Friends Indeed

Christine Newsom photo of WXRT air staff from the WXRT Facebook page.

About midway through the WXRT 2014 Listeners Poll Gala last night, Tributosaurus launched into Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend” as host Lin Brehmer returned to the podium. Without needing to elaborate, Brehmer, who is the FM radio station’s morning DJ, laughed and asked the audience, “Get it?” Most of the people who had come out to City Winery no doubt appreciated the tribute band’s riff on Brehmer’s oft-spoken claim, “I’m your best friend in the whole world!” The catch phrase, like much of what Brehmer says on the air, is delivered with humor but also accurately sums up the bond WXRT has cultivated with its listeners over five decades.

That loyalty was one of the main reasons so many fans braved the ghastly wind chill on a night when they could have stayed home and watched The People’s Choice Awards on TV. The promise of a free drink and a spread of hors d’oeuvres certainly played a role, as did the opportunity to see the critically acclaimed Tributosaurus. They provided accompaniment as WXRT’s on-air personalities came onstage to reveal the results of this year’s poll. The Gala had kicked off with Brehmer and his morning news anchor Mary Dixon doing a few minutes of stand-up comedy based on the leading entertainment stories of 2014. 

Here are the top five results for each category:

Terri Hemmert presented the Best Local Venues: 5. Lincoln Hall 4. City Winery 3. Metro 2. The Vic 1. The Chicago Theatre.

Richard Milne presented the Best Local Acts: 5. Cheap Trick 4. Mavis Staples 3. Smashing Pumpkins 2. Buddy Guy 1. Wilco

The Regular Guy presented the Best Movies: 5. Birdman 4. The LEGO Movie 3. Guardians of the Galaxy 2. Gone Girl 1. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Jason Thomas presented the Best Concerts: 5. Foo Fighters at Cubby Bear  4. Arcade Fire at United Center 3. Lollapalooza 2. Wilco Winterlude at Riviera Theatre 1. Jack White at The Chicago Theatre and Auditorium Theatre

Frank E. Lee presented the Best Songs: 5. Arcade Fire – “Afterlife” 4. Kongos – “Come With Me Now” 3. Foo Fighters – “Something From Nothing” 2. Jack White – “Lazaretto” 1. Hozier – “Take Me To Church” 

Lin Brehmer presented the Best Albums: 5. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – Hypnotic Eye  4. Beck – Morning Phase 3. Foo Fighters – Sonic Highways 2. Jack White – Lazaretto and 1.The Black Keys – Turn Blue

For a complete list for all the categories, check out the WXRT website. 

After the official ceremony had ended, Tributosaurus played an eclectic set that included songs by The Band and Stevie Wonder. Meanwhile, the on-air personalities fanned out through the audience, greeting old friends as well as people they had never met before. It was an impressive scene filled with smiles, handshakes, and even quite a few hugs. 

Slow Buildings - Poison Condition

I meant to post this review last night, but I was making rather merry at the WXRT 2014 Listeners Poll Gala at City Winery and got a bit behind my time. 

Poison Condition is a five-song EP that follows quickly on the heels of A Fresh Slice, the full-length album Slow Buildings also released in 2014. Nonetheless, it’s a well-thought out effort, even if some of those thoughts are dark and mean-spirited. As the title suggests, it’s almost as if the New Jersey-based indie rock quartet needed to get these venomous sentiments out of its system.

“Where [are] the magical medications/To deal with these vanishing expectations?” lead vocalist-guitarist Jason Legacy wonders on the title track. It’s a guitar-driven portrait of a guy who’s no longer in control of his mind or body, and like the other four songs here, it’s set to a catchy arrangement with echoes of 1980s new wave and pub rock. Bassist Christopher Basile and drummer Marx Lenin propel the snakey and fun instrumentation on “Cruise Elroy” while Legacy notes, “It’s a hard world/Maybe you’ve found that too.” On “Calling It Off, ” Slow Buildings use a calypso beat to dismiss a moody friend.

The satiric “Aggressively Stupid” sports abrasive observations like, “And she tells me vapid bullshit is good/She’s the human Access Hollywood” and “I see no happy ending for you with me.” “Your Celibate Life” seems to be about unrequited love although the lyrics find Slow Buildings at their most cryptic. Still, it’s hard to resist the infectious mix of twangy and acoustic guitars, layered vocals, and the way Chris Fuchs creates an orchestral effect on keyboards. This kind of poison is easy to take.  

