No Matter What: Revisiting The Hits Price: $15.00 Artist: Badfinger Description: An eclectic line-up of special guest superstars join Joey Molland's Badfinger to create a full-length album of unique twists on the band's all-time favorite hits! Includes performances by Matthew Sweet, Todd Rundgren, Rick Wakeman, The Legendary Pink Dots, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, Rick Springfield, Terry Reid, Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge), Sonny Landreth, Albert Lee and Carl Giammarese (The Buckingham)! Revamped versions of the Paul McCartney-penned "Come And Get It", "Baby Blue," "No Matter What," "Day After Day”, "Without You", “Love Is Gonna Come At Last”, “Midnight Caller”, “Sweet Tuesday Morning”, Baby Blue”, “I Don’t Mind” and “Suitcase” are all here. “Suffice it to say that any revisit to songs that are so entrenched in the collective consciousness they’re all but indelible is a tough challenge to take on right at the outset. It’s a no-win situation in most cases. Either you fail to reach the high bar established initially, or, at best, you’re absolutely unable to supplement the original, even when an admirable effort might seem to bring it close. Of course, enlisting a number of marquee names does help, at least in terms of creating added interest, which is why this record at least attracts interest. The part Rick Springfield’s plays on ‘Love Is Gonna Come at Last,’ the role Carl Giammarese of the Buckinghams assumes on ‘I Don’t Mind,’ Matthew Sweet’s singing on ‘Baby Blue,’ and, most notably, Todd Rundgren’s suitably stirring lead on ‘Without You’ do manage to stir some memories and ensure a welcome response. Even the staunchest skeptics will likely agree.” – AmericanSongwriter.com EXCELLENT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Waiting For A Following Wind Price: $17.00 Artist: Billy Bremner's Rockfiles Description: The followup to “Billy Bremner For President” has just arrived, and like its predecessor, it is another glowing tribute to Billy’s days playing alongside Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds in Rockpile. So, what songs have Billy and his mates tackled this time out? Glad you asked! Here they are – songs either written by Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds, songs that Rockplie featured in their live shows, or songs that Billy played on as a session guitarist - “Almost Saturday Night” (John Fogerty cover), “There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis” (Kirsty MacColl cover), “Teacher Teacher”, “Without Love”, “Little Sister” (Elvis Presley cover), “When I Write The Book”, the title track, “Back To Schooldays” (Graham Parker cover), “Rockin’ Little Angel” (Jimmie Rogers cover), “Cruel To Be Kind”, “Here Comes The Weekend”, “Dear Dad” (Chuck Berry cover), and “I Respect You For That”! And to top things off, and make this release even more special, Billy and the band have autographed the front cover of the CD! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Burning Backwards Price: $14.00 Artist: Brian Bringelson Description: RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT MUSIK LABEL!! Brian’s brilliant 2020 release “Desperate Days” has garnered rave reviews, such as – “Smart pop with big harmonies and bigger choruses”, and certainly caught our attention. In the past we’ve sold Brian’s releases as Paul Starling, but had no idea it was him that was the one producing such fine, melodic music. Brian recorded most of the tracks for “Burning Backwards” in 2019 while his band Anchor & Bear was recording their second album “Raincoats and Gold”. Having the good fortune to record tracks with the band and then head home and work on solo material was truly a luxury for him. At the time he didn’t really have the idea of releasing a solo album and mainly had his sights set on the new Anchor & Bear release. But after that was said and done he found himself with a batch of solo songs that seemed like they might make up a cool little album – which they most certainly do. Brian explains “Here’s the part where Paul Starling (my former musical project name) gets laid to rest. Instead of putting out another Paul Starling album I decided to just release it under my own name. If you can believe it, up to that point, I’d never released anything under my real name. I figured now was the time. In addition I didn’t send the album to any labels or management folks because I didn’t really feel like making that big a deal out of it. So I released it digitally and without much attention. Sent it to a few friends, family, and fans I knew would enjoy it and then called it a day.” Flash forward a year and half and Kool Kat, determined that more than a few friends, family and fans should be the only ones to hear it, gives “Burning Backwards” the proper release it deserves - on CD! If you liked “Desperate Days”, you’re gonna like “Burning Backwards“ just as much! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Detours and Dead Ends Vol. 1 Price: $14.00 Artist: Caddy Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT MUSIK LABEL AVAILABLE MAY 21 – ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW Caddy is the brainchild of Norway’s Tomas Dahl. His latest offering (and third release on the Kool Kat label), “Detours and Dead Ends Vol. 1”, is a collection of late 70’s, early 80’s power pop and new wave covers. Tomas explains how he made it a sport finding the best, yet most obscure tracks - “I’ve spent many many MANY hours digging and searching. I loved it. It became a big part of the project. How can I find even more underground and unknown songs?” He truly uncovered some great gems, and then covered them to perfection – injecting a fresh, new perspective that results in him truly owning the songs! And, as a bonus, he gives you an excuse to dive into a Youtube rabbit hole looking for the originals. Track listing: “Walking On The Roof” (Sgt. Arms, 1982), “Heart of Stone” (SVT, 1981), “If I Call Your Name” (Junior Campbell, 1971), “Best Thing I Ever Did” (The Invaders, 1979), “Cost of Love” (The Cretones, 1980), “Violent Days” (Screaming Sneakers, 1982), “Not The Way It Seems” (Gary Charlson,1978), “Don't Wait Till Tomorrow” (Robin Lane & The Chartbusters, 1980), “Mark My Words” (Chrissy, 1980) and “No Money” (The Freshies,1980) “I am a Caddy fanatic. Tomas Dahl has a knack of making music that turns every mood to chirpy. I know when people hear the words covers album, they run for the hills, I know I do. It fills me with dread the way this lockdown has brought out the words ‘acoustic set.’ But wait! It really depends on the songs and thankfully there are no Beatles related covers here. I love The Beatles, but you know, other bands are available. The fact is that many of the songs here will not be familiar to most away from the die-hard pop rock fans, who are probably listening to Badfinger or Raspberries on rotation. Bar a magnificent cover of Junior Campbell's ‘If I Call Your Name’, all choices are from the end of the 70's/start of the 80's golden New Wave guitar pop period. All 10 songs have been given maximum Power Pop and it works. I'm not sure that ‘Detours and Dead Ends’ should even be classified as a cover album, it has been Caddied (sic) up so much to make it their own. This is a superb feel good album, a pleasure to listen to and one to explore. You'll learn something about artists you didn't know of and be reminded that Tom Dahl is a major talent.” – IDontHearASingle.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Game Dirt Price: $12.00 Artist: Chris Church Description: Pop vet Chris Church’s recent releases like “Limitations of Source Tape” and 2020's exploration of “Heavy Melody” (“Backwards Compatible”) have topped many “Best Of” lists. Between his vast back catalog, and those, it's easy to hear why his music reaches beyond the boundaries of the power pop form. Undoubtedly, he possesses the requisite command of melody and a powerful, instantly-recognizable vocal presence, but his compositions have an unforced depth and visceral openness that can't be learned. His tunes have what Neil Young – one of an eclectic clutch of keystone influences – would call “the spook”. Chris's new album (and Big Stir label debut) “Game Dirt” is once again something different and new, even by the standards of his exploratory career, reflecting a looser, more straight ahead rock and roll element, adding a pinch of alt-country and 90’s indie styles in with his pop rock sensibilities. As the record unfolds, it’s perfectly clear that, musically, the only rule is that there are no rules. It's thus that the twangy “No Depression” vibes of “Lost” and “Smile” rub shoulders with the epic “Trying”, awash with shifting time changes and bittersweet major-7th chords. There are the crunching riffs and searing solos of “Hang”, and there's “Know” (as in “know your enemy”), which sound like the Brian Jones and Mick Taylor iterations of the Stones playing at the same time. There's the '90s alt-rock march of “Down”, the near-new-wave stutter of “Praise”, and a pair of sparkling Big Star-worthy ballads in “Removed” and the closing “Sunrise”, each draped with hooks and indelible choruses that easily stand with those of their influences. In less subtle hands, the album might play as a virtuoso rock and roll history lesson. But it’s digging at something deeper than that, as the edges are left rough and he’s found favoring truth over polish. Those who know Chris's music have come to expect an attention to pop songwriting craft, but here he reinvents himself to create a record celebrating reinvention. The fact that he plays all the instruments with a hint of abandon and produced/mixed it himself with a distinctly non-modern sonic approach proves again how his disregard for expectations remains intact. So too does his gift for following a song wherever it may lead, and giving it the passionate delivery it deserves. So, perhaps more than ever, does “the spook”. GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

