Caught By Light Price: $12.00 Artist: Armchair Oracles Description: Norway’s Armchair Oracles’ third long-player (and Kool Kat Musik label debut) is a flat-out stunner! But don’t just take our word for it! "They trade in classic power pop with great melodies, quirky tempo and chord changes, and spot-on harmonies are what this band from Norway are all about. Their songs bring to mind such influences as The Beatles, Big Star and Love!" – David Bash/IPO “Songs that are drawn in bewitching colors, doused with the spirit of decades of classic guitar pop and seasoned by Norway's quartet of the moment, ‘Caught by Light’ jumps to the front flank of 2019's finest releases. Twisting and turning in and around the essence of bands such as Badfinger and Teenage Fanclub, they roll out a virtual guide to being safe and at home in this life. Their finely crafted songs reach out and touch the sounds of the 70’s and 80’s, while also hugging contemporary sensibilities. The breathtakingly beautiful ‘Don't Let It Break You,’ a muscular power ballad with soft shoulders, sings a song of hope and guidance. ‘Several Stories’ tells a melodic tale of someone who understands how to rebound from a fall from grace. Songs such as the provocatively titled ‘She Gets Me High,’ a concise, crafted-with-care ballad about the narrator's safe place continues the listener's journey through an invigorating program of melodically-sewn musical life lessons. They have brought some welcome light into this life - extremely catchy earworms that at times drift atop gorgeous melodies and beautifully-realized arrangements. Great album. Unmissable. I heart Armchair Oracles, and you will too.” - Alan Haber/Pure Pop Radio High praise indeed! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Walnut Fascia Price: $14.00 Artist: Emperor Penguin Description: BRAND NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL – AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 22 – ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW!! In 2017 (after a 16 year “hiatus”) the Penquin was reanimated. The band was back: four kids with three chords and a crazy dream! The band is still united in its love of The Beatles, Beach Boys, Buzzcocks and XTC. Neil doggedly professes to enjoy The Fall, and Nigel loves Queen, but each is forbidden to speak of these things in front of other band members. They started playing together, some new songs quickly emerged, and they were recorded largely at home and did final overdubs, mixing and mastering at Crown Lane Studios in Morden. Their Kool Kat Musik release marks the CD debut for this previously download-only 2018 release! Special guests include Lisa Mychols (vocal on “Keep On Wasting My Time”. "Inventive, quirky power pop band whose music conjures up The Jam as much as Big Star (which helps) w/lyrics that prove their reading material extends beyond McCartney's silly love songs (which helps even more). Intellectual UK jangle pop brimming with harmonies ‘n’ hooks and goosed consensually by a garage punk energy’” – Roy Pearl/The Un-Herd Music. “'Emperor Penguin is one of the most clever bands I’ve had performing at an IPO Festival, both musically and lyrically. ‘Walnut Fascia’ is a delight from start to finish.” – David Bash/IPO Where to next for Emperor Penguin? It can only be to the toppermost of the poppermost! Their ambition is to become hairdressers and to own a squadron of tanks. “While 60’s Mod influences are front and center, there’s so much more to Emperor Penguin and ‘Walnut Fascia’ than just a period sound. On first listen, one immediately hears elements of The Who or The Jam. And at one point in the song ‘Shaking Spear’, I half expected a chorus of The Stones’ ‘Nineteenth Nervous Breakdown’. By contrast, ‘See Ya Later, Sayulita’ has a touch a Smithereens to it. Guitar jangle and a really catchy chorus make another 60’s style piece ‘Only Love’ an instant winner. All good period pieces need a political song. With ‘Sorry, Not Sorry’, the band delivers big time. Eloquently written and catchy as all git-go, it’s one of the album’s many highlights. My favorite track may be ‘Hotel Diplomat’ with its bouncy tempo and lyrically descriptive style. Then again, the engaging string arrangements, thoughtful lyric and smooth style that is ‘(The Theme from) Falling Tree’ make this one the perfect track to close the album. And the really neat ‘Band On The Run’ outro is simply awesome.” – Rich Rossi/PowerPopNews GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Obsolete Price: $13.00 Artist: Eric Barao Description: Six years in the making, the sophomore outing from this brilliant popper is here! Eric's 2013 debut album, which was produced by power pop darling Bleu, earned him extensive praise in the press, and landed on more than a dozen 'Best of 2013' music critics' lists around the world. The new album features guest appearances from high profile power popper Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Jellyfish, Beck, Imperial Drag) and Mike Viola (The Candy Butchers, The Major Labels, L.E.O.). “Once again working with three-time Grammy Award-winning recording engineer Ducky Carlisle, Barao has aimed for a more nostalgic production style that takes its cues from the ‘Magical Mystery Tour’/’White Album’ period of The Beatles, but updates it with modern guitar sounds and some very 21st century lyric writing. Working largely in 60's-style stereo (every track panned hard left, right or center), Barao and his bandmates have layered pianos, harpsichords, vintage organs and Mellotrons with hardhitting Queen-style guitars, orchestral instruments and tight vocal harmonies to form a lavish collage of everything that was good about power pop of the 60's and 70's. However, some modern production tricks help to make it all leap out of the speakers in a way that few records of the time could achieve. The best compliment you can give to the record is: pure fun and joy to listen to. This will be on heavy rotation for the next weeks.” – PowerPopSquare.com Definitely! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Bloody Rubbish (The Best & Some of the Rest) Price: $13.00 Artist: Ray Paul Description: BRAND NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL – AVAILABLE MAY 17 – ACCEPTING PRE-ORDERS NOW!! “IT'S ROCK. IT'S ROLL. IT'S POWER. IT'S POP. WHATEVER YOU CALL IT, THIS COLLECTION ROCKS!” It’s taken nearly 40 years, but Ray Paul has literally come full circle with his Kool Kat Musik label debut. You see, we’ve known each other for that long – first as me being a fan – from ordering his records directly from him when he was in Boston, as a radio DJ in 1983 spinning his records on my “Off The Beaten Track” show, eventually meeting face-to-face and crossing paths in the “biz” back in the late 80’s, to helping him promote releases on his Permanent Press label since the inception of Kool Kat Mailorder in 1999…so it seemed inevitable, right? The collection finds him returning fresh off his critically acclaimed 2016 album "Whimsicality" with a rockin' collection spanning the years 1977-2017. The disc features three previously unreleased tracks (two of which are live recordings by the current Ray Paul & RPM band recorded in 2017) and one studio track from 1977, along with remastered A & B sides of his early singles, featuring Ray’s fiery, visceral brand of original, rockin' Beatle-esque power pop. In 2018, his "Whimsicality" album was named one of the "200 Greatest Power Pop Albums 1970-2017," in the critic John Borack’s recent book "Shake Some Action 2.0: An Updated Guide To The 200 Greatest Power Pop Albums 1970-2017". Among the guests present here are Terry Draper (Klaatu), along with Kurt Reil and Kristen Pinell Reil (The Grip Weeds). "Never underestimate the power of an Anglophile in love. Ray Paul’s love of The Beatles and the mid-60's British Invasion has powered his own pop music for decades, generating an ongoing rock'n'roll love letter to all things Fab. ‘Bloody Rubbish….” serves up a collection of oldies (and newies) through this ever-changing world in which we live in today. Raise those flags, the stars and stripes and the Union Jack alike - Fave Rave invasions are FUN!” - Carl Cafarelli/This Is Rock'n'Roll Radio "The track ‘I Love It (But You Don’t Believe It”) is a power pop sureshot, with fab vocalizing and typically strong instrumental and production assistance from Kurt Reil and Kristen Pinell Reil of The Grip Weeds” – John Borack/Goldmine Magazine “Cherry picking some of his finest, Ray Paul gives us 10 delectable, British Invasion infused goodies. Speaking of cherry picking, Ray’s voice is perfect for that 60’s Raspberries sound. Case in point, the opening track ‘I Need Your Love Tonight’ is pure, blissful power pop at its finest." - PowerPopNews.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Those Years Songs Price: $13.00 Artist: The Beatpunkers Description: BRAND NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL – RELEASED MARCH 29!! WOW!! We’re thrilled to present to you this “lost but now found”, terrific archival collection of no-frills, garage guitar-pop songs recorded between 2013-2015 by this waaaay-below-the-radar group outta Spain! The Beatpunkers wish it could be 1978 again, and are not afraid to show it! Fans of Paul Collins’ Beat (the early years), The Plimsouls, The Nerves, and other like-minded bands of that era will surely enjoy! School chums Joss (electric guitar and vocals) and Johannes (drums and vocals) came together in 1991 as teenagers and were in several bands together until 2014 when they joined Lalo (bass guitar and vocals) and began to merge their beloved “Beat” with their common taste for the “Punk-rock” of their younger years. Joss explains “There are just three ingredients to define the Beatpunkers’ sound: a search for melody and vocal harmonies, power-pop guitars and a genuine garage-rock or even punk-rock drums all around. We think that now is the right time to present ourselves to the Pop community”. “Loaded with early new wave and power pop influences, their songs are short, energetic, guitar-based arrangements of simple chord progressions supported by catchy and melodic vocals! If you liked Shoes, The Rubinoos, Pezband, 20/20, etc back in the late 70’s and early 80’s then I think it’s safe to say that you will really enjoy this. Characterized by killer, almost instantly memorable songs, and tight playing. Put this on and tap your foot to the beat and savor the guitars. I can't wait to drive around when it warms up with the top down jamming to this CD! A jittery, raucous little band consisting of tight little melodies with terse guitar hooks that has jumped headfirst into the fray of ‘lost pop classics’!” – Max Humphries Not sure we can add anything more to that Max! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