Poison Condition garnered an Honorable Mention on the Broken Hearted Toy Favorite Releases of 2014 List (See December 1st post). Had I been more familiar with it at the time, it would have been included within the Top 40.

Buzzcocks - The Way

Note: This review originally appeared in the Illinois Entertainer.

The Way is the first album from this iconic English punk band in eight years, and still features the powerful nucleus of vocalist-guitarist Pete Shelley and vocalist-guitarist Steve Diggle. They’ve excelled at blending revved-up arrangements and infectious melodies since 1976, and are currently joined by drummer Danny Farrant, who made his debut on the 2006 release Flat-Pack Philosophy, and bassist Chris Remington, who came on board two years later. For the most part, that patented Buzzcocks formula still sounds fresh, although nothing on The Way has the brash excitement of vintage hits like “Ever Fallen In Love?” or “Harmony In My Head.”

The title track and “Out Of The Blue” are competent but standard rock songs, while “Saving Yourself” moves to a heavy metal stomp. The album’s melodic first single “It’s Not You” finds The Buzzcocks in faster, more familiar territory, and “Keep On Believing” and “Chasing Rainbows/Modern Times” also have melodic, guitar-driven arrangements. “In The Back” has an appealing power pop feel, while “People Are Strange Machines,” “Virtual Reality,” and “Third Dimension” deliver social satire spiced with a bit of sci-fi fun. 

The Way came in at number 14 on the Broken Hearted Toy Favorite Releases of 2014 List. 

The Bangles - Ladies And Gentlemen. . . The Bangles

Note: This review originally appeared in the Illinois Entertainer.

The digital-only album Ladies And Gentlemen...The Bangles pulls all five songs from the band’s 1982 self-titled EP, and adds rare tracks, demos, and live performances. Most are from the days when bassist Annette Zilinskas was a band member along with Susanna Hoffs, Debbi Peterson, and Vicki Peterson. Longtime fans might have some of this material already, but those who are only familiar with “Manic Monday” or “Eternal Flame” will be in for a surprise. The collection provides an essential puzzle piece of how The Bangles were able to bring a 1960s pop sensibility to original material that worked within the Los Angeles punk scene in the early 1980s.

The surf rock instrumental “Bitchen Summer” originally appeared on the Rodney On The ROQ: Vol. 3 compilation, while “Getting Out Of Hand” and “Call On Me” were the A Side and B Side respectively of The Bangles’ (then known as The Bangs) first single. Catchy songs like “I’m In Line” and “The Real World” from the EP show much harmony vocals mattered to The Bangles right from the start. The previously unreleased material includes authentic covers of the Warren Zevon-penned “Outside Chance” (a minor hit The Turtles), and Paul Revere And The Raiders’ caustic “Steppin Out.”

Ladies And Gentlemen...The Bangles came in at number 3 on the Broken Hearted Toy Favorite Releases of 2014 List. Up On The Chair, Beatrice by The Psycho Sisters, a side project from Vicki Peterson, came in at number 15.

Slumgullion

Now that the holiday season is over, there may be a temptation to hibernate through the winter months. But for those not afraid to brave the freezing weather, there are plenty of things going on in Chicago and around the world.

The always fascinating Whitewolfsonicprincess is headlining a four-band lineup that also includes The Stalin Brothers, Thick And Thin, and Acoustic Rescue Unit at Red Line Tap tonight.

Thin White Duke doings. If you never made it to the David Bowie Is exhibition, which closes this Sunday at the Museum Of Contemporary Art, there’s the Tributosaurus Becomes David Bowie show at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue tomorrow night, January 3rd, and The Sons Of The Silent Age Bowie Birthday Bash next Friday, January 9th at Metro.

There will be an interesting doubleheader this Sunday night on WXRT when the Chicago FM radio station airs Richard Milne’s Local Anesthetic Best Of 2014 retrospective at 7:00 PM, followed at 8:00 PM by a classic R.E.M. concert that was recorded at the Aragon Ballroom in 1984.

All the world’s a stage, and forsooth, some of us hath the beat. A number of songs by The Go-Go’s are being woven into Jeff Whitty’s Elizabethan style musical Head Over Heels at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, from June 3rd through October 10th.

Love their way—someday someway. The Psychedelic Furs will be performing at City Winery this coming Monday, January 5th, and Marshall Crenshaw, with The Bottle Rockets, will be there on the 8th.

