Various - parasol's sweet sixteen volume 1 (Parasol Records) (2000) CD

 

Parasol Records is legendary in the pop music community. They have consistently released great, melodic rock, pop, indie music for years. This is volume 1 of a series of compilations they released. This is from 2000. It has now been 25 years since they came out, yet it still sounds good because melodies are eternal. Parasol was a label that turned me on June and the Exit Wounds - I Can See You

I am trying to get all volumes!

The Verve - A Northern Soul (Vernon Yard Recordings)(1995)(CD)

 

I am a big fan of Richard Ashcroft's solo work but I missed out on his band, The Verve. I should not have. This first album is a stone-cold killer. This album reminds me of when Britpop was a thing and it was glorious. Great songs, great mood, and great album. A must. Best song, among many, is History. Need to get all their albums.

Deep Sea Diver - Billboard Heart (SubPop)(2025)(CD)

 

I am a fan of Deep Sea Diver. Full stop. Deep Sea Diver is the music outlet for Jessica Dobson (ex Beck. Shins guitarist among other gigs). I think Jessica is very talented and this album has some great melodies and guitar hooks. Some critics have described this album as a little 'quirky'(?). I don't hear that. I hear a songwriter in her prime. Actually, she has been in her prime for a while. This release is on SubPop and it fits for me. Legendary label and soon to be legendary band.

By the way, Deep Sea Diver is tremendous live. Check out the various YouTube vids of this tour. I think the show I attended at the Belly Up Tavern in San Diego is online in its entirety. Check out this great single, Billboard Heart. 

Morpho - Morpho Season (Hit the North)(2024)(EP 45rpm)

 

Kristyn Chapman's musical outlet is Morpho. This Morpho's debut Morpho Season. Truth be told, I saw Kristyn play guitar/keyboards/vocals for Deep Sea Diver recently on their tour. She was fun to watch because she looked like she was having a blast and her guitar work was brilliant. When I finally found out who she was, I immediately purchased this EP. Man, my instincts were spot on. Melodic guitar driven indie rock bordering on shoegaze. Whatever may be the label, Morpho Season is a great debut and the melodies hit hard. Looking forward to Morpho coming out to Southern California. Just listen to Half of Two. Perfect.

Mo Dotti - Blurring/Guided Imagery (2023)(Self Released)(CD)

Just a great slab of dream pop and shoegaze music from this band. This CD is a compilation of two EPs: Blurring (2020) and Guided Imagery (2022). I was blown away the first time I listened to it and the second time around I like it even more! Airy and pretty is how I would describe the music. Always melodic. Female vocals just give it that extra dreamy quality. Mo Dotti is on Bandcamp. Check out Glow in the Dark. Tremendous.
 

Inspiral Carpets - The Complete Singles (Mute)(2023)(3CDs)

 

My first adventure with Inspiral Carpets. The little I had heard of them was great. They had a very 60s feel to them because of that organ sound. A farfisa organ(?) However, buying their records always escaped me for some reason. I sort of forgot about them. However, now that I am a man of 'wealth' (well I have a gift-card), I decided to start with this compilation of singles. Yes, I am missing their deep cuts by starting with this compilation but I thought it would be a good place to start. Verdict? I need to buy all their albums. The 60s sound is there but more importantly they are more melodic than I originally believed. 

The Umbrellas - Fairweather Friend (Slumberland Records)(2024)(CD)

 

There seems to be some really nice guitar pop music being made in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Umbrellas (along with Chime School) have been releasing some great jangly pop. The Umbrellas have two singers: Morgan Alice and Matt Ferrara. I love her vocals and his vocals need a bit more getting used to. It is not that Matt Ferrara's vocals are bad but on some songs his singing style is more of a "talking-style"(?) A deep monotone voice. It is hard for me to describe but on some songs his delivery detracts a little from the great music. When he does actually "sing", the results are fine. Overall, a good record and certainly worth buying. Jangle-pop is not lost! The Umbrellas still wave the flag proudly.

For a taste, check out Goodbye or Echoes 

Fleet Foxes - B-sides and Rarities (CD part of First Collection: 2006-2009)(SubPop)(2018)

 

From the box set, Fleet Foxes- First Collection 2006-2009, comes this CD of B-sides and rarities. Again, continuing my journey of the Fleet Foxes catalog. This collection just continues that 'sound' that Fleet Foxes developed on their early releases. Melodic, moody, folky, and at times hypnotic. Another gem from the band and a great collection to add to the Box Set. I enjoyed this basement demo of English House. Enjoy.

