Friday, June 30, 2023

Jagger Holly - Rivoltella


A pop-punk double album may seem a little excessive. But in the hands of Jagger Holly, it's excessively awesome. Out now on Monster Zero, OUTLOUD!, Memorable But Not Honorable, and Hey Pizza! Records, Rivoltella is the best pop-punk full-length to be released since, uh well, the last Jagger Holly album! The Austrian trio has really outdone itself on its third proper album. A double album within the pop-punk world is not entirely unprecedented (The Suitesixteen pulled it off quite spectacularly), but it's quite rare. What pleases me about Rivoltella is that it doesn't try to be anything more than a great pop-punk record (or, to be more accurate, two great pop-punk records). Jay Dee sticks to what he does best: writing perfect pop songs with gigantic hooks and heartfelt lyrics. And for this release, he fully splits singing and songwriting duties with the equally talented Matt DeeCrack. Rivoltella isn't some indulgent rock opera or failed descent into experimentation. It's simply a super-sized work of masterful pop-punk. Remarkably for a 29-track release, it maintains a high level of quality all the way to the end. And it manages to run for nearly an hour without wearing out its welcome. In no way would I have recommended trimming this down to a single LP. There would be too many essential songs to cut, and honestly this album works perfectly at this length. 

As you would expect from a pop-punk album this epic, Rivoltella touches upon just about every sub-style within the genre. Some songs are super poppy. Others are fast and snotty. Some are heavily Ramones-inspired. A few lean towards power pop. A few have a foot in rock and roll. The band nails all of it. This is an album steeped in the classic tradition of '90s pop-punk, yet it shows how this sound can remain current and vital well into the 21st Century. There are some obvious hits like "Summer Sun," "Good To You," "Baby, It's You," "Keep Dreaming," and a terrific cover of Exploding White Mice's "Out of My Head." Yet the deep cuts prove to be just as rewarding. How many bands wish they could write one song as good as "Can't Stop"? "True To You" has got to be the best track 29 on any album ever! 

What do you do if you're stuck at home in the middle of a pandemic lockdown? If you're the guys in Jagger Holly, you write songs. And if you write enough good songs, why stop at a single album? The harder part for Jagger Holly was more likely getting all these tracks recorded — which required visits to many studios in multiple countries and tremendous perseverance in the face of illnesses, canceled travel plans, and numerous other disruptions. After all that, it doesn't seem like giving Rivoltella an hour of your time is an unreasonable ask. Sometimes more is more!

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Chinese Junk - Fly Spray


Now this is how you do it! U.K. trio Chinese Junk captured my attention last year when Big Neck Records released their Raw Deal EP here in the States. I quickly identified the "kings of pound shop rock" as a band of considerable promise. That promise has been fully realized on the full-length release Fly Spray — also released by Big Neck. Fly Spray is the kind of record I don't hear enough of these days — a throwback to the lo-fi garage punk budget trash that ruled the '90s. Imagine if the Rip Offs had been a little more into the Ramones and a lot dumber (in a good way). From the first chord, Fly Spray is a head-bobbing, toe-tapping, shout-along good time. Over the course of 14 tracks, the band crosses the two-minute mark only once (on the band anthem "Budget Stomp") and clobbers you with songs about electric chairs, unwanted callers, plastic surgery accidents, day drinking, pest control, and being overworked and underpaid. And the tender love ballad "I Don't Know What I Want (But I Know That You Ain't It)" is not to be missed. Seriously: it takes real smarts to write songs this stupid! Fly Spray is an absolutely brilliant effort and a shining example of what all garage punk should aspire to be.

-L.R.   

