Showing posts with label Geoff Palmer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Geoff Palmer. Show all posts

Sunday, April 06, 2025

Geoff Palmer - Kodak Flash


I've been a big Geoff Palmer fan since the early days of this blog. I'm a fan of everything he does, but I have to admit I have an especially soft spot for his pop-punk stuff. So of course I'm on board with him doing a whole EP of pop-punk tunes. On Kodak Flash, he is supported by one heck of a band: Tyler Spatz on bass, Paul Kennedy on drums, Zack Sprague on guitar, and F & L favorite Daniel James on lead guitar. These four tracks (two of which have already been smash hits on the Underground Garage) are everything that pop-punk music ought to be: exceptionally well-crafted, catchy as hell, relatable to life, and simply fun to listen to. Palmer is talented enough to play any kind of music, but he keeps going back to this kind of stuff because he truly loves it. And given that my tastes lean more to the pop side of the pop-punk equation, these songs could not be any more up my alley. Even when these folks put the pedal to the metal on a song like "Rubberneck," those melodies and hooks are undeniable. "Bye Bye Baby" hearkens back to Road to Ruin/End of the Century–era Ramones, and I could not be more stoked. "Teenage Memories," with its wistful lyrics and exquisite harmonies, hits that sweet spot where pop-punk and power pop become one. By its very nature, this EP is bound to leave you wanting more. Delivering four songs in less than eight minutes, this is an all killer, no filler experience. Kodak Flash is a first class effort all the way and yet another must-buy from the red-hot Stardumb Records. The vinyl release is on a one-sided 12", and I'd recommend moving quickly if you want one of those beauties!

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Thursday, January 23, 2025

Kurt Baker - "Warm in the Winter"


Kurt Baker has been on a major back-to-his-roots run with his recent singles, and I am loving it! I first came to be a fan of Baker's music back in the early 2010s, and what I found so appealing was the way he was reimagining the sounds of late '70s/early '80s power pop through the lens of '90s pop-punk. In particular, his collaborations with Wyatt Funderburk were as up-my-alley as music gets. There was something about those two guys combining their talent, influences, and creative vision that produced guitar pop magic. Well here we are in 2025, and they are still writing songs together — as they have been since 2009. Baker's new single "Warm in the Winter" is a vintage Baker/Funderburk creation: an infectious power pop rocker with more than a little Lookout! Records in its musical DNA. I'm always a sucker for a good love song, and this one concerns a love interest who runs hot and cold at the most inopportune times. Baker and his pals (Funderburk, Rich Kelly III, and Geoff Palmer, who kills it on guitar) do amazing work here imbuing this tale of doomed romance with a fun, energetic feel. Once that chorus gets its hooks into you, you'll be hearing it in your head all day. The lyrics are clever and relatable, and that melody is worth its weight in gold. The song was written during the same sessions that produced the superb Rock n Roll Club album. While "Warm in the Winter" didn't end getting recorded for the album, clearly Baker knew he still had a gem of a song in his back pocket. So here it is  — fortuitously arriving in the dead of winter. If the intersection of power pop and pop-punk is your sweet spot, you're going to enjoy this one!

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Friday, January 03, 2025

Geoff Palmer- "Exit Wounds"


Heck yeah: we've got new music from Geoff Palmer to start the new year! "Exit Wounds" is Palmer's brand-new single, and it will be the opening track on his forthcoming EP Kodak Flash. This is the first new material Palmer has released since October of 2023, and it sounds awesome! The bonus for me is that my favorite lead guitar player, Daniel James, plays on this record along with Tyler Spatz, Paul Kennedy, and Zack Sprague. "Exit Wounds" is a vintage Palmer tune — an upbeat, catchy-as-hell pop-punk rocker that will stick to your skull like bubblegum. Coming in at just one minute, 49 seconds, this song definitely fits into the category of leaving us wanting more. But isn't that the whole point? Now we have something to look forward to as we await the full EP, which is coming out April 1st on Stardumb Records. Now this is the way to kick off the new music of 2025!

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Monday, November 18, 2024

Kurt Baker - "Inner Demons"


Back swiftly with a follow-up to his previous single, "Delusional," Kurt Baker again throws it back to his pop-punk roots on the new release "Inner Demons." Originally conceived as a possible song for the Australian power pop band The Stanleys, "Inner Demons" was first written during the dark times of the pandemic. The song, originally called "Keep Wishing," was eventually re-worked with bandmates Wyatt Funderburk and Geoff Palmer. If you're a fan of Palmer's, you will be happy to hear his influence all over "Inner Demons." Like "Delusional," "Inner Demons" is a very introspective song. But it's basically the other side of the coin. While "Delusional" is about confronting the possibility that you're fooling yourself when you think everything is going great, "Inner Demons" is about letting go of negative thoughts and embracing the positive — in essence, sending your inner demons "back to Hell." I'm really loving this direction Baker has been taking lately — where his lyrics have been thoughtful and self-reflective but the music draws from the pure energy and perfect simplicity of '90s/2000s punk rock. Looking at the matching artwork for "Delusional" and "Inner Demons," I can't help wondering if these two digital singles are destined to be combined into one vinyl single in the near future. Or maybe they're the first two installments in a trilogy! All I know is that Kurt Baker is on a roll, and I can't wait to hear what he does next!

