Kurt Baker - Brand New Beat. OUT TODAY

Kurt Baker's first full length since leaving The Leftovers and he has delivered, as near to damn it, the perfect Power Pop album with "Brand New Beat."  The songs are extremely infectious, as we have come expect from Kurt's offerings, and as per usual we lose the ability to sit still for the duration of the album whilst joining in on every chorus on every track.

Kurt has a saying "Have a good time all the time" this is a saying he clearly lives by and it certainly transcends into his music which is fun from start to finish, on this album, and on his 3 previous EP releases.  The songs are well well crafted with a good mix of melody and rawness to them, this is real kicking rock 'n'roll music.

A teaspoon of Elvis Costello, a half pint of Paul McCartney, a gallon of Joey Ramone and just a dash of Rick Nielsen...put it in your nose, mouth or oven on a Saturday night. By 2AM you'll have something resembling the likes of Kurt Baker. Repeat often.

4077 Photography.

This album has basically walked into my top albums of the year list and Kurt Baker has proved beyond any doubt, that he is a master craftsmen when it comes to Power Pop, in years to come when we are talking about the Power Pop classics, Kurt's name will be right up there with the best of them and I am sure that there is still more to come, hopefully much, much more!

4077 Photography.

Contact, befriend, follow like and love Kurt Baker here: Facebook

Buy and stream the album and previous releases here: Bandcamp

Official Website: http://kurtbakermusic.com

Physical copies and merchandise available here:Jolly Ronnie Records and Interpunk

The Sharp Darts - Shoes Off EP.

Could The Sharp Darts be your new favourite band with their melting pot of Indie/Revival Mod/Power Pop fusions?  They are a relatively newly formed band hailing from Birmigham with the added spice of an Australian member amongst their ranks.

Listening to this EP, you certainly get a flavour of nostalgia from the likes of The La's, Oasis, The Libetines, The Real People and even Paul Weller's earlier album offerings, partner that with some well crafted tunes, uptempo stompers and some tight two part harmonies and you have a recipe for a band that could be destined to go far.

 If the world was a just place and the music scene wasn't being bombarded with the shit from X-Factor and the like, then we might be able to enjoy and reign in the talents of bands like The Sharp Darts and have another exciting era of music.

The Sharp Darts are currently playing around the West Midlands but are looking to cast their net further afield, so keep an eye out for them, or better still ask your local promoters to book them, don't forget to wave your shoes, don't throw them though, you may have to walk home in the rain!

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Sharp Darts here: Facebook

Buy the EP and other wares at the official website here: http://www.thesharpdarts.com

Listen to the "Shoes Off" EP and much more here: Soundcloud

Sundials - When I Couldn't Breathe FREE DOWNLOAD

Sundials from Richmond VA argue the point that nothing is free in life by giving this rather superb album away for FREE and a rather splendid affair it is too!

If you enjoyed the punk pop sounds of Weezer and early Lemonheads then you will revel in delight with this band as they offer all that and more.  The songs are catchy and melodic and will have you singing along to the chorus on the very first listen.

The album is available for free on the bands bandcamp page but they also have a "Name Your Price" going on as well, if you like what you hear, do make a contribution to the band as it goes a long way to making sure that we get to hear more from them in the future and that would be great!

"When I Couldn't Breathe" is a really great uptempo, exciting album, I wish more bands would make music like this so we can breathe again!

Sundial are: Harris M. - guitar/vocals Carl A. - bass/vocals Cory C. - drums

Download the album FREE here: Bandcamp

The link for free download is at the bottom of the track listing, click on the normal "Name Your Price" area to make a contribution to the band.

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Sundials here: Facebook

Official Page where you can buy the bands other records and this very fine T-shirt print below: Sundials

Nine Times Blue - Falling Slowly

Nine Times Blue are an Atlanta based band, who unashamedly wear their power pop/rock influences on their sleeves, often compared to The Gin Blossoms, The Smithereens and Jimmy Eat World, this band delivers classic sounds evoking thoughts of the classic era of Power Pop, whilst also conveying a sound and style which is very much in the now.  

