A banner day on the new release front if only for the appearance of Bethany Cosentino and Best Coast, a member of the Rock is the New Roll Rick Chick Hall of Fame.
Best Coast – Always Tomorrow
Hard to believe it has been five years since the release of their highly excellent L.P., California Nights, but this one was definitely worth waiting for. Rocking it a bit more than we are used to from this band, every song is a shimmering gem. “For The First Time” is one of the more buoyant break-up songs you might hear this year and “Everything Has Changed” has a bit of a Joan Jett “I Love Rock and Roll” vibe to It.”
Yacht Rock Revue – Hot Dads in Tight Pants
Don’t be misled, these guys are not some sort of AOR Steel Panther. They are serious musicians and are in it to win it, taking that giant leap from being essentially a Yacht Rock cover band, think Rupert Holmes “Escape” and The Little River Band,” and Toto, to writing their own similarly veined songs. These Dads are also great businessmen. They actually own and have trademarked the term Yacht Rock, so in effect, they own their own genre of music.
Greg Dulii – Random Desire
Greg Dulii made a name for himself as the frontman for The Afghan Whigs. Now, he steps out with his first record under his own name and does it in fine style. Dark and intense, Nick Cave would not be a bad comparison and according to Pitchfork “The album deftly mediates between guitar-slashing catharsis and candelabra-lit elegance.” The entire record is an atmospheric gem and it will have you returning back to the Afghan Whigs catalog for further listening.
Sonny Landreth – Blacktop Run
Recorded in a studio just south of Lafayette, Louisiana this collection of songs has the “King of Slydeco” in superb form. Whether he is ripping it up with his intricate slide guitar playing like he does on the scorching instrumental ” Lover Dance With Me,” a tune that would make a perfect soundtrack for a highway drive, or, he is showing his less laid back J.J, Cale inspired vocal prowess with “Mule” everything goes back to his roots playing with Clifton Chenier’s Red Hot Louisiana Band.
Sweet Lizzy Project – Technicolor
At first listen, you might find Sweet Lizzy Project and their debut record Technicolor somewhat difficult to wrap your ears around, but when you do it will be an enchanting moment for all involved. This five-piece hailing from Cuba was brought over to America with the sponsorship of Raul Malo and The Mavericks. After moving to Nashville the band recorded the album at Blackbird Studios.
Don’t try to pigeon hole these guys, you would find it a frustrating endeavor, and in this case, that is a very good thing. Swaying from soaring Indie Rock inflections on the title track to the more rocking “Turn Up The Radio” it makes sense that this band would have found themselves opening for Heart.
“Ain’t Nobody to Call” throws a curveball on everything with an honest to goodness cowbell and a bit of a “My Sharona Vibe.” Things get lower and slower when lead singer Lisset joins forces with The Mavericks on the lilting 80’s Country painted “The Flower’s In The Seed.” The tempo and Genre hopping inherent everywhere on this record makes Technicolor one of the best records to be released in this young year.
Rock Is The New Roll 