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All Roads Lead Me Back
Price: $15.00
Artist:
Bedsit Poets
Description:
From the heart of England, and the glorious music culture of NYC comes the joint venture of solo recording artists Edward Rogers and Amanda Thorpe, whose songwriting partnership has thus far yielded two critically acclaimed albums released under their adopted name Bedsit Poets, bestowed upon them in the 90’s aptly by Colin Blunstone of The Zombies. In 2020 the pair reunited to write new songs. After two years of transatlantic work, they came together in NYC to record with their long-time producer, Don Piper and a cast of stellar musicians resulting in the new album, their first in over a decade with “All Roads Lead Me Back”. Previous Bedsit Poets releases, “The Summer That Changed” and “Rendezvous’” received high praise, with the former being aply described by MOJO Magazine as “Heartaches & harmonies from a duo that knows their jingle from their jangle”. Thorpe and Rogers have crafted a memorable album that retains the "heartaches and harmonies" that MOJO described. Infused with elements of electronica and lounge vibes, it blends seamlessly with English folk and the late 70’s NYC scene, proving that the past can be reinvigorated with a fresh twist. “Combining the passion and energy of Patti Smith’s ‘Radio Ethiopia’, the songwriting and singing of Kevin Ayers ‘Shooting at the Moon’ with the pathos of Marianne Faithful; Bedsit Poets’ sound combines the best of all that is old with the very best that is new. Hints of electronica effortlessly blend with lounge tendencies, which meet English folk and a late seventies NYC scene. On ‘All Roads Lead Me Back’ there are slow gin jazz melodies like ‘Everything But’ layered perfectly among whimsical wistful delights like ‘London Town’ which nod towards reflective classics like ‘Scarborough Fair’ and Joni Mitchell’s ‘Woodstock’. ‘Come See About Me’ haunts and drives with its rolling bass and jilted vocal that harks toward Leonard Cohen, The Velvet Underground, St Etienne, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Glorious psych mellow madness enraptures the listener, resulting in what may be the Bedsit Poets best work to date.” - Click Roll Boom EXCELLENT!!
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Solomon's Tump
Price: $16.00
Artist:
Blake
Description:
“I was dumped by my fiancé for a soldier in 2002 and this unfortunate event led to a fantastically fertile period of songwriting and, eventually, the ‘Solomon's Tump’ record. My mate Paul, who had recently joined my band Karma Truffle, had just started going out with the head of an indie label, somewhat fortuitously. She heard it and asked me to sign with her record company. I did, but persuaded her to sign Karma Truffle, rather than just me. We ended up cutting our debut EP, 'She's Not All That' with the label, which included the track 'Let It Go' from ‘Solomon's Tump’ and two others I had recently written. The ‘Solomon's Tump’ album itself was shelved until after Karmatruffle split up, when I decided to give it a proper release in 2006. It’s exceedingly lo-fi and rough around the edges (as I say, it was recorded in my bedsit) but I'm fond of it.” - Julian Pugsley/Blake “Julian Pugsley, aka Blake, has been releasing music for much longer than he would have me so readily reveal. However, it was only in the late 2010’s that I discovered him in one of the less travelled recesses of my regular trawls around Bandcamp. Since then, our Subjangle label has released four albums with him and eventually persuaded him to let us release this 20th Anniversary remastered edition of his lost classic ‘Solomon’s Tump’ album (even though the darkest age-added recesses of my middle-aged mind cannot stop referring to it at Solomon’s Trump in all the promos!) primarily due to the fact that we were getting pestered by his growing legion of fans to give them yet more Blake and because it is by far my personal favorite release in his vast back catalogue. I could write reams about this act and artist; however, the great man himself, with his inimitable self-deprecating humour and slightly sardonic touches, details what makes ‘Solomon’s T(r)ump’ tick and the life of an aspiring ‘for the love of it’ artist so much better than me in his blog post. If ever an artist deserves to be in the indiest of ears, it’s this one!” - Darrin Lee EXCELLENT!!