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Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Geoff Palmer - An Otherwise Negative Situation


On his latest full-length album, Geoff Palmer works in his familiar territory of pop-punk leaning power pop. Or is it the other way around? Following up 2021's Charts & Graphs and 2019's Pulling Out All the Stops, An Otherwise Negative Situation completes a formidable trilogy of fun, hit-laden punky pop albums. Palmer is such a dependable and consistent songwriter that it would be easy to take him for granted. But no one should make that mistake. There's nothing easy about writing memorable and catchy pop songs —  Palmer only makes it seem that way. Out on Stardumb Records, An Otherwise Negative Situation is another lean affair at just ten tracks. It's similar to Charts & Graphs in the respect that it mixes up musical styles, and it's similar to Pulling Out All the Stops in the respect that every song sounds like a single. Palmer has cultivated a musical style that transcends genre, and you could land on any of these tracks and immediately know exactly whom you're listening to. I remember hearing "Give It Up" for the first time and thinking it was "too short." Dozens of spins later, I recognize it as one of Palmer's best songs and a master work of efficient songwriting. If you Googled "anthem," a link to "We Run" ought to turn up. "Surfin' Nebraska" is ten-out-of-ten pop-punk. "Dark Thoughts," which reminds me a little of The Replacements but mostly just sounds like vintage Geoff Palmer, is truly a perfect pop song. If it's not the best song on the album, it's only because "FOMO" is. "Stuck With You" is earworm pop-punk on the Beach Boys' end of town — always a sweet spot for Palmer. "Backseat Driver" is a stone cold gem of traditional jangly power pop. Sometimes ballads to close albums feel like unnecessary tack-ons, but this album would not be the same without the powerful and poignant "Like a Dove." 

An Otherwise Negative Situation finds Palmer forming a top-notch power trio with his pals Kurt Baker and Zack Sprague. Baker and Sprague also contribute as songwriters on several tracks. Is this Palmer's best album yet? I'd say there's no question about it. Geoff Palmer will always sound like Geoff Palmer, but the growth (especially lyrically) from Pulling Out All the Stops to An Otherwise Negative Situation has been truly remarkable. I know I'm a little late to the party on this one. But holy cow — what a great freaking record!

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Thursday, September 22, 2022

Geoff Palmer - Standing In the Spotlight


I must admit that when I first heard that Geoff Palmer was covering Dee Dee Ramone's rap album in its entirety, I thought it was a pretty insane idea. But the more I thought about it, the more I warmed up to the concept. Standing In the Spotlight, released in 1989 under the moniker Dee Dee King, is certainly one of the most polarizing albums in the punk rock canon. Not everyone likes it. A great many hate it. But those who love it really love it. Fans of this record will argue that within the Ramones universe, it's highly underrated. Palmer would go as far as to call it a classic, and his version (out now on Stardumb Records) comes from pure love. And that's what has really won me over. A lesser artist may have treated this project like a joke, but Palmer was determined to pay genuine tribute (he even released the album on Dee Dee's birthday). The vocals, arrangements, and musicianship are of the same high standard you'd expect from any Geoff Palmer album. And as a rapper, Palmer can more than hold his own. Palmer clearly has affection for these songs, yet he manages to interpret them in his own unique style. Obviously the target audience is people who are already huge fans of Standing in the Spotlight. But I'm thinking more than a few people will hear this release and give the original another chance — or maybe even listen to it for the first time. 

Typically, I approach a Ramones cover album expecting to love it but ultimately just find myself wishing I were listening to the original. I've had a different experience with Geoff Palmer's Standing In the Spotlight. I kind of thought I might not like it. Then as I kept listening, I thought to myself, "This is actually really good!" Of course Palmer and friends hit "Baby Doll," "Emergency," and "The Crusher" out of the park. But I love what they do with some of the album's less-celebrated tracks. "Mash Potato Time" is tremendous fun and features special appearances by Hayley Crusher Cain on backing vocals, Reid Cain on glockenspiel, and Mass Giorgini on sax. "Poor Little Rich Girl" is a genuinely successful mashup of rap and pop-punk. "German Kid," featuring excellent vocal performances from Hallie Bulleit and Kurt Baker, is a funky and infectious delight. 

