I am a long time fan of The Bye-Bye Blackbirds, and their new single takes them to new heights. So do the videos that illustrate them. If you like power with your pop, I would check them out.

Bradley Skaught, the leader of the band, was kind enough to answer a few questions for me.

Andrea Weiss: "The Girls Walk” is a heavy rocker, which I like. Am I right about the lyrics being feminist?

Bradley Skaught: Yes! I'm so glad you picked up on that and pointed it out. It's largely about toxic masculinity -- it's kind of a snarky song, I think, and hopefully the humor and withering sarcasm comes across properly. Definitely seems like a feminist song to me.

AW: “Fold Up Your Maps” is a good contrast, more jangle rock/pop. I know it’s the B-side, but could this be considered a double A-side single?

BS: It could for sure. It's more just a fun artifice to label them as A-sides and B-sides since it's not even a physical object. I think we may have gone with the darker, more difficult song as the A-side because that's how we generally like to shoot ourselves in the foot. But you're right, both songs are strong and could easily be hit singles!

AW: I love the images in the “Maps” video, as the heart looks almost like it’s dancing. Who did the animation and where did the idea come from? The same goes for “The Girls Walk” video, with the background swirling behind a silhouette of a stiletto heel shoe, the space between the heel and toe changing images. Where did the idea come from for that?

BS: Both of the videos were made by Marry Waterson, who we've worked with before (and is an exceptionally great musician and artist all on her own, as well.) I really try to stay out of the way and let her respond to the songs. She asks for lyrics, sometimes she'll ask a few questions about the lyrics or potential themes, but really it's her vision that comes across in the videos. It's always surprising and always feels really right on. I'm not sure exactly where the specific imagery comes from, but they feel connected to the lyrics to me for sure. 

AW:Will these songs be on an upcoming album?

BS: I haven't thought quite that far ahead, really. We just put an album out earlier this year, and a little live EP, too, so we've kind of done a lot for one year! The idea of a whole new album seems far off, but we have a substantial backlog of new songs -- will they make up an album or be little singles? Not sure yet. For the time being it's just fun to get some more new stuff out.

 The Bye Bye Blackbirds

The Girls Walk/Fold Up Your Maps (Official Videos)

Self Released

These two animated videos are a lot of fun. “The Girls Walk” shows a woman’s stiletto heel in silhouette, with the space between the heel and sole turning into various shapes, lines and colors flashing through it. The song is a heavy rocker with feminist lyrics, and is just great all around.

“Fold Up Your Maps” shows a line drawing of a heart with other lines and drawings, mostly of mazes, whirling all around and inside it in different colors, with a woman's constantly changing face and hair above. It is really sweet. The song is happy, jangle rock. Another winner from this band, both musically and with these can’t miss videos.

Andrea Weiss

 R. Ring

Def Sup (Video)

Don Giovanni Records

To watch this fun video is to want to dance, and the images provide several ways to do so. For instance, a lot of this video takes place in the subway. So dance on the platform, on the train, and down to the street. Dance on the street and into the bus, then dance on that. All to wonderful guitar playing from Mike Montgomery and Kelley Deal, who are R. Ring, with drummer Laura King providing a slinky beat, and Kelley’s deadpan vocals touching on things like the heat of the street and the voice of a man in her head. So watch the video and dance whatever dance you want. You will have fun, believe me.

Andrea Weiss

 Popular Creeps have just put out their debut All Of This Will End In Tears, and it really is something else. It recalls the Replacements and Hüsker Dü at their best, so if you like those two band, you’ll like the Creeps. I do, a lot, so I was glad to find this.

The band was kind enough to answer a few questions for me.

Andrea Weiss: How did the band form?

Lenny Grassa: I answered an ad on craigslist from three guys looking for a singer/guitarist. They were into the same kind of bands that I was, so, I gave it a shot. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but over a month or so of getting together I thought there was something that could come of it. And even if it didn’t, it was cool to hang out with like-minded musicians.

Andrew Colvin: Neighborhood friends placed an ad in craigslist looking for a contract killer. Ended up with a guitarist.

Andrea: Who are your influences?

