Actually a single-man vehicle driven by Eric Blakely, the Bottle Kids score home run after home run on Such A Thrill, which rates high on the scale as one of the greatest debut albums to sail down the street in many moons.

Coming to be in 1979 and known as the Flirts, this Houston, Texas-based band gained a rabid local following with their bang-up breed of rocking guitar pop.

Here’s a band so obscure and long forgotten that even the most voracious vinyl collector probably isn’t even aware of their existence. Formed in 1980, the Pencils featured singer and guitarist Tony Skeggs, singer and bassist Den Pugsley, keyboardist Rick Birmingham and drummer Andy Wells.

Although the name of Stephen Lawrenson’s new album is certainly clever, let’s hope it doesn’t become an obscurity or curiosity — because songs this good deserve to be heard by everyone who appreciates first-class pop cuisine.

Just when you think the well has run dry and all the great power pop records from the past have been uncovered and pressed on compact disc, along comes True Hearts, a band from Houston, Texas.

The country rock field is a crowded one these days, but it takes a special talent to synthesize the genres in an accessible manner. And I’m pleased to announce that Dan Kibler possesses such a skill.