Category: Five Cool Ones

Five Cool Ones: Five (More) Reasons That Rock is not Dead

Diesel Park West – Golden Mile

This Leicester band blazed on our radar way back in 1989 with their glorious debut album Shakespeare Alabama, and have never really left. On their latest record, Let It Melt, they continue to impress with their melodic riff-tastic anthems.

Quaker City Night Hawks – Suit In The Back

Formed in Forth Worth in 2012, the Quaker City Night Hawks are constantly and consistently refining their sound. On their latest self-title record they mix funky rockers with piano-led ballads. On “Suit In The Back” they look back to when they were pulled over and arrested for the possession of marijuana concentrate.

Goodbye June – Switchblade Heart

Owing a heavy debt ZZ Top and Creedence Clearwater, Breakout Nashville rockers Goodbye June, drawing on their religious upbringing, take the performance aspects of a Pentecostal revival to the Rock and Roll stage with their fiery live shows.

Flying Colors – Love Letter

A Progressive Rock supergroup channeling their inner Beatles and ELO, Mike Portnoy, Steve Morse and Neal Morse join singer Carey McPherson in a harmony drizzled dose of Sunshine Pop.

Black Stone Cherry – Me & The Devil Blues

Kentucky rockers Black Stone Cherry really drill down deep into the blues with this Robert Johnson cover from their second Blues tribute album Back to the Blues 2.

Five Cool Ones – Five New Albums Released This Week (October 18, 2019)

You know we are getting into the dog days of the year when you start getting ear bombed with new Christmas releases. With rare exceptions, most notably the Kate Bush classic 50 Words for Snow from a few years back, there is really no reason for records like Rob Halford’s Christmas album “Celestial” (released today) to exist. And, don’t darken our ears with The Jimmy Buffet entry in this years Christmas lottery with the horribly named ‘Tis the Sea Son. Since we have a soft spot for Neil Diamond we are down with his release, but no, the world doesn’t need a new Holiday record from The Oak Ridge Boys. Where is Nick Lowe when we need him. Here are five (Non Christmas) records we are grooving to this week.

White Reaper – You Deserve Love

heading towards the head of the pack on our list of 2019’s favorite records, White Reaper with their latest release hits that sweet spot between Cheap Trick and Thin Lizzy. From the opening track, “Headwind” that sounds a bit like The Killers in Glam mode, to the twin guitar attack on “Might Be Right” this is an old school Rock and Roll record for the new generation.

The Magpie Salute – High Water II

High Water II, the appropriately titled sequel to High Water I, comes so close to sounding like vintage Black Crowes it might as well be a reunion record. And no, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Heavy on rockers and blues-boogie with an occasional acoustic interlude thrown in for good measure with Rich Robinson providing the guitar riffage.  In the battle of the brothers Robinson for world domination Chris definitely has some catching up to do.

Milk Carton Kids – The Only Ones

Be ready to lay down some chill vibes with the new Milk Carton Kids Record, The Only Ones. If you could create a Frankenstein duo with one member of Simon and Garfunkel and one of the brothers Everly, the resulting spawn would give you The Milk Carton Kids. At a tidy 7 songs this one is a perfect listen for that spare half hour in an otherwise hectic day.

The Drunken Hearts – Wheels of the City

With their hardscrabble approach to Americana, The Drunken Hearts lay down an earthy blend of Bluegrass, Outlaw, and Americana that would make Jamey Johnson and Cody Jinks proud. Lead singer Andrew McConathy has a bit of Michael Stipe by way of Hootie and the Blowfish front man Darius Rucker in his voice, particularly on the title track. The band mixes rowdy anthems with broad soundscapes on a record that will capture your ears with subsequent listens.

Jimmy “Duck” Holmes – Cypress

Another stellar and eclectic release from the Nashville based Dan Auerbach studio, Easy Eye Sound, the outfit that brought you Yola, Dee White, and Shannon Shaw just to name a few. Now, with Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, we are introduced to one of the last living bluesmen. Mixing a fuller sound than you would expect, drawing in a full band that includes Marcus King on a couple of songs with just Jimmy and his guitar on others, the essence of a real Mississippi juke joint is on full display with every gutteral vocal and every greasy guitar lick.

