Friday, September 25, 2026

Dany Laj And The Looks - If Looks Could Kill


This should have been a really simple review. If the only vital question about If Looks Could Kill, the new album from Dany Laj And The Looks (out today on Having Fun Records), is whether it moves me, the answer is a big old yes. End of story. Review over. Go buy the record. Time for me to grab a beer. 

Just kidding. 

If you're a longtime Dany Laj And The Looks fan, as I am, you'll sense that there's something a little different about this album — in an entirely good way. I'm not really talking about the style of the music. I'm talking more about the tone of the album. Broadly, this is still a high-energy power pop/rock 'n' roll record (always this band's bread and butter). But — perhaps because it was first conceived as solo album — it feels a little more "singer/songwriter-ish." It's more song-driven and less style-driven, and it seems particularly inspired by the state of the world we're currently living in. Certainly the album has its lighter moments, but overall, Dany had a lot of serious things on his mind while he was writing it. You can really hear him working through all that anger, sadness, confusion, self-doubt, and uncertainty. Of course I dig the super-fun, straight-forward power pop bangers like "Thanks for Ringing Us Up" and "Rock 'N Roll Figurines." But I'm especially drawn to the surprises. "Shelved" starts out a certain way and then takes a very sharp and unexpected turn (I knew The Looks were secretly a jam band!). "You Will Find Love" is a rootsy ballad that's very pretty and poignant. Likewise, "Breaking Down" shows a softer, more directly emotional side to this band. "Tell It To You" is an on-point takedown of a society that no longer values the truth. The epic closing track "Till the End" channels all that empathy for people who are struggling in these tough times into a resounding message of love and gratitude.  

And so, five years later, we finally get a new album from Dany Laj And The Looks. I will never say a band has topped its prior output unless I really believe it. This time, I can say it and mean it: If Looks Could Kill is the best album Dany and Jeanette have made together. I'm feeling it the way Brad Marchand felt P.K. Subban's check in 2010. It will remind you why you came to love rock 'n' roll in the first place. Every single song is a keeper. These tunes have heart, soul, and hooks galore. This may have started out as a solo project, but it came to life when Jeanette and David stepped in to help. And then the magic happened. I know I'm always trying to lure you into spending more money on records, but I promise this one is worth it. It's a power pop album. It's not a power pop album. And I love it.

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Lorne Behrman - If Heaven Didn't Hurt

"Ain't it funny
How the good comes when the bad dies
The love comes when the hope is gone
You live on in a story"

Since launching a solo career five years ago after a quarter-century as a guitar slinger extraordinaire, Lorne Behrman has truly seized the day. If Heaven Didn't Hurt (out today on the illustrious Spaghetty Town Records) is already his fourth release and his third full-length recording. The album finds him further refining an artistic vision that is undeniably unique in the punk universe. While still very much punk rock in spirit, If Heaven Didn't Hurt is about as far removed as you can get from the trashy three-chord rock 'n' roll that Behrman is largely known for. Building on the promise of 2024's excellent Blue Love, this 10-song set is as much about a vibe as it is about a sound. It finds Behrman evoking the feel of 1970s cinematic New York and excelling as a storyteller, poet, and chronicler of the human condition. On these songs, he transports us into a world inhabited by characters whose stories are in many ways intertwined with his own: haunted souls reckoning with being chronically misunderstood and deeply disappointed in the hand that life has dealt them. So much of life is about persisting through the dark patches and emerging resilient if not triumphant. For me, this album really speaks to that. 

After four releases, Behrman has fully grown into his signature sound: a half-spoken, half-sung, effortlessly cool vocal delivery; an honest, soul-searching lyrical approach; and a musical style that is as warm & melodic as it is cool & modern. Working with one of the best music producers in the business, Matt Chiaravalle, and a superb cast of musicians (Howard Alper on drums, Matthew Jacob Dougherty on bass, Rob Clores on keyboards, Danielle McCullough on backing vocals, and the legendary Uptown Horns), Behrman had everything he needed in place to really go for it and make the record he envisioned in his head. I would describe If Heaven Didn't Hurt as a really chill, easy-like-Sunday-morning kind of record. These songs don't try to hammer you over the head; they build atmosphere and warmly invite you in. "They Won't Take Us Alive," a bona fide anthem, forms the most direct line to Behrman's punk roots. Elsewhere, the powerful & profound "Ain't It Funny" is a moody rocker meets infectious R & B jam. "Take a Little More Time" and "Bitter Town Blues" are smooth and jazzy. "Pink Cocaine" is primo hipster disco that couldn't be any more New York if it tried. "Every Motherfucker She Sees" is funky blue-eyed soul and a real standout. Closing track "After the Ramblin' Is Done" is Behrman's finest ballad yet — a stunning, ethereal number that brings a gentle but deeply felt finality to an absolutely tremendous album. 

A semi-autobiographical rock album of linked song-stories inspired by the heyday of big screen New York is certainly the kind of thing I'd be into. When Lorne Behrman arrived as a solo artist back in 2021, it was as if he had found an instant identity as a singer and songwriter. He has never needed to search for his place in the underground music scene. What he has done is build on his style. If his previous releases weren't for you, If Heaven Didn't Hurt won't be either. But if you liked his first two albums, you're going to love this one — an even better version of those prior efforts. I love songwriters who aspire to make art, and this album is absolutely a work of art. It's sophisticated and thoughtful as it spins relatable tales of desperation and redemption. Yet it never comes off as pretentious or bloated (even the longest tracks barely cross three-and-a-half minutes). This is a soulful, deeply human record. All of that stellar production and amazing musicianship are there strictly to serve the songs, and it's Behrman's words and voice that remain front and center. This is not some sideman cosplaying as a lead artist. This is one of the most exceptional songwriters in our world doing what he was always meant to do. He's on one heck of a creative roll, and we are fortunate to be privy to it.

