Monday roundup.

To kick off 2011, here are a pair of Northeast bands who aren't into soft pop or Popicana, but good old fashioned guitar-heavy rockin' power pop:

Watts-On the Dial. The boys from Boston named after the legendary Stones drummer are back with another set of kick-ass yet melodically rich tunes. Songs like the title track, "Chaperone" and "Afterburn" are begging to be turned up to 11, and the boogie-rock of "Dancehall Days & Nights" brings to mind a Northern version of Terry Anderson & The OAK Team. You're not going to find any sensitive ballads here, and the closer "Sweethearts of the Radio" is most definitely not a Byrds homage. Instead, to paraphrase their namesake's frontman, it's only rock 'n' roll, and I like it.

CD Baby | MySpace | iTunes

Readymade Breakup-Readymade Breakup. It doesn't get more rock 'n' roll than Asbury Park, New Jersey, which is from where Readymade Breakup hails. Their third album is a must for those who loved their first two, and uninitiated will want to check in here. It rocks harder, as opener "Inside All Along" proves, and "Waiting for You" might be radio-friendly enough to grab some market share from the likes of Jimmy Eat World. The kinetic "Good Things" is another standout, and "Not Through With You Yet" is a quiet, fetching ballad. And "Erased" is an excellent Stones/Crowes-type closer with depth.

Buy & Listen at Bandcamp

Friday Rock'n'Roll Roundup.

Time today to spotlight three discs that come down on the much more rockin' side of power pop, one of which you may already be familiar with, and two others you might not:

Watts-One Below The All Time Low. This Boston band has been featured on Not Lame and elsewhere already, so forgive me for being late to the party. But a party it is, as this band named after the Rolling Stones' drummer does their namesake proud with 14 rockin' tracks. More rocking than others: "20 to 12", the title track, "Everybody Wants You', "Start a Riot". Wake the neighbors. CD Baby | MySpace



The Molotov Cocktails-Do You Think You Can Save Me. They know how to rock in Jersey, and this band lives up to their home state with a (dare I say) explosive 10 tracks that are mostly loud but intelligent as well, incorporating aspects of Elvis Costello and Paul Westerberg in their more rocking moments. Highlight tracks: "8 AM", "Jumping Trains", "Kiss You Everywhere". CD Baby | MySpace



Gumption-Ultramaroon. Last year Kurt Hagardorn made a splash with his Ten Singles CD; as a result, he's re-released a 7-song EP featuring his old band, and which was produced by the legendary Chris Stamey. It's excellent indie rock with a pop sheen, and if you liked Ten Singles, this one's a must-get. Key tracks: "Gravity", "Burn It Down", "Around The Sun". CD Baby | MySpace