When it comes to world class power pop, Italy is leading the way at the moment. And, with their new album, Radio Days are proving major competition against Giuda and Faz Waltz. While their previous releases are all good, ‘Rave On!’ is their strongest set of tunes. Or, should I say “TUNES!”. With bells on.
‘I Got A Love’ is the perfect opener, infectious from the off. This is how you write a great pop song. I’ve been listening to this album for a few weeks, but I never tire of this song, it’s full of energy and sunshine. ‘Lose Control’ gets the head nodding along, their closest compatriots here are The (mighty) Speedways.
‘Walk Alone’ is a slower scarf-waver of a tune, with pleasingly Ringo style drums. When people talk about “honing your craft”, this is what they mean. It’s a beautiful song. ‘Running Around’ is like your favourite obscure 70s classic; you’ve heard it done before, but rarely done so well. And ‘Til The End Of The Night’ is…I’m running out of superlatives. Gorgeous, that’s accurate. Macca would be proud.
‘What Is Life?’ is exactly what this upcoming summer ordered. Bright, optimistic and joyful. The perfect accompaniment to a little more freedom to see our friends again. ‘Meltdown’ is a slight left-turn, catchy like a long lost theme tune. ‘No One To Blame’ riffs it up like Eureka Machines on a sugar high, ‘When I’m With You’ reminds me of a cross between Slade and Badfinger; they know their stuff. ‘Between The Lines’ is a relaxed, classy way to end an album.
Seriously, there are some great bands out there doing this style of music at the moment, but it’s highly unlikely that anyone will release a better power pop album this year. Their peers had better watch out; Radio Days are the finished article now.
“Lose Control” is taken from the new Radio Days album “Rave On!” Out on Ammonia Records – 21st of May 2021 www.ammoniarecords.it
DARK HORSE RECORDS CELEBRATES THE RELEASE WITH A NEW OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR ALBUM TRACK ‘I FOUGHT THE LAW’, RECORDED LIVE IN LONDON IN 2001 BY JOE WITH HIS BAND THE MESCALEROS
Southern California Punk Rock act INFAMOUS STIFFS have released a storming new single and all-star video ‘Freak Parade’, available now on all digital platforms via Die Laughing/Golden Robot Records.
Lusitanian Ghosts – ‘For the Wicked’ (European Phonographic) Lusitanian Ghosts return with their latest single ‘For The Wicked’, The band is led by singer-songwriter and producer Neil Leyton and Swedish guitarist, singer and multi-instrumentalist Micke Ghost, with a cast of musical associates. We were blown away by the album last year and this single is more of the same with the use of their Portuguese chordophone instruments. ‘For The Wicked’ speaks to a lost and apathetic society.
It has a sense of melancholia as the track builds gradually to an anthemic finale. Providing calm in a world which is certainly not calm. It’s a confident record that oozes charm and class.
Prima Donna – ‘Gimme Christmas’ (Wicked Cool Records) Now one of the coolest and best bands over there on the West coast have just rocked up and made us feel all festive with their sleazy Rock and Roller Crimbo tune. I don’t want to hear that sleigh bells aren’t cool because we all know they are really and as these bad boys wind the clocks back to a time when these sort of things really mattered and people wanted to hear what bands had for the festive fun. ‘Gimme Christmas’ is a stomper whilst ‘Misletow Blues’ is a horn honkin twelve-bar booze-up where Alvin Stardust and Shakey are invited to compare the office disco and these bangers are gonna be on loop and you’ll all bloody well enjoy yourselves. Of course you will it’s fantastic. Prima Donna win again!
Rich Ragany & The Digressions – ‘December In My Heart’ (self Release) Pour yourself another eggnog and strap on some mistletoe and tinsel because Rags and the gang have gone and nicked bits from the Christmas goodies past and knocked up a warm n fuzzy tune for the festive season. If you have an office party slip this on and watch the girls from Accounts throw themselves around Health &Safeties handbags with festive abandon. Socially distanced dancing of course the best festive number thus far and unless Mayhem does ‘Little Donkey’ this will be the festive pick at HQ’s party.