Go Time! has a release party for its new Ratsel CD coming up at Sylvie’s on January 17th. Ratsel came in at number 29 on the Broken Hearted Toy Favorite Releases Of 2014 List, (see December 31st post) where I described it as, “An ambitious 19-track effort from this prolific Chicago band that explores the harder edges of power pop with inventive, energetic arrangements.”

The 1968 Exhibit at the Chicago History Museum ends this Sunday January 4th. The multi-media exhibit explores the social, political, and scientific events of that explosive year, along with fashion, music, and other forms of popular entertainment.

It was sad to read media journalist Robert Feder’s report that Today’s Chicago Woman will cease publication after 32 years. The January issue will be its last. In other local publications news, the Chicago Sun-Times’ trendy insert Splash will reinvent itself as a glossy magazine. According to editor Susanna Negovan, the new and improved Splash will be still be available in the Sun-Times, and at over 100 free locations. 

Chad and Jeremy recently extended congratulations to Peter Asher of Peter and Gordon fame on their Facebook page for being recognized as a Commander Of The Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire (CBE). Asher, who is also an acclaimed producer, will be joining Chad and Jeremy and other 1960s acts on the British Invitation Tour, which comes to Chicago on March.

Journalist Johnny Oleksinski recently wrote a piece in the Chicago Tribune about this year’s Chicago Humanities Festival. One of the highlights will come on February 26th, when Kim Gordon from Sonic Youth will be discussing her book Girl In A Band at the Music Box Theatre. Her talk will be preceded by a performance by Girls Rock! Chicago.

Singer-guitarist Dann Morr, a veteran of bands like Wells-next-the-Sea and Mooner is going to have a residency at The Hideout in January. He’ll be performing every Tuesday night. Shouting Into The Wind, his well-crafted CD of melodic rock came in at Number 36 on the Broken Hearted Toy Favorite Releases Of 2014 List.

The Chicago Rock Rock Concerts Of The 1960s and 1970s Facebook page has been heralding the Chicago Old Town 50 Year Reunion, which will take place August 8 and 9. So far, I haven’t seen any info on where it will be held. The date is interesting, because that would be right around the time the Mary Arrchie Theatre Company holds its annual Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins Festival.

Singer-guitarist Paul Collins, a definite member of power pop royalty, has scheduled a whole bunch of gigs for his Garageland Tour coming up later this month. He’ll likely be playing songs from his 2014 release Feel The Noise (number 13 on BHT Favorites List), along with his other solo material and possibly songs from his days with The Paul Collins Beat and The Nerves.

There’s a Susanna Hoffs And Friends gig taking place January 29th at Largo at The Coronet in Los Angeles. The Facebook page promises “Singing, swinging, comedy and a slew of special somebodies stopping by to rock, pop and folk your mind into the next dimension.” It’s not clear who the ‘somebodies’ are, but if Ms. Hoffs is looking for comedy, I have a whole bunch of skits she could use.

When I mentioned Jeff Kelley in my Big Ideas blog yesterday, I surmised that he would bring his Coffee With Jeff internet show back some time soon in 2015. It returns this Sunday, according to a  promo clip he posted on Facebook today. Some of the work I’ve done for Coffee in the past is featured in that clip.

The official David Tennant blog site is reporting that Patti Smith told the audience at her December 29th Webster Hall concert that she has a major crush on the former Doctor Who star. “Waiting for you, David Tennant,” the iconic singer-songwriter is quoted as saying. “Because no one plays Doctor Who like you. I would gladly face all those robots with your screwdriver.” Smith noted that she’s older than Tennant, but if he really is The Doctor, he’s been around a lot longer.

Big Ideas 2015

The Red Plastic Buddha has psychedelic plans for 2015. Photo from the band's Facebook page.

The Elvis Brothers once sang, “I got big ideas on my mind,” and the start of a new year is always the perfect time for people to present those ideas in the form of resolutions and plans. Here’s Broken Hearted Toy’s annual Big Ideas column; a mix of upcoming events regarding entertainers, and in some cases, a suggestion of my own for them. Copy in blue was submitted by others.

Graham Nash He’s doing six solo shows in Florida during the month of January. So far, there’s no mention of him performing anywhere else, or of him doing any promotional appearances for his autobiography Wild Tales. Suggestion: Expand that solo tour with some gigs in other cites, especially Chicago. Also, please come to Chicago to talk about your book; and record some music with your life-long pal and former Hollies lead singer Allan Clarke.

