Sunday, October 26, 2025

The Bacarrudas - ..... Play A Halloween Monster House Party


Now here's my kind of horror vibe! Philly's always fabulous The Bacarrudas have treated us to a an epic frat rock Halloween party soundtrack on their new album/double EP that's fully titled The Bacarrudas Bleed Out, Get Pushed off a Cliff, Sink to the Bottom of a Lake, and Play a Halloween Monster House Party! I've always loved the idea of a bunch of monsters throwing a house party for Halloween, and The Bacarrudas are here to show us what that would sound like. In attendance are Lady Frankenstein, The Phantom Creep, The Wolf Man, The Invisible Man, Dracula, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, and a black cat behind every door. Imagine that scene! 

This is the way I like my spooky sounds: with the wild and infectious energy of '60s garage, R & B, punk, and surf rock. If you're gonna bleed out, get pushed to the bottom of a cliff, sink to the bottom of a lake, and play a monster house party, this is exactly the kind of energy you would put into your performance! Is it possible to sound creepy and high-spirited at the same time? Well, it seems The Bacarrudas are showing us exactly how it's done! These tunes will have you shaking your ass and screaming in delight, and you'll quickly conjure up the nerve to mingle with the monsters so you can get closer to the stage. Just make sure that the bartender doesn't over-serve Frankenstein's monster! When it comes to this style of music, The Bacarrudas always pull if off with a gusto that can't be denied. They're not just playing frat rock — they're living it. If more fun music exists in this universe, I have yet to hear it......Play A Halloween Monster House Party is available now from Mom's Basement Records. If you have kids, I would imagine that they would go bonkers for this album. But then you'd always be stealing it to listen to it yourself. Here's an easy solution: buy two copies!

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The High Frequencies - self titled


Wow! The queen of power pop is back with an amazing new band, and of course the debut album is out of this world! Out on JEM Records, the self-titled debut from The High Frequencies is a sure bet to make my year-end top ten list. Lisa Mychols and her husband, Tom Richards (formerly of The Waking Hours), moved to Virginia in 2023. They soon got together with Tom's brother, Scott, and Ricky Tubb (both of whom were also in The Waking Hours) and formed The High Frequencies. If you dig great power pop that genuinely rocks, with touches of punk, new wave, and arena rock, this is a band you won't want to miss. Mychols (The Masticators, The Seven and Six, Lisa Mychols 3, The Checkered Hearts, NUSHU, Lisa Mychols & Super 8) is truly one of the most extraordinary pop vocalists out there, and she is prime form on this 12-track long player. This album offers up a great variety of songs, but the common thread are those infectious hooks, punchy guitars, and soaring harmonies. Fans of straight-up power pop will go crazy for the likes of "Tonight And Every Night," "See You Again," and "Cleanup Time." Elsewhere, the band kicks up a modern garage rockin' energy on "Eleven," "Parasite," and "Can You Hear Me." JEM president Marty Scott describes "Girl In Trouble" as "Motown power pop," and I'd say that hits the nail on the head. I heard "Strataplastic" and thought I'd been transported back to the glory days of '90s alt-rock. "Nexus Star" is the sort of gorgeous pop song you hope to hear on any album featuring Lisa Mychols. 

On their debut album, The High Frequencies manage the impressive feat of sounding both timeless and contemporary. As much as I hate to resort to clichés, I can't help but describe this band as a breath of fresh air in the power pop scene. From songwriting to vocals to musicianship to production, everything about this album is top quality. The High Frequencies are the real deal, and people are gonna be going nuts for this album. JEM Records does it again!

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Ricky Rochelle - "Until I Fell in Love With You"


Ricky Rochelle continues to be on fire. Fresh off his superb new album Second Layer, he's back with a new single that gives me all the feels. As the title suggests, "Until I Fell in Love With You" is a love song with a very positive sentiment. But what's notable is that all that positivity has its roots in darkness and despair. This song isn't just a love letter to Ricky's wife. It's also a reflection on the bad spot he was in before he met her. He sings about being directionless, broken, and seemingly without hope. And then, just like that, everything changed. There was light and promise and healing and purpose. This song, in very simple terms, celebrates that. It gives me chills because it takes me back to where I was 18 years ago at this very time of the year. I always thank myself for pushing through that rough patch when the light at the end of the tunnel was so hard to see. This song would not have sounded out of place on Second Layer, but I really like it as a stand-alone single. And it's a treat to have some bonus Ricky Rochelle music! Musically, it's very much a pop-punk song, but it also brings to mind early 2000s modern rock via '80s new wave (I'm reminded a little of the Blink-182 self-titled album). Billy Pfister, who plays guitar, bass, and keyboards on this track, was also the producer, and his work on this track is just stunning. Ricky's vocal is also tremendous; you can truly feel the words he's singing. I always like a song that sounds like it could be playing over the closing credits of a movie that you never want to end, and this really hits that mark. What a beautiful and moving single! 

