Bart And The Brats - Only Fair

You can always depend on Bart And The Brats! On its latest EP, La Rochelle, France's most formidable one-man punk rock recording project continues to smash it up, '77-style. Recorded by Lo'Spider at Swampland in Toulouse last year, these four tracks rip hard in the band's usual Ramones meet The Kids meet Zeros meet The Lurkers on Rip Off Records fashion. "Only Fair," the title track, is the "epic" of the bunch with a running time of two minutes, 45 seconds. Nothing else surpasses two minutes, and Bart wastes no time getting down to business. You know what to expect: tough, hard-hitting, up-tempo punk tunes that will pummel your ears without having to resort to a fourth chord. Only Fair was co-released by Dirty Water Records and the band's label Roaring Blood. You know you want it, and you know you need to play it loud!

-L.R.

https://bartandthebrats.bandcamp.com/album/only-fair-7-dirty-water-roaring-blood-records-2024
https://roaringblood.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bartandthebrats/
https://www.facebook.com/bartandthebrats

Lùlù - "Lùlù"

Oh boy, you all are gonna love this one! Lùlù is a French power pop band based in Lyon and Marseille. The band, in its own words, plays "love songs for the anxious and glam rock nuggets for the dreamers." Now that speaks to my soul! Lùlù's lyrics are in French and Italian, but you don't need to be bilingual to appreciate the greatness of its debut single, "Lùlù" (I always love a band with its own theme song!). This tune is chock full of hooks, and it exudes feelgood vibes all day. When I think of the term "power pop," this is exactly the kind of song that comes to mind. It touches on themes of heartbreak but channels it all into positive energy. I want to brush up on my French so I can sing along properly! My god, this song is a banger. The video is really fun too. Something tells me this is going to be a totally huge band in power pop circles, so you might as well get in on the ground floor. "Lùlù" is out now on Howlin' Banana Records. A full-length album is coming next year!

-L.R.

https://allocestlulu.bandcamp.com/track/l-l
https://howlinbananarecords.bandcamp.com/track/l-l
https://www.facebook.com/allocestlulu
https://www.facebook.com/Howlinbanana
https://www.instagram.com/allocestlulu/

Alvilda - C'est D​é​jà L'heure

I can't believe it has been more than three years since Alvilda released its debut EP on Alien Snatch Records. Man, time flies! The Paris-based foursome returns today with C'est D​é​jà L'heure, its fantastic debut long player on Static Shock Records. This full-length release finds Alvilda sticking with the sound that first captured our hearts back in pandemic times: '60s girl group pop by way of '70s power pop with an old school punk rock edge and lyrics sung in French. What's not to love? I suppose I'd get even more out of this record if I knew what they were singing about, but knowing French is by no means a prerequisite for enjoying Alvilda. From start to finish, this album delivers the catchiest and most infectious power pop punk songs you could ever hope to hear. If you wondered what Alvilda has been up to over the last three years, the answer is clear: the band has been developing its chops on stage, honing its craft, and perfecting its timeless power pop sound. Ten tracks in a little under a half hour go by so fast because every second is a delight. As the title suggests, C'est D​é​jà L'heure was a long time in the making. But there's no denying it was worth the wait.

-L.R.

https://alvilda.bandcamp.com/album/cest-d-j-lheure
https://open.spotify.com/album/5KusJjI8kk5g8q7X5ucP1n
https://www.instagram.com/alvilda.band/
https://www.facebook.com/Alvilda.Paris/

Bart and the Brats - Can't Think Straight

Perhaps the only thing in life as dependable as death & taxes are Bart and the Brats, who return with another superb release of '77-style punk rock stripped to its bare bones. Still fresh off a third LP and a killer split with Battlebeats, Bart hit the studio with Lo' Spider in Toulouse this past fall and knocked out Can't Think Straight — out now on 7" record on the labels Juvenile Delinquent and Take The City Records. Bart isn't messing with the recipe one bit, and why would he? These two-minute, three-chord bangers bring to mind the Ramones in first album form and UK counterparts such as The Lurkers and Vibrators. Bart's vocal style is immediately recognizable, and his ability to churn out simple, thumping punk tunes of the highest quality is hard to beat. Put any of these songs on a compilation of 1977 punk tracks, and they won't sound out of place! 

