ANC4 Price: $15.00 Artist: ANC4 Description: RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL!! ROGER ARVIDSON ALERT!! Roger’s brilliant “Arvidson & Butterflies” release ranks as one of Kool Kat’s best-selling ever label releases. ANC4 (a/k/a Arvidson &Nilsson Combo Four) is a newly formed band that consists of four long serving members of the Swedish music scene. Songwriters Roger Arvidson (vocals/guitar), and Tomas Nilsson (vocals/guitar – of The Mop Tops!), are complimented by Janne Borgh (bass/backing vocals – The Moderns), and Niclas "Tidaholm’s Ringo" Österberg (drums). The band breathes new life into Rickenbacker-fueled, 60’s style nuggets with strong melodies and sweet harmonies whilst keeping relevant in the current music scene. “A diverse collection of bright, hummable pop tunes drawing on a wide scope of influences from The Beatles to The Byrds. As different as these songs may be from one another, each starts with a great melody from which hangs the musical elements necessary to make one catchier than the last. ‘Easy Way Out’ is a great choice for an opening track with its memorable guitar hook and spot on harmonies. The twangy slide guitar of ‘You Can Call Me Darling’ melts like something out of a Dali painting. And those bells – just lovely. ‘The Chronicle’, is an amazing track with multi-layered textures created almost certainly through some sort of studio wizardry. ‘So Good To Me’ maintains the good mood vibe and leads right into ‘Happy Again’, a bit of pure, uplifting power pop with very possibly the catchiest chorus I’ve heard this year. ‘It Don’t Matter’ is an earworm with guitar shimmer that may remind one of The La’s. ‘No More Words’ has that Byrds-ian jangle that never goes out of fashion. With more hooks than a pirate convention, ANC4 is easily one of my favorite records of 2019!” – PowerPopNews.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Dave Cope and the Sass Price: $11.00 Artist: Dave Cope and the Sass Description: Happy times surely need lightness and Philadelphia based songwriter Dave Cope's latest musical venture is here to happliy and hookfully provide it. “The Paisley Pop of Dave Cope and the Sass is nostalgic in the best, warmest way possible - invoking the laid-back sounds of the 70’s and making for a perfect summer soundtrack in the process. Instantly hummable, the record swims and sweet melodies and mellow playfulness: the winning power pop of ‘My Way Out’ and ‘Living In The Middle’ is invigorating and infectious, while ‘If Your Mama Only Knew’ wouldn’t have been out of place on in a ‘That 70s Show’ episode (Big Star love included of course). ‘Show Your Love’ borrows a riff from the Fairports’ instrumental ‘Matty Groves’ and turns it into the album’s trippiest moment. Intently daydreaming about days gone by, Dave Cope and the Sass retrieve some laid-back pride for today; a surprisingly delightful finding.” – Shindig! Magazine “They are sassy, they are sexy, they are stone cold dangerous - and they rock!” – George Mostoller “The level of talent coming out of Philthy Philly is astonishing. What could possibly be in the water? Hearing ‘If Your Mama Knew’ made me question if there was potentially a Big Star track I’d missed. The catchy chorus and power popping riffs hit me with that same sugary bell bottom rush. I welcome the return of some good ol’ fashioned bittersweet power pop rock with crushing/chiming guitars. The lyrics center around a teenage girl sneaking out at night. A rock cliche’ if there ever was one? Sure, but it’s delivered here with such crisp conviction that it’s nearly impossible to take a jaded stance. Spirits of The Raspberries and Alex Chilton haunt every corner of this track, and the 36-second guitar solo is one of those ‘This is all you need’, not-even-one-excess-note moments. It’s a stunner of a track that looms tall over the thousands of ‘September Gurls’ chasers currently toiling away on Bandcamp and the lower Spotify rungs. Sass needs to be firmly on your radar if you long for that not-so-innocent but oh-so-pure ’70s hooky guitar rush that has still rightly refuses to die.” – Niche-Appeal.