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Friday, October 24, 2025

The 66ers - Have More Fun


Now we're cooking with gas! The 66ers are a pop-punk and punk rock all-star team playing '60s-style garage, surf, and bubblegum pop. The band's songwriter Steven Brookfield (The 99ers) is on guitar and vocals. Joe freaking Queer is also on guitar and vocals. Amy Heronemus (TA-80) is on bass and vocals. Ron "Pete Sake" Mullens (Rubber City Rebels) is on keyboards. Andy Wilson (Billy Batts and the Made Men) is on drums. You see a roster of talent like that and can't help but think, "Holy shit!" And the music is everything you would expect it to be. Out on Rum Bar Records, Have More Fun is the band's debut album. This is definitely a case where the title says it all. This is a fun record and a throwback to one of the greatest eras in the history of rock 'n' roll. Rather than sounding like the Ramones, The 66ers sound like all the bands that influenced the Ramones. Think upbeat, organ-driven tunes with lyrics bout girls, summertime, the sun, and surfing. And I love how those call-and-response lead vocals contribute to the party atmosphere. These songs really capture the unbridled joy and wild-eyed innocence of the teenage pop of yesteryear. If you grew up listening to the oldies stations or were already around in the mid-to-late '60s, you're gonna be feeling what The 66ers are dealing. 

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Vista Blue - "I Didn't Get Invited to the Halloween Party"

When it comes to both music and beer, I am all about the seasonal releases! So this will not be the last review of a Halloween-themed release I write this year. I've always thought of the fall as "Vista Blue season." And even though I'm not a big horror movie guy, I consider this band's annual Halloween releases to be an indispensable tradition in my life. If Vista Blue ever ceased to exist, they might as well cancel Halloween and Christmas. The new single "I Didn't Get Invited to the Halloween Party" is an absolute winner. First of all, how insane is that cover art? That's a party you would not want to miss! I appreciate that this is both a song about Halloween and a love song. Musically, this is hitting me just where I want it. It's punky power pop with old school rock 'n' roll harmonies, and it tells a relatable story. Who wouldn't be bummed about not getting invited to the Halloween party? That's a party that even I would attend! Mike and Mark really crushed it with this track. It's another hit from a band that someday may surpass Pete Rose. Exclusive to Bandcamp, the virtual B-side is a cover of "This Is the Night" from the 1985 animated special Garfield's Halloween Adventure. What's not to love? If you stock up on candy and buy this single, you've got your own Halloween party ready to go!

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Thursday, October 23, 2025

The Dahlmanns - "Leatherboys"

What a glorious day it is: we have new music from The Dahlmanns! This is, of course, one of my favorite bands. The "Leatherboys" 7" is the first new release from Line and Andre since May of last year and the first single from their forthcoming album Life in Reverse (due out next year). The narrative around this single and album will likely be that this is not the same old Dahlmanns. Having been pretty much the quintessential power pop group for most of the 2010s, The Dahlmanns are now broadening their musical influences. The new album will be a reflection of everything they've listened to from their teen years to the present day and will thus be quite different from what people might be expecting. But if "Leatherboys" is any indication, that's not going to be a bad thing at all. And given how many cover songs The Dahlmanns have done, we're already used to the band tackling more than just power pop by the book. 

"Leatherboys" finds Line and Andre leaning into their love of old school punk and proto punk and the old Detroit sound in particular. Nods to The Stooges and Alice Cooper are more than palpable, and there's also a touch of the Rolling Stones in the mix as well. The lyrics were inspired by the images of the erotic artist Tom of Finland. So yeah, this is something new from The Dahlmanns. But ultimately, it still sounds like The Dahlmanns. Even when they take things in a harder and darker direction, they still turn out massively infectious hooks and bring the kind of energy that will make you want to dance. That pop heart of theirs will always be there. The B-side, exclusive to this single, is a cover of Prince's classic "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man." Line was a huge Prince fan in her early teen years, and she and Andre do an amazing rendition here of one his best pure pop songs. This track is certainly more "vintage" Dahlmanns than the A-side, but I must say I love both tracks. 

I'm excited to hear what this next iteration of The Dahlmanns will sound like. It has been over 15 years since the band first debuted, so it's only logical to expect a musical progression at this point. Meanwhile, their talent and charm are as remarkable as ever. "Leatherboys" is out on Plato Utrecht Records. It's available from Platomania (NL), Sonic Rendevouz (NL), Soundflat (GER), Sugar and Spice (FR), and Munster Records (SP). No Dahlmanns fan will be disappointed!

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Sunday, October 19, 2025

The Let Down - Awake


Life has been crazy lately, and there have been things I've been meaning to write about that keep getting put off. When it comes to the new EP from Austin, Texas's The Let Down, the putting off ends today. To employ a baseball metaphor, Awake is a fastball blazing right over the plate of my musical taste. This band's style of classic power pop with a whole lot of power is absolutely my cup of tea. All four of these songs are A-side–worthy, and I think any power pop fan will be jazzed about this EP. The Let Down was formed by longtime friends Evan Charles (vocals, guitar) and Chris Ritchie (vocals, bass). The band is rounded out by Z Lynch (guitar, backing vocals) and Jordan Cook (drums). These are great melodic songs with punchy guitars and catchy leads, and I am very excited to hear more. A very promising debut!

