Singles round up.

In my attempt to catch up with myself after 3 weeks of no internet, I am going to round up all the singles that I have been sent in the last few weeks, starting off with this one from The Sensibles, which I featured last year and also finished in the joint number one spot with Bang 74.  Why am I featuring it again?  Well, the band have now decided to make the single available for FREE or a name your price fee. I absolutely love this EP and now you can too.  Go get it here: Bandcamp 

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Sensibles here: Facebook

Spires - Sterling

Now, if you like a little pop/psyche, then this one should certainly appeal to you, full of, well, pop and psyche, and done beautifully too!

Spires are a band from Brooklyn, New York formed in November 2012. Initially the home recording project of 22 year- old Matt Stevenson, the band has become more of a collaborative effort and now includes Andy Davis (guitar), Jack Collins (bass), and Ethan Snyder (drums). A follow up single to "Sterling" will be released in late February. For a list of upcoming shows visit the Spires Facebook page here: Facebook  Find the download here: Bandcamp

The Smoggers - Breaking Your Boots With The Smoggers

Another one of our favourites on the blog is The Smoggers, freakbeat, gargage psyche at its very best!

Truly the Finest Amazing Fuzzed Out Trash that you are going to find on a 7” TODAY!!! 
With Four Hyper Psycho tracks (each one under 2 minutes) you are going to be Breaking more than your Boots when you slap this rekkid on and have your own Beat A Go Go!  I'd call it Hard Core Garage!! 
Of course it’s recorded in MONO under deft production by none other than That Maniac Mike Mariconda !!! 

Contact, follow, befriend, like and love The Smoggers here: Facebook

Download the EP here: Bandcamp  400 7" singles were released for this, 200 in black vinyl and 200 in purple vinyl, all numbered, so if like me you love your vinyl, grab one at the brilliant KOTJ records here: KOTJ Records

Axolotl Daydream - Axolotl Daydream

Now, do we call this a mini album or an extended extended play?  It doesn't really matter, it is free to download so just go and get it, this is some pretty sweet, melodic power pop from Salem, Oregon featuring father and son team Tim and Isaac King, Tim is the father who does the guitars and vocals and Isaac is the son, who coincidentally laid down these drums at the tender age of 11!!!!

Go get the 7 tracks FREE here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Axolotl Daydream here: Facebook

Kevin Lee &The Kings - Breakout

Kevin Lee & The Kings lean on the rockier side of Power Pop with some chunky guitars, big hooks and driving beats pushing the songs forward nicely and are great to rock out to.

The songs on the album are extremely well written and produced to a very high standard and sometimes move at a pace that may make you think the songs are about something other than heart break, however, listening to the lyrics, these are very much songs of loss, love and despair.

They say an artist has to suffer for their art, and to produce an album like "Breakout," with its lyrical content, you can only imagine, but as far as producing a top quality album with some really touching, meaningful lyrics, Kevin Lee has certainly achieved that and we have gained an album of songs written with real passion and sincerity, not to mention energy.

On "Breakout" Kevin Lee and The Kings create classic, strong guitar rock/power pop with a modern edge.  The rebellious "Burn it Down" gives listeners the confidence to face whatever life throws at them. And, from "Gold Digger" with it's quirky low-key verse to the ultra catchy "Too Little Too Late," Lee's songs stay in your head and keep you coming back for more.

Sell music on Amazon at ReverbNation.com

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Kevin Lee and The Kings here: Facebook

The album is available here: cdbaby

Official website: http://www.kevinleeonline.com

The Ice Cream Men - Change is Gonna Come

"The Ice Cream Man presents The Ice Cream Men"......was the first thing that came into my head when I stumbled across the name of this band from  Metuchen, New Jersey, I just hoped that they wouldn't dissapoint when I listened to them and I am very pleased to say that they didn't.

I find it absolutely amazing that with such a great name and great tunes that they managed to evade me for so long, but no longer.