Full of songs about love, heartache, loss and hope…Nine Times Blue continues the tradition forged by their influences by blending infectious hooks, layered harmonies, melodic guitars, McCartney-esque bass lines and a driving backbeat to make you tap your foot and sing along, whether it’s a song about new found love or a devastating break-up. “Falling Slowly” brings to mind the catchiest of Gin Blossoms songs interlaced with Coldplay and Snow Patrol’s lush guitars, and the lush background vocals on “Serena” remind one of the Beach Boys and Jellyfish. "Crazy To Think" is the best song that Nick Lowe never wrote. “Fun and Games” highlights the influence today’s Americana artists have had on Nine Times Blue’s primary songwriter – Kirk Waldrop.

The nine track album that will be released on November 20th is certainly one for those who like their power pop with a rockier edge, although that said, there are enough jangly guitars and melodies for this to sit comfortably in anyones collection, I have really enjoyed these songs and I can see myself pulling this one out for some long journeys in the car as it also makes for excellent driving music, not to be confused with "Drive Time Music" which is usually dull and mundane which are words that can't be associated with this album.

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love the wonderful Nine Times Blue here: Facebook

Official Website: http://www.ninetimesblue.net

Pre order the album here: Amazon

Check out the bands live shows here: Events/Live

Ashbury Keys - Wake Up EP

Ashbury Keys is a Texas-based alternative rock band centered around brothers David and Darwin Keys. David Keys acts as the band’s principal songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist, while Darwin Keys provides drums and vocals. Bassist and vocalist Bill Walter rounds out the band’s core lineup. With a premium placed on strong melodies, Ashbury Keys has assimilated the sounds of such influences as the Beatles, Radiohead and the Smiths to produce its own brand of rock that has garnered critical comparisons to bands ranging from the Foo Fighters, All-American Rejects and Weezer to the Cure.

The band’s catalog contains three full-length cd releases: Ashbury Keys, Dancers and Growing Up. The releases resulted in multiple nominations for Best Alternative Rock Band by the Houston Press, performances on nationally syndicated television shows, song placements in MTV's The Hills and Degrassi, featured tracks on industry websites such as kings of a&r and notlame.com, and significant airplay on college and internet radio. The band has provided live showcase and conference performances in venues from Los Angeles to Chicago to Austin, and shows supporting acts such as Oleander, Evan Dando, the Deftones, Splendor, Blue October, Bob Schneider, and the Subways.

Ashbury Keys released a new EP this year titled Wake Up. Engineered and produced by Louie Lino of Nada Surf and Matt Pond PA acclaim, the new recording provides yet another sample of the superb melodic rock of Ashbury Keys. The band just completed successful shows in Liverpool, England supporting the EP as part of the 2012 International Pop Overthrow Festival, and will perform additional IPO shows in San Francisco and Austin later this year.

Stream the EP in its entirety here: Pure Volume

Buy the EP here: cdbaby itunes amazon

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

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Asbury Keys here: facebook

Gavin Guss - On High

Known in the Northwest as the front man for TubeTop (debut album co-produced by Peter Buck of R.E.M.) and The Tycoons, Guss has toured extensively as a member of Nada Surf, and playing piano for Jon Auer (The Posies/ Big Star), Fountains of Wayne, and Harvey 
Danger. On High is Gavin Guss’ second solo album, and follows a recent 7” single from Fin Records, “Riga in the Fall,” [FIN-LE7-028] – that was released in the summertime (always preparing for inevitable autumn) and this one comes to you in the Fall. This record cures both blues, and perhaps year-round, too. 

This is a fantastic album, on first listen it reminded me a little, well, quite a lot of Ken Stringfellows album "Touched" which I fell in love with on the first play and Gavin's album has had the same effect on me, although I am now hearing a few of his influences and discovering Gavin's own stylings, which are extremely pleasing to the ears of this listener.

The style is smart indie rock inspired by the classic melodic songwriting of the 60's and early 70's, wistful and humorous, often at the same time

Stream the album here: Bandcamp

Buy the album here: Fin Records

Download available here: itunes

Official Website: http://gavinguss.com

Los Autonautas - Los Autonautas

Some fantastic Indie/Power Pop/Surf from Madrid.  Los Autonautas, deliver a really delightful album full of cool breezy songs, jangly guitar, hooks and harmonies.