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Satch Kerans Band - Gotta Be Better (Five Short Stories)


Given that short stories and great pop songs are two of my favorite things in life, I was intrigued by the latest EP from the Satch Kerans Band. Satch Kerans is a veteran Boston-based singer/songwriter who likes to write songs that tell stories. But he's not the typical singer/songwriter strumming an acoustic guitar and stripping everything down to just words and music. Backed by his band (George Hall on lead guitar, Jamie Griffith on bass, and Roger Brockelbank on drums), Kerans presents his stories as full-blown rock songs with pop hooks. Produced by the legendary David Minehan, Gotta Be Better (Five Short Stories) occupies a unique space in today's music scene. It brings together elements of Boston garage rock, melodic pop-rock, folk, and heartland rock in a way that's genuinely original. Kerans has a distinctive singing voice that I very much enjoy, and I love the idea that rock and roll can be literature (and vice versa). And the stories are quite compelling. "Gotta Be Better" is a true story about a time Kerans got arrested on the way home from a Red Sox game back in the late '80s — and the lessons he learned from that experience. "Do Ya" is a remembrance of late nights on the North Shore — you know, that window of time "when nothing good happens." Elsewhere, "Helen of Troy (New York)" and "Wearing His Pain" are portraits of strong women who overcome tough circumstances. "Those Lies" is a reflection on the consequences of telling lies. Spoiler alert: it doesn't end well! 

Musically, this EP covers a nice range of styles. "Gotta Be Better" and "Helen of Troy (New York)" sound a little like Tom Petty if he'd been from Boston. "Do Ya" brings to mind '70s Stones. "Those Lies" is old school '60s garage rock a la Boston's own The Remains. "Wearing His Pain," the EP's lone ballad, ought to hit a sweet spot for Replacements fans. Of course the lyrics are tremendous. Kerans is a gifted lyricist who successfully mixes deeply personal reflections with vivid character sketches. But the music is no afterthought, and these songs genuinely rock. If you dig quality songwriting and storytelling and enjoy good, solid American rock 'n' roll, you will find much to like in the Satch Kerans Band and this excellent new EP.

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Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin/The False Positives - "Caveman"/"A Rocket Ship to You"

This is my fifth review of a split single involving Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin. The band's new collaboration with Boston's The False Positives is far and away my favorite installment in the series to date, and I've been a big fan of all of them. So yeah, this one is especially great! 

By now, you know the drill: Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin get together with one of their favorite bands or artists, and they each record one of the other's songs. The False Positives are a band I've been following since the pandemic days. They have an old school East Coast garage rock sound that pairs perfectly with Moss's '70s glam-punk approach. What I like about this split is that both bands absolutely bring it with their performances. And they each chose one of the other's finest songs! If you want to hear Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin and The False Positives at their absolute best, you need to check out this single. The False Positives cover "A Rocket Ship to You" off of Moss's 2022 album NOW WITH MORE ROCKETS. In contrast to the anthemic old school punk feel of the original, The False Positives' version brings a rawer and more fiery garage rock energy. Dave and his band honor the spirit of the original, but they definitely make the song their own and even inject a little Stooges flair. As a fan of fun, filthy rock 'n' roll, I must say this track really hits a sweet spot for me. This is the most powerful and fierce The False Positives have ever sounded on tape! 

On their half of the split, Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin tear into "Caveman," a fantastic song which appears on The False Positives' 2022 album Demos. Clive Wright (Broken English, Cock Robin) is featured on lead guitar, and he tears it up. I love that Moss and his band glammed up this Boston-style garage rock banger. They also added some amazing new lyrics and came up with a new outro. Moss is always such a presence on vocals, and he's in top form here. I'm talking charisma for days! If you had never heard of either of these bands before, hearing this song would make you an instant fan of both. What a killer track! 

If you haven't kept up with all these split singles from Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin, you are seriously missing out. Start with this one!

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Saturday, October 18, 2025

Cindy Lawson - "The Reckoning"


The great Cindy Lawson is bringing the heat! Back with her first new release since 2023's Don't Come Crying To Me EP, the Minneapolis rock legend makes her Hygh Tension Records debut with the powerful single "The Reckoning." Backed by her usual band (Jerry Lefkowitz on guitar, Dave Randall on bass, and Mark Devaraj on drums), Lawson is in full old school punk rock mode on this storming track. This is a song with a message, and it comes through loud and clear. "This song is for anyone who's been burned, betrayed, and silenced,” says Lawson. "It's that universal satisfaction when someone evil finally gets taken down. And for me, it's not just about them—it's about reclaiming the part of myself they tried to destroy." One gets the sense that this song is very personal for Lawson, and she sings the hell out of it. Her voice has never sounded better, and the passion she puts into this track will just about give you chills. When she screams, "Karma's a bitch, but so am I!", I can imagine a million formerly silenced voices erupting in deafening exultation. At a moment in the world where it feels like evil is winning, this song is an urgent ray of hope. Sooner or later, the reckoning comes.

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Vista Blue - The Shift Is Dead


Mike Patton loves baseball, and he loves The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths. And because he loves doing dumb things, he decided to make a baseball-themed EP with song titles derived from The Queen Is Dead. And so now we have The Shift Is Dead, the latest EP from Vista Blue. I approve of this message. It's hard to deny that The Queen Is Dead is one of the greatest albums ever made. The likelihood that Morrissey would be appalled by this release is icing on the cake. Indeed, the shift is dead. I just wish they'd killed it before it ended Ryan Howard's career. 

In addition to the title track, the songs on this EP include "Frankly, Mr. Manfred," "Never Had No Salary Cap Ever," "Bigmouth Strikes Out Again," "The Boy With the Motorola Patch on His Side," and "Some Bats Are Bigger Than Others." As far as I'm concerned, this is just about the most hilarious thing ever. The specific group of people who are super-fans of both The Smiths and American baseball (and would thus get the jokes) is a very exclusive club, but that's what makes this so fun. Even Mick Fletcher, who probably doesn't get all the jokes, is raving about this release from across the pond. There may literally be over 100,000 new songs getting released every day in this modern musical landscape, but these are the first six in history to make baseball puns out of Smiths song titles. As far as doing dumb things goes, this is genius-level stuff from Mike and Mark. 

