Della Mae- Magic Accident (2026)
Posted by KB on 3/4/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
Bluegrass can be classified as either back porch mountain or Billy Strings-esque psycho jam. Della Mae is a mix of both. It's traditional with picking you know probably extends itself live. Their harmonies are pristine and their songs honest without sickening tropes. The ladies can sure play and they float between sweet and grumbling attitude. It's no wonder it's so hard to see them live because tickets are gone in a mandolin's triplet.
Favorite Songs: I have a tough time picking just a few
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The Lemonheads- Lovey (1990)
Posted by KB on 3/4/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
Today was Evan Dando's 58th birthday so I decided to listen to an older Lemonheads release "Lovey". "Lovey" has an identity crisis. One part noisy punk, one part, one part jangle pop with a sprinkle of shoe-gaze. Songs about his virtual surroundings and what his leisure time consisted of would become the cornerstones of Dando's creative inspiration. You can hear the direction that they were going which spawned two of arguably the best releases in the 90's; "It's a Shame About Ray" and "Come On Feel the Lemonheads". Lucky for us the jangle won in the end, but it's worth giving this a listen to see the steps to brilliance.
Favorite Songs: Half the Time, Ride With Me, (The) Door
Pony- Clearly Cursed (2026)
Posted by KB on 3/4/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
Pop has so many directions it can go. It can be sugary, repetitive and formulaic or it can be Pony- power-pop with a crunch, hooks and a sweet, sweet voice. Pony continues to grow as a songwriter, not re-inventing the craft but creating songs that are hummable and stick with you. Earworms. But good earworms. On "Clearly Cursed" you can hear dance, metal and bubblegum but its with integrity. It feels real and it's hard not to play on repeat. Besides this great release check out all her stuff at Bandcamp.com.
Favorite Songs: Superglue, Freezer, Sunny Something, Clearly Cursed
Boz Scaggs- Silk Degrees (1976)
Posted by KB on 2/24/2026 to
"Silk Degrees" was a huge album in 1976 spending 115 weeks on the Billboard 100. It is celebrating it's 50th anniversary so I decided to give it a spin. "Silk Degrees" is slick, almost too slick with the strings and bland backing vocals, which dates the recording. The production quality is exemplary as is the musicianship, and it was what Scaggs needed after having many sub-popular releases. The best songs are the radio staples, which don't have the 70's syrup front and center. Glad I revisited it. Now it can hibernate for awhile.
Favorite Songs: Lido Shuffle, Lowdown, What Can I Say, We're All Alone
Sugar- Copper Blue (1992)
Posted by KB on 2/18/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
Husker Du's Bob Mould's second band Sugar is an underappreciated national treasure. More melodic, crunchier but accessible it was a logical next step for an indie-punk darling. "Copper Blue" is close to perfect and it has aged extremely well. There are metal elements mixed with pop awareness but not so much to dilute the edginess. Each song is anthemic filling every sound nook and cranny. It doesn't relent and give the listener a rest- which is exactly what one should want from a killer rock album. Close your eyes and let "Copper Blue" wash over you.
Favorite Songs: Virtually every song
Ratboys- Singin' to an Empty Chair (2026)
Posted by KB on 2/9/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
Ratboys is a good band, who drift from indie rock warbling to pop-punk with solid solos. "Singin' To an Empty Chair" didn't resonate with me like Printer's Devil did a few years back. I felt the songs and pacing were more muted and not as lively through the entire the album. That doesn't mean STAEC is a lost cause. The album begins brightly as one would expect, it just doesn't hold onto it especially on the longer tracks (except the solo on Burn It Down rages). Maybe with repeated listens it'll hit me.
Favorite Songs: Open Up, Know You Then, Anywhere, The World So Madly
De La Sol- Cabin in the Sky (2025)
Posted by KB on 2/9/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
De La Sol blazed a new path in rap in 1989 with "3 Feet High and Rising" adding a psychedelic bend and a positive vibe which countered the more gangsta and macho style of the time. "Cabin in the Sky" stays on the up beat, even with the loss of member Trugoy the Dove in 2023. The grooves are there and modernized making it a good listen. The issue I have, and it's my taste, is the snippets and non-rap chatter which, to me, takes away from the flow. Fans of De La Sol will enjoy nonetheless.
Favorite Songs: YUHDONTSTOP, Good Health, Day in the Sun
Walt Mink- Colossus (1997)
Posted by KB on 1/22/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
St. Paul's Walt Mink were a alt-power pop band that wove complex guitar rock with changing tempos and layered instrumentation. While not every song hits in the middle, not once can a listener call "Colossus" boring. Talented bands like Walt Mink don't become sensations because they are just too convoluted for the masses. Every day Joe's don't get unexpected song structure. For those who are a little more forward thinking and open minded should give this album a try.