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Sunday, September 20, 2026

Jagger Holly - Wet Hot European Summer


So who's the best pop-punk band of the last ten years? Jagger Holly has to be in the conversation — if  not dominating it. On its fifth album, Wet Hot European Summer, Jagger Holly is back doing Jagger Holly things. Jay Dee is a hall-of-fame caliber singer/songwriter in this genre, and he's in prime form on this release. Matt DeeCrack contributes a few ace tunes as he can always be counted on to do, and I wouldn't argue with anyone who says that this is as good as any album in the band's catalog. So yeah, if you want to hear pop-punk done the way pop-punk ought to be done, Wet Hot European Summer will hit the spot. These songs balance just the right amount of pop with just the right amount of punk. Some tracks lean a little more to the former ("Wish I Could See It," "It's Summer Somewhere," "This Kinda Love"), and others lean a little more to the latter ("Everything From You," "Already In Love"). But all in all, this is pop-punk by the book executed to perfection. Jay Dee has a rare talent for writing three-chord punk songs that are impossibly catchy and also hit you straight in the heart. This isn't rocket science, but there's a real science to it. And whatever magic is required to write songs this simple that don't just sound like bad copies of a million songs you've already heard, Jay Dee and Matt sure do possess it. Unlike some pop-punk bands that make their influences ultra-obvious, what we can say about a Jagger Holly record is that it just sounds like Jagger Holly. How perfect of a song is "Anybody Out There"? Who wasn't stoked about the co-ed duet "Won't Catch Me Crying"? 

Getting to its fifth album, Jagger Holly could have gone in a lot of different directions. This could have been a more "mature" Jagger Holly record or an attempted expansion of the band's sound. But if you can stick to what works and still make albums this great, why mess with a winning recipe? While this vintage summer album did not arrive in time for your summer enjoyment this year, you can put it on now and let summer live a little longer in your heart. Get it now from Monster Zero Records in Europe and OUTLOUD and Hey Pizza! Records here in the States!

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Saturday, September 19, 2026

The Goods - Goodbye Summertime


There may be a long list of reasons why it sucks to be a human in the year 2026, but a lack of good music is certainly not one of them. The quality of the releases coming out this year continues to blow me away, and it has been an especially notable year for guitar pop. Goodbye Summertime, the second album from Oakland-based The Goods, is up there with the best of 2026's many long-playing power pop-ish treasures. Largely a solo endeavor from Rob Good, Goodbye Summertime is a stunning work suitable for anyone who loves melody and great songwriting. It pulls from a wide array of influences (Beatles, Brian Wilson, '60s psych and baroque pop, '70s AM radio, '80s/'90s indie pop) that all fall under the umbrella of timeless pop music. It adds all sorts of layers to the band's core sound while still keeping the hooks at the forefront. The album's release in the midst of the transition from summer to fall was surely no coincidence. This is the ultimate fall record: a gentle, melancholy set of songs that seems tailor-made for cozy rainy day lounging and solitary walks with just a touch of chill in the air.  

Much of the magic of Goodbye Summertime lies in its inspiration. Rob Good didn't just write this record; he lived it. "My whole life turned upside down one summer, " he says. "The long-term relationship I was in collapsed, and in the wake of that, I found new love. I was sorting through the grief and failure of my previous relationship and the bliss and anxiety of my new one all at once—all while basically living at my recording studio—and I found myself in an intensely creative state." I love it when songwriters tell their stories, and this story in particular is one I'm feeling deeply. 

Great albums have been written about painful breakups. Great albums have been written about of the thrills and joy of finding new love. But what happens when both things happen concurrently? It's hard to imagine the range of emotions you'd go through and how complicated it would be to process all of that and still be able to function. With this record, though, you don't have to imagine. You experience it vicariously through these remarkable songs. It was as if all that upheaval in Good's life gave him creative superpowers. These songs are absolutely gorgeous, and the bittersweet vibe feels like real life. There's sadness and regret, but there's also optimism and the embracement of what's new. Good doesn't overdramatize anything. He just plays and sings from the heart. And his talent is truly formidable. It's not just the songwriting but also the production and musicianship that shine. Good's guitar work, in particular, is extraordinary. And his longtime collaborators Cherron Arens, Yea-Ming Chen, and Ian McBrayer lend their talents to several songs. Across 14 tracks, there are no subpar moments or unrealized ideas. Every tune is a gem. And it never hurts to have a legend like Bart Thurber mixing and mastering a record! 

Goodbye Summertime is such a relatable album because we can all remember a time when one door closed for us, and then another one opened. Rob Good has taken his own story and practically written a novel in songs. Beyond the personal narrative, the album really does capture that end-of-the-summer feeling where you're wistfully looking back at what has gone and turning a corner to what's coming next. At this very moment, I'm contemplating how yet another summer has passed me by while I was too busy to notice. Change is an unavoidable part of life, and even when it's good change, it takes some getting used to. That's why this record hits so hard. It builds off the broader style of power pop and pushes the boundaries of what it can be without losing sight of why we all love this kind of music. Someday, we're going to look back at 2026 and marvel that Music City's Welcome To Music City, Mod Lang's Borrowed Time, and The Lemon Twigs' Look For Your Mind! all came out in the same year. Goodbye Summertime needs to be on that list as well. This is a marvelous, masterful guitar pop record. It's available now on vinyl and CD from Dandy Boy Records.

