Thoughts On Lunch? Price: $10.00 Artist: Addison Love Description: Huntington Beach, CA native Addison Love is a founding member of The Yorktown Lads alongside Orange County's pop maestro and his former teacher Michael Simmons (Sparkle*Jets UK) and frequent member of OC pop collective Popdudes. His first album under his own name is a collection of twelve modern pop rock gems, retro in feel but up-to-the-minute in presentation, performed and produced almost exclusively by Addison himself. “My first teachers were John, Paul, George and Ringo”, says Love, and the track “Like The Beatles” (featuring guest vocals from Simmons) shows he's learned his craft very well. What sets Addison apart from the many other power poppers who might make the same claim is his age: despite his already impressive resume, Love turned 22 just prior to the release of “Thoughts”. The infectious “Wee & Nancy Lee” also displays that deep affinity with the Fab Four, and the Southern California coastal roots of The Beach Boys permeate the record as well. They're evident in the “Pet Sounds”-inspired arrangements and harmonies of the lovely ‘The Other Angels’ and the delicate “She”. That the melodies and sentiments of the songs stand up to their inspirations is one of the album's many charms. The record's sound isn't just rooted in the '60s, though. Rockers like “Anything's Right” and the tightly wound “Blinds” evoke the whole history of hook-propelled pop rock from the heyday of The Cars to best of Fountains of Wayne. The acidic Ray Davies-worthy character sketch “The Ballad of Dr. Minard” is framed as a modern day sea shanty. And the album is peppered with intimate piano and acoustic guitar based ballads, from the opener “Just One Minute” to the deeply touching closing track “Marquita”. The record is more than just a promising debut – it's the sound of a young artist already well in command of his craft, spinning everyday concerns into a collection of tunes that are at once funny, moving, and instantly memorable. GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Hills of the Universe Price: $15.00 Artist: Athanor Description: RELEASED 9/21/18 – ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW!! Singer/songwriter Greg Herriges and lead guitarist Rick Vittenson (a/k/a Athanor) met on the steps of the Highland Park, IL Recreation Center in the summer of 1965, just as The Beatles’ album “Help!” was released. Both avid rock mavens (with roots back to Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Dion and the Belmonts, and The Beach Boys), they formed a group called the 4-to-Go when Greg was a high school sophomore and Rick was a junior. The group broke up, as groups eventually do, and they each joined other bands. In 1973 Greg and Rick reunited. Greg had completed school out of state, while Rick had begun working with both the NME and Crawdaddy! Magazine. When Greg returned to Illinois for work as a teacher - his profession to this day, including teaching a course on the Beatles – he put together a home studio. After time spent away from performing he called on his old friend, and thus Athanor was born. Three mellow-heavy singles were issued in the early-to-mid ‘70s. Sitting inside the circle which occupies such early ‘70s/post-‘60s psych-pop/rock burnouts as Creme Soda and Drywater, Athanor is not pure underground esoterica, as they dose their damage with an ear bent towards P-O-P, which separates it from the sea of pretenders. In 2013 and 2014, two LPs of material from this period were released on the Guerssen Records label outta Spain, and both received rave reviews. Buoyed by the success of these two LPs, Greg and Rick spent three years recording an album of all new original songs for this, their Kool Kat Musik label debut – “Hills of the Universe”. For this project they invited seasoned rock instrumentalists to contribute - Chris Drehobl (former drummer of legendary Chicago band The Mauds), Quent Lang (former saxophone and flute player of The Mauds), Jeff Murphy (of Shoes), guitar virtuoso Harry Reinhart (Midnight, Traffic Jam and Skip Towne and The Greyhounds), John Belpedio (bass player for Almost Joe and Mid-Life Crisis), and Brian Cremins (of Pet Theories). Recording engineer John Towner helped them achieve the full sound they were looking for, and he even added synthesized strings on a few tracks. It has taken over four decades to realize this latest Athanor recording project, but they continue to play, and Greg is already writing the songs for the next album. “They are a perfect compliment for fans of other rare psych-pop bands like Lazy Smoke, Creme Soda, and The Only Ones.” – Powerpopaholic.