Fuzzysurf - Black Licorice

 

Milwaukee's Fuzzysurf are a quartet that have appeared regularly across the LTTW Playlist's life and I have no idea why I didn't review the excellent Chameleons, I can only imagine it being caught in the January 2025 compiling of the previous years Best Of.

Black Licorice has a story to tell. Originally planned as the follow up to 2020's Sweet Tooth, the album was abandoned in 2023. The replacement of the rhythm section led to a change in direction and the path to Chameleons.

It was decided to revisit Black Licorice with the new line up. Some songs were re-recorded, others removed and replaced with new songs and the result is something really cohesive. The result is something distinctly Rockier, without losing the Guitar Pop that is a strength.

The album sounds a little more Slacker, a little 90s Rock at times, but it also borders Power Pop, both classic and the noisier new fashionable version. Superfaded is an instant classic, built on a killer riff and yet sounding both a bit Weezer and a lot Brit Pop.

Everybody Knows is a darker version of the band, yet adds some great harmonies and the closer mesmerising American Blood broods wonderfully. But there is also great Pop. Self Attraction is nearer Indie Pop and I Really Miss You is built around a wonderfully engaging arrangement.

Sheep Shed is superb Power Pop. I've obviously never heard the original sessions, but it would be interesting to hear them and compare them to the now because Fuzzysurf have delivered a crackerjack listen. Great riffs, great choruses and a joyous listen.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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The Buttons - Medication

 Whilst compiling the current Listening To This Week Playlist, I was delighted to gather up the Psych Pop on offer. Many of you know my love of the genre and if here is an inkling of a revival, nothing would make me happier.

People say the genre is Retro and of course it is, but there is something special about what it brings. It adds more depth to the I love you, yes I do that Power Pop struggles to avoid and concentrates more on a vibe, perhaps more on the instrumental arrangements.

David Walsh's The Buttons are now on their fifth album and it isn't often that Glasgow leads the way with Psych Pop. The mastery of The Buttons is that they remind you of many other things. This is a mellow version of the genre, built on flower powered riffs.

But there is plenty of directions to explore, Paisley Pop obviously, but also the trippy 60s. At times, you are reminded of the better Madchester bands, riffs can also be a little Goth and a song like Voodoo jangles as well as the Jangle Poppers that are still around with a killer riff partway through.

Vocally, I'm reminded of my beloved Orgone Box at times. Psychedelic Sunshine mixes 60s hippy with 70s Pop Rock in a wonderful soundscape. The title track closes proceedings and builds and builds from something insular into an all encompassing joy.

Colours opens and gives you an indication of what you might expect, Lava Lamp adds a slightly mellotron feel to the mix and She Plays A Tambourine is an obvious single. An album to be listened to from start to finish, sack your playlists. Medication is an absolutely wonderful listen.

You can listen to and buy the album here. The album fully serves a physical release.

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Listening To This Week Playlist 21 September

What a great week for Submissions and Releases. The Maximum 30 songs this week. Possibly one of the best ever LTTW Playlists. Guitar Pop as you might expect, but plenty of scope for the other genres that are beloved here, for instance a fair sprinkling of my beloved Psych Pop and as always a superb closer.

The song order is not about song preference, but how the playlist flows.  All embeds open in new windows to aid scrolling. Links to the artists will also appear on I Don't Hear A Single Social Media sites over the next 24 hours. This will help you to discover more about those who appear here. 