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Exhibit B
Price: $14.00
Artist:
Brent Seavers
Description:
RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL!! Brent Seavers writes music - music that you can dance to. Or sit very very still to. Or eat to. Basically, Brent writes music for any “everyday” occasion. Did you fall in love in second period, but then fall back out of love by lunchtime? He's got you covered. Metaphorically, anyway. Your clothes probably have you covered literally. On his second solo outing “Exhibit B”, Brent of the Sacramento, CA power pop band The Decibels has once again given us an action-packed hook-driven selection of pop tunes. You'll definitely hear some very Decibels-esque tunes (natch) capturing the same high-energy & and mod-stylings that you've grown accustomed to, but you'll also get a light sprinkling of mod, indie, psych, and garage rock that make it clear why Brent cites The Monkees, The Plimsouls, The Jam, The Primitives, and The Beatles as some of his favorite influences. The album as a whole has a very cohesive sound yet no two tracks sound alike - letting the listener take a fast-paced musical journey through the colorful power pop cosmos on a 1964 VBB, rather than 13 spins around the same block on a rusty roller skate. And impressively, just like with his first solo release “BS Stands For”, everything you hear on "Exhibit B" really is Brent flying solo - playing, singing, and producing every sound you hear. As he states with feigned humility, "If you hear it on the album, it's all my fault." “Brent Seavers channels his own brand of Modish guitar, the pop sensibility of early dB’s, the Mod-era Who with a pinch of The Jam but squeezed through his own filter that give them his own sound.” - Ratboy69 With inspired hooks, catchy harmonies, and a beat that makes you want to get up and do the Watusi, "Exhibit B" is an album worth your time! GREAT!!
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Harm's Way
Price: $15.00
Artist:
Ducks Ltd.
Description:
Back in 2021, the Toronto’ Ducks Ltd. quickly won a lot of people over with the infectious jangle-rock of their debut “Modern Fiction”. Picking up where “Modern Fiction” left off, “Harm’s Way” subtly expands and refines Ducks’ template for cascading guitars and rain-soaked melodies. While “Modern Fiction” (and its predecessor, the “Get Bleak” EP) were both gems in their own right, “Harm’s Way” is the sound of a band coming into its own - even more assured in the way they wield an arsenal of earworm melodies and moodily surging rhythms. “Jangle pop is relatively timeless - which can be a barrier. Think about bands like self-titled-era Smiths or ‘Murmer’ and ‘Reckoning’-era R.E.M. or Pylon, The Hummingbirds and Nick Lowe; their work is still being poured over by many and mimicked by countless new artists itching to catch a flame of the same accord. Jangle pop exists in community with power pop, rockabilly, post punk and college rock; the framework we first saw blossom in Athens and Hoboken and Manchester hasn’t gone anywhere, serving as a rather understated blueprint for the wave of dance-rock and indie-pop that bands like Passion Pit and Vampire Weekend took advantage of during the MySpace era. What we’ve been seeing in jangle pop over the last five, six years, however, is a duality of success that is fiercely relentless and takes no prisoners. Most bands are either trying to put their own spin on an already perfect genre and falling short, or they recognize what ain’t broke and, as such, work on perfecting their talents under the thumb of a formula that has never needed any fine-tuning. But even then, you have to be careful to not tumble into a reputation as The Feelies 2.0 or a half-baked revivalist ensemble. Luckily, the duo of singer-guitarist Tom McGreevy and guitarist Evan Lewis - have figured out how to add their own touch to jangle-pop without saturating the foundations of their own prospects, and their sophomore album, ‘Harm’s Way’, is a massively triumphant and catchy shot-out-of-a-cannon gesture of big hooks and sticky melodies.” - Paste Magazine GREAT!!