The album is sung completely in Spanish, but this doesn't detract in any way from the quality of the songs and if you don't speak Spanish, I am sure you will find yourself singing along anyway and becoming fluent in next to no time, even if you don't know what you are singing!

If we are to believe the bands bio, which I translated via "Google Translate," Los Autonautas met 4 decades ago when members of the band met after a mistake in interstellar travel and all landed in 1960's California, the band all took on human forms except for Mr Pazos, who, as a gas matter couldn't do this.  The band then took up playing instruments in order to study the youth of the planet and began writing songs of desire, love, despair, excitement and the desire to annoy.

Fearing the US government, the band returned to "Rhea" (13th Moon of Jupiter) where they penned their songs, which they regularly return to earth to share with us.

Ok, I think that Google translate is having a laugh too, but hey ho, this is a fine album, go check it out yourself.

Los Autonautas from "Rhea." (Honest!)

Stream and buy the album here: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Los Autonautas in Spanish, English and Rhean here: Facebook

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

Riccobellis - Booze-Up with Dee Dee Ramone

Right, let's kick the week into gear with something uptempo and a bit noisy, in a good way of course!

Riccobellis, from Italy, are by their own admission, "Infected by Ramones." You could say they wear their influences openly on their sleeves and yes they do, they also wear it on their T-Shirts too with the "Infected by Ramones" being the bands logo.

The bands original songs are short and sharp, with just one of them on this album going over the 3 minute mark.  Plenty of songs on here (naturally) referencing The Ramones like, "Now I wanna be a bad boy," "Julie is a Punk Girl," "Dreaming of R'nR High School" and let's face it, if you are going to be infected by a band , you should be infected by something fun and exciting like The Ramones.  You may also find little nuggets of other classic bands slipping in here and there, for example, there is a feel of "Another Girl, Another Planet" in the intro of "You don't know why" but it is all good!

Riccobellis aren't out to break any moulds here or take originality any further than their song writing, just paying homage to a great sound, having some fun, so jump aboard and join them!

Stream and buy the album here: Bandcamp

Contact, follow, befriend, like and love Riccobellis here: Facebook

Kjarr - Kjarr

KJARR is the new, rather psychedelic pop project by Kjartan F. Ólafsson, formerly songwriter and producer with acclaimed Icelandic group, Ampop and currently also keyboard player with Icelandic rockers, Leaves.

The bands debut album was carefully crafted over three years in Iceland and Scotland and serves up a lovely twist of psychedelic pop with traces of The Beach Boys, Wings, ELO and later Beatles arrangements.

The albums comes to life with one of two tracks sung in Icelandic, "Beöiö eftir sumrinu" which translates as "Waiting for Summer" a rather glorious production which had me thinking  of The Beatles, "A Day in the Life" in terms of production only, followed by the song "Lottery" which Ray Davies himself could have penned and performed, however this song and the rest of the album are certainly not devoid of originality, there is a certain deftness of the songwriter and musicians here, creating an album that won't have you bouncing around the room but will certainly grab your attention and draw you in and leave you wanting more.

Album available to buy, stream and download: Bandcamp

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Kjarr: Facebook

Research Turtles....EVERYTHING IS FREE!

As from yesterday (18th of October) those generous guys the "Research Turtles" made all of their albums and music available for FREE Download, including frontman Jud Norman's solo debut LP which was only released yesterday.

Download everything for FREE here:  http://www.researchturtles.com/music

Contact, follow, befriend, like and love Research Turtles here: Facebook

The Electric Stars - Sonic Candy Soul.

With musical reference points that stretch from the 60's era to the present day, but floating comfortably around the late 60's early 70's, but also very much in the now, this is, as the band so eloquently put it, "Beautiful music for beautiful people!"

The Electric Stars have chosen the perfect title for this album with "Sonic Candy Soul" there is power, sweetness and plenty of soul in every track.  If you could imagine a supergroup created from The Small Faces, T-Rex, Bowie, Stones, early Pink Floyd, New York Dolls, only better, then that is exactly what you have here in this band, this is, without any doubt, one of the best releases this year, if not the best!

