Five Cool Ones – Page 11 – Rock Is The New Roll

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (April 2, 2021)

The new release train keeps rolling toward what is expected to be one of the best release summers in quite some time, American Aquarium is set to release two new records, and Dawes is rumored to be in the studio.

In the meantime, our favorite new rock band DeWolff released a free livestream concert featuring their hit song “Bona Fide”

The L.A. Maybe get their A.C.D.C. juju going on their latest single and video “Oh Sugar” live from the Silverball Lounge.”

And, Billy Gibbons lays down what will surely be the driving tune of the summer with “West Coast Junkie.”

And if that is not enough, here are five new records that inspire us this week.

La Femme – Paradigmes

One of the more interesting and eclectic listens so far this year, Le Femme with their intoxicating blend of Krautrock, Surf, Serge Gainsbourg French-Noir, and Psychedelic 13th Floor Elevator vibes will take you back to Hugh Hefner’s grotto and George Jetson’s man-cave in one trippy listen. “Foutre le bodel” is a pulsating driving tune with a bit of Devo in its DNA, “Cool Colorado” is a Serge meets Leonard Cohen treat for the ears, and “Lacher de chevaux” is a pure Morricone by way of Kraftwerk special.

Spend a bit of time outside of your comfort zone with this record and take yourself to a hipster land that doesn’t exist but really should. No man bun required.

Major Murphy – Access

Another Classic Rock inspired band from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Major Murphy walks the more melodic end of the Rock spectrum most notably on the Weezer-sounding title track and the ’70s throwback-sounding “In The Meantime.”

Jacob Bullard carries the day through most of the record with his warm and wistful vocals with the rest of the band helping him stay in the pocket. This is a grower of a record in all the best of ways. Repeated listens of this one will have you scrambling for your old Fountains of Wayne records. Just listen to “Tear It Apart” and tell us we’re wrong.

Cristina Vane – Nowhere Sounds Lovely

With influences ranging from Robert Johnson, Skip James, and the Appalachian hill country, it is no wonder that newcomer Cristina Vane has released one of the more sparkling debut records of the year thus far. After completing a five-month mini-tour of the American South playing bars, coffeehouses, and house parties Vane set up residence in Nashville in an attempt to capture her rock kid in an old musical-soul sound on record for the first time.

The Opener “Blueberry Hill,” no, not that one, is a mini-travelogue that is a perfect introduction to the budding star that combines unique storytelling with Bonnie Raitt style guitar picking. “Travelin’ Blues” has a bit of John Prine about it, and “Will I Ever Be Satisfied” is an Emmylou Appalachian style stunner.

If this first record out of the box is any indication we will be hearing a lot more from Cristina Vane in the years to come.

Ex Norwegian – Sings Jimmy Campbell

With Sings Jimmy Campbell the band Ex Norwegian enlists the help of like-minded musician friend-fans of the largely overlooked Liverpool singer-songwriter Jimmy Campbell on a set that celebrates the life of an artist that should have reached much higher levels of fame and is widely described as the John Lennon that never left Liverpool.

For a glimpse into what might have happened, “Half Baked” with Rhys Marsh could have been a Harry Nilsson song, “Baby, Walk Out With Your Darling Man” has a bit of Scott Walker wafting about it, and “Paris, You’re in Paris” is about as good as a pop song you will find this side of Big Star.

If you can find them, this sampling of an artist that likely has never been on your radar is well worth a deep dive exploration.

Ryley Walker – Course in Fable

The many faces of Ryley Walker are all on display with his latest record, Course In Fable. Dialing in his shapeshifting influences ranging from Blues, Prog-Folk, Desert Rock to Experimental, this song-set may be the most fully formed and accessible record he has released so far in his eclectic career. The opener “Striking Down Your Big Premier” is The Moody Blues by way of latter Day Yes, “Ring Dizzy shows off his Bert Jansch worthy fingerstyle guitar picking, and “Clad With Bunk” could have been a Donovan tune.

Time spent with this record will make you a better person.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (March 26, 2021)

There is a lot to love on the musical landscape this week with highly excellent new music from the T-Rex Mojo of the band GospelbeacH and their song “Albatross Baby”

The mellow Steely Dan inspired smoothness from Moon City Masters and their song “Where You Wanna Run To.”

And, Rock is the New Roll favorite rockers Starcrawlers treat the ears with a live song direct from The Roxy in L.A. with “You Dig Yours”

Along with all of the above goodness here are five albums we are digging this week.

The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs – One More Drink

Non-apologetic no holds barred Rock and Roll for the masses. Their first album in over 20 years after reuniting in 2014, this record is a cocktail of Power Pop, New Wave, Punk, and Heavy Metal served on the rocks with a dose of Cheap Trick thrown in for good measure, most notably on the title song that is a tribute to Dramarama’s “Last Cigarette.”

