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!

Various - Come To My World: A Brief History of Indie-pop 1985-2023 (Two Piers)(2024)(CD)(UK Import)

 

Wow, a nice collection of indie-pop from the UK. Check out the line-up of bands and songs below. From what I can tell, this seems to be the selection of three individuals that looked deep into their own collections and tried to capture some the Indie-pop sounds from this very broad era (1985-2023!). It is excellent. Note-this is not power pop. This is more of a jingly-jangly set. All is good! Check out Blueboy's - Meet Johnny Ray to get a sense of the style and sound. 

One good thing to note. These selectors state that their is tons more bands and songs out there so maybe we get more volumes(?) Hope so!

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 - 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.

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.

Johan - s/t (spinART)(1997)(CD)

 

Blast from the past. Indie-pop band from The Netherlands. US release in 1997. I picked up a second copy when I bought that Swedish pop collection from A. I originally bought this CD back when it was released. I probably have not heard it in over 25 years. I relistened to this release for this post and I like it! Some great fuzzy guitar pop on this release. Take a listen to this one, Suffer Baby. I also like Easy (It's) Overall, this is an excellent album. Worth picking up if you find it.

The Reflectors - First Impression (Burger Records) 2020 CD

 

Under the radar but this is superb power pop! I first heard this album on cassette from Burger Records. I was blown away but I had no idea they had released this on CD. Right from the opening song, Act A Fool, you know you are in for a treat. 

These guys are from Los Angeles and a few of them were in a band called IMAGES. I may need to look into that band as well. A quick look at Discogs tells me that they have released a couple of other albums. Need to get this. Check out Break Me Down. This is great stuff. A+

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 - Scared To Get Happy (A Story of Indie-pop 1980-1989) 5-CDs (2013)

Wow, I missed this but happy to have this in my collection now. The sounds of '80s indie-pop in the U.K. So much music that I have never heard. Interesting as a historical piece but also for the music found inside. If you like the idea of the 3 minute pop song, then get this. I bought it directly from Cherry Red Records.