From Canada To Europe Price: $15.00 Artist: The Centaurs Description: The Centaurs were one of the top rock bands to come out of Vancouver, Canada in the mid-60’s. With their long hair and bad boy image, they were way ahead of their time in both their sound and style. After forming in 1964, the quintet played almost every type of local gig you can imagine. They opened for movies at a drive-in, attracted 1,400 teenagers to the Peach Bowl in Penticton, and were headliners at Vancouver’s first psychedelic hotspot, The Afterthought. But they eventually grew frustrated at being a garage-rock band in a rhythm and blues town. So in November 1966 they moved to Holland and Germany where they quickly rose to the top of their game, sharing the stage with some of the biggest groups of the day and gaining thousands of adoring fans. The 15 tracks compiled here are high quality studio recordings from 1966 transferred from the original analog master tapes, plus a few live bonus tracks recorded in 1967 in Amsterdam, Holland just to give the listener a feel of the period from the band's perspective. They demonstrate excellent taste with regard to the covers present here like “Heart Full Of Soul” (Yardbirds), “Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White” (Standells), “Hungry” and “Kicks” (Paul Revere/Raiders), “Come On Up” (Young Rascals), and “Little Girl” (Syndicate Of Sound). Fans of 60’s Garage/punk music will greatly appreciate these never before released tracks remastered by award winning mastering engineer Stephen Marsh in Los Angeles. "There is no doubt that the Centaurs was the top rock band in Vancouver in the early 60's. There were some great R&B bands but we were the most popular rock band with the kids. We were the first long-haired band to the point where some restaurants wouldn't even serve us. Our music influenced a lot of young musicians in Vancouver who went on to bigger and better things as the music industry grew in Canada. I know that we inspired groups like the Wintersgreen who became Trooper and Sunshyne a precursor to Prism, and a young man who played in a group called the Spectre, Bruce Fairbairn, went on to be a successful record producer (Aerosmith, Bon Jovi). I think we were the only Canadian band that was a big hit in both Holland and Germany in the 60's. We were always number one when we went on stage and we always gave it 100%.” – lead vocalist Ron Williams GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Scene, Not Herd Price: $13.00 Artist: The Decibels Description: BRAND NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT MUSIK LABEL – AVAILABLE APRIL 12! ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW!! The CD (and Kool Kat label debut) of a release that was previously only available as a download and on vinyl! Sacramento, CA-based band The Decibels were active from 1993–2001, releasing three classic LPs of finely crafted garage and power pop (with the emphasis on power). Bands like 20/20 and the Plimsouls were big influences on them. Like their influences, they were an energetic pop band sporting suits and skinny ties at a time when most bands bludgeoned audiences with heavy chords while trying to look like they just chopped wood. Life ended up getting in the way in the ensuing years and only emerged for a few hometown gigs, a tour of Japan in 2003, and a tour of Spain in 2013 (where they’re viewed and revered as Mods). While they may not think of themselves as Mods, much less exemplars of Mod culture, they do have a certain sound and style that has always set them apart. 2017 found them re-energized and itching to get back to work. On the occasion a band gets back together after many years and then releases a new record, you’ll often hear them say “this is the best thing we’ve ever done.” Long-term fans of their early work will often have the tendency roll their eyes and respectfully disagree. Because their body of work has always been of a high standard, it really is hard to say which record is the best, but without a doubt their brand new long-player adds to that body of work, ranking right up there with their classic LPs – “Create Action”, “The Big Sounds of The Decibels”, and the collection of early tracks, “The Bart Thurber Sessions”. They still channel their trademark sound, with the same fire and intensity that they’ve always had and sound as though it could have come out a year after their last original release. But it’s not a simple rehash of previous records, where it sounds like a band plugs in the formula and releases the same record over and over again, but with less sincerity each time. There is a kind of deepening of the music present here without forsaking any of the elements that have made the Decibels great. Look, the world is absolutely nuts right now - who knows what will happen to this big spinning orb even a year from now? So it is time to grab those things that are life-affirming, feed your soul, and cut through the madness to remind you that there’s still good in the world and there are still rays of sunshine to bask in. Simple as that sounds, “Scene, Not Herd” is one of those things. “They come on strong with all the trebly brittleness of ‘The Who Sell Out’, fattened nicely with the kind of hyperactive stereophonics found on Todd Rundgren’s early Nazz sides.” – Sacramento News Review GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Sometimes When Price: $16.00 Artist: The Golden Rail Description: Their Nick Batterham-produced sophomore album was put together over the southern winter of 2018. The same four GR members are all present – Saki Garth, Ian Freeman, Dave Chadwick and Jeff Baker – but with Nick reaching into his bag of tricks and adding extra piano, organ, cello, viola and harmonies. Andrew Batterham and Adam Simons helped with brass touches and Erica