The band members of Royal Republic don’t believe in guilty pleasures, only pleasures, free of compromise. “Fireman and Dancer” is full of monster hooks, catchy riffs and a killer mid-song sax solo. Part Glam, Part disco, all fun, their new record Club Majesty has it all, and then some.
Sacred Paws – Run Around The Sun
Born from the ashes of the Indie Pop band Golden Grrrls, Rachel Aggs and Eilidh Rodgers splintered off to form Sacred Paws. Full of sunny polyrhythmic pop hooks this one owes a heavy debt of gratitude to 80’s Brit Rock.
Pip Blom – Boat
Fervent fans of the Indie Rock scene of the 90’s , the Dutch band Pip Blom has released their most fully realized effort to date. Sonically excellent lead singer Pip Blom sounds a bit liked an escaped Runaway. The guitar pop on this one is next level. If you are looking for a rambunctious romp through a 90’s Post Punk garden this is your jam.
Kenny Wayne Sheppard Band – The Traveller
Kenny Wayne Sheppard with each release seems to be more and more comfortable with his place in the pantheon of guitar slingers. His latest, a Classic Rock concoction of Blues, Boogie, and Rock is a powerhouse. Singer Noah Hunt is in fine grizzled form still sounding like Warren Zevon’s less drug addled brother, and Stevie Ray’s old stick man Chris Layton pushes the band down the rails like a runaway train. Including eight originals and two covers, the best of the lot being a scorched earth version of Neil’s Mr. Soul, this one might be the bands best record to date.
Doug Tuttle – Dream Road
With the upcoming release of the Laurel Canyon documentary everything about that little artist enclave of the Los Angeles 70’s is hip again. On his new record Dream Road Doug Tuttle carries the Southern California laid back musical torch so brightly he should be dating Linda Ronstadt.
Peter Bruntnell – The King of Madrid
Flying just underneath the Americana radar Peter Bruntell really should be better known. His latest The King of Madrid is more of a 60’s psychedelic pop record with a bit of a Byrds essence wafting in the air. The song “Dinosaur” is even a not so distant cousin of “Last Train to Clarksville.” Don’t hold it against him that on “Lucas” he sounds like Steve Miller. Cult status be damned. This guy is seriously good.
Bruce Springsteen – Tucson Train
Now, the third single to be released from his new record set to be released on June 14th. Essentially a solo record without the E Street Band with the only member being his wife Patti. This one goes back to 80’s Lucky Town Springsteen, and that’s a very good thing.
Night Riots – Tokyo Diamond Eyes
These guys from a little California town just Outside of San Luis Obispo are roaring out of the box with this festival ready anthem.
White Reaper – Might Be Right
Part Glam but mostly all grit besides having one of the coolest band names in Rock, their tunes are catchy as hell.
Kishi Bashi – Penny Rabbit and Summer Bear
Kishi Bashi released his new record today and it is a beauty. Every one of these above the earth heart in the clouds marshmallow nuggets goes down smooth.
The Weeks – Comin’ Down
Sure these guys sound a bit like the Kings of Leon. After all they are on the same record label. Their 2017 album Easy was really good and if this single is any indication their new record will be even better.
Jesse Dayton – Bank Robber
The new single from Jesse Dayton sounds suspiciously like “I Fought The Law.” But get over it. It’s a cool song. And, it’s a Clash cover. So that makes it even better.
Thomas Rhett – Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time
Don’t throw any Bro-Country shade here. We get it. He walks a delicate line but we like it.
Faye Webster – Pigeon
This youngster has a bright future. The pedal steel on this one gives this latest song released from her new record Atlanta Millionaires Club true character.
Otherkin – On and On
This Irish Band is more Liam Gallagher than Bono on this single from their upcoming album.
The first single from their disco glamtastic upcoming new record Club Majesty might be your Saturday Night record of the year.
They got the name from a Bob Dylan song but their Rock and Roll sound is wholly unique. Part Southern Rock with a bit of the Bodeans in them, their upcoming record Ozone Park is going to be a winner.
There is not a lot of nuance to this band. Direct and in your face old school Roc and Roll straddling the fence between old school Quiet Riot and AC/DC.
It’s no accident that Shock, the latest and definitely one of the greatest, records of their career has Tesla riding the Def Leppard train. The album was produced by Leppard guitar player Phil Collen.
This one is a record that is shaping up to be one of the Rock records of the year. Destroyer, is Psychedelic Rock at its primal best. Floating somewhere South of Black Sabbath and north of Queens of the Stone Age, this Norwegian band May have just released the road trip record of the year.
From her debut record “I’ll Show You Stronger, Alyse Veltrullo, stage name pronoun, delivers a solid set of guitar, synth, and drum beat forward Indie Pop.
The Billboard number one country song. Decades offer after “Achy Breaky Heart” Billy Ray has another ear worm hit.
Rock Is The New Roll 