Selection Box Vol. 1/The Appleyard Sessions (2CD) Price: $17.00 Artist: Amoeba Teen Description: Ameoba Teen’s core members Mark Britton (rhythm guitar and keyboard) and Mike Turner (lead guitar) met as teenagers and have been writing together for nearly two decades. They first bonded on a shared appreciation of Cream and other classic British blues acts, but their interests soon moved on to artists that were more melodic but still with prominent and layered guitars, including Neil Young, Jellyfish, Wilco, and Teenage Fanclub. In early 2017 they rewarded fans with “Selection Box Vol. 1” followed in five months by “The Appleyard Sessions” (both download-only releases). They now make their CD debut on this 2CD collection! Although “Selection Box” is ostensibly the “pop” album and “Appleyard” the “folk” album (they even contain songs titled “Pop” and “Folk,” respectively), when paired together, they seem not so much two different genres as two different ways of conveying the writers’ inner lives. “I love power pop, be it from the Mod 60’s, the skinny-tie 70’s, or any of the genre’s various revivals, up to the present day. But if I am honest with myself, I will admit that whereas power pop classics retain a timeless immediacy, many of them have something missing. That something is emotional maturity. Hence, for the listener who loves catchy melodies, ear-candy harmonies, guitars that alternately jangle and fuzz, and simple rhythm, there is a crisis built into power pop: how can an artist take a medium designed to express teenage angst and adapt it to say meaningful things about adult life? Is such a task even possible? I submit that it is, and that the proof is in the Amoeba Teen recordings that comprise this collection. There is no doubt that ‘Selection Box’ wears its emotions on its sleeve. From the supercharged starburst of ‘This Spark’ to the defiantly above-the-weather ‘Good Morning Sunshine,’ to the tenderly encouraging ‘Fade Out,’ the message is clear. Adult life is messy and often disappointing. The frankness of the lyrics finds its complement in the intensity of the album’s musical arrangements. Save for a couple of tunes where the band lightens the mood, such as the lush ‘Memory Lane’ (which manages to capture the mood of ‘Penny Lane’ nicely without falling into soundalike territory), there is a surfeit of nervous energy in its grooves. It’s palpable in the crunchy staccatoed guitar lines of ‘This Spark,’ the slightly neurotic high-hat on ‘Hearts and Minds,’ and the plaintive Al Kooper organ line feeling its way through ‘Fade Out.’ Often, it threatens to bubble over into a kind of ecstasy, and sometimes it does. But even when it doesn’t, it’s always satisfying, because it speaks to the experiences of people who are trying to find beauty in everyday life. That same search for beauty is evident in ‘The Appleyard Sessions’, but there it is expressed far more delicately, with lyrics that read like poems and arrangements that feel like soundscapes. For my money, the standouts are ‘Folk’ and ‘3 a.m., Here I Am,’ which combine to give the impression of a swatch of a soundtrack to a lost film. There’s an entire story just in the reverberations of the opening guitar chord of ‘Folk,’ with its mysterious tuning recalling Jimmy Page in his most Bert Janschian mood. I’m also taken with the subtle ambient effects that pan left-right left and the other elements of ‘musique concrete’ that waft through the mix. Add Mike’s tensile voice as it chimes in with haiku-like verses, and Amoeba Teen succeeds in creating a sound collage that evokes ‘Bookends’-era Simon and Garfunkel. A sense of melancholy pervades those songs and others throughout this disc. With the recordings on this collection, Amoeba Teen successfully stretch the boundaries of power pop to make it express grown-up ideas. At the same time, they display a unique and beautiful flair for the familiar-yet-new melodies that keep the genre forever young. Their sound has real substance, and I’m excited to discover where their muse will take them in the years to come.” - Dawn Eden Goldstein Eloquently stated Dawn….thank you! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Clapham Junction EP Price: $9.00 Artist: Cupid's Carnival Description: They’re baack! “Clapham Junction” is Cupid’s Carnival’s brilliant Fab Four-inspired followup to their brilliant “Everything Is Love” 2016 debut! Brimming with beautiful Beatlesque love songs, the record is a “Summer Of Love” delight containing new and original songs for the “Summer of 2018”. “Beatles fans will thoroughly enjoy the music of Cupid’s Carnival. Pop fans old enough to remember the bands they influenced will marvel at the dexterity with which they glide from one paisley tinged track to another. Most of all, fans of good music will dig their ability to write a great pop hook.” – Rich Rossi/PowerPopNews.com “They fashion songs and performances that evoke the sound and spirit of the Beatles and like-minded fellow travelers such as Badfinger.” – Alan Haber/Pure Pop Radio “I just happened to stumble across this extremely Beatlesque band this morning and I'm hooked, lined and sinkered. If, like me, you're a sucker for this Beatles-ish kind of stuff, you will not be disappointed. Highly recommended!” – Mark Kirk We think by now you should get the idea…. 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

Sugar Price: $11.00 Artist: Lisa Mychols Description: Lisa’s intoxicating amalgamation of girl-group sweetness with powerful melodies and instrumentation makes for a polished sound, where the guitars are out in full force, the lyrics are poignant, and the vocals are nothing less than impressive and charming. “A fantastic new album from Lisa Mychols, featuring Lisa's beautiful vocals and poignant lyrics, together with creative melodies and chord changes and cool powerpop instrumentation and production. Think southern California girl power pop, garage sunshine, indie pop, mod, and psychedelic pop/rock. Lisa is a unique American pop/rock treasure!” – Bill Jacobs “’Sugar’ is perhaps the most appropriately titled album of the year – a joyous, harmony-filled singer’s showcase, imbued with sweet songs sung sweetly. This is the sound of pure pop made for a life under sun-drenched skies spreading light and love over lazy mid-year, carefree days. The record is nothing less than Lisa’s greatest achievement, and that, as has been said before, is really saying something. One part girl-group aesthetic and one other part sunshine pop, Sugar’s songs, built around gorgeous, rich harmonies and Lisa’s most assured vocals ever, should have no trouble lifting spirits as they entertain. It would be impossible to deny the pleasing power of beauteous creations such as ‘Loving You’ and the full-on, sugary sweet uptempo wonder ‘Don’t Wanna Close My Eyes.’ And then there is ‘He’s Got Me Dreaming,’ a girl-group confection running atop a steady rock beat, ‘Domino,’ within which rock steady verses meet pop choruses, and ‘Next to Impossible,’ a sweet, bluesy ballad. It’s a wonder to behold, this album full of wonders. This is your summer album, sung sweetly by one of melodic pop music’s most enduring, endearing talents. Steve Refling produced, played all of the instruments, and co-wrote all of the songs with Lisa. ‘Sugar’ is sweet. Don’t miss it.” – Alan Haber/Pure Pop Radio GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Big Night Out + bonus disc Price: $16.00 Artist: Rob Clarke and The Wooltones Description: What's the biggest, best, “Big Night Out” you ever had? A particularly memorable one for Rob was dropping five tabs of acid on the way to see Blackpool Illuminations. Were you arrested taking a bunch of daffs to the Queen perhaps? Or tied to a lamp post and serenaded with a violin? Ladies and Gentlemen, it is indeed a pleasure to be back in the world of The Wooltones and to add fuel to the bonfire of hype surrounding the band's new album. “They’ve done it again! ‘Better Times’ is a jazzy, Mod, Beatle-esque number that would fit on a relaxing Sunday afternoon or long ride down to Brighton Beach” – AudioAmmunition.com “To say that Rob Clarke And The Wooltones have a gift for making a perfect pop song is to underestimate the clarity and spirit they bring. This is a very special release, and it is one in which the addition of the stunning added bonus is exactly that, a true dividend, a windfall in which to savour.” -Liverpool Sound and Vision “They’ve returned back on track with their sound radically