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Soak Up The Gravy Price: $15.00 Artist: Emperor Penguin Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL!! In the beginning, many years ago, the original Penguins - Neil Christie (vocals, guitar), Nigel Winfield (vocals, guitar), Adrian Long (vocals, bass) and Richard Wilson (drums) – set out to make a noise. Inspired by the likes of XTC, The Beatles, Buzzcocks and, er, The Wombles, they played gigs in and around London in the early 90’s and recorded their debut album at BBC Maida Vale Studios. That album – “Crumhorn” - remained unreleased until very recently. Life intervened and the band went into hibernation until 2017, when the re-formed (but not reformed) Emperor Penguin released a new album – “Rum Pop Engineer” coupled with “Crumhorn” – on CD via Kool Kat Musik. The addition of new member bass/guitar player/singer “JT”, replacing Adrian, engineered fresh energy into this rum pop. In 2018 their “Walnut Fascia” CD was released on Kool Kat, and the Penguin aesthetic once again evolved. There was the same love of classic power pop and the occasional foray into rough and ready garage rock – but with a broader sonic palette. In 2020, Emperor Penguin are back with their new (and perhaps best) album “Soak up the Gravy”! The album comprises 14 original tracks of meaty, beaty goodness – the songs are as eclectic as ever, with inspiration ranging from Japanese kids' cartoons to the philosopher Thomas Aquinas. There are noisy guitars, catchy tunes and some more elaborate arrangements and productions than on previous releases. The album opens with art rocking pop tune “Hello Picasso”, features a live brass section on the anthemic “Hole in Your Soul”, has a terrific guest lead vocal from “Queen of Power Pop” Lisa Mychols on the jazzy “Speedwell Blue” and closes with curry-flavoured psych-pop epic “The Burning Man”. It’s a selection box of delights with something for everyone. “Fans of The Grip Weeds, The Pillbugs and 60’s anglophiles you couldn’t do better...” – Powerpopaholic.com “They use trippy atmospheric sounds swirling around some of the catchiest melodies you’ll ever hear, putting their own unique touch to the power pop genre and the results are quite magnificent.” – AudioAmmunition.com “An inventive, quirky power pop band whose music conjures up the Jam as much as Big Star.” – TheUnherd.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Stranger Things Have Happened Price: $12.00 Artist: Fallon Cush Description: The newest from Sydney’s Fallon Cush is an album that rings loud and clear with a seemingly endless supply of melodies that cascade from the speakers in a near-perfect blend of indie rock and alt-country. The album finds the band drawing from an iconic set of classic influences that recall The Byrds and Tom Petty blended seamlessly with classic rock and astute pop-leaning songwriting that draws from the melodic nous of Ryan Adams, Wilco, and The Jayhawks. Right across the album, singer-songwriter Steve Smith takes a magnifying glass to people and the point of interaction – where things can gel or fall apart. “The Key” finds him pondering the sweet mystery of a strong relationship while “Sleep Her Away” is a contender for one of Smith’s finest choruses. It soars with that kind of jubilant melancholy that requires a special tone and phrasing. In contrast, “Yarraman” strips things back to a skeletal country music canvas while “Benny” allows the band to stretch out, dipping their toes into glorious yacht rock waters. The interplay and strength of all the players on the album can clearly be heard. Whether it’s the versatility and nuance of guitarist Casey Atkins, the balance and drive of the rhythm section of Pete Marley and Russell Crawford, Tim Byron’s lush keyboards or the tender ache of Suzy Goodwin’s backing vocals, they’re all integral elements to the beautiful swing and sway of this new set of songs. “The best song on here by an alt-country mile, ‘The Key’, is irresistible and sounds like George Harrison fronting Teenage Fanclub, with some Big Star thrown in, while ‘Sleep Her Away’ is reminiscent of The Jayhawks. Fallon Cush have largely all the right influences – the country-ish shuffle of ‘Tempo Over Time’ recalls Tom Petty, as they slavishly pay homage to their record collections. They could be accused of ‘Petty’ crimes.” – AmericanaUK.com “Their ability to imbue catchy, guitar-based indie rock songs with melancholy and autumnal hues underpinned by astute pop-leaning songwriting with a strong melodic nous together with top shelf performance and production places Fallon Cush squarely in that ballgame.” – Airit.org GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Home Price: $13.00 Artist: Lannie Flowers Description: Lannie Flowers has been a standard bearer for power pop. Completing the story arc started by “Same Old Story” and continued by “Circles,” winner of LA Music Awards 2013 “Record of the Year,” Lannie is back with the third installment of his pop trilogy. Where “Same Old Story” told the tale of teenage romance and “Circles” described the feelings coursing through a young musician on the road, the poignant and decidedly not power pop (but still, oh so melodic) “Home” recounts the emotions of an aging rock and roller contemplating life after the road. Featuring Lannie’s most accomplished songwriting and arrangements to date, the lyrics read like a set of poems that highlight a universal message. “Lannie Flowers’ music does not belong to one genre. You could also confidently file his records under Rock, Americana, Pop, Alternative Rock, and Folk/Country. He makes the kind of records that sound great whether you hear them blaring out of a roadside diner jukebox, a portable AM radio, or an audiophile’s hi-fi system. Most importantly, he writes songs that easily connect with the listener through heartfelt honesty. When you hear a Lannie Flowers song, you get a first-hand peek inside the man’s heart, mind, and soul. Without pretense, Lannie turns a simple listening experience into something much deeper and more fulfilling. However, he knows his way around a melody and he is never in short supply of sharp, catchy hooks. So, call him Power Pop if you want but don’t be surprised to discover that there are so many different musical layers baked into a Lannie Flowers musical soufflé. ‘Home’ has a recurring theme: home is where the heart is. Or maybe ‘home sweet home’ or ‘there’s no place like home.’ The album will touch each listener in different ways – one that operates as both a musical tour-de-force and a revealing look into a songwriter that understands the human condition. It is one of the most lyrically honest albums to come along in years yet it doesn’t shy away from dragging you in with melodies dipped in honey and laced with just the right amount of spice. One of the most miraculous things about the record is that though it may have been written by a humble Texan, its message is universal. With songs that are thoughtful and jam-packed with passion and emotion, the record works on many levels. Is home a place that is defined by four walls or is it something more spiritual? Is home where you gather with friends or is it where you prefer to be alone? The record doesn’t answer these questions, it lets the listener decide and define what ‘home’ really is. On the other hand, there is no denying that ‘Home’ - the album - is a Pop masterpiece.” – Steve Schnee We agree! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Full Fathom Freight-Train Price: $13.00 Artist: Nick Frater Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT MUSIK LABEL – AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1!! ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW!! The follow up to the critically acclaimed ‘Goodbye Kayfabe’ (a Top 10 entry on several 2018 end of year lists), Nick Frater’s fourth solo album is once again packed with the hooks, harmonies, and ear-worms that have earned him the critical acclaim! Fans of The Raspberries, Todd Rundgren, Cheap Trick, and classic pop songwriting are in for a real treat. The Summer of 2019 saw Nick joining the Love Band with Johnny Echols for the farewell UK performance of “Forever Changes”. Calling in a musical favour, Mike Randle (Love/Baby Lemonade) makes a guest appearance on “The Getaway”. Other musical cameos on this album include Scotland’s Paul Ryan (of Super 8) and DJ Jim Prell (The Music Authority) who does his best Wolfman Jack impersonation...sticking to Nick’s tradition of slipping a Todd Rundgren reference into each of his albums. “Excellent melodies and unique chord changes are what characterize Frater’s music.” - Shindig! Magazine “Nick Frater encapsulates everything that ‘I Don't Hear A Single’ is all about!” – Don Valentine “His music harks back to the sophisticated pop songwriting of the 60’s and the 70’s, where melodic craft is highly prized and inventive arrangements are meant to thrill and surprise, rather than conform to contemporary (mis)conceptions of what pop music should sound like. We are so gobsmacked to discover such pop-affirming music in these unforgiving (un)musical times." – PowerOfPop.com “His music reminds me of Jellyfish’s incredibly knowing, but lovingly crafted meta pop." – SongsFromSoDeep.