"Change is Gonna Come" was unleashed in 2010 and is chock full of poppy, well written songs and tunes and quite why this band aren't more well known is beyond me?  The arrangements are first class with a subtle sax and piano drifting into the fantastic album opener "Cut an Apple" which sways along with a real bouncy summery feeling, in fact the whole album has that warmth too.  Other stand out tracks are "Ruby Red Eyes" "Not Speaking" "Maybe On Monday" although it is quite fair to say that there is no weak track on this album, it is an absolute stomper of an album that doesn't fail to please on any level.

Free embed music player from ReverbNation.com

The band have made some of the tracks from this album available for free download on reverbnation, in fact, most of the album is there, but if you would like to support the band and get your hands on a physical CD copy of the band, then head on over to the bands facebook page and drop them a message.

Recommended if you like Squeeze, XTC, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Ice Cream Men here: Facebook

Visit the bands Reverbnation page for some downloads and to hear more: http://www.reverbnation.com/icecreammen

Jeremy Porter & The Tucos - Partner In Crime

Jeremy Porter & The Tucos, from Detroit, have released an album that encompasses everything that is great about music.  The band display a real passion for Power Pop in the vein of Cheap Trick, but they don't fear to wander through the other styles that they are passionate about too.  You may think that for a band to take these steps into such a diversity of styles could leave the band with an album in dissaray, but you would be wrong, this flows beautifully and keeps the listener interested and mesmerised within the diversity within the grooves.

Jeremy Porter grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and as a member of one of the first punk bands in the area, The Regulars, Jeremy learnt, at the age of 16, what a rock bar smells like.

By the lates 80's he was living in Detroit and playing at clubs all across the midwest and for two decades he would front bands touring and recording the states with bands such as Slugbug, The Offramps, Fidrych and more.

In 2010 Jeremy released his first solo album, "Party Of One" on Toronto's prestigious indie label "Magwheel Records" and toured the US and Canada extensively.

Jeremy Porter - Guitar, Vocals, Songs

Jason Bowes - Bass

Gabriel Doman - Drums

The more I play this record, the more I admire the band for playing what they love playing and not just slipping into the shoe that fits, even though every shoe seems to fit perfectly!

Learn how to make a free Electronic Press Kit

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love the band here: Facebook

Visit the bands excellent website here to buy the album, hear the back catologue and more information: http://www.thetucos.com

The album is also available here:  AMAZON  CDBABY 

The band have several shows coming up in the Michigan area, so if you are in the vacinity, be sure to check them out!

The Jac - Record Store

After some problems with my internet connection after relocating 300 meters up the road, I am finally back in business, anyone reading in Sweden, think carefully before choosing your broadband supplier!!!

Kicking things back into gear on "Ice Cream Man Power Pop and More" is one of my favourite bands at the moment, The Jac, with their latest offering "Record Store."

Regular readers will know that the band is made up of members from Australia, USA and Sweden who send music files to each other through cyber space and eventually deliver some fantastic pop nuggets for our delight and pleasure.

Needless to say the, The Jac, have this down to a very fine art as those of you that invested in the "Faux Pas" album already know, and this latest EP continues the trend of fine music for the band.

The four tracks that make up this EP meanders through different genres (if you like to pigeon hole things) and not only delivers the classic sound of The Jac's Power Pop influences but also dips into a bit of electronica and country and their rendition of these styles is tastefully done and fun, bloody good fun!

You won't find Joe, Herb and Stefan in the same room at the same time, here is Joe in a room at some time!

The band have commenced recording the next album which is tentatively titled, "Whether I'm Arthur or Martha" which I personally am very much looking forward to.

In the mean time........

Download the EP for a "Name Your Price" fee here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Jac here: Facebook

If The Jac are new to you and you like what you hear, don't forget to check out the rest of the bands back catologue on Bandcamp too.

