Fear not TRUE BELIEVERS cuz we have new music to affirm our faith in #THENEWROCKNROLL!
THE SHACKS – THE SHACKS EP (BIG CROWN)
Cutting edge retro-pop seems a contradiction in terms but that perfectly describes the music from this eponymous debut EP from The Shacks viz. Shannon Wise and Max Shrager. Even more surprising when you find that Wise and Shrager are 18 and 20 years old respectively! Unlike their peers, The Shacks go beyond obvious 80s/90s influences & stretch out instead to the 50s/60s for their inspiration. There’s a moving cover of “This Strange Effect” (penned by Ray Davies & originally recorded by Dave Berry in 1965), a kaleidoscopic soul ballad (“Orchids”), a sophisticated sixties girl pop gem (“Audrey Hepburn”) and a authentic rocksteady number (“Hands in Your Pockets”) to maintain your attention throughout. Brilliant eclectic work! https://bigcrownrecords.com/artists/the-shacks/
Buy now from iTunes.
MUUY BIIEN – AGE OF UNCERTAINTY (AUTUMN TONE)
Rock is dead they say. Well, don’t tell Muay Biien cuz the Atlanta based band is channelling the gritty, garagey rock ’n’ roll machinations of The Gun Club, The Birthday Party and Suicide. Dark and dirty this is the sound of music that digs deep into the recesses of the soul. Employing synths and saxes to equal intense effect, songs like “Bitter Blessings” and “Another Chore” hit the spot for anyone who believes that rock ’n’ roll is still alive and yes, kicking. https://www.facebook.com/muuybiienofficial/
Buy now from iTunes.
GIRL TEARS – WOKE AGAINST THE TIDE (SINDERLYN)
Our main beef with the designation of ‘pop-punk’ as a genre is that as far as we are concerned it’s superfluous, cuz the best punk rock comes inherently with good pop melodies. Case in point – Orange County’s Girl Tears – there is no way we would stoop to label them with that risible term – these guys are punk rockers – meaning you can sing along to these suckers even as you pogo along. Premier old-school punk from start to finish! https://www.facebook.com/girltearss/
Buy now from iTunes.
THE LEGAL MATTERS – CONRAD (OMNIVORE RECORDINGS)
Save the best for last. This is our album of the week – retro pop at its finest from The Legal Matters. Its diverse range of melodic rock styles demonstrates how fecund the ‘genre’ still is. But it’s the pristine melodies and harmonies that will keep tune junkies coming back. “Anything” is an absolute earworm and once it begins, one runs the danger of never progressing further but that would be a big mistake as tempting as it might be. Conrad is essential listening for the PoP faithful! http://www.thelegalmattersband.com/
Buy now from iTunes.
… still there’s more …