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Maybe Miss America Price: $12.00 Artist: Rob Martinez Description: Rob Martinez is back with this, his third album of power pop perfection featuring lush harmonies and quirky production touches. Rob is joined by Karma Frog head and five tool player, Adam Marsland, who provides instrumental/vocal backing support and the role of producer. “Martinez and Marsland both shine with a renewed sense of purpose in their respective roles. As a multi-instrumentalist (contributing, among other things, backing vocals, keyboards, bass, drums and harmonica), Marsland contributes on the spot commanding adaptability to the not so subtle nuances of Martinez's increasingly diverse and engaging compositions. As for the music itself, various inspirations avail themselves throughout the proceedings. From the sublime ‘Sunflower’-era Beach Boys harmonic bliss in the bridge of ‘Summer Of Love’ and the timely Left Banke-like high drama lavishness of ‘Genevieve Chasteau’ to the first generation garage rock/Fixx hybrid evidenced in ‘Wrong From Right’ and the Paul McCartney/Jason Mraz interplay of ‘And I Always Will’, Martinez once again demonstrates a remarkable flair for making the familiar fresh and taking it to the next level. For those who still wonder if technology and heart make strange bedfellows, ‘Maybe Miss America’ should dispel any such concerns in short order.” – BlitzMagazine.com “For the unfamiliar, Martinez is a purveyor of adult pop in the vein of Neil Finn and Cliff Hillis, and on this one he opens with the 1-2 punch of the mid-period Beatles-influenced ‘The Letter’ and the poptastic ‘Summer of Love’, a deft mix of Merseyside and Brian Wilson. Other highlights include the groovy ‘All I Ever Wanted’, which wouldn't be out of place on a Red Button album; the McCartneyesque ballad ‘Genevieve Chasteau’; and the jangly title track. Suddenly now there are 99 spots left on my top 100 of 2020.” – Absolutepowerpop.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

#1 Price: $12.00 Artist: The Brothers Steve Description: After several starts, stops, and multiple hiccups, the utterly fantastic debut from The Brothers Steve is finally available on CD! Tsar stalwarts Jeff Whalen, Jeff Solomon and Steve Coulter are joined by Os Tyler and Dylan Champion in the Los Angeles five piece. “I can tell you that it's the best thing that I've heard this year. Now that's a statement that you'll hear from many all the time. However, I'd qualify this by stating that I should know what I'm talking about with all these years on the clock. I like to think that I know what I'm talking and this is just the shot in the arm that Power Pop needs. People, familiar to me, will know how I drone on endlessly about how Tsar's self titled debut album deserves to be in the 10 best Power Pop albums of all time, well The Brother's Steve features three of those Tsar fellows and this album is every bit as good. In stating that the album is as good as that Tsar debut, it must be said that it's not the same. There is a much different tempo here. The band are in much less of a hurry to get to the licks. ‘#1’ has far more in common with The Monkees and great late 60's pop. The album is built on the wonderful vocal harmonies and singalong choruses. ‘We Got The Hits’ feels like something from a Hanna Barbara cartoon, those pesky kids etc and throughout there is more than a hint of bubblegum pop. That sound with doses of UK Glam Rock offers up a real poptastic experience. Having three vocalists in the band certainly helps with the variety and of course those top notch harmonies. ‘Carry Me’'s jangle is like a popped up Teenage Fanclub, whilst ‘C'mon Pappy’ has far more of a southern rock feel. My personal favourite is ‘Beat Generation Poet Turned Assassin’ which has a fine call and response chorus and is a real toe tapper. ‘Good Deal Of Love’ is real SoCal twang and ‘Sunlight’ ends the album with something far slower than what has gone before, again playing to the strength of those harmonies, getting you ready to start the album all over again. This album is far far better than you could expect. It's Sunshine Pop of the very highest order.” – IDontHearASingle.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