Radio Days - Get Some Action

Italy's "Radio Days" know a thing or two about Power Pop as this album very clearly demonstrates, their harmony laden songs are firmly rooted in the sixties with the melodies, riffs and jangly guitars, but they also have the edginess of New Wave Punk in there too making the music exciting and energetic.

I have been lucky enough to have this album for a few weeks now, it really is an infectious sound that the band have created here and it is absolutely no wonder that the band are being lauded as one of the best Power Pop acts around at the moment by folk such as Bruce Brodeen of Not Lame Records/Pop Geek Heaven blog, who obviously knows whats what!

Radio Days are:

Dario Persi: guitar, vocals
Omar Assadi: guitar, backing vocals
Mattia Baretta: bass, backing vocals
Paco Orsi: drums

The band have plied their music all over Europe, playing gigs with the likes of Paul Collins, Kurt Baker, Rubinoos, Marky Ramone to name a few and they certainly deserve to sit beside those names as equals, this is bloody good stuff!

The album is now available to pre-order in all formats (Vinyl, CD, Digital) and with various packages including T-Shirts, stickers etc.  The official release date is 6th of March when all pre-orders will start shipping, so don't delay, "Get Some Action!"

Pre-order "Get Some Action" in all formats here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Radio Days here: Facebook

Don't forget the check out the bands previous album "C'est La Vie" too which is also fantastic!

"Sleep It Off" from Radio Days "C'est La Vie."

The Corner Laughers - Poppy Seeds

I have heard the name The Corner Laughers several times from friends but ashamedly I hadn't checked them out until now.

I have been listening to the latest album "Poppy Seeds" and I absolutely love it, it has some pretty eclectic reference points to these ears which is wonderful, it is like taking a road trip and deciding to turn left at the next corner, for no other reason than just to see where it goes!

This is very sweet sunshine pop, often reminding me of some of the classic 60's female fronted bands, as well as some of the twee pop bands that resided on the "Sarah Records" label, to name a couple reference points.  However the music goes much further touching on folk and indie pop, I even heard a splash of surf in there too (maybe not surprisng given the bands roots in California) and the lyrics are extremely well crafted too.

Listening to this album has encouraged me to listen to the bands back catologue, which is every bit as good and eclectic as "Poppy Seeds."

The Corner Laughers are: 
Karla Kane (Vocals, Ukulele, Percussion, Bass, Bell Choir) 
Angela Silletto (Guitar, Percussion) 
Khoi Huynh (Bass, Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Percussion, Bell Choir) 
Charlie Crabtree (Drums, Percussion, Vocals, Bell Choir) 
KC Bowman (Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, Percussion, Bell Choir) 

This album is certainly going to be one of my favourite summer time albums, it radiates copious amounts of warmth in every note played and sung, did I say I love it?

Stream and buy "Poppy Seeds" and check out the bands back catologue here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Corner Laughers here: Facebook

http://cornerlaughers.com

Ken Simpson - You're No Fun Anymore

I have had this little gem in my inbox for a few weeks now and due to moving house and work commitments, I haven't gotten around to listening to it until now and I am somewhat kicking myself for missing out on a few weeks of these songs from the very talented Ken Simpson.

The five tracks on this debut EP are all wonderful pieces of work and Ken, who is a veterinary surgeon by day, openly wears his influences on his sleeve, The Beatles, Jeff Lynne, Jason Falkner and The Rutles, but somehow manages to make the sound very much his own.  I am really loving these songs but as I always say, don't take my word for it, the proof is in the "pudding!"

I really hope that Ken is planning on releasing an album in the future, because if the songs contained here are anything to go by, then we are in for a very special treat sometime in the future, but for now, enjoy the EP.

Ken Simpson has been a pop music geek since his grandfather(from England) bought him his first Beatles album in 1973. Ken recalls it being the perfect birthday gift, a Capitol Records compilation that included "Hey Jude" and "Revolution". I was just a little kid, so I gravitated toward "Can't Buy Me Love"!