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Saturday, September 12, 2026

The Speedways - "Angela Sincerely"



Well how was this not going to be great? "Angela Sincerely" is the new single from The Speedways. Matt Julian co-wrote the song with the legendary Paul Collins, who also contributes some vocals. Collins was a big admirer of Julian's solo song "Sarah I Dare Ya" and inquired about the two of them working on a song together. Imagine what an honor it must be when the King of Power Pop comes calling about collaborating. I will say this: Paul Collins has good taste! Julian had recorded a rough demo (just a verse, chorus, and guitar solo) of "Angela Sincerely" onto his phone last Christmas. Earlier this year, Collins arranged the song and added some bridge parts. And here we are with a Speedways song featuring Paul freaking Collins! This is one of the most Beatlesque songs The Speedways have ever put on tape — a timeless two-and-a-half-minute pop song with magnificent guitar hooks, an instantly memorable chorus, clever lyrics, and a melody you'll be whistling all week. The song will not appear on The Speedways' new album. It's an exclusive B-side to the band's vinyl release of "All Bets Are Off," which will be out this coming Friday. So yeah, if you're a Speedways fan, the new 7" is gonna be a must-have!

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The Trouble Seekers - "Blackout"


It's hard to believe that it had been two years since The Trouble Seekers had last released a single! Time just keeps on ticking, doesn't it? Well, Kevin and Hillary are back with the absolutely raging "Blackout," and they haven't missed a beat. This one's short and not so sweet — 102 seconds of frenzied future punk that slashes away at your senses and then abruptly drops the mic. As always, Kevin and Hillary are in perfect chaotic harmony. You can surmise that a song called "Blackout" is not the feelgood hit of 2026, and of course that's the whole point. You know The Trouble Seekers aren't afraid to summon their demons and wrestle them in the cage of madness. The universe continues to plunge into darkness, but the soundtrack sure is hot!

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Friday, September 11, 2026

Freak Phone - Fresh Set


Are you ready for some killer straight-up punk rock? On its new EP Fresh Set, Portland, Maine's Freak Phone tears through six tracks of totally ripping late '70s/early '80s–style punk rock 'n' roll. You know what I mean: simple and catchy tunes with attitude and guts out the wazoo. The singer, Rosie, can really belt it and is the absolute epitome of a bad-ass. Of course older folk like me are going to freak out over the fact that punk music like this is still being made. But this is no retro, "Let's try and turn back the clock" type deal. This is a new and exciting band that will have punks of all ages bobbing their heads and shouting along to the lyrics. What's super-cool is that this is all new material. None of these tunes are recycled from the band's demo from last year (which also rules). I also like that these tracks are well-recorded. Lo-fi works for some bands, but a cleaner, crisper production really highlights the power in Freak Phone's attack. This is the no-nonsense rock 'n' roll you've been craving, kids. Bring on a full album!

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Wednesday, September 09, 2026

Botox - You Need Botox

I am not worthy of reviewing Botox's new instant classic '77-style punk album in the wake of the masterpiece that my friend Jay Castro has already unleashed. Seriously: There is nothing left for me to say. The world has been put on notice. So go ahead and read your scripture, blast the album so loudly that it enrages your friends, foes, and neighbors, and do whatever is necessary within the bounds of the law to secure the vinyl from No Front Teeth Records. This has been a public service announcement. 

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Monday, September 07, 2026

Weak Hands - We Can’t!


The best thing about the underground music scene right now is that there's so much great music out there. That can also be one of the greatest challenges of the underground music scene right now. How do you stay on top of all these bands and releases? Where do you find the time to even listen to everything? The answer, of course, is that you can't listen to everything. And I certainly can't write about everything. But if I hear something that knocks my socks off and leaves me utterly wowed, that's going to be prioritized. A couple of my influential friends have pointed me in the direction of Weak Hands' new album We Can't!, and I could not be more grateful. Had this release evaded my detection, as so many great albums do, it would have been a tremendous shame. 

Although this Toronto-based band has been existence since 2017, this is its debut record. And it's extraordinary. Seriously: I'm living for this album! Broadly, I could call this a pop-punk record. But I could just as easily describe it as indie rock. It manages to co-inhabit those two worlds with complete success. Both literally and figuratively, singer/songwriter Nat Manzocco has a powerful and unique voice. From the instant she sings the album's opening line "I count one two three four twenty-one floors," she commands your attention. The way she manages to dissect a painful breakup and how its connects to her sense of self and her growth as a human is simultaneously deeply personal and highly relatable. I wish I could have been this wise and self-aware in my 30s. I'm not even sure I'm there yet at 55! Musically, this record is both unassuming and epic. The songs are thoughtful and reflective yet don't shy away from bright melodies and big, soaring choruses. As devastating as some of these lyrics would be if you just read them on paper, they hit significantly harder due to the anthemic quality of the music. Back when "emo" still meant what it used to, that term would have nailed the essence of this record. Music doesn't get any more visceral than than this. If "I Miss the Dress That I Wore the First Time You Took Me Dancing" doesn't tear your heart out, you might not be human. Ditto for "Summer Sometimes." 

And so the great albums of 2026 continue to pile up, and that can be nothing but a good thing. My top 20 list of albums from this year is already 40 titles deep (ha ha), but We Can't! is a lock for one of those spots. And the shorter length (only 8 songs) works in its favor. Nat Manzocco didn't allow anything resembling a sub-par track to make the final cut. She lived these songs, and with the help of her bandmates, forged them into something remarkable. Her ability to tell her story in a way that makes us feel like it could also be our story shows what a formidable songwriting talent she is. This is an album I'll listen to many times and experience like it were a favorite movie or book. What an assured & masterful debut!

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Sunday, September 06, 2026

Loose Lips - Love You


The Loose Lips train just keeps on rolling! One year after Josh, Nadine, and Ethan clobbered us with their great album Last Laugh, they return with a new EP that smashes together all the best parts of garage punk, power pop, Aussie punk, and kick-ass rock 'n' roll. Out on DIG! Records, the four-songer Love You is exactly what you were hoping it would be: 10 minutes of pure electricity crammed with infectious hooks. Loose Lips have found such a natural and distinctive sound as a trio that I sometimes forget that they're a super-group. They've got the main band energy going strong on this EP. 

