You might know San Francisco's Mikal Cronin if you're a fan of Ty Segall (which I am). He's played in the punk's band forever. Cronin also plays in the well-respected band, Moonhearts. But now Cronin's solo, and his self-titled debut album seems to be on almost everyone's year-end best album shortlist.

Why? Because it's so damn catchy, that's why! This is just good old fuzzy garage rock that will leave no one in a worse mood after hearing it. There are so many hooks to this guy he might as well open a bait 'n tackle shop when his rock 'n roll days are behind him. That's good retirement living, right there.

But those days aren't going to come around anytime soon. As much as I love Ty Segall, Mikal Cronin might someday be the answer to the trivia question, "What famous rocker was originally in a band with Ty Segall."

Finally, I should mention that John Dwyer from Thee Oh Sees plays flute on Mikal Cronin's album. Wouldn't you want to hear how the hell they managed to pull that off? Anyway, score one for garage rock. Not sure who garage rock is playing against, or even that we were playing a game, but score one for them anyway. And score one for Mikal Cronin, too.



Mikal Cronin plays the Troubadour (with pal, Ty Segall) on Saturday, March 3rd.