Melody on Display Via New Releases

Three outstanding new audio releases celebrate power pop, classic songcraft and great musicianship in spades.

Artist: NRBQ

Title: Tiddlywinks (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: R.E.M., the Monkees’ “Headquarters,” The Minus 5 Tell me more: Originally released in 1980 via Rounder Records, NRBQ’s album Tiddlywinks has just been reissued via a delightful expanded edition courtesy of Omnivore Recordings. The Louisville, Kentucky-spawned band has always been a genredefying delight; Tiddlywinks showcases the troupe’s eclectic sonic instincts in spades. Band mates Terry Adams (piano, clarinet, harmonica, vocals), Joey Spampinato (bass, guitar vocals), Al Anderson (guitar, vocals) and Tom Ardolino crafted some of NRBQ’s most beloved tracks on their eighth album including two winning singles (the propulsive “Me And The Boys” and “Never Take The Place Of You,” the latter a particularly lovely soulmining original). Additional standouts include the buoyant opener “Feel You Around Me,” Baroque folk ballad

“Beverly,” rollicking “That I Get Back Home,” ‘50s-flavored cut “Want You To Feel Good Too” (featuring plenty of great piano work from Adams) and power pop nugget “You Can’t Hide.” The bonus track “Big Goodbyes” is very interesting with jarring blasts from guests

The Whole Wheat Horns and Adams’ own harmonica work providing a haunting delivery over the course of its almost four minute run. The reissue features updated artwork and liner notes from original engineer Tom Mark. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: The Stayawakes

Title: Dogs And Cats/ Living Together — Special Edition (Kool Kat Musik) You might like if you enjoy: Goo Goo Dolls, Fountains of Wayne, Psychic Rain, Something Corporate

Tell me more: In 2022, Kool Kat Musik cast a well-deserved spotlight on The Stayawakes with the release of the band’s acclaimed Pop Dreamz. Fast forward to 2023 and the record label has reissued The Stayawakes’ 2018 under-theradar effort Dogs And Cats/ Living Together — Special Edition. An outstanding album of energetic power pop, the album opens with the dashing “Slumbers,” an original which struck this listener as a magical collaboration between the Gin Blossoms and Goo Goo Dolls. The album’s top-tier tracks abound, including the cascading “Keepsakes,” literate “Little Explorer,” aptly-titled “High School Weirdness,” and artfully sumptuous “Overdue.”

Lead singer Andrew Ricks’ poignant lead vocals have a perfect fit in the musical brew created by guitarist Peter Foulk, drummer Steven Hart, keyboardist David Pryce and bassist Jimmy Cooper. The “Special Edition” also includes six additional previouslyunreleased tracks not included on the original 2018 release. Information: KoolKatMusik.com.

Artist: Panthervision

Title: Now In 3-D (Kool Kat Musik)

You might like if you enjoy: Beyond Veronica, the Muffs, the Bangles’ early albums

Tell me more: Lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Bonnie Veronica and lead guitarist Kirk Larsen fronted Portland-based power pop/garage rockers Beyond Veronica for 15 years before forming the harderedged Panthervision. On their wonderful new debut album Now In 3-D (available Feb. 3, 2023 via Kool Kat Musik) the quartet (whose lineup also features drummer Ben Asher and bassist Ty Gerhardt) provide proof that modern rock can simultaneously be melodic, bold and flat out fun. The parade of tuneful tracks include the driving opener “Say What You Like,” undeniably catchy “Trouble,” raucous “Out in the Street,” lively “Through My Window” (which recalls the sound of the Bangles’ All Over The Place era), psychedelia-tinged “Mister Riley” and bewitching lead guitar-loaded “I Need You.” Panthervision also shines on an amped up cover of the 1966 Love classic “Can’t Explain.” Panthervision’s forceful brand of power pop is elevated by shining harmonies embellishing the rapid fire pacing.

Information: KoolKatMusik.com.