Loose Lips - Tired Of Toein' The Line

Big Nothing - Won't Be Around

The Toms - 15,000000000 Years Of Evolution

Chromette - Mysterious Delerious

dilute_calico98 - myrtha

The Tubs - Who's Gonna Love You Now

Naïve Men Leading The Blind - Fairytale Love

Naive Men Leading the Blind · Fairytale Love

The Wheelworkers - So Wrong

Travis Seal - Powerball

Barlow - Billionaire's Hand In My Pocket

Tom Minor - What A Little Moonlight Could Do

Sona Bliss - Without You

Charming Arson - Thessalian Trick

Defecting Grey - The Difference Engine

The Speedways - Angela, Sincerely

Little Quirks - Game Boy

Little Quirks · Game Boy

The Buttons - She Plays A Tambourine

Ray Kenny - Wall Of Sound

The Rainlamps - You Wrote My Favourite Song

Pseud - Shadows Plateaus

The Spitting Pips - Sidelines

The Crystal Teardrop - Tomorrow Starts Today

Finn's Motel - Thanks To Gravity

Never The Bridle - Funny Bizarre

Misery Prize - Thought Police

The Deathray Davies - Red Lights

Hollow Hand - Kiss The Boot

SnakeOil - Sleeping Nothingness

Fruited Planes - So You Say

Ventilator - The Tailor's Lament

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Loose Lips - Love You EP

 

Great to see (and hear) the return of Loose Lips after last year's wonderful Last Laugh (Review here) album. As mentioned in the review, Two Thirds of Loose Lips are in the five piece The Prize who enchanted all and sundry with their debut album last year.

Consisting of Josh Hardy on Guitar, Ethan Stahl on Bass and Nadine Muller on Drums, the band rely on noisier Power Pop that edges towards Punk than the three Guitar attack of The Prize. But it is incredibly effective. Fist shaking is guaranteed.

Muller and Hardy split vocals Muller taking her turn on Tired Of Toein' The Line which is possibly the best thing here, a great example of how the band can expand away from more traditional Power Pop. Hardy takes the lead on the 100mph Ramones like Beehive Teardrop.

There is a terrific Rhythm Section from Stahl and Muller, the former offering up great UK New Wave basslines. Hardy offers up killer riffs and surprise solos that add another dimension to the Melbourne Trio. It is really great to have them back.

You can listen to and buy the EP here. It is available on Vinyl 7 Inch and as a download.

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Duncan Sheik R.I.P.

 

Duncan Sheik was an extra-ordinarily gifted Singer Songwriter. A mainstay of our previous life as Anything Should Happen, where his albums and live performances were adored. He doesn't appear here, largely because we celebrate the new and he swapped his album career for Broadway around the time that IDHAS began.

On ASH, Mick Dillingham termed the description Gravitas Pop to describe him and others of his ilk. Under Appreciated he certainly was. Many will point to his self titled debut album from 1996 which spawned Barely Breathing, but the follow up, Humming, was possibly even better. 2015's Legerdemain was as great as earlier days. 

He leaves behind, a stellar back catalogue and is a really sad loss to Guitar Pop.

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Like Minded Friends Section

The Like Minded Friends section contains links to other places that are similar to us and will allow you to find other delights. Unfortunately, a Blogger problem has meant that they have not updated for a week. This is a general problem and awaiting a Google fix. Should it continue, we will look for an alternate way of linking them.

In the meantime, you can of course click on the link and catch up with what you have missed.

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Listening To This Week Playlist 14 September

27 songs this week.  The usual mix of Guitar Pop roads and diversions into alternate genre avenues. As always, a wonderful closer. Nice to be back in the saddle and something for everyone here.

The song order is not about song preference, but how the playlist flows.  All embeds open in new windows to aid scrolling. Links to the artists will also appear on I Don't Hear A Single Social Media sites over the next 24 hours. This will help you to discover more about those who appear here. 

Stephen Egerton - Roland Grace

Mitch Easter - Wall Of Mist

Red Cabin - What A Fail

British Birds - Scary Movies

Ultra Lights - Pleasure's All Yours

The Last Mandrill - I Would Gladly Get Out Of Your Head

Sharp Class - Stuck On You

Fuzzysurf - I Really Miss You

Town Meeting - Renaissance Faire

Love Hearts - Occupy My Heart

Jay Cavalier And The Band - The Big Light

Lito And The Shepherds - The Flow

Dear Darcy - MayDay

Dear Darcy · MayDay

DEAD STAR TALK - Don't Stop Tonight

Slow Down Molasses - Life Without Buildings

Sir Prize And The Twomorrow Knightz - Hilltop High

Arcadia Residential - Industrial Estate

James E. Gray - Simulation

James E. Gray · Simulation

The Nielsen Device - I Can't Wait

The Summertimes - Save You Now

Azure Rose - Blue Drops

audio club - Turn My World

Nefilim - Melankoli

Fraternal Twin - Solitude

Stane - Kimberley Clark

Automatics - England Expects

Confusion Field - Conjuring Conflict

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The Feeders - Dark Days

 

