Dinner At Mr. Billy's Price: $19.00 Artist: Blue Ash Manufacturer: Peppermint Records Description: "Dinner At Mr. Billy's" is the first in a series of Blue Ash rarity LPs and a terrific addition to the Blue Ash legacy. “Most people treat the Blue Ash story like a collection of ‘almosts’ and they are sure missing the point. Almost famous, almost signed, almost the American Beatles. Forget that, erase that fable from your feeble grey matter. ‘Dinner at Mr. Billy’s’ - straight from the Peppermint Productions vaults - proves they weren't just ‘lost’ contenders. They were the engine room of the Rust Belt. While the rest of the world was sleeping off last night hangover, these guys were living in a van, playing 250 nights a year across Ohio and the "Burgh." They snuck past the sleeping, drooling guard, but the rest of the world was just too stoned or wait that might have been the band. This isn't a pile of leftover dog scraps. It’s a map of a band that didn't know how to stop. Help the world is spinning and I can't get off! The core four - Jim Kendzor, Frank Secich, David Evans, and the late Bill "Cupid" Bartolin - were a songwriting factory. Losing Cupid in 2009 was heartbreaking, but hearing his lead work here is like a shot of caffeine. He and Secich had a chemistry that was pure premium gas (which ranged from 30 to 35 cents back then - gulp!). The real meat is the Youngstown demos from '71 to '74. They had a deal at Peppermint for two days of studio time every month, and they didn't waste a second. Most of this was tracked live in one take - raw, caffeinated, and probably fueled by things stronger than coffee.. Tracks like ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘She’s A Pleaser’ sound better here than on the polished '73 debut! If you think power-pop starts and ends with Big Star, you’re missing the point. This isn't a cheap dinner at Cracker Barrel, it’s a buffet. Undo your belt and let it all hang out!- ScenePointBlank “These songs take me back to early 70's when ‘No More No Less’ came out. I burned thru many vinyl copies. That was a great album and these songs follow right in their footpath. Blue Ash were as good as any power pop band then and this unreleased stuff from back then proves it.” - MoonNeptune GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Out Loud Price: $15.00 Artist: Gary Klebe Manufacturer: Black Vinyl Records Description: The band Shoes, known for their power pop sound and tight-knit ways of writing, recording, and releasing, continues to release new albums, but this time, following an album, Gary Klebe found himself writing an unusual amount of music. He didn’t think anything of it at first, thinking those songs would eventually make it onto a Shoes album, especially given that they write towards albums and usually don’t have many songs to spare. But as the songs started to line up, the terror slowly dawned on him: he might have an album taking shape, and that might mean facing the silence and self-doubt of making a solo record. Now, his debut solo album, “Out Loud”, is here - and what a brilliant piece of work it is! Working as his own engineer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, Klebe recorded “Out Loud” on nights and weekends, and when he was ready, he headed off to Nashville to record the drums with longtime friend John Richardson (Tommy Keene/Small Square). The result is a varied soundscape with interesting and sometimes surprising lyrics, but one that encourages you to really sink into the songs’ moods. They seem to convey a lot emotionally, both on the surface and beneath. “An album which could have been Shoes‘ brand new album after a long silence - their last album was released in 2012 - but it would seem that Gary Klebe decided to go solo with songs that might have fitted the band to a T, or rather to a shoe! An impressive record from a man well into his sixth decade of making music.” - PopPhil GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Borrowed Time Price: $14.00 Artist: Mod Lang Manufacturer: Just Add Water Records Description: Following America's recent resurgence of 1970’s jangly guitar combined with power pop, as exemplified by acts such as 2nd Grade, The Lemon Twigs, Cut Worms, and The Sunshine Dreamers, Detroit-based quartet Mod Lang has emerged with a debut album, suggesting that, in the realm of power pop modernity, less is always going to be more. “Spliced with an endearing naturality from a live reel-to-reel production, each track exudes a simplicity that draws listeners into the infectious earworm territory characteristic of 70’s power pop as they effortlessly navigate through many of the era's finest power-pop touchpoints. With their lively, jangly riffs creating a sense of incessancy through harmonies and melodies that would compel anyone with a pulse to move some part of their body, the impressive opening double salvo of ‘What I Can't Have’ and ‘In Advance’ pays obvious homage to the Big Star aesthetic. The subtle guitar crunch in ‘TV Star’ and "Big House’, reminiscent of the Raspberries, further enhances this core essence. It adds a bite and balance to