Kool Kat Musik

15/09/2025

Hello Everyone! Here to hip you a new release on the Kool Kat label – AVAILABLE NOW – “SUPER!” by BENNY J WARD! RINEHEARTS ALERT!! “SUPER!” is the long-awaited first solo album by much-loved Perth power pop/garage-punk artist Benny J. Ward who’s best known for fronting the Hoodoo Gurus' Perth regular support band of choice Rinehearts. Their 2023 Dom Mariani-produced album “Full Bloom” received raves around the world. After years of honing his craft in beloved bands like the powerpop-driven Rinehearts and the high-energy Leeches!, Benny has been working towards the release of “SUPER!” for over two years, since he first began recording the album's tracks and releasing them as a series of singles. Having spent over two decades touring Australia and abroad, Benny distills his observations and energy into this vibrant debut. The album balances thoughtful songwriting with an easygoing spontaneity that makes it endlessly replayable. Brimming with poptastic charm and irresistibly catchy tunes, “SUPER!” is a joyous ride from start to finish - bursting with jangly guitars, glittering hooks, and pure melodic magic. Drawing from a rich palette of influences - from '60s garage rock and The Kinks to Elvis Costello and classic guitar pop - Benny has carved out a sound uniquely his own. Tracks like the sugar-sweet “Ice Cream Headache” (featuring Link Meanie and Nici Ward on vocals) and the anthemic “Tell Me Tell Me” show off his knack for earworms that linger long after the music stops. “A non-stop hook-a-thon with nary a duff track! With the release of ‘SUPER!’, Benny J Ward has indeed stepped into the forefront of contemporary garage/power poppers! If the Rinehearts record didn’t do it (and it SHOULD HAVE!), this one seals the deal and cements it. YEAH!” - Wes Defford You can listen to it here: https://bennyjward.bandcamp.com/album/super You can order it from the Kool Kat site!

11 track album

15/09/2025

Hello Pop Fans! This week’s Featured Titles are up on the Kool Kat site.

Blank Pages (Can power pop be thought-provoking while celebrating the giddy excitement of a classic three-minute single at the same time? Blank Pages songwriter Greg Potter thinks so. In 2017 they found themselves back on the FDR label with a record marked by the arrival of children and the loss of old friends. Melody is central to their approach, as evidenced by power pop tracks like “High Flyer,” “She’s Got the Knack,” and “Lost and Found.” “Their sound is a unique blend of old school (Big Star) and modern pop (Sloan) highlighted by clean harmonies and sharp guitars. One of their best efforts. Highly Recommended.” – Powerpopaholic)


The Cowsills (“The Co***ne Drain”, their storied 1978 album now makes its official debut. In 1978, the band began recording demos with Chuck Plotkin after an introduction from Jackson Browne. In addition to Bob Cowsill originals, the band recorded songs by John Hall (Orleans), Wendy Waldman and Buzz Feiten. An expected major-label deal never materialized. The masters disappeared, and a great album languished in obscurity, save semi- and unofficial releases of the material. The record’s original sequence now sits next to five bonus recordings. Bob Cowsill and Brett Milano outline the story of its almost fantastical creation, and what happened afterwards.)

The Lunar Laugh (In 2015, The Lunar Laugh was the duo of singer/songwriters Jared Lekites and Connor Anderson. Their terrific debut “Apollo” was inspired by the pop masterpieces of the 60's and 70's. "They've tee'd up a 'must-have' masterwork. Although the album is short, each song is instantly catchy and timeless pop that uses inspiration from the 60’s and 70’s without sounding too retro or imitative. Not a single wasted note here, and easily makes it as a candidate for my top ten of 2015 list." - Powerpopaholic )