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Deportation Blues Price: $19.00 Artist: BC Camplight Description: Three years after releasing “How to Die In The North”, Brian Christinzio is back under the BC Camplight moniker with new record, an exhilarating, dynamic document of calamity and stress, relayed through richly melodic and bold arrangements spanning singer-songwriter classicism, gnarly synth-pop, ‘50s rock’n’roll and various junctures between, mirroring their maverick creator’s jarred emotions and fractured mindset. Brian locked himself in a windowless Liverpool studio and recorded almost exclusively in the dark. “The thoughts and sounds that began to flow out of me were pretty scary. I’m pretty sure the engineer started carrying a shiv in his pocket after about the second day. Nothing playful sounding came out. If the last album had elements of whimsy, the thought of any on this album made me want to vomit.” He recorded the album most days on his own when not accompanied by haunting vocalist Ali Bell, plus drummer Adam Dawson, occasional guitar by Robbie Rush, and a couple of session horn players. ”The song ‘I’m Desperate’ is “an ominous synth burner,” says Brian with a Suicide-style throb and a haunting female vocal counterpoint that underlines the album’s manic, careering edge, fantastic hooks and instrumental verve. “The record wears his feelings badged on its metaphorical sleeve, sitting the listener on a knife-edge and offering a peephole into the angst, pain, stress and turbulence of relocation, placelessness and a clamouring for belonging. Where the previous record was perhaps a tad faint and whimsical in places, ‘Deportation Blues’ is darker, bolder, broad-shouldered and more direct than its predecessor and leans far heavier on electronic influences. The title track and ‘I’m Desperate’ embody this shift to the full – both are built on off-kilter chord and rhythmic changes that produce an almost deranged feel. The former is drenched in stress and the bending single synth line feels like the horizon wobbling. But what this record has in swathes is uncompromising originality. His previous work has brought together a melting pot of influences from across the spectrum, from house music to 50s’ rock and roll. And while this is no different, it feels like a very definitive step forward. It’s chock full of emotive lyrics with the hooks and shifts crammed in at a breathless pace - a record packed with twists and turns and nine tracks that reward you anew with each listen. In an age of dwindling attention spans, it’s refreshing when you come across something as well considered and crafted as this.” – SecretMeeting.co.uk EXCELLENT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

.is Price: $14.00 Artist: Beaulieu Porch Description: WOW!! Beaulieu Porch is Simon Berry. He released his debut self-titled Beaulieu Porch album (via Kool Kat) in 2012 to a clamour of appreciation and critical praise. It appeared in several 'Best Of 2012' lists in magazines and blog sites and was placed at number 5 in an online poll of the best psychedelic albums of the 21st century. Simon is quite the one man Spector recording lo-fi psychedelic gems in his attic. If anyone deserved access to Abbey Road’s Studio Two with a thirty piece orchestra and as many mellotrons as he can handle it was Simon. “I suppose I'm known more for power pop these days, but the true love of my life is psych pop. So what do we do with psych pop? How does its joy reach the masses? It's a bit too left field and out there for many power pop and pop rock fans and way too catchy and slightly simplistic for the psych brigade. How do you capture the in between fans, they are out there, I know many of them and all the music magazines tell them about is a bit of a piece on great psych pop from the past. Berry made the first Beaulieu Porch album around 6 or 7 years ago, having finally exhausted the possibilities of the whole live band thing. After getting through about 60 different ‘band mates’ he hit upon the perfect combination of just him. He thinks that possibly because he'd grown up in England's must unambitious, unmusical city, he had no idea that there were people in the world that were interested in the same type of music as him. This brings us to the magnificence that is the summary compilation that is ‘.Is’, which is made up of 24 songs from the Beaulieu Porch back catalogue.” – IDontHearASingle.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Flickering Light Price: $13.00 Artist: Benjamin Cartel Description: Benjamin Cartel is no stranger to making music that quickly connects with its listeners. That is something he is always excelled at, first with the substantial attention and acclaim accorded his duo Kaiser Cartel, and then, with a return to his solo career. To date, the latter has yielded two highly acclaimed efforts, an EP (“Money and Love”) and a full length (“Gothenberg. “Flickering Light” moves the needle even further, opening up a sonic palette that not only reflects his expansive musical vision, but also reflects his attention to craft and detail through astute, articulate arrangements and a sound that's both stirring and sublime. Co-produced by longtime colleague Mike Cohen (who’s also on guitar), Benjamin plays guitar and drums, and Kieren Mulvaney anchors the proceedings on bass, the results verifying that fact that this is easily his greatest achievement yet. “This finds Cartel exploring sounds that are bathed in timeless iridescence. They both stir and shimmer, thanks to exacting arrangements that elevate these songs into atmospheric realms. Think ELO, Alan Parsons and other like-minded bands that place their emphasis on a rich reserve of craft and care. That doesn’t mean it’s an album overstocked with posturing or pretence. Instead, it radiates with a glow that doesn’t diminish throughout. While opener ‘The Jungle Eats Everything’ is as expansive as its name implies, the track that