Back To California Price: $14.00 Artist: 20/20 Description: 1/17 RELEASE “Back To California” is the first album from 20/20 co-founders Steve Allen and Ron Flynt since 1998’s “Interstate” and its hooks, harmonies and instantly memorable tunes stand with their classic late 70’s/early 80’s work that commenced with the band's undisputed classic self-titled debut album in 1979, and brings their music to a whole new generation of guitar pop fans and long-time followers alike. “How often has a band gone more than a quarter of a century between album releases and then come up with a collection of songs that stands proudly alongside their finest work? Not too often, I’d say. What the music does on ‘Back To California’ is expertly builds a bridge between 20/20’s legacy as an iconic power pop band and Allen and Flynt’s current status as seasoned songwriters and performers who have never strayed from their love of a hook. The title track harkens back to that glorious late 70’s power pop sound, with muscular, driving guitars and a riff that vaguely recall the Plimsouls’ ‘A Million Miles Away.’ Nearly every track here is framed with an inspired guitar riff accompanying an instantly memorable melody. Sometimes the guitars are forceful (those opening blasts of distorted six-string on ‘The End of the Summer’ are pretty damned cool), sometimes they’re Beatlesque (‘When the Sun Goes Down’), and sometimes they even lean ever-so-slightly toward country-rock (the catchier than hell ‘King of the Whole Wide World’). Without fail, the hook is always king, and Allen and Flynt dole them out here like there’s no tomorrow.” - John Borack EXCELLENT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Just A Smile Price: $16.00 Artist: Back To The Hills Description: Back to The Hills are indie rock, are power pop, travelers back to the 70’s, all delivered through pure energy and catchy melodies. They are “an American dream” of an Englishman, three Spaniards and a Swede who speak the same language when they get together and play, with influences from Tom Petty, The Jayhawks, Mando Diao and The Beatles! “Just A Smile”, the new album from the quintet from Castellón, Spain, who are one of the most pleasant surprises that the Spanish alternative scene has given us in recent years. “While traditional in form, Back To The Hills’ music isn't retro and they manage to inject a real enthusiasm and freshness in the standard three-minute pop song. These guys are extremely talented, in melodic structure and execution, and are standouts in a crowded field of modern-day drivel. It’s pleasant stuff that’s oh so easy on the ears. The record is a fun experience with music that actually sounds fun, sunny and special. I highly recommend this album.” – Cesar Milan It is a collection of fantastic songs somewhere between Americana and power-pop with extremely catchy melodies, delicate, subtle and energetic guitars, brilliant vocal harmonies and excellent keyboard arrangements. EXCELLENT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Person Hat Price: $11.00 Artist: Burgess Meredith Description: Burgess Meredith is a garage pop, 60’s-influenced rock & roll band from Austin, TX. The band pays tribute to the late great actor and was formed by Josh King and John Vishnesky along with long time friend Jesse Hester. Members also include guitarist Keith Lough, drummer Bryson Duhon, vocalist Cara Tillman, and bassist John Brookbank “A dozen years down the line from their debut EP ‘Banana Moon’ and seven since their first full-length ‘A Dimension of Sound’ (which was also the group’s last studio album to date). We’ve all but formally filed a missing persons report on Burgess Meredith. Heck, I personally have a very fond memory of catching them somewhere in the mid-2010s and have since caught myself looking back every now and then wondering, ‘what ever happened to them?’ Well, it turns out Burgess Meredith is alive and well, and their grip on retro pop-garage rock romance is strong as it’s ever been. With a fresh lineup and a baker’s dozen new tunes mostly recorded at the height of social distancing, Burgess Meredith has dropped ‘Person Hat’, their long overdue comeback that heralds their return. Their piano-driven arrangements and firm grasp on the baroque/chamber pop aspects of 60’s psychedelia plus Beach Boys-esque vocal unisons and harmonies – everything we’ve always loved about them. But this time those elements are joined by the welcome orchestral additions of cello, clarinet, and horns plus a generous serving of vocoder, ultimately blurring the lines between Barrett-era Pink Floyd, late Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Zombies.” - KUTX-FM GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