“We Are The Ones (We’ve Been Waiting For)” is as good as a Rock and Roll anthem can get. And, “Rumblin’ Down” is an off the rails don’t drive 55 scorcher.

Dr. Lonnie Smith – Breathe

With sublime vocal assistance from Iggy Pop on the Santana inspired opener “Why Can’t We Live Together” as well as an over the top-notch cover of “Sunshine Superman,” the king of the Hammond B-3 grooves his way through a set of tunes that would fit in quite nicely at Austin Powers’ bachelor party. Released on the Blue Note record label, Here, Smith has recaptured the energy of his early recordings in the capable hands of producer and Blue Note major-domo Don Was. The breezy “Bright Eyes” was recorded live at The Jazz Standard in New York City and with the snappy “Epistrophy” the organ maestro pays tribute to Thelonius Monk.

The Dust Coda – Mojo Skyline

This one might just be the Classic Rock-influenced album of the year, and it’s only March. Channeling Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, and Humble Pie in almost equal measures, “Dream Alright” has a down-home Lynyrd Skynyrd vibe, “Bourbon Pouring” could have easily been a Faces song, and the closer, “It’s A Jam” would have fit perfectly on any of the early Nazareth albums.

From the opening lick to the last riff if you are a fan of Rock in general and ’70s Rock in particular, Mojo Skyline is most definitely your jam and will be for the rest of the year.

Badfinger – No Matter What (Revisiting The Hits)

Having released the excellent album Be True To Yourself in 2020, Joey Molland, the last living member of Badfinger, is back with an immensely entertaining set of Badfinger songs. Calling in favors from his famous friends, every song sparkles, and even the deeper cuts such as “Love Is Gonna Come at Last” are brought to brilliant life courtesy of the side-men involved, Rick Springfield case in point on this one. Highlights are many, most notably Todd Rundgren’s turn on “Without You” a song that could have been written by the angels for Todd to sing, along with Matthew Sweet, of course, on the Power Pop masterpiece “Baby Blue.” Rick Wakeman lends some piano chords to “Come & Get It” and legendary slide-man Sonny Landreth completely owns “Suitcase.”

Do your ears a solid and check this record out. Then, go back and go back and listen to the original library from a band that may just be one of the most underrated of all time.

Brigitte DeMeyer – Seeker

Not new to the scene having relocated from Nashville to California after a series of personal travails, Brigitte DeMeer seems to have reinvented herself with her latest record, Seeker. With a vibe that brings to the ear, Rikki Lee Jones and Sheryl Crow, the songs are mostly low-key in all the best of ways with standouts “Wishbone” and the slow burn of “Louisiana” as must-hears. the over-arching thing of keeping the soul moving forward and overcoming obstacles is prevalent throughout most notably on the title track along “Roots and Wings and Bones,” a song that celebrates having the courage to make healthy changes in your life.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (March 19,2021)

It’s official, we have just entered the beginning of the summer music releases. More (almost) music is coming out than we can keep up with and the creativity that is hitting our ears is very much next-level.

All is right with the musical world when Charlie Starr and the boys blend their Lynyrd Skynyrd meets Dr. Hook mantra on a new song like they do on “Hey Delilah.”

And, up and coming Blues Man Zach Person is pretty much scorching the earth with his new single, “Can’t Stop Running.”

To top things off, The Screaming Cheetah’s spend some time in the record store on the Punk, Rock, and Soul “We Are The Ones (We’ve Been Waiting For).”

And, if all of that is not enough, here are five groovy albums we are all going mobile with this week.

Midland – The Sonic Ranch

When a band like Midland transcends its influences and embraces the sound and the fury of a specific musical moment in time as holistically as they do on their new record, The Sonic Ranch, it is a supreme pleasure to spend some time in the way-back machine that they provide. ’80s George Strait Country is the Joie-de-vie here most notably on “Champagne For The Pain” along with “Worn Out Boots.” The vibe drifts back to Lefty Frizell honky-tonk on “Texas is the Last Stop” and the opener “Fourteen Gears” harkens back to the ’70s trucking tunes.

This is a lose yourself in nostalgia record in all the best of ways.

Black 47 – After Hours

Although no longer together as a proper band Larry Kirwan and Black 47 have produced a Celtic-crisp tribute set of reworked songs from the back catalog. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of their eponymous first album, here a shamrock full of iconic Irish artists including Celtic Cross, The Gobshites, Pat McGuire, and Martin Furey join in on the fun.

If you can mention CBGB’s and still pull off a proper folk ballad, the feat is certainly accomplished on the opener “40 Shades of Blue,” a song that features Katerine Fee and her legendary N.Y. 7 piece band Celtic Cross. And, the New York-centric songs “Sleep Tight In New York City” and “Rockin The Bronx” weaves that bridge between The Emerald Isle and The Big Apple quite nicely.