-L.R.  

https://bartandthebrats.bandcamp.com/album/cant-think-straight-7-juvenile-delinquent-take-the-city-records-2024
https://takethecityrecords.bandcamp.com/album/can-t-think-straight-ep
https://juveniledelinquent.bandcamp.com/album/jd027-bart-and-the-brats-cant-think-straight-ep
https://www.facebook.com/bartandthebrats
https://www.instagram.com/bartandthebrats/

Human Toys - "Go Go Alco"/ "Generation Shit"

Here's one you're all gonna like! Human Toys are a Paris-based duo made up of Poupée Mecanik and the legendary Jon Von. Out now on the Los Angeles label Outro Records, the duo's new single "Go Go Alco"/ "Generation Shit" is its first new release since the 2020 long player Spin To Win. You know what you're getting with Jon Von's songwriting, and Human Toys add an extra dimension with Poupée's charismatic vocals and dandy Theremin chops. In Jon Von's own words, "The A-side concerns our friend Alco Degurutieni from Japan and a nightmarish day getting to a gig." On the B-side, "Generation Shit" opines on the current state of the world and in particular the apathy of certain individuals. If you're expecting poppy garage punk of the highest caliber, you will not be disappointed by either of these songs. They're both bangers! Be sure to check out the music video for "Go Go Alco" (embedded below), which was directed by Iris Razzle and illustrates the story told in the song. Hit up the Outro Records store to order a copy of the record!

-L.R.

https://humantoys.bandcamp.com/album/go-go-alco-generation-shit
https://www.facebook.com/p/Human-Toys-100035499021764/
https://www.facebook.com/outrorecords.us/
https://outrorecords.com/7-and-10-vinyl-store
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDOjXz3tvlMziThZyNEl1Fg
https://www.instagram.com/outrorecords.us/

The Suttles - Third Stroke

Fred, Julian, and Max are back with their third album in three calendar years. And I'm sure not complaining! On Third Stroke, The Suttles continue to do what they've always done so well: make music influenced by all my favorite records! The Paris-based trio's sweet spot is '77 UK punk and mod meets late '70s power pop. That couldn't be any more up my alley, and Third Stroke finds the band in top form. "Without a Sound" kicks things off sounding like The Undertones meets The Real Kids, and it's off to the races from there. "Un Certain Temps" (with lyrics sung in French) reminds me of first album Clash. "Make You Mine" reinterprets an obscure 1971 Fairchild B-side as classic power pop. "Weekend à Lille" channels the pub rock stylings of The Vibrators and Eddie & The Hot Rods. "You'd Better Dance" sounds like it could be an outtake from Joe Jackson's Look Sharp. And then you have "quintessential Suttles" numbers like "Stuck On You" and "Won't Come Back to Me" that do not disappoint. Track after track, the band delivers a tune that's catchy as hell and sure to have you reaching for your dancing shoes. To be able to turn out three albums in this style and actually get better with each release is quite the impressive feat. The Suttles are on a roll that I hope never ends!

