Is it the dog days of summer yet? It sure feels like it with the lackluster number of new releases coming out this week.
Luckily though, I found five bright spots including a feel good pop album, a 90s post grunge revival, a three piece “Franken-band” with one punk rock legend, the king of melancholy , and a new thing called “gritpop” that’s supposed to be the next big thing from the UK.
Fountains of Wayne – Sky Full of Holes – The pop rock masters who were turned on by “Stacy’s Mom” return doing what they do best; writing big hooks over some of the best power pop you have ever subjected your underprivileged ears to. These guys are terribly underrated pop rock geniuses bringing back the glory days of Cheap Trick’s masterpiece In Color. Don’t miss this one.
Hot Water Music –The Fire, The Steel, The Tread / Adds Up To Nothing EP – They sound like Buffalo Tom crossed with Helmet and they wrote some great post grunge rock n roll at their pinnacle. Not sure it’s the right time for the band grandiose return, but at least they stayed true to the sound they helped create. Great stuff.
Manraze – PunkFunkRootsRock – Never mind the Pyromania here’s the Hysteria minus the bullocks that mattered most. Manraze was formed by Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen in 2004 and consists of drummer Paul Cook (Sex Pistols) and bassist Simon Laffy (Girl) Musically it’s kind of all over the place but at times it’s a fun throwback to a time when nu-wave was at it’s peak. Did I mention that Paul Cook is in the band?
Viva Brothers – Famous Last Words – Holy f**k, someone has finally gotten Oasis and Blur to be friends, oh sorry it’s just the latest buzz band from the UK. Surprisingly though, it’s pretty good stuff. I can tell you it will not be a hit as the majors expect though, it’s not THAT catchy.
Richard Buckner – Our Blood – The king of melancholy returns with his latest. One of the most underrated singer/songwriters of our time.
There you go folks, which new releases are you digging on now?