If I said that "Beehive Teardrop" could easily be an Unknowns song, that's hardly a dismissal. My thirst for catchy old school punk rock with a garage edge is never-ending, and this tune really hits the spot. It's fun, simple, and guaranteed to leave you wanting more. Josh is so good at writing songs like this. If you like poppy punk rock that definitely isn't "pop-punk," well this is a tune that will get your heart racing. Nadine is on lead vocals on "Looking For," a song totally in that late '70s/early '80s new wave power pop pocket. Ethan channels Graham Maby with his bass lines, and no one will be complaining! Yes, my friends, you have entered power pop heaven. "Remember We Love You" is a mid-tempo rocker that brings to mind '70s punk with thunderous, Aussie-sized riffs. What a banger! Finally, "Tired of Toein' the Line" is a fabulous cover of Rocky Burnette's 1979-80 hit — one of my favorite under-the-radar radio songs from my childhood. I love how Loose Lips take a quintessentially American roots rock 'n' roll number and make it sound like something they could have written! That goes to show you that great pop songs are great pop songs. 

All in all, Love You is a perfect continuation of the glorious racket that Loose Lips have been kicking up in recent years. If you like your music raw, catchy, and full of spirit, it doesn't get much better than this. You love this band, and for sure it loves you back. Vinyl is coming in less than two weeks, so get your orders in!

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Saturday, September 05, 2026

Perilous - "Overwhelmed By Reality"


Buffalo, New York's Perilous, a foursome I consider one of the best old school punk rock 'n' roll bands currently operating, has just unleashed an absolute anthem for these times on its new digital single. A title like "Overwhelmed By Reality" pretty well summarizes the zeitgeist of 2026, doesn't it? At a moment when there are so many things at the personal and worldly levels to make us anxious, fearful, or just plain depressed, coping with reality really can be an overwhelming, emotionally draining thing. It's as if the one thing that actually unites us all is the acknowledgement that everything sucks. In true Perilous fashion, this song pairs this dark, highly topical subject matter with upbeat, hook-laden power pop punk rock that throws it back to the classic music you grew up on. Pauline really pours her heart into that lead vocal, and this song is as rocking as it is relevant. Perilous just keeps on bringing the hits! On the B-side, "Rock & Roll Runaway," Bob Cat takes on lead vocals and really leans into his love for the Ramones and the timeless '60s sounds that inspired them. It's a fun, simple punk rock song that contrasts nicely with the A-side.  

Whether you call this type of music old school punk, classic punk, or just plain rock 'n' roll, Perilous are one of the bands keeping it alive. And they are doing it with joy, passion, and enthusiasm. Anything they put out is in the must-buy category, and of course that's true of "Overwhelmed By Reality"! $2.99 won't even get you a gallon of gas these days, but it will get you this thumper of a digital 45!

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Patton - "The Best of My Love"


Well here's something really amazing! Patton is a musical project formed by, of course, the Pattons, to celebrate their parents' 50th wedding anniversary. You know I love family bands! This single has been in the works for quite some time, but it was kept a super top secret until today. Given that more than a few Vista Blue fans frequent this site, I can say with great confidence that a lot of you are going to love this Vista Blue–related project. Mike is on guitar. Todd is on bass. Brett, I believe for the first time since The Loblaws days, is singing lead! Mike's kids Nolan and Alana both play drums. Mike's wife Donna sings some harmony vocals. Beyond me saying that I hope a full Patton album will one day happen, I'm just so moved by this digital single (a Bandcamp exclusive). Imagine if you possessed musical talent and used it to create something this beautiful for your parents/grandparents/in-laws on the date of their 50th anniversary. That's a sweet and special thing. 

The A-side is a punched-up cover of The Eagles' classic "The Best of My Love." While my 25-year-old self would have been deeply ashamed that I'd ever refer to any Eagles song as a "classic," 55-year-old me is a total sucker for '70s soft rock. So I was pretty stoked by the song choice. If you are familiar with the bittersweet lyrics and are wondering why this song is appropriate for an occasion like this, well, this was the song that the happy couple danced to at their wedding 50 years ago! So of course it had to be the lead track. Man, Brett totally smashed that vocal! 

On the B-side, "Apartment C" is an ode to the old Patton family residence in Chalmette, Louisiana. It's an upbeat, poppy original that's lovingly sentimental without being sappy. Writing a song for your parents' 50th anniversary has to be a daunting task. You don't want to screw it up. You don't want to lay it on too thick. What we have here with "Apartment C" is simply perfect. If this song doesn't have you a little misty-eyed, you might be a robot or something monstrous like a Crimson Tide fan (I kid). And how about a shout-out to Chris for that guitar solo! 

A lesser family band might have claimed its name was inspired by Van Halen, but Patton will tell you that they are emulating Nelson. Since I've been willing to die on the hill of Nelson being a good band for 35 years, I fully endorse the choice. 50 years ago, a couple of teenagers fell in love, got married, and formed a family. This single is a celebration of all of that. Think of all these amazing people playing on this record who would never have existed if these two people had not believed in each other and taken a leap of faith together! I'm grateful that this single, which was created for a private family celebration, has been made available to the world at large. I think people will be moved by it. I think people will tap into the joy it exudes. If you could somehow quantify the amount of love that went into these two songs, Rate Your Music would have to adjust its algorithms and allow six-star reviews. Happy anniversary, Cindy and Mike!

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Thursday, September 03, 2026

Radio Days - Off The Record


It sometimes feels like I've been writing about Radio Days forever, but my first review was back in 2013. So that's not quite forever. Still, a 13-year relationship between Radio Days and Faster and Louder is certainly considerable. This band is one of the surest things in modern music. Every record they put out is a timeless & beautifully crafted work of traditional power pop. If I had to list my favorite 25 power pop bands of all-time, there's a very good chance Radio Days would make the cut. 

