True Hearts - True Hearts

I often wonder how many really great records are out there that I haven't heard, it shouldn't bother me really because I haven't heard them, but then an album like this one will turn up and I once again get to thinking!
True Hearts have that classic Power Pop sound from the late 70's, early 80's in a similar vein to that of The Raspberries, oh yes, it is that good, Terry Carolan's unique vocals really makes this gem stand out from the crowd, top that with classic riffs, hooks and melodies and this formula will win the hearts and minds of every power pop fan out there!

Formed in 1979 in Houston, Texas, True Hearts were a melodic rock band with a distinct pop edge, due to Terry Carolan's songwriting. The original name of the group was The Flirt. The band was formed with the intent to be an original music group, using Carolan's tunes as the foundation, and they came out of the gate with a strong set of tunes. With the original lineup, the band trekked to Tampa, Florida and recorded an album's worth of material. The intention was to release the full album, but they released a four song EP instead in 1980.
 Released regionally, it was used mostly for promotional purposes and sent to record labels in hopes of getting signed. The band broke up in early 1982. Terry explains further "In 1977, Audities co-founder Gary Littleton and I started Counterfeit Records to release a single by Just Boys. We also released the True Hearts EP consisting of songs that were taken from an album that was never released - until now!

If you like pop-rock that has similarities to Pezband, Artful Dodger, Off Broadway, Cheap Trick and an occasional tinge of Raspberries ('Starting Over' era), you may enjoy the album. Gary would absolutely approve!" You nailed it Terry! "This album is truly an unreleased power pop classic in the tradition of the Raspberries, Badfinger and Glen Matlock’s Rich Kids. In other words, tunes that rock with memorable melodies, guitar riffs to die for as well as a couple of keyboard ballads for the band to show off their softer side and touch your heart with love and tenderness. It's an album that should have been heard by the masses on radio stations everywhere, and in a perfect world it would’ve been had it been released at the time." - Dennis Dalcin/Bucketfull Of Brains

 "An excellent power pop band who, like many other equally talented bands, never got the chance they deserved back in the day. Thankfully, Kool Kat has wrested this fine album from the jaws of obscurity, and it deserves to claim a spot on the shelves of any fan of the genre!" - David Bash/IPO

Get it here: Kool Kat Musik

Mark Crozer and The Rels - Mark Crozer and The Rels OUT NOW

As we speed through Autumn into winter, at what seems like a million miles an hour, dark mornings and early sundown, Mark Crozer and The Rels have bestowed upon us a little extra sunshine of such substantial quality and warmth, that it will surely see us through the long winter (especially here in Sweden) right through to Spring and beyond.

NORFOLK, VA – Oxford, UK  (now based in Charlotte, NC) born Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Mark Crozer  is back with the much anticipated debut self-titled 15 song collection from his new band  Mark Crozer & The Rels (PSRCD082) – The Rels:Taylor Short (Guitar), Wes Grasty (Bass) and Donnie Merritt (Drums & Vocals).  The album drops on September 18, 2012 via Planting Seeds Records  –  co-mixed by Jay Braun (Norah Jones, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Cat Power, Fiery Furnacesetc.) - recorded both in the US and UK, the album promises to catch many pop starved ears with its arrival!

One of the influences of the album that made my ears prick up was  that of late Teenage Fanclub albums, (think Grand Prix and beyond) but there are also some Beatles influences in there as well, Neil Young, Kinks, The Darkside, a stripped down Jesus and Mary Chain, not surprising seeing as that was Mark Crozers former band, but these are just influences, this is a very original piece of work that will surely grace the top end of many year end listings.

From the opening energetic pulsations of “War Drum” to “Bristol Hum”, the album’s closing number – Mark Crozer & The Relstake you on a ride of riff driven, 60’s influenced hooks, and pure melodic bliss.  Label executive Steve Frank proclaims: “It’s from start to finish a wonderful timeless artifact – a dose of every important pop era and an obvious nod to the future – brilliant.”   “I Need A Vaccination” kicks the LP into another gear with its surf-y/power pop fuzz guitars and its instantly memorable “c’mon / c’mon / give me a drug” refrain. Crozer & The Rels continue to take off with the sugary-sweet pop of “Killed By Karma” and “Sunshine”. Crozer’s love of 60’s pop is present – most notably on “Brand New World” (the track’s lead guitar brings to mind The Beatles “I Want to To Tell You”); The Monkees-like romp of “Just Another Day; “Waiting For June” with its subtle hints of psychedelia, and the whispery tuneful beauty of “Deep Caroline”.  Mark Crozer also showcases the softer/ introspective side with the heartfelt/apologetic pleading of “What A Fool I’ve Been” which carries over to the classic acoustic folk brilliance of “You Are A Light”.   “Broken Out In Love” has also received a major endorsement of all places, via professional WWE wrestler Bray Wyatt – making it an overnight viral/download hit.  Jack Rabid, editor of New York based magazine The Big Takeover gives the best description of the band’s sonic landscape – “gentle fuzzy guitars and slow ‘60s pop splendor, like light JAMC doing late ‘60s Bee Gees or Lulu with a splash of Pale Saints...classic".    The music world needs more albums like Mark Crozer & The Rels – a complete collection of perpetual well-crafted timeless pop perfection that will no doubt leave you wanting more.