5: A Tribute To The Bee Gees Vol. 2 Price: $14.00 Artist: Coke Belda Description: NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT MUSIK LABEL – APRIL 9 – ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW!! We started discussing the release of “5” on CD last Fall as Coke was preparing to release it digitally. It took a bit of “Coke-sing”, but here it is, now on CD, the followup to his critically acclaimed first Bee Gees tribute effort – “3G’s”- that once again serves as a reminder of how great the brothers Gibb were as songwriters! “Coke Belda’s second dive into the deep, diverse catalog of the Brothers Gibb is a dynamic delight, with Belda-esque versions of tunes both well- and lesser-known. From the beat-driven jangle of ‘Coalman’ to the harmony-stacked beauty of an acoustic ‘Too Much Heaven’ and the tremendous power ballad interpretation of ‘Islands in the Stream,’ originally sung by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton and presented here as a duet between Coke and vocalist Sara Depp, ‘A Tribute to the Bee Gees Vol. 2’ is no mere exercise in nostalgia. Rather, it is a shining reminder of the power of music, no matter when it is created, to affect hearts and minds in the here and now. Coke’s arranging skills, combined with his sincere, interpretive vocals, assure a lovely listening experience for all.” - Alan Haber/Pure Pop Radio YEP!! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Heavy Male Insecurity Price: $12.00 Artist: Death By Unga Bunga Description: These five rockers from Norway, known for exceptional crowd control, impeccable guitar skills, immaculate pizza-eating and flawless music have readied another assault on your eardrums. As Punknews put it: "Theirs is hard rock and garage rock smashing into each other and creating surprisingly sunny sounding riffage." Having dominated the rock scene for a decade with machismo, swagger and loud guitars, one would think that Death by Unga Bunga were accomplished tough guys and Casanovas, but underneath the extremely tough and badass exterior there is a group of five insecure boys. And what they want to communicate to you is: "There's a place for every misfit in this stupid world even though it might not always seem that way. You're more than welcome to hang with us! "Death By Unga Bunga played garage rock when all the other anemic kids were playing so-called indie, and they transitioned to arena rock when garage and psych became all the rage. In other words, these guys know everything about being outsiders – or trendsetters as we like to call it. Thundering down their own unique path outside of the mainstream, the band is constantly perfecting their craft of writing irresistible anthems about partying, not fitting in and male insecurity. When do you have to grow up? For how long can you push it before you become that cringey character who doesn’t want to face reality, and embarrasses friends and family? When is enough enough? Don’t ask the Bunga boys, because they refuse to acknowledge these issues. “The perfect mix of punk/garage rock, so far, and already a strong contender for my number 1 album of 2021!” – Thomas/Bandcamp.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

A House Divided (Live @ The Borderline 10/29/99) Price: $16.00 Artist: Diesel Park West Description: THIS IS AN OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED CDR ISSUE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM KOOL KAT! WOW!! Diesel Park West was originally formed in 1980 as The Filberts (after local football team, Leicester City's former Filbert Street ground), although they would also occasionally appear as The Psychedelic Filberts. Their main influences come from the West Coast sound of 1960s bands such as Moby Grape, The Byrds (check out their brilliant “Diesels Play Byrds” CD!), Buffalo Springfield and Love. The main creative force in the band is lead vocalist John Butler (who also fronted Widowmaker on their “Too Late To Cry” LP), who writes nearly all the band's material. “A House Divided” is a blistering live performance recorded at London’s Borderline in October of 1999! Track listing: “Travel The Earth”, “Chateaux Burning”, “The Singing Life”, “Like Princes Do”, “All The Myths Of Sunday”, “Someday”, “Out Of Nowhere”, “Here I Stand”, “My Little Red Book” (Love, Manfred Mann et al) “A House Divided”, “When The Hoodoo Comes”, and Buffalo Springfield’s “Mr Soul”! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Televangelist Price: $14.00 Artist: Dolour Description: “Televangelist” is the sixth Dolour record. The return of Dolour started last year when the pandemic forced the music industry to hit the pause button. Shane Tutmarc, like so many of us, found himself with a lot of time on his hands, and the ghost of his former band came knocking. He released Dolour’s “The Royal We” in June of 2020. The response was so positive, that he immediately got back to work in his home studio resulting in “Televangelist”. He explains “I had left a pile of songs that had been haunting me for years. Those are some of my favorite Dolour songs, but no one ever heard them. I finally had a spare moment where I was like, ‘You know what? I’m just gonna do these for myself and see if anyone cares.’ I feel like my whole life I’ve had this Lennon/McCartney fight in my head, and I would always side with John. This is the first record I let Paul win. I feel like [it has] the spirit of Paul and ‘Ram’, and the early solo records of his. Even ending the album with a light lullaby ditty felt very Paul. You’ll hear me getting old and realizing maybe McCartney might’ve been right all along.” “‘Televangelist’ continues Tutmarc’s resurrection of that lush, sunny Dolour sound that won so many fans over the years. On ‘It Would Be a Delight,’ a bright chamber-pop daydream about running away with the one you love, he layers his vocals to create rich harmonies that recall The Beach Boys and The Byrds. Over a bed of chimes that hit like raindrops, he throws Seattle a little love on ‘Summer Rain’ as he sings: ‘When the sun refuses to shine/And everybody hides themselves away/When I am alone at night/The summer rain takes me to Seattle/ And I don’t even have to travel.’ In many ways, the record picks up right where Dolour left off, delivering unabashed pop. It also simultaneously showcases a wiser side of Tutmarc. That journey is best represented in the song ‘I’m Not Mad Anymore,’ in which he explains he’s addressing some of the jealousy that maybe got the best of him in the past. It’s pure pop released in turbulent times - just like way back when. Dolour has lured Tutmarc back to the lighter side yet again.” – NashvilleScene.com GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

The Best Of Dropkick Price: $19.00 Artist: Dropkick Description: Having released around 16 official albums, Dropkick, the premier sunshine power pop band from Scotland’s east coast were somewhat spoiled for choice when it came to compiling a best of album. So spoiled for choice in fact that they’ve only gone and spoiled their fans with this brilliant 27 song set! “Over the years there have been several line ups of the band (although it’s intriguing to note that essentially there have only been eight members including some who left and then rejoined) and it’s tribute to Andrew Taylor, the primary songwriter, that there’s a signature Dropkick sound portrayed throughout. Sure, enough, their roots are in bands such as The Byrds and Big Star, but Taylor et al can stand on their own two feet and this dig through their past more than proves that point. How they cherry picked the selection is not known to us but their first three albums are conspicuous in their absence, the earliest selection here being ‘Dog And Cat’ from 2006’s ‘Obvious’. To be honest, we haven’t heard those first three albums, but ‘Dog And Cat’ portrays the band setting out their stall, firmly in thrall to jangled pop with a mandolin providing much of the jangle. There’s a refreshing sense of innocents setting out into the fray here but, one year later, on Give It Back, the band have fleshed out and flex their muscles somewhat, the song a harbinger of much to come especially with its sinewy guitar solo. Whether it’s the appearance of a mighty organ groove amidst the clangourous guitars of ‘Hold On’, the pedal steel inflected ‘Come Home’ or the Beatles' like guitar harmonics and swelling organ notes of ‘I Wish I Knew’, with a fine McGuinn type guitar solo at its centre, Dropkick maintain a kite mark of quality throughout. ‘I’m Over You, Goodbye’ brings us bang up to date, plucked as it is from the 2020’s ‘The Scenic Route’, and it finds Dropkick in rude health. The songs are not presented in chronological order allowing for a fine sense of variety throughout. It’s a cracking collection. So if you are new to the band then prepare to be impressed, for those in the know, this is a handy pocket book edition of some of the best songs to have come out of Scotland.” – Paul Kerr/Blabber ‘n’ Smoke GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none