Chris Lund (“Surveillance” is Chris Lund’s third solo record. “He’s a power pop time machine with no return ticket, one of those characters who never really left the 70’s spiritually, musically, and aesthetically. He looks and plays like the world stopped spinning in 1979, and we’re all the better for it. The songwriting and playing here are excellent, with ass-kicking guitar work and melodies that could’ve put him in serious contention for fame back in the day.” - AddToWantList “There’s a sweet spot in the Beatles career when the guitars get a little edgier but retain their distinctive poppy demeanor. Chris Lund inhabits this world and then some here.” PopRockRecord)

Dave Sheinin (Since 1999, Dave Sheinin has been the national baseball writer for the Washington Post. He’s not only a terrific baseball writer, but he’s knocked it waaaaay out of the park with “First Thing Tomorrow”, his 2018 solo debut! “One of 2018's best to date. He gets help from the Myracle Brah's Andy Bopp among others. With its staccato guitars and catchy melody, ‘Lies’ kicks things off with a definite 70’s AM radio vibe while ‘Oh Amelia’ boasts a jangly, chiming riff at its center. ‘Little California’ sounds as sun-kissed as its title, and ‘City You Left Behind’ sounds like a lost Posies track.” – Absolutepowerpop)

“Make Something Happen: A Tribute To The Flashcubes” (Produced/curated by Carl Cafarelli, “Make Something Happen…” is a very special collection saluting – and also featuring The Flashcubes. Joining the legendary Syracuse band's three 2025 singles “Reminisce,” “The Sweet Spot” and “If These Hands” are 21 new covers of 'Cubes classics by an assortment of artists including Kool Kat’s Joe Giddings! The songs, of course, take center stage here, this being a selection of fresh spins on decades of the band's material, a songbook rich with a depth of craft and sentiment that is too often overlooked in favor of their melodic acumen.)

Benny J Ward (NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! “SUPER!” is the long-awaited first solo album by much-loved Perth’s power pop/garage-punk artist Benny J. Ward who’s best known for fronting the Rinehearts whose 2023 Dom Mariani-produced “Full Bloom” received raves around the world. Brimming with poptastic charm and irresistibly catchy tunes, it’s a banger from start to finish - bursting with jangly guitars, glittering hooks, and pure melodic magic. “A non-stop hook-a-thon with nary a duff track that places him firmly in the forefront of today’s garage/power poppers! If the Rinehearts record didn’t already do it, this one seals the deal!” - Wes Defford)

Until next week….

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08/09/2025

Hello Everyone! Here to hip you a new release on the Kool Kat label – AVAILABLE NOW – “EVERYTHING BELONGS” by DAVID WOODARD! Let’s get this straight from the start - “Everything Belongs” is a power pop record through and through! David Woodard turns the guitars up to “11” on this start-to-finish gem that contains all of the elements every great power pop record should possess! If the Descendents had a songwriting session with Fountains of Wayne while the Beatles and Blink-182 hovered nearby, they might land on something like “Everything Belongs”, David’s most expansive and urgent album yet. A Nashville-based indie rocker who dropped his first EP at age 50, he has built a global fanbase with his blend of melodic power pop, lyrical sharpness, and jangly heart. With “Everything Belongs”, he turns up the distortion and digs deeper into the tension between chaos and meaning on 13 tracks that channel the raw energy of late-‘90s emo and punk-pop. It’s a record for people who’ve been around long enough to know better but still want to believe in something - equal parts hopeful, cynical, funny, and true. His discography has earned praise from power pop tastemakers around the world. From holiday hooks to emo-tinted indie rock, critics call his music: “Highly recommended… catchiest songs yet.” – PowerPopaholic “Wonderful… reminds me of the godfather of Nashville power pop, Bill Lloyd.” – AbsolutePowerpop “Supremely well-crafted jangle pop.” – PopPhil “Exquisite pop melodies.” – Exile SH Magazine “Ready to join the big leagues.” – PopRockRecord “Absolutely fantastic.” – IceCreamManPowerPop With ‘Everything Belongs’, David Woodard ups the stakes - leaning into punk-pop and late-90’s emo energy while keeping the songwriting smarts and melodic heart that earned him a global fan-base. It’s his loudest, rawest, most resonant record yet! You can listen to it here: https://davidwoodard.bandcamp.com/album/everything-belongs You can order it from the Kool Kat site!