stoned in fuzzy raptures and psychedelic magic dust not to mention adorably possessed hooklines so insidiously infectious you’ll need to resort to a session of trepanning to remove. ‘Brown Paper Bag’ slinkily emerges from the colourfully coolest and hippest party basements of a swinging 60’s scene smoking and smouldering behind its shades, spreading its lazy eyed hipster now sound beat groove upon a drab monochrome outside, daubing it in subtle shadings of lysergically tailored garage pouts’ – TheSundayExperience.com But wait - there's more! In July 1957, John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time at St.Peter’s Garden Fete in Woolton, where John’s Quarrymen were playing that afternoon. Who better to celebrate this once in a lifetime 60th anniversary with than The Wooltones, joined by none other than Colin Hanton of The Quarrymen on drums, playing a skiffle set in the very same venue, as on that fateful day that started everything! THIS EXCLUSIVE BONUS DISC COMES WITH YOUR COPY OF “BIG NIGHT OUT” – BUT YOU CAN ONLY GET IT HERE! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Black Vinyl Shoes Anthology 1973-1978 Price: $27.00 Artist: Shoes Description: First issued in 1977 on the band’s own label but not widely available until it was reissued in 1978, Shoes’ first album proper, “Black Vinyl Shoes”, is an absolute classic of US Power Pop, characterized by gorgeous, Byrds-style chiming guitars, wistful, melancholy melodies and wonderful harmonies. To coincide with the 40th anniversary (ish!) of this landmark record, Cherry Red are proud to present this 3CD deluxe edition of “Black Vinyl Shoes”, reconfigured to present – almost – the complete recordings of the band from their embryonic home demos in 1973 through to tracks laid down on the eve of their deal with Elektra Records in 1979. These include the entire “Black Vinyl Shoes” album, their privately-pressed 1975 album “One In Versailles”, the 1975 recordings which were unissued at the time but belatedly presented as “Bazooka”, two tracks from their mythical 1974 LP “Heads Or Tails”, their one-off single for Bomp! and a handful of previously unissued tracks. Coordinated with the original band members, Black Vinyl Shoes boasts lengthy (8,000-word) sleeve-notes by David Wells, remastered sound quality and a sizeable booklet awash with rare images from the period. Shoes’ sound was perhaps best described by Rolling Stone writer David Fricke as: “an exhilarating fusion of clean-cut British pop classicism and semi-punk roughhousing in the grand Midwest manner of The Raspberries and Blue Ash”. AN ABSOLUTE MUST IN OUR OPINION! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Four Price: $12.00 Artist: Starbelly Description: JUST ARRIVED!! They’re baaack! Armed with lots of jangly guitars, harmonies and hooks are emboldened by the strong songwriting duo of Cliff Hillis and Dennis Schocket. Bryan Ewald has mastered George Harrison’s slide technique and Greg Schroeder hits his drums with furious precision. After years of music making, "Four" finds the band all grown up. Lyrics touch on a father’s passing (“The Boy Who Learned How to Cry”), a suffragette’s fight for equality (“She Will Go On”), life changes (“Lay Low”), and a beleaguered rock star’s obsession with "making it" (“Danny Opus”). All supported by crisp, clean production, “Four” is a testament to both top notch songwriting and performance! “Starbelly exists as a part of nature. They will go forever, draping the world in beautiful harmonies. But only with this recording has their glory been properly captured. Much-needed and long-awaited, this is their finest yet. Feed on this and grow stronger!" - Warren Zanes We certainly have and will continue to moving forward! Welcome back guys! We missed you! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

