Power Pop from Ed Ryan, Joy Buzzer

In the 12+ years of writing this blog, I can count the number of times I’ve written about multiple releases on one hand. However, there are only a few weeks left in the year and there’s more than a few worth writing about. So, we’re going to cover two today and probably next week, too. Here’s this week’s picks: Ed Ryan’s Along For the Ride and Joy Buzzer’s Pleased To Meet You.

Let Ed Ryan take you Along For the Ride

Over the last few years, Ed Ryan has consistently come up with well written songs with big hooks – and incredible guitar work. I’m happy to say that with Along For the Ride, Ed gives us yet one more collection of catchy tunes. The first two tracks, “Heart on My Sleeve” and “It’s Alright With Me” have an immediacy that takes me right back to late 70’s – early 80’s guitar pop. “Looking For Something” sounds a bit different as if it were written on piano, giving us a little bit of a different feel. And even here, the guitars stand out.

“Find Me a Girl” is an up-tempo foot stomper. The semi-acoustic “Imperfect Life” and rootsy twang of “Follow You Down” are nice change-ups. Then it’s back to classic power pop and the very catchy “Make It happen”.

Get Ed Ryan’s Latest Here

If top notch song writing, hooky choruses and big guitars are you’re thing, you’re gonna love this one. Pick it up at Ed Ryan’s new one at Kool Kat Musik. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Pleased To Meet You, Joy Buzzer

I’d never heard of Joy Buzzer until just a few weeks ago. Turns out, I’ve been missing on something pretty special. Apparently, they’ve been around since 2012. I had no idea. So glad to have “met” them at last!

The ten tracks on Pleased To Meet You can only be described as classic power pop of the highest order. Chock full o’ hooks from start to finish, the tracks are incredibly well written and production quality, beyond compare. On their website, they list influences such as Fountains of Wayne, XTC and Badfinger. I’d say those are some pretty fine folks to be drawing inspiration from.

We get massive guitars, perfectly crafted harmonies and big hooks from the outset with the instantly infectious “Judy, Judy, Judy”. “You’d Be Surprised” boasts a killer chorus. The second single, “Jeanette, Jeanette” is one of those tunes that you’ll swear you’ve heard before. But you’re wrong. Not only is the melody oh-so memorable but lyrically, it’s a real gem.

Be forewarned. Once you’ve heard “Vicky Loves a Garden”, you’ll be humming it for the next several days at least. And “Mamaroneck” with bring back warm memories of days gone by when Fountains of Wayne could be heard regularly on your radio.

Get Joy Buzzer’s new one at Amazon Music. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.