13 track album

08/09/2025

Hello Pop Fans! This week’s Featured Titles are up on the Kool Kat site.

Badfinger (Two titles - “Unreleased & Some Released” + “Kansas City 1972 - Live FM Broadcast From The Cowtown Ballroom” - the live disc ‘s title says it all and finds the band in fine form including performing two surprising Dave Mason covers! The story behind a lot of the songs on “Unreleased and Some Released” is that while the band was still signed to Apple Records, they recorded an album that they planned to release using the name The Masked Weasels to get around their Apple contract. It never happened. Included on this collection are the tracks from those recording sessions.)

Mondello (Here’s a good ‘ol throwback of a charming, 2019 DIY effort from Mondello whose music can be found in the sweet spot on the Venn diagram where “vanity project” intersects with “bucket-list check-off”. The long overdue release of John Moran’s project features 14 pop songs written on and off over the past 20+ years – languishing until now in forgotten 3-ring binders and dusty yellow notebooks – finally finished. It just might be the humbly right creation not like an outsider artist rough facsimile of Fountains Of Wayne minus the self-awareness. If Rhino’s DIY pop compilations were the sacred text of a holy cult, these 14 songs would be its fervid acolytes.)

The Nines (“Echoes Of Past Future” is an album of classic hits from an alternative version of the 70’s. Recorded on vintage Tascam and Yamaha cassette recording consoles the album is an indie psychedelic trip to the past future. Among those accompanying Steve Eggers on his latest journey is Bill Majoros (a/k/a The Foreign Films). “Expect big arrangements, singalong choruses and melody North, East South and West. The harmonies are extraordinarily good as with most great albums of the 70’s. Fans of Raspberries, Badfinger, 10CC and ELO will love this. It’s great to have Steve Eggers back.” - IDontHearASingle)

Roller Disco Combo (Spain’s Roller Disco Combo champion the Brit Pop sound on their 2017 debut - full of guitars, full of harmony and sound tension so typical of the 90’s. “If there are two scenes that I adored most, it would be the Liverpool in the 80's and the Glasgow in the 90's. Roller Disco Combo remind me of Teenage Fanclub and The Pale Fountains. There's a real summer joy to this record. It's all so singalong. All 34 minutes of the album are a listening pleasure.” - IDontHearASingle “A sensational collection of pop-flavored songs cultivated by people like House of Love, Teenage Fanclub, Cosmic Rough Riders or Dropkick.” – RockTheBestMusic)

Shindig! Magazine - Issue #167 (The Monks grace the cover: How five ex-US GIs turned accidental feedback and pounding drums into an asynchronous sonic assault that resonated through krautrock, punk and beyond. Other features include - The Heard: Cult Texan garage obscuros follow “Exit 9”. Clive’s Original Band: Incredible String Band founder Clive Palmer’s major label progressive folk experiment. Brigitte Fontaine The avant-garde singer who rewrote the rulebook and redefined French underground music. Featurettes on: Terry Reid, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, Curtis Harding and Lyn Dobson. Plus loads of reviews and other news.)

David Woodard (NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! Let’s get this straight from the start - “Everything Belongs” is a power pop record through and through! A start-to-finish gem that contains all of the elements every great power pop record should possess! If the Descendents had a songwriting session with Fountains of Wayne while the Beatles and Blink-182 hovered nearby, they might land on something like “Everything Belongs”, leaning into punk-pop and late-90’s emo energy while keeping the songwriting smarts and melodic heart that earned him a global fan-base. It’s his loudest, rawest, most expansive and urgent record yet!)