-L.R.

https://thesuttles.bandcamp.com/album/third-stroke-2
https://www.soundflat.de/punkrock/punkrock-lp/suttles-third-stroke-lp
https://www.facebook.com/The-Suttles-136765567788102/

Les Lullies - Mauvaise Foi

Woooooo! On Mauvaise Foi, their second full-length album, French punks Les Lullies rip it up with ten of the catchiest, most rocking tracks you'll hear all year. Out now on Slovenly Recordings, Mauvaise Foi finds this Montpellier-based foursome in truly fine form. If you're offering my ears some old school punk rock and roll with hints of power pop, you know I'm always going to be receptive. And Les Lullies execute this style better than most. From the opening chords of the title track to the final strains of "Animal," Les Lullies bring the energy, the attitude, and hooks to spare. It matters little that I have no idea what they're singing about most of the time. I still wanna bob my head up and down, sing along, and make a mess around the house just for the fun of it. If your favorite '77 punk bands were the ones that just essentially played rock and roll faster and more furiously, tunes like "Mauvaise Foi," "Soirée Standard," and "Zéro Ambition" will be music to your ears (literally). "Station Service" reminds me of first album Clash, you know I'm not complaining! A cover of the Jackie DeShannon classic "When You Walk in the Room" is totally excellent and quite complementary to the album's original tracks. You've probably been hearing quite a bit about Mauvaise Foi lately from the finest blogs and radio programs. You wanna know why? Because it's freaking awesome!

-L.R.

https://leslullies.bandcamp.com/album/les-lullies-mauvaise-foi
https://www.instagram.com/leslullies/
https://www.slovenly.com/
https://www.instagram.com/slovenlyrecordings/
https://www.facebook.com/slovenlyrec

Bart and the Brats - self titled

Following a 10", a 7", and a split 7" with Take the City, France's Bart and the Brats have unleashed their proper debut LP via two of the greatest punk record labels ever: No Front Teeth and Big Neck Records. And as expected, it's a smashing slab of wax! Bart and the Brats are the solo project of the prolific punk musician Bart De Vraantijk (Pneumonias, Wild Zeros, Teenage Hearts, The Janitors, etc.). With this project, Bart hones in on the classic '77 punk sound — taking equal inspiration from both sides of the Atlantic. If you dig The Kids, Zeros, the first two Ramones albums, and the tougher/snottier side of early U.K. punk, then Bart and the Brats will be right up your alley. You know I'm always a sucker for the classic '77 sound, and Bart really hits the sweet spot on these 12 ripping tracks. He knows how to write a rockin' punk tune that will get your head bobbing and your toes tapping. There's no fooling around here: every song gets the job done in two minutes or thereabouts, and then it's on to the next one. With this being a Bart De Vraantijk project, you know you're getting a little of that garage/budget rawness in the production and performance. But stylistically, this album is all about the sound of '77. Bart is a master at writing catchy tunes that are chock full of attitude, and he has delivered the goods on this self-titled release. If ever an album existed that needed to be co-released by Big Neck and No Front Teeth, this is the one!

-L.R.

https://bigneckrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/s-t
https://bartandthebrats.bandcamp.com/album/batb-lp-no-front-teeth-big-neck-records-2022
https://www.facebook.com/bartandthebrats
https://www.facebook.com/bigneckrecords/
https://www.nofrontteeth.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/bigneckrecords/

The Suttles - Stories

Stories, the second album from Paris trio The Suttles, could not be any more up my alley. It meets at the intersection of power pop and '77 punk rock with additional touches of mod and new wave. You may recognize Fred, Julian, and Max as three-fifths of Jon & the Vons. And these guys have been in plenty of other cool bands such as Opération-S, Protokids, Les Braqueurs, and Les Terribles. These three formed The Suttles in 2019 and have already gotten two full-length releases out the door. Stories follows the same blueprint as last year's self-titled debut on Les Disques à Rebours. The songs are tuneful and energetic, and they're influenced by all of your favorite records from 1977 through 1980. "I Wanna Get That Girl" is quintessential punky power pop and a great tone-setter for the whole album. "First Time" is not a cover of The Boys' song, but it sure reminds me of The Boys! "Papercut" and "Arrête de Penser" are straight-up '77-style punk bangers. "It's Alright" is textbook power pop. "Seul" is bang-on Jam worship. "Bad Time" is a killer cover of the classic tune by the old British beat group The Roulettes. Punk/powerpop is always a go-to genre for me, and The Suttles have once again totally nailed that sound. Order Stories now from Topsy-Turvy Records!