Off The Record, the band's new album (out tomorrow on Wild Honey Records and Ammonia Records), isn't particularly surprising in terms of musical style or approach. But why would you want it to be? When it comes to Radio Days, I just want great pop songs. I never tire of the band's approach because they do it so remarkably well. And their sound is so fresh because they infuse modern power pop influences into their classic, '60s and '70's–inspired songwriting foundation. In 2016, I named their long player Back in the Day my album of the year, and I'd do it again if I had to re-evaluate the LPs that came out that year. Off The Record might be every bit as good. Radio Days as a band have definitely matured and refined their talents over the years, but they've never lost sight of those things that matter the most: memorable melodies, silky-smooth harmonies, perfect choruses, and timeless love songs. As a craftsman of melody, Dario Persi is criminally underrated. He's also a wonderful singer. The band's lyrics, written by Paco Orsi and Mattia Baretta, will remind you why you first came to love pop music and why you keep going back to it. 

It seems almost unnecessary to say that Off The Record is a classic power pop record since that's the only kind of record that Radio Days bother to make. But I will say that while many power pop bands kind of grow tiresome if they don't change up their approach over time, Radio Days are on album #5 of pure power pop classicism and are only getting better. With each new album, I keep thinking, "This is finally the one they won't be able to top." And then the next one comes out, and I say the same thing. I'm done doubting these guys. 99.9% of bands would wish for a greatest-hits compilation as good as Off the Record. From the punchy and melodious "I Won't Give Up" to the all-the-feels majesty of "One Heart One Love" to the sun-kissed '70s splendor of "Paralyzed" to the pure pop bliss of "She's My Girl" to the laidback, Weezer-ish stunner "I've Got a Song" and all points in between, this album is all killer and no filler. And it certainly didn't hurt to have Bruno Barcella, one of the finest music producers in the business, recording and mixing these songs. 

While Off the Record will certainly appeal to folks who love their classic power pop, I don't think a word like "retro" correctly captures the vibe. Radio Days aren't trying to bring back power pop — they're simply one of many bands keeping the legacy alive. As 2026 continues to establish itself as an extraordinary year for guitar pop albums, I hope people will realize that one of the very best of the lot has come from Milan, Italy.

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Sunday, August 30, 2026

Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin and TA-80 - Split single


I am very pleased to have yet another opportunity to write about Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin's split singles series, and this latest installment is one I've been especially stoked about! With a lot of these singles, I've become more educated about bands or artists I was not yet super familiar with. This time out, Moss and his band are collaborating with TA-80, one of my favorite bands. So in this case, with me being a big fan of both bands, I was really excited about hearing what would happen when they traded songs. It seems an unlikely pairing on the surface, but that is what makes it so intriguing. 

Moss and Skin-Tight Skin (which, on this release, finds lead guitarist Marshall Keith joining bassist Tom McNally and drummer Steve Naff ) take on TA-80's "Black Glitter" from the 2018 album of the same name. Moss notes that he saw Marshall Keith playing with The Slickee Boys back in late 1979 or early 1980. And the impression that that performance made on him was massive. Says Moss: "They were having so much fun on stage that, even though I had yet to pick up a bass or a guitar, I knew I had to start a band. So, for me, Marshall playing on my songs now is a treat." The original version of "Black Glitter" is a typical TA-80 pop/punk rock 'n' roll party-starter. Moss and his band transform it into a grittier old school punk sing-along with snotty vocals and ripping lead guitar. It's a killer take on a fantastic song! Both versions of the song are chock full of attitude, but they are definitely different kinds of attitude. If you heard this track on a playlist, you'd have no reason to suspect Moss didn't write it.  

On TA-80's half of the split, the band tears into "Two Slices of Bread," which originally appeared on Moss's excellent 2022 album Now With More Rockets. Moss wrote the song as an homage to Willie Alexander and The Boom Boom Band. TA-80 has taken the song and run with it, turning into something that sounds like early '80s Southern California hardcore punk! The energy and speed are dialed way up. The band's affection for the original version is undeniable, but I love that it brought its own unique energy to this version (replete with some obligatory guitar shredding). 

In keeping with the spirit of this entire series, both bands here were not at all handicapped by a fear of changing the songs they were covering. They both really went for it, and what results is a single that's a lot of fun to listen to. It's like watching two monsters swap brains and get up and try to dance. If you're a fan of both bands as I am, this single is an essential purchase. If one of these two bands is new to you, I imagine you'll be inspired to dig into their back catalog! This is another winner in a series that continually hits the mark.

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Saturday, August 29, 2026

The Speedways - "All Bets Are Off"


If The Speedways keep releasing new singles, I'm going to keep writing about them! "All Bets Are Off" is the third new track the band has released this year in advance of its forthcoming album The Magic Comes & The Magic Goes. It's a perfect little pop song that really leans into a late '70s/early '80s UK new wave style. It pairs an upbeat musical energy and soaring chorus with thoughtful, self-aware lyrics about trying to be a better person. If you slotted this song between "Back of My Hand" and "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" on a "best of 1979!" playlist, a lot of people would be none the wiser. The music video is quite delightful, and I got a real kick out of the Michael Jackson "Thriller" allusion at the beginning. As a band, it's so hard to have perspective on your own music. But hearing the members of The Speedways talk about this soon-to-be-released LP, it's obvious that they are pumped out of their minds to put these songs into the universe. They know they have something special cooking. All these advance singles (including last year's "Visiting Hours") have been smash hits. If we end up with the best Speedways album yet, I will not be surprised. Look for a new 7" next month!

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Geoff Palmer - "Where Did His Hair Go?"