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Mark Crozer and The Rels here: Facebook

Official Website: http://www.markcrozermusic.com/

Listen to more tracks here: Soundcloud

Buy the album here: Planting Seeds Records itunes Amazon Official Website Shop

Phenomenal Cat - Leisurewear OUT NOW, FREE DOWNLOAD

Single number 9 from the single a month for 2012 is out now from the wonderful Phenomenal Cat and of course, I don't need to rave about it, because you already now that this Folkestone quartet deliver the goods, month in month out, and of course, single number 9, number 9, number 9......is no exception!

Once again the single is available for free download, with a "name your price" tag, if you are enjoying these singles as much as I am, please make a donation, however small as this will ensure that, come the end of the 12 months, you won't be left wanting for more from a great band with no funds!

On a different note, no pun intended, Phenomenal Cat bassist Natalie got married a few days ago and we would like to offer out very best wishes to her and her husband for a very happy future.

A slight change to the band photo here, this is not a new member of the band, this is Tony, owner of a very fine Vauxhall Viva that appeared on last months single cover.  The band knocked on his door and asked if they could use his car for some photos for the cover, he basically gave them the keys and told them to knock themselves out, so here is a little shout out to Tony and his generosity, one of the good guys!

Download the latest single here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Phenomenal Cat here: Facebook

Ruth's Hat - Nostalgic For Right Now (Name Your Price)

Something fast, exciting, loud for the weekend, some real kick arse Rock 'n' Roll in the form of "Ruth's Hat!"

"We play rock n' roll music - no scenester politics, no sneering-faux attitude, no wimpy emo laments, no bullshit gimmicks. Now semi-retired, it's still unlikely that the Hat will ever just disappear."

This is rock n' roll music played by regular dudes who don't give a fuck about looking the part. "Nostalgic for Right Now" finds the Hat (now a 3-piece) tearing through eleven cuts of hard-hitting rock n' roll, punk-infused rockabilly, and explosive harmony-laden power pop. With plenty of guitar grit, Ruth's Hat adds an aggressive punk rock edge to their far-reaching rock n' roll roots, sounding like a blended party of Chuck Berry, The Ramones, Green Day, Hank Williams, and The Who. Don't expect scenester politics, whimpy emo laments, hipster posturing, sneering faux-attitude or shameless rock star excesses, just catchy-as-hell songs anchored by timeless rock n' roll themes: long roads, broken relationships, and alcoholic beverages. This is the definitive Ruth's Hat, indispensable for fans and newbies alike. (Fastmusic)

Stream and download the album here: Bandcamp

Check out more on Myspace

Official Page: Ruth's Hat

The Moving Sounds

It is really wonderful to find exciting and energetic bands from my host country and whilst they come from the other side of the country, I sincerely hope they will bring their live show over to the other side (Gothenburg) sometime in the future, maybe when they come home from their current tour of Germany, they will?

The Moving Sounds from Stockholm, Sweden, have been playing together since 2000 and to date have released 3 albums of brilliant music with the latest having been recorded on vintage equipment in the "Estudios Circo Perotti."  The band is known for delivering a blizzard of hammond fueled fuzz-o-rama on stage. Although there's no outspoken goal for the band, they seem to want to pay their hommage to their musical heros whoever they might be from Booker T to Lord Sitar to The Velvet Underground.

Ground Shaker from the Ground Shaker album.

The Moving Sounds powering up Germany, on tour now!

All three albums can be purchased here:CopaseDisques

Contact, follow, befriend, like and love The Moving Sounds here: Facebook

Listen to tracks from the latest album and more here: Myspace

Shy Nobelman - Beautiful Life & How To be Be Shy

I ashamedly missed out on featuring Shy Nobleman in the past, even though I had listened to him many times and enjoyed it every time, but a reminder from friend and blog reader, Yael in Israel, prompted me to finally bring the works of Shy Nobleman to the blog.

The man is not only a great Power Pop artist but is also an actor, Sports TV presenter and for the last 20 years has been the voice of Donald Duck on Israeli TV, fortunately, he doesn't let that work drift into these two very fine albums which are filled with hooks, humour, melodies and riffs by the dozen.

"Baby in the rain" from Beautiful Life

"Sad Song, Happy Song" from How to be Shy

Nobleman's wild and spontaneous live shows, which often featured surprise guest appearances from old time rockers and a number of drag queens attracted a cult following and in 2002 Nobleman launched an extensive solo U.S. tour, and supported the indie pop band Of Montreal, playing in such venues as New York's famed CBGBs.

In 2005 he recorded his second album "Beautiful Life" which became a top-10 album in Israel. The musicians on the album included some of Israel's leading indie rock names :Yotam Ben-Horin, Geva Alon and members of Rockfour and The Monotonix. "Beautiful Life" was more power pop and had a harder sound than Nobleman's debut album. It included the top- 10 radio singles "Girlfriend" and "Baby In The Rain," and made history as they were the first English songs recorded by an Israeli to play on Israel's state radio station, which until then had refused to play non-Hebrew material recorded by local artists.

In 2006 Nobleman played support shows for the English band, Echo & The Bunnymen, and was invited to Germany by the band "Tomte", to open their Buchstaben über der Stadt tour. (Wiki)

Stream and buy the albums: Bandcamp itunes cdbaby

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Shy Nobleman here: Facebook

For more information, pictures, news, downloads etc, visit the Official Website here: http://www.shynobleman.com/

Ice Cream Man Power Pop and More is ONE!

Wow!  How time flies. Yes, today we celebrate a year of blogging on "Ice Cream Man Power Pop and More!"

I am not going to make a big deal about it, but I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of the visitors to the blog and also all the artists and bands that have appeared on the blog without whom, there would be no blog, so to all of you.....................