follows, ‘Down Now,’ is assured and seductive. The easy glide of ‘Coast Town’ and the supple sway of ‘Sweet Glide’ underscore that assumption. Likewise, it’s hard to hear a track like ‘Starlight’ and not be totally taken in by its spell. That makes this a decidedly pleasurable listen. The rocking title track aside, these songs are far from overly intrusive, but they do encourage the listener to lean in. There’s no denying the rich aura that’s so wholly hypnotic it’s given to immediate appeal. The unflinching optimism is obvious on ‘Tica,’ which finds him celebrating a love that grows ‘biggerer and betterer all the time,’ but his astute observations are also fully illuminated by the craft and caring that go into shaping these songs and enabling them to resonate on first hearing. Ultimately, one would be hard pressed to sample an album as pleasing as Cartel’s crafted here. Suffice it to say, ‘Flickering Light’ truly shines.” Lee Zimmerman/NoDepression.com EXCELLENT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Big Stir Magazine - Issue #2 Price: $4.00 Artist: Big Stir Magazine - Issue #2 Description: Big Stir founders Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko are true givers to the pop community and deserve your support! Aside from creating this fun to read, beautifully designed ‘zine, their main gig is staging multi-artist pop shows all around California and Europe – and paying the artists, and DJ’s who perform at them (what a novel idea). Brilliantly designed as always by Champniss of London, BSM #2 features regular correspondents: “Food Follies” with Christina Bulbenko (The Armoires, BSR), “Blake's Heaven” with Blake Jones of the Trike Shop, Steven Wilson of Plasticsoul with more “Mondo Obsesso”, notes from the Nashville desk with Patrick "Pooch" DiPuccio (The Condors, Flipside Fanzine), whatever Rex is on about, and new illustrated installments of "The Embarrassment of Satchmo PaNDa" and "Great Power Pop Things”, this time with “The Plasticsoul Story” Also on board this time: Ed Huerta of Rockford, The Creachies, Simon Glickman of The Ex Teens, Mark Cotton of Northampton England, Carl Cafarelli of This Is Rock & Roll Radio, Ray Gianchetti of Kool Kat Musik, David Bash and Rina Bardfield of IPO, Peter Marston of Shplang, Aaron Kupferberg of Powerpopaholic, Mark English of The Gold Needles (Hull, UK), Steve Rosenbaum of San Diego's Mess of Fun, John Borack of Goldmine Magazine & The Popdudes, Jeff Beals of Rockford (with a crossword puzzle!) and art from Ridley Broome, Larysa Bulbenko (The Armoires), Andy Rennie (The Fast Camels), and Sumishta Brahm (13 Frightened Girls). ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Bird Streets Price: $15.00 Artist: Bird Streets Description: In need of a creative rebirth after years on the music industry margins, John Brodeur, the man behind Bird Streets (the name is derived from a tiny real estate enclave in the Hollywood Hills), reached out to his friend, producer and multi-instrumentalist Jason Falkner, to suggest they record together. John explains “I used to write about finding ways out of the darkness. Now I’m more interested in exploring a creating a map of that place. In some ways, adopting the Bird Streets moniker has allowed me to write more openly about myself.” Features guest appearances by Miranda Lee Richards and Luther Russell. There is a grand tradition of “one-man bands” in the world of power pop. From Todd Rundgren, to Emitt Rhodes, to Jon Brion the genre has produced many of the best. There’s another name to add to that list: John Brodeur. In between playing on and/or producing a bevy of other acclaimed artists like Freedy Johnston and White Hills, John’s also produced music that has been used on television networks like NBC, A&E, VH1, and Discovery Channel. John states “It's a creative rebirth, if you will - a new performing identity, and a blanket name to put on all of my original work. And it looks cool printed on a T-shirt. This is easily my best work as a songwriter and musician - I still enjoy listening to it many months later, which is a very good sign.” “Bird Streets” contains 11 tracks written and performed by Brodeur (in conjunction with Falkner). It’s a walk down a boulevard filled with harmonies and hooks that is completely new, but invokes everything you love about your journeys past, present, and future. “The album creating by this creative pairing is both fresh and familiar – a dynamic collection of introspective indie rock and power pop drawing liberally from the music of decades past without being bluntly nostalgic. Brodeur’s voice can be described as an old friend you’re meeting for the first time.” – PatchChordNews.com EXCELLENT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Heavy Music: The Complete Cameo Recordings 1966-1967 Price: $14.00 Artist: Bob Seger & The Last Heard Description: RELEASED 9/7 – ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW! Before Bob Seger found success with his Silver Bullet Band and albums like “Live Bullet” and “Night Moves”, he was leading a hungry young band called the Last Heard, hitting Detroit rock ‘n’ roll radio with songs like “Heavy Music (Pt. 1)” and “East Side Story.” He was writing material for another local band, the Underdogs, who had recorded his song “Get Down on Your Knees,” but had