Geoff Palmer is back doing what he does best: writing some of the most impossibly catchy pop-punk songs you'll ever hear. "Where Did His Hair Go?" is the second time he has given us a nod to The Dickies in his songwriting, but this is no cover song. It's a vintage Palmer-style pop-punk earworm about Billy Corgan and the mystery of the sudden disappearance of his hair in 1995. As someone who has also been bald since the mid-'90s, I can tell you that hair loss is usually something that everyone can see coming. When you finally go full bald, no one is surprised. But somehow old Billy hid it from all of us. What I love about this song is that you can enjoy it regardless of whether you are or (as in  my case) are not a Smashing Pumpkins fan. While it's a really funny song, it's not particularly nasty. It's just searching for answers and pondering possibilities. And I'm always up for some '90s nostalgia! This is classic Geoff Palmer. He and his bandmates Tyler Spatz, Paul Kennedy, and Daniel James sound like they're having a great time powering through this brilliantly stupid song, and I'm having a great time listening to it. Billy Corgan himself would have a hard time denying that this tune is a stone cold banger!

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Friday, August 28, 2026

TA-80 - 25


After releasing three albums in four years, Arizona's mega-awesome pop-punk rock 'n' roll power quintet TA-80 came into 2026 with a clear plan: play a bunch of shows, record a bunch of singles and EPs, and start writing the best album of 2027. Why stop when you're on a roll? 

This is a particularly significant year for the band since it marks the 25th anniversary of its formation. To celebrate its 26th year as a band (yeah, that's how the math works), TA-80 has dusted off four songs from its early years and re-recorded them for 25, a brand-new EP that is out now on Allegedly Records. You can find TA-80's digital catalog online tracing back to 2010. But there's also an early catalog of titles you can only hear if you own the original CD-Rs, cassettes, compilation albums, reel-to-reel tapes, VHS videos, floppy discs, voice mails, etc. The band would be the first to tell you that they hadn't fully found their sound when they wrote and recorded a lot of that stuff. But for this release, the band chose four songs from its early 2000s period that it found worthy of revisiting and re-recording. So they dug out their iPods, guzzled lots of SoBe Lizard Fuel, frosted their tips, and transported themselves back in time. Exactly 26 copies of a CD release were pressed — one representing each year that this planet has had the pleasure of existing with TA-80 in it. Each copy is unique and comes with caringly hand-drawn art representing a particular year in the storied life of TA-80. If you didn't know these were old songs, you might think it was just a cool new EP from one of your favorite bands. These tracks are legit good, and certainly they benefit from the "We know now what we didn't know then" perspective that the band brought to this project.   

"Radio Beehive" (which originally appeared on TA-80s's 2001 album '80-'83) pulls no punches. It's almost straight-up '80s metal. Check that: it is straight-up '80s metal, and it totally kicks ass. It's fun, loud, and sure to rock your face off. These folks always knows how to get the party started, and here they do just that! You think I won't have the intestinal fortitude to choose this track for embedding? Try me! "No Call No Show," originally a 2005 demo for the band's mid-2000s lost album, 40 oz. Rose, takes the EP in a very different direction. It has more of a laidback, fuzzed-out '90s alternative rock/power pop vibe to it, and it shows that TA-80 can do pure pop with the best of 'em. "Super Slob," from the 2003 album TA-80 Are Go!, is vintage 2000s-style pop-punk that's catchy as hell but still packs a punch. "This City Night," also written for the ill-fated 40 oz. Rose, closes things out with anthemic rock energy. TA-80 might not play stadiums, but it sure makes music that could fill them. I love that this release embraces the band's past yet aligns wonderfully with its present vibe. And it's neat to hear four different members of TA-80 on lead vocals (Russ sings "Super Slob," and Jens duets with Amy on "This City Night"). Bandcamp and CD versions come with bonus tracks culled from a couple of split singles the band has done recently with The Femurs and Rob Moss and Skintight Skin (more on that one in a couple days!). 

When I say a release is limited, that usually means 100 copies. But with only 26 copies of 25 made and a few already spoken for, you best not dilly-dally if you want to get your hands on that sweet polycarbonate plastic! Tonight I will drink to the first 25 years of TA-80 and hope I'm still around to review 50 when it comes out. By then, we'll be nostalgic for the good old days before the robots fully took over! 

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Vista Blue - "Championship of Love"


Just in time for Week Zero of College Football season 2026, we get Vista Blue's first-ever football-themed (or as Mick Fletcher will insist, American football–themed) single! And once again, I'm reminded of why this is one of my favorite bands. Day 1 of college football season is practically a holiday for me. I'm decorating the house, stocking up on snacks, studying the two-deeps, and canceling all my prior commitments. And I'll be pre-gaming with "Championship of Love"! 

The energetic & very poppy title track is the kind of song Mike is so very good at writing: a song ostensibly about an aging football player hoping for one last shot at a ring that is really a love song (about a dude hoping for, uh, one last shot at a ring). The song is loaded with classic football references (contract incentives, playbooks, the trenches, plays under review, telegraphing moves, franchise tags, hail Mary passes) which contribute to the larger metaphor. It's tough enough to find love when you're young and at your peak. But what happens when you've lost a step and your game is in decline? There's nothing worse than wanting something so badly and feeling in your gut that it's out of reach. But still, you never give up. And that's what this song celebrates. Even with me having won the championship of love a number of years ago, there was a long period of time when I wondered if I ever would. Twentysomething me is really feeling this song. 

On the digital flip side, the punkier (at least two reviewers will call it Ramones-ish) "She's My Taysom Hill" at first appears to be another song using football as a metaphor for romantic relationships. But upon further inspection, I'm sensing a flipped script! This sure seems to be a love song that's really about a football player. What happens when that dependable & versatile quarterback/tight end/fullback/receiver/special teamer who has always been #1 in your heart parts ways with your favorite team? It's a tough pill to swallow, especially when you have to think about him possibly going to the Broncos and finally winning a ring. Sports breakups can be brutal (I refuse to face the fact that Kyle Schwarber will someday not be a Phillie), and sometimes music is all we have to make them bearable. This is one of the sweetest dumb songs you'll ever hear. And it pairs so perfectly with the A-side! 