Until next week…

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02/09/2025

EPISODE #40 OF POPTASTIC SOUNDS! IS NOW AVAILBLE FOR ON-DEMAND LISTENING!

Join your host Nicky G as he curates the latest hook-filled episode from his “Walls Of Sound”, spinning new music from Davey Lane, Gentlemen Rogues, Baby and The Nobodies, Diesel Park West, The Numbers, King Husky, The Anderson Council, Proper, Movie Movie, The Midnight Callers, The Stewart Doll...

01/09/2025

Hello Everyone! Here to hip you a new release on the Kool Kat label – AVAILABLE NOW – “REFRESHING” by THE JIMMY C!! LAVA FANGS ALERT! The Jimmy C is the solo home recording project of 48 year old Australian multi-instrumentalist, “drummer/songwriter”, husband and father, Jamie Coghill. Since 2005 he has recorded 9 albums, 4 soundtrack albums for American independent film & T.V. and a few miscellaneous singles and EPs. He writes all the songs, plays all the instruments and records, mixes and masters all the recordings by himself (he even does his own graphic design). Power Pop is a genre known for one-man band type artists. Emitt Rhodes, Todd Rundgren, The Toms, and more. Even a chap named Paul McCartney was want to do it after his first band broke up. You can add to that list Melbourne musician Jamie Coghill, aka The Jimmy C. A completely sustainable hobby, Jamie makes music as well as balancing a day job and a family and has been performing live since 1994 in bands, most rfecently in Lava Fangs. Critically acclaimed and endorsed within the local music industry, The Jimmy C remains a secret treasure still waiting to be discovered by the wider public. The songs on “Refreshing” were written between 2003 and 2009 and are presented here with “fresh” new recordings and arrangements - expanded from their low-fi 4-track cassette origins into lush new digital home recordings with all the bells and whistles available in Jimmy’s musical arsenal. The 14 songs here were chosen from over 40 old demos and recordings originally made roughly 15-20 years ago, the “best of” the old songs have been refreshed with shiny new recordings and new arrangements and performed with the benefit of 15-20 years more experience and ability. A big fan of Redd Kross, XTC, Cheap Trick, The Move and other classic and clever power pop stuff as well as lots of garage punk stuff, plus some more left-field acts ranging from Ween to Super Furry Animals to the Queens of the Stoneage, The Jimmy C writes, sings and plays songs that combine those influences – plus a wider range of soundtrack (Morricone, Barry, Budd etc) and surf/exotica/instrumental influences – and he does it really well! You can listen to it here: https://thejimmyc.bandcamp.com/album/refreshing You can order it from the Kool Kat site!

14 track album

01/09/2025

Hello Pop Fans! This week’s Featured Titles are up on the Kool Kat site.

The Jimmy C (NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! LAVA FANGS ALERT! The Jimmy C is the solo home recording project of Australian multi-instrumentalist, “drummer/songwriter”, Jamie Coghill who counts Lava Fangs as one of his bands. The 14 songs on “Refreshing” were chosen from over 40 old demos and recordings originally made roughly 15-20 years ago, the “best of” the old songs have been refreshed with shiny new recordings and new arrangements. A big fan of Redd Kross, XTC, Cheap Trick, classic and clever power pop stuff as well as lots of garage punk stuff, he writes, sings and plays songs that combine those influences – and he does it really well!)

Marshall Crenshaw (“From The Hellhole” is a 14-track collection of handpicked, remixed, and remastered songs featuring 11 tracks from a series of limited-edition Record Store Day vinyl EPs released 2012-16. They’re curated as a personal mission to properly archive and reissue work that continues to resonate. The other 3 tracks are a demo of “Walkin’ Around,” an unreleased version of “I Just Want to Celebrate” (Rare Earth), and “Couldn’t I Just Tell You,” originally recorded for Todd Rundgren tribute project. Included are highly personal renditions of songs that shaped him - including “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” a dreamy, dub-infused homage to Karen Carpenter.)