 

 

 

Five Cool Ones: Five New Songs We Are Listening To This Week (October 11, 2019)

I am really starting to like the release patterns of bands these days. Every time you turn around one of your favorite bands is putting out a great new single for you to enjoy. Here are five new(ish) songs we are jamming to this week.

Caamp – Peach Fuzz

There is a definite folk appeal to this trio from Athens Ohio. “Peach Fuzz” is from their latest album By and By. There is a bit of a Ray Lamontagne by way of Bryan Adams on this. The summery surf guitar sheen is an addictive high.

Joseph – Fighter

From Good Luck, Kid with their debut single “fighter” all of the familial harmonies are on full display. Think ABBA meets First Aid Kit.

White Reaper – Might Be Right

In 2017 White Reaper announced that they were in it to win it with their modestly titled L.P. The Worlds Best American Band. Now, with their latest single “Might Be Right,” these boys from Louisville, Ky show some real glam and grit in advance of a new record coming out later in the year.

Brittany Howard – Stay High

With the lead-off single from her first post Alabama Shakes record, Brittany Howard lays down a record that might end up on many song lists for song of the year.

Illiterate Light – Better Than I Used To

The first single from their new self titled LP, these organic farmers turned rock stars blend soaring Indie Rock with Psychedelia and atmospheric Folk to create a sound all their own.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (October 11, 2019)

Cody Jinks – After The Fire

With each successive record he releases Cody Jinks seems to channel Chris Stapleton more and more, and that is a very good thing. Now that he is back to being independent after a brief dance with Rounder Records, Cody delivers a solid set of Outlaw Country complete with Honky Tonk blazers and mellow ballads. Jinks blends the darkness with the light with a nimble touch and his Randy Travis Meets Garth Brooks croon is wearing very well on him.

Trigger Hippy – Full Circle & Then Some

On their second incarnation of the band Amber Woodhouse replaces Joan Osborne when a female lead singer is needed as the band lays down the best Country Soul this side of Delaney and Bonnie. This one is decidedly Laurel Canyon retro in all the best of ways.

The Lilac Time – Return To Us

A lovely sort of pastoral listen, there is a meandering pedal steel that sets much of the tone on this nine song set. Slightly political in some places, the title track, written three days after the current inauguration, plays off an Obama speech, and elsewhere there is melancholy whimsey in the Country inflected “Simple Things” remembering a time with less technology.

Starcrawler – Devour You

Strawcrawler comes at you and lands right in your face like some sort of Glam Punk David Lee Roth zombie mutant released to the world. Despite this, their second long-player, being a bit less aggressive than their debut, they still manage to turn out some real fine Rocky Horror Picture Show inspired Rock and Roll.

Joseph Arthur – Come Back World

Joseph Arthur is nothing if not prolific. Despite this being his first solo project in three years, Arthur has definitely been part of the scene organically implanting himself into many musically diverse projects including Arthur Buck with Peter Buck, Fistfull of Mercy with Dhani Harrison, Ben Harper, and Jeff Ament. Here, his pals Jesse Malin, Ben Harper, and Patrick Carney join in on the fun with a spirit calming set of his most personal and powerful songs to date.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Jazz Albums Released In 2019

Here in the office halls of Rock is the New Roll we appreciate Jazz and enjoy listening to a great Jazz recording whether it be Chick Corea, Charles Brown, Herbie Mann or Oscar Peterson. With the sudden realization that we were a bit behind on listening to the Jazz albums released this year with the help of our Jazz writer Barnaby Lark we set out to right this wrong.

Cochemea – All My Relations

Cochemea has spent much of his diverse musical career as a soloist, musical director, composer, and ensemble player. Known mostly for his work with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings as a saxophone player. With his latest long player, All My Relations, he combines his roots in Jazz, Latin, Funk, and Rock into a polyrhythmic blend of indigenous and spiritual splendor.