The title track is vintage Vista Blue: a pop-punk song leaning a little more pop than punk. I love that this song is about baseball but not really about baseball. It has a charm that brings to mind the Mr. T. Experience. More in a straight-forward pop-punk vein, "Frankly, Mr. Manfred" finds Mike appealing to The Commissioner of Baseball for a redress of his grievances concerning the "automatic runner" rule in extra innings. I think we can all agree that this is the stupidest rule in the history of professional sports, and I certainly hope Mr. Manfred is listening. Clocking in at just 16 seconds, "Never Had No Salary Cap Ever" makes in a point in a hurry by hilariously repeating the refrain "Hey Dodgers! Defer This!" I would expect nothing less from the band that gave us the classic song "Hey, Bruce Springsteen, What's a Speedball?" "Bigmouth Strikes Out Again" has a great title to live up to and does not disappoint. Chicago Cubs fans are sure to enjoy the pure pop goodness of "The Boy With the Motorola Patch on His Side." "Some Bats Are Bigger Than Others" is a reminder of why I love this band so much. At a time when so many pop-punk bands are writing songs for 40-year-olds, Vista Blue excels at writing songs for eight-year-olds. When it comes to mixing fun, education, and simplicity, this song is about as good as it gets. I will never tire of Vista Blue writing songs about baseball bats. 

Even if I make a minor deduction for not including a song referencing the greatest Smiths song of all-time, "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," I have to give The Shift Is Dead an "A." It possesses the same degree of musical variety that has made Vista Blue's Clear Eyes, Full Hearts one of my favorite albums of the year. And as I prepare to hate-watch the Dodgers in the World Series, the timing of this release could not be any better. This is a delightful little EP for fans of Vista Blue, The Smiths, baseball, and possibly all three. Now excuse me while I go cry in my Festbier over the realization that Kyle Schwarber may have played his last game as a Philadelphia Phillie. 

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Sunday, October 12, 2025

Ryan Allen - One Week Off

Ryan Allen has given us his own version of one of those "How I spent my summer vacation" essays. One Week Off, his second album of 2025, is the the fruit of an August staycation. In that one week, he literally made a record all by himself. He sat down with some songs he'd demoed in the past, found a whole bunch of them that worked as a single album, and created this gem of a power pop record. These songs are mostly from 2021-22. A few are from 2024, and one is brand new. But One Week Off doesn't come off like a collection of leftovers. This is genuinely one of Allen's best albums, and it's definitely the hardest he has ever rocked as a solo artist. 

What kind of talent do you have to have the luxury to write songs this good and then put them on the shelf? But it's not just about talent — it's also about work ethic. Ryan Allen writes a lot of songs. And when you're that prolific, you're bound to have some gems that you can save for a rainy day (or a week off from work). He intended this to be an "upbeat, no-frills, punch-you-in-the-face rock record," and that's precisely what it is. His last album, Livin’ On The Prayer On The Edge, was all over the place by design. One Week Off is a little more focused on that power pop by way of '90s indie rock with a touch melodic punk style that is Allen's forte. If you enjoyed his 2016 album Basement Punk, you're gonna be into this one as well. Allen played everything on this record and produced it at home on a Digital Audio Workstation. Then he had Paul Miner work his mixing and mastering magic and make it sound like a million bucks. It's crazy to think that songs like "Bloody Gums" and "Simple Pleasures" went unrecorded and unreleased for so long. If "Sick of Content," "Do It All Again," and "When Is Everybody Gonna Step?" aren't anthems for these times, I don't know what is. 

When I hear about an artist putting out two albums in a year, that means one of two things to me. Either you're contracted to a soulless major label in the late '70s, or you're making music for the sheer love of it. In the case of One Week Off, we know which one it is. Be sure not to miss Allen's recent contribution to the Is It Power Pop?! series over at Remember the Lightning! 

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Brad Marino - "Voodoo"


It's no secret that Brad Marino is one of my favorite musical artists. I recently reviewed him for the 25th time, and it's not out of the question that I'll review him 25 more times (at least!). He's back with a new vinyl single out on the German label LIGHTHOUSE Punkrock. "Voodoo" is the first song from Marino's next album Agent of Chaos, which will be out next spring. Joining Marino on this track are the secret weapon Bobby Davis on bass, the great Gene Champagne on drums, and the legend Ron Mullens on keyboards. Now that's one heck of a band! This is one of the most straight-forward power pop songs that Marino has ever written, and of course it's a hit! Marino is always so good about writing about doomed romantic relationships, and on this track he employs some seasonally appropriate horror metaphors to emphasize the extent of the doom. This is a rockin' and super-catchy tune with wonderfully clever lyrics. Without ever straying too far from his signature musical style, Marino manages to never disappoint. That is certainly the case with "Voodoo." One listen to this song is all it takes to know that the album is gonna be hot! The B-side, exclusive to this single, is a cover of one of the best Jesus and Mary Chain songs, "Between Planets." It's in many ways faithful to the original, but for sure it has been Marino-fied. Come on, man: it's a new Brad Marino single! You know you need it!

