Category: Five Cool Ones

Five Cool Ones (May 17, 2024)

Straight fire homies. This week is a cracking one for new records enhancing the wonderment as the summer is nigh.

The Hellacopters are cruising down the highway Jim Steinman and Meatloat style with their latest, “Stay With You.”

Coming to you from the bayous of Toronto, Bywater Call lays down the best swamp grooves this side of the Tedeschi Trucks band.

And if the more AOL side of Bon Jovi is your jam, the latest from Collateral is right up your street.

Collateral – Should Have Known Better

With their rock and roll toes planted firmly in the 80’s melodic rock mold, both in sound and song structure, you can bring out your inner Night Ranger with a few head banging listens of Collateral, the latest from the band collateral.

“Original Criminal” is a song that could have been written by the younger brother of Joe Eliott and Def Leppard, “Just One Of Those Days” drives down the road with a Bryan Adams bounce, and “No Place For Love” could have been a Whitesnake ballad.

This one would be on heavy MTV rotation when returning from a night of drinking and smoking and the next two hours is spent watching rock videos.

Pearlfishers – Making Tapes For Girls

Coming back after a hiatus of five years, Glasgows own Pearlfishers just might be the best band that you have never heard of.

Led by major-domo David Scott along with generally a loose collective of musicians, the template of The Pearlfishers percolates on a Power Pop bed with a Brian Wilson pillow.

“Hold Out For A Mystic” takes the stage with Tom Petty backing late-era Beatles, and “When The Sun Comes Back to the West Coast” carries the essence of R.E.M.

Put a pin in this one for the top ten consideration for album of the year.

Lenny Kravitz – Blue Elecric Light

It has been more than a fortnight that we have heard from Lenny Kravitz, in the album format, that is, but this one has certainly has been worth waiting for.

With classic “Are You Gonna Go My Way” stylings throughout, “TK-421” takes on a Prince vibe, “Human” has an 80’s SKA feel, and “Let It Ride” brings in the funk.

Lenny Kravitz has still got it and remains fresh with this Swiss Army knife gem of a release.

Slash – Orgy of the Damned

Slash has just released the best guitar god/hot lead singer rock collaboration that your ears will be blessed with hearing all year.

Eschewing the devil horns for blues riffs and rock-centric anthems, all of the pairings are first rate on this one.

The Black Crow’s Chris Robinson goes low and slow on “The Pusher,” Slash scorches the earth alongside Brian Johnson on “Killing Floor,” and the listener is taken to the Crossroads in a devil’s triangle with Slash and Gary Clark Jr.

Chris Stapleton on “Oh Well” and Beth Hart going deep into her soul with “Stormy Monday” provide some tasty icing on this well-baked cake.

Paul Weller – 66

Whichever version of Paul Weller you prefer, whether it be The Style Council, Jam, or Modfather Paul, 66, in honor of his 66th birthday, is site to check-off all of the boxes for you.

“Flying Fish” is an elegantly constructed song with a slight yacht rock feel to it, and “Rise Up Singing” could have been a righteous Motown ballad back in the day. “Soul Wandering” would have fit in brilliantly as a B-side on any Jam single, and “Jungle Queen” checks off all of the Modfather incarnations in one song.

A brilliant record from an artist that deserves more recognition than he gets. It

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (May 17, 2024)

As we are driven kicking and screaming into the heat of the summer the record release parties seem to be thinning out a bit. But, we, as always, are doing the work so you don’t have to.

Joe Bonamassa’s side-piece band Black Country Communion is bubbling up with their new single, “Enlighten” in advance of a proper record.

Carol Hodge paints with a brush of a gothic Fleetwood Mac by way of Queens of the Stone Age Cover band.

And, Isobel Campbell meanders gently into your head-space with her latest, ‘4316.”

But wait, don’t get those beach chairs out just yet. here are five new records to throw in the fire pit to bask in the glow of a friendly flame.

Caldwell – Caldwell

With just a couple of salvos into track number one “No Flowers Today“ and on to “Love Confession” you will be kidnapped and will find yourself aboard a pirate radio ship somewhere between Austin Power’s bachelor party and a mushroom-infested evening with Donovan.

This one is a post-British invasion extravaganza that will have you reaching for those Dave Clark Five, Herman’s Hermits, and Gerry and the Pacemakers records that you have stashed in the attic.

Prisoners – Morning Star

The Prisoners are a mod-revival band from the early 80’s, and by the listen of things, with their latest Morning Star, they haven’t missed a beat in the intervening years.