The Luck Of Eden Hall (Submitted by band member Greg Curvey) 

The first episode of Moochie Kalala Detectives Club airs in January on WTTW, featuring music by TLoEH... THE HAPPINE$$ VENDING MACHINE 7" on Headspin Records (Netherlands) drops in January... Fruits de Mer Records box set titled Side Effects, four LPs includes TLoEH (and I’m creating the album art...Releasing TLoEH’s next album, The Acceleration of Time, 100 limited edition pop-up CDs...EU Tour 2015 in August (stay tuned for Kickstarter campaign!)...Planting seeds for collaborating on a project with Neil Gaiman (What!? .....Fingers crossed)

The Bangles The band released Ladies And Gentlemen . . . The Bangles, a digital-only collection of rarities and live tracks this past Thanksgiving Day. Suggestion: Put this collection out on colored vinyl and make it available for the next Record Store Day in April, 2015. Or, give it a general release on vinyl and offer something even more rare (like a cover of a Hollies song) for RSD. Also, think about bringing The Paisley Underground Reunion (with The Three O’Clock, Dream Syndicate and Rain Parade) beyond beyond Los Angeles for some shows in Chicago and other cities.

The Red Plastic Buddha (submitted by Tim Ferguson) For my part, I’m going to be trying to get The Red Plastic Buddha invited to Austin Psych Fest. We’re also working with The Luck of Eden Hall’s Greg Curvey to plan an actual Chicago Psych Fest, which (differentiating ourselves from the current Chicago version) will bring in regional and national acts.

Justin Fielding The Boston-based filmmaker is making a documentary that’s scheduled to be released in 2016 about the power pop genre. Fielding has brought International Pop Overthrow Founder/CFO David Bash and Bruce Bodeen (Pop Geek Heaven, Not Lame Recording Company) on board as Executive Producers. “The Power Pop Movie is a rock and roll love letter to music that is paradoxically infectious and little-known,” Fielding explains on The Power Pop Movie blog site. “If I do my job well, current fans will tell the uninitiated ‘Watch this, and you’ll understand why I love power pop,’ and they, too, will succumb to its charms.” Fielding dropped by IPO - Boston last year to film some of the bands, and has begun discussions with Shoes and other power pop acts. Suggestion: Come to IPO - Chicago this April, and be sure to interview Mike Gallassini, Phil Angotti, and Marty Scott. Their bands, 92 Degrees, The Idea, and The Critics, respectively, were at the very first IPO in L.A. in 1998. Scott is now a member of the successful Liverppol Legends Beatles tribute band might have to be interviewed elsewhere because I believe he no longer lives in the Chicago area.

The Valley Downs The above mentioned Mike Galassini still performs with 92 Degrees, and he has another very entertaining band with his wife Marianne Shimkus called The Valley Downs. They released an impressive pair of EPs, and when they were the opening act for Shoes at SPACE in Evanston last summer, Galassini and Shimkus told they planned to release a full album in the near future. 

Ken Sharp This prolific and acclaimed music journalist has embarked on a new limited-edition trilogy titled Power Pop Heroes. Volume One, which is no longer avaiable, is a treasure chest of quotes from Ringo Starr, Joey Molland, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks, and members of the BeeGees, Beach Boys, Zombies, and other influential acts from the 1960s. Keep an eye out for Volumes 2 and 3, which will be released in 2015.

Magatha Trysty (submitted by Christopher David) The second Magatha Trysty album will, at long last, come out this year!

  

The Hollies The British Invasion band has never broken up. The current lineup, led by original members guitarist-vocalist Tony Hicks and drummer Bobby Elliott, continues to tour and has 2015 dates throughout Europe. Suggestion: Add the United States to this tour, and Chicago in particular. Also, do a lot more to celebrate 50 consecutive years of being one of the world’s best pop bands.

Brad Elvis The former drummer of The Elvis Brothers and his wife singer-guitarist Chloe F. Orwell lead the indie rock band The Handcuffs, and Brad Elvis also tours with The Romantics. He does a sort of diary on Facebook about his days back in the 1980s with Graham Elvis and Rob Elvis. Suggestion: The Elvis Brothers diary posts are interesting and funny, and Brad Elvis is generally such a cool guy. It’s time for him to channel all that great writing into an autobiography.

