Title: Raspberry Park (Jem Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Fountains of Wayne, Butch Walker, The Beatles
You might like if you enjoy: Fountains of Wayne, Butch Walker, The Beatles
Tell me more: Led by Glen Burtnik (ex-Styx, Beatlemania on Broadway) and Bob Burger
(Southside Johnny), New Jersey-based band The Weeklings are all about soaring harmonies and a classic Sixties pop/rock sensibility. No surprise there: the four-piece outfit is also a Beatles tribute act. Frequently anointed “Coolest Song in the World” by Little Steven’s Underground Garage, The Weeklings have crafted an effervescent power pop gem with Raspberry Park. Nestled alongside 13 nifty originals and interludes are four shrewd covers: “Mr. Soul Satisfaction,” a driving mashup of Buffalo Springfield and The Rolling Stones with guest vocalist Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, solid takes on The Beatles’ “She’s Leaving Home” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” and Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.” Elsewhere, the humorous, Kinks-styled rocker “None of Your Business” and bluesy, harmonica-infused “Brian Jones” are worthy picks to click.
Info: Available limited-edition yellow vinyl via weeklings.com.
(Southside Johnny), New Jersey-based band The Weeklings are all about soaring harmonies and a classic Sixties pop/rock sensibility. No surprise there: the four-piece outfit is also a Beatles tribute act. Frequently anointed “Coolest Song in the World” by Little Steven’s Underground Garage, The Weeklings have crafted an effervescent power pop gem with Raspberry Park. Nestled alongside 13 nifty originals and interludes are four shrewd covers: “Mr. Soul Satisfaction,” a driving mashup of Buffalo Springfield and The Rolling Stones with guest vocalist Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, solid takes on The Beatles’ “She’s Leaving Home” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” and Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.” Elsewhere, the humorous, Kinks-styled rocker “None of Your Business” and bluesy, harmonica-infused “Brian Jones” are worthy picks to click.
Info: Available limited-edition yellow vinyl via weeklings.com.
Title: Mandatory – The Best Of (Liberation Hall)
You might like if you enjoy: Dave Edmunds, Lone Justice, Chuck Berry, early Nick Lowe
Artist: Caleb Nichols
You might like if you enjoy: Dave Edmunds, Lone Justice, Chuck Berry, early Nick Lowe
Tell me more: Although it specialized in roots rock music, The Blasters were a fixture amid the L.A. punk scene during the Eighties. Led by brothers Phil (vocals/guitar) and Dave Alvin (lead guitar/songwriter), the Downey band never got the mainstream attention it deserved before the original lineup split in ‘85. Still, X (a frequent tourmate), Dwight Yoakam, and Shakin’ Stevens all covered Blasters tunes; others were featured in TV (Miami Vice) and films (To Live and Die in L.A., From Dusk Till Dawn, Bull Durham, Streets of Fire - the latter even gave the guys a cameo). This excellent, long-overdue, 21-track compilation does a fine job at distilling The Blasters’ best moments from all four acclaimed studio albums, plus three bonus cuts. Standouts include a sinister “I’m Shakin’” with punchy licks by future Los Lobos sax man Steve Berlin, the rollicking piano of “Border Radio,” a frantic “Marie Marie,” harmonica laden “So Long Baby Goodbye” and doo-wop vocal blend of “Help You Dream.” Noted L.A. journalist Chris Morris penned insightful liner notes, with multiple archival gig poster images.
Info: liberationhall.com
Title: Let’s Look Back (Kill Rock Stars)
You might like if you enjoy: Elliott Smith, the Go-Betweens, The Shins, The Decemberists
Tell me more: Caleb Nichols was part of various indie rock bands over the past couple decades, touring with Modest Mouse, Bright Eyes, and others before focusing on individual efforts in recent years. The LGBTQ California native is also an award-winning poet and PhD candidate. The intriguing Let’s Look Back, their second solo full-length album, follows 2022’s queer-themed, Beatles-inspired conceptual release Ramon (and some Fab Four cover EPs). Here, Nichols uses his falsetto to good effect on low-key introspective efforts and wiry rock numbers assisted by two Rogue Wave members. Among the highlights: “Absolute Boy,” where personal lyrics about childhood abuse are wedded to post-punk strains, the power pop of “Demon Twink,” intense rocker “Albatross” and joyous “J’ai Vu La Lune!”
Info: killrockstars.com
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