In this age of auto-tune, over-singing, and in-your-face hip-hop, it’s difficult (if not impossible) to find any vestige of catchy pop, basic rock ’n’ roll, or even real musical instrumentation on American radio. So Richard X. Heyman to the rescue!

                     photo credit: Nancy Leigh

Two years after his last outing, Incognito, the unsung hero of one-man-band power pop is back with Pop Circles, his thirteenth album, containing a dozen brand new, expertly executed tunes plus six bonus tracks. Kicking off with the radio-friendly (well, if it were 1980 instead of 2019) “Guess You Had To Be There,” the baroque-and-Byrds-influenced “If You’re So Inclined,” and the perfect power pop of “Upside and Down,” Pop Circles showcases Heyman’s stellar vocalizing – which ranges from Warren Zevon-like, low register crooning to a rock wail on the order of Steve Winwood – along with some sharp and savvy songwriting. The album spans the universe from the thoughtful lyrics and tender strings (courtesy of cellist Julia Kent and violist Chris Jenkins) of “Everything Must Go,” to the roughshod Graham Parker-ish “Action Speaks Louder Than Words” (featuring some frantic organ), to the breezy Caribbean flavor of “A New Light.” And towards the end of the record don’t miss “About Time” and “Hope” – two short ’n’ sweet power-pop blasts – plus the brief Beach Boys moment that starts “Where Circles End.”

Following the 12-track album proper, Mr. Heyman tosses in a few songs written during his days with the Doughboys, billed as “Richie’s Three-Chord Garage.” Check out “Until Now,” “Long Way Down,” and “Until the Clock Strikes Doom” – three-chord garage indeed! Finally, Pop Circles comes full-pop-circle and wraps up with a striking extended version of opener “Guess You Had To Be There.” And how about that cover design by graphic artist Sergio Sandino, a play on the “crop circles” phenomenon, brilliantly described by Heyman in his press release as “ancient aliens…showing us how to center our future 45 RPM’s.” Like Incognito, Pop Circles was recorded at Heyman’s home studio, the Kit Factory, with Heyman handling just about every instrument except bass (wife Nancy Leigh does bass duties…as well as engineering) and the aforementioned strings. Real instruments by the way! Handfuls of guitars, keyboards, vibraphone, harmonica, drums, and all manner of fun percussion. Catch RXH at RMH – Rockwood Music Hall – in NYC July 27!

So next time the current state of music radio drives you mad, listen to Pop Circles and let those ancient aliens show ya what’s what.

Next time…Peter Noone comes to town!

Images courtesy bigtakeover.com / Nancy Leigh, richardxheyman.com, rockwrite.blogspot.com, proofofalien.com