-L.R.

https://thesuttles.bandcamp.com/album/stories

https://www.facebook.com/The-Suttles-136765567788102/

https://www.soundflat.de/punkrock/punkrock-lp/suttles-stories-lp

Bart and the Brats - Livin´ in the Future/Dogged

Before I even heard a note of the music, I saw the band name Bart and the Brats and knew I was going to be a fan. I was not wrong! It turns out that Bart and the Brats is a solo project from French punk rocker extraordinaire Bart De Vraantijk (Wild Zeros, Teenage Hearts, The Janitors, Pneumonias, The Skeptics). Out on the Madrid-based Label Take The City Records, the new 7" Livin' in the Future is actually Bart's second release of 2021. As a '77 punk enthusiast, I'm totally digging these three tracks -- which mix the style and simplicity of original era punk rock with the rawness of '90s-style budget punk. The title track is destined to appear on Bloodstains Across Europe Volume 27! Somehow I missed a previous Bart and the Brats album titled Dogged that was released on 10" vinyl by Chickpea Records back in the spring. Taking inspiration from the o.g. punk rock sounds of the U.K., mainland Europe, and both coasts of the U.S.A., Dogged plays like a genuine 1977 release that somehow got vaulted into the future. The album features ten smashing originals plus covers of The Undertones and Blitzkrieg Bop. Get ready to crank up the volume and pogo around the house! You can order a bundle of the 7" and 10" for just €13 from Bart's Bandcamp. Livin' in the Future is also available from Take The City's Bandcamp. If Bart really is a time traveler from 44 years ago, he can alert his old friends of a surprising future where flying cars still don't exist but The Kids remain one of the most popular punk bands on the planet. Who would have imagined? 

-L.R.

https://bartandthebrats.bandcamp.com/album/livin-in-the-future-7-take-the-city-records-2021
https://takethecityrecords.bandcamp.com/album/livin-in-the-future
https://www.facebook.com/takethecityrecords
https://www.instagram.com/take_the_city_records/

Alvilda - Négatif

Oh man, here's a band you're all gonna flip over! Alvilda is Nina, Mélanie, Eva, and Sandra. This foursome out of Paris has just released its debut EP on the venerable Alien Snatch Records. Négatif features four tracks of classic style power pop with '60s pop and girl group influences. I love the perfect simplicity of this release: each song is a one-word title and clocks in somewhere between two and two-and-half minutes. From the melodies to the harmonies to the hooks to the energy of the music, this EP delivers everything you could want from power pop. Even if you don't know a single word of French, Négatif is sure to have you dancing around the house and humming along in no time flat. Pop music doesn't get much catchier than this! For its first 7" release in a few years, Alien Snatch sure picked a good one. Snag a copy while you still can! 

-L.R.

https://aliensnatch.bandcamp.com/album/alvilda-n-gatif
https://www.facebook.com/Alvilda.Paris
https://www.instagram.com/alvilda.band/
https://www.facebook.com/ALIEN.SNATCH.RECORDS
http://www.aliensnatch.de/

Food Fight - self titled

This is turning into the year of French power pop! Pogy et les Kéfars released a terrific album a few weeks back, and now Food Fight has released its debut single on Snap!! Records. And you know if it's on Snap!!, it's gotta be good! Food Fight is based in Rennes and features members of The Headliners, Cheap Riot, The Ready-Mades, and Abuse. Basically this is a French band in 2021 that sounds totally like a U.K. band from 1979! The musical style is a mix of mod, power pop, and late '70s English/Irish pop punk. The press release mentions The Nips as a point of reference, and that's pretty spot-on! I don't think it's possible to go wrong emulating The Nips! This release contains four mid-tempo tracks that will appeal to both mod revival enthusiasts and fans of today's punk/powerpop. Vinyl is limited to 300 copies, so hit up the Snap!! Bandcamp page if you're interested!