Veronica Swift – Confessions

Having guested for Chris Botti, Wynton Marsalis, and many more, Veronica Swift is one of the sparkling new voices on the Jazz scene today. With Confessions, despite her tender age of 24 she is poised to enter the pantheon of modern day torch singers.

Camila Meza – Ambar

A bonafide triple threat Camila Meza Sings, plays exquisite guitar, and writes most of the songs on her latest release,Ambar. Singing in both her native Chilean tongue as well as English, her George Benson and Pat Methany influenced soundscapes with full orchestral accompaniment are delicately nuanced wonders.

Chick Corea, Christian McBride, Brian Blade – Trilogy 2 (Live)

This follow up to the Grammy winning 2013 album, Trilogy, that featured a collaboration between pianist Chick Corea, bass player Christian McBride, and drummer Brian Blade, All virtuoso players in their own right. Highlights abound on these live sessions, but the searing rendition of Corea’s Latin fusion opus “500 Miles High” is ear popping.

Wallace Roney – Blue Dawn – Blue Nights

With this eclectic ensemble of stellar Jazz musicians including Lenny White, who plays on four tracks here, Trumpeter Wallace Roney both leads and stands in the shadows on this set of energetic tracks. On “Why Should There Be Stars” the pin-drop of the trumpet, piano and upright bass engages the listener, and even the inclusion of Toto’s “Can’t Stop Me Now” shows that in the hands of master musicians like this, the sky is the limit.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (October 4, 2019)

The Darkness – Easter Is Cancelled

On their latest record, The Darkness, tight-pantsed heroes on a mission to save the world with the power of Rock, don’t make any apologies as they turn the proceedings up to 11 as they gloriously build on their Queen, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy foundation of glorious Glam.

Angel Olson – All Mirrors

A bit of a Swiss Army Kinife sort of artist, here, Angel Olson mostly shreds her country inflected Indie-Folk for a more lavish and expansive sound. Bolstered by a 17 piece orchestra, this record should be a master class in how to do Symphonic Pop the right way. From the title track to the moody and expansive “Impasse” your ears will take you on a journey that would make The Moody Blues proud.

Angel – Risen

Even back in the day, Legendary Glam Rock band Angel never really amounted to anything above cult status. But, as huge fans of the band, we here at Rock is the New Roll are bordering on giddy with the release of their first record in 19 years that features original members Punky Meadows and Frank Dimino. Thankfully, the band doesn’t stray far from the sound they were laying down when they were opening for Motley Crue, Poison, Van Halen, and the rest of the hair band crew back in their Sunset Strip glory days.

Old Crow Medicine Show – Live at The Ryman

Weighing in a lean 42 minutes, Old Crow Medicine Show pays tribute to the iconic palace of Country music on this joyously vivacious live set. From the opening 1-2 punch of “Tell It To Me” and “Shout Mountain Music” the template is laid down for the evening as the band weaves hee-haw nostalgia with contemporary coolness. Margo Price joins in on the fun playing Loretta Lynn to Ketch Secor’s Conway Twitty on “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man,” with Molly Tuttle and Charlie Worsham jumping on stage for the showstopping and show ending “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.”

GospelbeacH – Let It Burn

Much like he did with his former band Beachwood Sparks, with GospelbeacH, lead singer Brent Rademcker, channels Tom Petty and the Laurel Canyon sound with a Country Rock vibe that is timeless. Adding even more to the Pop credentials laid down on the highly excellent 2017 release Another Summer of Love, “Dark Angel” could have been a long lost Heartbreakers song, and even when the band goes low and slow like they do on “Get It Back” there is a cool nostalgia that can be traced back to The Long Run era Eagles. The late Neil Casal, who was a member of Beachwood Sparks, contributes searing solos throughout the record and is a bittersweet presence on an uplifting record.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released Today (September 27, 2019)

Charlie Crockett – The Valley

It has been a bit of a tough year for Charlie Crockett. Just after he finished up the recording sessions for this new record he had major heart surgery. Thankfully, all is well and he can celebrate this masterful bit of Classic Country retro goodness.

Sturgill Simpson – Sound & Fury

Full disclosure, we here at Rock is the New Roll are very divided on this new and very different incarnation of Sturgill Simpson. Here, he goes electric, turns up the amps and noise on this soundtrack to an Anime film.