Andy Bee – Guitar
Keef Whitehead – Bass
French Jonny – Drums
Damien Lawson – Guitar
Jason Edge – Vocals/Songwriter
Backing Vocals – Denise Johnson (Primal Scream)

This is an album of absolutely epic proportions in every aspect, from the songwriting, musicianship, right down to the production, everything is right about this album and with the promise of a new album next year, one can only wonder where The Electric Stars will take us on their next trip.

If you only buy one record this year, buy this one and then buy everyone else you love a copy too! 

Contact, follow, befriend, like and love The Electric Stars here: Facebook

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

Buy the album here: Detour Records 

Follow the band on twitter: Twitter

The Young Sinclairs and the Art of Being Under the Influence.

"We Spoke Our Minds" EP. By guest contributor Interplanet Janet

Hal David once wrote “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of”. Sure, I won’t disagree that the world could use more love, but that’s not the only thing. Listening to The Young Sinclairs I am reminded that the world can always use more Sixties-inspired pop songs with jangly guitars. What? It matters too. When done right, it’s as vibrant and soul-lifting as anything that originally came out of that delicious era and I’m here to inform you The Young Sinclairs do it right.

Starting with the Byrdsesque and ultra-jangly  “We Spoke Our Minds”,  The Young Sinclairs take us through the cream of Sixites pop without ever having to change the record over. The tracks “You Can Have Her” and “Girl, I’m For Real” are what would be produced if The Beatles and The Kinks had musical lovechildren.  Catchy and Clever.  A winning combo. “Have A Home” and “Forever After” still carry the Sixties vibe but are also reflective of the early Nineties pre-britpop bands who were also heavily influenced by the Sixties. The under-rated UK indie band, Ride, especially comes to mind. This is evident  in the selective lo-fi production on the vocals and the from-the-past-but-oh-so-now psychedelic riffs. If it’s true that one can be judged solely by one’s influences, then The Young Sinclairs can sleep easy.

The debate about bands who are clearly heavily influenced by other bands has been done before and I’m not going to take up precious web space outlining the argument for or against bands wearing their musical influences on their sleeve.  Let’s just say I’m in the “wear it with pride” camp.  It’s as clear as the day is long who some of the bands are that The Young Sinclairs might call their musical influences, but therein also lies the bands strength. The Byrds, The Kinks and The Beatles are all the obvious ones, and with superb production as well, but the way the band interprets them in each song is what’s striking about The Young Sinclairs. Anyone can replicate a bands sound, but to do it and still somehow  retain their own unique sound is the difference between being great or being a tribute band. The Young Sinclairs, who hail from Roanoke, Virginia, are then no laughing matter. On the Roanoke City website it reads “In Roanoke you’ll find something unique: unexpected balance”.  I’m pretty sure it wasn’t meant to describe the band that calls the city home, but it is just as fitting. They perfectly balance the best of the Sixties and Nineties and make it fresh for my retro-loving-but-not-completely-living-in-the-past ears.

I won’t name names, but you have bands that ride on the coattails of their influences and it just falls flat. Therefore, it seems to me then that taking the music of your heroes and making it good in it’s own right should be considered  a fine art. The Scottish indie bands Lenzie Moss and The Wellgreen are other excellent examples of bands who excel at wearing their influences on their sleeve without compromising their originality. Just think of your favourite band and you will probably say they are superb at this as well. If you can’t, then The Young Sinclairs may deserve to be your new favourite band. Now,  time to give them some love, sweet love.  

Review by Interplanet Janet

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Young Sinclairs here:  Facebook

Stream and purchase the "We Spoke Our Minds" EP here: Bandcamp

You can find several releases at the bandcamp page including a "Name Your price" download album of covers, B'sides and demos.

Physical copies of the bands records can be found at the excellent: Planting Seeds Records

The Popdogs - Cool Cats For Pop Dogs. OUT SOON

Putting the Pop firmly in Power Pop by name and by virtue, The Popdogs lead us through 10 tracks over 30 minutes that will have you tapping anything to hand, singing along to catchy lyrics, punky power chords and if you are a cat person, you will certainly become a dog person!

