2026 albums

Midwest pop-punk, but not 90’s emo stuff. This is The Replacements with the guitars more amped and less jangly. It’s good stuff.

If AC/DC and The Black Crowes had a daughter it would sound like this.

Tim has a back catalog of 10 records. After buying his new one I figured this was a good way to get familiar with the high points of his back catalog. It’s also a very well produced live record, giving the listener a real feel for being there in person.

Tim is the former lead singer of the punk band Avail. His solo stuff is also punk, but only in attitude. Musically it’s firmly in the roots category. He played a free show in RVA a few weeks ago and we went. I’m now a fan.

Nobody does cover tunes as well as Tesla. And I can't think of any major rock band that would cover Etta James, Elvis, Hank Sr., CCR, Queen, and Supertramp across their career, let alone on one album.

Ryan comes back to the music business with one of his patented incredibly catchy, high-energy power pop records. I have no idea how he has managed not to be famous in the US.

If you struggle to understand what "Americana" music is...this is it. Just listen to this record, and you'll get it. Gospel, country, rock, southern rock, the 50s—it is all here. A glorious mashup of roots-focused genres that results in a fabulous record.

DnC's first record since 2019. After 40 years, you know what you are getting with a DnC album, and this does not disappoint. Rock, country, folk, and REM influences (literally, as Peter Buck contributes on several songs) are all wrapped up in a sound that can only be Drivin N Cryin.

If Tyketto had released their first record in 1987 instead of the early 90s, they would have made it big. Melodic metal was DOA by the time they got a record deal. If you like Tyketto, you'll love this.

8 songs. 27 minutes. This is how you do 80s inspired power pop.

A music email newsletter that I follow mentioned this today - it’s his college roommate. The music was made on cassette in 89/90, and he recently remastered it and put it on Bandcamp. An excellent use of $5 IMO. If The Replacements doing The Beatles is your vibe, you will enjoy this.

Just discovered this band in the last week and I've had them on repeat play all week. It's a throwback sound, sort of a cross between Cheap Trick and The Replacements.