Author: falconi5

A place for musically minded folk to get together and share ideas, reviews, and basically spread the word.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (August 16, 2019)

Things are definitely heating up as we jet towards the end of the year. Rodney Crowell releases his Texas Album, Americana stalwart Drew Holcomb delivers a solid set and there a bunch more gems.

Rodney Crowell – Texas

Ronnie Dunn, Willie Nelson, Billy Gibbens, Lyle Lovett and more celebrate all things Texas from the border to the oil patches, the strip bars honky-tonks. From the Piney Woods to the Rio Grande this record is almost as big as the state.

Ikebe Shakedown – Kings Left Behind

This 7 piece instrumental band from Brooklyn fills the air with a steamy brew of Funk, Soul, and Spaghetti Western Retro Psychedelic flair. This one is the soundtrack for when you are getting ready to go out on a Saturday night.

Madison Cunningham – Who Are They Now

It seems appropriate that Madison Cunningham would eventually land on the Verve record label. Her nuanced and sophisticated guitar playing and vocal delivery will remind you of Joni Mitchell in her prime. The songwriting is pure Karla Bonoff.

Lillie Mae – Other Girls

Released on Jack Whites Third Man Records with Producer Dave Cobb at the helm Lillie Mae’s bluegrass leanings are as subtle as they could get without disappearing all together.

Bobby Rush – Sitting On Top Of The Blues

Veteran Bobby Rush might be the last real Blues man standing this side of Buddy Guy. Have guitar and harmonica, will travel. And brilliantly we might add.

New Music Friday (August 9, 2019)

Rodney Crowell – 56 Fury

The new Texas-centric record comes out next Friday. In the meantime we are grooving to this one that features ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbens.

Pat Green – Trip Through Your Wires

Another Texas troubadour, Pat Green is putting together a highly anticipated record himself. Here he teams up wit Joe Ely.

The Darkness – Rock and Roll Deserves To Die

Justin Hawkins and The Darkness are experiencing somewhat of a comeback. Their latest song has a bit of Zeppelin mystery with Ronnie James Dio bombast thrown in. Fun stuff.

Modern Nature – Footsteps

Shoegaze Krautrock is the order of the day on this propulsive second track from their latest album, How To Live.

Shannon Lay – Death Up Close

One of Ty Segall’s sidekicks in his Freedom Band, so she must be good. And she is.

Rosalie Cunningham – Ride On My Bike

The ex front woman from the band Purson, Rosalie Cunningham commands the stage with this opener from her latest album. Queen meets Jefferson Airplane on this one.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (August 9, 2019)

We’re just chilling waiting for the new Struts album to hit the shelves. But in the meantime here are five Cool Albums massaging our ear lobes this week.

Jesse Dayton – Mixtape Vol. 1

This covers record is a lot more than a slap-dash between albums mail-it-in effort. This is a seriously eclectic and cool set of songs arranged to perfection with a lot of thought going into the song selection. If Elton’s deep track “Country Comfort” or ACDC’s “Whole Lot of Rosie” isn’t good enough for you the Cars Power Pop gem “Just What I Needed” will have your head spinning until Jesse’s love of Punk comes crashing through on the Clash tune “Bankrobber.” Great stuff indeed.

The Regrettes – How Do You Love

Their Pop driven Punk songs are a must hear. If the Go Go’s were actually cool they might have sounded like The Regrettes. Their sophomore record is full of Ramones worthy ear blasts.

Fionn Regan – Cala

There is a certain calming Zen quality to Fionn Regan’s music and this album, sort of a cross between Cat Stevens and Donovon. Easy like a Sunday Morning.

P.P. Arnold – The New Adventures of P.P. Arnold

Her first album release in decades P.P. Arnold channels her inner Mavis Staples with this new release that features collaborations from Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene’s Steve Cradock, and The Specials among others.

Half Alive – Now, Not Yet

This Long Beach trio blends Pop, Funk, Soul, and a bit of Indie Pop under the glow of a disco ball.