Sam Vicari is a fine songwriter who seemed to eventually find the ideal vehicle for the songs in The Feeders. Vicari, Alex Rackow and John Perrin fashion up great Guitar Pop. Although they preceded the new wave of noisier Power Pop, they certainly sound at home there.

The Trio are some damn melodic, but wrap that in crunchier guitar that takes them into Indie Rock territory at times, but you sense that their heart lies in Power Pop. The Power Pop rhythm on Congratulations, By The Way is a joy to listen to and what a Guitar solo!

However, they can move the dial. Permanent Blackout is much darker, edging into Grunge and Level Zero is pure early Weezer and Sara, You're My Saviour is great Slacker Rock and I do love the way they use a comma in their song titles.

If you want them to Rock Out with a hint of Jangle, then here's Out To Rot. Why Do We Fight is almost anthemic with its Guitar chorus solo. Yet, Fruit Flies is so damn hypnotic, built around a simple riff and a heartfelt vocal.

Mrs Duluth News Anchor sounds very early Teenage Fanclub, superbly so and Benevolent is nearer classic Power Pop with some great call and response. The lyrics may be dark, but instrumentally, the album is particularly splendid. A top notch affair!

You can listen to and buy the album here.The album is available on Vinyl and as a download.

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Love Hearts - Love Hearts Forever

 

All the way from Oslo, we have Love Hearts. Mikel Clelland is no stranger to the scene as a member of both The Hallingtons and The Lemonaids. Both bands mastered a sort of poppier sounding Ramones, firstly via Norway and then the Glasgow scene.

Love Hearts is Clelland with Mike DeeCrack on Drums. The Ramones feel is less prominent, exchanged for really enjoyable Bubblegum Power Pop. Classic Power Pop, simple but incredibly effective and so damn catchy. 

Sugar Sugar opens and tells you all you need about the band. Songs largely about love and built around verse, verse, chorus, verse, killer chorus middle eight etc, but they are such a fun listen, you find yourself singing along in a heartbeat.

The standout is Occupy My Heart which ends more into early Weezer and their like territory. It is a great Power Pop song, but the whole album is a hoot. It doesn't vary much, but you don't really want it to as the joy it brings is something much needed in these crazy times.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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Jay Cavalier And The Band - The Big Light EP (Free Download)

 

I had a conversation with an old friend at the weekend and he was telling me how useless the EP is in 2026. I hear similar things from the album is done brigade and I disagree with both vigorously. The Playlist will one day be less sexy. It isn't, as many say, the replacement of the album or the necessity for a single. I'll go into why more fully in the future.

Jay Cavalier is an example of how important, the EP can be. A single obviously open doors a little, but how many great songs have you heard that lead you to an album that is really mediocre? If someone can hold your intention over three songs, then there's a reasonable chance that they will hold your attention for much longer. Plus make the three songs free to download and many bases are covered.

Pontificating over, The Bad Light is an incredible listen. It is DIY, put wonderfully engaging and these three songs stand up with anything. It was the submission of the title track that brought me here and if something resonates, I will look further.

The Big Light as a song, sounds very UK New Wave, the type that came out of Punk when bands realised they had to learn their instrument more and sing something catchy. Cavalier's vocal sounds best on this, a voice that adapts across both UK and US scenes. 

Waiting For The Rain is more American sounding, but also the path that New Wavers like Graham Parker took in the 80s, it has a great weeping Piano in the background and a fine sax break and a great Riff. It is a real songwriter telling a story vibe.

