My Life As A Bird “Willow”

San Jose musician Mike Keller has been keeping busy this year with two albums. March’s ‘The Cabana’ delivered an optimistic bounce that should appeal to Weezer fans, but his latest, “Willow,” takes a darker turn. After a brief intro, “Breaking Up” hits hard with fuzzy guitars, layered harmonies, and the raw emotion of a relationship falling apart. “Giving Misery” is another catchy gem, celebrating the peculiar comfort of being “in love with hating everything.” If ‘The Cabana’ is Keller’s nerdy “blue” side, ‘Willow’ feels like his heavier ‘Pinkerton.’

The bitterness runs deep, but Keller never loses his ear for melody. “Voicemail” captures the nagging feeling of trouble brewing inside your own head, while “Nicer” and “Faded Memories of Loved Ones” gradually move toward self-forgiveness. The album closes with “Little One,” a lullaby wrapped in a hazy wall of sound. Keller knows how to write a hook, but ‘Willow’ gives those hooks some emotional bruises. It’s a compelling, guitar-driven song cycle about the anger, resentment, and eventual acceptance that follow divorce. Highly Recommended.

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Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. “Hopium”

Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Jellyfish, The Lickerish Quartet) has kept busy as an in-demand session player and producer, so finding time to make his own music is a welcome bonus for fans. His new album, ‘Hopium,’ splits its time between studio recordings and live tracks, including songs that have been brewing for years. Manning enlists a talented crew of friends, including Victor Indrizzo on drums, Steve Shane McDonald on bass, Jim Wilson on electric guitar, Ken Sluiter on mixing and mastering, and Jason Falkner on additional guitar, to bring these recordings to life.

The original material is top-notch, even if Manning occasionally lets his ideas run a little long. “Modern Dance (The After School Specials)” is a bouncy, instantly appealing single about parenthood, while “My Magic Bicycle” and “Wish Away” take the scenic route with the kind of imaginative storytelling and melodic magic heard on his ‘The Land of Pure Imagination’ album. These are the highlights, delivering the eccentric charm and sophisticated pop craftsmanship we expect from Manning. The live tracks, recorded at the 2018 International Pop Overthrow, sound great, too. ‘Hopium’ offers plenty for longtime fans to enjoy while we wait for Manning’s next round of power pop wizardry.

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Dropkick “Throughlines”

Andrew Taylor and his Scottish bandmates in Dropkick have spent years honing a signature blend of melodic power pop, Americana, and alt-country. While their early work drew heavily on the Byrdsian 12-string flourishes of Teenage Fanclub, Tom Petty, and Wilco, Dropkick has evolved into a far more mature outfit—armed with crunchier guitars and sharper hooks.

“It’s a Long Way to Fall Down” kicks off the album with a bright, jangling riff and Taylor’s soothing lead vocals, capturing everything that makes the band so distinct. “You Ought to Know” builds on that momentum using layered harmonies to elevate an already sticky chorus. Elsewhere, buzzing riffs drive the energy of “Toe the Line,” while subtle, soft strings turn the ballad “Circles” into a welcome shift in tempo. Other standouts include “Leave It Understood,” a poignant reflection on avoiding wasted time, and the offbeat chord progressions of “The Start of My Decline.” This is easily one of the year’s strongest releases and a serious contender for my top ten list.

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The Morning Line “Stars”

‘Stars’ by The Morning Line is a welcome reminder of why guitar-driven indie rock never really goes out of style. Spanning 21 tracks, this career retrospective pulls together the best of the Northern California band’s catalog, alongside two new songs and an early demo dating back to 2004.

Frontman Stephen Smith’s distinctive voice and thoughtful lyricism give the music plenty of character. The band strikes a sweet spot between ’80s college-rock jangle and rootsy Americana. Standout tracks include “Spellbound,” “Stars To Me,” and “90s Pickup.” These songs are rich in detail and will leave you eager to dive even deeper into the rest of the album. And while several tracks didn’t quite leave a lasting impression, none of them felt like filler—every song genuinely deserves a listen.

