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 Records Released This Week (May 17, 2019)

It definitely is a slow week when a new Dionne Warwick album and an instrumental covers record from Jimmy Webb are worthy of note, but fear not. We did manage to come up with five pretty cool albums that were released this week.

Crazy Lixx – Forever Wild

This one comes right from the belly of the Sunset Strip circa 1982. There is not a lot of nuance on this album, but is that such a bad thing.

Alex Lahey – The Best of Luck Club

The second album from this Australian songstress. Here, she matches her catchy hooks with solid songwriting.

The South Austin Moonlighters – Feels Like Home

These guys cover all of the Roots Rock bases. Americana, Blues, Country, you name it this band has it covered. Whether it is the Leon Helm inspired vibe of the title track or the Eagles-Like harmonies on “Carry Me On” this is a grower of a listen.

Jimmy Vaughan – Please Come Home

Jimmie Vaughan plays Texas Blues better than pretty much anyone in the game. Here, he handles less than obvious Jump-Blues covers with the aplomb of the savvy veteran that he is. “Midnight Hour” is worth the price of admission alone.

Lizzo – Cuz I Love You

If you are not familiar with the phenomenon that is Lizzo it is time to right that wrong. Unashamed of her body image or her sexuality her debut record is earthy, vibrant, and brilliant.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (May 10, 2019)

Things are picking up this week, albeit only slightly. Sammy Hagar and the Circle has released a new record to the sound of one hand clapping, Canadian songstress Lydia Ainsworth is front and center, and the Japanese Post Punk band Guitar Wolf is front and center with their record, Love & Jett. Here are five of our favorites.

Daddy Long Legs – Lowdown Ways

If Little Walter was in the Stray Cats you might get Daddy Long Legs. Just listen to “Mornin’ Noon & Night” and tell me I’m wrong. This record is a smasher from “Pink Lemonade” all the way to “Ding Dong Dang.” Old-School meets New-School in all the best of ways on this one.

The Shootouts – Quick Draw

This one is real old school Country. Blending Marty Stuart, Bob Wills, Roy Orbison, Dwight Yoakam, and Marty Robbins, the legends of the old West come to life on this epic slice of Western Pie.

Bambi Lee Savage – Berlin-Nashville Express

Jumping front and center into the Americana Scene, Bambi Lee Savage is here to stay. Her mix of Honky Tong and down low storytelling in intoxicating.

Elles Bailey – Road I Call Home

Finally, Elles Baily has a proper release under her belt. Part Blues, some Country, all very cool, Elles Bailey is on the verge of stardom. After touring with Eric Gales and garnering high billing on several festival circuits this one just might be the breakthrough she so richly deserves.

The Wildhearts – Renaissance Men

Rock and Roll is alive and well, thank you, just ask the Wild hearts. Ginger Wildheart is rocking heavier than heavier on this release that will remind you of what Guns ‘N’ Roses could have been if they were just a bit heavier.

 

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (May 3, 2019)

img_1144During a week of comebacks of sort, Post Punk divas L7 have unleashed their terror on unsuspecting ears with a record release, Vampire Weekend is back after a 6 year absence, and even Leo Sayer feels like dancing again with a new record called Selfie. Here are 5 albums that have caught our ear this week.

Filthy Friends – Emerald Valley

Pretty Much an Indie Rock super group featuring Peter Buck, formerly of R.E.M., Scott McCaughey, and Corin Tucker taking a break from Sleater-Kinney. Emerald Valley is the second release from this collective. The songs touch lightly on the political climate of the day but don’t quite go overboard. Picture Chrissie Hynde fronting R.E.M. with the jangle tuned down a notch or two with more of a blues rock touch and you will get the general vibe of this band and this album.

The Wildhearts – Renaissance Men

Showing that you just can’t keep a good kick-ass rock and roll band down The Widhearts are back with most of the original line-up intact. Ginger Wildheart is singing as wild as ever and the entire band cranks the levels up to 11.

Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride

The shift from the right to the left coast and Los Angeles  seems to have mellowed the band without slowing them down. The Jangle Power Pop feel is still there but the songwriting seems to be more focused. There is a bit of a 70’s era Rolling Stones haze wafting through the air on a couple of these songs and the West coast Rock of the Doobie Brothers from the “Long Train Running” era shows up on “Sympathy.” We are not saying we want another 6 years to pass before we get another album, but this one was definitely worth the wait.

Bobby Oroza – This Love

Sounding much like a Motown deep cut, this soulful singer from Finland brings an old school analog sound to an album of funky low-fi arrangements thgat will mellow your soul.

Caroline Spence – Mint Condition

No giant American steps are taken here, just another solid set of mid-tempo story songs that mix rockers with some fine guitar work on the opener “What You Don’t Know” and travel songs detailing here journey to Nashville. There is more of a bit of Emmy Lou in the air on this one.