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Tuesday, October 07, 2025

Video Premiere: Moron's Morons - "Neon to Rust"


Warsaw's Moron's Morons are back with a brand-new single/video, and it is my pleasure to premiere it! With releases on labels like No Front Teeth, Slovenly, Wanda, Sweet Time, and Big Neck Records, this band has become a fixture in the modern day garage punk rock 'n' roll scene. The new song is called "Neon to Rust," and Tremendo Garaje is hosting the video on its world-famous YouTube channel. In the band's own words, "Neon to Rust" is "a punk anthem that tears into the hollow luxuries of privilege and the gradual deterioration of a risk-free existence." Well I can certainly get into that! You'll notice a new lead singer, but it's the same style of music you've come to expect from Moron's Morons: ferocious & filthy '70s-style punk with a dark, dangerous edge. The video is quite intriguing and seems to fit the music perfectly. Moron's Morons will soon be working on a new album and may have an EP in the works as well. For now, crush that play button and enjoy "Neon to Rust" in all its raging glory!

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Saturday, October 04, 2025

The Vibeke Saugestad Band - The Sun Sessions


Well here it is! When The Vibeke Saugestad Band released its summertime smash "Hey Now Sunshine" a few months back, a full EP was promised for the fall. A co-release between Rum Bar Records and (from my neck of the woods) Red Chuck Records, The Sun Sessions marks Vibeke Saugestad's long-awaited return as a songwriter and recording artist. 

The queen of Norwegian power pop, Saugestad was in the band Weld back in the mid '90s and had several solo releases in the early 2000s. She also spent time in The Twistaroos and The Yum Yums. After marrying Ken Fox (The Fleshtones) and moving to the States, she eventually put together a new band and began performing her old solo songs. Fortunately for all of us, she was soon inspired to start writing again. So here we are with her first original songs in well over a decade. Ably backed by her terrific band (Fox on bass, Adam Napell on drums, Josh Stark on guitar, and Mark Westin on guitar), Saugestad makes pop magic on this four-song EP. Her voice has never sounded more beautiful, and her maturity as a songwriter is undeniable. Of course "Hey Now Sunshine" was too great of a song to not own on vinyl or CD. This track is majestically bittersweet power pop by way of later '60s Kinks, and it's a perfect opener for this decidedly autumnal EP. "Another Light" is a cover of The Lisa Marr Experiment's classic; Saugestad truly makes it her own with an absolutely stunning vocal. "2nd Ave" is equal parts country twang & pop jangle — a testament to Saugestad's ability to write a song that's simultaneously sprightly and melancholy. The wistful ballad "Last Days of Summer" brings to mind '60s folk rock and sunshine pop. It's a gorgeous little song that will wash over you like a warm October breeze. 

This is quite the auspicious debut for a band that's sure to be a force to be reckoned within the indie pop scene going forward. The playing and production are exquisite, and there's just no questioning that Vibeke Saugestad is an incredible singer and formidable songwriter. We are blessed to have her back in the game. I expect this EP to be frequently mentioned when all the power pop sites start publishing their 2025 best-of lists. It will surely be high on my list!

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Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Unicorn Dogs - "Sad Adult"/"Replaceable"

Could Unicorn Dogs be any more on fire right now? Their fantastic debut album Age Typical Junk Behavior just got a vinyl release on the illustrious Jolly Ronnie Records. They will be playing Mom's Basement Fest this weekend. And they have another album called Closer to Death on the way! In advance of the album, they've released a teaser single. And once again, this band does not disappoint! "Sad Adult" is vintage Unicorn Dogs — an anthemic, passionate shot of pop-punk for grown-ups. This song is about coping with mid-life angst. You know that feeling that you're a shell of the person you used to be and are running out of time (literally)? Well that's what these guys are singing about here. I love that this is a song about being a sad adult but not wanting to be a sad adult. I can appreciate the distinction, and I admire the frank self-awareness of these lyrics. And when that chorus hits with all that power, you feel like not all hope is lost. If there's not a way out of this middle-aged depression, there's at least the catharsis of venting at the top of your lungs. And when you consider that the B-side, "Replaceable," is about how AI is going to take all our jobs and leave us destitute and useless, "Sad Adult" seems almost optimistic in comparison. That album title is really starting to make sense, eh? I love this band so much!

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Sunday, September 28, 2025

Hormones - Hot For Hormones


Boom! One of my most highly-anticipated albums of this year is finally out, and it's every bit the non-stop sing-along extravaganza I was expecting. Melbourne-based Hormones, aka the hottest band in the world, burst on the scene earlier this year with the irresistible punk-pop single "Out of the House, Out of the Closet." I instantly knew I loved this band, and subsequent singles were no letdown. And now we have Hot For Hormones, which dishes out 14 songs of Ramones-inspired punk rock which examine life and love from a trans woman's point of view. As a songwriter, Betty combines heart, humor, honesty, and introspection in a way that's both endearing and powerful. Singer Joseph Ling gives her words a literal voice, oozing vulnerability and an unassuming charm. Betty effectively tells her story through these songs, reflecting on what it's like to navigate romance, personal relationships, and everyday life as a recently transitioned trans woman. 

