Latest from Kool Kat.

Two new releases from Kool Kat worth checking out:

Blank Pages-Absolute Uncertainty. These Jersey power poppers graced the pages of the site almost three years ago with On My Street, and now they've jumped from one Jersey power pop label (FDR) to another with their latest. There's nothing flashy about these guys (check out the album cover) - instead, this is the kind of straight-ahead, no-frills power pop we all know and love. "Let it All Out" might just be the best unintentional ode to power pop as frontman Greg Potter sings of "A stolen verse, a clever line/a borrowed story, a silly rhyme". "Help Me" is another fun rocker, the midtempo "This Way" knows its way around a hook, and "I've Said All I Can Say" says it all. If you pick this up from Kool Kat, they'll throw in a bonus disc titled "The Early Years" that features unreleased Blank Pages tracks from the 90s.

Kool Kat | CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

The Sterling Loons-March to the Tune. Some of you may be familiar with this Seattle band from their groovy 2004 debut What to Do In Trouble, and six years later they're back with the followup. This is classic 60s Nuggets-styled pop (surprised that Rainbow Quartz didn't nab them) that mixes psychedelia, power pop and garage. Opener "Old Nick" is a good dose of Freakbeat fun, while "Morning Sunshine" channels the sound of what could be a slightly off-kilter Kinks. Elsewhere, the Loons show their variety with the somewhat C&W-sounding "Simple Life", the mod sounds of "Beauty's Eyeing the Beholder" and the Merseyside pop of "All Aboard". A 60s-inspired tour-de-force, this is one tune you'll want to march to. And yes, Kool Kat has a bonus disc for this one too with seven unreleased tracks.

Kool Kat | MySpace

Weekend roundup.

Dave Foster-Blue Circle. Excellent singer-songwriter pop from the frontman of Bubble, a beloved NYC power pop band that put out some fine discs around the turn of the century. "One Day" is a wonderful midtempo number that's Neil Finn meets Ron Sexsmith, and the bouncy "Neverending" brings to mind PJ Olsson. Other highlights include the modern beats of "All My Friends" and the lush balladry of "How Are You". Check it out. CD Baby | MySpace

Bob Collum & The Welfare Mothers-Set The Stupid Free. In the description of his previous disc, 2004's outstanding The Boy Most Likely To..., it says "File under "Alt-Country Rock Power-Pop and Roll". The new one here leans a bit more alt-country, but it's a great listen nonetheless. The roots pop of the title track is a particular highlight; "Virginia Mystery" shares this pop sensibility in the service of a more rocking number; and the ballad "Nevermore" shines as well. CD Baby | MySpace

Blank Pages-On My Street. New Jersey's FDR label is one of the more underrated power pop labels around. In addition to recent releases from The Successful Failures and the fine compilation About a Girl, they've released On My Street, the latest from statemates Blank Pages. This is meat-and-potatoes, straight-ahead power pop with a flavor (or is it smell?) of the garage. Top tracks: opener "Easily Misled", "Killing Conversation", and the title track. CD Baby | MySpace