Ty Tabor--Rock Garden (InsideOut Music)

He's done it again.  Ty Tabor is a supremely talented artist that can tickle us with a Power Pop feather while simultaneously punching us in the face with his Hard Rock knuckles.  His ability to continually stun us with beautiful music is only surpassed by his versatility.  As one-third of the legendary KING'S X, his contributions have raised countless goose bumps during our many extended listening sessions (if you don't know their music, what are you waiting for?).   Then he puts together the Power Pop gods that were JUGHEAD and totally knocks one out of the park with their self-titled 2002 release.  He also scores continually with his wonderfully tuneful and catchy solo discs, namely "Naomi's Solar Pumpkin" and "Moonflower Lane".  And now to top it all off comes his latest called "Rock Garden" and it's just what we wanted it to be...heavy guitars, swirling, groovy melodies and Beatle-esque harmonies.  It's powerful, it's pretty and it's hopelessly catchy.  Try to stop singing the chorus of "She's A Tree". 

Featured Tracks: "She's A Tree", "Ride", "Take It Back"

Taking Back Sunday--Louder Now

This is excellent Modern Rock than manages to be very melodic while barely teetering on the edge of chaos.  There are some very different moments on this release that really separate Taking Back Sunday from the current crop of tough modern rock acts.  The tunes here always hammer home a hook and the mix is a tight treat for fans of the power chord.  The catchy choruses of "Twenty-Twenty Surgery" and "Miami" are the highlight of Louder Now, and the fiery stomp of "My Blue Heaven" is another undeniable winner.

Featured Tracks: "Twenty-Twenty Surgery", "Miami"

Tammany Hall Machine--Amateur Saw

This is appealing 60's-flavored pop with an undercurrent of edgy psychedelic rock just below it's surface.  Better yet, Joel Mullins and the rest of THM manage to lend a spirit of experimentation to the music.  The influences of such fixtures as The Beatles and The Beach Boys are all over this one, but we can also offer up a sound comparison to that of more current artists like Redd Kross and Superdrag.

Featured Tracks: "Mega Lamb", "Authority", "Pedal To The Metal"

Tammany Hall Machine--Tammany Hall Machine (self-released)

Tammany Hall Machine are a 5-piece band from Austin, TX that has put together the classic sounds of The Beatles and The Kinks with more modern influences like XTC, Elliot Smith and The Flaming Lips.  With this release, they have certainly bypassed the trendy, sound-alike bands currently popular on radio today and have created a debut of smooth, smart, trippy pop.

Featured Tracks: "Apple Moon", "Animal"

Terry Anderson and the Olympic Ass-Kickin' Team--Terry Anderson and the Olympic Ass-Kickin' Team (Doublenaught Records)

Featured Tracks: "Can't Get The One You Want", "You Know Me"

That Rabbit's Dyn-o-mite!--Sex and Violence

Featured Tracks: "Another Tease"

The Vandalays--Happy After Ever (Slip Records)

Each song on this fine new EP is a straight-forward blast of pop/rock that hammers home bright chords, strong vocals and chugging melodies.  To us, this is the most consistently entertaining batch of songs THE VANDALAYS have ever assembled.  "Happy After Ever" is a winner to be sure, reminiscent of Ruth Ruth, The Smithereens and Barenaked Ladies.  We also have a real soft spot for the family-provided background vocals on "Fairy Tale". 

Featured Tracks: "Tracy", "Fairy Tale"

Tiny Volcano--Tiny Volcano (Volcanic Recordings)

Okay...so we know that this isn't exactly a new release, but I don't think we gave it the attention that it deserved when it was first released.  Everything about this CD screams big-time.  Listen to "When Girls Collide" and tell us how it can't be considered as good as the best of Jellyfish.  A big statement, sure, but reinforcement of that statement is provided by "Loaded Gun".  Check out the driving melody of "Mary Goes Around" for proof positive that this should be considered a benchmark Power Pop release.  Even the CD packaging is damn-near perfect!  All we can say is, if you already own this, be good to yourself and listen to it again.  And if you don't own this gem, what are you waiting for!?!