Simpson is also a musician with a passion for writing pop songs. He has performed onstage and on the radio with Neil Innes (The Rutles, Bonzo Dog Band)in Hollywood, New York and Chicago, among other places, but his dream of recording his own songs seemed a bit out of reach. That's when singer-songwriter David Mead stepped in. 

"I met David while he was recording his 2011 release, "Dudes", Ken says, "and asked him if he might consider producing a few songs for me. David asked me to send him a demo for consideration." Three months later, Ken was in Nashville recording "You're No Fun Anymore" with Mead as his producer. "It was David's first attempt to produce another artist besides himself, and as a fan of his music since "Tangerine", I was thrilled to be working with him!" 

In addition to Mead and The Beatles, Ken lists Michael Penn, The Rutles, Jeff Lynne, Pugwash and Jason Falkner as major influences.

Stream the EP here: Soundcloud

Buy and download the EP here: itunes cdbaby amazon

Esa Linna - This Is Who I am. Album out now!

Last year I featured Esa's single "She's Not A Human Being" which featured Roger Joseph Manning Jr of Jellyfish, Moog Cookbook, Tv Eyes and Imperial Drag, now, Esa Linna has delivered a rather splendid debut album "This Is Who I Am."

The ten tracks on the album are a mix of pure power pop and some rather beautiful slower paced numbers, Esa delivers both equally well with plenty of melodies and harmonies present in the proceedings, there is even a little darkness within too, for example on the track "Meat Market," which has a kind of early Pink Floyd sound to it.

This really is quite a debut album and hopefully the shape of things to come from one of Finlands best kept secrets.

Official website:http://www.esalinna.com

The download is available for a limited time at a price of 8 Dollars here: Gumroad

Also find tracks by Esa Linna here: Bandcamp

Dany Laj and The Looks - Telepathic Voices

If you like your power pop with an edge, then check out Dany Laj and The Looks.  Hailing from Totonto, Canada, Dany Laj and The Looks deliver a rather tasty slice of power pop here and I am not sure if it is Dany's looks (I watched the Chamberlain Sessions video before listening to the tracks on bandcamp) but I immediately thought of Elvis Costello when I saw him and listening to the mans music, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a fair amount of Mister Costellos music in his collection. 

The tracks here remind me of a mix of early Elvis Costello and The Replacements and let's face it, they are two excellent reference points, but this isn't saying that this is all you get, it isn't, these tracks are pleasently raw, energetic, bouncy and seem to have a little punk ethos about them, I like that.  In fact there is nothing here not to like, but, as always, take a listen to the tunes and judge for yourself, me, I am going to spend the rest of today playing this EP and the band previous EP "The Match."  Enjoy.

Dany Laj
Jeanette Dowling
Vassil Mester

Dany Laj flies the flag for Power Pop in Canada. Bursting out of woods with the hooks and harmonies of Power Pop's mid 1970's heyday. This ain't no skinny jeans new wave revival band. This is pure pop.

Stream and download the EP's here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Dany Laj and The Look here: Facebook

Visit the official website here: http://www.solventmagazine.com/danylaj/

The Sharks - South Of The River EP OUT NOW!

Never before has the term, "Throw 'em to the sharks" sounded so appealing and now the quartet from Brixton have added another absolutely rip roaring EP to their excellent catologue, you will probably throw yourself to The Sharks......and why not!

The first two tracks "South of the River" and "Girls, Girls, Girls" thunder along at a hundred miles hour, turned up to eleven, the EP starts to slow down on the 3rd track, "She's gonna make me go blind" which is less punky but still edgy enough to let you know they mean business and the more poppy approach of the band continues onto the fourth and final track "Tokyo."