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Drop Out - 30th Anniversary Edition (2CD)
Price: $21.00
Artist:
East Village
Description:
An autumnal treasure, East Village's “Drop Out” has spent the past 30 years finding new ears to bewitch and new hearts to melt. The only album from this British four-piece, recorded and released in the early 90’s, it's long been considered one of the hidden jewels of its time, and is talked of with hushed reverence by people who know. Bob Stanley of Saint Etienne once called it “an elegy for a particular brand of 80’s guitar music, sweet minor chords and Dylanesque lyrics, which captures what makes it so special. In summarising it's era, though, it also effortlessly transcends it”. The remastered set features an extra disc compiling the group's early singles and alternative versions, and also features a new, superior mix of their second single, “Back Between Places”. Also features new, typically eloquent liner notes from writer Jon Savage. “’Drop Out’ is indie guitar pop in its purest form. The four piece of Martin Kelly, Paul Kelly, Johnny Wood and Spencer Smith rely on guitars, keys, bass, drums, melodies and harmonies rather than any effects. It is warm and pure and makes me want to play electric guitar. ‘Silver Train’ opens the proceedings. A warm Hammond underpins the West Coast guitars and harmonies that drew me in immediately. ‘Shipwrecked’ is even better, all chiming guitars with a sense of urgency around them. Byrds-esque is a phrase that comes to mind. ‘Here It Comes’ is just beautiful, the chorus is so uplifting and warm, like a ray of sunshine. The warmth continues throughout the album, even for the track titled ‘Freeze Out’. The guitars are turned up nice and loud in the mix. At just over 5-minutes long, “Circles’ is double the length of some of the other pop gems on the record. ‘When I Wake Tomorrow’ is vibrant guitar pop. I love the sound of the guitars on this record. ‘Way Back Home’ slows things down with a long intro before Kelly reminisces about a classic summer romance. ‘What Kind Of Friend’ is melancholic with glorious harmonies and a gorgeous wee riff playing over the acoustic guitars on the outro that could go on forever. ‘Black Autumn’ is more Byrds-esque pop but with a slightly darker edge to it. Closer ‘Everybody Knows’ features guest vocals by Deborah Wykes who was in Dolly Mixture. The vocals are stunning, the song is different from the rest of the album; almost mature in style and structure in comparison to the pure guitar pop throughout the rest of the album. This is a fantastic album, one that I will return to again and again.” - EverthingFlowsGlasgow.com GREAT(ER)!!
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The Complete Collection
Price: $16.00
Artist:
Fox Paloma
Description:
As if teleported straight from the late 60's, this trio appeared out of nowhere in the mystical northern regions of Denmark. Fox Paloma bring their original (it really is) psych pop as if they had never done anything else and if they can't get you psyched and swinging, no one can! The trio consists of the "Sync Siblings" Linus and Rasmus Holst and charismatic frontman Jake Gardiner. “The Complete Collection” compiles their two, previously digital-only 4-song EPs into one glorious listen! Their first-rate, mostly 6 and 12-string guitar-led songs are embellished at times with Queen-like harmonies. Guitars are tastefully performed and vocals drift atop everything in a flowing and smooth way that gives the songs an atmosphere that's all their own. It’s a little hard to pin down exactly who they remind one of, but we’ll still throw out some names as possible stylistic points of reference - Marmalade, Kaleidoscope (UK), The Tremeloes (in their heady days), The Hollies - that should give you a pretty good idea of where they’re coming from. They have a killer energy and absolutely deliver the goods from start to finish. “It's no secret that Fox Paloma plays retro pop rock and ‘Retrospectacular’ is a sharp EP that seems at once recognizable and fresh in its use of the genre's tricks. What could happen if you put 'Internationally acclaimed guitar-based Brit-pop' into an artificial intelligence? No idea! But ‘Retrospectacular’ could be a good guess at the output. Strongly inspired by the 60’s and with plenty of melody and special vocals, the EP would very likely appear if you looked up 'timeless' in the dictionary.” - GFRock “’Molly’ hits that sweet spot and gives a nostalgic vibe with tremolo driven organs, twangy guitars and vocal harmonies from start to finish. They certainly keep to touches of a psychedelic undertone and the whole track crawls under your skin in all the best ways. The arrangement is perfect, sounding like something the Beatles or the Stones would have released back in the day, which is exactly what they’re going for. They really nailed the sound and this feels like a song you've been in love with since childhood. The song has a way of swimming around you and taking over your brain with melodies and distanced drums, floating tonalities and even lyrically, it's on point with what you'd expect from a track you struggle to wonder if you've been hearing it for years now. It’s obvious Fox Paloma has a true love for their craft and a certain time period in rock music.” - The Sound Won’t Stop GREAT!!