Lin Brehmer WXRT’s morning air personality eschews the usual low humor (with an occasional lapse) of rock DJs who work this time slot, in favor of clever bits like Lin’s Bin and humorous conversations with news anchor Mary Dixon. He also does Linside Chicago commercials for Allstate, in which he delves into the city’s eclectic cultural heritage. Suggestion: Mr. Brehmer is overdue to put his musings into a book and/or a CD.

Saturday Morning Flashback Another WXRT highlight. Host Wendy Rice (and occasionally Johnny Mars or Marty Lennartz) focuses on a different year each week with a selection of songs, observations, and special reports from other XRT staff members. Suggestion: Extend the amount  of years that Flashback covers into the current century, up to maybe 2005. Rice is always engaging, but  she would probably love to explore some new territory. Flashback should also include 1966, one of the most import years in rock and roll history.

My Fellow Writers Group Members Katie Sparks’ funny Middle Grade book Reality Natalie came out this year, which puts her in the esteemed company of Susan Kaye Quinn, Cherie Colyer, Kym Brunner, Mike Kelley, Terri Murphy, and Marian Manseau. They’re all members of the writers group I belong to who have been published. Look for these talented people to have continued success in 2015. Veronica Rundell, who has written two emotionally charged YA novels, is sure to join them soon, and I have three finished novels that I’m currently shopping to agents and publishers. 

Fest For Beatles Fans  Founded by Mark and Carol Lapidos back in the late 1970s, this annual celebration makes its Chicago stop each August; bringing a wide range of fans to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont to relive Beatlemania and the original British Invasion via concerts, celebrity interviews; sing-along sessions; trivia contests; and artwork. Over the years, the celebrity guests/performers have included Peter Noone, Chad & Jeremy, Denny Laine, Peter Asher, Joey Molland of Badfinger, Terry Sylvester of The Hollies, and Lawrence Juber of Wings. A huge marketplace overflowing with memorabilia is almost worth the price of admission alone. Suggestion: Expand the line of official Fest For Beatles Fans memorabilia to include limited-edition t-shirts honoring the celebrity guests for each particular year. For example: Fest For Beatles Fans Presents: Peter Noone.

Phil Angotti; Casey McDonough; John San Juan; Holly Senchak and Metropolly; The Webstirs; and Androgynous Moustache Each year, these Chicago area musicians gather together to pay tribute to famous rock and roll acts for the Halloweekend event. Individually, (Angotti in particular) they do tribute shows to famous acts throughout the year. Suggestion: Record a holiday CD where they imagine how various bands would sound singing Christmas carols. Also, put together a multi-act show and tour the festival circuit with it this summer.  

Secret Weapon on Woody Radio This internet show always serves up an entertaining mix of catchy, guitar-driven tunes handpicked by a power pop expert who goes by the name of “Boris.” Even the most avid power pop fanatic will discover lots of new bands, so be sure to have a pen and paper handy while listening to jot down the songs and artists you’ll want to investigate further. 

Record Store Day The annual celebration of vinyl arrives on the third Saturday in April, with loads of collectable one-day only releases from artists across the music industry. Previous years have seen rarities from Cheap Trick, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Shoes, Pink Floyd, The Three O’Clock, and R.E.M. 

 Jeff Kelley The writer and host of the weekly Coffee With Jeff internet show recently worked with artist David Metzger on four episodes of an original sitcom called Zombie Grandma for Elgin’s annual Nightmare On Chicago Street Halloween festival. Kelley and Metzger joined forces for Nightmare in previous years, and it will interesting see what ideas they’ll come up with next. Kelley spent most of 2014 doing podcast versions of Coffee With Jeff  in place of his original visual production. He’s likely to do a mix of both in the coming year, although the visual Coffee might only be served on a monthly basis. I’ve worked with Kelley on Coffee and the Nightmare projects, and hope to continue to collaborate with him.

Best wishes to all for a creative and successful 2015!

King Of The Hill: Favorite Releases Of 2014

Putting noteworthy releases from the past year in numerical order is a difficult and occasionally arbitrary process, but I’ve finally come up with a Top 40 List Of Favorites. With a few exceptions, all of these recordings were reviewed on Broken Hearted Toy in 2014. I’d like to extend my gratitude to all the artists, press agents, and labels that contacted me in regard to reviewing music, and I apologize that due to time constraints, I often wasn’t able to respond to your messages.