New Music Friday (August 2, 2019)

Yola – Shady Grove

The latest video from Yola’s debut record, Walk Through Fire.” A top 20 record for sure.

Starcrawler – Bet My Brains

Starcrawler, one of our favorite over the edge Rock Chick bands are back witba new single and video.

Trigger Hippy – Don’t Wanna Bring You Down

In 2014 Trigger Hippy, a supergroup consisting of Nashville session musicians released a self-titled album that was one of the best of the year. Here they pop up out of nowhere with a scorching new single.

Midland – Cheatin’ Songs

Normally, we would cry fowl on a band that travels the 80’s Country landscape, but for Midland all bets are off. We are all in. Here is their latest Garth Meets George gem.

The Allman Betts Band – Shinin’

Formed by the sons of Gregg Allman and Dickie Betts the Southern Rock torch has Ben duly passed. Close your eyes and you will think it is 1975 all over again.

Demob Happy – Autoportrait

This Psych Rock trio turns up the burners on this one to deliver the headbanger of the week.

Moon City Masters – The Price You Pay

A strong 70’s filter on this one picture Blind Faith jamming on stage with The Allman Brothers and you will pretty much get the idea.

Goodbye June – Universal Mega Love

These guys already have the chops to Greta Van Fleet and Rival Sons. A Rock band on the rise look for their new record Community Inn to come out in October.

Elles Bailey – Deeper

A vibrant Blues/Soul singer Elles Bailey could be the younger sister of Beth Hart.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released Today (August 2, 2019)

Tyler Childers – Country Squire

A more than solid follow up to his 2017 release, purgatory. The songwriting appears to have a bit more of an edge and even without Sturgill on the knobs the production value is pristine.

The Bird and the Bee – Interpreting The Masters, Vol. 2 (A Tribute To Van Halen)

There really is no legitimate reason for this album to exist. But, we are sure glad it does. No new ground is forged here, just some off the wall versions of “Jump,” “Hot For Teacher,” and “Panama.” Hell, they even cover “Unchained” and Eruption. Even still, only die-hard VH fans need apply.

Volbeat- Rewind, Replay, Rebound

With each successive record Hard Rockers Volbeat seem to be softening slightly, losing the heavy metal angst without giving up any of their Rock and Roll swagger. The vocal harmonies here are a pleasant change, but make no mistake, with songs the likes of “Pelvis on Fire” these cats are still very capable of rocking your ears off.

Mike and the Moonpies – Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold

These guys are what Honky Tonk is all about, Texas style. At a tidy 8 songs and 31 minutes you don’t quite feel the energy they put out in their live shows, but nothing is lost in this strong set. “You Look Good In Neon” is a hi-light that would make George Strait proud and their version of the Guy Clark staple “London Homesick Blues” is close to perfect.

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Live at Woodstock

Released as part of the mammoth box set of 38 CD’s consisting of every song performed at the concert. For the first time ever we get to hear the remastered performances from Creedence Clearwater Revival, a band at the peak of their powers.

What We’re Listening To Wednesday (July 31, 2019)

Here are the sounds that have been coming out of the offices here at Rock Is The New Roll HQ.

Adia Victoria – Different Kind of Love

This Nashville based singer is new to our ear lobes, but we really like the darker edged story-noir she brings to the table.

The Raconteurs – Help Me Stranger

We really like the way that Brendan Benson smooths out Jack Whites sharp edges. The pop sensibilities that Benson delivers makes this song one of the best of 2019.

J.S. Ondara – American Dream

This one is an album we keep coming back to in our playlist.

Matt Costa – Make That Change

The Laurel Canyon vibe is pretty prevalent these days, and we love it.

White Reaper – Might Be Right

Next to Nude Party and De Wolff, White Reaper is one of our favorite new bands.

The Avett Brothers – High Steppin’

Good to see these guys back.

Head and the Heart – Brenda

Good low- key Sunday sort of song.

Of Monsters and Men – Alligator

Just as soon as we have gotten their last ear worm “Little Talks” out of our heads these guys deliver us another one.