Various - Cut Me Deep: A Story of Indie Pop 1985-1989 (Cherry Red Records)(2024)(CD)

 

Massive 4-CD box set that serves as a historical record and a great snapshot of British Indie pop in the mid to late 80s. As usual, most of the music on these type of box sets are by bands I have never heard of so it is fun to explore! For a taste, check out The Jasmine Minks - Cut Me Deep.  Good release

Fleet Foxes - s/t (SubPop)(2008)(CD)

 

My journey of the Fleet Foxes' catalog continues. The first album continues what I expected after hearing the first two EPs. Beautiful, haunting music. Some songs put you in a trance. The perfect music to listen to in the dark with a good set of headphones. What a great debut album. I will listen to more, eagerly.

Fleet Foxes - Sun Giant EP (SubPop)(2008)(CD) (2nd Disc of Fleet Foxes First Collection Box Set)

 

Working my way through the Fleet Foxes catalog. Sun Giant is the second EP released by the band chronologically. 

What a pleasure to hear this band. Their music is haunting. It is beautiful, soothing, and melodic. I am enjoying listening to their music. Gorgeous. The song Mykonos is amazing.

Fleet Foxes - Demo EP (Disc 1 of Fleet Foxes- The First Collection 2006-2009)(SubPop)(CD)

 

I am new to Fleet Foxes. I just totally missed out on them over the years. I know of Father John Misty (who I believe is related to Fleet Foxes in some way(?)). So, I decided to buy a couple of compilations and begin my journey. The first CD is the Demo EP. 

Fleet Foxes are described as an Indie Folk. I am not sure what that means but the melodies and the complexity of the songs is incredibly addictive and relaxing at the same time. I have heard similar music from bands like Midlake and maybe Band of Horses(?). In any event, this music is fantastic. I guess it is "folk" music in a way(?). I mean, it is not a loud rock n roll record. Yet, it is still modern rock music. The sounds are just really soothing and you have to admire the songwriting.  This was a very satisfying first few minutes into my Fleet Foxes journey. I did not anticipate the guitar lines in some of the songs. A great example is She Got Dressed.

Various - Sound as Ever (Australian Indie 1990-1999) Volume 1: The Shoebox Diaries (Sound as Ever)(2020) CD

 

Scott Thurling, known in the pop community as the man behind the great Popboomerang label out of Australia, has been involved in another area of Australian music for some time now. We are all better off for it! This compilation collects recordings from indie Australian bands. The focus is on the 90s.

Based on the liner notes, there was a Facebook page that was started to memorialize the 90s Aussie indie rock scene, and a few months later, this compilation was conceived and issued. What a great story.

As far as the music, it is excellent. I do not know a lot about the Aussie indie scene but the music reminds me of what I heard in those early You Am I records. There are different styles of bands and music displayed but it is all interesting and exciting. Despite the difference in sounds, the songs are fairly melodic, including the more 'noisey'  songs with all the fuzzy guitars. Definitely worth getting. Looking forward to explore more! Need more music from Moondriven, The Earthmen, Violetine, and Header!

Chime School - The Boy Who Ran The Paisley Hotel (Slumberland Records)(CD)(2024)

Wow, what an amazing record! Chime School is the work of Andy Pastalaniec. Andy wrote, performed, recorded, and produced every song on this record except for one song that is co-written. Chime School is classified as a jangle-pop band and they fit that label to a T. The songs are little slices of pop masterpieces. Melody reeks out of every pour of this record. The first time I heard this album, it just grabbed me. If you like melodic, jangle-pop or indie-pop music, then I think it is going to be hard to beat this album. I am totally impressed. 

Check out Wandering Song or that killer guitar line of Say Hello.

Popsicle - Stand Up and Testify (Telegram Records)(1997)(CD)(Swedish Pop Collection #11)

 Another CD from the Swedish Pop Collection I purchased from my friend and collector A. Popsicle is a band that formed in Stockholm in 1991. According to Discogs this is the last full album they released. I have a few of their albums and I think I reviewed an earlier album by them. Simply put, if you like indie guitar pop, then Popsicle is good for you. Check out Train Across the Bridge. I also enjoyed Vibrant Days. If you like these songs, you will like this album.