Lenny: There are many but probably at top of the list are The Kinks, Cheap Trick, The Clash, The Dream Syndicate, The Replacements, GBV, Hüsker Dü.

Andrew: Every classic rock band/British Invasion band except Zeppelin, mid-80s college rock.

Andrea: I hear the Stooges and MC5 in your music. Do either of those bands stand out for you? 

Lenny: I love both bands. I’ve probably listened to The Stooges more and have seen Iggy play probably 25 times. I even got to go on a brief tour with him in the 90’s.

Andrew: I like and appreciate both but it’s more Regional pride than Actual musical influence.

Andrea: I also hear the Replacements. How do they factor in?

Lenny: They are big for me. They put the punk attitude together with great pop songwriting, along with other bands of that time -- Hüsker Dü, etc.

Andrew: Heavily. The good, bad, and ugly.

Andrea: Your lyrics are positive punk, which I like. Did you want to make them as rough as possible?

Lenny: For me, that’s just the way they come out. I can’t say I have a plan to be any way in particular. It usually starts with the music and that leads to a feeling and lyrics.

Andrew: I like writing lyrics but not talking about them. I rarely start a song with any intentional topic or theme.

Andrea: And did you want them to be positive, or just punk?

Lenny: They go where they need to go… I hope.

Andrea: Does your name come from the Chris Mars song "Popular Creeps?"

Lenny: It does indeed.

Andrew: Chris who?

Andrea: Do you plan to tour? 

Lenny: Maybe… just in a regional Midwest way.

Andrew: Tour? No, but maybe occasional shows outside of Detroit.

 Popular Creeps

All Of This Will End In Tears

Big Stir Records

If you like the Replacements as much I do, you will like Popular Creeps. They are something of a power pop take on them, with a lot of other college rock and postpunk mixed in, like Hüsker Dü. Popular Creeps are as wild and unruly as both bands were at their best.

The singles are great examples. “Split Decision” is a salute to Louie, guitarist/vocalist Lenny Grassa’s cat who died. “Window” is about codependency. "Gone By 45” is a tribute to Tom Payne, Lenny's departed friend. These songs are hard, gritty college rock for the ages, with heart, soul, and humanity. They are positive and happy, but sensible and punky.

The Mats (their fans called them that, as in placemats) and the Dü were two of postpunk/college rock's best bands, so it stands to reason that Popular Creeps would have a great sound. So what are you waiting for?

Andrea Weiss

 Jim Basnight and The Moberlys

Early Years

Power Popaholic Productions

Basnight has been making music since the 70s, one of the original NYC punk rockers. These songs are nicely punk/power pop -- rough, unkempt, obnoxious, and perfect for those who like this kind of music, which I do.

Also very likable is that these lyrics are positive, even happy, which was rare for punk rock at the time. Songs like “Give Me Peace” and “Don’t Fall Into Darkness” show that, and those are two of the best songs on the album.

The four singles, including “Last Night” and “We’ll Always Be In Love,” sum things up perfectly. They are everything the album is, and you won’t go wrong with any of them.

So if you want to refresh your memory of the 70s, never heard punk or power pop beyond the hits, or just want some good music of a type that isn’t made much anymore, this album is for you.

Andrea Weiss

 The Big Believe

Pirate Radio

Aldora Britain Records

The refrain of this song, about seeing right through some who’s lying and then arguing about it, will ring in your head. It’s that catchy and good. The lyrics, in full, are about a complicated situation. The synth-based, new wave indie pop is well-played throughout and full of hooks. Another great Big Believe song, and may there be many more.

Andrea Weiss

 The Flashcubes Featuring Randy Klawon

Get The Message (Single)

Big Stir

The original version of this 1968 song is by a band named Cyrus Erie, which morphed into The Choir, which became the Raspberries. Randy Klawon, guitarist for Cyrus Erie, is the guest star on this cover.

The original is good and sounds a little like the Raspberries, but the cover is a bit better -- more power and bigger production suits this song well. Sounds great cranked up to 10. If you want a great take on the roots of power pop, this is something you should hear.

