The Boojums “The Boojums” 2025. Limited edition red vinyl (and sleeve), Having Fun Records. The debut LP from Nova Scotia’s The Boojums. They’re a tight, lo-fi, hard rocking three piece power pop garage rock band and it’s my first listen/first exposure. I think we picked this up last month when we were in Toronto (I’m delighted to learn that this album was partially funded/supported by the Canadian government, Factor Canada – an arts organization from what I can gather, plus what looks like a coalition of Canadian radio broadcasters. Imagine, real public funding for the arts!). The riffs are heavy, the drums thundering and the vocals reminiscent of 80’s/90’s punk and grunge with a dash of Waits-gravel. My top track is “Garden of the Sun” which leans garage punk – the video looks like it came from a well-worn VHS tape from 1985. Also great are the dance-punk opener “Outta My Head” and angular, thrashy single “Wings of Fire.” Other tracks lean more garage pop and/or 80s rock (like Springsteen with jangle) like “Football.” Heavy indie pop, too, like on the grooving “Gravy” and “Dan’s Transmission” upon which the sole female member, bassist Sara Johnston, takes over lead vocals. If this was one of the LP’s recommended by Toronto’s excellent Sonic Boom record store clerk, she made a great pick.