an album that could have otherwise veered into the more subdued, soft rock beauty of The Lemon Twigs' 70’s pop in ‘Those Words’, ‘Fool in Love’, and ‘Try Your Love’, lacking any counterpoint. It is likely that the record will be the first album of the year to be regularly featured in year-end ‘best of’ lists on the most prominent microblogs.” - JanglePopHub “For as much as Mod Lang remind me of Big Star, and to a lesser extent The Flaming Groovies, they are very much their own thing. When TV Star dropped in January it was a track I couldn’t stop listening to. An infectious pop song that bursts out the gate and doesn’t give you a chance to catch up. Their debut LP offers a broader look at the band. Clearly committed to pop - there are a range of tones here all with a specific and decidedly ragged sound to them.” - Patreon GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Eccentric Price: $14.00 Artist: Quinn Hawkins Manufacturer: Kool Kat Musik Description: RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! “The already highly praised debut from California’s Quinn Hawkins makes its highly demanded CD debut on Kool Kat! Well into our 10th year, this record is like going back to the beginning, the sort of thing that I Don't Hear A Single was built on. It is astonishingly great, intelligent indie, but much more than that. Pop rock of the highest order. What an essential listen this is. San Francisco's Quinn Hawkins has hit our sweet spot. At times, it is Brit Pop, but most of all, in many others it is Andy Partridge-esque in both the second half of XTCs career and even Dukes period. It is wonderfully put together with unexpected arrangements. It stays wonderfully melodic, equally adept at both piano Pop and Psych Pop. There isn't a duff song here. Even a more straight ahead song such as ‘Different Level Of Hell’ should just be piano pop, but the instrumentation takes it into greater depth, particularly with the guitar work. ‘Nothing Seems To Kill Me Now’ starts as a sort of geeky ballad, but turns into a wonderfully gentle Psych Pop arrangement. ‘Cleaning Out My Mind’ is Brit Pop, but with another splendid arrangement. Indeed, a lot of songs become something else as they progress. This adds stellar closing harmonies. But is the XTC comparisons that resonate the most, and this is as near as you are gonna get. ‘I Can't Wait To Go Bed Every Night’ is a cracker, matched by both ‘(Back Off) I'm On Vacation’ and ‘Souvenir In The Dirt’. These are masterful slices of guitar pop. This is one of those albums that you just can't believe has come into your possession. Album Of The Year potential? You betcha and we are only mid-March!” - IDontHearASingle GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

The Over Under Price: $13.00 Artist: Rob Bonfiglio Manufacturer: Damask Records Description: It’s been 8 years since Rob Bonfiglio's last solo album, 2018’s “Trouble Again”. “A focused, melodic album shaped by decades of experience, both on stage and behind the scenes. The songwriting feels confident, the performances tight, and the production is crisp without sounding sterile. While not a straight power pop record, it tends to lean into more modern rock influences from the late 80’s, with the bright ‘Runnin’ From Me’ leading the way. The standout track is ‘Monsters’that hits hard, with sharp hooks and a punchy arrangement. It is the kind of song that sticks after one listen. Rob handles most of the instrumentation himself, approaching second half of the album with synth textures and a looser groove. While the title track has a lot of neat little passages, it still needs a better hook to keep you coming back. Overall a very good album, and if you followed his earlier work or missed him over the past decade, ‘The Over Under’ delivers. Highly Recommended.” - Powerpopaholic “2018's ‘Trouble Again’ featured heavily in our Best 100 Albums Of that year. He has a storied career behind him and that experience really comes to the fore here. He was a key part of one of my all time favourite power pop bands of all time. He’s also the guitarist and musical director for Wilson Phillips as well as an in demand session guitarist. Many label him as Not Lame-esque power pop which has never really been the case. ‘The Over Under’ feels more pop rock with departures into other areas, although ‘Runnin' From Me’ certainly fits that description. The title track is more 80’s, particularly with the US New Wave synth, but it is also a little funky. Yet ‘Fade Away’ is very Americana with some great pedal steel from Xandy Chelmis. ‘Wandering Eyes’ is very very Matthew Sweet-like. The album reminds me a lot of Andrew Gold without the piano a fair bit, which is a complement. There is also an absolute gem within. ‘Monsters’ is absolutely stellar, a little Butch Walker when he was relevant. All in all a wonderful melodic listen.” - IDontHearASingle Welcome back Rob! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Softjaw Price: $12.00 Artist: Softjaw Manufacturer: Dandy Boy Records Description: Softjaw burst onto the international power pop scene in 2024 with a couple of digital singles that laid the groundwork for an impressive self-titled EP. Songwriters, Tanner Duffy and Dustin Lovelis, connected over bands like Big Star and The Nerves. They even stepped in as The Beat (and The Nerves!) for a handful of California shows backing one of their major influences, Paul Collins. Throw in other major influences like The Raspberries, Cheap Trick, Teenage Fanclub and The Exploding Hearts and you have the perfect recipe for Softjaw’s impossibly hooky sound. Their Cheap Trick guitars and Teenage Fanclub harmonies with a dash of The Exploding Hearts’ energy to create a sound that’s timeless. To prove their hearts minds and musical taste is ace, included are covers of “Playing Bogart” - a song first written/performed by UK band 23 Jewels and later by Any Trouble along with Paul Collins’ “Working Too Hard”. “They’ve drawn comparisons to acts like Exploding Hearts, but as I’m listening through, you can almost hear an adoration for classic rock in the way they’re letting those riffs climb. That being said, if the vocal harmonizing wasn’t executed perfectly then the tune might fall apart, but that’s not the case, so you’ll just want to crank it up and rock a little attitude with your pop listening today!” - Austin Town Hall “This is power pop with dirty finger nails, tattered denim and the swagger of a delinquent Romeo Casanova. Timeless songs delivered in a way that makes you wonder what year it's from. This is the sound I love.” - Bobby/Dandy Boy Records GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Lost To This World Price: $14.00 Artist: The Fast Camels Manufacturer: Kool Kat Musik Description: RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! Off the back of a very successful tour of the West Coast of America, Glasgow’s The Fast Camels were invited to support one of their biggest influences from the 60’s music scene (Johnny Echols - Love) both in the USA and UK. These live shows has served to promote their 60’s-inspired psychedelic pop to their ever-growing following. Couple that and a very productive time in the recording studio, the band have produced their 5th studio album, “Lost To This World”, a slight departure from their earlier freakbeat/psychedelic influences although these genres are still prevalent. The new direction takes on a more energetic yet dark account of emotions, dealing with loss, love and everything in between. Drew Sturgeon (vocals,guitar) and Mark O'Connor (vocals/lead guitar) formed the band fuelled by a mutual love of 60s freakbeat music and began a songwriting partnership! The duo thrive lyrically on a base of observation and humor, hence a successful 5 studio album's worth of material. “One of the most fascinating bands to come out of Scotland in many years return to the forefront of the attention of the listener and seize the moment with a tight grip on the feelings of attraction, a fierce wave of the kind of lyrical abundance that would give the lords of urban poetic songs a thrill down their spine and the defenders of free verse radicalism espoused by the likes of Ginsberg and Kerouac a definitive fission of excitement that would make all smile and accept the visions and dreams of the Glasgow musical empire. Across tracks such as ‘Kenzi Towers’, ‘Cry Yourself To Sleep’, ‘It’s A Long Way Down’, ‘Gracefully’, the brutally cool ‘All Aboard The Lincoln Ship’ and the title track, the band fulfill their creative image and the sharp observational pull with one generous, impressive recording. Cynicism may be the new lord of the professional bystander; however they live in a drama filled vacuum that sings silence to the world, it is to the heart and soul of The Fast Camels that they rightly shun these bystanders and report, give true accounts without hesitation that being lost is a state of emotion…the only way to be found is to offer beauty and realism in the face of chaos and fear. A terrific album from one of the best bands around.” - Liverpool Sound & Vision GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

My Beautiful Distance Price: $14.00 Artist: The Numbers Manufacturer: Kool Kat Musik Description: RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! Brothers-in-pop Terry and Larry Tutor are back with the much-anticipated followup (and Kool Kat label debut) to their highly praised 2025 “comeback” of sorts release “Mad Day Out”! And, like “Mad Day Out”, “My Beautiful Distance” again displays their blend of Merseybeat and Laurel Canyon, drawing heavy stylistic nods to The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and The Byrds. Turning The Tide had this to say about “Mad Day Out” “Immediately appealing from the first play and their years of playing combined with life experiences lends a blanketing sage-like quality. Their current sound can best be described as upbeat sparkling 60’s-influenced guitar-driven pop with bittersweet inflections. As might be expected, they are totally conversant with the masters: the Beatles, Beach Boys and the Byrds. In addition, they have retained their Texas twang and those Everlys-esque brotherly harmonies. It’s competently played pop