Austin Meade – Black Sheep

Refreshingly cool Rock and Roll having been raised on Judas Priest, Whitesnake, and other like-minded rockers of the Day, Austin Meade’s new record, Black Sheep, delivers a sonic palate rock-centric songs including “Deja Vue,” a song that has a 90’s rock vibe, and the Blues-Boogie of an opener “Dopamine Drop” that is as varied as it is cool.

Part Pearl Jam, some Black Sabbath with a bit of Outlaw Country thrown in for good measure, this record should be on your bucket list when it comes to finding that next great rock and roll artist to add to your collection.

Andrew Farris – Andrew Farris

Best known as the keyboardist and the main songwriter for INXS, Andrew Farris is finding his own voice on his eponymous debut release of all-original material. Having written songs we all know including “Original Sin,” “What You Need,” and “New Sensation” and largely idle since 2012, now he takes on the mantle of frontman on a solid set of pop-centric mostly Americana based gems. The atmospheric opener “Bounty Hunter-Hummingbird” sets the mood and “Come Midnight” could have easily been an INXS song back in the day.

“Run Baby Run” sounds like a Dave Alvin run for the border epic, and “Drifting” is as good of a song as has been released in 2021. A nicely varied listen recorded between Nashville and Australia there is a certain sense that there is a lot more to come from an artist that is ready to make himself known in his own right.

Middle Kids – Today We’re The Greatest

A sterling combination of Folk and Synth-Pop, with their new record Today We’re The Greatest, Middle Kids and Hannah Joy deliver a thoughtfully optimistic set of songs that pull from the singer’s experiences before, during, and just after her recent pregnancy. A bed of warm synths is the order of the day here that brings forth a certain air of optimism to the proceedings. The lush “Golden Star” is a highlight along with the Breeders influenced “Some People Stay In Our Hearts.” I Don’t Care” could have been on a Pixie’s album.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (03/12/21)

As we careen toward summer and massage our ears to get them ready for a veritable slew of new records to be released, in short order, there are a few choice nuggets sitting on our doorstep to savor this week.

There are 8 million stories in the Naked City, “Charyse” is just one of them so says Adam Weiner in discussing the song and video from the 2020 Low Cut Connie release, Private Lives.

The revamped ’70s Glamster Band Sweet is resurfacing with the release of “Set Me Free” from their upcoming new record Isolation Boulevard, a tribute to the 1974 album Desolation Boulevard. The single, with a bit more of a metallic edge, features Cats in Space singer Paul Manzi lending his immense pipes to the re-formed band.

And, one-man-band Jonathon Sabiston operating under the name Wild Spelks delivers a surprisingly cool Weezer meets Teenage Fanclub sounding slice of melodic Alt-Rock heaven with the release of “Dreamer.”

Here are five more records that are vibrating through the halls of Rock is the new Roll this week.

Peter Case – The Midnight Broadcast

A name you might know from his great Power Power band The Plimsouls and their iconic ear-worm of a song “A Million Miles Away,” Peter Case is back with a new solo record that that shows that Case is no one-trick Pop pony, but rather a Springsteen level songwriter of the highest order. The opener “Just Hanging On,” a song that he wrote on the piano in a church when he was 15, would have fit in quite nicely on Darkness on the Edge of Town,” and “Captain Stormalong” is a delicate and hushed tune meant to evoke the spirit of driving through the American night with the radio down.

There is a lot to savor here including the ethereal “Farewell to the Gold” as well as a rendition of Dylan’s “Early Roman Kings.” “Oh, The Morning/President Kennedy” is a revelation and could have been a Leon Russell song.

Israel Nash – Topaz

Recorded in isolation is his newly-built Quonset hut recording studio in Texas, Israel Nash, with Topaz, has created a swirling, subdued blend of Soul-Folk goodness with a touch of Muscle Shoals backing smoothness thrown in for good measure.

Co-produced with Adrian Quesada of the Soul-Rock combo Black Pumas every song on this album is designed to take you on an escapist head trip that falls somewhere between The Black Pumas, fuzzy era Neil Young, and Father John Misty.

Light one up put on a good pair of headphones and groove baby groove.

Blue Water Highway – Paper Airplanes

New Age Americana band Blue Water Highway walk that delicate line between Country and Pop with a glorious dexterity that draws from their background growing up in the Texas Coastal area where they call Lake Jackson home.

With three-part harmonies that can melt butter, on their third proper record, the songwriting has stepped up several notches most notably on the title track where the trials of taking things to the next level during a pandemic are mused upon, and on “Me and the Electric Man” where a son pays tribute to his hard-working father.

This band and this record will separate themselves from the listening pack with successive listens.