Andrea Weiss

 Popular Creeps

Gone By 45 (Single)

Big Stir

The music sounds like a power pop take on the Replacements, just as wild and unruly as the Mats were at their best. The lyrics are about a friend who had to leave their town, so it’s a fond farewell. Good rocking fun from their upcoming album All Of This Will End In Tears, out on December 9th.

Andrea Weiss

 R.Ring

Still Life (Official Video)

Don Giovanni Records

The lyrics are about seeing things realistically, seeing beyond what you think is real to what really lies beneath, and being self aware. The images that illustrate this, like a skeletal hand holding a cigarette, ashes building to cover a table, alcohol, a drug taken, with a poker game as a backdrop, all mixed with lots of fruit, phone cases, social media symbols, and many other images, are animated by musician Daniel Lobb.

R. Ring is Kelley Deal and Mike Montgomery, and their upcoming album, War Poems, We Rested, is their first since 2017’s Ignite The Rest. Lots of crunchy guitars from Mike and Kelley, booming drums by Laura King, and wise singing by Kelley add up to a very interesting, very great clip and song. The album will be out January 27, 2023, so if you like what you see and hear here, pick it up.

Andrea Weiss

Lisa Mychols & SUPER 8

Santa Please (Official Lyric Video)

Jem Records

This feminist twist on Christmas, sung from the point of view of Ms. Claus, features festive images and fun ones of Santa. This ultra-catchy, bouncy power pop is a nice change from the same old, same old carols modern and traditional. So if you want some Christmas fun, watch this and be merry. 

Andrea Weiss

 I first encountered Richard’s work through the excellent group In Deed. Feminist power pop is always good. Now he has released his first solo album, Sounds In English. I found the songs smart, charming, and a lot of fun.

Richard was kind enough to answer a few questions for me.

Andrea Weiss: What made you decide to make a solo album?

Richard Öhrn: When I first started out recording songs completely on my own, I didn’t have any plans of making a record. I just wrote and recorded music for the joy of it. After a while, though, the number of songs were piling up, and some even sounded decent! When In Deed sort of fell asleep again, by winter 2019-2020, I decided to pick a selection of the songs I’d been working on, and to finalize the mixes good enough to make an album. I approached Big Stir Records with the idea, playing them a couple of tracks, and once they said “Yes, let’s do it,” the decision was definite. And now, two years later, it’s here.

AW: Who were you listening to at the time?

RÖ: The songs on Sounds In English have influences from a life of listening to music. Funny, though, during periods of recording and mixing, I hardly ever listened to anything else but the stuff I was working on. There were vague ideas about what to aim for as references – but it never really turned out as I’d imagined anyway, each song took its own turns until considered finished.

AW: These songs are relationship songs--some about break-ups and some about happiness. It’s a good balance. Is that contrast and complement what you were after?

RÖ: The songs were written over a long period of time, and both ups and downs of course passed over those years. I’m glad if it comes across as a good mix! I would have thought the sad and bitter vibes to be dominant. For some reason I have more creative energy when feeling down. So, for example, the song “5th Month Announcement” is a really happy lyric about the birth of my son, but once I started recording it, the whole tune became sort of sad anyway. I’m always tempted to add that extra chord to make things a just little more melancholic!

AW: I do hear the Cardigans in your music, and I know they’re an influence. What did you get from them?

RÖ: I don’t rate the Cardigans as a major influence, although I think they have made some really good songs and albums. When working with In Deed, I guess the reference is closer, with the female lead vocalist thing. I’ve actually played as a support act to the Cardigans, with a former band, The Dubs. I think it was circa 1994, just before they had their big break. Most of the audience came to watch us, not them, at that time, hahaha!

AW: You use ABBA in an unironic way, which is great and refreshing. A lot of these songs sound like “Knowing Me, Knowing You.” Were there any others in particular that influenced your sound?

RÖ: I love ABBA… as much as everyone does. I know there are some elements of sound on my album that can be traced down that lane, perhaps in a song like “Spanish Moon,” which may have a little of “Fernando”… perhaps the intro acoustic in “Take this bottle” has an ABBA sound. It will be interesting to learn what other people hear when they listen to the album. Regardless of sounds, ABBA is a great inspiration for songwriting. They do things that seem so simple but are really complex – and also the other way around, songs that are really simple but give the impression of great complexity. That is genius.