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Planetarium
Price: $14.00
Artist:
Grand Splendid
Description:
Specializing in upfront electric guitar sounds and soothing vocal melodies, Grand Splendid are from Montreal, Canada. They contributed a stellar acoustic version of their song “Magic” to 2022’s widely acclaimed “Pop Aid: A Power Pop Compilation To Benefit The Citizens Of Ukraine”. Their EP “Numbers”, was very well received by the indie music media. The buzz following its release ultimately landed them invitations to play at NXNE, Canadian Music Week and Indie Week festivals in Toronto. “Planetarium” is their debut full-length. The first single ”You Are The Universe” quickly garnered praise from Montreal's rock radio station CHOM FM, featuring it as their “Big Shiny New Song of the Week”. The record captures the energy of the band's live performances. Packed with cool guitar riffs, groovy bass lines and rocking drum beats, their songs revolve around well-crafted vocal melodies. From power pop to melancholic indie rock and some hints of psychedelia, it is indeed a strong debut. "’You Are The Universe’ starts off with this modern Beatles-like riff, then gets into this Stone Roses vibe along with some fine harmonizing." – Montreal Rocks "I can’t recommend giving their music a listen enough. It’s thoughtful and beautifully composed.”- New Music Mondays /Dropout Entertainment “The first time I heard ‘Magic, I just thought it’s got a real sort of hint of Jellyfish… Brilliant! Absolutely wonderful! What an aptly titled song is. It is absolutely magic! Love it!” - Garry Foster (WCR FM, Wolverhampton, UK. "They’ve got a sound that I can only describe as if They Might Be Giants uprooted from New York, and settled in Manchester after spending a few weeks taking on board the psychedelic influences and harmonies of early Kula Shaker!" - The State Of Independence (South Wales, UK Radio show) “Their songs are instantly enjoyable and rather infectious. We are dealing with upbeat and catchy rock that will sit in your head for a very long time” - The Indie Blender GREAT!!
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Leaving Without Saying Goodbye
Price: $13.00
Artist:
Hollow Horse
Description:
“Leaving Without Saying Goodbye” is the first new music from Scotland’s Hollow Horse since 2008’s “Escaping From A Submarine” (their fourth overall). Even though they come from Glasgow, on the back of this ‘horse’ you won’t see the usually expected ‘riders’ such as Alex Chilton or Brian Wilson. Instead, you’ll see a bunch of other, just as great ones. Masterminded by the ex-China Crisis keyboardist Brian McNeill, it’s no surprise that the production occasionally brings to mind some of the brightest moments of the 80’s British pop. Besides the obvious 60’s melodicism, it’s actually not too far from where the songwriting takes you too. There’s a whole bunch of what someone once described as ‘intelligent pop’, due to the clever arrangements and melodic unpredictability. “As a piece of work it hangs together perfectly. I think it’s about as good as I’ve been involved in.” - Brian McNeill “I love it. It's got a great classic 80s vibe to it in places. All the songs flow beautifully - sophisticated Pop music. Great writing and arrangements. Loads of stuff jumped out at me on a second listen. Harbinger - I just love that guitar line and synth line (ocarina?) - too much to list here. A classy piece of work. All really memorable songs. Utterly beautiful.” - Mick Kinsella/The Colourwheel “I think it’s your best work that I have heard yet. Lots of really interesting lyrics and musical stuff going on.” - Duglas T Stewart/BMX Bandits “I’ve listened to it three times in full already and I keep hearing beautiful wee harmonies and guitar of trumpet parts. If I had heard that in a record shop I would buy that. It’s very, very cleverly put together. The songs are wonderful. You can hear the sheer amount of hard work that’s gone into recording and crafting the songs. It really is a work of art and I think your best album and collection of songs by a mile. It’s beautifully recorded and the song order works so well. Very well done Kenny and band.” - Grant Urquhart EXCELLENT!!