failed in an attempt to lay down another Seger tune, “East Side Story.” Edward “Punch” Andrews (who would one day become Seger’s manager and producer), encouraged him to record it himself, and Bob Seger and the Last Heard were born. Over the course of the next year, the group recorded four more singles for Cameo Records. Cameo Records’ parent company folded shortly after “Heavy Music” was released, and Seger signed with Capitol Records and hit the road, slowly building a following that would break big in 1976, and the rest, as they say, is history. “Heavy Music: The Complete Cameo Recordings 1966-1967” will be the first time ever that all records by the celebrated Detroit group will be made available since their origination as 45rpm singles. The collection represents how stylistically, the band went beyond simple garage rock stomp and stammer formula and spread their wings lyrically and sonically in a few short years. The album is wrapped in a newly designed package, and liner notes by celebrated music writer Jim Allen, rare original photographs and label art from the Cameo Parkway vaults. The monophonic collection features Bob Seger's earliest songwriting efforts, and completes the digital availability of the seminal singles of the Detroit rocker's pre-stardom band. GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Ten Times Four Price: $14.00 Artist: Caddy Description: The follow up to “The Better End” is here and is already being proclaimed one of 2018’s best power pop releases! “I've been waiting impatiently for the new Caddy album all year and today is the day that its poptopia is unleashed on the world. It's been too long since ‘The Better End’. Since then, Tom Dahl became a Stanley whose debut was lauded as one of the best power pop albums of 2017, rightly so. ‘Ten Times Four’ lands somewhere in the middle of those two albums, gloriously so. ‘The Better End’ was beautifully arranged, but the songwriting was reflective, a little melancholic, when it broke out, it did it gently. ‘In The Basement’ here mines similar territory. The Stanleys album is more heads down, have a good time, power pop and that influence is also revealed here. At times, these songs are built on meandering memorable riffs, never more so than on ‘Not The One’ and ‘Somewhere Beautiful’, a song that wouldn't be out of place on The Stanleys album. The moody ‘Roadblocks’ is built around a slow sinister riff, far different to the rest of the upbeat songs. ‘Reverie’ is a jangle fest, all Teenage Fanclub, a wonderfully melodic strum along building to an ‘Everything Flows’ bridge. The closer, ‘The Good Ones’ is a splendid anthem, a real sing your heart out building to a Thin Lizzy twin guitar crescendo. If ‘Miracle Turn’ is the ideal opener with it's glorious chorus, then ‘The Good Ones’ ends the album in similar feel good mode. Special mention has to go to ‘Safe Travels’, a glam rock masterpiece with some fine Beach Boys harmonies. There's so much packed in to its four minutes. I've followed Tom's career since The Yums Yums and I can honestly say this is his best album yet. It's magnificently feel good, epic in its pop scope. It's so easy to forget that Caddy is a one man band. Thus far, 2018 has been a fine year for pop rock. ‘Ten Times Four’ is another contender for album of the year. As soon as the album finishes, you want to play it again. Forget about what's happening in the world, this will make you feel that everything is A OK.” – IDontHearASingle.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Pomp, Twaddle & Bombast: Songs 13-24 + bonus EP Price: $13.00 Artist: Checkpoint Charley Description: Checkpoint Charley is the ongoing Power Pop muse of Kevin Packard and Jesse Anderegg. Drawing heavily on the influence of Jellyfish, The Beatles, Queen, and Crowded House, the band returns from a 10 year hiatus to craft an epic follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut, "Songs One Through Twelve." Picking up where “Songs One Through Twelve” left off, “Pomp, Twaddle, & Bombast (Songs Thirteen through Twenty Four)” is another power pop tour-de-force full of classic hooks and epic production. "Do you think vocal based power pop a la Jellyfish, with more guitar driven rock such as The Tories and Marvelous 3 sounds like your cup of tea? Then you should put out an invitation to a huge tea party, 'coz L.A band Checkpoint Charley has the cookies. The list of good songs never ends....But you can play them over and over again without getting tired of hearing them. Listen to their Jellyfish-like harmonies on twelve more slices of melodic heaven! A must for any melodic rock fan!" - Melodic.net "Checkpoint Charley Songs delivers everything pop/rock fans crave - great songs, beautiful harmonies, and hooks for days. If you’re a fan of the band Jellyfish, get your hands on this CD." - Billy Amendola "There are some albums you just love from the start and they get better with every spin. Such is the case with the latest from Checkpoint Charley. I honestly can't remember the last time a disc made this immediate an impact of the future love affair that is seemingly impending." - Kurt's Krap COMES WITH A COPY OF THEIR “GREAT MIND JEDI TRICK” EP WHICH CONTAINS TRACKS NOT FOUND ON “POMP, TWADDLE & BOMBAST”! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none