The Boy Who Ran The Paisley Hotel Price: $14.00 Artist: Chime School Description: Guided by San Francisco musician Andy Pastalaniec, Chime School pays homage to the formative jangle of The Byrds by way of early Primal Scream and The Springfields; the production and pop sensibility of Biff Bang Pow! and The Razorcuts; and the spirit of great singles labels like Creation, Postcard and Sarah. The anticipated follow-up to their self-titled debut is as stellar as we could have hoped for - deeper, richer and evolved in every way. While still joyfully packed with janglepop gems, "Paisley Hotel" takes a turn toward the winsome melancholy of groups like East Village, The Go-Betweens, and The Loft, and represents a leap forward in production, composition and arrangement. “If their debut album presented beautiful swathes of Rickenbacker-inflected 60’s pop married to the jangliest of Sarah Records 80’s sounds, with acts such as The Springfields being the obvious touchstone, then the following three years have seen his aesthetic morph into a more dulcet affair that harks back to the guitar-pop muscularity of the 90’s. As a result, the brilliance of the janglier end of the 90’s Britpop scene engulfs the ‘The Boy Who Ran The Paisley Hotel’, with the album bookended by the neo acoustics of ‘The End’ and ‘Points of Light’ which assume the mantle of being the greatest tracks that Noel Gallagher never trained Liam to sing, albeit augmented by the more subtle intricacies of Pastalaniec’s incidental jangled riffs that drift about with such beautiful purpose in the background. The more driven 90’s jangly indie-rock sound drags the listener on its dynamic Britpop coattails in ‘Why Don’t You Come Out Tonight’ and ‘Say Hello’. Similarly, Britpop emerges in ‘Another Way Home’, ‘Words You Say’, and the simply stunning beauty of ‘Negative Monday’, which offer a dulcet, smooth, almost suave ‘Olympian’-era Gene essence that sidles through the jangle. Of course the album would not be a Chime School release without the preppy, vibrant jangle-pop that American acts have a tendency to excel in with ‘Give Your Heart Away’, ‘Wandering Song’, ‘Desperate Days’ and ‘(I Hate) The Summer Sun’, all offering a jangle-fest that is reminiscent of The Telephone Numbers and The Umbrellas aesthetic.” - Janglepophub GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Alternative History: A Cracker Retrospective (2CD) Price: $23.00 Artist: Cracker Description: “Alternative History: A Cracker Retrospective” is a dynamic, 2CD journey through the sonic landscape of one of alt-rock's most enduring and beloved bands. This special collection offers fans a fresh perspective on Cracker's rich musical catalog, featuring alternative versions, re-recordings, and live takes from the band's history. Spanning their entire career, this retrospective highlights the band's evolution, revisiting classic songs with new energy, creative arrangements, and live recordings that capture their unfiltered spirit. Featuring 5 previously unreleased versions and 6 rare live recordings the album presents a mix of fan favorites and deeper cuts. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to their music, this release is a celebration of Cracker's influence in the alternative rock world, while also offering a compelling new way to experience their music. GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Ulysses Price: $11.00 Artist: Dan Miraldi Description: “Ulysses” is a thirty-minute tour de force of Dan Miraldi doing what he does best, delivering his unbridled love of rock and roll to the people. We go on the road with the opening title track. He sings of chasing dreams with a rock band while relationships burn behind on the home front. It is a story juxtaposed by the simple domestic joy depicted later in the album with “You’re My Home.” We also get an update from the world that inspired his 2018 masterpiece, “Alphabet City 2 AM”, as he puts a fresh spin on internet-dating and NYC neighborhood hopping in “Internet Women.” Songs like “Unfollow Me” and “Almost Sounds Sincere” drip with attitude but are also sonic love letters to the classic rock and power-pop music Miraldi adores. He knows how to pay homage while creating