Idle Chatter Price: $14.00 Artist: Brian Jay Cline Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! Brian Jay Cline went from a guy who was gonna “hang it up” 18 or so months ago, to a guy who’s released three records during that time! “Idle Chatter”, the third, marks his Kool Kat label debut. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? At last count, it was an average of 364. Luckily, here it's only 12 and we’re supplying you more than your minimum daily sweet roots-pop requirement on his newest offering. How many albums of high quality, rootsy power pop does it take Brian Jay Cline to make before he releases what he considers his quintessential masterpiece? Yes, things really can get better with age! Ever the student of the retro sounds that put the likes of Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Marshall Crenshaw and Nick Lowe on the map, Brian has spent the last 17+ years releasing album after album chock full of catchy, well crafted gems. Hot on the heels of his critically acclaimed 2017 releases "Writer's Block" and "Hang Ups", he has once again enlisted LA wunderkind producer Fernando Perdomo to fully realize his vision of the perfect power pop platter. With songs like "Would You Stay?", "Rock Steady" and "Last of The Great Atomic Heartbreakers" adhering to his fail-safe formula for high octaine, toe tapping bliss, songs such as "Sic Transit Gloria" and the Perdomo-penned "Half Dead" find him taking stylistic risks that all seem to blend perfectly into the records colorful, sonic tapestry. “If artists like Marshall Crenshaw, Walter Clevenger, Bill Lloyd and The Melroys are your bag, you'll wonder how you got by without Brian Jay Cline for all these years.”- AbsolutePowerPop.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

II Price: $10.00 Artist: Diamond Hands Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! WOW!! If you loved their brilliant self-titled debut, then you’re gonna fall HARD for this one as well! If you missed them the first time around, get on board now! The new record was recorded on and off by Jon Flynn and Joel Wall between January and October 2017 at Joel's house in Santa Ana. Not straying much from the formula that defined their debut, the second chapter of their three part trilogy continues to explore the Diamond Hands’ short, sharp universe with swirling organs, 6 and 12 string jangling guitars, vocal harmonies, and even a sitar thrown in for good measure! “While musically there is little resemblance, their brevity reminds me a bit of The Buzzcocks. Short, concise bursts of melody and hooky choruses make for the perfect album for those with a short attention span (like yours, truly). If Beatlesque pop is your thing, you’ll want to hear this collection of quick hits (all under 3 minutes) transports you right back to the days of 60’s AM radio.” – Rich Rossi/PowerPopNews.com Indeed Rich! You can mark this one as a stone-cold “gotta have” 2018 release! Nice work boys! GREAT!!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Longwave + bonus disc Price: $17.00 Artist: Dropkick Description: Their latest (and 15th!) album was written and produced by Andrew Taylor and recorded mostly live (with minimal overdubs) by the band in their Edinburgh, Scotland rehearsal space, is the sound of a band enjoying playing together, drawing on their strengths across a variety of influences and genres to create a unique mix of Pop and Americana. The album is also the first to feature the harmonies and bass guitar of new member, Alan Shields. This record might just be their most accomplished, coherent and fully realized collection of songs, demonstrating growing confidence in their songwriting and arrangements, showcasing the timeless, jangly-pop elements of their music, and their ear for melody and harmony that has helped their music appeal to a growing cohort of music lovers around the world. “Those who have yet to latch onto them are surely missing something special....Indie, powerpop, accomplished harmonies, alt country tendencies. What’s not to love?” – The Herald “There’s a controlled exuberance to these songs, a maturity; they are masters of their craft, each song works, the components fitting seamlessly, the sound a joyous machinery humming in harmony.” – AmericanaUK.com “A guarantee of instant melodic fulfilment….Dropkick triumph in giving new edge to familiar themes.” - Rock n Reel Magazine “….you could argue that Wilco and Teenage Fanclub contain a bit of Dropkick in them, sharing hook-laden songs with irresistible harmonies” – IsThisMusic.com COMES WITH A 17-TRACK BONUS DISC which CONTAINS 8 “BALANCE THE LIGHT” DEMOS, 8 OTHER PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED DEMOS, AND A COVER OF TOM PETTY’S “WALLS”! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Furious Mind Price: $14.00 Artist: Ed Ryan Description: The CD debut for this 2017, previously download-only release! "Follows on all that was great about ‘Roadmap’. The songs are beautifully constructed taking up the rockier space in power pop. Loads of hooks, soaring choruses, everything you need from an album. Despite being a multi-instrumentalist, it is Ryan's playing that deserves special note. It really is outstanding, even when slowed down on the likes of Take Me Home it still stands out.. Songs are largely built to maximise the chorus, but on I Know I Know, there is potentially three choruses. ‘So Hard’ is almost a ‘Ziggy Stardust’-like ballad and ‘Lullaby’ has a great vocal, it caught me completely by surprise. There's a few more chances taken here, particularly on the slower songs, but it's the sure fire power pop that Ryan excels on most. Songs like ‘Drifting’ and ‘Any Time You Want’ showcase his talent for writing something that hooks you and then there's that guitar playing which is exemplary." – IDontHearASingle.com "It’s like an album of singles, all killer, no filler and with more hooks than a chinese fishing fleet...get it!"- The Ice Cream Man "Pleasing melodies, weeping guitars. There's something here for everybody"- PowerPopNews.com TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR 2-FER OFFER! GET THIS AND ED’S “ROADMAP” CD FOR JUST $25! IF PAYING BY PAYPAL YOU WILL BE REFUNDED THE 2-FER OFFER DIFFERENCE OF $3. IF PAYING BY CREDIT CARD, THE SPECIAL PRICING WILL BE CHARGED AT THE TIME YOUR ORDER IS READY TO SHIP! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Roadmap Price: $14.00 Artist: Ed Ryan Description: The CD debut for this 2016, previously download-only release! Ed Ryan was songwriter/lead singer/lead guitarist for seminal late 70's NYC power pop band The Rudies. He worked out of the Brill Building in the early 80's. As a member of Jupiter Jets, Ed was managed by Hilly Kristal in the late 80's releasing an album on the CBGB label. “Roadmap” is a much needed re-introduction to Ed’s brand of old school power pop. "The power pop excellence that is ‘Roadmap’. For all that Ed knows about writing a power pop chorus and riff, the guitar playing on this album is just sublime. This album is a fine lesson in how to write a power pop hook and play guitar."- IDontHearASingle.com "The album is a rocker with nonstop hooks. You know, a characteristic of almost all rock'n'roll back in the day. That makes it timeless, not timed out...a classic, fulsome power pop sound" - PopThatGoes Crunch.com “The song ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Alright’ is a great rocking theme that recalls the heyday of The Knack, full of hand claps and buzzsaw riffs throughout. ‘Heartbreak In Disguise’ is part Procol Harum and part Stones; stylistically setting it apart from the other songs (in a good way.) ‘Bridges are Burning’ is a standout gem that has a classic 60’s songwriting style updated, brilliant harmonic accents reminded me of the Toms. Another standout ‘Elvis’ World’ has some great lyric and character study about “What constitutes a weirdo?” with a dense chorus and atonal piano break. The title track is a confessional ballad that really delivers the emotion with each strum of the guitar that builds to epic proportions; with the addition of strings, and a burning solo worthy of Joe Walsh. Highly Recommended.” – Powerpopaholic.com "When the soul hits your power pop you create something special."- SweetSweetMusicblog TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR 2-FER OFFER! GET THIS AND ED’S “FURIOUS MIND” CD FOR JUST $25! IF PAYING BY PAYPAL YOU WILL BE REFUNDED THE 2-FER OFFER DIFFERENCE OF $3. IF PAYING BY CREDIT CARD, THE SPECIAL PRICING WILL BE CHARGED AT THE TIME YOUR ORDER IS READY TO SHIP! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Let Me In On This Action Price: $16.00 Artist: The Bottle KIds Description: WOW!! The new Bottle Kids garage pop record is again the project of singer, songwriter and guitarist Eric Blakley, one of the most inspired, consistent figures of the American power pop scene right now. The ‘Kids’ debut, “Such A Thrill”, was released on Kool Kat in 2014. Sounding like it could have been released in the late 70’s/early 80’s, "Let Me In On This Action" sounds like a fantastic meeting of the Plimsouls, The Knack, Paul Collins' Beat and the Romantics. An overwhelming collection of splendid songs with a classic flavor and full of energy. It’s old school, guitar pop made with conviction and credibility, led by a terrific songwriter who just so happens to also be a very talented instrumentalist. Can’t say enough about this start to finish gem! GREAT!!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Sail Me Home St. Clair Price: $14.00 Artist: The Carousels Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! Previously a 2017 vinyl-only release, this is the CD debut for this Scottish band's second long player. Their debut was highly praised, receiving excellent reviews. With songs that are poignant and beautiful, they are a band of such heart and soul and invoke the spirit of Teenage Fanclub at their most mellow, Gene Clark, Gram Parsons and “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo”-era Byrds. They have built a firm worldwide following with tours of Europe in their back (denim and patchwork) pockets. “Proving that you don’t have to use a lot of studio effects and overload eardrums to be psych, their latest follows their highly praised debut with eleven more upbeat acoustic