IVY (Five years after bidding a too-early farewell to one of pop's most stalwart songwriters, a new album from his second-best remembered (but first major) band is coming, built off contributions he left behind. With Adam Schlesinger's untimely passing in 2020, the trio never thought there would be another album. But they’d been storing a large trove of unfinished songs and demos dating back to their beginnings. "The world thought Ivy was gone after 2012, and for a time we did too. After Adam's death in 2020 it seemed certain. Dominique and I are thrilled to give everyone ‘Traces Of You’, with our beloved Adam playing on every song!” - Andy Chase/IVY)

Omega Tribe (“Power Pop Punk Rock” is according to Louder Than War - “A well crafted pop record with a mix of protest and love songs. Taking in a range of styles from the 60’s and 70’s, it’s a Power Pop without question extravaganza building on their punk rock roots. The drive and punch that makes punk different from pop or rock isn’t there for the most part. The DIY approach and some of the lyrical content makes this record ‘punk’ but there is plenty of protest music that doesn’t call itself punk. This is a really well written pop record with some important messages. If power pop is your thing this is going to be a breath of fresh air.”)

Chris Stamey (“Anything Is Possible” features special guests such as The Lemon Twigs and Marshall Crenshaw among others. “A love letter to the harmonically rich yet often lyrically innocent pop music I heard, on the family turntable and on AM radio, growing up in the late 50’s/mid-60’s in the American South. I’ve since come to understand more about the nuts and bolts of those songs, but the magic of those first encounters remains,” explains Chris. “The title track is a perfect example of how a ‘pop’ song can be both ‘rock’-ish and nuanced. I always marvel at what he comes up with on each new release.” - PopDose)

Tsar (“The Drugboy Tapes” consists of the professionally mastered original demos that were shopped around Hollywood in search of a record deal. A bidding war would follow, and just a few short months later, the tapes would serve as the basis for their debut album. Together with a live radio version of "Calling All Destroyers"- the first song Tsar ever played live after welcoming Jeff Solomon on bass and Steve Coulter on drums - “The Drugboy Tapes” remain a vital artifact of late-90’s lo-fi glam-bubblegum indie rock, and indeed, a message from another time.)
International Pop Overthrow Vol. 26 (Another year, another 66-track, 3CD collection assembled by IPO founder/CEO David to display the vast array of talent and styles of artists both known and unknown (until now)that have graced IPO stages around the world (and some who haven’t - not yet!) that would fill a rainy afternoon’s worth of listening! "I think this is one of the better compilations we've done.” - David Bash)

Until next week….

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30/08/2025

TO AVOID CONFUSION, THE SHOW HAS BEEN PUBLISHED TODAY

25/08/2025

Hello Everyone! Here to hip you a new release on the Kool Kat label – AVAILABLE NOW – “POPSICLE DRIVETHRU”
by MONOGROOVE! “Popsicle Drivethru” is Monogroove’s Kool Kat Musik label debut! Their music is a tantalizing mix of great alt-pop/alternative songs that are sure to grow on you. The Crescent, CA band consists of Rin Lennon (guitar/vocals), Michael George (guitar/vocals), Alex Ritter (bass) and Jay Smith (drums.) Those who’ve already had an early listen have this to say about the record: “I gotta say, this is the best-sounding Monogroove album I’ve ever heard, and Rin Lennon's voice is the best it’s sounded since I have been following her career! And The Beatles have never been more in evidence as an influence!” - Probyn Gregory “If you’re looking for a record that will lift your spirits, make you smile, and have you absolutely rocking out, then you need to take a deep dive into ‘Popsicle Drivethru’. The band’s undeniable chemistry and stellar musical chops help power the record into the rock and roll stratosphere. That vibe comes through on every song. If you’re not already a Monogroove devotee, then ‘Popsicle Drivethru’ is a great place to start your journey to becoming a fan of the band!” - John V’s Eclectic Avenue. “Despite lineup changes over the years, the jangly guitars that have always been the signature of this band are still intact and there are still plenty of harmonies to make you fall under the spell of this band’s late 60’s folk rock stylizations. But as today isn’t yesterday, there’s more muscle now on show, especially behind the drum kit, than on previous albums. Their albums always make me think of sunshine and ‘Popsicle Drivethru’ is no exception. If your musical tastes lean towards harmonies, old school pop songwriting and guitars, then Monogroove might well both suit your ears and bring a smile to your face.” - BluesBunny “Monogroove is one of those bands with that shiny 60’s British Invasion sound. This time around my first impression was of The Knickerbockers. There’s a few other power pop-garage bands out there, but these guys especially remind me of LMNOP and The Easy Button on ‘Popsicle Drivethru’. 14 songs, about three minutes each (including a cover of ‘Good Lovin’’). Every one a pop banger. How could you want anything else?” - PitchPerfect You can listen to it here: https://monogroove.bandcamp.com/album/popsicle-drivethru You can order it from the Kool Kat site!