-L.R.

https://snaprecordsspain.bandcamp.com/album/food-fight-ep-fun-7049
https://foodfightpowerpop.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/foodfightpowerpop
https://www.facebook.com/SnapRecordSpain/

Pogy et les Kéfars - Dans Ton Rétro

Dans Ton Rétro is the debut full-length album from Pogy et les Kéfars -- a delightful power pop/punk band based in Marseille, France. A co-release between Crapoulet, Bitume Rugueux, and No Front Teeth Records, this 9-track long player is so tuneful and infectious that it transcends the language barrier. The lyrics are in French, so I have no idea what the band is singing about. But ultimately, that just doesn't matter! Dans Ton Rétro is just a super fun album. It's got energy, hooks, and a spirit that brings to mind the late '70s/early '80s heyday of punk rock, new wave, and power pop. At a lean nine tracks, this album is filler-free and chock full of hits. If you're a regular reader of this blog, Pogy et les Kéfars are definitely a band for you!

-L.R.

https://pogyetleskefars.bandcamp.com/album/dans-ton-r-tro-2
https://bitumerugueux.bandcamp.com/album/br007-pogy-les-kefars-dans-ton-retro
https://www.facebook.com/pogyetleskefars/
https://www.facebook.com/bitumerugueux/
https://www.nofrontteeth.co.uk/

The Suttles - "Broken Hearted"

Today I've got a band for you that really hits my sweet spot! Based out of Paris, The Suttles walk the fine line between power pop and old school punk rock. This band is comprised of Fred, Julian, and Max from Jon and the Vons (Julian was also in that amazing band Protokids). On their debut single, The Suttles show both sides of their musical style. The A-side "Broken Hearted" is '77 punk leaning pop. I'm hearing the influence of The Clash and The Jam, and that is totally cool by me! This is a great sing-along number with legit hooks. On the flip, "Messin' Around" brings to mind the heyday of skinny tie power pop. It's rockin', catchy, and chock full of energy. All in all, this is a tremendous debut that has me excited to hear more. Vinyl coming in October on Les Disques A Rebours!



-L.R.

https://thesuttles.bandcamp.com/album/the-suttles
https://www.facebook.com/The-Suttles-136765567788102/
https://lesdisquesarebours.bandcamp.com/

Wild Zeros/Proto Idiot - Jukebox Serie split 7"

It's hard to beat a split 7" when you really like both bands. Well today I've got a split featuring two bands I like a lot! Out on the new French label Permanent FREAK, this team-up between France's Wild Zeros and Manchester's Proto Idiot appears to be the first installment in a series called Jukebox Serie. Sometimes with splits, bands don't always put their best material out there. But I must say that that is not the case here. Both bands contribute a strong pair of all-new original songs. Wild Zeros turn out the tracks "Don't Want It, Still Get It" and "First Floor Freak". This is already the fourth Wild Zeros 7" release in less than a year, and this effort is very much in keeping with the previous three. Think '90s-style garage punk rock and roll with filthy guitars and a beat that's sure to get you shaking your hips. I'm especially partial to the blazing "First Floor Freak". Given the partnership with Wild Zeros here, it's fitting that "Tell Me What You Want" is Proto Idiot at its "punkiest" (yet still plenty quirky/oddball). If you're looking for a song to inspire you to suddenly start vigorously jumping up and down for no apparent reason other than it would be tremendous fun, this track ought to do it! What a jolt of energy! "New Ways of Seeing" slows the pace a tad, exploring that poppy side of new wave/post-punk/art-punk that these gentlemen are so well known to occupy. And if you're left wanting more, you're in luck since Proto Idiot just released a new LP!

I would imagine that if you're a fan of one of these bands, you're probably a fan of the other. And if not, maybe you will become one now! I hope this is just the first of many installments of Permanent FREAK's Jukebox Serie. It's limited to just 300 copies, so get cracking!