something that is truly his own. Overall, the record is Miraldi at full power, tastefully balancing radio ready rockers with the reflective singer-songwriter. “The space Dan Miraldi inhabits allows him to appeal to those who say they don't like new music and those who lap it up. The sheer catchiness of the arrangements and the hooks allows him to move through genres. Power Pop is something he particularly excels at. ‘Internet Women’ is ace 60’s power pop, yet ‘Unfollow Me’ is more classic Rock with its big rock riffs. ‘Indie Film’ is a much moodier affair having more in common with more modern versions of pop eock, you can imagine The Killers covering it. ‘Sublime Love’ slows things down AND is moody and melancholic, but hypnotic. ‘Your My Home’ is out on the porch excellence, acoustic and built around a wonderful piano arrangement. All the songs show how easy Miraldi switches genres and decades effortlessly. There is even another Christmas song ‘Christmas (I Think I'm Gonna Be Sad)’ is a big ace production and reveals that you can make a seasonal song that isn't banal tosh, just move away from the template. The record is simply excellent pop pock, great arrangements, big memorable choruses and an album you can listen to from start to finish and then put on again.” - I Don’t Hear A Single EXCELLENT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Swan Songs: The Singles 1976-1981 (2CD) Price: $27.00 Artist: Dave Edmunds Description: A 2CD, 39-track collection of every A and B side from one of our all-time favorites Dave Edmunds' years on Swan Song Records. Featuring material written by and with Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Bob Seger, John Fogerty, Chuck Berry, Graham Parker, Huey Lewis, Rodgers & Hart, and more. After hitting the charts in 1968, Dave began a spectacular career as a writer, performer, and producer. Signing with Swan Song Records, all of the pieces of the puzzle would fit into place. Beginning with “Here Comes The Weekend” (co-written with Nick Lowe), Dave began a stellar run on the charts, showcasing his propensity for, and ability to bring a classic sound back to the airwaves, and to remember where all of those sounds came from. ‘Swan Songs: The Singles 1976-1981” reveals the magic of the 7 single in a way that has yet to be explored and guide the listener through that pivotal time when listeners heard what they liked and liked what they heard. It is truly the definitive look at Dave Edmunds: the artist - whether with his incredible guitar tone, his signature production style, or his ability to make every song distinctive, and truly his own. GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Everybody Knows By Now Price: $15.00 Artist: DB Edmunds Description: DB Edmunds, the former drummer/vocalist/songwriter for the late ‘90s power pop cult heroes Gladhands, has always been a master of delivering melody and hooks that embed into your brain, taking up permanent residence. His latest solo effort, “Everybody Knows by Now”, feels like the culmination of decades of songwriting prowess, heartfelt lyricism, and an intimate understanding of his craft. While his past endeavors with Gladhands and The Stars Explode churned out some fantastic material, it’s in his solo work that Edmunds has found a way to channel his inner self into its purest form. ”Opener ‘Give It All You Got’ is a bittersweet rocker about perseverance in the face of difficulties. ‘Chasing Yesterday’ captures the melancholy tone as it explores the process of people losing their bearings, but a standout here is ‘(Don’t You Go) Wishing On A Falling Star’ which has late 80’s sound, a great vibe is here, and would’ve been a hit if released in that era. ‘All The Possibilities,’ another great song, starts with a Rickenbacker riff that blends into a layered melody about UFOs. The style changes on ‘Blind Faith,’ which mines late-era Who for musical inspiration. A good song, but shifting in style again is ‘The Weight of The World’, a slow jazzy song akin to a James Bond movie theme. The album is performed and played to perfection…” - Powerpopaholic “He has mastered the art of capturing the spirit of nostalgia yet doesn’t allow the past to dictate the present or even the future. ‘Everybody Knows by Now’ is an album that reminds me that life is short and that even the most minor connections with a person, place, or humanity can play a big part in our ‘wild ride’ to who knows where.” - Southeast Of Heaven GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Snowball Price: $11.00 Artist: Dislexia Description: RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL!! The CD debut of a download-only release from November 2024! Around 1996, Pepe Murgadas (a/k/a Shennon and Lotton), Roque Esteban (a/k/a El Inquieto Roque), a dedicated follower of such luminous pop bands as Jellyfish, ELO, Jason Falkner, Redd Kross, Bleu, The Rembrandts and Silver Sun and the critically-acclaimed Coke Belda (“A true craftsman, well-schooled in the ways of melody and harmony...