AW: I read that you've always been fascinated by the English language and think it sounds better than Swedish. How does Swedish compare to English? What do you like best about both languages?

RÖ: Hmmm… English is more singable. You can sort of bend the sound of words and phrases more easily, I think. For me, though, when writing lyrics, the obvious limitation is that English is not my native language, so the poetic field is not nearly as big as when I speak or write in Swedish. I have written a few songs in Swedish, and the words are really good, I think! But when I sing them it doesn’t sound quite right. You really need to have a certain quality of voice to make Swedish sound good.

AW: What is the scene like in Sweden now?

RÖ: I can’t really tell, you should perhaps ask my youngest daughter, ha ha! There are some good acts, but mostly veterans and/or groups that have passed their peak days. Some cool and still active Swedish acts are of course The Hives, Bob Hund, Ulf Lundell, and The Greeting.

AW: Any plans for US tour dates?

RÖ: No plans at the moment, but if the record does well, nothing is impossible. I have a musicians US visa valid for another seven years, I think. Would be a waste not to use it again!

 Richard Öhrn

Sounds In English

Big Stir Records

Öhrn is best known for his work with In Deed. This is his first solo album. It’s very much a one man band, as in addition to playing on and producing all the songs, he took the photos for the cover art, and assembled the press kit.

The music is adult singer/songwriter, chamber pop, and power pop--very warm and intimate, and great. This is good music to think to, as the lyrics are very contemplative, and at times hurt, like on “Take This Bottle” and “If I Could Read Your Mind,” both breakup songs, and chiming, jangly rockers.

At other times the lyrics are happy, for instance “I Choose You,” which makes the album well-rounded. The guitars aren’t Rickenbacker’s, but a Burns 12-string, and Hagstrom electric and Bjärton acoustic guitars, so there is no purism here musically, but blends can be wonderful, more sounds to work with.

So if any of this is what you like, I would try this. In Deed fans will like this too, or anyone who wants someone different and smart.

Andrea Weiss

 Richard Öhrn

Take This Bottle (Single)

Big Stir

This song isn’t about drinking anything. Instead, it’s about politely, but firmly, telling someone to go away, all set to anthemic guitar pop: a little jangle, a little Tom Petty, a little Springsteen. It’s the second single from Öhrn’s upcoming album Sounds In English and if the album sounds as great as this song, it’s going to be a winner. The single is out now and the album is slated for November 11.

Andrea Weiss

 Richard Öhrn

Love and Friendship (Single)

Big Stir

Öhrn is a guitarist and vocalist with the Swedish band In Deed. Friendly power pop that leans folk, this happy, charming love song is from his upcoming debut solo album, Sounds in English.  This sounds like ABBA as something of a folk band, without irony, as the influence is definitely there--another reason it’s so good and charming. It’s nice music to think to, and to just kick back and relax to.

Andrea Weiss

 Crossword Smiles

The Girl With a Penchant For Yellow Single

Big Stir

This sounds like a really good Fountains Of Wayne song that Adam Schlesinger could’ve written. It’s maybe about divorce, definitely a breakup song, and rolls merrily along, including some cool Vocoder sprinkled throughout. Recommended to those who like smart pop, fun songs, and music that kicks up its heels.

Andrea Weiss

 Old Town Crier

You

Self-Released

Old Town Crier is Massachusetts singer/songwriter Jim Lough and friends. The music is good, guitar-based indie folk/rock, perfect for adult alternative radio. It's light and nimble on its feet and good for walking around to.

It's also very political, from the left. For instance “Coal River Mountain” is about strip mining and mountain top removal in West Virginia, and about what happened to the mountain. The Coal River Mountain Watch opposes strip mining in the region. 

The opening track, "You," the most rock track, is about how the people standing together will never be defeated. Though he’s pointed in his politics, he doesn’t preach or hector, just explains the issues.