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Byronesque
Price: $14.00
Artist:
Janne Borgh Fanclub
Description:
NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL - AVAILABLE MARCH 29 - ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW! “Byronesque” is Janne Borgh’s second solo release and followup to 2023’s critically-acclaimed “Fanclub”. He was raised on poetry and power chords, harmony vocals and twelve string guitars, Anglophilism and Americana, and is the founder of the legendary Malmö mods the Moderns, and one half of Sweden’s post-punk heroes Strindbergs . He is also an underground power-pop singer songwriter who plays guitar, bass, and harmonica. The title “Byronesque” stems from his love for anything romantic and poetic, whether it’s words, music, images, or experiences. Also, from his interest in 19th century England, from the romantic poets Lord Byron and Shelley to the Pre-Raphaelites painters of the 1850’s, which segues nicely into the late 60’s/early 70’s British pop scene, which is where his passion for music started. The songs on the album, unlike its predecessor, were written in the last year. Topics are love, love gone wrong, love lost, and love wasted, the folly of humankind, betrayal by old friends, the sudden need for roots as well as escape from the past. And freedom, always freedom, whatever that means. Different things for different people. The music is coherent and more focused. For the lack of a better term you could call it power pop. It has jangly guitars and power chords, layered harmony vocals and melodic bass. But that would be limiting as there are touches of country and Americana as well as folk and music hall. Janne wrote the songs and the words, and played most of the instruments and sang, with the help of guitarist Tomas Nilsson (ANC4) and drummer Nicklas Österberg. GREAT!!
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Single Return
Price: $14.00
Artist:
John Howard
Description:
RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL!! In 2014, John Howard, Ian Button, Robert Rotifer and Andy Lewis began writing songs for their first album together in preparation for recording sessions in late Autumn that year. The decision followed their successful debut gig in London at the end of 2013, which convinced the four of them that they should form a group – John Howard & The Night Mail - and see what happened if they co-wrote an album’s worth of new songs. Over several months, John sent lyrics to Robert, Ian and Andy individually, and in turn the boys each sent John their lyrics. By the Autumn, they had a great selection of Rotifer/Howard, Button/Howard and Lewis/Howard songs completed. Robert saw the album as similar in concept and style to John’s acclaimed “Kid In A Big World”, so John suggested he initially record a set of piano/vocal recordings of each song (like he did with “Kid In A Big World”), a kind of “style template” for them to hear in preparation for the upcoming band sessions. Robert thought they should also consider recording a cover of a song by a songwriter they all admired, and they chose Roddy Frame’s beautiful “Small World”, so John made a piano/vocal recording of that too. With 2024 being the tenth anniversary of the forming of the band, Kool Kat Musik are marking it with the release of John’s piano/vocal recordings, that, other than “Small World”, marks the first time they’ve ever been released. “Single Return” serves as a great companion piece for those who bought the “John Howard & The Night Mail” album, providing a great insight into how the songs developed from John’s early solo tracks into an album which became Metacritic’s 15th “Best Reviewed Album of 2015”, with over twenty five-star reviews! GREAT!!
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