-L.R.

https://permanentfreak.bandcamp.com/album/wild-zeros-proto-idiot-jukebox-series-split 
https://wildzeros.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/permanent.freak/ 
https://www.facebook.com/protoidiot/ 
https://www.facebook.com/wildwildzeros/ 

Wild Zeros - "Teenage Lifestyle"

I raved about a new single from Wild Zeros a little while back. But actually that was just one of two new 45s from this veteran band out of La Rochelle and Bordeaux, France. Out on Chickpea Records, "Teenage Lifestyle" of course leads with a cover of the classic track from Syracuse, New York garage punk legends The Penetrators. Why make a cover tune an A-side? I say why NOT make a cover tune an A-side?!

One thing I like about Wild Zeros is their choice of cover material. They have a tendency to cover powerhouse songs from bands that ought to be household names in punk circles but are still unknown to a lot of people. Taking on "Teenage Lifestyle" (first released in 1979), Wild Zeros don't try and out-do the original (that would be impossible). Their rendition is faithful to The Penetrators' version, but with that special Wild Zeros touch. It sounds wild...and French! This track is from sessions recorded by Lo'Spider at Swampland in Toulouse a couple years back, and it totally rips! It is my fervent hope that more than a few people will hear this and immediately want to own the original version on record (Luckily you can still get the re-issue of The Penetrators' Kings of Basement Rock LP from Slovenly Recordings!). To finish off this one-sider, Wild Zeros turn out an original called "Vampire Girl". It's exactly what you've come to expect from this band: trashy garage punk rock n' roll done right! It's like the '90s never ended! Copies of this single are limited, so head on over to Discogs if you want to buy the vinyl. These tracks - and the rest of the Wild Zeros catalog - are available digitally via Bandcamp!



-L.R.

https://wildzeros.bandcamp.com/album/teenage-lifestyle-7-chickpea-2018  
https://www.facebook.com/wildwildzeros/

Wild Zeros - "She Knows"

It was just last year that I reviewed the "comeback" record from Bordeaux and La Rochelle France's Wild Zeros. This trio had been unheard from for several years before re-emerging to commemorate its ten-year anniversary. The Motormouth EP on Nerve Centre Records was a much welcomed return for fans of real deal garage punk and wild rock n' roll in general. And now we have more from Wild Zeros on another fine UK label. Out on the always-dependable Crocodile Records, "She Knows" is the hottest track I've heard from this band in years. It's actually a re-do of a song from the band's first EP, but it doesn't take long to understand why they wanted a second crack at this one. This totally blows away the previous version! It's more up-tempo this time, with a rawer, tougher, and way more rockin' sound. While not nearly as blown-out sounding as, say, Teengenerate, it definitely possesses the same spirit. I bet ya this would sound so killer coming out of your turntable (which is pretty much the point of this being a vinyl-only release)! On the flip, the band tempts fate by covering Pack's unfuckwithable classic "Nobody Can Tell Us". It was a ballsy move to take on a song that literally cannot be improved upon. But honestly, Wild Zeros come through with a faithful and very credible version of this song. They honor a band that is clearly an important influence. And if this causes just one person to go back and discover Pack, then mission accomplished. Another smasher from the Crocodile hit factory! 



-L.R.

https://www.discogs.com/Wild-Zeros-She-Knows/release/13048360 
https://www.facebook.com/CrocodileRecs/ 
https://wildzeros.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/wildwildzeros/ 

Wild Zeros - Motormouth

If you didn't know it already, know it now: Nerve Centre Records is one of the rising stars in the world of punk record labels! The label may have begun as a vehicle for Charlie Murphy to release his own bands' music. But having also put out singles by The Hipshakes and now Wild Zeros, Nerve Centre is quickly becoming one of my go-tos for quality punk rock.