Lake Street Dive – Obviously

Make no mistake about it, Boston’s Lake Street Dive has developed their Adult Contemporary Pop sheen to glistening perfection, if it’s not broken don’t fix it. And, they certainly don’t mess with the formula on Obviously a pleasant album that would have played quite nicely as a Christmas gift for your music-loving mother a few months back.

The songs are a cool blend of Vintage Soul and Burt Bacharach Pop with “Same Old News” a ’70s inspired gem bringing forth the spirit of Roberta Flack and Danny Hathaway, and “Anymore” a tune that could have been an “Easy Lover” era love ballad from back in the day.

No surprises are rendered here, but if we don’t have Carly Simon or The Carpenters to hit-up our ears at least we have Lake Street Dive.

Andra Day – The United States vs. Billie Holiday

After originally having turned down the role of Billie Holiday fate intervened and Andra Day who two took her stage-performer name in honor of Lady Day, the nickname for Billie Holiday, after never having acted before finally acquiesced and accepted the role of a lifetime.

Vocally here Day is more than up for the challenge and her rendition of the groundbreaking “Strange Fruit” certainly will hold up as one of the best contemporary versions of the civil rights anthem, and the song that Diana Ross made famous, “Lady Sings the Blues,” is delivered with the perfect sense of fragility that certainly makes a believer out of the listener.

Ultimately, the best deliverable on this sweetheart of a record is the arrangements and contemporary production techniques that have been employed to bring to life the songs that have previously never been delivered to our ears with the love, fidelity, and sonic goodness that was long overdue for masterworks of this caliber. That buzz you are hearing is from the Oscar committee slam-dunking this one for best movie soundtrack with Soul as the runner-up.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Morsels We Are Listening To

There is a lot going on this week on the music front, here are five particularly choice ear-nuggets we are listening to here at Rock is the New Roll.

Van Morrison – Latest Record Project

Ming news for all of the right reasons this time, Van Morrison will releasing Latest Record Volume 1, an album of fresh blue-eyed soul with a bit of blues thrown in for good measure.

Jimbo Mathus and Andrew Bird – Burn the Honky Tonk

Jimbo Mathus and Andrew bird combine their creative juices on this mournful late-night Honky Tonk crawler.

When Rivers Meet – Walking On The Wire

The latest Blues Rock video from their highly excellent We Fly Free album released last year. The sound will bring to mind Whitehorse or Larkin Poe.

Jim Capaldi – Short Cut Draw Blood

As the drummer, co-founder, and writing partner for Traffic having co-written “Paper Sun” and “Dear Mr. Fantasy” as well as many others, Jim Capaldi’s third solo record, Short Cut Draw Blood, has been given the reissue and re-release treatment. This one was Capaldi’s third solo recorded and first after the breakup of Traffic, the record yielded two top 30 singles in “It’s All Up To You” as well as a pretty pedestrian cover of “Love Hurts.” With contributions from Steve Winwood, Chris Spedding along with the Muscle Shoals rhythm section, time will be well spent with this one.

Tony Joe White – Boot Money

Scheduled to be released by Easy Eye Sound later in the year, a set of never heard the light of day songs will be included on the album Smoke From The Chimney. With Dan Auerbach twirling the knobs on this one early placement on your radar is certainly warranted.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (March 5, 2021)

As we hopefully are only months away from real live music becoming a thing again and musicians actually being able to make a fair living, there seems to be a burst of energy in the air taking shape with a lot of interesting notes in the air.

’70s style blues rockers Dirty Honey are teasing our ear lobes once again with a new single video “California Dreamin’.” No, not that song that you have in your head right now, but it’s still a cool rockin’ toon.

The semi-outlaw country artist Travis Tritt takes us back to those halcyon days when you could smoke in a bar with “Smoke In A Bar” his first original song released since way back 2013.

And, the band Wolf Alice shares their freshly minted new single on Later…With Jools Holland.

Here are 5 cool new morsels our ears are wrapping themselves around this week.

Kings of Leon – When You See Yourself

Reuniting with their old producer Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Coldplay), the Kings of Leon are back with their driving crescendo-driven rock and roll gloriousness. “The Bandit” is the royal ones at their finest starting slow and building up a head of steam pacing the listener into an atmospheric finish. And, with “Time In Disguise” things are slowed down until tempo picks up careening the works into a wholly satisfying finish. The is no reinventing the Leon wheel here as the Followill brothers and cousin stick to the same experimental rock template they have been laying down for almost two decades now, but what they do, they do very well and fans will be pleased to have the band back in fine form.

Painted Shrines – Heaven and Holy

If there is anything good to come out of a global pandemic it’s the fact that artists have been able to collaboratively come together to combine their musical superpowers to come up with entirely new and different soundscapes than we may be used to from their individual projects. Here, Jeremy Earl from the Indie Folk Band Woods and Glenn Donaldson who is known for his work with the psychedelic band Skygreen Leopards come together forming the group Painted Shrines. Recorded over the course of one week the songs are loose, brightly energetic, and highly addictive.