Menting lent additional backing vocals. The 10 songs were written by Ian and Jeff together and apart, often written by one with the other's parts already in mind. Gradually they formed into five sets of pairs – like a solar system with five heavy planets orbited by lighter moons. With the songs fully road tested and rehearsed, it was then over to Nick's to bring it all together. The first album was about looking back on the past, this album considers where we are now and what it might just mean to be there. “This record finds The Golden Rail at their least considered but also at their most grandiose. It’s music each thinking man should beer to and is a sign that they will never really lose the essence of their previous bands such as The Summer Suns, The Rainyard and The Palisades as it is still remains heavily woven in their fabric. As glorious as the above explanation sounds, it is typical of the Freeman/Baker juxtaposition that their releases have a perpetual dual aesthetic. Tracks such as ‘Shine Patiently’, ‘The Sky is Always Blue’, and ‘Saw You Go’ have the sweetness and melody that the Batterham production allows to breathe with the very slightest of sophistipop production bells and whistles. They are Aztec Camera/The Bluebells in manner, whilst always retaining the jangle at their core. This record truly is superb.” – JanglePopHub.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

House Price: $13.00 Artist: The Greenberry Woods Description: After more than 20 years, Baltimore’s best are back with “House”, a collection of 14 live/studio tuneful gems made between 1989 and 1995 that will please old fans to no end – and surely make some new ones, too. The four members of Greenberry Woods reunited earlier this year, and played a pair of sold out warm-up shows. Even after all these years, the vocal harmonies and irresistible hooks were as airtight as ever. “While this is not brand new stuff, fans of the band's two outstanding records, as well as those (very often the same) who loved the two Huseman brothers' follow-up project Splitsville, will find both solace and pleasure in welcoming them back.” – Pop Phil “Just as with ‘Rapple Dapple’ and ‘Big Money Item’, the hooks are fast, furious and plentiful. From the opening track, ‘Are You In Love Again’, it becomes evident that the guys hadn’t lost a thing. ‘You’ve Been Good’ is propelled by a quick, steady beat and harmonies that make for one of those irresistible, sing-along tune. ‘Good Man Down’ is as melodically pleasing a track as has been made this year. And the ‘hits’ keep on coming. ‘Drop Away’ may be the best track of all, with its deliciously distorted guitars and repetitive chorus. Bottom line: ‘House’ is as catchy a slice of power pop as you’re likely to hear this year and will most certainly have a place on our year end list of best power pop albums.” – Rich Rossi/PowerPopNews GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Something In The Air Price: $15.00 Artist: The Maureens Description: A wonderful new power pop album by this terrific Dutch band, featuring stunning harmonies and beautiful melodies. The Maureens debuted in 2013 with a self-titled album that contained a distinct mixture of 60’s nostalgia and 90’s era indie pop. Sounds from The Beach Boys, The Posies and Big Star were fused together in catchy, energetic and uplifting pop songs. 2015 saw them release their second album “Bang the Drum”. The songs on this album proved to be more personal, powerful and upfront, with the spirit of bands like Johan, Teenage Fanclub and Jayhawks added to the already rich mixture that defined them. In June 2016, three members decided to leave the band. In July the line-up was completed again when Wouter Zijlstra, who plays bass and sings, joined the band. “Right at the very start of the album the band shows it means business. A jingle-jangle Rickenbacker guitar opens '4AM' in a The Byrds like way. 54 Years of pop music come together in 3 minutes and 5 seconds. Something that started with 'Mr. Tambourine Man' in the version of The Byrds and will continue way past early 2019 with '4AM'. The jangly guitar melody so in place. Hendrik Jan de Wolff is able to write the best of pop songs and the band knows its way with them. ‘Something In The Air’ is an album that belongs to an era long gone by. Each harmony that could be found within a song is explored and put in its right place. The inventive guitar melodies played by Martijn Vink adorn each song. Creating melodies, dynamics and firm foundations where needed and if possible. The tight rhythm guitar allow for the adventures. One of the immediate ear catchers of the band are the harmony vocals that create a bittersweet atmosphere where past and present come together. This album solidifies The Maureens’ position as one the Netherlands' finest pop band. The sweetness, the bites, the light and the shade come by in the form of beautiful to great pop songs where the delight of playing and singing together wins out 110%. This record is more direct than its two predecessors, simply because the band has a far more elementary line up. The directness shows in a bare song like 'Trying To Reach You', before Vink's guitar goes all out in three great guitar solos. Change is something a lot of people do not like. Change can also be for the better or just be change. Things change with time. For The Maureens it has worked out well. The band grabbed the circumstances by the lapels and turned them into good use.” – WoNoMagazine.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none