Don't Act So Surprised

Check out another gem from Jeff Litman ...



Go is now available via Bandcamp for $49.00. Well, you could pay that or whatever you want. Or download it via iTunes if you don't appreciate the freedom of naming your own price.

It's becoming quite clear that Jeff's ongoing hodgepodge of singles will be significantly better than 98% of the albums released this year.

Moments To Savor

Jeff Litman makes it seem so effortless that it almost seems like he's showing off. I'm not a songwriter, singer, or musician, but near the top of my bucket list is writing one single catchy tune. Well, every single damn thing Litman does meets that and then some. And now he's going to prove it on the first Thursday of every month with a new single. Last week he released Nothing, which is a bit more than that. Stream it...


...or name your price and download it here. He wrote it during the blackout following Hurricane Sandy and while lyrically the tune is not related to weather per se, I think the sentiment is quite universal.

Lyric Video | iTunes | Amazon

A Shot At Redemption

Jeff Litman continues his righteous journey to becoming the best popster you've yet-to-but-should hear with a new rocking single released today called Debutante, "a sarcastic, political rant aimed at the empty suit on the political stage who feigns sincerity and riles up the mob in service to the wealthy and powerful interests that control him." In full disclosure, Jeff and I are on the same side of the fence politically, but the genius of the tune is that for the most part it is a universal evisceration of the empty politicos we've unfortunately become accustomed to. Check out the lyrics video below.


Jeff's plan for 2013 is to release a new single every so often. The next one is called Nothing and will be out within a couple months.

iTunes | Bandcamp

How Predictable

Jeff Litman has released a very familiar new video for Over and Over from his excellent Outside.



Jeff has plenty of shows coming up this summer. Check out the official schedule here.

P.S. Happy birthday, Jeff!

Chasing The Dream

It's no surprise that I adore new music that respectfully owes plenty to the old greats. There is a fine line (that takes a giant leap to cross) between banging out sound-alike tunes and creating something entirely fresh yet familiar, comfortable, and friendly. Very few cross that line as well as Jeff Litman.

Jeff smacked us hard over the head a few years back with his phenomenal debut Postscript. I heaped praise on it but remarked on the album's not-so-subtle backward nods. I've revisited Postscript countless times since and an interesting thing has happened. No longer do I hear the obvious influences first and Jeff later. Jeff's voice is deliberate and clear. I should have given him more credit.

The first great Too Poppy album of 2012 is Jeff Litman's Outside ... officially released today! Outside embodies balance in many ways. It's a bridge between the sounds of the past and present, thoughtful lyrics and catchy tunes, ballads and rockers, reverence and fresh blood. In an era of party tunes and singing competitions, we deserve a talent like Jeff Litman.

In every good way Outside takes me back to the renaissance of rock/pop in the 90s. First single Over and Over would fit it snugly with Michael Penn's oeurve. The title track is deliciously Jellyfishy and even features Jellyfisher Roger Joseph Manning Jr. on keyboards and backing vocals. Girl Down I-95 evokes sunny roadtrips soundtracked by Gin Blossoms and The Smithereens. Runaway irresistably sounds like Crowded House filtered through Soul Asylum.

What makes Outside break out from the pack though is its diversity that sounds like a carefully crafted and beloved mix-tape. Not content with mere hooks, Jeff fires up our emotions with throwbacks like Back To You that I'm convinced I've either heard on 70s AM radio when I was a kid or recently on a great Mike Viola album. Of course it's all Jeff, which is his genius. I don't name-drop flippantly. Jeff has earned these comparisons and frankly it's the fairest way to describe the album. Jon Brion. Elvis Costello. Wisely. Paul Westerberg. Jeff Litman. It works.

One great album is rare and fleeting. Two great albums are the works of a master.

Jeff Litman - Outside (official site (cheap!) / iTunes / Amazon MP3)

Download first single Over and Over here

You and Me Chasing Paper Getting Nowhere

In honor of the recent release of The Beatles on iTunes, the insanely talented and criminally under-known Jeff Litman continued his Monday covers series with Two of Us. Stellar, Mr. Litman.



In other Litman news, you have a few chances to catch him live. Check out your opportunities here.

And of course, if you don't already have his Postscript album, download it here to rectify that shameful oversight. Don't thank me; thank Jeff.

The World Could Show Nothing To Me

I'd like to think popster Jeff Litman was inspired by our series of videos and exclusive MP3s by Brandon Schott we hosted last year when he decided to start Monday Morning Under the Covers. In all likelihood he had a guitar, a webcam, and some serious talent to put to use. The first in the series is God Only Knows...



Speaking of Schott and God Only Knows, we'll post a review later this week of his new single, a cover of, uh, God Only Knows.

I've Never Met Someone Like Her

Powerpop songs about girls - what could possibly be better on a beautiful Friday afternoon? Jeff Litman has released a video for his catchy-as-hell Anna. Enjoy:



Too Poppy Review
Download Postscript via iTunes, Amazon

All Those Crazy Aspirations

Who doesn't love a great break-up record? Girlfriend and Songs From the Year of Our Demise are two prime examples that happen to be favorites of mine. Jeff Litman's Postscript makes a noble attempt at greatness with this debut and announces a dazzling pure pop talent that you cannot and should not ignore.

With hooks and melodies that amount to gluttonous ear candy, Postscript is instantly catchy, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and familiar. His voice at times reminds me of Elvis Costello and Julian Lennon, and the tunes range from The Monkees to The Clash - this is a good place to be in.

The only rub (and it's definitely minor) is that Litman tends to straddle that line between familiar and overly derivative a bit too much. Way2Poppy and I had some fun playing Name That Tune (listen for Peter Pumpkinhead, Rainbow Connection, Is It Like Today?, and Isolation). In this genre derivation comes with the territory, but after a couple of listens it almost sounds like a crutch.

With all the goodness on this release, I have no doubt Litman will find his own voice and pave his own path. In the meantime, Postscript is perfect for days when the sun shines a bit longer.

Cool Poppers' Reviews:
Powerpopaholic (10/10!)
Bill's Music Forum

Download Postscript at iTunes
Official Site