From start to finish, this is a truly perfect pop-punk album. Even when the songs get serious ("You Don't Have A Son" and "When I Was A Boy{I Was Really A Girl}" in particular are intensely personal and deeply moving), this remains a super-fun and thoroughly delightful album to listen to. The approach is simple yet masterfully executed — the band powers through one song after another of buzzsaw three-chord punk with candy-sweet pop hooks. No song goes past three minutes, and most go barely past two. Really, this is the way an album should be. Some songs will make you laugh; others might make you cry; almost all of them will be stuck in your head for weeks on end. Of course the singles are all included here, but some of the previously unreleased songs ("Birthday Dress," "Poppers & Ritalin," "Got My Head Straight {The Rest of Me Got Gay}") would have been great singles in their own right. I can't wait to hear what my music reviewer brother and fellow Hormones fan King Ralph thinks of "Birthday Dress"! 

Hormones are a band that are putting love and positivity into the universe, and that's exactly the kind of energy the world needs right now. It is my hope that a great many people will hear this album and feel less alone and more comfortable in their own skin. If Hormones turn out to be someone else's Hayley Smith, that will be a beautiful thing. One anthem at a time, Hot For Hormones affirms trans rights and trans wrongs. And at a broader level, this album will be relatable to anyone who has ever struggled to find love and acceptance in this often cruel world. As expected, this is one of my favorite albums of 2025.

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Saturday, September 27, 2025

The Overjoyed - "Don't Listen!"


Hot track alert! Arthur tipped me off to a great new single from The Overjoyed, a power pop/punk band based in Athens, Greece. This band has been releasing music since the early 2010s and has several releases available on Bandcamp. "Don't Listen!" could not be any more up my alley. It's a fast and infectious blast of high-spirited poppy punk with surprisingly heavy lyrics about confronting your personal demons. Clocking in well under two minutes, this high energy earworm definitely leaves me wanting more. I'm feeling early Green Day vibes, and I've got no complaints about that at all. A new album is in the works, and I will be looking forward to it!

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The Remote Controls - Too Tough


Out on Mom's Basement Records and Fail Harmonic Records, the latest album from Indianapolis's The Remote Controls brings back fond memories of when I was first getting into punk rock back in the '90s. From the moment I pushed play, I was ready to jump in the pit. Too Tough powers through 14 songs in 25 minutes in a high-speed punk rock style that's truly exhilarating. Not quite pop-punk and not quite snotty hardcore punk, The Remote Controls fall somewhere perfectly in between. This album totally could have come out on Dr. Strange Records thirty years ago! These guys have played shows with Sloppy Seconds, The Queers, Descendents, and Screeching Weasel. Suffice it to say that if you like those bands, you'll love The Remote Controls! This album is relentless in dishing out fast, melodic punk tunes that are plenty tough and catchy as hell. You just don't hear that many bands occupying this lane these days, and these guys do it very well. Excellent stuff from the American Midwest! 

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Friday, September 26, 2025

Vista Blue - "Sister Golden Hair"


As someone who loves pop-punk and is secretly obsessed with '70s soft rock, I am part of the target audience for Vista Blue's latest single. I may, in fact, be the entire target audience. Both these songs are covers of AM gold standards. "Sister Golden Hair" was a chart-topper for America in 1975 (and is on my Mt. Rushmore of soft rock songs). "For All We Know" was a #3 smash for The Carpenters in 1971 and prior to that a Grammy-winning track on the Lovers and Other Strangers movie soundtrack. The band has gone very minimalist with the liner notes, so I have no idea what exactly inspired this project. But what's not to love here? These are classic silky-smooth pop songs treated in vintage Vista Blue style. Mark did a terrific job with the arrangements, and Mike adds his undeniable vocal charm. Those backing vocals are like butter! If you understand that all great pop-punk songs must fundamentally be great pop songs, you'll get why this single is such a treat. This being Vista Blue's first release in nearly six months might not seem like a big deal. But by this band's standards, it kind of is. Even with the punchier delivery, these songs exude a warm, autumnal breeze. This is definitely a single for me to listen to while I, clad in a light sweatshirt, saunter through the leaf-covered streets pondering a weekend full of pecan ale, ginger snap cookies, chili in the slow cooker, and college football on TV. A fall without new Vista Blue music would have been a nightmarish scenario worthy of a Rankin/Bass production, but now we no longer have to consider such a fate. And yes, they totally nailed the slide guitar part on "Sister Golden Hair"!

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Thursday, September 25, 2025

The Oxys - Casting Pearls Before Swine


The Oxys from Austin, Texas have unleashed a monster of an album on Casting Pearls Before Swine — their third full-length release. As the biblical title suggests, this is not a collection of songs for the faint-hearted. With a stated intention of "wrangling fans out of their world weary despondency," the band is pretty damn clear about its mission on this LP. These songs will grab you by the throat! 

The Oxys were formed out of a songwriting partnership between guitarist Ginchy (Dead Boys, Sylvain Sylvain) and vocalist Phil D. I'm always stoked to hear new bands playing real deal '77-style punk rock 'n' roll, but The Oxys are far more than just your standard old school punk revivalists. This band combines the grit and danger of early American gutter punk with the darkly melodic sensibility and catchy lead guitar work of early '80s SoCal punk. And lyrically, this band has its finger on the pulse of contemporary life and all that ails it. Casting Pearls Before Swine takes a good, hard look at the modern psyche — exploring themes ranging from lust to obsession to toxic relationships to betrayal to the survival instinct to cold-hearted killers and our sometimes disturbing fascination with them. That's some dark stuff, but this album is not a difficult listen. This is fierce, furious music that ought to be cranked loudly while you shout along and pump your fist in the air. Those lead guitars are absolute fire, and Phil sings with full conviction about "the universal tension between human acts that harm, and yet stimulate us." Not content to just go a million miles an hour all the time, The Oxys show they know how to pace themselves on the menacing slow-burner "Eaten Alive (the ballad of Joe Ball)" and the macabre closer "Drop of Blood." 

