Here in the hallowed halls of Rock is the New Roll our ears are literally on fire from listening to all of the new music coming out this week.
The world has been waiting for a collaboration with Orville Peck and Willie Nelson, and the time is right here, right now with “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond Of Each Other.”
The Devo inspired coolly named Wine Lips are front and center with their single and video, “Stimulation.”
And, the goth-noir that envelopes Witch Fever captivates with this live performance of “I Reflect The Sun.”
Old 97’s – American Primitive
With that ramshackle sound that meanders somewhere between The Replacements and the Drive-By Truckers, 30 years and 14 studio albums in, Rhett Miller and the rest of the band haven’t lost their mojo. And, their latest, American Primitive blends the whimsical and the profound with equal aplomb.
The performances all have the in-studio authentic touch that could only come from a band that has been generally intact over three decades. The addition of R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey on select tracks only adds to a record that is already an embarrassment of riches.
Marcus King – Mood Swings
Should there be any doubt that Mood Swings, the latest from Americana Shape Shifter Marcus King is a break-up record, one needs only to pay attention to the song titles “Fuck Up My Life Again,”Soul, It Screams, and “Save Me” to understand that this record is a breakup record for the ages.
Mellow, reflective, and a marked departure from 2020’s El Dorado, this time around King’s soulful voice is featured front and center. The title track “Mood Swings” could have been a Motown classic, “Bipolar Love” has a Stapleton by way of Isbell feel to it, and the organ accented “Me Or Tennessee” with its church revival glow could gave been recorded at Muscle Shoals.
A more than solid effort that looks ahead to an exciting future for an artist that does things on his own terms.
Black Keys – Ohio Players
One of the consistently great bands doing business today, The Black Keys continue to play outside musical boundaries with their latest record, Ohio Players giving a nod of the chapeau to both their home state and the 70’s Funk scene in a record that integrates Rock, Soul, Funk, Blues, and dance floor groovy into a sound that us uniquely Bkack Keys.
Beck provides an able assist with a co-write on “This Is Nowhere,” the band’s deep blues roots are showing on the cover of William Bell’s “I Want To Be Your Lover” a classic slinky Soul groover, and Becks presence is consistently hovering about as he sings on seven of the songs on the record. The song “On The Game” would have been a hand-in-glove addition to any of the late era John Lennon albums.
Not their best, but a solid addition to the catalog of a band that continues surprise and delight without turning stale.
Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us
The best thing about Only God Was Above Us, the latest album from Vampire Weekend is that it sounds like Vampire Weekend. Gloriously so.
From the erratic jangle pop of “Classical” to “Connect” a song that the band the band calls psychedelic Gersheyn, there is a Pirates of the Caribbean vibe at play here with a surprise around every corner and gold dubloons hidden about waiting to be discovered.
Looking back while stepping forward, “The Surfer” is a sweeping wonderment, “Mary Boone” takes things back to their New York days with a children’s choir providing an eerie backdrop on a song about a gallery owner imprisoned for tax fraud, and the closer, “Hope” where singer Ezra Koenig finally admits, “Our Enemy’s Invincible, I had to let it go” is as life-affirming as it gets.
Don’t let your ears down. Listen to this one multiple times, it just might the album of the year.
Pernice Brothers – Who Will You Believe
Over the span of 12 songs and 40 minutes one thing is certain after several carefully curated listens of Pernice Brothers’ Who Will You Believe is that Joe Pernice is a brilliant songwriter with a keen eye for the earworm.
With the Americana ambiance of “I Don’t Need That Anymore” a song that features Neko Case, Pernice channels early-era Nick Lowe, and the anthemic “Hey, Guitar” would be a welcome addition to any 2024 Road trip playlist.
Make sure you get your tissues out when listening to the closer “The Purple Rain,” a perfect reminiscing work of art that will have you reaching out for far-flung friends.
Rock Is The New Roll 