and the thrill of experiencing these songs for the very first time. Domenic Marcantonio is one of my favorite songwriters, and on this record he went with a totally raw, home-recorded style of production. With zero polish, the songs speak for themselves. And what songs they are! "Battlestar Galactica," "Struggle," "Thunder of the Mouth," and the title track are some of the finest songs of his career and some of the finest songs written by anyone in the early 2020s.
4. Miss Georgia Peach - Aloha from Kentucky (2022) Miss Georgia Peach and Travis Ramin got together with some pals from Nine Pound Hammer & Nashville Pussy and made an old school country record. Aloha from Kentucky demonstrates that making great records isn't just about writing songs. Most of the songs on this album are covers of country classics from the '60s and '70s. But MGP and friends make these songs their own through amazing singing and musicianship — filling them with raw energy and an infectious spirit that oozes fun. Class Out the Ass, the sequel to this album, will be out on Valentine's Day on Rum Bar Records.
3. Hayley and the Crushers - Modern Adult Kicks (2022) I've always believed that great punk rock bands can mature without losing the attitude and edge that made them great punk rock bands in the first place. Modern Adult Kicks practically writes the manual on how to do that. The quintessential post-pandemic punk-pop record.
2. The Speedways - Radio Sounds (2020) Without a doubt, I would rank this as one of the ten greatest power pop albums ever made.
1. The Exbats - Song Machine(2023) This album fully lives up to its title. Timeless bubblegum pop songs with a modern punk rock attitude for music lovers of any age. If you said this was the best band in the world, I would not disagree.
Holy hell: 2025's first great punk rock album is a ripper! Ghoulies hail from Perth and kick up a tremendous racket on their new long player Shafted By The Algorithm. These 12 tracks will batter you senseless in a way that's positively thrilling. Style-wise, this is fast and frenzied garage punk with demented synthesizers. Alec Thomas and Charles Wickham takes turns writing and singing these songs, which blaze by at 100 miles per hour and smash everything in their path. It's hard to even put a label on this record. Is this egg punk on amphetamines? Is this hardcore with synths? All I know is that the intensity, unrelenting weirdness, and pure fury of this record are off the charts from wire to wire. And these songs aren't just wild and crazy —they're genuinely good. Out of 12 tracks, only one of them needs to go past two minutes. If a few of these songs had gone any longer, someone might have gotten hurt. What a brilliant album! Vinyl will be out on the German label Erste Theke Tontraeger in March.
Delaware-based old school punk rock band The Kickboy has released some excellent singles in recent years. I highly recommend its blistering 2022 single "Kids" and its 2023 tracks "Sanitized" and "Abrupt Drug Holiday." Its modern holiday classic "Christmas with the Clash" is now up on the streaming sites as well. The Kickboy's latest single is actually a resurrected version of an old song. "Visions In My Mind (eyeball soup)" is a tribute to Vince's friend Adam Smith (Love Muscle, Das Kickboy). The song was originally demoed by Love Muscle back in the early '90s. Vince has reimagined it as a new recording for The Kickboy, and it's quite a stunner. You can hear various influences intersecting here: reggae, punk, and even some old school goth/death rock. The playing and production on this track are truly top-notch. I love the way those bass lines dance in unison with the guitars, and Bobbi's vocal really hits the mark. This is a powerful, hypnotic tune, and I'm glad Vince brought it back and re-worked it. If you're not yet following The Kickboy on Spotify, what in the world are you waiting for?
Heck yeah: we've got new music from Geoff Palmer to start the new year! "Exit Wounds" is Palmer's brand-new single, and it will be the opening track on his forthcoming EP Kodak Flash. This is the first new material Palmer has released since October of 2023, and it sounds awesome! The bonus for me is that my favorite lead guitar player, Daniel James, plays on this record along with Tyler Spatz, Paul Kennedy, and Zack Sprague. "Exit Wounds" is a vintage Palmer tune — an upbeat, catchy-as-hell pop-punk rocker that will stick to your skull like bubblegum. Coming in at just one minute, 49 seconds, this song definitely fits into the category of leaving us wanting more. But isn't that the whole point? Now we have something to look forward to as we await the full EP, which is coming out April 1st on Stardumb Records. Now this is the way to kick off the new music of 2025!