The album is a benefit for three US House candidates: Christine Olivo (FL-26), Angelica Duenas (CA-29), and Derek Marshall (CA-23). I support donating to them, and to the Democrats in any contest in your state, and vote for them, not election deniers and those who would trash democracy. (For me, it's Pennsylvania: everyone, vote for Fetterman and Shapiro, keep Oz and Doug M out of Washington and Harrisburg.)

Whether you’re a disaffected Republican who can’t stand what the GOP has become, or of the left, this album will get you fired up to do whatever you can to help our country. You’ll hear some great music and think about the issues, as well.

Andrea Weiss

 The Cynz are a new band to me, but if they’re anything like their featured single, “Narrow Hips,” their upcoming album will be great. It's good punk, the best kind.

Cyndi Dawson, lead singer and songwriter for the band, was kind enough to answer a few questions for me.

Andrea Weiss: Tell us about the animator for the video, Christina Brancella. I like how everyone gets together at the end and the ladies make their peace. Did you have that kind of story line in mind, or was that scenario created by the animator and producer?

Cyndi Dawson: We were looking for an animator and a friend told me her niece went to school for that. I contacted her, she sent me her Instagram account with some of her artwork, which I liked, so I sent her the song. I wanted something cute and ‘summery.’ She eventually sent me some story boards and I loved her concept, so I told her have fun and surprise me. I trusted her ability.

AW: “Narrow Hips” is nicely punk. Who are your influences?

CD: I have an eclectic bunch of influences, but I’d say Jim Carroll, Patti Smith, The Runaways, Bowie, The Stooges, and even The Distillers. I love Brody Dalle! I love Courtney! Henry has his own influences, so our music is a combination of those.

AW: How did the band form?

CD: Henry and myself have been friends since I was 15, but our lives often went in separate directions. Somehow we’d always run into one another again. I was a poet doing shows with a band. Ran into Henry after many years. He said if I ever needed a guitar player to call him, so eventually I started working with him. He suggested I sing my pieces and that became The Cynz! Now we cross lines where sometimes I come up with music or harmony ideas and he will change or add words. We are true collaborators.

AW: Where in New Jersey are you from? I ask because I’m originally from Jersey myself.

CD: I was born in Newark. My family moved, divorced, but I was always in New Jersey.

AW: Will there be an album with “Narrow Hips” on it?

CD: Yes, we are almost halfway done recording and writing it. We hope to release it in early 2023. It will be our fifth album!

 The Cynz

Narrow Hips (Official Video)

Jem Records

This animated video is about sun, fun, and surfing, but also heartache and loss. It has something of a happy ending and is a lot of fun to watch. With great animation by Christina Brancella (Creative Crossi), the song rocks and is a wonderful summer tune. If you want a reminder of summer, or long for next summer, watch this clip, and dream.

Andrea Weiss

 I first became aware of Librarians With Hickeys on their excellent album Long Overdue and have enjoyed them ever since. Good pop, great jangle, wonderful lyrics. What’s not to like?

The band was kind enough to answer some questions for me.

Andrea Weiss: How does it feel to have a new album out?

Ray Carmen: It feels great! We’re really excited with how it turned out, and so far people seem to be really digging it (he said in an old 1960s hippie parlance).

Mike Crooker: Yes, after two years of writing, recording, mixing, stopping, re-evaluating, writing some more, recording, recording, mixing, mastering, making two videos – well, I gotta tell you, it does feels great!

AW: Who were you listening to when you were recording it?

Mike: Once we decided on which 12 songs were going to be on the album – that's all we listened to for the last year – I would literally fall asleep with the headphones on with the current song on a loop and then wake up at 3:30 AM with a list of tweaks to make in the morning. There really wasn't time left for recreational music listening. But, my, uh... unique process did yield results in the end, even if my sleep pattern suffered!

Ray: I was also listening to a lot of us, going back over our older material and getting psyched up for writing the new record. I was also checking out Beabadoobee, She & Him, Courtney Barnett, and The Go! Team. Then there are my go-to’s – the Beatles, the Monkees, Queen, Marshall Crenshaw, Guided By Voices, Martin Newell, R. Stevie Moore…the list goes on…and on…

AW: Which comes first for you, melodies or rhythms?