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Monday, June 26, 2023

The Master Plan - Grand Cru


On the heels of last year's summer smash single "Ooh Baby Ooh," the greatest of all garage rock supergroups now receives the full-length treatment from the mighty and renowned Rum Bar Records. Comprised of The Dictators' Andy Shernoff, The Fleshtones' Keith Streng and Bill Milheizer, and Waxing Poetics' Paul Johnson, The Master Plan is a long-running institution of timeless rock and roll. The newly-issued compact disc Grand Cru is an absolute monster of an album — as it should be since it cherry-picks ace tracks from the band's long out-of-print LPs Colossus Of Destiny and Maximum Respect. Shernoff, Streng, and Johnson all contribute songs, and the cover selections (Family's "Second Generation Woman" and Wendy Rene's "Bar-B-Q" along with the aforementioned rave-up rendition of The Hollywood Flames' "Ooh Baby Ooh") are all formidable. The talent in this band's lineup is of course staggering. All of these players are in vintage form and perfect sync as they kick up a soul-stirring mix of doo-wop, late '50s/early '60s rock and roll, rhythm & blues, garage rock, and surf. To say that the typical Rum Bar fan will enjoy this disc would be the understatement of the year. And the timing of this release could not be more perfect: this album was made to be the soundtrack to your 2023 summertime fun. It's hard to single out individual tracks given how bulletproof this entire album is. That said, Shernoff's "14th Street" would hold its own on any oldies radio station. Streng's "I Wanna Feel Something" will definitely have you feeling something: most likely joy or excitement or momentary invincibility. Johnson's "You're Mine" kicks up enough energy to wake the dead. It's probably sacrilegious to say that "What's Up With That?" surpasses the version from The Dictators'  D.F.F.D., but my ears can't lie.  

Featuring exclusive original album cover art by the great Cliff Mott and packaged with a double-sided foldout poster insert, Grand Cru is a must-own package for fans of The Master Plan, Dictators, Fleshstones, and rock and roll in general. These tracks were mastered by Kurt Bloch and sound like a million bucks plus tax. This is an album to blare while you're manning the grill, drinking by the pool, partying on the beach, or driving with the windows down on a perfect summer's day. If you seek nothing more and nothing less than garage rock at its absolute finest, this is the best 13 dollars you'll ever spend.

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Friday, June 23, 2023

The Midnight Callers - Rattled Humming Heart


When Jem Records president Marty Scott reached out to press and radio to urge us to listen to The Midnight Callers' new long player Rattled Humming Heart, I knew the album was going to be something special. Jem already has some of the best publicity and promotion in the world of independent music. Scott didn't need to make a statement to the press. But he did anyway because he felt that strongly about this release. He said this was the best second album he'd released in seven years. And let me tell you: he wasn't blowing smoke. 

The Midnight Callers released an acclaimed debut album titled Red Letter Glow on Jem in the fall of 2020. It was an unfortunate time to release a debut record, but the reviews were stellar. The follow-up Rattled Humming Heart builds on the promise of Red Letter Glow and then some. It's rare for a band's sophomore album to blow away its debut, but Rattled Humming Heart is one of those cases. Red Letter Glow showcased the band's impressive vocal and songwriting talents. But on Rattled Humming Heart, The Midnight Callers fully realize their musical identity: a fresh, modern take on classic power pop. Band members Chris Paine (rhythm guitar/vocals), Martin Stubbs (vocals/lead guitar), Julien Budrino (vocals/drums), and Marley Myrianthopoulos (vocals/bass) set out to craft an album that would capture their love not only for some of the greatest musical acts of the past 50 years but also for their hometown of New York City. Across these 11 tracks, the band openly emulates some of the most legendary bands of the power pop genre and also tips the cap to the heyday of glam rock. "Baby Let Me Be" sounds like the best Raspberries song in five decades. "Closer" could pass for a deep cut gem by The Knack. "Maggie" gives me Big Star goosebumps without coming off like a copy. "Girl on the Run" sounds like Shoes and Dwight Twilley jamming at Tom Petty's house. But while all this power pop classicism clearly inspires The Midnight Callers, it never limits them. "New York Tramp" manages to combine the influence of The Strokes and Cheap Trick in a wonderfully surprisingly and fully contemporary way. "Step!" marries a T. Rex groove to booty-shaking rock and roll. "What Goes Around" adds a modern sheen to Who-like power chords and harmonies. "Without Ya" is the power pop anthem that Queen might have written. 

In collaboration with producer Kurt Reil, The Midnight Callers have crafted an extraordinary sophomore album. Rattled Humming Heart is a love letter to New York and to rock and roll itself. The band members have taken their talents for writing hook-laden tunes and singing exquisite harmonies and leaned more deeply than ever into their love for '70s pop and rock. What results is a genuinely modern rock album that will delight fans of vintage power pop. When we talk about how rock and roll will never die, it's because of bands like this!