Wild Zeros, from Bordeaux, France, recorded Motormouth to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the band's formation. It's the first time we've heard new music from this trio since 2011! Recorded in Toulouse by the great Lo'Spider, these four tracks find Wild Zeros sounding as good as ever. The title track is some good straight-ahead garage punk rock n' roll to get you grooving and shaking. Never mind asking if Wild Zeros can still manage to capture their 2007 sound. They're still stuck in 1997, and thank god for that! That guitar solo is a thing of trash rock beauty. "Damage Your Health" is a cover of late '70s U.K. mod-punks The Cigarettes, done in a style reminiscent of The Infections' version. "Squid Balls" is something you don't hear as much as you used to: a budget rock instrumental! I like it. To finish off the record, "Bare Facts" is probably my favorite track of the four. It's got this trashy '77 punk style that's right up my alley - with handclaps and snotty vocals that really drive it home!

Is it wrong to call Motormouth a "comeback"? Either way, this is killer stuff from a damn fine garage punk band. You get four tracks, and each one stands out in its own way. Those of you in the southwestern part of England should look for a release show in April!



-L.R.

https://nervecentrerecords.bandcamp.com/album/wild-zeros-motormouth-e-p 
https://wildzeros.bandcamp.com/album/motormouth-7-nerve-centre-2018 
https://www.facebook.com/wildwildzeros/ 
https://www.facebook.com/nervecentrerecords/

New single from Sugar & Tiger!

Welcome to the first of what should be many reviews of releases from Jarama 45RPM Recs! A new label out of Madrid, Jarama 45RPM has a clear and simple mission: "strictly 7" vinyl, strictly 45 rpm records,
and strictly hit singles". The world of punk/garage/power pop, being so well suited to the singles format, needs more labels like this! For my first post on Jarama 45RPM, I turn my attention to a terrific band out of Paris called Sugar & Tiger. Isn't that pretty much the best name ever for a poppy punk rock band?! Florence Vicha (lead vocals) is Sugar, and Didier Wampas (guitar) is Tiger. The sound is just what I like: the best elements of punk and pop mixed together thoroughly and let loose with maximum enthusiasm. True to the label's promise, "(God Save) Linda Ramone" is a stone cold hit. You'd have to be a miserable human to not love this! And the fact that the lyrics are sung in French only make it cooler! On the flip, "La Perruque Rose" is another great track that reminds me quite a bit of early Muffs. I am thrilled to discover this band, and you will be too if you're a fan of The Ramones, Dahlmanns, etc.! I highly recommend heading on over to Facebook and liking the Jarama 45RPM Recs. page. This is a label you're going to want to follow closely!



-L.R.

https://www.facebook.com/sugarandtiger/
https://www.facebook.com/jarama45rpmrecs/

One Way Ticket: the debut album!

And now here's something swell from France! One Way Ticket is a Besançon-based trio that works a classic power pop style while also tipping its cap to mod and Brit-pop influences. Out on the French label Production Impossible Records, And Life Just Simply Moves Along is the band's debut album following an EP released back in 2015. The snap and jangle of "In The Upper World" and the first class Jam worship of "All Change" start off the record auspiciously, but what impresses me as the album progresses is the band's ability to slow the tempo and really let those melodies shine. "Magical Springs", "Miss Grievous", and "Finger Snap" are fine examples of power pop with an undercurrent of melancholy. And "Beside You" fully embraces the dramatic possibilities of a good ballad. This may be a funny observation, but I like hearing this style of music sung in a French accent. All in all, the band does a great job of taking tried-and-true influences and creating something that feels fresh and current and genuinely original. If you like mod/powerpop, this ought to be right up your alley. Vinyl LP releases this coming Friday!



-L.R.

https://productionsimpossiblerecords.bandcamp.com/album/and-life-just-simply-moves-along
https://www.facebook.com/OneWayTicketFrance
https://onewayticket.bandcamp.com/