The Muffs - Happy Birthday to Me (1997)

Well, I bought this used not too long ago and had not had a chance to listen to it until this week. My bad. This is a great slice of pop punk and alternative rock that satisfies all your needs for crunchy guitars, gritty, strained female vocals, and sing-along melodies. When adding this to my Discog collection, I was surprised that this was from 1997. The music is not dated at all it is a pleasure to hear a bit of crunch to the guitars. In listening to it now, I am reminded of The Thermals. To my ears there is a similarity although I think the Muffs are a bit more melodic. I will need to explore more records by The Muffs. You should as well. Here is a taste of Crush Me  and a personal fave, All Baby Blue.

Grand Atlantic - This is Grand Atlantic (2006)

Within the last year or so, I went through the Popboomerang catalog of music and ordered all those CDs that were listed as power pop/melodic guitar pop or indie rock. Scott Thurling, the mastermind behind the label also helped me in finding the right music to buy. I ended buying around 20 to 25 CDs. Grand Atlantic is one of those CDs I purchased. What a find!

I do not know much about this Australian outfit other than they are very good. They definitely are melodic but I get the sense they are bit moodier than the typical "power pop" band. In listening to this CD I am hearing more of a Posies or Gigolo Aunts vibe. In fact, I just checked with Scott Thurling on Facebook to see if my characterization is wrong and he says "No, You are not wrong!". So, my ears are still working well. : ) To get a sense of what Grand Atlantic is doing on this release (their debut), listen to gems like Wonderful Tragedy or Until It's Gone.  I also loved Take You For Granted. If you like a little more muscle to your pop, listen to Missile Crisis which to me sounds more like another great Australian band called You Am I. Overall, this is an excellent CD and recommended.

Kelly's Heels - Dig In ! (2004)

Kelly's Heels is a UK based band that plays superb guitar based pop music. This release, on Australian-based Popboomerang Records, is a compilation of songs from their first 4 albums that spanned the years 1998-2003. I first became aware of Kelly's Heels from their association with the US based pop label Not Lame in the late 90s. Basically, if a CD came out on Not Lame, it was a must have. At the time, I am talking about the late 90s and early 2000s, guitar pop bands like this were coming out of the woodwork and the whole world was a melodic paradise.

If you have any doubts, check out Sabrina, the opening track of this compilation and the opening track on their debut Gone Off Pop ?!? Other standouts include How Much Worse? or She Knows or my personal favorite, Faded Out. While the period of 1998-2003 was a long time ago, this is still high quality pop that will bring a smile on your face even to your jaded heart in 2019. I mean, does good guitar pop ever age? I don't think so. Also, I believe this is still available from Popboomerang.

Stoneage Hearts - Guilty As Sin (2005)

All you need to know is that the Stoneage Hearts are from Australia and the incredibly talented Dom Mariani is on guitar and vocals. With that first sentence, that is really all you need to know. That first sentence should make you go and find this recording because anything that is fronted by Dom Mariani is just going to be a stone-cold classic of garage rock, power-pop, or acid-rock ,depending on the band. The Stoneage Hearts are a garage band, or if you don't like that term, just think of a rock'n'roll band. In fact, listen to Rock'n'Roll Boys Rock'n'Roll Girls. How about Your Smile. Convinced? This is from 2005! Nuff said.

Kusudo & Worth - Of Sun and Rain (2019 reissue)

Originally released in 1968 as a private pressing of under 200 copies, the music of Ken Kusudo and Jeff Worth is available once again. Considered an underground classic of folk and acid folk, Of Sun and Rain contains haunting, intimate vocals, and beautifully sounding acoustic guitars. Many consider the music here to be comparable to any folk classic of the late 60s. For me it is perfect for a late night drive. This CD includes extensive booklet that tells the story of Kusudo & Worth. Enjoy this clip of Elizabeth

Cloud Eleven - Footnote (2019)

Cloud Eleven is really Rick Gallego. Rick has been recording gorgeous, layered pop music from his home in Los Angeles for many years. On this album, Cloud Eleven's sixth, Rick plays all of the instruments.

Cloud Eleven's sound has a tinge of a 60s flavor but on this album I can hear a little bit of 70s influence creeping into the songs(?). However, to me the ultimate compliment that I can pay to Cloud Eleven is that they sound like classic "California music". I don't mean surf music or early Beach Boys but it certainly has a late 60s/early 70s sound to it that reminds me of California. As a sample, consider On Pismo Beach. Or the moody but gorgeous backt-to-back songs of  kingsville and same sky

Various Artists - East Side Story Limited Edition CD Box Set

While the picture is of Volume 1, I actually purchased the 12 CD box set. This collection is legendary, especially on the West Coast, as it is dedicated to the low riders and the low rider culture. Over the years it has become more a symbol of the East LA Latino population and Latinos in general. For more background, please go to here to see the article written up in the LA Weekly. Here is a good description from that article on what you are listening to:

These were the songs often associated with Mexican-American lowrider culture, the types of songs one could expect to hear floating from the windows of a car like Ruiz's, cruising down Whittier Boulevard or similar thoroughfares in San Jose, San Antonio or Chicago circa 1978. The songs on the records weren't necessarily from L.A., but the East Side Story records originated here, and were particularly cherished for their covers, which featured snapshots of East L.A. Chicanos and Chicanas and their cars.

The music contained over these 12 CDs is really a type of  sad, sweet soul music best represented by bands like The Delfonics or The Four Tops. The songs mostly deal with a love-lost, and are moody and melodic; The songs here are the type of soul music that you would listen to when driving around late at night, on the boulevard, reminiscing about a lost love. Initially released in the 70s and the 80s, if you like your soul music sweet and love to cruise on the boulevard, this set is for you. Here is a sample from Vol. 4. Mr Garland Green with Jealous Kind of Fella. Also, check out the beautiful song by Baby Washington, That is How Heartaches Are Made.  Both of these are on Vol. 4 which I am listening to as I type this.