Ray: When I write with Mike, he gives me the music and I write the lyrics. I have a notebook full of lyrics and phrases, which I refer to periodically when my mind goes blank, which is often.

Mike: For me it's usually chord structures (guitar or piano), which lead to melodies, then rhythms, which lead to figuring out what words fit within that structure. For a counter example, although I had written the words for "Over You" first, long before any music, it influenced both the rhythm and the melody because of the meter and syllabic emphasis.

AW: I hear some jangle pop as well as rock here. Did you want both?

Mike: When you have a Rickenbacker guitar in a band you're legally obligated to jangle. So we do. Sometimes we break out the distortion boxes and rattle the china a bit.

Ray: Absolutely! We are most definitely a jangle pop band – everything we do is based on catchy riffs, melodies and harmonies! We like distortion too. We usually end our live sets with the distortion pedals on and the guitars cranked up. It’s a lot of fun, and it always goes over really well.

AW: The tone of some of the songs is regret. Did the lyrics just tend toward that theme?

Ray: I’m responsible for most of the lyrics for our songs. The pandemic and the planet being in such turmoil reflected in some of the lyrics, for sure. Getting older in a world that is more or less a dumpster fire will do that, I guess.

Mike: In the process of writing we ended up with about 30 songs and if the record had come out in 2021, it probably would have contained a much different song list; a song like “Stumbling Down Memory Lane” is sort of the lyrical heart of the album. There's nostalgia, regret, and sense of absence. A large part of that was the emotional mine-field we were all living through at the time.

AW: Who’s your favorite Ohio band?

Ray: Pleasure Leftists.

Mike: Yes, we just saw them in Cleveland a few months back. That's was a great show!

For me depends on what day it is. Devo, Tin Huey, Lemon Pipers, The Human Beinz, James Gang, Dead Boys, Guided By Voices...

AW: Any good Ohio bands people should be listening for?

Ray: The aforementioned Pleasure Leftists, the Tambourine People (speaking of jangle/sunshine pop!!), the Kahuna Kings, and the Rainy Day Saints. And, if you haven’t heard Pere Ubu by now, get crackin’!

Mike: The Tambourine People, The Vindys, Duo Decibel System, Operation Tomorrow.

But if you really want to take a deep dive and hear what's going on in the 330/216/440 area code (Northeast Ohio), there's some great up-and-coming bands getting played hourly on WAPS-FM (https://thesummit.fm/) based in Akron. They also have a whole sub-channel streaming area bands 24/7 called https://the330.net/

AW: Do you plan to tour?

Mike: As we have learned from living in Ohio all these years, winter is not conducive to touring in the Great Lakes area! That's one of the reasons for the two videos for "I Can't Stop Thinking About You" and "Ghost Singer" that we shot beforehand. We knew that with the timing of Handclaps & Tambourines being out in October that touring wouldn't work. So we'll probably shoot a few more videos before the end of the year to keep us busy!

 Librarians With Hickeys

Handclaps and Tambourines

Big Stir Records

LWH’s debut, Long Overdue, was a great album, but their new one may top it. Jangle pop rules, and this album is gloriously full of it.

It’s also full of great lyrics, mostly dealing with what the US has been though since 2016, by turns dark, full of turmoil, regret, and anger, but the anger keeps it from being depressing. The mood is more questioning why is the US in this situation. Some songs are about getting older, like “Stumbling Down Memory Lane,” but in the sense of looking back and finding that you’ve changed for the better.

It also has one of the finest songs of the year on it, “Ghost Singer,” a relationship song that says, “I won’t let you dump me at this concert, I’ll do the dumping instead.” It's angry jangle with great backing vocals from Christina Bulbenko and Rex Broome, and an unforgettable refrain: “Time is, time was, time will always be between us. Time is, time was, time will always be against us.”

Great singles deserve great albums to back them up, and this is absolutely that. If you love jangle pop, this will be a treat. If you love great pop, go get it, and have a blast.

Andrea Weiss

 Lori Goldston

High And Low

Sofaburn Records

Goldston is best known as the cellist on Nirvana’s In Utero. She has played on a lot of other albums by artists as diverse as Earth, David Byrne, and Black Cat Orchestra, which she co-founded, and has released many solo and ensemble albums. This is her Sofaburn debut and it’s a great one.