Guerrilla Teens – ‘Faux King’s Guillotine (Self Release) they just can’t stop monkeying around. some sleazy garage punk n roll sees the Teens knock out ‘Faux King’s Guillotine’ for our listening pleasure and the best place to pick it up would be on the first Friday of every month from our mutual friends at Bandcamp and whilst you’re there get the album as well. If you don’t you must be bananas.
Fist pumping and with a fantastic rolling riff around a great lyric “remove the head and the body will die”. indeed. Release the hounds or else
Dirty Fences – ‘Garbageman’ (Greenway Records) What a headrush. Dirty Fences do that to you, Chasing into the distance with a hot melody played through the medium of some dirty power pop with a decent dollop of Garage and attitude thrown in for good measure. the B Side is even better, ‘Sometimes Sunshine’ is like Elvis Costello and the Attractions sped up hammering out a melody you feel like you’ve heard before but regardless it’s damn good and you know it and so do they. New York has never sounded so cool if only the Strokes could have sounded this good
Shadows Of Night – ‘Wild Man’ (Wicked Cool Records) oh hell yeah, shake it, baby, as Shadows Of Night are garage rock to the bone with the swirling keys and backbeat and a whole cave of reverb on the guitar as they shout to the devil on ‘wild Man’. This is retro enough to come with a scratch and sniff Afghan Coat whiff. The workout of ‘I Ain’t Got You’ is splendid from the freak-out solo to the keys it’s a blinder and of the highest order and knocks spots of a certain Boston band’s take on this. If only Tyler and Perry could be this authentic.
Dead Dirty Dinosaurs – ‘Bad Timing’ (Riot Records / Golden Robot Records) ‘Bad Timing’ is the latest single from the Dead Dirty Dinosaurs and the third release with the force that is Riot Records and their parent company Golden Robot Records. Bad Timing is a very decent dirty understated riff with great production that helps the song as you focus on the melody and that dirty low-down riff. Pre-order/pre-save Bad TimingHERE
Hells Ditch – ‘The Likes Of Us’ Laying down some modern American sounding indie post-punk rock the likes of Menzingers and not a million miles from the Americana of Gaslight Anthem but the punkier end. The one thing I was surprised at was these guys are from Lincoln and not Boston. They have the potential to be a big noise on the scene over on this sound of the pond.
Radio Days – ‘I Gotta Love’ (snap Records) Power Pop with a bit of edge sees Radio Days knock out a classic slice of Rock and Roll with a cool riff and lick and harmonies that hit you right in the heart. A backbeat the love to use and the perfect partner for the Subways or More Kicks. You even get a free pin badge with this slice of Milanese magic.
Rod Hamdallah – ‘Crawling Back’ (Hound Gawd! Records) Atlantas Swampy Garage Rock played like they’ve just crawled out of the ’50s and have landed on the ’60s shoreline. With a great melody that does what the geeta does, it’s retro rock n roll at its finest with a good hook on the chorus. Sure you could dance to it and wig out on the solo. as for the instrumental on the B side? Perfect for a 7″ b side I guess all weird and mystical for a band from Georgia. Always worth checking out.
Automatics – ‘Octonary’ (Blank Generation Records) Limited pressing on white vinyl this record sees the Pistols Steve Jones and the Legend that is Johnny Thunders guest appearance email steve@blankgeneration.show for details of how to order your copy. The songs of real interest are obviously ‘Wild One’ featuring Thunders iconic guitar tone wailing in on the solo and the track ‘Peace On Earth’ for the equally iconic tones of Steve Jones.
The Octonary EP features 4 previously unreleased tracks by the Automatics and is a limited edition release of 300 only on 7″ white vinyl, and comes housed in a luxury sleeve with 4-page lyrics and info booklet. The purpose of the EP is to promote the EIGHT albums of unreleased Automatics material that is now ready to download and stream on most platforms. For a cheeky peek at the Jonesy influenced ‘Peace On Earth’ open the video. Well worth having in your collection that’s a no brainer.
When it comes to world class power pop, Italy is leading the way at the moment. And, with their new album, Radio Days are proving major competition against Giuda and Faz Waltz. While their previous releases are all good, ‘Rave On!’ is their strongest set of tunes. Or, should I say “TUNES!”. With bells on.
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