Alright! Vista Blue, as always, could not be any more on-point with its timing. Everybody loves football! Who's ready for Week Zero? I was so pumped that I wanted to go back to the school paper for the fifth year I never had, but the Big Ten says it won't take any former pros. I bet Lane Kiffin would hook me up. For the next 19 Saturdays, I will not be very productive. Something tells me my reviews will be getting a lot shorter. I don't think anyone will be complaining. 

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Sunday, August 23, 2026

Ruckus - self titled 12"


Three years after dropping the impressive single Two Easy, the international super-group Ruckus has delivered a 12" EP that has all the punk rockers going crazy. Drunken Sailor Records and Under The Gun Records have teamed up to unleash this beast of a record — which features six tracks that recall a time when pub rock and trashy glam rock 'n' roll collided at full speed and coalesced into the shooting star we know as punk rock. The band is made up of Kam Lindsey (The Stance) on lead vocals, Mario DaCosta on bass, Brian Crozier (NY Hounds) on rhythm guitar, Alex Palazzo (NY Hounds) on drums, Ethan Stahl (The Prize, Loose Lips, Chubby & The Gang) on lead guitar, and Nick Norrman (Ingrates) on lead guitar. That's a "Wow!" lineup, and the music totally lives up to pedigree. Ruckus manages a very old school sound without coming off like a copy of any band in particular. I love the way these songs combine a rawer approach to production with booty-shaking energy, unapologetic pop hooks, and super-tough vocals. There's really no other band out there that sounds like this. This is punk rock. This is rock 'n' roll. But it's not the same by-the-numbers punk rock 'n' roll that you hear all the time. This EP was recorded in 2024, yet you could easily convince someone it was from 1978 or 1982. Those bass lines are insane, and the double-barreled lead guitar totally works. With only four new tracks, this record still leaves us wanting more. But isn't that how you're supposed to do it? If you want the vinyl, I'd recommend not hesitating!

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Saturday, August 22, 2026

The Batter Ups - "Cailee"


One thing I'll never tire of is well-executed bubblegum pop-punk. Denmark's Thomas Stubgaard, whom you may remember from Tommy and the Rockets, has a new band called The Batter Ups going that could not be any more up my alley. This one-man operation combines a distinctly European (meaning very pop-leaning) style of pop-punk with a heavy dose of comic book and sci-fi fandom. Before I'd even heard a note of the music, the band slogan "Fast songs; Catchy hooks; Awkward crushes; Questionable decisions" had me won over! Mixed and mastered by the great Perry Leenhouts, new single "Cailee" is a love letter to the actress Cailee Spaeny. What a catchy tune! It's a perfect pop-punk song that wears its sci-fi geek heart on its sleeve. The song is taken from the forthcoming album Interstellar Crush, and you can bet I'm stoked to hear it! If you like "Cailee," be sure to check out the other tracks already posted on The Batter Ups' Bandcamp — one of which is a Green Day cover!

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JEM Records Celebrates Bob Dylan


It seems like only yesterday that JEM Records launched its Celebrates series with a stunning tribute to John Lennon. But the math tells me that that was almost six years ago, and here we are now with the 7th installment, JEM Records Celebrates Bob Dylan. The fact that Marty Scott and JEM's talented roster of bands have kept this project going all this time and produced a new album every single year is beyond impressive. That shows a tremendous commitment — and I can't even begin to imagine how much works goes into bringing these albums into existence. I know not everyone is on the tribute album train; however, I love the idea of celebrating great songwriting and enrichening the legacy of great songs. In the case of Bob Dylan, we're talking about perhaps the greatest American songwriter of the rock 'n' roll era. You could do a triple album of Dylan covers and not even scratch the surface of his most essential work. So song selection was going to be critical here. JEM Records Celebrates Bob Dylan does an excellent job of choosing some of the obvious classics but also going outside the box a few times. And, as we've come to expect in this series, none of these bands/artists settle for a note-for-note cover. Marty Scott gives them all free reign to make these songs their own, and they do just that. 

The earlier JEM Records Celebrates installments seemed like such no-brainers because they involved such core influences (Beatles, Kinks, Who, Beach Boys) on the label's roster. But with these last two albums (Dylan and David Bowie), we're really starting to see what makes this project interesting. It's clear that all these artists are big Dylan fans, but you might not always notice it in their own music. So to hear them take these classic songs and put their own signatures on them is very exciting. 

The Half/Cubes come the closest to a "straight" cover with their version of "The Mighty Quinn," but still they interpret the song through the lens of power pop and classic guitar pop. The Airport 77s make "It Ain't Me, Babe" sound like, well, The Airport 77s! The Midnight Callers give 1965's "It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue" a fresh makeover that brings to mind Big Star and Badfinger. The Weeklings tackle one of Dylan's most iconic songs, "Rainy Day Woman #12 and 35," and completely transform it with their master class harmonies. Similarly, The Grip Weeds and The Anderson Council make "This Wheels On Fire" and "Queen Jane Approximately" sound like classic slices of later '60s UK guitar pop. The On and Ons imbue "Meet Me In The Morning" with a vintage garage rock feel, while The High Frequencies reimagine "Subterranean Homesick Blues" as an early '80s new wave hit. It's no surprise that Paul Collins (covering "Stuck in Mobile with The Memphis Blues Again") and Nick Piunti (covering "Mr. Tambourine Man") both knock it out of the park. Then there are the two curveballs. The Jive, making its debut for JEM, has at "I Ain't Gonna Go To Hell for Anybody" from Dylan's gospel period. It's both a surprising selection and a surprisingly sophisticated performance — sounding completely unlike what I would have expected from The Jive. I feel like I've walked into a room and found the class clown solving the impossible math equation that the teacher left on the board. Perhaps the album's most extraordinary cut is The Cynz's rocking take on the extremely controversial "Neighborhood Bully." The song has been a fixture on The Underground Garage this summer, and hats off to Marty Scott for having the guts to back up the band's song choice.