I'm sure a lot of people assume that Palmer made this record for shits and giggles. Nothing could be further from the truth. He's a Standing In the Spotlight super-fan, and he took seriously the task of celebrating the album even as he made it his own. He loves this record and hopes you'll love it too. I'm not sure if Palmer will manage to bring any Standing in the Spotlight haters over to the dark side. But if you're like me and were on the fence with this album, Palmer's version just might have you reconsidering your stance. Sweet t-shirt, dude!

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Sunday, August 21, 2022

Kurt Baker - "Electric Fire"


Back with his first original track with his full band since the highly tremendous After Party LP came out two years ago, Kurt Baker totally brings the rock on his brand-new Wicked Cool Records single "Electric Fire." Co-written with Geoff Palmer, "Electric Fire" tackles one of the most enduring themes in popular music: that rock and roll is the best cure for whatever ails you. Born out of the frustrations of the last few years, this song celebrates the healing and life-affirming powers of the greatest form of music ever invented. A rock and roll song about rock and roll is most definitely a hit-or-miss undertaking. Luckily, "Electric Fire" totally hits. The style and personality of both the song's authors come shining through on this upbeat and insanely catchy track. Baker and Palmer have managed to inject a punk/power pop/rock and roll stomper with an Elvis influence, and it works like a dream. If you like big hooks, ripping guitars, and the most righteous rock and roll piano this side of Little Richard, you need some "Electric Fire" in your life! I love that the lyrics embrace numerous ridiculous rock and roll clichés in the most awesome way imaginable. 

I've never seen Kurt Baker play live, but I have this perception of him as this super-energetic performer who realizes that people come to rock and roll shows to forget about their troubles and experience pure joy. "Electric Fire" is a reminder that he's a fan as well as a performer and that the energy he brings to the world is the same energy that feeds him. The song takes the best parts of the last 67 years of rock and roll and creates something new and exciting to lift your spirits. If you've been having a bad day or a bad year or a bad three years, Kurt Baker's got a sure-fire prescription for your soul!

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Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Geoff Palmer - "Emergency"


For his third full-length release, Geoff Palmer has made the surprising and fascinating choice to cover Dee Dee King's 1989 album Standing In The Spotlight in its entirety. Of all the albums in the Ramones universe, Dee Dee Ramone's rap album is probably the most polarizing. To this day, opinions vary on whether Standing In The Spotlight is an epic fail or an overlooked gem. Geoff Palmer would take the latter position, and his version of the album (out September 18 on Stardumb Records) comes from a place of deep love. "Emergency," the first single from the album, is sure to change the minds of more than a few Dee Dee King skeptics. This track is pure gold! Palmer's signature style is present in the vocals and arrangement, but the spirit of the original version is by no means lost. If you didn't know this was a Dee Dee King song, you might think this was a just great new Geoff Palmer tune! As I listen back to the original, I can totally hear how it may have influenced multiple generations of pop-punk bands. Granted, "Emergency" is one of the best tracks on Standing In The Spotlight. I am intrigued to hear what Palmer does with the rest of these songs. But if "Emergency" is any indication, we should expect very, very good things from the full album. Click here for all of your pre-ordering options!

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Friday, July 23, 2021

Geoff Palmer - Charts & Graphs


Geoff Palmer has been a favorite of mine since the earliest days of F & L. With The Connection, The New Trocaderos, and Kurt Baker Band, he's been a huge part of several albums that have influenced the musical direction of this blog. As a a solo artist, he's been one of the brightest stars of contemporary pop-punk and power pop. Last year, he and Lucy Ellis almost managed to redeem 2020 with a delightful collection of duets titled Your Face Is Weird. So when I heard that Palmer was releasing a new LP this year, it immediately became one of my most looked-forward-to albums of 2021. Out today on Stardumb Records, Rum Bar Records, and Memorable But Not Honorable, Charts & Graphs is Palmer's second solo LP. And it does not disappoint! 

Like 2019's Pulling Out All The Stops, Charts & Graphs rolls together power pop and pop-punk in a way that's pleasing to fans of either genre. And much like Your Face Is Weird, this album finds Palmer expanding his core sound with songs in a variety of musical styles. If you're craving "vintage" Geoff Palmer punky pop tunes, songs like "Many More Drugs", "Don't Be", and "Tomorrow" are guaranteed to satisfy. But some of the true gems of this album are more unexpected. The title track, written by Emma Tobin, is a poignant breakup song that's both clever and devastating. The country rocker "Count Me In" pairs an upbeat, hard-driving energy with highly philosophical lyrics about the nature of the afterlife. "What Would Paul Westerberg Do" has a lot to live up to based on its title, but it proves to be a satisfying homage in every respect. And I'm totally obsessed with "This Monkey", a song Palmer co-wrote with Zack Sprague. It's unlike any song Palmer has ever recorded before. It's kind of poppy, kind of modern rock-ish, and so sneaky catchy that it'll be stuck in your head before you even know what hit you. The vocal exchanges between Palmer and Sprague on this track are pure gold! 