To make things easier, I’ve once again separated the Various Artists compilations:

7 And 7 Is Issued by the UK-based label Fruits de Mer, this box set contains seven 45 RPM singles. Each features a current band covering two songs by an American group from the 1960s.

 Postcards From The Deep A start-to-finish party album—also from Fruits de Mer. A roster of 10 modern bands take on familiar and obscure gems from the 1960s. 

Radio Ready Wisconsin - Lost Power Pop Hits 1979 - 1982 The indie label Cheap Rewards gives the Dairy State its due with this vintage power pop compilation.

ON XRT - Volume 16 Another impressive and eclectic selection of live performances that were recorded at Chicago area venues and aired on local FM station WXRT.

And now, on to my Top 40 Favorite Releases Of 2014: 

1. King O Prussia - Zonian Girls … And The Echoes That Surround Us All  An imaginative 20-song, loosely themed album that just might be this eccentric power pop band’s masterpiece.

2. Johnny Marr - Playland  The former guitarist of The Smiths continues his flawless solo career by placing socially relevant lyrics within 1980s style guitar and keyboards arrangements.

3. The Bangles - Ladies And Gentlemen. . . The Bangles This digital-only collection featuring their 1982 self-titled EP, rare tracks, demos, and live performances provides some essential puzzle pieces of how the band brought a 1960s pop sensibility to L.A.’s 1980s punk scene.

4. The Red Plastic Buddha - Songs For Mara The third and most adventurous effort from these Chicago club scene veterans mixes humor and mind-bending imagery within authentic psychedelic rock and roll.

5. U2 - Songs Of Innocence  Forget the backlash; the band was at full power with The Edge’s distinctive guitar playing and Bono’s multi-range vocals. A series of inventive arrangements support Bono as he observes current society with a mix of spiritual nurturing and unbridled frustration.

6. Dum Dum Girls - Too True  Singer-guitarist Dee Dee Penny excels at marrying angst to irresistible melodies. Her patented blend of 1960s twanging guitar and new wave tilts more toward the rougher edges of Depeche Mode and Bauhaus on this latest effort.

7. Kaiser Chiefs - Education, Education, Education & War Singer Ricky Wilson delivers diatribes against institutionalized education and industrial pollution with biting lyrics that echo Pink Floyd and XTC. A persuasive concept album that might have the potential to become an American Idiot type of theatrical production. 

8. Chrissie Hynde - Stockholm This first solo effort from the founding member of The Pretenders has the rock and roll icon breaking new ground while still playing to her strengths.

9. Secret Colours - Positive Distractions The youthful Chicago quartet continues to spin 1980s synth rock and the original British Invasion into catchy, hypnotic tunes.

10. Hushdrops - Tomorrow  The Chicago-based band ended a 10-year absence from the recording studio with an ambitious double album of enticing prog rock and psychedelia.

11. Aerial - Why Don’t They Teach Heartbreak At School? The first release in 10 years from this Scottish trio explores the transition from childhood to the adult world via clever lyrics set to energetic power pop songs.

12. Mainland - Shiner Young quartet from New York taps into the original punk era on this melodic and highly energetic four-song  EP. 

13. Paul Collins - Feel The Noise  The revered singer-guitarist embraced his power pop heritage on this collection of guitar-driven explorations of relationships and jabs at he music biz. 

14. Buzzcocks - The Way The first album from this influential English punk band in eight years still features the powerful nucleus of vocalist-guitarist Pete Shelley and vocalist-guitarist Steve Diggle.

15. The Psycho Sisters - Up On The Chair, Beatrice The long-delayed side project from Vicki Peterson and Susan Cowsill showcases their glorious harmonies as they vamp through Country and Western, pop, rock, and honky-tonk blues.

16. Mothboxer - Sand And The Rain Their fourth album is a collection of 10 smooth-as-silk Brit pop songs with gorgeous harmonies that evoke Squeeze and XTC.

17. The Mike Benign Compulsion - Here’s How It Works The Milwaukee-based power pop quartet continues to lace infectious melodies and gorgeous harmonies with acerbic observations on romantic relationships.

18.  Lannie Flowers - Live In NYC A showcase for Mr. Flowers’ power pop expertise, recorded with his band live at Brooklyn’s Trash Bar in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. 

19. The Kumari - Until That Day The London-based quartet returns to the 7-inch record format for another serving of authentic 1960s garage rock.

