Well, gathering up six weeks of information is gonna be quite a chore but make sure you take your time with everything and be forewarned:  if you are at work and supposed to be trying to get important stuff, you do not want to proceed below because you are…about…to enter….a big ‘ole…TIME SUCK VORTEX.  🙂

That said, I’ll break this into two posts.  This is Part One.

Part Two is HERE.

Let’s get to it.

REDD KROSS:  their new album came out last week and the reviews and feedback is starting to post all over the internet.  I’ve heard and I am really, really enjoying it.  It’s both a diverse and direct effort, at the same time.  The songs are simple, melodic and know exactly where they want to go.  A ‘first listen’ review  just posted on the NPR Music site – HERE.  At this link, you’ll be able to listen to each song on your own.  THIS link will take you the NPR pop-up player to get right at listening/streaming the album.

THE MOCKERS:  Have just released a new song and video, “Republican Girl” that an incrediby catchy ditty and, of course, quite funny.  It’s a lighthearted ditty about how incredibly sexy all of the women we see from candidates all the way down to Fox News pundits are.  Go HERE or Watch below:

THE RECORDS:  I was interviewing John Wicks this past week and before talking to him, I can across this release that I was totally unaware of and other fans I’m sure might be.  It’s a great sounding live show(soundboard) from 1980 featuring the second line up(“Crashes” tour).  Go listen or buy at THIS LINK.

Pop Geek Heaven Pioneer, Howard Byrne, has an outstanding power pop streaming podcast that all PGHers should be aware of and download.  It’s called POWER POP STEW.  Power Pop streams at the top of the hour (and 24/7 thereafter) at THIS LINK.  The latest stream features Lannie Flowers, These United States, Chuck Nash, The Lemon Clocks, Hello!, Chris Richards and the Subtractions, Starbelly, Clockwise, Cirrone, Eytan Mirsky, Trenchtown, The Features, The Kavanaghs, Holmes, The Smith Bros., and Cocktail Slippers.

 LANNIE FLOWERS:  Just got a brand spankin’ new CD from Lannie Flowers a few hours ago that I’ll be listening to later today but wanted to get the word out.  “New Songs Old Stories”  is available now HERE.  His last album, “Circles” is one that I continually go back to along with the previous one, “Same Old Story”. If you’ve not heard Flowers before, go the site and start listening – well worth it and new discoveries is what PGH is all about.

OFF BROADWAY:  The latest line of the band just rips it up.  They have a new single that is an updated, powerful version of The Records’ “All Messed Up And Ready To Go”. Listen to it at THIS LINK. (see video for song HERE)  The song  will be featured on an upcoming tribute album celebrating the legendary power pop icons THE RECORDS!  The disc is being released by Zero Hour Records in Australia but I’ve not been able to find any other information to pass along. .   Other songs related to them at HERE and HERE, as well as, the main site HERE.

SUSANNA HOFFS:  A new album available for download and available for whatever tip you’d like to bestow upon her.  Listen to at THIS SITE and, if you want to own it, give what you feel is appropriate.

Video interview with me, Bruce Brodeen for one of the web’s most popular business WebTV shows, Help My Business.  I did it a year ago, before PGH launched and all the “Power Pop Prime” books were written.  The video had some problems and was thought lost but they were fixed finally(in this case, a year later).   It’s not exactly riveting and, frankly, it took many sittings to watch myself – I think you can tell I’m not the most comfortable. Anyway, it’s 35 minutes long if you want to torture yourself – watch it HERE.

Question: HOW do we pass along the massive influence of THE BEATLES’ music onto the younger generation?  Well, the New York Times tackled the question and you can read about at THIS LINK.

20/20:   Yes, 20/2o.  There is news!   While many of us own the vinyl and CD reissue of the first two albums, the CD has been out of print for almost 20 years.   That situation is now fixed in spades by Real Gone Music.  Remastered, new liner notes and includes Two Single-Only Sides Never Before on CD.  More information HERE and buy it HERE.  A review of the reissue is at THIS LINK.

FUTUREMAN RECORDS continues to amaze with the most extensive power pop reissues in download form.  The latest one is LISA MYCHOLS‘ “Lost Winter’s Dream”.  The album was produced by Darian and Nick of Wondermints/Beach Boys and is a lost classic. Check it out HERE.