2025 Releases

[Buckeye Randy]

Artist: Ricky Byrd
Title: NYC Made
Released: March 28, 2025

Know Ricky Byrd? There's a good chance you've either seen or owned something with Ricky Byrd at some point of your life. Ricky is a member of the RnR HOF as guitarist for Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. Ricky has also performed with Roger Daltrey, Ian Hunter, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Paul McCartney, Ringo, Alice Cooper, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Joe Walsh, Mavis Staples, Dion, Brian Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Jimmy Page, Graham Nash, and Elvis Costell plus plenty of others (the list courtesy Ricky's website).

It's fair to say that this album is a long time coming. I say this because "Glamdemic Blues" made my year end top 10 (#4) in 2023 and the instrumental "Rhapsody in Blues (One For Jeff)" made my 2024 Big List. My daughter heard the song "Alien" back 2023 and instantly sent it to me knowing it was right up my alley...which it is. Earlier this year, "Transistor Radio Childhood" was released and was instantly added to my '2025 keep list'. Sooo...that's four of the twelve songs that I'm already very familiar with before listening to the official release of the album earlier today.

I miss the days of yore (Randy getting nostalgic). I remember sitting down in my bedroom with a new release and hearing every song for the first time. It was a weekly ritual and at the time I knew it was cool but I didn't realize I would yearn for it 50 years later. The smell of the new vinyl, reading every credit until memorized and anxiously listening to each track wondering if it would be my new favorite. Welp, dem der days are gone, blow out the candle and get over it!

If I were to categorize Ricky's new album I would need to use a broad brush. The easiest description is glam but I don't mean that in a pretentious way at all. The album is not spun from fantasies and daydreams but is mostly personal and even autobiographical at times. It's glam in the same way Ian Hunter was considered glam or in the same way George Carlin was considered drug humor. Those are not false statements nor are they complete statements that tell the whole story.

It might be easiest to go track by track since the broad brush doesn't tell the whole story.

1. (Ya Get) 1 Life – Chunky guitar and a melody that reminded me of "Summer Nights" from 'Grease' during the first few listens. Totally listenable and not a skipper even after hearing double digit times.
2. Glamdemic Blues – My #4 song from all of 2023. A mid tempo, melodic glammer with a dose of zippity do dah.
3. Rhapsody in Blues (Song For Jeff) – An instrumental tribute to Jeff Beck. The guitar changes roles often in this song which even includes a false ending. Perfect because it's brisk timing in at 3:04.
4. Sweet Byrd of Youte – Reminds me of Iron City Houserockers (Joe Grushecky) doing his best Springsteen plus the song has a Southside Johnny feel to it.
5. Anna Lee – Not totally different than the previous song except this has some window dressing covering deficiencies. The bathroom harmonies add to the nostalgia and the guitar carries this.
6. Then Along Comes You - OK...the picked notes at the beginning straight up reminds me of Steve Earle's "Hurtin' Me Hurtin' You". Well, that changes as the song goes into a Blues Brothers' explosion of honkytonk piano and bluesy horns. This song is not glam by any definition.
7. Transistor Radio Childhood – I wasn't the only one with a transistor radio in bed as a kid! Very autobiographical as Ricky relives his childhood. Well done.
8. Louanne – A Chuck Berry type rocker which is not a highlight but is mostly enjoyable.
9. Stay Grateful – This might possibly be a grower with half spoken vocals and guitar fills o plenty. Not currently my favorite!
10. Alien – A mid tempo, glam rock, kill shot. This checks all the boxes for me.
11. RnR's Demise (Has Been Greatly Exxagerated) – Another blast of nostalgia delivered in Ricky's masculine version of glam.
12. Best Of Times – I find that songs at the end of autobiographical or personal type albums can be embarrassing. Well...my instincts were correct.

This is an early candidate for album of the year but is it? 1/3 of the album was released before 2025! I'm not a fan of the record industry and their current practices but I am a fan of the music on this release. I give two thumbs up to Ricky for this album plus his transparency with recovery from drugs and alcohol. He's got it going on.

Well Done!

[Buckeye Randy]

Artist: The States
Title: Gimme Joy
Released: 3/13/25

It's so cool when you stumble upon things when you aren't really looking.  I've only been listening to this debut for a couple days but it really hits a sweet spot with me.  It's like an old friend I never knew.