Featured Tracks: "Tiny Volcano", "When Girls Collide"

The Trews--Den Of Thieves

A Canadian band (we think) that rocks it like some gigantic combination of Black Crowes, Lenny Kravitz with a touch of U2.  This is most definitely rock music born to be performed live.  The release features some guitar rock, with a couple of guitar rock tracks with some guitar rock thrown in for good measure.  It's not metal, it's rock you'd hear played at a saloon with chicken wire nailed up in front of the stage.  The Trews have been nominated for many MuchMusic video awards and had the #1 song played on Canadian rock radio (called "Not Ready to Go") in 2004.  And while we've never heard that tune, we can say that those featured here could be candidates for the same accolades. 

Featured Tracks: "Yearning", "Sweetness"

Tripsitter--California Son (Side B Music)

Perfect summertime music has arrived in the form of Tripsitter.  Actually, this CD was released back in 2005, but in anticipation of a new album in 2007, we're adding songs from this terrific effort.  The sounds here are familiar and fresh at once, with bright harmonies and strong, smooth vocals.  You can put this one in the tray, hit play and let it go.  Tripsitter's tunes are definitely influenced by the Beach Boys and the Beatles but we can also hear the Tories, the Churchills and Jellyfish.

Featured Tracks: "California Son", "Transformation", "There Goes The Sun"

Anton Tsygankov--Anti

Massive talent is on display here as Anton Tsygankov demonstrates how to be a guitar hero and still keep things tuneful.  Anton has been the winner of many international guitar competitions and reminds us of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani but with an emphasis on melody.  If you are a fan of amazing guitar work, this is for you!

Featured Tracks: "Color Dance", "Feeling"

Vinyl Kings--A Little Trip (Vinyl Kings Records)

Often times, bands get dinged for sounding too much like their influences.  The Vinyl Kings aren't concerned with this, as they deliver a tribute to The Beatles that is so good, it would have the Fab Four smiling.  If you love The Beatles like we do, you need to know that this sounds a LOT like them.  The liner notes of "A Little Trip" explain the intent of making this record, and its to give a big thank you to the original Power Pop band.  This CD is an extremely listenable, fun, tuneful go-round by some incredibly talented musicians.

Featured Tracks: "I Think I Know", "Bang Bang"

Vinyl Kings--Time Machine (Vinyl Kings Records)

So now, the Vinyl Kings have stretched out their sound.  First, what needs to be stated is that this is one professional outfit.  Vinyl Kings really sweat the details, and it shows.  The title track features dead-on Paul McCartney-like vocals and Beatlesque sounds with a couple of Queen riffs tossed in for good measure.  "Mr. Greedyman" is a laid-back, mid-tempo wonder of tone and "Sycamore Bay" is a no punches pulled Beach Boys tribute.  The tune "Pale Blue Dot" sounds to us like a "PFR-meets-Jellyfish by way of ELO" collaboration.  This is the second straight amazing release from Vinyl Kings! 

Featured Tracks: "Mr. Greedyman", "Time Machine"

Butch Walker--Letters (Epic)

Butch is back!  "Letters" is a tuneful collection revealing a softer side of Butch's music.  We haven't heard anything quite like this from him before, as his solo career and work with Marvelous 3 have always been heavy on the mojo.  That's not to say that there is not a ton on "Letters" to like.  Butch has always been at the forefront of Power Pop and this release is no exception.  The extremely pretty "Mixtape" really sets the overall tone of the album, with Butch's powerful vocals at the forefront.  "Maybe It's Just Me" and "#1 Summer Jam" clip along at an enjoyable toe-tapping pace and "Race Cars and Goth Rock" is actually a country-flavored twanger.