Charts & Graphs is everything I wanted it to be and more. It shows the many sides of Geoff Palmer while still embracing his roots in pop-punk. In a modern-day power pop punk scene that can sometimes get a little "samey", Palmer is one of the true originals. When you hear one of his songs, you know it's him. His personality comes shining through on Charts & Graphs. Whether he's recounting amusing tales of misheard song lyrics, reflecting on the importance of not being an asshole, lamenting love gone wrong, or pondering the upside of eternal damnation, he's super likeable and always great fun to listen to. For my money, he's one of the best songwriters in rock and roll today. I highly recommend Charts & Graphs to all fans of good music!

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Saturday, May 22, 2021

Geoff Palmer - "Many More Drugs"

Smash hit alert! Geoff Palmer is back with a new solo single, and it's a total banger! That should hardly be a surprise considering the consistent quality of his solo output in 2018-19. And of course his collaborative EP with Lucy Ellis almost saved 2020. "Many More Drugs", off of the forthcoming album Charts & Graphs, is a vintage Geoff Palmer number. It's upbeat pop/punk that's catchy as hell and above all else FUN! Seriously: if this song doesn't put a smile on your face, there's probably no hope for you! "Too Many Drugs" tells the hilarious tale of a young Palmer mishearing the lyrics to the Dickies classic "Manny, Moe And Jack" and his subsequent challenges in finding the song on record. That's a funny story --- and it's one that almost all of us can relate to. The Dickies were surely a rite of passage for anyone who came to love poppy punk rock over the last 40 years. And as much as I love the way modern technology gives us instant access to a seemingly limitless library of recorded music, I must admit there was something really thrilling about the days when you had to track down a record if there was a particular band or song you wanted to hear. "Many More Drugs", while definitely an homage to "Manny, Moe And Jack", is above all else an anthem for music geeks. It's available now as both a digital single and a 7" release from the mighty Stardumb Records. The 7" features two exclusive non-album B-side tracks. They're so exclusive that if you want to hear them right now, you'll have to --- you guessed it --- buy the record! Charts & Graphs will be out July 23rd, 2021 on Stardumb, Rum Bar, Memorable But Not Honorable Records!

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Friday, October 23, 2020

Kurt Baker - After Party


The trilogy is complete! Eight years ago, Kurt Baker and Wyatt Funderburk co-wrote Baker's first full-length album Brand New Beat. Produced by Funderburk, Brand New Beat quickly became a modern classic of power pop. It was a record so great that even its outtakes made for an album (Brand New B-Sides) that would be the envy of a lot of pop bands. Baker and Funderburk collaborated again on 2015's Play It Cool - which was arguably even better than Brand New Beat. Five years later, Baker, Funderburk, and all the Party Animals are back with the third (and best!) installment in this series. 

Out today on Wicked Cool Records, After Party manages to be the best of both worlds. It has the stylistic variety of Play It Cool, but in spirit it's closer to the early '80s power pop influenced Brand New Beat. Joining Baker and Funderburk are old pals Geoff Palmer (guitar), Kris Rodgers (keyboards), and Craig Sala (drums). With Baker now residing in Spain, these guys don't get the chance to see each other all the time. And that gives After Party a "the gang is back together" type feel. It was recorded this past January and February while Baker was back home in Portland, Maine. All of these individuals have seen their musical careers take off in the years since Brand New Beat was released. But they were all happy to get together and make the kind of record that only the Kurt Baker Band can make!

While I'm also a big fan of Baker's more garage/rock and roll centered Spanish band The Kurt Baker Combo, I'm always going to have a soft spot for the power pop stuff he co-writes with kindred spirit Funderburk. After Party is informed by many of the same influences that had me connecting so instantly with Brand New Beat. It's got that new wave/power pop meets early '80s FM rock (Donnie Iris, Cheap Trick, .38 Special) vibe with just a hint of '90s Lookout! Records. I've previously featured "Over You" and "I Like Her A Lot" on this blog - both of which are classic Baker/Funderburk collaborations. In a similar vein are "Wandering Eyes" (a crunching pop-rock hit right out of the Rick Springfield playbook) and "She Don't Really Love You, Dude" (which is either power pop influenced pop-punk or pop-punk influenced power pop depending on your point of view). If you're into big hooks, punchy guitars, and catchy choruses, this album will not leave you wanting. But if you're looking for something a little different, Baker and the boys have got you covered. I dig how the gentle little McCartney-esque number "Waiting For You" turns up at just the right time. And if you wish that Joe Jackson's 1979-80 period had never ended, you'll be psyched to hear "Good". Elsewhere you've got power pop running straight into a Beach Boys song ("Used To Think"), spot-on new romantic/synth-pop worship ("Keep Dreaming"), and a genuinely lovely piano lounge ballad ("A Song and a Drink"). 

