A wide range of recommended titles are available to add to any music lover's library.
Title: Back To California (Spyderpop Records / Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: R.E.M., Action Skulls, The Plimsouls, Psychic Rain
Tell me more: The return of 20/20 is one of the most exciting realities of early 2025. The beloved Tulsa, Oklahoma-spawned power pop legends have just released Back To California, the band's first new album since 1998's Interstate. Steve Allen (vocals, guitar), Ron Flynt (bass, vocals) and Ray Flynt (drums, percussion) have delivered a new studio album that expands 20/20's discography and legacy. The opening title track is undeniably catchy while simultaneously tapping into sorrow-tinged overtones that are wonderfully palpable. The album's strengths continue to reveal themselves across the 11-track masterwork via literate and instantly-memorable originals. The shimmering "The End Of The Summer" is a melodic juggernaut, bolstered by great lead vocals, sublime harmonies, jangly guitars and an artful arrangement. The edgy guitar-anchored rocker "Springtime Love Song," driving "Lucky Heart," sumptuous "Laurel Canyon" tapping into the mythology of the fabled mountainous area in the Hollywood Hills, infectious romance-minded ear candy "Spark" and heartfelt closer "Farewell" are among the other terrific cuts on the album. Back To California is one of the first great albums of 2025. Information: bigstirrecords.com.
Title: Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown [50th Anniversary Extended Version] (Vince Guaraldi Film Productions)
You might like if you enjoy: Vince Guaraldi's music scores for other "Peanuts" animated classics in the 1960s and '70s
Tell me more: Although it has been 50 years since the beloved "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" debuted on CBS-TV, composer-pianist Vince Guaraldi's full score has finally been issued via an expanded 30-track edition available on audio CD, vinyl and via streaming services; the title includes the complete 22 cue score and eight never-before-heard bonus tracks. Guaraldi layers his Fender Rhodes and acoustic piano to bolster his signature jazz sound, and his own artistry is enhanced by a trio completed by Seward McCain (electric bass) and Vince Lateano (drums). Among my favorite selections on the wonderful collection are the playfully uptempo "Paw Pet Overture," wistful "Freddie's Mood (Chopin's Nocturne in E flat major, Op.9 No.2)," emotive "Never Again," a decidedly alternative take on "Linus and Lucy," the jazzy delight "Last Call for Love," and a number of alternate versions of his memorable "Heartburn Waltz." The CD includes an 8-page insert, and the vinyl includes a 4-page insert. Both the CD and vinyl include art from the special and liner notes that give a track-by-track analysis by producer Sean Mendelson and notes by producer Jason Mendelson and Derrick Bang (author of "Vince Guaraldi at the Piano"). The vinyl has additional photographs and images from historical documents. For more information on the CD version, go HERE. For details on the vinyl edition, go HERE.
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Title: Head Like A Toyshop (Kool Kat)
You might like if you enjoy: Jellyfish, the Move, Blue Öyster Cult
Tell me more: Lovers of power pop, art rock, synth pop, post punk and classic rock will all find something to love on He's Dead Jim's wonderful new album Head Like A Toyshop. The Scotland troupe featuring Andy Milne (drums), Neil Christie (guitar, vocals) and Allan Bell (vocals, bass) isn't afraid to mix it up across the 14-track album, incorporating a number of musical genres and wide-ranging topics (ranging from science fiction and trash comics to literature, war and more) along the way. The speedy "On The Beach" and "Ticket To Explode," confessional "Why I Gave Up," power pop gem "Wire Buddha," indie rocker "Haywire," electronica foray "Tomorrow Is Yesterday" and other tracks on the album collectively add up to something very special. In addition, the trio's bewitching cover of Blue Öyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" is an absolute delight. Information: koolkatmusik.com.
Title: Stories With Guitars (Kool Kat)
You might like if you enjoy: Cheap Trick, Matthew Sweet, Rick Springfield, Jeff Lynne's ELO
Tell me more: Joe Giddings' second album for the Kool Kat label is a solid collection of great songs that are as infectious as they are smart. The singer-songwriter began writing and recording the collection in March 2024, starting things off with the scintillating harmonies-filled gem "Then Came Madeline" for his daughter before quickly embarking on a quest to complete the 11-track masterwork. Memorable tracks abound on the release, including the soaring opener "Tonight Tonight," Queen-flavored "My Riviera," the decidedly timely melodic punk rocker "A.I. Lover," 12 string guitar-fueled "David Stepanski," and the enticing closer "Won It All Before Saying Goodbye." Information: koolkatmusik.com.
Title: Scorched Earth (AOP Records)
You might like if you enjoy: All That Remains, The Halo Effect
Tell me more: Austria's leading post black metal band Harakiri For The Sky is back with a new studio album (Scorched Earth) that finds the band unleashing a fiery mix of atmospheric hard hitting rock, hardcore and metal in the service of songs that pry into the our torn modern day society. Scorched Earth clocks in at over an hour and features seven tracks tapping into our uncertain times; highlights on the disc include the blistering opener "Heal Me," "Keep Me Longing" with its lovely piano opening and subsequent rapid fire anger, sweeping "Without You I'm Just A Sad Song," and assaultive "Too Late For Goodbyes." Information: aoprecords.de.
Robert Kinsler
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