When Seasons Change Price: $13.00 Artist: The Greek Theatre Description: The third overall release (and second on the Kool Kat label) from these Swedish psych-pop maestros!! "... a sumptuous, cinematic-style panorama all in all, that shows The Greek Theatre to be a very capable group who, whilst in thrall to some of the great sounds that’ve gone down in the past have more than a keen sense of pushing forward and carving out space to create their own individuality, their experimentalism too very much succeeding with this, at times, totally astonishing latest effort." - Psychedelicbabymag.com “For anyone trying to convince sceptics that the Psych World can be joyous, The Greek Theatre are the band to choose. The Greek Theatre offer up their third album and each has developed what they do. They specialise in gentle West Coast Psych. All of it is an easy listen and borders on Prog and artists as varied as The Byrds, Pink Floyd and the Alan Parsons Project. Indeed a song like ‘Streets You Hold’ is almost Fleetwood Mac until the jangle cuts in. Songs are beautifully arranged and played, like being invited into your own personal soundscape. I'm reminded of Big Big Train at times, who I've always thought are far more than Prog. But don't think that the band have forgotten their roots. ‘The Post-Factual Jam’ is top notch Psych of the highest order, wonderfully out of kilter with the rest of the album and the guitar work is mind blowing. Compare that to ‘The Caboose’ which is built on some wonderful guitar, piano and flute. Both songs are very different, but both just as rewarding. ‘A Different Place’ starts slowly but builds into a sort of ‘Reelin' In The Years’ West Coast rock out. It's this West Coast feel that marks the distinction of The Greek Theatre compared to other challengers in the field. The album closer, ‘Sail Away (Part Two)’ is a splendid moving five minutes, mixing a mellow Art Garfunkel like vocal with a film soundtrack type arrangement. However, the real killer song is ‘Laurence Of Laurel Canyon’ with its jaunty Psych pop arrangement matching an early Journey, Gregg Rolie style vocal. The Greek Theatre are building up quite a reputation now. Three albums in, they are a mark of quality in what they do.” – IDontHearASingle.com Well said Don!! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

For The Record - A Tribute To John Wicks Price: $15.00 Artist: Various Artists Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL – AVAILABLE JANUARY 31. ACCEPTING PRE-ORDERS NOW!! Known for his work with/as The Records, John Wicks was about to record the vocal tracks for this latest batch of songs before his untimely passing in late 2018. In his stead, friends and pop luminaries have gotten together to see that his final compositions were completed. It's a very personal goodbye and a testament to how much John was loved and appreciated by his peers. The project was masterfully coordinated by Rich Rossi, one of John’s closest friends. Rich explains the background of the tribute “John’s bass player and close friend Gary Schwartz called me shortly after John’s passing and asked what we were going to do with the recordings John was working on. He suggested asking some of John’s friends to come in and sing for him. And so we did. Their response was incredible. Each artist involved has a personal connection to John. They gave generously of their time and talents, making this album our very own ‘Thank You’ to the man affectionately known as ‘Johnny Wicked’.” The project was masterfully produced by Jamie Hoover, and features contributions from John Wicks, Ray Paul, Peter Case, Jamie Hoover, Al Stewart, Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band), Paul Collins, Don Dixon, Carla Olson, Bill Berry, Kyle Frost, and Nick Guzman! In addition, you’ll hear brilliant instrumental and vocal contributions from Dave Nachmanoff, Elliot Easton (The Cars), Andy Qunta (Icehouse, Factory), Chris Price, Syd Straw, and many others. “John’s memory and his music touched me deeply, but his friendship touched my soul.” – Alan Haber The liner notes include heartfelt tributes by Records drummer Will Birch, Alan Haber, Richard Rossi, and Jamie Hoover. PROCEEDS FROM SALES WILL GO TO JOHN'S SON PERRY, AND TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none