The Record Collector Price: $17.00 Artist: The Foreign Films Description: WOW!! Previously only available as a lavish triple vinyl set and download, this 2CD set collects a long-gestating epic from the mind of Canadian power-pop architect Bill Majoros (“songs representing the jukebox of my mind” be declares) and his crafty cohorts in the Foreign Films! ‘’Shadow in the Light’ leads the charge with youthful memories and pop savvy. ‘The Sun Will Shine Again’ draws threads to the glorious descent of Mott the Hoople’s ‘All the Young Dudes’ and mid-tempo, harmony-laden ELO ballads like ‘Can’t Get it Out of My Head,’ all anchored by a rhythmic nod to Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You.’ ‘Junior Astronomer’s Club’ adds psychedelic flourishes like sitar drone and spacefaring guitar leads alongside xylophone and elegant strings, adding the Beatles, Jellyfish, and Frank Zappa to the growing recommend-if-you-like roster. The Prince-ly funk-pop of the title track describes a girl who captures her emotions in the songs she spins, leaving her somewhat hindered when trying to connect with the present. The crashing ‘Broken Dreamers’ and ‘State of the Art” echo the Memphis chime of Big Star and southern jangle of R.E.M. The dubiously titled ‘Lucky Streak’ is a theme song awaiting the perfect spy movie. ‘Teardrop Town’ is a slinky film-noir vignette casting familiar streets as an alluring but deadly siren, sung as a duet between Majoros and Kori Pop. The package includes the short story ‘Emily Blue and the Star on the Moon,’ revealing the thoughts of the character at the heart of the songs. Although isolated, Emily’s inner life and sense of wonder at everyday beauty sustain her, chronicled by her hopeful ‘A Letter (To Our Future Selves).’ ‘Northern Love Song’ recalls the Beatles’ ‘Getting Better,’ fusing George Martin’s heart-swelling string arrangements with Phil Spector’s wall of sound and a nimble Brian May-styled guitar solo. Next up is Emily as a young woman in ‘Fall of the Summer Heart’. Chapters including ‘You Were My Summer Sun’ and ‘The Loneliest Night’ tap Majoros’ affinity for the Beach Boys, Burt Bacharach, Moody Blues and Zombies as they recall the bitter and the sweet of summer romance. Carl Jennings’ bass during ‘Emily’s Dream Sequence’ nods to Marvin Gaye’s ‘Inner City Blues.’ The thrills culminate in the side-long “Fall of the Summer Heart,” a pop symphony in eight movements. Like the delicate “Girl by the River,” the song-cycle mourns a loss while celebrating its memory. In sum, this ambitious work offers a charming and evocative trip for hours of escape to the golden age of pop radio and bedroom turntables.” – Illinois Entertainer “As an early adopter of Bill Majoros and his magnificent Foreign Films adventures, they continue with the masterpiece that is ‘The Record Collector’. A long time in the making, previewed over that period by the excellent ‘Record Collector’ side releases and Majoros's superb additions to Steve Eggers's releases with The Nines. The culmination is this album in all its intended glory. It's pop, but not as we necessarily know it, a journey into all things of that ilk. This has certainly been worth the wait. The album veers off into all directions, but keeps everything melodic, inventive and so damn catchy. Just listening to Side 1 alone, pop rock, prog and orchestral rock are taken in and the journey just gets better and better. ‘Shadow In The Light’ could be Marc Bolan, ‘Junior Astronomer's Club’ could be Orgone Box and the beauty of the weeping ‘She Reveals Her Heart’ cannot be over emphasised. Kori Pop's vocals add a great deal to Side 2. Her joint vocals on ‘Teardrop Town’, which you can imagine Nick Cave writing and her lead vocal on ‘Land Of A 1,000 Goodbyes’ which is all Lisa Mychols and benefits from Pop's piano playing. ‘Broken Dreams’ is great 80's power pop, ‘State of The Art’ is so Jon Auer Posies. Lucky is all jangly psych pop. Side 3 is particularly Beatlesesque, notably Lennon - the exception being the haunting, ‘A Foolish Symphony’ on which Kori Pop takes lead vocal duties on a wonderful arrangement. Side 4 is much slower and more moody, reminding me of great singer songwriters such as John Howard and Colin Blunstone. On Side 5, the arrangements are varied, but very 60's Bacharach, ‘Emily's Dream’ is a cracking slab of psych featuring dialogue from Steve and Chantel Eggers. ‘Summer Fades’ is a fine closer. Side 6 closes this extraordinary affair with the almost 13 minutes of the psych wonderment that is ‘Fall Of The Summer Heart’. Overall there is a lot of music here. It feels very much like one of those great singer songwriter albums of the 70's when budget wasn't a problem. However, the variance never lets the album become boring. I must also mention the superb arrangements of Wim Oudijk.” – IDontHearASingle.com (review of the triple vinyl format). A “jukebox of the mind” indeed Bill! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Past and Present Price: $10.00 Artist: The Spindles Description: Inspired by Chicago power poppers and British Invasion bands, The Spindles have released a fine debut that oozes with hints of The Hollies, The Raspberries and a few actual Elvis Brothers. There’s a cover of Graham Gouldman’s “Look Through Any Window” (a hit for The Hollies) and two songs by the aforementioned brothers Elvis. Brad, Graham and Rob Elvis make appearances here as well. One is “Young Heart”, a Brad Elvis-penned original that the Elvis Brothers never officially released. Bill Corston, the bassist for Jay and the Americans, also plays on many of the tracks. “If you are a fan of the music of the 60's and 70's, you will love this album. With the very first song it establishes a high bar that it lives up to first track to last. Every song is a great slice of Liverpool meets L.A. pop. There is no filler here. Most albums have hills and valleys and often throw on filler at the end. The Spindles keep their foot firmly on the gas pedal throughout. The last three songs are the best rockers, especially the original, ‘Annette’ and their cover of the Elvis Brothers’ ‘Santa Fe’!” – Tim Schubert “From the outset, the harmonies are really, really strong. All of the songs are well written and very catchy. Nothing exemplifies this more than opener ‘Prisoner of War’. With the requisite jangle and hooky chorus to make it an 80’s hit, this one is as radio friendly as it gets. ‘Peace with the Past’ and ‘Mrs. Miller’ follow as similarly melodic, very catchy tracks. The songs are a bit more up tempo and even more pleasing from there on out. ‘Annette’ and ‘If I Fall in Love’ would have made good follow up singles to ‘Prisoner of War’ under the old business model. Concluding with their cover of ‘Sante Fe’, we’re definitely left wanting for more. If you’re a fan of The Hollies, Elvis Brothers, Raspberries or The Records (particularly ‘Crashes’), this is a record for you.” – PowerPopNews.com And for all you 7” vinyl collectors out there, each CD comes with a “Spindle” 45 adaptor attached to the front shrinkwrap as an added bonus! Nice touch! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

You Never Know Price: $13.00 Artist: Three Hour Tour Description: The latest and greatest from Darren Cooper, with some help from friends like Adam Schmitt and John Richardson serves as another primer for up-and-coming poppers that shows “how it’s done”! “They appeal to fans of The Grip Weeds, Myracle Brah, or The Well Wishers. Their music is always consistently high quality power pop, and nearly every track is a compelling listen.” – Powerpopaholic.com “Cooper’s way with a melody has always been unerring….” – John Borack/Goldmine Magazine “These guys are among the best power pop bands ever to grace the genre, with a sincere devotion to 60’s Mersey and British Invasion, and great - I mean great- vocals and harmonies. You can her influences by The Who, Green Day, The Smithereens, Cotton Mather, Tommy Keene, Guided By Voices and more on this record. It's a powerful rock album with a power-pop pedigree, with guitars that both jangle and roar. Vocals, harmonies, guitars, songs and rhythm section are among the best since, well, ever. If you love great guitar records, get all of their releases ASAP!” – John D. Pride “Every one of Three Hour Tour’s albums are flat out perfect power pop! Cream of the crop, thankfully Cooper never leaves his formula, yet always sounds new and enthused. Theirs is not your everyday enjoy and forget pop, theirs is lasting material and like the Beatles for example, never gets old!” – Matt Worman “They heavily emphasize and pretty much stick to the three-minute jangle rock format, emulating the familiar punch of '60s and '70s bands like Badfinger​, The Beatles​, and The Raspberries​, as well as more recent bands like The Posies​.” – AllMusic.com Ain’t nothing wrong with that kids! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none