With just three albums released since 2006 Peter Baldrachi is not going to win any productivity awards. But drop in anywhere on his catalogue and prepare for a jolt of pure pop excitement. These are epic recordings, melding a Replacements kind of great rock and roll flair with an ear for melody worthy of Matthew Sweet. And to be fair on the output markers, there are a few stand-alone singles and EPs in the mix. I got wind of his work when someone tipped me to Change, his fabulous 2019 collection of singles. But I ended up buying everything he’s put out. So – no surprise – I’m pretty sure I’ll be featuring a lot of Baldrachi in the days to come. But my initial needle-drop through these all these releases had one track really leap out as clear hit-single material, “You’re Gonna Miss Me Someday.”

The first version of the song appears on Baldrachi’s 2006 solo debut Solid Ground. The track opens with a sweet solo lead guitar line before easing into its acoustic guitar-centric rhythm pop sway. The melodic lead guitar riffs that pop up again and again are delightful while the harmony vocals build as things go on. Background vocalist Alice Austin adds a Go Go’s element to the mix with her contribution. All in all it is a fabulous album deep cut. But wait, there’s more. Baldrachi released a second version in 2015, remixed by power pop legend Ed Stasium. The new version is so subtly different yet the impact elevates the track to should-be hit-single status, it’s hidden charms now not so hidden. The opening lead guitar line is excised letting Baldrachi launch directly into the tune. Stasium then gives the track a bit more bite, lifting the faders on various guitar and drum tracks to increase the impact. Frankly, in my head I hear a third version produced by Steve Lillywhite that could slip on to Crenshaw’s Field Day but perhaps that’s just being greedy.

Peter Baldrachi is your unheralded star-of-the-day discovery. Or maybe you know his stuff? In which case, isn’t it great to hear it again? Either way, you too can buy all his releases at one convenient online stop.