While not exactly a "horror punk" record, Casting Pearls Before Swine does seem a fitting release for this time of the year when we love to embrace our strange attraction to all things horrifying. For months I've been trying to explain why I'm always creeped out when the ice cream truck comes through my development, and now "Mr. Softee" makes it all so clear. If you dig nasty, in-your-face punk rock that has something meaningful to say about the human experience, this is the album for you. Get it from Cleopatra Records!

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Saturday, September 20, 2025

Teenage Bottlerocket - Ready To Roll


I received a request to review Teenage Bottlerocket's new album, so I thought, "Why not check it out?" I have not really kept up with this band's output over the past decade, and now I'm suspecting that I've been seriously missing out. Shame on me! Ready To Roll (out on Pirates Press Records) is the band's 10th album. How much could a pop-punk band have left to give us after ten albums? In the case of Teenage Bottlerocket, the answer is quite a lot! Ready To Roll is one of the best pop-punk albums I've heard in recent years. Listening to this record, you can tell how much fun the band had while making it. The energy and enthusiasm are palpable. And fortunately, that translates into an album that's super-fun to listen to as well. These guys really brought some great tunes to the table. And even though this is a Teenage Bottlerocket album through and through, it also finds the band trying some new things. 

"She's the Shit" is an A+ pop-punk song. 24-year-old me would have loved it, and 54-year-old me digs it just as much. Plus I relate to it on a personal level. "Post Mortem Depression" finds Kody Templeman stirring up some early Lillingtons style magic, and I couldn't be happier. Songs like "I Want To Die on My Birthday," "All About It," and "Home To You" will satisfy anyone (like me) who can never get enough of '90s-style pop-punk. Elsewhere, the band dishes out a party rock anthem with "Ready To Roll," pushes it fast and furiously on the punk ripper "High-Speed Yoga," delivers horror punk thrills on "Giant Bug from Planet Q13," and brings to mind the heyday of The Cure and Psychedelic Furs on the new wave inspired tracks "True To You" and "I Figured Out That I'm Stupid." I'm also a huge fan of the Miguel Chen–penned "Taquero," which is sing-along old school punk done to perfection. "Afraid of the Dark" closes the album in truly anthemic fashion, and them I'm ready to listen to the whole thing all over again! 

Teenage Bottlerocket has been in the game for a quarter century now, yet Ready To Roll sounds like the work of a band that has never felt more excited and inspired to make music. These guys have pumped new life into a tried-and-true style of music. This album doesn't abandon the band's core approach, but it expands it in ways that totally make sense. And from start to finish, these songs are freaking awesome (both musically and lyrically). Somehow TBR has come through with an album that's on the poppier side of pop-punk yet still rocks your face off. That, my friends, is the secret sauce. Great recommendation, Mark!

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Friday, September 19, 2025

The Prize - In The Red


It has been three years since Melbourne's The Prize first burst on the scene and had the entire power pop world going crazy. I waited with bated breath for a debut album in 2023 and 2024 to no avail. But good things come to those who wait, and In The Red (out on Anti Fade Records in Australia and Goner Records in the USA) is finally here and easily living up to all those expectations. The band (Nadine Muller on lead vocals & drums, Carey Paterson on lead vocals & guitar, Joseph Imfeld on guitar, Austin Haire on guitar, and Ethan Stahl on bass) has found the perfect mix of power pop, '70s hard rock, and old school punk on this crackling long player. What results is an album that doesn't sound like every other power pop album — or any other power album, for that matter. All that promise from those early singles has been fulfilled. Combining triple guitar firepower with ridiculously good songwriting and electrifying energy, this is the kind of album we point to when we rant and rave about rock 'n' roll being far from dead. Whether you're a power pop geek or just someone who loves kick-ass rock 'n' roll, In The Red will give you plenty to get excited about. You have to respect that when it came down to making a debut album, this band took the time to do it right. There's no filler on this record. And even with the album being recorded in piecemeal fashion, it sounds great. The Prize has delivered all the power and all the pop, and all that's left for you to do is to crank up the volume and enjoy the hell out of this record!

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Monday, September 15, 2025

Eytan Mirsky - All Over the Map


Yesterday I recommended looking into the catalog of the New York–based singer/songwriter Eytan Mirsky. If you're looking for a good place to start, his brand-new album would be a solid choice. All Over the Map is his ninth album in a discography that dates back to 1996. He's perhaps best known as the king of indie film soundtracks, but he is also highly admired in power pop & indie pop circles for his clever lyrics and splendidly crafted melodies. His staying power as an artist is a reminder that even in a world of music that's constantly changing, great songs never go out of style. 

As its title suggests, All Over the Map doesn't adhere to any particular genre of music. After three decades as a solo artist, Mirsky has definitely cultivated a signature musical identity. All Over the Map touches every point from country to R & B to ballads to easygoing pop songs, but it all sounds unmistakably like Eytan Mirsky. As a lyricist, he's in absolute peak form. The wonderfully charming "Did What I Came To Do" finds him downplaying his contributions to humanity but acknowledging that our life achievements are not nearly as important as our personal relationships. In contrast to the optimism of this song, there are some classic tales of love gone bad. "Two Piece Puzzle" employs an extended metaphor to ponder why a relationship just can't seem to click. "Fooling Exactly Nobody" features what we might refer to as an "unreliable narrator," and the irony is that he is actually the one not fooling anyone. "Apologize in Advance" puts a wonderfully clever twist on the love-gone-bad motif. "If You're So Smart" hilariously weaves a tale of being romantically involved with someone who constantly treats you like an idiot. How can I not laugh out loud at lyrics like these?