“Panoramic” is a Jangle Pop instrumental gem with a bit of a Big Star influence, the song “Gone” highlights Earls falsetto voice that we have become accustomed to with his work from Woods, and the opener “Saturates the Eye” celebrates the Bydsian glory of Donaldson’s 12 string guitar.

This is a relaxed listen that will yield benefits with rotational spins.

The Gold Needles – What’s Tomorrow Ever Done For You

Once your ears regain their sensibilities and get over the shock of listening to the opening title track on this one, a song that brings to the minds-ear what The Grass Roots would have sounded like if they were a Country Band, and on the Moody Blues evoking “I Get The Pressure” there is a realization that sets in that record is a must check out album of the highest order.

With their cover version of the Hollies “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” the U.K. band does indeed make the song their own coming close to matching the original, and with “Dead Man’s Hand” their rock credentials are presented at the door in fine fashion on a song that could have been written by Buck Dharma and Blue Oyster Cult.

Every song’s a winner here, that’s for sure, and if you still are not a believer give the Pink Floyd-inspired wonderment of “Realm of the Black Dog” a spin. This one is an exciting Retro-Future record that will be getting many spins at Rock is the New Roll H.Q…

Mason Hill – Against The Wall

For the rockers in the house, the new banger from Glasgow’s own Mason Hill may be up your street. Strong, powerful riffs accompanied by anthemic vocals most notably on “No Regrets” and the title track “Against the Wall,” there is a melody to the rock and roll here that sets the band apart and makes this record a must-listen for those that seek a bit of over-amped energy in their lives.

Benjamin Biolay – Grand Prix

Most definitely from the “and now comes something completely different category” comes Grand Prix, the latest record from French artist Benjamin Biolay. Citing influences the likes of The Smiths, New Order, and The Strokes, Biolay weaves textures of Kraut Rock, Post Punk, Electronica, Euro-Disco, Brit Rock, and Chanson into a blend that is distinctly cool.

Being French, of course, he has an affinity for beautiful women, and here his sirens of choice are ex-wife Chiara Mastroianni, former love Keren Ann, and current girlfriend actress Anais Demoustier all lend a helping background vocal here. The small band and slinky synthesizers used on this record set down a groove you won’t need to be a hipster or even French to enjoy.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (February 26, 2021)

The musical world is stabilizing and we are getting a good perspective as to how things are going to look on the musical front. And, the future is so bright not only do we need to wear shades but we will need to grow another set of ears to be able to capture all of the sweet music that will be coming our way.

There is a double dose of First Aid Kit news as not only did they announce a new album to be released in March, they are also accepting pre-orders for the recording of their Who By Fire? set from 2017 where they performed a night of Leonard Cohen covers.

We’ve got our eyes, and most importantly our ears, set on Tara Who? a drummer guitar duo that delivers a Blues-Swagger blend of Punk, Grunge, and Ramones style earth-scorching manic depression.

And, another new find to Rock is the New Roll is the Naked Gypsy Queens. Picture Led Zeppelin meets MC-5 throwing a house party in Lynyrd Skynyrd’s studio shack in the backwoods and you will have a sense of the Rock and Roll that these Tennessee lads are throwing down.

And, on top of all of that here are five new records that our ears are hip to this week.

Alice Cooper – Detroit Stories

From the opening bell, listening to Alice Cooper’s vocal kick in, all is right in the Rock and Roll world. Alice is in fine Schools Out era voice. His band sounds like a real ’70s Rock band despite having to use some studio wizardry since it was not practical for everyone to get in the studio together at the same time. And above all else, Alice and producer Bob Ezrin deliver a fitting tribute to Detroit, a city that embraced Alice Cooper and his band as one of their own way back in the day.

Song by song there is some association with the Detroit scene whether it be having Detroit stalwarts, Mark Farner, from Grand Funk playing on the record, including a song written by MC-5’s Wayne Kramer, or covering a song by Michigan Glamsters Outrageous Cherry. And, it all works quite well.

The Velvet’s “Rock and Roll” is delivered front and center changing the location of the radio station from New York to Detroit with energy that should be coming from a much Younger Alice Cooper, but he’s still got it. “Go Man Go” is a Replacements style romp, and on “Detroit City 2021” Alice name-checks Detroit musical icons Suzi Quatro, Iggy Pop, MC=5, Ted Nugent, and Bob Seger. A fun bast back to the past on a record that is full of them.

Willie Nelson – That’s Life

Full disclosure, here at Rock is the New Roll we are not fans of our musical heroes covering the standards, realizing fully that Rod Stewart pretty much ruined the genre for everyone involved including Van Morrison and Bob Dylan. A big but and however is appropriate here as we are making an exclusive exception for Willie Nelson. Every new record the red-headed stranger puts out should be cherished and savored as it might be his last.

