Hundred-word Reviews for September 2026 #1

Closet-cleaning time again. Standard disclaimer applies: While these capsule reviews are brief, all featured titles deserve your attention are are thus recommended. One reissue, two archival releases and two new-for-2026 releases.

Patto – Hold Your Fire
Named after lead vocalist Mike Patto, this hard/blues/progressive rock quartet never caught on outside of their native UK. In fact they didn’t fare too well commercially there, either. In fact Patto was dropped by its label after this, their 1971 second album failed to set charts alight. But with jazzy work by overlooked axe hero Ollie Halsall (see also: The Rutles), they made some impressive music. Patto’s raspy vocals may remind some of Rod Stewart or a more melodic Joe Cocker. There’s grace and subtlety in their finely-crafted songs. “You, You Point Your Finger” is the standout, but goodies abound.

The Blasters – Rare Blasts
The Blasters were indeed a blast of fresh air on the rock scene of the late-late ‘70s and early 1980s. Their rootsy, high-octane approach found favor with both the retro crowd who dug Stray Cats and with fans of stripped-down, passionate and elemental rock ‘n’ roll. (I saw ‘em live; thanks, Fake I.D.!) Liberation Hall has, er, liberated the band’s catalog from obscurity through some thoughtful reissues, and this set is a fine addition. Packaged to look like a vintage bootleg, Rare Blasts is a first-rate collection of outtakes and soundtrack cuts. Fans of their work will certainly want this.

Romeo Void – Live ‘81 – ‘85
Romeo Void were the most successful of the fine roster of acts on 415 Records. While they would release three fine albums (and the EP that broke them and helped 415 earn its distro deal with Columbia) in their short time together, Romeo Void was a compelling live act as well. With cover art specifically designed to evoke memories of the Never Say Never EP, Live ‘81-’85 compiles previously-unreleased performance tracks culled from tapes of dates in Ann Arbor, Albany, Berlin and London. Fidelity is, let’s say, pretty good. And live readings of the band’s most well-known songs are here.

Penny Arcade – Double Exposure
Imagine that a talented shoegaze band with breathy vocalist had their guitars taken away, were given a primitive drum machine and told to go make an album. The results might bear some resemblance to the sounds found on Double Exposure. Sturdy melodies are given a stripped-down, DIY approach that feels in places like Velvet Underground with a pop sensibility and less drugs. The rudimentary drum machine textures are an acquired taste, but in the context of the album there’s a conceptual continuity to their use. The album’s intimate analog character is exemplified on “Worst Trip” and “You’ve Got the Key.”

David Brookings and the Average Lookings – Exposure
I discovered the melodic genius of David Brookings some seven years ago, and I’ve followed his subsequent work with interest. While excellent, a recent release nonetheless leaned a bit too much toward Americana for my tastes. But Exposure deftly balances those musical values with the earwormiess of his previous work. Soaring and breezy at once, the songs draw the listener in, with rich vocal harmonies and supremely melodic lead guitar runs. Brookings is equally at home crafting contemplative midtempo tunes as he is delivering uptempo roots-rock like the scintillating and Beach Boys-esque “Coldwater Canyon.” Exposure is an all-round, first-rate triumph.