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So much good new music out there. Gene Champagne asks “Gimme Ammunition” and he’s locked and loaded here! Check out his new EP ‘Too Pop For Punk Too Punk To Care’, as fans of The Ramones would say “Hey Ho! Let’s Go!” check this out! Next, another Facebook find, Allie Kenny has some powerful mentors guiding her (Mitch Easter, Chris Stamey) and it shows with this brilliant single “Night Train.” Next, my friend Cliff Hillis is back with another catchy EP, ‘The Square Root’ about the nerd life (and how cool it is). Bob Hillman is ‘King of Bees’ but he don’t sting. Smooth adult pop, is the name of the game, with ample help from drummer Pete Thomas and Matthew Caws (Nada Surf). The Speedways are back to remind us why they’re one of power pop’s best, delivering another dose of classic Costello-style punch with “All Bets Are Off.” Need more speed? Loose Lips cranks up the tempo. Meanwhile, one of my personal favorites, Nick Piunti, takes a quieter route with a low-key acoustic EP that reveals a more intimate, heartfelt side (and it’s a freebie).

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Time to dust off those monster mash records and give your speakers a proper fright! Halloween is creeping up, and I’ve got a fresh batch of power pop treats with enough bite to keep the candy corn crowd happy. First up, Electric Johnson takes us to “Frankenstein Island” with a video worth checking out. Most impressed with The Goldstars who give you an entire LP loaded with Halloween music. Three Imperial Royals, The Cheap Cassettes, and Benny J Ward round out this spooky stack of tunes. My only trick here is dragging out Big Stir’s excellent Halloween Grimoire from 2025, because its so good you’ll scream. So grab your favorite goblin, turn up the volume, and let’s get this party startled!

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Quichenight “Waterville & Surf”

Nashville’s Quichenight have the talent and musical chops to make something special, even if they haven’t quite figured out how to pull all the pieces together. After several years of playing, the band still defies easy categorization, drawing from The Grateful Dead and Funkadelic. The combination hits the mark right away on opener “Saratoga,” with its terrific guitar hook and killer bass line. It’s an impressive start, but the rest of the album struggles to maintain that momentum.

“Sentimental Heart Attack” takes a mellow, swirling approach, complete with a Dylan-esque vocal delivery, while “My Biggest Organ” recalls the loose, funky groove of the Dead’s “Shakedown Street.” “Wait For You” boasts some lovely sounds, but its chorus never quite delivers the payoff you’re waiting for. Thankfully, “Funny Ears” gets things back on track with a reggae beat and a self-deprecating lyric  while “Cat Shit Blues” has a rowdy garage-party vibe.

There’s plenty of talent here, and you get the sense Quichenight are having a blast exploring their musical influences. The trouble is, too many songs feel like promising jams in search of a stronger melody or a memorable chorus. “Saratoga” proves they have the goods, so a little more consistency would go a long way. For now, this is an enjoyable showcase of musicianship with a standout opener, even if the whole never quite matches the promise.

Bandcamp only

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The Toms “Make My Day”

Tom Marolda is one of those power pop veterans who knows exactly what he does best, and I’m always happy to hear him stick to his guns. The Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer delivers another dose of melodic goodness. The best part is that Tom’s music never feels like a nostalgic exercise or a dated homage to the past. “Make My Day” kicks things off with sweet Beatlesque psych-pop harmonies, a steady bass line, and a disruptive mid-song break that keeps things interesting.

“Another Nervous Breakdown” and “Someone’s Taking You Home Tonight” are the kind of melodic gems that would have fit comfortably on his must-own 1979 debut album.“15,000,000,000 Years of Evolution” is another standout, leaning into ringing Rickenbacker guitar riffs while adding orchestral textures that give the arrangement extra depth. Marolda even recruits fellow New Jerseyan Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi for “She Moves Like Sex.” Not every track hits the sweet spot, but there’s plenty to enjoy here. Tom knows his strengths and plays to them, making this another entertaining set worth your time.

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