Brand New Beat was a huge album for a lot of people my age who grew up on '80s radio and then came to love pop-punk as young adults. As collaborating songwriters, Baker and Funderburk gleaned the best elements from 30 years of melody-driven rock music and created something that felt new and exciting in 2012. They easily could have resorted to formula and cranked out several more albums that were copies of Brand New Beat. But instead, they worked to build on their musical vision and embrace a wider range of influences. Once I came to accept that Play It Cool wasn't going to be Brand New Beat part 2, I quickly realized it was a better record. And that progression culminates with After Party. Baker and Funderburk are far better songwriters (and a far better songwriting team) than they were 8 or 9 years ago. After Party reflects that growth while still retaining the original spirit of the trilogy. Baker's name is on the cover of the record, but this is just as much Funderburk's creation (his production, as always, is immaculate). And this record certainly would not be what it is without the contributions of some of the finest musicians in today's rock and roll scene. Say what you will about 2020. But any year that gives us a new Kurt Baker record can't be entirely bad!


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Friday, September 25, 2020

Geoff Palmer & Lucy Ellis - Your Face Is Weird


Hands down, my favorite song released this year is a cover of John Prine's "In Spite Of Ourselves" recorded by Geoff Palmer and Lucy Ellis. No matter how bleak life gets or how doomed this world seems to be, one listen to this recording always gives me a reason to smile. Palmer had been wanting to record this song for years, but it just never quite fit in with any of the records he was making. But once it became apparent that 2020 had been "canceled", Palmer reached out to his good friend Ellis and asked her if she would record "In Spite Of Ourselves" with him. She quickly said yes, and Palmer brought in his pal Zack Sprague to round out the band. In the wake of Prine's death from COVID-19 in April, the Geoff & Lucy version of "In Spite Of Ourselves" proved to be both an extraordinary tribute and a ray of hope in very dark times. Then came the delightful news that this was just the beginning of the Palmer and Ellis duets! 

"In Spite Of Ourselves" was originally intended to be one half of a single on Stardumb Records. But these two had so much fun collaborating on recording and chatting about music over Zoom happy hours that they decided to just keep going! Not knowing for sure if any labels would release it, they made an eight-song mini-album. Out today on Stardumb Records on 10" vinyl and Rum Bar Records on CD, Your Face Is Weird includes six covers and two original songs. The idea of these two individuals forming an intercontinental super duo is beyond exciting. They are two of my favorite people in music today. They both have roots in the pop-punk scene and have since grown into two of our finest modern-day creators of pure pop songs. What I love about this project is that these songs are not bound to any specific genre. The idea was for Palmer and Ellis to just record some songs they loved that would be fun to cover. They also wrote a couple of originals that perfectly fit the vibe of the album. 

If you're a fan of these two artists as I am, you surely had high hopes for Your Face Is Weird. Well I'm here to tell you: it more than lives up to expectations! The original number "SWIM" matches the pure delightfulness and joyful vibes of "In Spite Of Ourselves". It's a sweet pop song not too far removed from Lucy and the Rats - but with an obvious Geoff Palmer touch as well. In these cynical times, we need songs like this that bask in the wonders of falling deeply in love. It will warm my heart to no end if someone makes this their wedding song. That chorus ("Do that thing you do where you move slowly...") is nothing short of magical. It gives me the feels every single time! The other original "Crash" is a high-energy rocker reminiscent of the Beach Boys and first album era Connection. It's just so much fun. If Mike Love had sung co-lead on a Nikki and the Corvettes track, it would have sounded an awful lot like this! And with this album being three-quarters cover songs, it's fortunate that they're all terrific. Where else are songs by Kieran Kane, Blag Dahlia, Burt Bacharach, and Sam Cooke going to sound like they were meant to be on the same album? I love that these two weren't afraid to take on beloved songs that some people would probably consider untouchable. Seriously: no one will ever do "In Spite of Ourselves" better than John Prine and Iris DeMent. But Palmer and Ellis have come darn close, and in the process they've turned countless individuals into John Prine fans. And while Kirsty MacColl's "They Don't Know" is one of the most perfect pop songs ever written, Palmer and Ellis just might have made my second-favorite version ever (and that's no slight to The Speedways or Tracey Ullman!). How do you top Sam Cooke's "Having a Party"? Well, you don't. But if you're Geoff Palmer and Lucy Ellis, you work up a super fun version that essentially serves as a theme song for the entire album.