Have I ever reviewed a live album before? I'm generally not a fan of live albums, but there are some exceptions to the rule. One is the new live album from The Battlebeats, Live at Northspace Garut. First of all, the recording sounds genuinely good. Fidelity-wise, it is comparable to the band's studio releases. Just as importantly, this album gives you a feel for what The Battlebeats sound like as a live full band as opposed to a one-man recording project. Given that I've ranked The Battlebeats in the top tier of today's garage punk/trash/budget rock universe, a quality live album definitely strengthens my case.
The set was recorded by Rully Dentharza on November 11, 2023 and then mastered by Odie Fury. Andresa says this was one of his favorite Battlebeats live shows, and you can sense why when you listen to this recording. The energy and ferocity that are such a key part of The Battlebeats' studio releases are every bit as impressive in these live tracks. This whole set is played and sung with full fury. If you're a Battlebeats fan, this album will make you wish you were at this show, and it will have you hoping you get to see the band live someday. The set list features many favorites from the Search and Destroy album plus 7" cuts like "Killed by Boredom," "Get Lost," and "I'm Losing Control." The latter, one of the best Battlebeats songs, gets expanded to ten minutes thanks to a whopping eight-minute (!) guitar solo by Ferdy, who was helping to buy time for another band on the bill that was running late. Now that's the kind of spontaneous magic that you want to hear on a live record! This is a freaking great live album that truly exemplifies what wild and raw garage punk is all about. If this is your introduction to The Battlebeats, it will make you want to hear the rest of their music. And if you love The Battlebeats' music, you must own this live album. A cassette recording is available from Big Neck Records!
As I was closing out the year and looking for review drafts that for some reason never got published, this Guerrilla Teens piece from October caught my eye. How in the world did I forget to finish this thing? Back with their first new release since 2023's fantastic long player Under the Dagger, Guerrilla Teens totally rip it up with a pair of tracks that fit the mood of the spooky season. But in a way, it's nice to listen to this single again with fresh ears. Even with the horror theme, this is by no means a strictly seasonal release. 12 months a year, these tunes will melt your face off. Guerrilla Teens remain one of the finest rock 'n' roll bands going, and "I Cyclops" is as good as anything they've done. Out on Heavy Medication Records, this is an absolute monster of a single (no pun intended). On the A-side, the band gets into the head of a perceived monster. What's it like to be feared and misjudged by a world that won't even try to understand you? Scott "Deluxe" Drake turns in a powerful vocal performance on this track — a fierce and ferocious shot of old school punk rock 'n' roll. On the B-side, "Pride of the Savanna" stays on the horror theme and manages to evoke wild '60s garage rock without coming off overtly retro. The guitar work and rhythm playing are inspired, and Drake delivers his vocals with a chilling conviction. I believe there are still vinyl copies left, so be sure to grab one if real rock 'n' roll is your cup of tea!
Now this is taking the "unfinished business" concept to absurd lengths. Mean Jeans' latest album Blasted is now nearly a year old, and I can't possibly explain why I didn't go to the trouble to review it 11 months ago. Let's just say that sometimes things slip past me. I would like to thank Mark for the nudge. If 2024 was the year that reignited my love for pop-punk, then I need to include Blasted as part of that. For a band that has been in existence for nearly two decades without ever significantly altering its musical style, Mean Jeans have managed a highly impressive staying power. Blasted is the perfect name for an album that rips through 15 tracks in just over a half hour. It manages to be simple in its approach yet inspired in execution — with tight playing, super-catchy songs, and lyrics that are deceptively mature and self-reflective. I remember reviewing On Mars back in 2012, but honestly, Blasted is miles better. There are so many other bands out there doing music somewhat similar to this that are a total bore. Yet somehow Mean Jeans have the secret sauce. If you're into pop-punk or Ramonescore, Blasted is an absolute must-buy. But you knew that already, didn't you?
This is going to be one of those years where I can't start reviewing new releases until I tie up some of the previous year's loose ends. The False Positives are a band I've reviewed a few times. I meant to review their latest single, "Long Distance Romance," when it came out last summer. But then I got sidetracked by real-life stuff and just spaced on it. That's a shame because this is a quintessential Faster & Louder type release. Dave has assembled a new, Boston-based False Positives lineup which includes Pete Cassani on lead guitar, Carl Biancucci on bass, and Stephen Hart on drums. Sure enough, "Long Distance Romance" brings to mind classic Boston garage power pop rock 'n' roll — with muscular guitars and big hooks. Lyrically, this an interesting reflection on the trials and tribulations of long-distance relationships — and whatever it is that makes people willing to endure them. The new lineup is sounding great, and that shows considerable promise for future releases from The False Positives! Check out this track if you like some power in your pop!
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