Considering the writing here at The Clock dedicates itself almost entirely to music from the 20th century, it’s no surprise that many of my new music recommendations aren’t exactly forward-looking, cutting-edge, this-is-what-AI-will-someday-design-for-the-kids-to-listen-to albums.

The trend continues! And the hobgoblins frolic in my little mind. Let’s round ’em up:

Fantastic Cat – Now That’s What I Call Fantastic Cat

The kind of Midwest rock with touches of rootsy Americana that Wilco — and a lot of other artists — made popular back in the 90’s before they became all artsy (don’t get me started). Although, because the band has multiple songwriters, you can hear Jackson Browne, or The Beatles, or any number of other influences in there. Here we have four indie singers with varying levels of success (mostly unknown to the general public) who decided to pool their talents in band form. While sitting in a restaurant trying to settle on a name for the new quartet, they asked the waitress what they should call themselves, and without batting an eye she replied, “Fantastic Cat.” And so it was.

Royal Republic – LoveCop

Although pockets of fun rock crop up occasionally, you really have to go back to the 80’s to find the last era of time where a large number of the rock artists didn’t feel they had to take everything so seriously. Royal Republic embrace the silly fun (I mean, the album is titled LoveCop), harkening back to that bygone time with a little rock, a little dance, a little seltzer in your pants (you know all the cool kids just love Mary Tyler Moore references — so fire.)