Let’s see if we (the cats and I) can write one of those breezy, gossipy, throw-everything-against-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks posts that the other bloggers can regurgitate so effortlessly…

Cory Bishop has released a new single, “You Can’t Take Me.” I don’t know anything about this guy, except that he’s based in Nashville. And since we haven’t been able to connect with him, it will probably stay that way for a while. But this is the best song I’ve heard in a long time, one of those songs that sounds immediately familiar and yet completely fresh and unique. The song has “crossover hit” spray painted across the front in day-glo letters. This guy could be the Next Great Thing. Remember folks: you read it here first. How can I predict the Next Great Thing based on a single track? Because I’m Reverb Raccoon! Some pundit will no doubt label Cory Bishop the “Country Springsteen.” He sounds more like Elliott Murphy, to me. And he doesn’t wear a cowboy hat.

We look forward to hearing, and reviewing, Cory’s new EP, due out May 20. Join Cory on his website or Facebook, and download “You Can’t Take Me” on Bandcamp.

What do you do on Friday night? Oh really? Well, the cats and I browse the New Arrivals on Bandcamp. That’s how we encountered Cory Bishop. It’s also where we tripped over Bones, the new album from Rowan. In the era of wispy-voiced Joni-Mitchell-Meets-Nora-Jones female singers, Rowan stands out as a throwback, more old-style belter than New Age whisperer. As her influences, she lists Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Cash, Billie Holiday, Marilyn Monroe, and film director Wes Anderson. Bones comprises 12 tracks, all very good, all cut through with the hard edge of just-beyond-heartache. This one is called “Needle and Thread.”

Bones is available on Bandcamp. And visit Rowan on her website and Facebook.

Our old friends from Winston-Salem, The Sweets, have released a new single on Bleeding Gold Records with an easy-to-remember name: “BG073.” In 2013, guitarist-singers Zach Romeo and Justin Hrabovsky released almost 50 songs, playing all of the instruments on most tracks. On the new 7” they are joined by bassist Justin Morris and drummer Danner Washburn, creating a fuller, livelier sound than we heard last year. The Sweets can dial-a-style at will, anything from thrash-n-burn to Dylan. But they are at their best on the wistful, I-remember-you songs that I call “NC Surf.” When that sound becomes the genre du jour, remember, again: you read it here first. Here’s “Coffee In The Morning” by The Sweets!

“BG073” is available on Bandcamp. If you’re lucky, you may be able to score one of the limited edition glow-in-the-dark blue vinyl records. And of course stop by their Facebook page. But do this at home. Their album art is definitely NSFW.

Other News and Gossip

Ex Cops Brian Harding and Amalie Bruun are in Los Angeles, recording a new album for Downtown Records. Their 2013 release, True Hallucinations, was full of reverby Dream Pop that defied bloggers’ attempts to shove the band into a convenient bin. A Pitchfork review by Stuart Berman mentions Paul McCartney, the Replacements, Wild Nothing, DIIV, the Pains of Being of Being Pure at Heart, Genesis, Creation Records, Animal Collective, Spiritualized, Flying Nun Records, the Pixies, 4AD, and makes a hipper-than-me reference to the Velvet Underground. That’s a lot of influence-tagging for a 4-paragraph review. One thing I’ve learned about Ex Cops: you have to be patient. The album might be out this summer, or in the fall, or … Until then, here’s “James” from True Hallucinations.

Kathleen Smith is almost ready to release her new album, Love Superstar! Recorded in Los Angeles and produced by 3-time Grammy-winner Trina Shoemaker, the album represents a major step for Kathleen. The 14 tracks, released early to her Kickstarter backers (one of whom I am proud to be), feature quirky pop and love songs that convey a happiness not heard on her previous releases (a product of her impending marriage?). In the Age of Emotional Detachment, it’s startling to hear a song called “Giddy” in which we learn that someone makes Kathleen, well, giddy. Hurry up, Kathleen! It was supposed to be released last November! While we’re waiting, let’s listen to “You Try,” a song from a sadder day.

Kathleen’s previous releases are available on Bandcamp. Or visit her website.

So how did we do? Breezy and gossipy enough? What’s that? You say you want the cats to write the next review? Ok, bye.