Dave Paulson is mostly known for his previous projects NORM, The Privates and My So-Called Band (the 90’s tribute band) but his latest album is something entirely different. While still firmly planted in the pop rock realm that he does so well, this album is a concept record inspired by ‘Tommy Boy’, the 1995 comedy starring Chris Farley and David Spade.

At first blush, that may seem like a ridiculous concept for a record (and it is) but Paulson managed to write a handful of incredibly sincere songs that transcend the novelty of it being related to an SNL cult classic film. Regardless of if you have ever seen the movie or not, the lyrical content makes perfect sense as a tale of triumph over adversity. There’s no samples from the film or overt references to the most memorable parts (see: “Fat Guy in a Little Coat”), it’s just a pop record about two people trying to find their place.

So, yea, it’s a bit of a novelty if you know the back story but it’s also just a damn fine pop album beyond that. The website has a song-by-song breakdown of the events being described from the film along with the lyrics. It’s startling how well it works.

There is something decidedly familiar and entirely otherworldly about the track “No More Running” from Eve Maret. Sonically, the single is powered by 80’s keyboard tones and beats that transform into a wash of ambient sound, enveloping the listener. The vocals are run through a vocoder like effect to transform them into something robotic and less than human; a fitting choice for the soundscape it accompanies. Altogether, it feels like a piece that stems from our world but is meant to portray somewhere else. I, for one, am curious to hear more.

In January, Zook posted a track from their forthcoming album Garden Variety. Here we are almost finished with June and there’s still no sign of the album but the band is playing at Fond Object (4th Ave) on July 14th as part of the Cold Lunch Recording “Discovery Night” series and I can only assume they’ll play more from the upcoming release during that set.

There’s a looseness and lightness to “What’s It to You” (and the previously released Carrots EP) that makes it immediately enjoyable. The production makes it feel like a casual performance from an artist just wildly enjoying playing the music. The combination of choral oompa’s and screeching guitar is a surprising delight contrasted with the lounging energy of the rest of the song.

It’s just one song but it’s a helluva preview for something great to come.

You ever hear the name of a band and just flat out assume you’re not interested? I’m not proud of it but I absolutely did that with Cordovas. They were often listed alongside many other Americana bands that I had listened to and I discounted them by association. Shame on me.

The band recently announced a new album to be released on August 10th entitled That Santa Fe Channel along with the first track, “This Town’s a Drag.” It’s a laid back number with just the right hint of western country flair and Southern Rock influences blended together. There’s also something authentically lonesome about the vocals that hits just right. I regret my initial judgment of the band but am happy to have come around just in time for a whole new batch of songs to be released.

Be on the lookout for That Santa Fe Channel via ATO Records this August.

The debut, self-titled, album from Charlie & The Evil Mothers was released back in April (we loved it) and I’ve been anxious to learn if that meant we’d experience a dearth of new music from the outfit as they worked the album cycle. Fortunately, that’s not the case. The new track, “Every Day is Sunday“, just hit the Internets and it’s a welcome dose of new Evil Mothers.

The track maintains the enjoyable oddness of the full-length but feels more layered and focused in its execution. The swinging nature of the song – back and forth between gentle ooh’s and yelping choruses – is accompanied by Charlie’s soon-to-be trademark guitar song and plenty of flourishes you hear on the third or fourth listen.

It’s just one track but it’s an exciting follow-up to an already enjoyable body of work.

It’s been a few years since Kyle Andrews has released anything new but I have a sneaking suspicion that there are new things afoot in his camp. Not only did he recently play a show with Pale Houses but he’s started to post his back catalog of albums over on his Bandcamp.

So, while anticipation brews for something new emerging from him, take a moment to revisit some of those previous records, such as Robot Learn Love, a record that manages to mash big guitars and small accents perfectly. For instance, the first track “Make Me Feel Human”, explodes with guitars but treats you with the most perfect twinkling keyboard. It’s a combination that Andrews pulls off with great aplomb throughout the duration of the record.

Consider this a public service announcement, just because it wasn’t released in 2018, doesn’t mean it’s not an enjoyable listen.

We posted about the last Makeup and Vanity Set EP, PRIS, fairly recently but it’s worth pointing out that he’s already released a follow-up that continues to world build on the previous. If you’re a sci-fi fan, the name Pris should ring a bell as a reference to Pris Stratton from Blade Runner. The prior EP is, thematically, built around a musical ideology geared towards that character.

With Run, MAVS is shifting his gaze to Zhora Salome, another replicant from the Blade Runner world. Musically, it’s a far cry from PRIS and much of the rest of the synthwave style catalog he’s known for. While it’s true that he’s keeping with a familiar subject matter within the genre, he’s stretching way outside of the standard sounds and styles. Speaking on an emotional level, the overtly doom-and-gloom vibe has been exchanged for something more mysterious.

I suspect there may be more of these releases coming in the future and I hope they continue to explore new territory.