This band, currently a two piece consisting of James Styring (Ex "Postcards From Places That Don't Exist") on vocals and Tim McKeating on guitar and backing vocals, hail from Lincoln in England and seem to have cracked the perfect pop song formula as this album displays.  It is very hard to pick out a favourite track on this album, every track on the album could quite easily be released as a single, something that is pretty rare these days.

Who let the dogs out?  Who cares?  Thanks! 

At present there is no official release date for the album as the "boarding kennels" all snap at the heel of The Popdogs, but as soon as this magnificent debut is made widely available, I wil be sure to let you know, this is one that you will not want to miss!

In the meantime, contact, follow, befriend, adopt a dog, like and love The Popdogs here: Facebook

The Condors - 3 Item Combo. Out 31st October.

"3 Item Combo" is the third album from this Los Angeles 3 piece and, as per the previous two releases by the band, it is full to the brim with Power Pop pearls of wisdom, attitude, intellect and an abundance of energy.
The songwriting skills of Pat DiPuccio absolutely sparkle here with tales both personal and emotional,  coupled together with great scores of music that will satisfy all your desires with gritty riffs and sweet harmonies, and like the bands previous albums, will surely become staple listening for fans of quality Power Pop/Rock 'N' Roll.

The band’s one constant has been songwriter and frontman, Pat “Pooch” DiPuccio, but past and present band members have added their stamp on each incarnation of The Condors. Formed out of the remnants of several groups, this band has grown into a tight, proficient outfit; logging many hours recording in the studio and playing live shows.

The Condors are:

 Pat "Pooch" DiPuccio - Lead Vocals/Guitar

Miggs DiLeva - Bass/Vocals 

Mark Francis White - Drums/Vocals

"Set Me On Fire" from the film "Target Practice" taken from the bands second album "Wait For It."

Listen to tracks from "3 Item Combo" here: Amazon

I am really enjoying this album, it is certainly going to be one that graces my year end "Best Of" list and really deserves to be in there, this is proper old school power pop, brilliant!

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

The album wil be available from October the 31st from: Amazon cdbaby itunes Napster and other quality websites.

Te Condors Official website: The Condors

The Bidons - Granma Killer!!! OUT NOW

The Bidons were created for the weekend, ok, they probably didn't have this in mind when they formed, but their brand of 60's garage punk will get you in the mood to party and party hard!

This 8 track album ticks all the boxes, the bands own compositions sit beautifully next to the two covers included here, which happen to be personal favourites, "Night Time" by The Strangeloves and "Be a Caveman" by The Avengers.

This has to be the most immediate album I have heard this year, but as a fan of 60's garage punk, it wasn't going to be hard to impress me with their style, they may not be the most original band on the block but they are certainly one of the best at what they are doing and for that reason alone this band will go on to feature heavily in the year end lists of many blogs I am sure.

As usual, don't take my word for it, I don't like to teach granny to suck eggs, in the same way I don't believe these guys are "Granma Killers!" Go take a listen.

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

Stream and but the digital album here: Bandcamp

Buy the physical album here: AreaPirata

Bang 74 - Three Kids

Bang 74, from Ferrol, Spain, play Power Pop ignited with flash of Punk, creating an explosive sound as the 2009 release "Three Kids" displays.  The 5 tracks on this EP are filled with high energy, melodic songs delivered with real flair and passion, sometimes recalling some of the great bands Power Pop bands like Red Kross, Cheap trick, The Rapsberries but not seeking to imitate.
Bang 74 will leave you longing for more and the good news is that more is set to follow in the next few weeks in the form of a 7" single of absolutely blinding covers, The Now's "Can You fix me up with here" and a version of Roky Eriksons "You dont love me yet." The singe will be followed by an album, both of which I am looking forward to in pretty much the same way that a kid looks forward to Christmas and I promise to feature it here as soon as I can.

"Time to make things right" from Three Kids EP

Bang 74's fantastic cover of The Now's "Can you fix me up with her" currently being sung by every member of my household!

Bang 74 are:

Cris Veiga: Guitar & Vocals
Fran Millarengo: Bass Guitar
Oscar Millarengo: Drums

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

Downloads available to purchase here: CDBABY and here: Bandcamp

Physical copies of the EP available here: Rumble Records