I absolutely adore this band, their energy, the prolific output of quality Punky Pop and the fact that they play gigs in their home, as well as other venues, these gigs are set to continue every month, even after a visit from the local constabulary and a noise abatement notice (someone wasn't listening properly!) these gigs are set to continue and be a positively raucous, but fun affair.  If you want to get into one of these gigs, the best way to keep up to date with proceedings is to "LIKE" the bands facebook page.

Once again the band have a seperate striking image for each and every track on the EP as they have done on the 7 previous EP's.

Stream and buy the latest EP for a name your price fee (remember a small donation helps these bands to continue making music) here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Sharks here: Facebook

Bang 74 - High Flying Dreams

Bang 74, from Ferrol in Spain, shared the number one singles spot in my year end list last year with their fantatsic rendition on The Now's "Can You Fix Me Up With Her," and, needless to say, I have been waiting for the bands full length debut album with a certain amount of anticipation.

Well, did they deliver?  Of course they did!  The 11 tracks on the album were everything I expected and more, with a sound of classic power pop, blended with a touch of punk/rock and even a little country tinge in there, for example on opening track, "Cloud Of Rock & Roll."

With 2 EP's and a 7" single behind them and now the debut album, this band certainly look like they are really going places and quite rightly too, this debut album is full of catchy hooks and melodies as well as some rocky guitar riffs to beef it up beautifully, no doubt this album will end up in in many year end lists this year.

Cris Veiga - Vocals/Guitar

Fran Millarengo - Bass

Oscar Millarengo - Drums

Stream the album here: Bandcamp

Buy the album: Rufus Recordings

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Bang 74 here: Facebook

The Riots. New album and tour in March.

One of the bands that have me sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of their forthcoming album, an album that promises to blow out the cobwebs and give the music scene a good kick up the arse, for the first time since around 1977 is The Riots album "Time For Truth."

I haven't been so excited about an album release this much since The Jam released "In The City."  A pretty long wait I think you will agree and maybe it is the fact that this band remind me a lot of The Jam circa 77, loads of attitude and great songs, mix that with a touch of Clash and you have a recipe sure to please the bored masses and The Riots promise to bring this party to you.

The album is due for release on March the 6th and hopefully I shall be reviewing/featuring it here on the blog.  Watch this space!

Tour dates to support the release of the album are as follows:

06.03.2013 D - FRANKFURT - DKK Album Release Party :: versus C-TYPES

07.03.2013 F - BESANCON - Les Passagers du Zinc

08.03.2013 F - PARIS - Cafe de Paris :: versus FRENCH BOUTIK

09.03.2013 F - LYON - La Triperie :: versus CAVEMEN FIVE

10.03.2013 F - DIJON - Deep Inside Klub Rock :: versus THE CHEMIST & THE ACEVITIES

14.03.2013 D - FREIBURG - The Great Räng Teng Teng :: versus DELILAHS 

15.03.2013 D - MÜNCHEN - The Atomic Cafe 

16.03.2013 D - NÜRNBERG - Kulturbrauerei

17.03.2013 D - LEIPZIG - Conne Island Cafe

18.03.2013 D - HAMBURG - Yeah Yeah Yeah Studios

19.03.2013 D - HAMBURG - Yeah Yeah Yeah Studios

20.03.2013 D - HAMBURG - Hafenklang :: versus THE LAST THINGS

21.03.2013 D - KASSEL - Nordstadt

22.03.2013 D - BERLIN - Bassy Cowboy Club :: versus THE PIKES

23.03.2013 D - KÖLN - Sonic Ballroom :: versus THE MAKE

26.03.2013 D - BIELEFELD - Desperado Concerts

28.03.2013 A - VIENNA - Chelsea :: versus NORB PAYR + BAND

29.03.2013 D - PFARRKIRCHEN - tba

30.03.2013 CH - BASEL - Schiff *Mods vs Rockers*

31.03.2013 TBA - Secret Last show

Contact, befriend, like and love The Riots here: Facebook

The album will be available here Time For Action as are the bands earlier singles which are all well worth checking out, also check out the bands previous incarnation "The White Trainers Community" which is also excellent.