The best way to listen to this album of amplified cello with effects, is to concentrate on the patterns made by her playing. It’s all little melodies and rhythms swirling around, but always propelling the music forward. Some tracks include percussion, like “Crossing Over Place,” played by Dan Sasaki, who has played with Jackie-O Motherfucker, Gun Club, and others, and "Moss on Rock," which features Dave Abramson on drums and percussion and Greg Kelley on trumpet. The drums and cymbals add more textures, which is another thing to look for: the shifting textures moving things along, and the interplay between percussion and cello.

The High section of the album is a tribute to a friend who had recently passed away, but the music is never mournful, more like a celebration of her life and a tribute. The Low section doesn’t have a unifying concept, but is as lively as the High section and just as exciting.

What this really is, though, is contemporary classical music, and those who like that will love this album. It’s special, it’s different, fun in its own way, and thrilling.

Andrea Weiss

 Danny Wilkerson

Strawberry Sherry single

Big Stir Records

This new single, from an album in progress, is very blissed out. Sherry is the girl he loves like anything, and he wants to marry her. It’s sweet, nicely psychedelic power pop and a lot of fun to listen to.

If you need something to feel good about and something cool to listen to, this song fits the bill.

Andrea Weiss

 The Flashcubes/Paley Brothers

Come Out And Play

Big Stir Records

What I like about this cover is it’s a bit more rock than the original Paley Brothers version from the 70s; the original is more bubblegum pop. But both are really good, and the Cubes are joined here by the Paley Brothers themselves, who do add something good on guitar and vocals. So if you’re new to the brothers as I am, this is a good introduction.

Andrea Weiss

 Lori Goldston

We Miss You And Wish You Well (Official Video)

Sofaburn Records

Watching this video, filmed and directed by Clyde Petersen, is like drinking a strong, but relaxing cup of tea. Soft focus, flying above the clouds, with long shots of Mount St. Helens, the effect is soothing and meditative.

The music is amplified cello with effects, and the playing is very intricate. Interlocking little melodies, drones, and rhythms going everywhere, with lots of textures making the pieces fit together, it suggests many things going on below the surface, not necessarily bad, just contemplative.

Sit down with your favorite hot beverage, or maybe iced tea, and watch this. It’s a nice way to unwind after a long day, or just take a break in the middle of a busy one. This is a great video, and it’s always a joy to hear some good cello playing.

Andrea Weiss

 Librarians With Hickeys

Ghost Singer

Big Stir Records

This song is about saving yourself from being dumped at a concert by leaving on your own. It’s a rowdy rocker with twin guitars. Ray Carmen's singing is great, with inspired backing vocals from The Armoires' Christina Bulbenko and Rex Broome.

The single will be on Librarians With Hickeys’ upcoming album, Handclaps & Tambourines. It's one of the finest singles of the year. Grab this. The guitars are killer, the singing is wonderful, and it’s just a really great song. The full album will be out October 14.

Andrea Weiss

 Lung

Let It Be Gone

Romanus Records

This album, recorded before the pandemic and delayed because of that, trouble finding a label, and being on the soundtrack of a horror film that never got released, doesn’t sound dated. What it does sound like is one of the best albums of the year.

The sound of Lung, who are Daisy Caplan and Kate Wakefield is unique. Kate is classically trained and plays the electric cello, making it sound like a lead guitar. Daisy plays drums. It’s not for the fainthearted. It’s pretty dark, yet doesn't sound disturbing, just filled with dread and unease, which does fit today's mood. It was recorded and engineered wonderfully by Mike Montgomery.

Come Clean Right Now, an album the band recorded while the wait for Let It be Gone was on, was spare and stark. Gone, on the other hand, is lush with many layers, more cello, and more vocals. The ultimate 1-2 punch of the album is “Siren Song” and “Her Voice Is What follows.” The former says beware the siren's song, and we don't know if the person running from the siren gets away. The latter continues the siren’s voice, presented as an aria.