House Of Mirrors has an earthier vocal, but again has a sort of US feel that became more and more popular in the 80s Indie band. Beautifully played based around a cracking twanging riff. I think the future is bright for Cavalier, even in his 30s. I really do hope so. That twanging riff on House Of Mirrors promises much.

You can listen to and download the EP here.

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Bleu - Sargeant Pepper Grinder

I have been a Bleu fan forever. From Headlong onwards and it probably makes us both feel old to realise that was 26 years ago. I've played Redhead constantly since its release and also followed his side projects. L.E.O. 's Alcapas Orgling and The Major Label's Aquavia.

The former sounded more like ELO than ELO at times and the latter remains one of my favourite albums ever. The tie up with Mike Viola and Ducky Carlisle is amazing melodic pop and Ducky is one of the people remembered on this album.

https://bleu.bandcamp.com/track/start-a-band

As a side issue, I'm often asked where the I Don't Hear A Single name came from. Many get the Tom Petty Into The Great Wide Open connection and the cerebral twigged in the early years that the place was an Album Review site, although Listening To This Week changed a lot of that.

But the main influence was a song from that album by The Major Labels, a song fittingly called I Don't Hear A Single. I lost touch with Bleu through his Disney years etc, only because it wasn't really aimed at me. I was just happy that he was getting his due worth.

So, it is wonderful to have him back with a full album no less and what a splendid album it is.  It has all the hallmarks of a classic Bleu album. Multi layered, a kitchen sink production, killer choruses and sheer joy. Indeed, his tribute to Ducky Carlisle, Start A Band, could have easily been on Aquavia.

Full of wit, the amazing thing is that he makes the subject matter, Death, Loss, aging so damn catchy. He can also still write a ballad. Where The Colours Bleed is darker and has an exceptional shared vocal with Carly Paige.

He even revives part of Start A Band in Scotch and makes an even bigger statement. The Last Scene Of The Magic Dead is a big 70s Pop Rock moment that treads into Yacht Rock. I'm Not Dead is the big Lighters Out Epic. It is more than a little Todd Rundgren.

But all roads lead to the reprise of the title track. a massive production. It contains everything that covers the great man's career. Beautifully arranged clever Guitar Pop, a raiding of the instrument cupboard, celebrating the now and then. There are some great albums already out this year, but this may be the thing that has delighted me most.  Look out for the hidden track, a real jaunty minute long.

You can listen to and buy the download here. You can buy the vinyl here.

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The Creepy Jingles - Against All Opps

 

For a small label in Kansas City, Enigmatic Brunch don't half release some great stuff from great artists. Wills Van Doorn, Eggs On Mars and now The Creepy Jingles. Described as an EP, but more of a mini album, Against All Opps is so damn catchy.

You will have heard Throw Me In Some Rice on the Listening To This Week Playlist and it's 60s mellotron sound linked to more modern Pop still sounds just as wonderful. Having these songs ready and then having to learn them again and record with a new line up due to departures doesn't show.

Jocelyn Nixon is a fine songwriter, offering up melody and depth and a song like Funhouse Mirror shows a closing surprise with a wonderful Guitar solo. The closer, Nu Fables, also delights with great Pop and sounds more like a Torch song.

Stay High almost becomes a marching song, a reminder of great 70s Pop Rock and You Don't Trend is poppier Slacker Rock with a real lyrical adeptness. I Don't Need A Thing From You is splendid Pop, great New Wave keyboard accompaniment and another fine guitar solo. The whole thing is a joyous listen.

You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl and as a download.

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The Temponauts - The Summer Rain Archive

The Temponauts are from Italy and another example of a Listening To This Week Playlist submission leading to us going rooting further and what a cracking album The Summer Rain Archive is. The sort of album that Power Pop has been waiting all year for.

The revival of the genre has largely been due to a meatier sounding version, so it is wonderful to hear something more classic again. Plus, in Backstreets, Freckles, Afternoons they have one of the great Power Pop songs of the year.