Like its six predecessors in this series, JEM Records Celebrates Bob Dylan does exactly what it aims to do: celebrate an artist who changed music. In the liner notes, Richard Barone writes, "Does the world really need another Bob Dylan tribute album? The answer, at least for the foreseeable future, will always be 'Yes.'" I could not agree more. You don't even have to be a huge Dylan fan to enjoy this album. The songs speak for themselves, but what these artists have done with the source material is remarkable in its own right. If you view a cover song not as act of generating filler but as an act of love and admiration, I think you'd have to say these JEM Celebrates albums demonstrate how it ought to be done. Great songs ought to be both played forever and re-made forever. Even hardcore Bob Dylan fans, who will surely listen to this record critically, will have a hard denying that these 12 bands and artists truly get it.

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Sunday, August 16, 2026

Candybar - First Bite


Well here's something the world absolutely needed! Say hello to Candybar from Brooklyn, New York! Big Eyes were one of the shining lights of punk-influenced power pop in the 2010s. They released four albums between 2011 and 2019, establishing Kait Eldridge as one of the finest songwriters of her generation. And just like that, they were gone. Candybar reunites Eldridge with her Big Eyes band-mate Jeff Ridenour. They're joined by Lily Gist (Frida Kill) on bass and Dante Fotino (Born Sinner, Puddle Splasher) on drums. There was very little advance hype about Candybar, but it's not going to take long for the excitement to spread given the quality of the foursome's debut EP. It's called First Bite, and it delivers three truly excellent tracks. Candybar is not necessarily Big Eyes, part 2. But if you've always loved the way Eldridge blends punk, power pop, and rock influences in her own signature style, you will not be disappointed in First Bite. All three of these tracks rock hard and are crammed full of hooks. The catchy, crunching "Queen of Sunday" is an ode to the coziest day of the week and the joy of lying around the house doing whatever you feel like. "Love Comes and Goes" (which has a bit of a glam rock vibe to it) and the pure pop gem "Wash the Salt" are heartfelt, deeply relatable love songs. As the title reflects, this is just a small first taste of what Candybar has in store for us. This is a band that people are going to be talking about, and so many of us have taken that first bite and are left craving much more. Stay tuned!

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Saturday, August 15, 2026

Nato Coles & the Blue Diamond Band - Join Us For A Few


Let's play a game of "good news/bad news." I'll deal with the bad news first: Nato Coles & the Blue Diamond Band have gone on an indefinite hiatus. The good news is that Join Us For A Few, the band's third studio album, is finally available digitally after being a vinyl-only release for a few months. I hear a phrase like "indefinite hiatus" and can't help but wonder if I'll ever have the chance to review this band again. I suppose that depends on how long I keep wiring about music. As it is, an album release from Nato Coles & the Blue Diamond Band is a rare occurrence. There was a six-year gap between Promises To Deliver and Flyover and nearly a seven-year gap between Flyover and Join Us For A Few. I've spoken frequently about Promises To Deliver being one of my favorite records of this particular century, and I think my personal connection to that album has led me to undervalue its successor, Flyover. It's never quite fair to judge one record in comparison to another, and I don't want to make the mistake of putting Join Us For A Few in competition with either of its predecessors. 

So let's talk about what Join Us For A Few is: it's the work of a great American rock 'n' roll band led by a songwriter who always knows how to balance heart & grit with tuneful melodies and sing-along choruses. Over the years, this band has honed its craft and established itself as a quintessential rootsy bar band. The punk roots are still there in spirit, but the songs on this record are given plenty of room to breathe, typically falling into the four–five minute range. The band is again pulling from 20th century meat & potatoes Americana — blending early rock 'n' roll with country, rhythm & blues, and folk rock influences. The band, seasoned by years and years on the road, has never sounded better. And Nato Coles has fully come into his own as a songwriter. I probably did him a disservice in the past by emphasizing some of his musical influences rather than focusing on what's unique and appealing about him as an artist. He personifies heart-on-sleeve sincerity, and time and life have only amplified his talents. This album has some top-quality punchy rockers in "Hiraeth" and "Can't Get My Mind Off Of You." But it's the ballads and semi-ballads that are the real heart and soul of the record. When a songwriter can get to the point where their ballads are songs you actually look forward to as opposed to merely tolerate, that's when you know they've mastered their craft. You have to be pretty confident to start an album with a five-minute mellow jam like "The 4th of July," but there's no doubt that this was the perfect opener. It's anthemic, soulful, and moving. Similarly, "Strangers' Backyards" and "Fire Without a Flame" are as powerful and poignant as any song Nato has ever written. The band also reworked one of its most beloved songs, "Midnight In Memphis" (from its split with State Drugs), and made it even better. And how about a cover of The Brains' new wave hit "Money Changes Everything" (famously covered by Cyndi Lauper) completely revamped to conjure late night barroom regret? 

Let's be clear: a hiatus, even when indefinite, is not necessarily a closing of the book. If I had to put money on it, I'd bet on this not being the last we hear from Nato Coles & the Blue Diamond Band. But if this is the last we hear from the band for a good while, they are are hitting pause on a high note. The album title is welcoming by design. It summarizes the very spirit of this band. These are guys who will play their hearts out for you and then sit and drink with you. Join Us For A Few is essentially a hang session with your drinking buddies. These songs mix sadness and heartache with hope and joy. They tell stories and reflect on life. They represent what is best about music: its capacity to form connections between people. This band can still rock with the best of 'em, but it's the songs that really stand out. If you're a longtime fan and have been waiting, as I have, for Join Us For A Few to make its way to a digital platform, you will not be disappointed. And if you've yet to be initiated into the world of Nato Coles & the Blue Diamond Band, this is a fine place to start. In a year full of great rock 'n' roll albums, this one is very worthy of your consideration.

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