It can be hard to view the glass as half full (or even a quarter full) in a year like 2020. But when Geoff Palmer found himself with time to kill, a door opened to a duet with Lucy Ellis that quickly turned into a full-fledged musical partnership. Had 2020 gone a different way, this dream pairing of pop titans may have never occurred. As expected, these two sound great together. And Your Face Is Weird definitely gives you a taste of what those virtual happy hours were like! To wish for a sequel seems a little greedy, so I'll just focus on enjoying one of this year's true feelgood albums. Vinyl is available in Europe from Stardumb Records and in the USA from The Machine Shop. You can also get the CD from Rum Bar Records  and the cassette from Memorable But Not Honorable!



-L.R.

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Monday, September 07, 2020

Kurt Baker - "Over You"


The band is back together! While I've always been a huge fan of all things Kurt Baker, there's a special place in my heart for Baker's collaborations with Wyatt Funderburk. When these two join creative forces, it's a one-way ticket to pop heaven! Baker and Funderburk co-wrote Baker's solo albums Brand New Beat (2012) and Play It Cool (2015) - two of my favorite records of the last decade. After Party, the third release in this trilogy, is coming out October 23rd on Wicked Cool Records! 

After Party was recorded earlier this year (pre-pandemic) with the classic Kurt Baker Band cast in tow: Funderburk on guitar & synthesizer, Geoff Palmer on guitar, Kris Rodgers on keyboards, and Craig Sala on drums. Having had several years to absorb Brand New Beat and Play It Cool, I have come to the conclusion that the latter was even better than the former. And I fully expect After Party to be the best of three. Funderburk considers it to be the best record he's ever made by a long shot, and I've never had a reason to doubt him! "Over You" has been released as an advance single, and it's got that big guitar early '80s new wave power pop sound that I was hoping for. It features timeless lyrics about struggling to shake a breakup. And my god, if there's anything that still unites us all in this shit year 2020, it's that all of our hearts are breakable. Having lived new wave pop-rock firsthand, I've got to say that this song sounds like it could have come pumping out of a poolside portable radio 40 summers ago. From the super slick backing vocals to the dueling keyboard/guitar solos featuring Rodgers and Palmer, the touches on this song are to die for! While Rodgers and Palmer have seen their own solo careers skyrocket in recent years, neither was too busy to lend their musical talents to After Party. 

The word on the street is that the full Kurt Baker Band will tour in support of After Party once life returns to something resembling normalcy. With that in mind, we have much to look forward to - both this fall and beyond. Circle your calendars for October 23rd! 
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Monday, April 20, 2020

Geoff Palmer & Lucy Ellis - "In Spite Of Ourselves"

You can imagine I was over the moon when I saw that two of my favorite people in music had recorded a duet! And let me tell you, I was not disappointed! Geoff Palmer and Lucy Ellis have teamed up long distance to pay tribute to the great John Prine in the wake of his recent passing. They've collaborated on an absolutely wonderful version of Prine's classic "In Spite Of Ourselves". Zack Sprague and Kris Rodgers also lent their musical talents to this delightful track, which Palmer recorded and produced. The song, available as a digital single from Bandcamp, Spotify, etc. has been accompanied by the super fun music video I've embedded below. I love how Geoff and Lucy show tremendous affection for the original song while still allowing their own style and personality to come through. You won't need to be a John Prine fan to enjoy this cover. And you won't need to be a Geoff Palmer or Lucy and the Rats fan to enjoy it either - although you might quickly become one! These two sure know how to make a duet work. Will there be more coming? Maybe if we ask nicely!



-L.R.
 
https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/in-spite-of-ourselves
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/
https://lucyandtherats.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/Lucy-and-the-Rats-817424101645809/  
 
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Friday, May 31, 2019

Geoff Palmer - Pulling Out All The Stops

I believe we've found our album of the summer! If you're like me, you heard all of Geoff Palmer's digital singles last year and thought, "Damn, these songs are WAY too good to not be on an actual record!". Well, a couple of pretty swell label guys were thinking the exact same thing. And in relatively short order, Geoff Palmer's solo debut album has been willed into existence. Out today on Stardumb Records in Europe and Rum Bar Records in the U.S.A., Pulling Out All The Stops is the pop-punk album for people who usually only listen to power pop. Or is it the power pop album for people who usually only listen to pop-punk? Either way, it's one of the best albums we'll hear this year. This all started out as a fun project for The Connection singer/guitarist Palmer. He wrote some solo songs and recorded them with pals like Brad Marino, Adam Cargin, Craig Sala, and B-Face. For good measure, he set out to cover songs by everyone from The Invalids to The Vapids to Gino and the Goons. Once these tracks started hitting the old Internet, even Palmer's biggest fans were blown away by how good they were. We all had to wonder why Palmer had taken so long to reveal his magnificent solo artistry to the world!