But they don't stay in one place, they Jangle a hell of lot, sometimes gently, most times a little more upfront and there are hints of Psych Pop,  Paisley Pop and some great 60s sounding Guitar Pop. The whole album is a feel good affair.

The stand out is how addictive the riffs are, the songs are melodic, but this is a real Guitar album that just drills into your brain. The immersive Guitar Sound matches the choruses, but dominates proceedings throughout, never letting hold.

As a Psych Pop freak, Outer Dark makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. How We Lost The War is cracking Merseybeat and Sunday Eyes goes all Americana. The Girl Who Wasn't There is 100mph joy and Is It You? is Paisley heaven with a hint of UK New Wave.

It may be the Jangle that grabs you most, but the diversions work just as well. 12 songs, not one of them a duff, the album is superb Guitar Pop, played with expertise and depth. A totally splendid listen that demands your attention.

You can listen to and buy the album here. I'm hoping someone like Kool Kat will pick this up for a physical release.

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Motorcycle - Relive It

 

Dandyboy Records are never far from hitting the bullseye and they've certainly got the maximum 50 score with Sacramento Trio, Motorcycle. Most of the Trios that we cover are either Power Pop or Power Trio, these three are neither.

This is great boisterous Pop, Guitar Pop if it weren't for the great 80s sounding keyboard sound that enhances everything. The arrangements are exceptional, as catchy as catchy can be, a little New Wave at times, but the trio are never stuck in one place.

The shared male / female vocal also aids things considerably. Chris's vocal is a little more rock and direct, Kortnee's more Pop, a little Sarah Cracknell at times. The former adds killer riffs, the latter provides a killer rhythm section with Matt. 

Here But Not Here is not a million miles away from New Order, yet Don't Even Try goes all 90s Rock and Forget Who My Friends Are is very close to The Killers. Just For Me is classic Synth Rock and Spinning Out is so 80s and the title track, great Power Pop.

Friday The 13th is like Rachel Sweet leading a synth band and in these days of front loaded albums, it is really pleasing to report that the best listen is probably the 9th song. Get Caught is but around a stomp and it just hooks you. The keyword here is fun and Relive It is absolutely fun packed.

You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl and as a download.

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Listening To This Week Playlist 7 September

The maximum 30 songs this week. A really strong playlist, we've been inundated with submissions, so much so that a few have been carried over to next week. The usual mix of Guitar Pop with plenty of diversions into other genres. As always, a wonderful closer.

The song order is not about song preference, but how the playlist flows.  All embeds open in new windows to aid scrolling. Links to the artists will also appear on I Don't Hear A Single Social Media sites over the next 24 hours. This will help you to discover more about those who appear here. 

Chris Church - Surprise

Motorcycle - Get Caught

Hamlet - Borrowed Light

Herr Nilsson - October Surprise

The Creepy Jingles - Throw Me In Some Rice

The Temponauts - Made Of Nothing

Dropkick - it’s a Long Way To Fall Down

Knives In The Champion - Mind Dagger

Drawing Room - What I Want

Ne Pas de Machine - Jelly Legged

Willie Dowling - Rats In The Maze

Homework - Heroes Welcome

Radio Karma - Sweetheart Deal

The Rupert Selection - Riddance

The No Good Crowd - Dennis Wilson

The Gamma Rays - A Mystery

Eric Silverman - Trapped In Reverse (Raw Honey Version)

Dale John Max - Castles In The Sand

Sunday Mourners - Biograph

Federale - A Strange Vice

Creatures Of The Sun - Kaleidoscope

Caleb Hawley - Artificial Accent

The Carringtons - Noise

The Carringtons · NOISE

Dynamo Stairs - Polarized

Soda Gumball - Double Trouble

Ollie Ander White - Kiki

New Age New Wavers - Biggar Pengar

Kid Blank - In My Head

Quiz Show - Xono

Det Enda Havet - Alla Drommar Tror Pa Dig

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The Escape Society - The Escape Society

 

Hearing something great from Canada is no surprise here. The country has been one of the greatest contributors to reviews here and has a vibrant Guitar Pop scene that offers up great album again and again. Ottawa's The Escape Society are a little more Pop Rock, but just as great a listen.