If you want something different and very good, try Lung. You’ll be rewarded with a great album. Gone was more than worth the wait.

Andrea Weiss

 Speed Of Sound

Virtual Reality 123/Charlotte 12” single

Big Stir Records

This is an old-fashioned style 12” single made for today, to mark the 1 year anniversary of their album Museum of Tomorrow.

These extended remixes make “Virtual Reality 123” sound like a mix of jangle pop and goth, “Charlotte” is 80s style goth. The album had been a concept album about sci-fi themes. The single carries this theme, but sounds a bit more ominous than the original versions.

So if you want to remember what 80s 12” single remixes sound like, want to revisit the album in a new way, or both, give these remixes a listen, then check out the album, which is really good too.

Andrea Weiss

 Push Puppets are a new band for me, but I'm glad I found out about them. They are modern power pop, always the best kind, and the music on their new album, Allegory Grey, flows in a unique way.

Lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist Erich Specht was kind enough to answer a few questions for me.

Andrea Weiss: How did the band form?

Erich Specht: Push Puppets began as my solo project. On the first two albums I played all the instruments except drums, which were played by Chris Morrow, who has since moved to Urbana to play jazz. In putting together a band, I first reached out to John William Lauler after seeing some videos of him playing. He suggested Greg Essig, our drummer who is fantastic. Kyle Magnusson on keyboards was recommended by a friend. Now for live shows we also have Tommi Zender playing guitar and singing. This band began playing at the album release show for the album titled A Boat of Lies and a House of Cards and have grown a lot while recording Allegory Grey.

AW: Who are your influences?

ES: There is an interesting mix of tastes within the band. Most of us appreciate things like King Crimson and Wilco. I'd say there's common appreciation for jazz, blues, and prog rock. Kyle plays a lot of jam band stuff. I grew up digging The Clash, The Replacements, XTC, Elvis Costello, and The Tragically Hip.

AW: What comes first for you, melodies or rhythms?

ES: Melodies. Ideally a melody suggested by a lyric.

AW: Your lyrics are very positive. Do you find happy songs easier to writer than sad ones?

ES: It’s funny you say that. I think they sound positive, but there's often a melancholy undertone. When I was writing "Sometimes the Buds Never Flower," I called my mom to ask some questions about flowering trees. I said I have this new happy song and when I got to the part "Nurtured the same as her neighbor, but she never opened her eyes," she said, "I thought this is supposed to be happy."

For whatever reason, I find a juxtaposition of pretty melodies with darker lyrics to be interesting. That said, there are plenty of older Push Puppets songs that are very positive like "Will It To Happen" or "Part of the Plan."

And there are plenty of songs that describe an imagined situation matter-of-factly, like "October Surprise," about the spreading of disinformation, "Your Secret's Safe," about someone freaking out after receiving an email saying a computer has been compromised, or "Center of the Storm," about convincing a co-conspirator to take the fall. I've been enjoying writing songs with characters like that recently.

AW:When there are non-cheerful situations described, it's mostly "keep your chin up," which I like. Do these songs come easily?

ES:I definitely wouldn't say they come easily, but they are coming more frequently lately. I think that might be because I've been reading more.

When I'm writing a song, I'm going to go where the song takes me. Sometimes that can lead to awkward situations. Like with "The Bane of My Existence," the bridge says, "You'll rue the day that your life skidded into my lane / Sounds like something my mother might say / When someone's been stringing her along." Before putting the album out, I ran that by my mom, who I am very close to, to make sure she was cool with it. It's certainly not about her, but it reinforced the old timiness that is throughout that song.

AW: "Perfect Picture" is almost folk/rock. Would you say your music has that element to it?

ES: I appreciate folk rock - Simon & Garfunkel or Gillian Welch. I tried to dial back my Americana tendencies on this album, but a couple made it through. I've never really cared much for genres. I appreciate bands like Gomez or Wilco that can blend genres into something interesting.

AW: Do you have any plans to tour?

ES: I’d love to tour if we can afford it. We're focusing mostly on Chicago and the Midwest at the moment, but I expect that to change.

AW: What advice would you give someone starting out in music?

ES: Learn how to tend bar.