Michael Rault - I'll Be There/Sleep With Me - Wick Records 7" (WCK 1009)

 

Another one from Wick Records- Daptone Records garage rock/indie rock imprint. This release is more along the indie rock side. Michael Rault has a nice, higher-register voice. The songs are melodic and the B side has some nice string (programmed?) arrangements. This is from 2019. The A side has a nice, tasty guitar riff that starts off the record. Good effort. 

Eugene Edwards - My Favorite Revolution (Tallboy Records) 2004 CD

 

Wow, I have no idea why I sat on this gem of a CD for so long. What a pleasure this album is! Eugene Edwards writes some great power pop songs with a strong sense of melody and a little bit of twang. I have known about Eugene Edwards for a long time, however, I had always hesitated in buying this album for some unknown reason. A few years ago (6 or 7 years now?), I saw Eugene playing guitar for Dwight Yoakam. After watching him play, I reminded myself that I had to go and get the CD. It is out of print but I am sure you can find copies around. Do yourself a favor and go get this. It is hard to take off the CD player. I am definitely burning this to my ipod...this has to be played a lot.

Here is a taste of Congratulations, My Darling   or Telling that Lie Again

Various Artists - NME C86 (Deluxe 3-CD Edition) (2021 reissue) (Cherry Red Records)

 

History lesson! The original C86 was a cassette that was released May 3, 1986 by the British music magazine, New Musical Express (NME). The cassette was released as part of a long running cassette program put out by the magazine. It was the 23rd cassette of the series. The goal of the cassette was to capture a snapshot of the state of indie music in the U.K. Disc 1 of this 3 CD release reproduces the cassette release and features of some indie pop royalty such as Primal Scream, the Soup Dragons, and the Pastels (just to name a few). This Deluxe edition has augmented the original release with 2 additional CDs of music from the era and includes songs from bands like, The Primitives, The Dentists, Biff Bang Pow!, and the Jesus and Mary Chain. 

I missed this cassette when it came out. While I read the NME (usually a week behind since I was in the U.S.), it was hard to find the NME cassette releases in San Diego, CA. Now, because of the good graces of the folks at Cherry Red Records, I am finally able to sit back and enjoy this release and relive the great music of the time. For example, I had never heard this song Therese by the Bodines and it is fantastic! Listen here. A long essay is included as part of this release in a booklet. The booklet provides important context and the history of the bands, people, and record labels from that era. Highly recommended.

bob hund - Jag Rear Ut Min Själ! Allt Skall Bort!!! (CD, 1998)(Swedish Pop Collection #6 )

 

One of the great things about buying in bulk is that you find gems that you had no idea existed. I do not know anything about bob hund. There is nobody in the band named "bob hund" so I guess it is not a solo artist. Also, as you may have guessed from the title of the CD, this record is sung entirely in Swedish. So, I have no idea what the songs are about. I have no clue. However, the music on this CD is very good. The band is listed in Discogs as being an "Alternative rock" and that is not unreasonable. Think of angular guitar lines and passionate Swedish vocals. Check out the band playing the second song on the album, Tralala Lilla Mointuss, Kom Hit Ska Du Fa En Puss (Sen Kvaill med Luuk). The next song has that angular sound that is really cool, Helgen V. 48  I also find the song God Dag & Adjo pretty interesting.

I consider this a pretty good score. I may need to explore more from this band. I also I need to brush on my Swedish!

The Arch Angel

Baby Lemonade - The Best of Baby Lemonade (2015)

I know Baby Lemonade because they play as Love Revisited or The Love Band when backing original songwriters and founding members of Love, Arthur Lee and Johnny Echols. My admiration for this band is already through the roof given the professionalism and passion they approach playing as Love. Funny thing? I have never really heard one of their records. This is my first time listening to them as a stand-alone band. This CD is a "Best of.." so it gives me a nice little introduction to the music that they recorded over 4 albums.

Well, the CD opens with just a stellar track called Greenboat. To my ears, just a stone cold classic indie pop song. As far as I am concerned, discovering this song instantly made me feel that buying this CD was a great deal. However, that is not where the goodness ended. The next 11 songs are up to par if not as stunning as Greenboat. For instance, listen to the tenderness of the song World Lines, or the frentic Pop Tarte. Overall, great compilation that requires that I seek out all of their previous albums. You should as well.