But hey, if you’re so smart what are you doing with me?
I hear they’re looking for professors up at Harvard University.
You seem to know everything there is to know in this world;
You told me so repeatedly

While Mirsky is so good at writing about relationship woes, he also tackles some even more powerful subject matter on All Over the Map. The ballads "Almost Didn't Cry" and "Give Me a Sign" are both beautifully conveyed reflections on grief. The latter is absolutely one of the saddest songs I've ever heard in my life — but not in a way that's meant to be sappy or overly dramatic. It's real, raw, and honest in a way that's deeply relatable. One of our universal sorrows as a species is coping with the death of a loved one. In our grief, we can only hope that somehow, some way, somewhere, we'll be reunited. This is a deeply personal song for Mirsky, but it will hit you hard if you've been through a similar experience. I can attest to that. What a beautiful and deeply moving song! It seems a tad pre-mature to say this is one of Mirsky's best songs when the guy has been writing great songs for decades. But I'll say it: it's one of his best songs. 

Not just a stellar collection of songs, All Over the Map is a first-rate musical production. Sadly, this is Mirsky's final album with his longtime producer Jon Gordon, who passed away earlier this year. In addition to producing the record, Gordon played guitar, bass, and keyboards. Along with the excellent drummer Peter McDade, a whole slew of talented players contribute to this exceptional release. The album also features a couple of delightful songwriting collaborations. Whitney Matheson ("If I Could Only Draw") and Robin Littlefield ("Lost You in the Jet Stream") both contribute lyrics, and both songs are standouts. You have to admire a songwriter who isn't afraid to share the spotlight with other talented writers. "If I Could Only Draw" is just so clever and sweet and guaranteed to make me smile every time I hear it. Sure, the song is a little bit about wishing for the ability to draw. But really it's about wanting to be worthy of someone, and Mirsky delivers it to perfection. And on an album where metaphor looms so large, the eloquent "Lost You in the Jet Stream" is a perfect fit.  

With All Over the Map, Eytan Mirsky proves himself to be as dependable as ever. This is a master class singer/songwriter doing what he does best, and such a thing is a joy to behold. Head on over to Bandcamp and get yourself a compact disc signed by the artist himself! 

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Sunday, September 14, 2025

Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin and Eytan Mirsky - "Good Hair Day"/"What Happened (to the Rock 'n' Roll)?"

I've been a huge fan of the series of split singles that Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin have released with some of their musical friends. Moss (ex Government Issue and Artificial Peace) has had a remarkable second act with his band Skin-Tight Skin since 2020. In addition to his three excellent full-length albums, his split singles with Arthur Alexander, The Amplifier Heads, and Shake Some have been must-hear events. 

The concept is always the same: Moss collaborates with a band or artist he admires, and they each cover one of the other's songs. The results are never disappointing, and no one ever settles for a straight re-make. Part of the appeal is that Moss collaborates with artists who are kindred spirits but not necessarily completely similar in musical style. It's always fascinating to hear Moss's own songs transformed, and it's always interesting to hear him put his signature on other people's songs. 

His latest split is with the brilliant New York City-based singer/songwriter Eytan Mirsky, who has been a mainstay of the indie rock world since the mid-'90s. Of all of Moss's splits, this has been the most intriguing one so far. For this release, Moss is backed by Tom McNally (bass, handclaps) and Steve Naff (drums, percussion) along with special guest star Saul Koll (The Lovesores and The Guerrilla Teens) on lead guitar. Moss and Skin-Tight Skin take on Mirsky's song "Good Hair Day" off his 2016 album Funny Money and reimagine it as a '70s-style punk ripper. Rather than try and compete with the original (which is truly a perfect song), Moss and friends genuinely make it their own. If you listen closely, you can tell it's the same song, but this is worlds apart from Mirsky's version. And that's a good thing. I enjoy these splits so much because they celebrate great songwriting. If you're not yet familiar with Mirsky's catalog, hearing this song will make sure wish that you were! 

Mirsky, backed by Peter Kohl (guitar, bass, percussion, backing vocals), Tommy Mandel (piano, organ), and Peter McDade (drums), offers up a wonderful rendition of "What Happened (to the Rock 'n' Roll)?" off of Moss's 2024 album, RECORDS. While the original was very glam rock, Mirsky's interpretation has more of a '70s pop soul vibe to it — almost to the point that you could be convinced that this is one of his own songs. There's even a slightly different feel to the lyrics based on how Mirsky sings them. The song comes off less cynical and more wistful, yet the spirit of the song remains unchanged. Popular music is not what it used to be, and we've lost something valuable because of it. 

If you've enjoyed Moss's albums with Skin-Tight Skin, these splits are indispensable. And if you have come to discover some new artists along the way, that's the whole point. Rob Moss and Eytan Mirsky are very, very different in their musical approaches. Yet they are both exceptional artists and genuine originals. They've collaborated on a split single that ought to interest any fan of great music.

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