If Pulling Out All The Stops had just been a vinyl pressing of Palmer's digital singles, nobody would have complained. But Palmer took it a step further. Pulling Out All The Stops of course features smash hits such as "This One's Gonna Be Hot" and "Velcro Shoes". But even if you already heard all of the singles, a lot of the songs on this album will be new to you. 8 of 14 tracks are previously unreleased. We got a little taste of the new songs thanks to recent videos for "Giving In" and "All The Hits". The former is a big, slick power pop number that brings to mind Palmer's pal Kurt Baker. The latter finds Palmer digging deep into his pop-punk roots and goofing on classic bands that load their live sets with the dreaded "new material". The rest of the new songs are of the same caliber and run the gamut from punky power pop ("Cha-Ching") to kick-ass Ramonesy punk ("Everything Is Cool") to British Invasion/'60s pop goodness (the Michael Chaney co-write "Paper Heart") to pop-rock worthy of late '70s/early '80s radio ("Make It"). This might seem like a weird thing to say about the guy who co-fronts the best damn rock n' roll band on Earth. But this album demonstrates to me that Geoff Palmer is an immensely underrated songwriter! As much as I've praised his bands over the years, I don't think I've ever given him enough credit. He just has a knack for writing really great pop songs, and he has a particular flair for lyrics that are both funny as hell and totally on-point. If the likes of "Velcro Shoes" and "I Like Murder Too" have you chuckling because they hit a little too close to home, I can assure you that you're not alone!

In a day and age of pronounced divisions between the pop-punk, garage, and power pop camps, Geoff Palmer has delivered an album that makes all of that seem really stupid. Of course the pop-punk faithful will go totally nuts for these songs. But I bet Little Steven heard "Paper Heart" and cried tears of joy. I really dig the idea of an album where covers of Sinkhole and Gino and the Goons fit in equally well! While Palmer wears his Ramones/Queers/Beach Boys loving heart on his sleeve, he also draws inspiration from just about every great era of rock n' roll. Even if you usually hate pop-punk, this could be the album that turns you to the dark side. Download is just four bucks via Bandcamp. Vinyl and CD are available from the fine establishments linked below!



-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/pulling-out-all-the-stops 
https://www.stardumbrecords.com/products/geoff-palmer-pulling-out-all-the-stops-lp 
http://www.themachineshoprocks.com/Geoff_Palmer_Pulling_Out_All_the_Stops_LP_p/gp2.htm 
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/pulling-out-all-the-stops 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/ 
https://www.facebook.com/stardumbrecords/ 
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Friday, April 19, 2019

Geoff Palmer - "This One's Gonna Be Hot"

You might be asking, "Didn't you already review this one last year?!" I sure did! But a second post for Geoff Palmer's solo smash "This One's Gonna Be Hot" is warranted because it's finally available on record! And if ever there were a song that needed to be on a 7", this was the one! The legendary Stardumb Records has ventured to release the 7", and I've got a feeling this thing is gonna fly off the shelves! The Connection singer/guitarist has gone back to his pop-punk roots and delivered an instant classic party song. I am somewhat notorious for disliking party anthems, but I must admit that I have been fully converted by "This One's Gonna Be Hot"! I might even be persuaded to drink some of that Miller Lite! That line "This one's gonna be hot/When it drops" is what I call truth in advertising! As you gather that big stack of vinyl to spin at your next house party or DJ outing, this one is a mandatory inclusion!

The release of this single comes in advance of a full solo LP from Geoff Palmer titled Pulling Out All The Stops. Out next month, the album will be a co-release between Stardumb and Rum Bar Records. Backing "This One's Gonna Be Hot" are two tracks exclusive to this 7". "Punker Than Me" is a cover of an Invalids song that was a rite of passage for almost every pop-punk kid in 1995. Here Palmer and friends have given it their own twist and actually outdone the original in my humble opinion. In a much different vein, "That's What You Do" is a perfect slice of the Beach Boys/Beatles influenced pop that has long been a Palmer specialty. Head on over to Stardumb Records to snag the single and pre-order the album. Both of these fine products are available in the States from The Machine Shop!