Temples – Hot Motion

Going back to their roots a bit. Here, The Temples fly there Psyche flag a bit more than they have in quite a while going back to their earlier days and in so doing turn up the Jangle-Pop in fine fashion.

David Hasselhoff – Open Your Eyes

Ok, we have not lost our minds, or our ears for that matter. While we are stopping short of actually recommending this record, the guests on this album are ridiculous. Todd Rundgren, Charlie Daniels, Steve Cropper, Ministry, Flock of Seagulls, Tracii Gunns, Steve Stevens, Eliot Easton, and yes, there’s more.

Billy Strings – Home

The appropriately monikered Billy Springs can play the hell out of pretty much any string instrument. After sharing a side man stage with everybody this side of Zamfir, here, we see his talents on full display with his latest release.

Five Cool Ones: Five (More) Cool Rock Bands On Our Radar

Block Buster – Gone By Morning

These Nordic newbies are literally in their teens but carry a swagger far beyond their years.

L’Epee – Dreams

Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Antone Newcombe’s side-piece band with their new record, Diabolique, featuring the cinematic punch of chanteuse Emmanuele Seigner, lay down some 60’s noir vibes in the mid-era Velvet Underground mold.

Tiger Army – The Devil That You Don’t Know

Don’t invest a lot of listening time digging deeper into these guys and their catalog. We did, so you don’t have to. But, don’t let that stop you from cranking this particular Stray Cats on steroids tune up to 11.

Piston – Dynamite

With lyrics like “Come on, come on, feels so right, come on, come on, tonight’s the night” as the opening line on their latest record, this Def Leppard meets AC/DC barn burner doesn’t split any atoms, but it sure is fun.

Whiskey Myers – Die Rocking

It seems that after Whiskey Myers moved on from using guru Brent Cobb as their producer, on their latest self-titled album they have taken on the knob twirling themselves and their Lynyrd Skynyrd flag is flying higher than ever.

Five Cool Ones: Five More Albums Released Today (September 20, 2019)

Bruce Cockburn – Crowing Ignites

Bruce Cockburn is considered to be a National treasure, as well he should be. While this set of beautiful instrumentals won’t serve to bring him any new fans, this should serve as a calming Sunday Morning record.

Charlie Crockett – The Valley

In his distinct Western drawl Charlie Crockett channels his inner Texan with a Western Swing influenced two-stepper of an album.

Hiss Golden Messenger – Terms of Surrender

M.C. Taylor doing business as Hiss Golden Messenger has created another stunner of an album. Sparse yet tender rules the day here with more than a little social consciousness bubbling up to the surface.

Babe Rainbow – Today

Another album with strong Laurel Canyon vibes. “Morning Song” would have been a hit duet for Herbie Mann and Donovan in 1965.

Andrew Combs – Ideal Man

There is a touch of late era Beatles vibe to this latest album from Andrew Combs. “Firestarter” is a mellow wanderer with a startling sub-text, and “Born Without A Clue” is the story of a man looking in from the outside.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Songs That Rock

Weezer – The End of the Game

The new Weezer album won’t be out until May but if this new rockier version of the band is any indication it is sure to be a scorcher.

Green Day – Father of All

The new record, Father of All, is set for a February 2020 release. The sound is still Green Day but Billie Joe takes the falsetto up a notch or two on this one.

Aubrie Sellers – My Love Will Not Change (feat Steve Earle)

A bit of of a change of Rock and Roll pace for these guys, Steve Earle channels his inner Ray Wylie Hubbard on this one.

Kissin’ Dynamite – Cadillac Maniac

Somewhat cooly bizarre hybrid of Stray Cats channeling Chris Isaak, this one ping pongs between Rockabilly and Sunset Strip Rock at the blink of an ear.

Alice Cooper – East Side Story

Alice Cooper has just released, Breadcrumbs, an E.P. paying tribute to Detroit Rock and Roll bands the likes of Grand Funk and the MC-5. Here, he covers a vintage Bob Seger deep cut.