guitar, slide guitar, and pedal steel guitar laced songs with charming vocal harmonies invoking the Grateful Dead, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and The Byrds circa ‘Sweetheart of the Rodeo’. By and large, the album is full of fun psych-folk love ballads - happy time music - some making you want to bob and weave along with the band, even when the song is about breaking up and moving on. In addition to the standard lead, rhythm, and bass guitars, and percussion, the band throw in violin on a couple of songs, plus harmonium, harmonica, banjo, and organ. And along with the love ballads there is the waltz ‘Here in Time’ and the closing track ‘Man Out Of Me’ that finds them getting a bit experimental with reversed loops and processed voices. If you enjoy music that evokes Gene Clark, Gram Parsons, or The Byrds at their country best, this album is for you.” – Expose.org “The moment Josephine opens the album you realize where this music is taking you. If you ever thought what it would sound like if Gene Clark and/or Gram Parsons joined in harmony with the American Beauty/Workingman’s Dead era Grateful Dead, this is the direction The Carousels pursue on this album. And they do it well. Damn well. Take any track here—Silvio or Little Darlin’ for example—you get these great picking guitars, pedal steels and other country rock paraphernalia and some quite gorgeous harmonies that dominate practically every number on the album.” – Beat.Media.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Wish You Success Price: $13.00 Artist: The Connection Description: AVAILABLE NOW!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Pearls. Price: $15.00 Artist: The Gold Needles Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! Originally formed as a studio project, The Gold Needles have expanded recently to become a full live band. Comprising of Simon Dowson (vocals and guitar), Dave Burbage (lead guitar), Mark English (keyboards, percussion and backing vocals), Carl Slaughter (bass and backing vocals) and Justin Davidson (drums) the band have been writing and recording since 2015 although friendships go back much further than that. The band revel in being eclectic both in influence and output and are quite chuffed with the comparisons that have already been made to Be Bop Deluxe and The Church. Their profile continues to rise with some very kool contributions to projects outside of their own releases. Their cover of an obscure Monkees track, “The Poster”, was used on the digital version of 7a Records Monkees tribute album “Listen To The Bands”. UK Rock Radio have used hipster astro instrumental “Service With A Smile” to close many of its shows following its release on Fruits De Mer Records’ 2017 “16th Dream of Dr Sardonicus” festival CD. Also on Fruits De Mer Records, they will be contributing a cover of the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band’s “Smell Of Incense” on a double album vinyl release in 2018. TBM Records in Canada requested a track for a forthcoming Adrian Borland/The Sound tribute album they are releasing in 2018 and were provided with a contemporary version of “Counting The Days”. “Their music purrs, full of all melodic guitars, harmonics and double time tambourine!” – Record Collector Magazine Hard to pigeonhole, The Gold Needles wear their eclecticism on their sleeves - fusing power pop with psych and prog. “Pearls.”, their 18 track full-length debut on Kool Kat, is a “catch-all” collection of their (non-cover) recorded output to date, making this the perfect introduction to these up-and-comers! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Eventually Is Now Price: $14.00 Artist: The Junior League Description: BRAND NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL!! Surprise, surprise! Joe Adragna’s (a/k/a The Junior League) latest (and follow up to his 2015 Kool Kat debut “Also Rans”) kinda snuck up on us, but we turned on a dime and made this available for Joe’s upcoming SXSW appearance and for pop fans everywhere! And you won’t be disappointed! “He’s delivered another fine collection of jangly roots-pop. As on his past two albums, Adragna is assisted by Minus 5 frontman and R.E.M. sideman Scott McCaughey, who thankfully is recovering from a stroke suffered last fall. And in case you wondered where Adragna is coming from here, the album opens with the six-string bliss of ‘Teenage Bigstar’ which of course sounds like the two bands referenced in the title and speaks to the power of music over the course of one's life. The languid ‘Say Please and Thank You’ recalls latter-day Marshall Crenshaw and ‘The Wrong Kind of Blue’ is positively gorgeous with its strings-and-piano backing and if Roy Orbison were alive today I'd love to hear him cover it. Meanwhile, McCaughey takes the mic on the piano ballad ‘You Didn't Miss a Thing’, and although the general tone of the album is more subdued than previous Junior League releases, the uptempo ‘I Only Want to Begin Again’ hearkens back to Adragna's classic sound. Another gem from the man from the Big Easy.” – Absolutepowerpop.com We agree! GREAT!!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none