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Sunday, June 18, 2023

Norcos Y Horchata - Aloha Motherfuckers


It's no secret that Norcos Y Horchata is one of my favorite bands. I urge anyone who doesn't already own the band's album Forever Disheveled to acquire it as soon as possible. This is a band that plays gritty Midwestern punk rock and roll with heart, smarts, and a wonderfully unique sense of humor. In just the last couple years, Amado has gone from being one of my favorite guitar players to being one of my favorite present-day songwriters. When Alex Kish and I had the chance to interview Norcos Y Horchata for Born Too Late earlier this year, that was a proud moment for me. During that interview, the band teased an upcoming EP. I am pleased to say that said EP, titled Aloha Motherfuckers, has arrived. And it absolutely smokes! Aloha Motherfuckers kicks off with a title track that is nothing short of an anthem. This rip-roaring love letter to Detroit is perhaps the finest track that NYH has produced to date. "Everyone's An Expert" is the ultimate song for our times and is so dead-on that it hurts. The band's previous track "...Out For Smokes" struck me as the most profound song yet written about what ails the world today. "Everyone's An Expert" could almost be considered a sequel, and it sure hits the nail on the head. Finishing out the EP with a big blast of punk rock fun is "I Gave Up Drinking For Good (Now I'm Drinking for Evil"). It's not easy for a song to live up to a title like that, but this one sure does. 

With a big boost from recording engineer Dan Kinnaley and mastering engineer Gabe Usery, Norcos Y Horchata has attained its strongest-ever sound on record. And song-wise, Aloha Motherfuckers is nothing but home runs. In addition to the digital release this past Friday, this EP will have a vinyl release next month. The 7" will be limited to 300 copies, so you might want to get your pre-orders in now via Bandcamp. Those of you outside the United States should email the band to arrange your purchase. This bad boy is gonna go fast. I pity the fool who isn't hip to Norcos Y Horchata! 

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Saturday, June 17, 2023

Danny The K - "Roller Derby Girl"

 


Danny The K is no stranger to readers of this blog. At least three of his bands (Watts, The Peppermint Kicks, and The Shang Hi Los) have garnered rave reviews from my desk, and it's no stretch to consider him one of the finest songwriters in contemporary rock and roll. When I heard that Dan was doing a solo release, I was excited to hear what he was up to. He's got everything from hooky glam and arena rock to Clashy punk to classic power pop in his bag of tricks. The title of lead single "Roller Derby Girl" had me thinking along the lines of power pop and '70s bubblegum  — something very close to the songs he wrote for The Peppermint Kicks. When I heard the song, I was not disappointed. "Roller Derby Girl" is textbook power pop and a legit song-of-the-summer contender. This, my friends, is classic Dan Kopko: a riff-o-rama earworm laden with silky harmonies and more hooks than The Home Depot. This, along with the rest of the upcoming Cigarettes & Silhouettes EP, is 100% Danny's baby. He wrote, played, and produced every note. But even with complete creative control, he has not strayed from what he does best. Any fan of his bands is guaranteed to dig solo Danny The K as well. If you love power pop or any kind of hooky rock and roll, "Roller Derby Girl" will be heaven to your ears. Cigarettes & Silhouettes releases July 14 on Rum Bar Records!

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Taxi Girls - "After Effect"


Taxi Girls — my favorite new band and perhaps yours as well — have been kind enough to treat us to a couple singles in advance of their highly anticipated debut EP Coming Up Roses (releasing July 7 on Wild Honey and Dirt Cult Records). As a music fan, I love the opportunity to savor these teasers one track at a time. "After Effect," the band's new single, is especially worthy of being savored. Overall, it's a super-fun high energy punk rock tune. But I really appreciate the little details that make the track awesome. That bass riff grabs you from the get-go, and the rhythm work truly drives this song (the band specifies a rate of 150 miles per hour, which seems accurate). The sentiment of the song is simple yet immensely relatable. It explores those moments in life when you drive yourself crazy wondering how a situation will resolve itself. The song mimics that internal tension beautifully — contrasting a classically punky lead vocal in the verse with a catchy harmony chorus that surely inspires live crowds to sing along with the utmost exuberance. Add in some amazing lead guitar work, and you've got yourself a classic punk rock song. Crank this at max volume, and you'll feel unstoppable! 

Part of the thrill of discovering Taxi Girls is that I'm still getting a feel for what this band is all about. "Sunshine" was a thrilling debut single. "After Effect" is totally different yet equally good. Considering the vocal, musical, and songwriting talent that Jamie, Vera, and Lynn bring to the table, I'm assured that the rest of Coming Up Roses is going to be something special. Thankfully we have less than three more weeks to wait!

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