“ - Alan Haber) formed a band and recorded several demos. They had a great time playing around Valencia and the surrounding areas at that time. The three got together in the Summer of 2024 for a party and decided to re-record songs from those demo sessions. They’ve dubbed themselves Dislexia and “Snowball” is their (brilliant) official debut of top-notch pop!!! “A sweet EP. The opening harmonies of ‘Love Is Blind’ give you a Beatlesque gem that hits all the right buttons. I enjoyed the easy-going pysch-pop of ‘You Were Water’ and ‘Sleeping All The Days.’ Overall a very good example of pop craftsmanship. Highly Reccomended.” - Powerpopaholic “With all of the talent these three musicians/songwriters possess, there is no doubt about the high-level and quality of the music you would expect from them - and, to no one’s surprise - they deliver BIG TIME!” - Max Humphries GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Rocking The World + 2 Price: $25.00 Artist: Earth Quake Description: Most people who remember think of Earth Quake as a mid-'70s band, but the group's roots go back a decade earlier. Indeed, the band started out as part of the mid-'60s band scene in San Francisco, where -- originally known as Purple Earthquake -- they were more than a little bit unusual. The most visible groups working in the city at the time tended to put a combined druggy/folkie spin on electric music, but Earth Quake, consisting of John Doukas (vocals), Robbie Dunbar (guitar, piano, vocals), Stan Miller (bass, vocals), and Steve Nelson (percussion, vocals), were more of a power-pop-cum-hard-rock outfit. They were much closer in spirit to the Flamin' Groovies or the Chocolate Watchband than, say, to the Grateful Dead. They were good enough to attract the attention of Matthew King Kaufman, an aspiring manager who hoped to carry them to national fame and, toward that end, landed them a contract with A&M Records in 1970. At the time, A&M, which had specialized mostly in MOR pop and light jazz releases, was signing some acts with harder and more diverse sounds (it was around the same time that Tarantula was added to their roster), and Earth Quake was among the first hard rock bands on the label. Unfortunately, the label never knew how to market them, and a pair of albums -- a self-titled debut and “Why Don't You Try Me?” - failed to ignite any interest from the public. They left the label in 1972, frustrated with their lack of success, though there was one fortuitous event during this period that enabled both the band and their manager to move past this experience in short order -- for reasons that are not exactly clear, the makers of the movie “The Getaway” (1972), a high-profile, big-budget (and highly successful) thriller starring Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw, used some of the band's music without getting the proper clearances. After filing a lawsuit against A&M, Kaufman used a portion of the settlement money to set up his own record label, Beserkley Records. Earth Quake, along with Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers, The Rubinoos and Greg Kihn comprised the core of the label's roster. Their Beserkley debut, “Rocking the World”, was assembled from live performances and captured the group - now a five-piece with the addition of Gary Phillips (late of Copperhead) on guitar and vocals - in some pretty inspired moments, and got them more notice than either of their A&M LPs. They became something of the house band at Beserkley, playing behind Richman on his signature tune, "Roadrunner". Their later records for the label also included backing vocals by Greg Kihn. The group's final album, “Two Years in a Padded Cell”, showed up in 1979, and the band finally called it quits a couple of years later. "Rockling The World" is a live album of local concerts released in 1975. Includes 2 bonus tracks. GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none