August Crap - Better late than Never

Somerdale - One of those records that probably could go either way for people. I know it has been a hate or love disc for others I share music with. If you’re a big fan of true Power Pop, that is if you like the bands like the Rasberries, the Rubinoos, the Shoes and the Shazam, you’ll appreciate it for what it is – a definitive Power Pop record complete with goofily naïve lyrics, great guitar power chords and great hooks and nods to discovering love and music (I would guess that everyone here didn’t need to discover music on the FM band, but I did and FM Liberation nails the feeling). If you’re too cynical to feel 16 again, then you probably won’t like it. And I’ve got news for you, if you think you like power pop and you don’t like this record, then you don’t like power pop. You might like some bands that can be defined as power pop, but you don’t truly like or appreciate the genre, but hey, that’s OK. Even if power pop is the purest distillation of pop and rock that there is. The bottom line is that good hooks are good hooks and this record has them. 4.5 stars


Matisyahu - Never really thought Reggae was interesting at all and this doesn't change my mind. Probably has some lyrical relavence, but I have a hard time caring, since I don't love the music. 1.5


Possum Dixon - Now this is a fun record Couldn’t figure out is it was new or old when I listened to it for the first time and was truly surprised that it was as old as it was. Quirky and interesting from start to finish on the first few listens, but it wore a bit thin over time. Glad I heard it and will listen again and since it was something I never would have found without the group, that counts for something – probably a half star extra or so for surprising me. 3.5


Gravel Pit – A really good rock record that contains at least half a dozen great songs, led by the blistering minute and 57 second Curious, one of the rare songs that finishes with such a flourish that you automatically hit the back button so you can hear it again, only louder this time. The songs are a bit uneven, (although what album is perfect from start to finish?), but the highs are so high that it carries this to a 4.5


Radiohead – I missed the Radiohead bus, at first because I just didn’t care and then on purpose when they were proclaimed the next big thing by the kind of Rock Critics who always get such stuff wrong. I guess that’s too bad, because this was interesting and enjoyable to discover. Now that I know there is some real merit to this band, I’ll probably at least get OK Computer and Kid A. I’m so Radiohead illiterate that I didn’t know that Creep was them.
Had I known, it wouldn’t have changed my mind, because it is standard alternative fare for that era, but this collection gets better and more interesting as it goes along, hence a decision to buy those two. For the record, though, it doesn’t sound like they changed rock.

Wedding Songs – Tough topic because music is so personal. I know what I’d play, if I gave it some thought, which I admit, I haven’t. Here’s one, though – Thirteen by Big Star. Very tender, heartfelt tale of young love.