John Hopkins - Sunlight Madness NAME YOUR PRICE

With an affliction of Brian Wilson's Smile and perhaps some ELO, this charming piece of work sets the mood for a sunny day, a day to be spent chilling and listening intently to the lush arrangements and harmonies.

"My music is a mix of a variety of styles, most of which have been defined at some time or another as "pop," with further elements drawn from the orchestral realm. Vocal influences include everything from the Beach Boys to the Mills Brothers and any group in between that made extensive use of close harmony."

Stream and download the album here: Bandcamp

Contact, follow, befriend, like and love The Musical World Of John Hopkins here: Facebook

Jeff Melin - Smile Like A Lemon, Kiss Like A Papercut

SMILE LIKE A LEMON PEEL, KISS LIKE A PAPER CUT has the best record title of the year, bar none FULL STOP... PERIOD...if that wasn't enough, it's a classic US feisty Powerpop bounce-along, a little bit EDDIE & THE HOTRODS, a little bit ELVIS COSTELLO (with Attractions, natch), and a whole lot BESERKLEY... when Jeff gets to headline Madison Square Gardens THIS will be the tune the 19,522 punters scream for throughout the set... THIS will be the tune WINONA RYDER, PHOEBE CATES and MOLLY RINGWALD ressurect JOHN HUGHES for to retrospectively make the best US college flick EVER, solely to have it played over the closing credits... oh, and also features DOUG YULE and Helen and Steph from SHRAG, and as such is the past, the present and the future handily compressed into 2 minutes 56 seconds of MAXIMUM POP JOY... GRIN, SPIN, WIN... oh yes..

wiaiwya-7777777 is a series of seven 7" singles released during 2013, one on each day of the week, and always on the 7th of the month, in the 7 colours of the rainbow, with exclusive tunes from 7 of the most exciting indie, electronic, folk and alternative bands around... oh, they come in editions of 777 too... 

the bands and release dates are:

Thursday 7th March (yellow) – Jeff Mellin

Sunday 7th April (orange) – Hong Kong in the 60s

Tuesday 7th May (violet) – Darren Hayman and the Long Parliament

Friday 7th June (red) - Sourpatch

Wednesday 7th August (blue) - Pups

Saturday 7th September (indigo) - Comet Gain

Monday 7th October (green) - the Middle Ones

Find them all: Bandcamp

More information here: http://wiaiwya-7777777.blogspot.co.uk

The Unswept - Surf Song EP

Where possible I try not to draw too many comparisons with other bands when putting my features together on the blog, but I feel I really have to with The Unswept, not because they lack any originality, they really don't, but, the influences here are so much fun when brought together, I can't help myself.  Imagine The Jesus and Mary Chain jamming with The Mighty Lemondrops (you remember them right?) and The Monkees swing by and add some 60's stylings to the equasion, what you would have is The Unswept.

I like this a lot, it is good fun and the O'Brien cousins obviously don't take themselves so seriously which is refreshing, see the video for the explanation of this statement.

The O'Brien cousins, Charlie and Ryan, grew up on the same estate in sunny Sheffield, UK and attended university near London. With a couple mates at school they formed The Council Walls, whose one and only independently released single, “Unimpressive,” managed to scrape the bottom rungs of the local indie charts.
Following a show on a stifling summer night at the 100 Club that ended in a food fight, the band split. Charlie & Ryan soon found their way to the USA, eventually settling in Chicago, Illinois and forming The Unswept.
They now write & record tunes in a small but tiny apartment in the Logan Square neighborhood.

The Unswept have been confirmed for the International Pop Overthrow Festival in Chicago this year, so go along there and catch the guys live, along with all the other great bands that the IPO book.

Check out more tunes from the unswept and download the EP here: Bandcamp

Official Band Page: http://theunswept.com

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Unswept here: Facebook