 20. The Safes - Record Heat  Their latest release shows these Chicago-based guys at the top of their punk/garage rock game.

21. Brett Newski - American Folk Armegeddon World-traveler singer-songwriter embraces and subverts the folk genre over the course of 10 acoustic-based tracks.

22. The Crush - Future Blimps Seattle-based coed trio evokes 1980s acts like Let’s Active and The Go-Go’s on this five song collection of catchy love songs. 

23. The Britannicas - Tea Time The international power pop trio plays catchy songs that draw inspiration from the British Invasion as well as American acts like The Beach Boys and The Byrds.

24. Rick Hromadka - Trippin’ Dinosaurs The Maple Mars singer-guitarist has a blast on this solo effort; doing all the vocals and instruments on catchy and clever power pop tunes.

25. Edward Rogers - KAYE  The veteran singer-songwriter dedicated this album to his hero, the late Kevin Ayers, and it’s an engaging collection of personal reflections and political views.

26. Jupe Jupe - Crooked Kisses  Several tracks on this third release from the Seattle-based synth band are over five minutes long, with atmospheric keyboards and ominous lyrics about everything from small-minded townspeople to cosmic disaster.

27. JIP - Last Call Chicago-based trio makes good on lead vocalist/chief songwriter Jim Gwynn’s mission to forge hard-hitting songs that evoke alternative rock bands from the 1990s.

28. Dead Fingers - Big Black Dog Husband and wife Taylor Hollingsworth and Kate Taylor Hollingsworth craft harmony vocals that are a bit off the beaten path, backed by easy-going Americana music. 

29. Go Time! - Rätsel An ambitious 19-track effort from this prolific Chicago band that explores the harder edges of power pop with inventive, energetic arrangements.

30. The JAC - Love Dumb EP Australian singer-multi-instrumentalist Joe Algeri of The Britannicas brings his offbeat perspective to infectious power pop tunes on this latest solo effort.

31. Bon Mots - Best Revenge The Chicago-based group once again shows its expertise in crafting fetching pop songs.

32. The Forty Nineteens - Spin It  The California-based trio jumps effortlessly from bluesy rock to Americana to new wave on this spirited follow-up to their 2012 debut.

33. David Bierman Overdrive - Standard Skies The Detroit-based singer-guitarist, who has been away from the music scene for 20 years, returns to his power pop roots while simultaneously driving full force into Country And Western music.

34. The Jeremy Band - All Over The World Veteran psychedelic singer-guitarist looks back on his career with this 20-song live retrospective.

35.  Sam Page - The Slog In Uncertainty The California-based singer-guitarist fires on all cylinders on his third effort, with vocals that sound equally impressive whether he’s singing power pop or bottom heavy funk rock.

36. Dann Morr - Shouting Into The Wind  The veteran of indie rock bands Wells-next-the-Sea and Mooner takes center stage with an impressive solo debut filled of well-crafted, melodic rock music.

37. Archie Powell And The Exports - Back In Black The Chicago band swapped its satiric power pop vignettes for hard rock and primal screaming on songs about the devastating effects of unrequited love. Well done, but I want the old Archie back.

38.  The Click Beetles - Wake Up To Music! Longtime power pop musician Dan Pavelich works under the pseudonym The Click Beetles for a solo collection of songs that recall his work with The Bradburys, along with some interesting experiments.

39.  Chris Wilson - It’s Flaming’ Groovy! The frontman for The Flamin’ Groovies opts for Southern rock and blues flavored tunes on this solo effort, but packs enough catchy melodies into his songs to please his power pop base.

40. Winter In Moscow - Well Done Mr. Creeper The London-based quartet brings a vintage UK punk sensibility to the seven short and melodic songs on its debut EP. 

Honorable Mentions: Other 2014 Releases That Put A Smile On My Ears

(In No Particular Order): 

Colleens - Wild Dreams 

The Legal Matters - Self-titled 

The Emperors Of Wyoming - Self-titled

Slow Buildings - Poison Condition

The Plastiscines - Black XS EP

Bronco Bullfrog - Time Waits For Norman

Feathers - Only One

The Toothe - Talons EP 

Icarus Peel/Mordecai Smyth - Barnburner EP     

The Squires Of The Subterrain - Self-Titled 

PT Walkley - Shoulders 

Roxy Swain - Restless Hearts

Bryan Howell And The Standalones - Welcome To The World