I'm learning about this band by googling because Spotify has no band bio for The States.  The first thing I learn is their guitarist is Joe Imfeld from The Prize.  That's cool, The Prize's song "First Sight" was #8 on my 2023 Top Ten.  Other members are vocalist Scarlett Maloney (Tuffy, Delivery), Paddy Leahy on bass plus drummer Georgie Harkin.

The States are from Australia which seems to be a personal theme with some of my favorite music memories over the years.  The Living End put on the very finest performance I've ever seen at a Warped Tour, I believe it was 2006.  In 2007, I saw The Saints kick off their U.S. Tour and had a fine time sharing drinks with Chris Bailey after the show (RIP).  I grew up listening to "Friday On My Mind" by Earthquake (originally done by Australia's Easybeats) and I'll be seeing Amyl and The Sniffers next month for a family/boys night out.  As you can see, I've got connections, mate.  Oh yeah, I think Australian rules football is cool.

I love that the release is 7 songs clocking in at 20 minutes.  I'll use a boxing analogy; it's more entertaining to watch a boxer throwing haymakers trying for an early round knockout than watching a more technical fighter trying to win on points.  The States are throwing haymakers and nearly all of them connect.

What do they sound like?  Chunky glam washed with a 60's girl group vibe. It's punky but not in a Riot Grrrl way.  I've seen people compare them with The Runaways and Suzi Quatro and I get it...but I disagree.  I like both those acts but I find them a bit gimmicky, The States seem to have a more solid foundation.  The melodies are rooted in power pop and I mean that as a compliment. 

If I was forced to choose only a couple tracks for the unknowing, it would be tough!  However, I would go with "Johnny" and "Gimme Joy".  Honestly, my choices might be different every day because there isn't a clunker in the bunch.  I hope this band keeps delivering new material and someday even comes to my town. 

Well Done!

[Trollheart]

Say a word about my girl and we're gonna have trouble, you and I. Suzi was never a gimmick. Grunt. (copyright Occulthawk MMXXI)

[Buckeye Randy]

Say a word about my girl and we're gonna have trouble, you and I. Suzi was never a gimmick. Grunt. (copyright Occulthawk MMXXI)

I want no trouble, Mister! 

Did you hear Suzi's 2021 release, 'The Devil In Me'?  I think it is very good.  The song "Betty Who?" was #5 on my year end list. 

I'll defend my 'gimmicky' comment only by saying her major '70's chart success was in the UK as part of the glam movement, I consider glam a bit gimmicky.  She had six top 20 hits (two reaching #1) in the UK in '73 and '74. 

I had a discussion with a friend, I argued that Suzi was just as deserving as Chrissie Hynde to be in the RnR HOF.  I really think they both belong.

As I said...I want no trouble, Mister!

[Trollheart]

Nah just kidding. Suzi was one of my major crushes as an adolscent. She was I think the first female bass player (or at least, the first to play bass and also sing/front a band - and did she front a band!) so I always consider her a lot more "real" than some of the others who jumped on her coat-tails (I'd like to jump on her ... I'll stop now before I get into trouble).

[Buckeye Randy]

Artist: Sparks
Title: MAD!
Released: May 23, 2025

Mad! Is the 26th studio album by Sparks not counting soundtracks or the collaborative effort with Franz Ferdinand in 2015.  Sparks, comprised of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, have been at this since 1971's debut produced by Todd Rundgren and have been on a wild ride ever since.   Think about that for a moment; how many bands have 26 studio releases and how many bands have been releasing material for 54 years?  Both are exclusive clubs for sure.

Sparks have spent a career pushing boundaries and helping define genres.  They had Top Ten singles as part of the U.K. glam scene highlighted by "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" (1974) which still pops up in commercials from time to time.  They were synth pop trailblazers with '79's 'No. One In Heaven' produced by Giorgio Moroder, the title song reached top 15 in the U.K..  They moved back to L.A. and were part of the new wave rock sound in the early '80's and the album 'Whomp That Sucker' was their first to chart in the U.S. in six years.  My favorite album from this era was 'Angst In My Pants' which featured the U.S. Hot 100 single "I Predict" plus an appearance on Saturday Night Live.   This iteration of Sparks is probably best known for "Cool Places" in '83 which was a duet with Jane Wiedlin from the Go-Gos. 