Favorite Songs: Brave Beyond the Call, Goodnight, Freedom
Superchunk- Songs in the Key of Yikes (2025)
Posted by KB on 1/22/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
Rarely do indie-cool band go on hiatus and come back stronger, more creative and outright better. Since re-emerging and releasing "Majesty Shredding" in 2010, Superchunk has done just that. Every release since has been brilliant, including "Songs in the Key of Yikes". Smart, energetic and relevant (musically and socially), SITKOY doesn't sound like a band that began in 1989. While their sound is unmistakable, it never becomes stale. The power chords are metal worthy, the tempos tap into punk and solos are concise and lively. I don't know what the hell I was thinking not including this in my top 20 of last year.
Favorite Songs: Care Less, Everybody Dies, Stuck in a Dream, Some Green
Glyders- Forever (2025)
Posted by KB on 1/14/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
A little Grateful Dead. A little King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. But not completely either. The guitar flanges, tempo changes - you can just feel that they want to take off to the stratosphere. The vocals are subdued but fit the vibe perfectly. Only drawback is that it drags in the middle and can feel slightly repetitive. Jam band fans should give this a spin.
Favorite Songs: Super Glyde, Hard Ride, Thousand Miles
R.E.M.- Green (1988)
Posted by KB on 1/14/2026 to
Reviews In Brief
I pulled this one out on Michael Stipe's 66th birthday, and it proves that there was a time when R.E.M. was the greatest band in the land (arguably the US's all time greatest band). It was the first album where Stipe's vocals were 100% front and center- this started on "Document" and was enhanced more, here on "Green" with excellent harmony by Mike Mills. Buck's guitar is inventive and full with dancing riffs and power chords. Released in 1988 "Green" still sounds fresh and is a legitimate classic.
Favorite Songs: Get Up, Turn You Inside Out, Orange Crush, [hidden track]
1. Vundabar- Surgery and Pleasure
Posted by KB on 12/31/2025 to
Reviews In Brief
"Surgery and Pleasure" was hands down my most listened to album of 2025. The band from Boston came out of nowhere and landed in my lap. Serious 80's alt vibes, though I do hear Bloc Party, Pixies and Interpol. Danceable rock punctuated with killer riffs and solo-like chord work driven by percussion that has to hold on so not to drift into total discord. All this while still creating sublime hooks. I imagine an incredible live performance and I hope to experience this soon.
Favorite Songs: Can't pick- love them all
2. Big Thief- Double Infinity
Posted by KB on 12/30/2025 to
Reviews In Brief
3. Mt Joy- Hope We Have Fun
Posted by KB on 12/29/2025 to
Reviews In Brief
I'm guilty for normally leaning to angry, angst riddled music. BUT sometimes I need an uplift and MT Joy's "Hope We Have Fun" is that release this year. The songs reflect the title. They range from 'hey lets just enjoy each other and life' to 'I hope you can find' or 'I can provide you a morsel of happiness'. The songs are concise and the arrangements are glorious and simple allowing the songs to build sonically and emotionally. Looking for something to leave you with a smile- put this on.
Favorite Songs: Pink Lady, Coyote, In the Middle, Lucy, Highway Queen
4. Ty Segall- Possession
Posted by on 12/29/2025 to
Reviews In Brief
5. Tyler Childress- Snipe Hunting
Posted by KB on 12/28/2025 to
Reviews In Brief
6. Wet Leg- Moisturizer
Posted by KB on 12/28/2025 to
Reviews In Brief
Isle of Wight natives, Wet Leg, have followed up their solid self titled debut with "Moisturizer". An album that builds upon their minimalistic, nonchalant approach by combining catchy rock riffs with naughty funkiness. What keeps their sound fresh is the variation of the vocal delivery, part sing-talk, at times breathy and at others in your face, layered over hard driving beats. Good for us Wet Leg wasn't a one release wonder.
Favorite Songs: CPR, Catch These Fists, Pillow Talk, Mangeout
7. The Hives- The Hives Forever Forever the Hives
Posted by KB on 12/27/2025 to
Reviews In Brief
8. Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers- Glory
Posted by KB on 12/27/2025 to
Reviews In Brief
Aussie no frills power pop that is no frills, melodic, little naughty and full of hooks. Sometimes one doesn't need a concept or deep meaning or poetry- just uncomplicated rock songs and ballads. There's a little Wet Leg, Muncie Girls and Olivia Rodriguez in here making "Glory" both accessible and alternative. Don't be surprised if you feel underwhelmed at first, but finding ourself reaching for it to fill an edgy pop need.
Favorite Songs: Bait, Wonderful, Watching Me Leave, Balcony
9. Vulture Feather- It Will Be Like Now
Posted by KB on 12/26/2025 to
Reviews In Brief
"It Will Be Like Now" is dramatic. It's emphatic. It demands you to listen to it. Each song has a familiarity to the others and it could be easy to dismiss them as too similar, but each takes on their own personality while being a cousin of Peter Gabriel, Band of Horses, True Widow and ringing drone rock. It's an album that you either get it, or you don't. It grows more upon multiple listens and forces you to get it.
Favorite Songs: Blood Knot, Flesh and Electronics, Sweetest Friend