-L.R.

https://www.stardumbrecords.com/ 
https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/this-ones-gonna-be-hot-ep 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/ 
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Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Geoff Palmer - All the Hits and Some Other Shit

This will likely be the last proper review I write in 2018, and I can't think of a better way to wrap up such a fine year in music. This really has been the year of The Connection. The band released the brilliant Wish You Success -  its first new album in three years. On top of that, Brad Marino and Geoff Palmer both released a number of digital solo singles. Palmer released so many singles this year that I wasn't able to keep up! Luckily he has compiled them all onto a digital collection called All The Hits and Some Other Shit. For whatever price you choose, you get all eight (!) singles plus four bonus tracks. And let me tell you: this is not a bunch of throwaway stuff that Palmer released just for kicks. These are smokin' tracks! The name of the first single was "This One's Gonna Be Hot", and I suppose it isn't boasting if it's true! I've really enjoyed hearing Palmer return to his pop-punk roots with these solo recordings. Covering the likes of Sinkhole, The Invalids, and The Vapids, Palmer has made this project a veritable tribute '90s/2000s pop-punk. And on the terrific original "I Like Murder Too", he has written the ultimate anthem for all of us who are way too obsessed with true crime shows on television. Elsewhere Palmer shows off his power pop chops on the hilariously self-deprecating "Velcro Shoes" and indulges his '60s pop worship on the magnificent "That's What You Do". The latter brings to mind his stellar contributions to The New Trocaderos. If Palmer ever did a full album of Beatles/Beach Boys inspired songs, I would be SO into that! 

Part of the fun of this project was Geoff Palmer allowing himself to record songs that might not have fit on a Connection release. On top of that, he had the opportunity to work with talented friends like B-Face and Adam Cargin. Perhaps he didn't set out to make one of the best albums of 2018, but that's sure what he ended up with! Whether you're a Connection fan or go even further back to Palmer's previous band The Guts, you would be crazy to pass up all of this pop and punk goodness!



-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/all-the-hits-and-some-other-shit-singles-collection 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/ 
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Sunday, July 01, 2018

Geoff Palmer - "Got The Skinny"

And now we have installment number three from Geoff Palmer's on-going series of digital singles! Having unleashed back to back smash hits with the first two, he was certainly in perfect position to make the third one a cover. And I love the choice in material here. "Got The Skinny" is a song I consider a modern classic of rock n' roll. It's the opening cut off of Gino and the Goons' 2014 LP Shake It! If you don't own that album, stop reading this right now and go buy it! For this recording of "Got The Skinny", Palmer worked with Rodger Shosa and the legendary B-Face. This is exactly my idea of what a cover song should be. It's very much in the spirit of the original, yet Palmer found a way to put his signature on it. So whether you're into trashy garage-punk or straight-up poppy rock n' roll, you're gonna love the hell out of this track. While you never really know what to expect from these Geoff Palmer singles, you always know to expect something great! Keep 'em coming, man!

  
-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/track/got-the-skinny 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/ 
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Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Geoff Palmer - "Velcro Shoes"


Ok, now I'm getting a little worried. With these new recordings from Geoff Palmer and Brad Marino being so off the hook good, might they both ditch The Connection for solo mega-stardom?! All kidding aside, this is turning into the best summer ever for fans of The Connection guys. Marino's Four Track Attack releases in June, and Palmer is in the midst of a series of digital singles releasing every month. "Velcro Shoes" is the second in the series, and boy is it ever a ripper! This one was recorded with Adam Cargin, who many of you already know as one of the best drummers out there. On "Velcro Shoes", Cargin shows he can rock out on guitar and bass as well! Dude is bringing it! Like last month's "This One's Gonna Be Hot", "Velcro Shoes" is a high energy, sing-along banger. This time Palmer is all about the rockin' power pop, and of course he nails it. This tune is just so upbeat and catchy - which is absolutely perfect for a summertime release! How amazing do those backing vocals and guitars sound?! And those lyrics are an absolute hoot! That's two singles in two months from Mr. Palmer, and they're both legit hits. I'm so stoked to hear what's coming next. Luckily, we won't have to wait very long!



-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/releases 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/
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Thursday, May 03, 2018

Geoff Palmer - "This One's Gonna Be Hot"


Last week I promised you all some solo Geoff Palmer. So let's get to it! "This One's Gonna Be Hot" is the first in a series of digital singles that The Connection guitarist is doing with various friends of his. This track was recorded with his pal Adam Cargin, and man oh man is it ever a banger! Here Geoff dusts off his pop-punk chops and delivers the ultimate party song. It sounds like Mike Love fronting The Ramones, and it's pretty much the best thing ever! Before I even heard this song, I assumed it was gonna rule just based on the title. I was not wrong! In a perfect world, this tune would be a top ten smash on every continent of the globe. 

Eventually all of these solo Geoff Palmer tracks will be compiled onto an actual record. But you won't wanna wait that long to own "This One's Gonna Be Hot". This is the ultimate warm-weather driving song - one that's guaranteed to get you primed for countless nights of good times. It's everything that's fun about rock n' roll distilled into two glorious minutes. Play it often, and play it loud!



-L.R.

https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/releases 
https://www.facebook.com/GeoffPalmerMusic/ 
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