Following...a lull in interest due to the changing musical landscape. This resulted in fewer releases (only two in the '90's) though 'Plagiarism' was very interesting. It was sort of a 'best of' but with guest vocalists.  Back to topic, things looked a little bleak especially after the techno offering in 2000, 'Balls'.  It was not good!  New fans weren't being drawn in and older fans had less than fanatic interest.

A funny thing happened, the band reinvented itself again and thrust itself into the category of chamber pop with 'Lil Beethoven'.  The media loved it and it attracted new fans and satisfied old fans.   The band has slowly drifted away from that genre but they have certainly maintained the momentum it created for over 20 years now.  The rebirth has included albums in the top 10, songs in TV shows, collaborative efforts, movie soundtracks plus a documentary by Edgar Wright chock full of celebrity endorsements.   All of this leads us to today and the release of MAD!

Do you hate when a band releases tracks before the official album release?  I sorta understand the business side with money to be made from streaming services but I hate missing out on the new release experience.  In this case, five of the 12 tracks were available on streaming services before the official release.

The album starts strong with two of the best sneak peeks; "Do Things My Own Way" (great video) and "JanSport Backpack".  Both of these songs set expectations not out of this world but reasonably high on the creative meter.  Toward the end of the album is the other high quality spring peeper, "A Little Bit Of Light Banter".

A song that has received some positive feedback is "Drowned In A Sea Of Tears".  It's a little dramatic for me and I don't connect with the video.   The other early entry is "My Devotion", it is a fine song that is not very much like Sparks...maybe I'm missing something!

That leaves seven songs to make or break this release. 

"Hit Me, Baby" – Funky groove to start.  Love the line, "Hit me like Tyson".  The song settles into a repetitive loop with a little bling but the icing isn't all that grabbing.  Don't hate it at all and it's a coin flip if it ends up on my Sparks playlist that has probably 25% of the songs they have ever released. 

"Running Up A Tab At The Hotel For The Fab" – Instantly, the slow melody and stark keys are an earworm.  With headphones on and immersing yourself into every nuance, it takes you to another level.  It's almost like goth meets synth pop.  Pretty good track.

"Dog Don't Dig It" – Nope

"In Daylight" – Another track with a goth groove.  Spotify does not have lyrics yet so I can't tell for sure if this a vampire theme.  It's very spacy with alternating tempos.  Very arty and it pushes Sparks into a new place.  I like it.

"I-405" – This sounds more like what I expected in their chamber pop mode.  I'm a little disappointed, I was enjoying the goth sound!  This track fits in perfectly on their albums from 15-20 years ago.

"A Long Red Light" – Starts with another erratic soundscape, I like this version of Sparks.  They keep repeating 'Long Red Light' over and over.  'Wait, wait, wait...a long red light".  Total art mode and either you love it or hate it, it's a musical Picasso.  Most intriguing track on the album.

"Lord Have Mercy" – A nice kumbaya vibe and sounds like many of the tracks from their last few albums.  Not exactly my cup of tea but not unlistenable and it doesn't fall into the suck category.

Overall – I'm a fan.  I'm not embarrassed or ashamed to be a fan of the band after this release.  It is slightly better than some recent releases but it doesn't exactly knock it out of the park.

Like any offering by Sparks, lyrics need to be examined on repeated listens.  They are the ultimate band for holding the prism to the light and seeing what comes into focus .  That has been their calling card since the early days.  Ideas to examine and re-examine plus plenty of puns and twists.  You never know if the joke is on you!

A friend told me that they feel this album needs to be listened to as a whole and not as individual tracks.  I won't say they are wrong because I feel that ALL albums should be listened to this way at least once.

The band has held serve with this release; they are touring the world and are receiving plenty of media attention.  The current tour will even be visiting Cleveland for the first time since 1982.  Yea, I was there!

The good on this album is pretty good and the bad is not horrible.  I suggest putting on your headphones and giving a listen and see what you say.  I say...l'll say Well Done!