with absolutely no pretensions, which is as refreshing as it is reassuring. Larry and Terry’s heartland roots pop songwriting, frequently upending clichés, is somewhat evocative of Jules Shear. The proficiency of the musicianship leans towards pure pop acts like Bill Lloyd, Walter Clevenger & the Dairy Kings and the Spongetones. It’s a sound you don’t hear too much these days, but it certainly has its place in both the congested and contested power pop scene and the nebulous realms of pop rock.” And those words also ring true on “My Beautiful Distance”. “Fans of roots pop, with a strong emphasis on hooky pop will welcome ‘My Beautiful Distance’ with open arms. It’s been said many times, and it’s true - it’s tough to beat sibling harmonies - and the Tutor brothers are proof of that. Throw in a healthy dose of jangly 6 & 12 string guitars and the boys have delivered another winner!” - Chadwick Bancroft GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

No Better Time Price: $15.00 Artist: The Rallies Manufacturer: self-released Description: The Rallies have a knack for writing deliciously infectious power pop tunes, seamlessly not missing a beat and delivering irresistible melodies with hooks that stick like glue. Their music might have a reminiscent retro sound that you swear you've heard before, but the final result is something quite new and original. Four albums and forty-two songs later, The Rallies will be celebrating fifteen years of existence. Their signature sound remains intact, with songs immersed with heartfelt love for melody and uplifting intoxicating harmonies, apparent in every song. Their previous album “It Must Be Love” received exceptionally positive reviews, even selected the #1 Power Pop Album of 2023 by Power Pop News. For their fourth and most recently recorded album, No Better Time, they returned back to the same Seattle studio and producer, Johnny Sangster at Crackle & Pop! If it's worked before in the past then why meddle with success! “From the Tom Petty-ish ‘This Time’ to the acoustic, ethereal ‘If Only’, the album feels like a celebration of life in the here and now. ‘I Believe’ has all the git up, guitar chime and harmonies necessary for a ‘hit’ single. The bouncy and breezy ‘Comes And Goes’ captures the beauty of everyday life. The melody sticks with you like those fabulous Brill Building tunes of yesteryear. ‘Notice Me’ and ‘You Set Me Free’ showcase the band’s knack for blending jangly indie energy with classic power pop punch. The punch and attitude of “Not So Much Anymore” make it an instant classic. The production is crisp and vibrant, letting the guitars ring out. It’s music for road trips, golden-hour drives, and those rare days when everything just clicks. The Rallies remind us there’s no better time than right now to crank up the volume and let the melodies lift you. Infectious, heartfelt, and endlessly replayable, this album is a must-listen for fans of The Byrds, The Beatles, Tom Petty, Teenage Fanclub, or anyone who believes a great hook can make everything better!” - PowerPopNews GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Just Look Inside The Cover - Songs Of Pete Ham Price: $16.00 Artist: Various Artists Manufacturer: Y&T Records Description: “Just Look inside The Cover – Songs of Pete Ham,” features 22 new recordings of songs written by Pete Ham. This very unique tribute album features songs that were only previously released as home demos and never recorded by Badfinger. “It's been 3 years since the release of ‘Shine On - A Tribute to Pete Ham’ and the response from the Badfinger community of family, fans and journalists was extremely heartwarming to say the least. In fact, the album directly led to Y&T to working closely with representatives of the Ham, Evans & Gibbins Estates ever since. For the past year, Y&T has been working on this second Pete Ham tribute. We got the inspiration for the second tribute from the two songs on ‘Shine On’ that were only previously released as demos, ‘No More’ by Mary Lee Kortes and ‘Dear Father’ by Tobin Sprout. Those two wonderful recordings showed how many of Pete's unreleased songs could be brought to life with new studio interpretations. Like ‘Shine On,’ the 22 songs on ‘Just Look Inside The Cover - Songs Of Pete Ham’ feature artists who had creative license to produce their tracks in any manner they wanted.” - Rich Ulloa/Y&T Music Celebrating one of rock's most overlooked songwriters, the album highlights Ham's enduring influence and melodic brilliance. Contemporary melodic and indie rock artists offer fresh interpretations, alongside new recordings by Ron Griffiths and Bob Jackson, former members of The Iveys and Badfinger. Other artists participating are Mike Delavante, Pezband, Sharp Pins, Eric Dover, Bill Lloyd, Alan Feils, Rob Bonfiglio, Mary Karlzen, The Fraternals, Fernando Perdomo, Mic Harrison and the High Score, Tobin Sprout, Humbert, Steve Barton, The Parlophonics, Richard Barone (Featuring the Midnight Callers), Darren Hayman and Robert Rotifer, Mark Healey and Jeff Alan Ross. GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none