Incredibly melodic, they flirt with AOR, but are just as ease with Modern Prog on the likes of Derelicts Of The Fungus Shed. On Sociopath, they are more Stadium Rock, a little hint of The Darkness and an altogether now Pomp Rock.

Useless Machine is an incredible song that featured on a recent Listening To This Week Playlist and still sounds as great. Yet compare that gentleness to the straight ahead AOR of Shut Up And Drive with its all encompassing chorus.

Tantamount To War is an epic closer that extends beyond 8 minutes. A little Vegas With Randolph like, it builds and builds with surprise synth Prog and organ runs that delight. Wonderfully arranged and totally engaging.

This is a wonderfully arranged and produced album, perhaps a little more commercial than we usually cover, but a wonderful listen. Great depth, its steps into Prog are accessible and beautifully put together. A cracking listen.

You can listen to and buy the album here. It certainly deserves a Physical Release.

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Helicopter Leaves - Sabrina Nickels

Anthony Vaccaro puts aside his Beach Bunny adventures to release his second album as Helicopter Leaves, an extraordinarily great solo project. It sounds less DIY than the debut, Get Stuck In and delves into areas that will certainly please our followers.

It is incredibly melodic, the chunky Guitar Pop being perfectly suited to Vaccaro's gentle vocal. There are hints of the likes of Dinosaur Jr. and even Teenage Fanclub and frequent ventures into Slacker Rock, but this is essentially a Guitar album.

Moments spring out surprisingly. I Should Have Been Listening is magnificent mixing genres such as Psych Pop and Fuzz Rock, but built on a laidback vocal surrounded by some great guitar. It desperately wants to be a Pop Song, but is a little complicated to be one.

Yet, Dreaming About Everyone But You is more of a rockathon with a killer chorus and an unexpected Psych Pop Guitar solo. What's One More Place is much more in your face. Feeling Nothing Is Worse is ace Power Pop and It Really Never Did is superb Slacker.

Dedicated to Sabrina Nickels, a childhood family friend, who formed Nickels musical tastes and encouraged his songwriting. The album is built on Riffs that drill into your brain, providing a great example of the joy of Guitar Pop.

You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl and as a download.

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Chris Church - Surprise EP

 

There's a lot to catch up on, so I'd better get cracking and what a way to start with Chris Church of whom I've been a long time fan. Chris let me hear the opener and title track a few months ago and I thought it was precursor for his next album, due next year. 

So I was surprised myself to see this 5 track EP released and it is everything that I wanted to hear. It is a return to the thing that got me into the man. Church has never stayed still and that is admirable, but this return to sort of the start is the most welcome thing this year.

It is guitartastic, loose and riff heavy, the Matthew Sweet vocal comparisons surface again and it as though Sweet is backed by Crazy Horse. There is a real Neil Young feel at times. It Rocks as much as you could ever want something to Rock.

As ever, a solo affair, although this time with Brian Beaver on Drums. Church plays the Guitar as though his life depends on it without ever losing sight of the song and the melody. I may be selfish, but this is how I want to hear Chris Church, it is what he is best at.

It is a Rock EP of the highest order. The riff on the frantic Yes, This Is The Blues is worth the admission alone and the chorus is more than a little early R.E.M. Alt Rock of the highest quality with a feel of Garage Rock Frenzy. Angrier than the man might normally be.

The closer, Absolutely Nothing, comes up for air, still Guitar led, but more of the storytelling that Church is noted for, restrained, but you get the intent. During my absence, I've managed to gather some stunning releases, but this may be the best of them. Chris Church is back and we should all be grateful.

You can listen to and buy the EP here. It is available on CD and as a download.

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