14 track album

25/08/2025

Hello Pop Fans! This week’s Featured Titles are up on the Kool Kat site.

Dogmatics (The 10 songs on “Nowheresville” - Dogmatics’ first new record in nearly 40 years - show a lot of variety and breadth beyond their classic garage-rocking reputation, demonstrating the power and continued relevance of their ability to make simple fun music. It signals that the cumulative talent across the band has all this diverse musical influence and there’s something new about how that’s all coming together at this point in the band’s history. “This is American rock ’n roll in optima forma, nodding to 60’s garage, 70’s classic rock, 80’s punk and college rock, and early ’00s alt-country. Somehow, it all fits, and it all hits." - Add To Want List)

The Jive (The Jive blend power pop hooks with the grit of garage rock and the swing of rhythm and blues. Influenced by The Beatles, Cheap Trick, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Cars, they deliver a sound that’s sharp, loud, and full of unexpected turns. "There's something eternal and magical about a perfect three-minute pop song, and these guys get that. The obvious reaction to hearing an EP this good is to ask, ‘But can they do it for a full album? Well, if you bet against The Jive, you shoulda known better. This is the best new power pop band I've heard in a damn long time. That's a home run release and possibly the EP of the year!" - Lord Rutledge)


Monogroove (NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL! Monogroove’s music is a tantalizing mix of great alt-pop/alternative songs that are sure to grow on you. “I gotta say, this is the best-sounding Monogroove album I’ve ever heard, and Rin Lennon's voice is the best it’s sounded since I have been following her career! And The Beatles have never been more in evidence as an influence!” - Probyn Gregory “They are one of those bands with that shiny 60’s British Invasion sound. My first impression was of The Knickerbockers. There’s a few other power pop-garage bands out there, but these guys especially remind me of LMNOP and The Easy Button on ‘Popsicle Drivethru’. 14 songs, about three minutes each (including a cover of ‘Good Lovin’’). Every one a pop banger. How could you want anything else?” - PitchPerfect)

The Outer Limits (A 2CD set that compiles Leeds-based, cult mod band The Outer Limits' 1965-68 complete recordings. Including their rare, sought after pop soul singles “When The Work Is Through” and “Just One More Chance” plus freakbeat flip “Help Me Please” and the psychedelic pop gem “Great Train Robbery”. Featuring 14 previously unreleased demos from the vaults of The Outer Limits' singer songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist Jeff Christie who has compiled this set. Christie, who later found fame with the band Christie that topped the charts in 1970 with “Yellow River”, has been newly interviewed for the booklet notes by MOJO magazine's Lois Wilson.)

