One Track Mind

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When Jim McTurnan tells us he’s “drafting (his) next golden age” on “Don’t Count Me Out,” he sounds like a man whose plan has come to fruition. His band Cat-A-Tac called it quits a few years back, and McTurnan started over, forming Jim McTurnan & The Kids That Killed the Man. Judging by the swagger McTurnan exudes on “Don’t Count Me Out,” he’s never been better.

On “Don’t Count Me Out,” McTurnan and his fellow band mates make their version of classic, infectious pop look effortless. The song, which is reminiscent of old school Lemonheads (before heroin had its way with Evan Dando), centers on McTurnan’s vocals. When he uses his husky, melancholic pipes to sing, “I’m carrying on / I’m carrying on,” he bends the lyrics toward the sun, sweeping the listener along with him, reminding us that sometimes joy is irrepressible, even when you know better.

McTurnan has been an OTM fave for years; he was even a guest on one of the site’s first Hidden Track podcasts. It’s a thrill to premiere “Don’t Count Me Out” as well as to pass along more good news: McTurnan and TKTKTM are giving away their debut full-length. For free. Right now. Download Joie de Vivre here for more power-pop from this Denver-based quartet.