Not much to see here on this set of tunes made famous by Frank Sinatra. That’s not to say that the performances were mailed in, quite the contrary. Willie is in fine albeit a bit overproduced voice here and if you didn’t know when this record was released you could not tell whether it was made in 1983 or 2021. All of the above said this album is a pleasant listen. The duet with Diana Krall on “I Won’t Dance” is elegant and “In The Wee Small Hours” is effective and listenable. Thankfully, “My Way” was not re-hashed on this set.

Charley Crockett – 10 for Slim: Crockett Sings James Hand

Country Crooner Chaley Crocket is nothing short of prolific having released 7 records in 4 years, and every one of them seems to pass up the last in quality, heartfelt empathy, and tear in your beer pathos. This time out he pays tribute to the recently passed away Honky Tonk legend James Hand with a set of ten songs that run the spectrum from straight-up barroom laments on “In The Corner” where he stands at a table in the corner by the jukebox, to the introspective “So Do I,” all the way to the closing “Slim’s Lament” where we get the measure of two men, James Hand and Charley Crockett that will now be linked in perpetuity with the release of this record that should be in heavy rotation at a table in the corner on your own personal jukebox.

Curtis Salgado – Damage Control

A mainstay on the Blues Rock scene, Curtis Salgado’s oeuvre lays down like some sort of devil hybrid of Delbert McClinton and B.B. King, with his latest, Damage Control, delivering a set of life well-lived songs coming from the perspective of a weary road warrior. “What Did Me In Did Me Well” throws down his harmonica chops that would make Stevie Wonder take notice, the opener, “The Longer That I Live” espouses the sensible theory that the longer you live the older you want to get, and the lower and slower title track “Damage Contol” has a bit of Steely Dan savoir-faire about it. There is even a flavor Cajun bayou-noir on “Truth Be Told.” Curtis Dalgado is a nice new find for those of you that like Bonnie Raitt, Tab Benoit, and Delbert McClinton.

Sara Petite – Rare Bird

Six studio albums in, Sara Petite with her latest Rare Bird has hit her stride and released the best record of her career. Combining Americana, Bakersfield-dirt soul, and Honky Tonk Saturday night. A solid melding of Tanya Tucker and Lydia Loveless, this one has all the making of a career-making effort putting Petite in the Kacey Musgrave or Margo price status of Country crossover stars.

The opener, “Feeling Like an Angel” is a strong bit of songwriting that brings to mind Lucinda Williams, “Crash Boom Bang” would have fit in quite nicely on a Wanda Jackson record back in the day, and “Floating with the Angels” is a good old honky-tonk waltz in the making. This one is a diverse listen that will reward frequent dips back into the Rare Bird well.

Five Cool Ones: There’s Power in the Pop (Five Power Pop Nuggets From 2020)

There is definitely power in the pop these days and with artists like Weezer and Matthew Sweet representing the best in Jangle Pop and Roll as well a wealth of lesser-known artists bubbling just under the surface. Here are five fresh faces that are ticking our ears and jangling our souls.

Brian Bringelson/Gabe Dulek – Desperate Days

Known mostly for his work with posters Anchor and Bear, his latest solo effort, Desperate Days represents a master class in how to make music that may share the DNA of those ’60s Sunshine Pop bands or the ’80s Brit-Pop wave while at the same time making a record that is fresh and alive. Here, the mid-era Beach Boys are well represented on a set of songs where the vocals and the arrangements play together like waves under a surfboard.

Rick Hromadka – Better Days

A member of the L.A. Power Pop underground Rick Hromadka has 9 previous solo albums under his belt and you know he knows his way around the mixing board as the current “in-house” sound mixer at Dreamworks Animation. On his latest record, Better Days, with a sound that marshalls The Beach Boys with Jellyfish and The Raspberries, there is a surprising marshmallow of a nugget around every groove.

The Well Wishers – Shelf Life

Essentially a Jeff Shelton solo effort with a few solo guitar guest spots thrown in for good measure, Shelf Life is a fully realized record that would make Brendan Benson and Mattew Sweet proud. There are hints of R.E.M in “We Grow Up” a bit of Greg Kihn permeating on the pulsating “All The Same” and some really cool Western-Noir Buddy Holly on “Holidays Await.” This is a refreshing listen that deserves multiple listens.

Palmyra Delran And The Doppel Gang

As one of the hosts on Little Steven’s Underground radio station Palmyra Delran knows her way around a cool retro tune and with her double-sided single release of “Lucky In Love,” a song that shares some pillow talk with “Then He Kissed Me” and “Who’s Been Sleeping Here,” an old Darts tune come vibrantly to Girl Group life, she stretches her Power Pop muscle.