The Peppermint Kicks (The Peppermint Kicks - Sal Baglio (The Amplifier Heads, The Stompers) and Dan Kopko (The Shang Hi Los, Watts) - deliver 11 loud bubblegum-popping songs under the telling title “Pop Rocks In My Chewing Gum”. “Totally fun and engaging. A cracking wade through nostalgia, but also leaves you realizing how Glam Rock still stands up today." - IDon'tHearASingle “’Too Sweet’ is a great Cheap Trick meets bubblegum track with a kick-ass strutting riff. The garage-rocking ‘Little Doll’ harkens back to the best of 60’s British pop British pop. Fans of Sweet and Mott The Hoople will love this. It demands to be played loud." - PowerPopaholic)


“JEM Records Celebrates David Bowie” (The latest volume of this critically-acclaimed “Celebrates” series sees artists on the JEM roster - The Grip Weeds, Paul Collins, The Cynz, The On & Ons, The Anderson Council, The Airport 77s, The High Frequencies, The Midnight Callers, The Weeklings, Richard Barone and Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men - covering Bowie songs representing his entire career.)

Zombies Of The Stratosphere (“Shot An Arrow” is their first new record in nearly 4 years. “ZoS records sound so precise and pristine, just layer on layer of sonic goodness. ‘If You’re Into It’ has a sound like a cross between XTC and the Alan Parsons Project. The title track is full of They Might Be Giants whimsy. But there’s surprises awaiting those who dig a bit further into the record. Country gets a look in on ‘California Waits,’ ‘Whistling Wind,’ and ‘Shut Out the Light’. ‘Bones Don’t Lie’ and ‘Sister Sundown’ rock things up a bit more. ‘Mercy Rider’, e=wit its Crowded House vibe, is a should-be hit. ‘Vacancy Arms’ is another standout XTC-ish number reminiscent of their ‘Nonesuch’ period, with a touch of the Eagles here and there.” - PopRockRecord)

Until next week…

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18/08/2025

Hello Everyone! Here to hip you a new release on the Kool Kat label – AVAILABLE NOW – “SHUNGITE” By RICHARD TURGEON! We’re really digging the more raw, aggressive approach by Richard on “Shungite”, his seventh(!) release on the Kool Kat label! Shungite is a rare, carbon-rich mineral found only in the Karelia region of Russia. Believed to be over 2 billion years old, it’s known for its distinctive black sheen and is often touted for its purported healing properties. Many claim it protects against electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs), purifies water, and balances energy - giving it an almost mystical reputation. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, there's no denying its intrigue: ancient, dark, and powerful –much like the sound and spirit behind Richard’s new album. “Consummate indie rocker Richad Turgeon has got an immediately recognizable style. With each album he puts out his songwriting continues to evolve. ‘Shungite” is no exception. Right out the gate Turgeon casts his spell with title track, an aural assault of strident guitars held aloft by some solid melodic hooks. Meanwhile ‘Song Of Discontent’ alternates between a soft and hard seductive dissonance. ‘Signs’ throws its hook out early with a catchy lead guitar line before settling into a Sugar Ray kind of groove. ‘This Is The Last Song (I Write For You)’ is another great blast full-on guitar hookery. ‘Small Fry’ and ‘Deep Cuts’ offer something different, the former rocking out, the latter working a more alluring drone. I also love the transcendent shimmer defining the vocals on ‘All Good Things Must Come To An End’. Another exceptional cut is ‘I Won’t Cry’ with its otherworldly oscillation between restrained verses and a high impact chorus. Things wrap up with another surprise, the low-key “Hit My Ceiling” animated by some very Byrdsian guitar work. ‘Shungite’ is more reliably great work from Richard Turgeon.” - PopRockRecord “Consistently brilliant and unwaveringly melodic.” – Shindig! Magazine "One of the most consistently good power pop artists going, Turgeon delivers again.” - The Morning Call “As the world turns on an unsettling axis, Richard Turgeon keeps churning out one brilliant song after another.” - Popalooza Richard’s message to me “Can you believe we've put out 7 records together now? Not to get sentimental, but I truly appreciate your support of my music. I never take it for granted. I appreciate it. Thank you.” It’s called “artist development” Richard, something very few labels do anymore! Well, IMHO, Richard’s got a most impressive “catalog” with Kool Kat - one that certainly deserves discovering if you’re not already a fan! You can listen to it here: https://richardturgeon.bandcamp.com/album/shungite You can order it from the Kool Kat site!