Featured Tracks: "Mixtape", "#1 Summer Jam"

Butch Walker--The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let's-Go-Out-Tonites

It's tough for us to say this, but we have become less interested in Butch's output with each release.  His Marvelous 3 releases, most notably "Hey Album!" are Power Pop legend.  His solo album "Left of Self Centered" was a rocking good time but the subsequent "Letters" and now "The Rise and Fall..." are largely uneven and tough to play from start to finish.  Now that we've knocked him, let's say that on his worst day, Butch is still better than 95% of all the other artists out there.  The tracks "Bethamphetamine (Pretty Pretty)" and "Hot Girls In Good Moods" are the highlights here and showcase Butch at his best.  You've got to hand it to him, he's a top notch performer with the guts to change it up and for that reason we will always look forward to what he is going to do next.

Featured Tracks: "Bethamphetamine (Pretty Pretty)", "Hot Girls In Good Moods"

Wanderlust--Lust and Found (Not Lame)

Not Lame Recordings has released for the first time, this 2-CD set of tuneful, hook-filled songs by Wanderlust.  Straight-ahead, guitar driven melodies are Wanderlust's specialty, and Scot Sax's vocals add a T-Rex, Robin Zander flavor to the proceedings.  The guitar work of Rob Bonfiglio drives each tune, especially great is the solo on "Vacant Lot", which is a rock and roll guitar solo if we've ever heard one.  This is punch-you-in-the gut Power Pop that rocks along with confidence.

Featured Tracks: "Vacant Lot", "Mission Bell", "Years and Seconds"

Weezer--Make Believe (Geffen)

Another winner from Weezer.  This band couldn't make a bad CD.  "Make Believe" is loaded with great tunes, most filled with emotion and quite a healthy dose of keyboards this time around.  It seems like this one will be especially popular with fans of the "blue album" and "Pinkerton".

Featured Tracks: "Pardon Me", "Perfect Situation", "This Is Such a Pity"

Weezer--"Maladroit" (Geffen)

Similar Artists: Well...I guess...Weezer

Favorite Tracks: "Keep Fishing", "American Gigolo", "Space Rock"

The Winnerys--Daily Urban Times

Featured Tracks: "My Daily Ray Of Sunshine", "Big Times"

Wired All Wrong--Break Out The Battle Tapes

Featured Tracks: "Let Me Go", "Nothing At All"

Wiretree--Bouldin

Wiretree is a great new project from singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Peroni.  This full-length winner melds a variety of influences with an acoustically-based sound to form an instantly enjoyable, bright and catchy listening experience.  We've heard Wiretree's sound compared to The Smithereens, Tom Petty and Brendan Benson.  But we also hear Dear 23-era Posies and early (i.e. good) Goo Goo Dolls.  This is really an exciting new Indie Pop release! 

Featured Tracks: "Big Coat", "Whirl", "Don't Need It"

Wisely--Parador (Ella Records)

Wisely's first solo release in eight years is a fantastic trip through a seldom visited pop paradise.  Tremendously catchy tunes together with remarkably thoughtful lyrics dominate this enjoyable collection of songs.  Wisely effortlessly combines "White Album"-era McCartney with the more current sounds of Bleu to form a unique and satisfying listening experience.  "Parador" is due out on March 14th, but we've got an advance treat for you to hear today!

Featured Tracks: "This Is Everything", "Joke", "Drink Up"

Woodale--Finish What You Start EP

As far as we know, Woodale is still unsigned.  How is that possible!?!  This band plays super sharp modern pop/rock and it's pretty much as good as it gets.  The music of Woodale is sort of like Something Corporate, All-American Rejects, or the lighter side of Fall Out Boy.  Listen to the tracks here and try to figure out how the music industry can miss a band as sure fire as Woodale.

Featured Tracks: "Baby, I Can't Wait", "Listen For Me"

Saul Zonana--42 Days

Featured Tracks: "Thinking"