Dana Countryman – Come Into My Studio

If “Somebody’s Baby” is your go-to Jackson Browne song then the ’70s semi-Yacht Rock influence of Dana Countryman’s Come Into My Studio will certainly be your jam. The title track that could have been a whimsical Harry Nilsson ditty will set the retro mood that is cemented with the Elvis Costello/Burt Bacharach sounding “Every Time You Break My Heart” and driven home courtesy of the Phil Spector grandeur of “Ecstasy.” The Carpenters even make a guest appearance on “Whenever We Walk By” a duet with Dana’s wife Tricia Countryman.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (February 19, 2020)

As the weather turns cold things are heating up here in the offices of Rock is the New Roll. Robin Thicke is back and nobody cares, Real Rock and Roll is better represented than ever with Whitesnake releasing the third record in their Love, Rock, Blues anthology series.

The mighty Kings of Leon are in fine form getting ready for the release of their new record as demonstrated here on Later…With Jools Holland.

And, the great Moon Taxi is out with a life-affirming new video for their recently released new single “Say.”

Here are five new albums that should be ticking your earlobes this week.

The Hold Steady – Open Door Policy

After returning to action in 2019 and now returning in relatively short order with their latest, Open Door Policy, the cinemascope aural landscapes the band is famous for are front and center from the opening bell with the opening salvo of “The Feelers,” a story-noir song that will drag you into a world of wheelers dealers and faith healers. The streets and alleyways Craig Finn leads us through don’t necessarily interconnect with one another, but rather they stand alone brilliantly as self-portraits and short stories.

As per usual the spirit of Springsteen is summoned both with Finn’s vocal style as well as the songwriting most notably on “Lanyards” where the opening line “When you’re stuck out in the middle you just figure that there’s something you’re missing” would have been well placed on Darkness On The Edge Of Town. Like any great short story collection, the tomes presented here will allow you to fill in between the lines using your imagination to bring the characters and the scenes to life whether you are hanging out backstage with the horn inflected “Hanover Camera” or Having an “Unpleasant Breakfast” while you are walking down to the waters edge watching seagulls eat cigarettes.

Joanna Connor – 4801 South Indiana Avenue

With 14 records now under her belt, it is ear-boggling that if you are like us, her latest, 4801 South Indiana Avenue is the first exposure you may be having to an artist that just might be the reigning queen of Chicago Blues sitting on the throne right there next to King Buddy Guy. Co-produced in Nashville by Joe Bonammasa and Josh Smith, The album’s title was the street address of the legendary South-side bar, Theresa’s Lounge, the record is raw and unruly in all the best of ways bringing together Hound Dog Taylor and George Thorogood house-rocking aesthetics into a burn the barn down scorcher of a record.

“Destination” is a Jimmy Thackery tune that is enhanced mightily by the greasy organ playing of the great Reese Wynans, the back of the bar vocals on the belting “I Feel So Good” are glass shattering, and the slippery slide she lays down on Luther Allison’s “Bad News” is life-affirming.

If South-Side Boogie is your cup of tea then this early candidate for Blues album of the year is definitely your jam.

Hayley and The Crushers – Fun Sized

One part snarly Pop-Punk, another part Surf Rock with a sound that can be best described as poolside glitter trash, this 6 song E.P. could have easily been the set played at Erik Von Zippers’ home bar Big Daddy’s in any of the Bikini Beach movies. “Kiss Me If You Can” is pure Bangles-inspired glory, “Jacaranda” is early Suzi Quatro meets The Ramones, and “Suzi is a Headbanger” is about as close as you are going to come to a ballad on this one. Pure blissful escapism at its finest.

Hearty Har – Radio Astro

Certainly, if listen close, you will catch a bit of John Fogerty DNA here which makes perfect since two of the band members are actual Fogerty’s with brothers Shane and Tyler Fogerty leading the band, but this terrific set of Psychedelic, Classic Rock and vintage synth sounds is a stand-alone work of musical art that is already destined to hold a high ranking position once our best albums of the year are selected.

Full of slinky and hooky songs “Scream and Shout” could be the soundtrack of a new Addams Family movie and features a ’60s vintage spooky organ alongside a less hokey than it sounds bubbling cauldron, “Radio Man ’56” is Tom Petty on acid and is one of the best singles of the year so far, and the closest the boys get to choogling might be on the highly infectious “Calling You Out.”

Every song on this one is next-level cool. The dance-worthy “Get Down” is a particular highlight and “Canyon of the Banshee” is a pleasant curveball of a Western-Noir instrumental.

This one is the new leader in the clubhouse for the album of the year.

John Paul Keith – The Rhythm of the City

Inspired as he was walking the streets of Memphis and heard Al Green’s “Love and Happiness,” a song that was recorded only a few blocks away from where he was standing blasting from a car stereo, John Paul Keith set to work creating a soundscape that would embody the spirit along with the musical textures of beloved city of Memphis.