6 track album

18/08/2025

Hello Pop Fans! This week’s Featured Titles are up on the Kool Kat site.

The Numbers (The former Voxx Records band has reunited! “After years of doing ‘Electrified Americana’, as a very avid Beatles fan I was viewing Matthew Street's Beatles Channel and learned two things: 1. He did reviews of other modern acts. 2. Gave a glowing review to our 1983 LP.” - Terry Tutor The band was soon writing and recording songs in The Numbers oeuvre, as well as changing the name back to The Numbers. Now, here’s a practically unbelievable part: Bomp Records had just struck a deal with Bachelor Records for the reissue of the original album! Coincidentally, The Numbers contacted Bomp and the result is “Mad Day Out” “It’s Merseybeat meets Laurel Canyon! Terrific sibling harmonies and lotsa 12-string guitar embellishments!” - Wes Defford)


Alain Pire Experience (3 titles - “Apex”, “Songs From The 13th Floor” and “Cambridge” - with a 3fer offer). Alain Pire received a PhD for his thesis on 60's British Psych Music - he continues his devotion for that holy period with his Psych Trio: Alain Pire Experience . The trio aim to restoring the spirit of Psych bands from the 60's such as Cream, Tomorrow, Beatles circa ‘66/’67, Syd Barrett's Pink Floyd, Blossom Toes, The Syn, and The Open Mind, etc. “Pire retains this philosophy of psychedelic authenticity by masterfully associating the interstellar impulses and exhilarating outbursts of a rock that also has its feet on the ground.” - MusicInBelgium)

Richard Turgeon (“Shungite” is his 7th release on the Kool Kat label! “The consummate indie rocker has got an immediately recognizable style, and his songwriting continues to evolve. He casts his spell with title track, an aural assault of strident guitars held aloft by solid melodic hooks. ‘Song Of Discontent’ alternates between a soft and hard seductive dissonance. ‘Signs’ throws its hook out early with a catchy lead guitar line before settling into a Sugar Ray kind of groove. ‘This Is The Last Song’ is another great blast full-on guitar hookery. ‘Small Fry’ and ‘Deep Cuts’ offer something different, the former rocking out, the latter working a more alluring drone. I love the transcendent shimmer defining the vocals on ‘All Good Things Must Come To An End’. Another surprise is the low-key ‘Hit My Ceiling’ animated by some very Byrdsian guitar work. More reliably great work from Richard Turgeon.” - PopRockRecord)

“Heaven Knows You’re Here: Sunshine, Soft & Studio Pop 1966-1972” (“Heaven Knows You’re Here” is Teensville's 13th offering in their acclaimed “Sunshine, Soft and Studio Pop” series. Featuring an array of 32 never-before-on-CD cuts spanning the era 1966-1972, the disc highlights the neglected side of well produced but non-hit commercial material. The package also features a full colour 24 page booklet with a 9000+ word essay containing information about the songs and artists. And, like the previous 12 collections, offer s a fascinating array of hooks and pleasant surprises!)

West Coast Music Club (It’s been a busy 2025 for WCMC. From January to May they released four EPs, all of which were conceived as teasers for an eventual full-length. “Poppelganger” is that album, featuring four “A-sides” of the EPs and six new recordings, released as a 2CD set with the second disc comprised of all the songs from the EPs that didn’t make the proper album. “A collection of meandering but electric fuzz-pop that hangs together very well as an album, running the gamut from simple and straightforward to muddy and distorted, but the pop side of West Coast Music Club comes through crystal clear even at their muddiest.” - IDontHearASingle)

Until next week….

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