Walking that magical sweet-spot between Sun Records Blues, Stax Soul, and smooth R&B every song has Beale street soul embedded very deep in the DNA that pours out with every guitar chord, horn riff, and gospel refrain. “Love Love Love” sounds like it could have been recorded around the corner at “Sun Records,” “The Sun’s Gonna Shine Again” could have been produced by Al Green,” and ‘Ain’t Done Loving You Yet” could have been a back in the day Roy Orbison single.

If John Paul White’s goal was to capture the many sounds and textures of the City of Memphis, mission firmly accomplished.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (February 12, 2021)

The weather is getting colder and the music is getting hotter. Sure, the present-day recording methods are certainly not old-school, you don’t even have to be in the same room as your bandmates these days, but the Rock and Roll results are no less cool.

L.A. Witch is priming the pumps with “Motorcycle Boy” the new single in advance of proper record to be released later in the year.

The Treatment rocks as well as roll the earth with “Rat Race.”

And, Kings of Leon are back, and ready to roll with the release of “Echoing” they are announcing their return to form in fine fashion.

Here are five captivating new albums that are tickling our ear lobes this week.

The Pretty Reckless – Death By Rock And Roll

It is hard to believe that Taylor Momsen is now 27 years old. Four albums in with Death By Rock and Roll the Pretty Reckless singer has released her magnum opus with a stunner of a record that bears her rock and roll soul and pays tribute to a couple of people close to her that had recently passed away, Chris Cornell in 2017, and her best friend who died in a motorcycle accident.

The opener and title track “Death By Rock and Roll” has Momsen in great vocal form and maybe ultimately a contender for Rock song of the year, “Got So High” slows the vibe down to a delicate beauty, and the Halloween friendly one-two punch of “Broomsticks” and “Witches Burn” brings us back to the days of the Salem witch burnings and might be the strongest vocal in the set. This is a user-friendly album that will resonate long into the year.

Django Django – Glowing In The Dark

The jangle guitars, shimmering synths, and hints of Surf Rock all serve to give notice that even after four records of experimentation with New Wave, Psych, and Krautrock the U.K. Quartet is not ready to sit on their collective laurels as displayed with their new release, Glowing In The Dark.

There is a surprise around every corner with this record. Once you settle in with the shimmering propulsion of the opener “Spirals” the bouncy Pop-fastic bass-driven “Free From Gravity” hits you between the ears, and the title track “Glowing in the Dark” will have you hitting the dance floor.

Beth Lee – Waiting On You Tonight

After stepping away from her band and the recordings she made as Beth Lee & The Breakups, Austin-based artist Beth Lee shows that she is no one-trick Americana pony. Influenced by Nicole Atkins and Stax Soul with a healthy dose of Hope Sandoval, front-woman for Mazzy Star, her latest record produced by Chuck Prophet drummer Vincente Rodriguez jumps into ’60’s girl group on “Birthday Girl” Joan Jett rocker with “Pens and Needles” and Go-Go Girl chanteuse on the infectious “It Was Enough.” Call this an Americana record if you will. But do so at your own peril. This one is a refreshing new find that will be renting some space between your ears for quite some time.

The Barlow – Horseshoe Lounge

Not to be confused with the now-defunct Austin dive bar The Horseshoe Lounge, the joint made famous by Slaid Cleaves in his song of the same name, here, The Barlow delivers their own unique Colorado Country story-book small town anthems with a heartfelt honesty earned courtesy of thousands of road-weary miles on the road. Combining Americana, Country, and Rock with some sweet pedal steel along to way to keep things old-school, Horseshoe Lounge will remind your ears of many of the artists you hold dear including Mike & The Moonpies, The Steel Woods, and Sunny Sweeny.

The Moons – Pocket Melodies

The Paul Weller personally endorsed band, The Moons, singer Andy Croft was part of Weller’s backing band, don’t stray too far from the Modfather vibe on this, their first album after a six-year hiatus.

The touchtones are as varied as you would expect given the pedigree with influences the likes of ’60’s Garage Rock, British Invasion, Brit-Pop, along with the Weller go-to genre, Power Pop.

Every song on this one is next-level cool. “Sleep” has a Sgt. Pepper era Beatles meets The Kinks aura about it and could have been produced by George Martin himself, “Maybe I’m The Perfect Man (For You)” could have been on an early Style Council record, and the orchestral George Harrison-Esque ballad “Here I Am” might be the best song of the bunch. “Far Away” even has a bit of Doug Sahm in its DNA.

Of course, the Weller co-write here, “Tunnel of Time,” is as you would expect, brilliant. Released on their own Colorama label, this one is the leader in the clubhouse for album of the year.