With the Booker T Jones vibe of “Save Me” and the Badfinger influences shining through on “Morning Star,” the mod father time machine is tuned up, all systems go with the cool setting cranked up to high.

Kings Of Leon – Can We Please Have Fun

The Kings Of Leon, twenty years in now, are one of those rare bands that have been able to maintain the core joie de vie of their soul center while, at the same time keeping the arrow trending towards hip, relevant, and cool.

From the opener, “Ballerina Radio” from their latest effort, Can We Please Have Fun a song that envelopes you in the night swimming atmosphere that we have come to know and love from this band.

With the ripped from the headlines lyric, “There’s a war outside, we should all get high, as Caleb Followill recommends on “Nowhere To Run, and the apocalyptic energy of “Nothing To To,” yesterdays darlings have become today’s prophets.

Little Feat – Sam’s Please

While Little Feat has always been entrenched in the deep blues, a cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Forty-Four Blues” was included on their debut record, this is their first platter that is solely dedicated to the genre.

The opener, “Milkman” roams the back alleys like a sleazy Robert Cray love on the dark side of town tune, and “You’ll Be Mine” duck-walks across the stage drenched in a Chuck Berry riff. And, if you want some good old OG Little Feat just rest your ears on “Can’t Be Satisfied.”

With long-time conga player 74-year-old Sam Clayton handling the vocals, once you enter Sam’s Place you might just be walking into the home of blues album of the year.

The Mavericks – Moon & Stars

One of the best singers of his generation, Raul Malo brings his band and his velvet croon back to a time and place that will remind you of those glory “Dance The Night Away” days.

“Live Close By (Visit Often”) is classic 90’s Mavericks dance fever, the title track, “Moon & Stars” has Sierra Ferrell providing an assist channeling her inner Linda Ronstadt, and Roy Orbison makes a spiritual appearance on “A Guitar And A Bottle of Wine.” “Turn Yourself Around”’ even rides a Holland-era Beach Boys wave.

This one is a wonderfully typical Maverick’s record blending Latin music, Country, Tex-Mex, Classic Pop, Big Band, and 60’s noir into one of the best top-shelf margaritas that you will ever savor.

Five Cool Ones – Five New Records Released This Week ( May 3, 2024)

A boffo couple of weeks under our musical belt. Billy Idol has released as single from the Rebel Yell Sessions.

David Gilmour is out with a perfectly Floydian release with “The Pipers Call.”

And, if that’s not all, the mighty Deep Purple is front and center blasting your ears with a new single, Portable Door.

But don’t adjust your ears, here are five more records to savor with multiple listens.

Son of Man – Gaslight

Coming from a band that has one fret in the fiery past of Classic Rock and the other in the haze of Progressive Rock, the band Son of Man rocks enough to satisfy fans of Black Sabbath while sending Whitesnakr fans into snake euphoria.

From the opener “Down” that could have been a David Coverdale vocal to the Ronnie James Dio vibe of “Stuck,” a song that could have been on any of the Rainbow records, rock and roll is definitely here to stay.

Complete with the requisite ballad, “Thanks For The Ride,” this record is one for the ages.

Charley Crockett – $10 Cowboy

The brightest Americana act to surface in the last 10 years this side of Sturgill Simpson, Charlie Crockett applies his trade just West of pre-beard Waylon and Willie, with the passion and authenticity of a bullfighter.

With $10 Cowboy, Crockett takes you into a stable of truck stop casinos, trailer home tragedies, and Austin alleys.

Combining the honky-tonk classic “Hard Luck & Circumstances,” the blues-country ramble of the title track, and the Marty Robbins adjacent closer “Midnight Cowboy,” new school, allow me to introduce you to old school on this potential Americana record of the year.

Lemon Twigs – A Dream Is All We Know

After several curated listens to 2023’s Everything Harmony it was difficult to wrap our ears around where they would take us next given the precision-pop brilliance of the FM radio arena sound delivered on the record. But, as it turns out, our fret was misguided as The Lemon Twigs have delivered a step-up progression in pure-pop brilliance.

From the opening salvo of “My Golden Years,” a song that is “Go All The Way” Raspberries morphing into Holland era Beach Boys, to the Todd Rundgren vibes of “They Dont Know How To Fall In Place” On to the Badfinger without the bad mojo mantra of “If You And I Are Not Wise,” there is nothing not to like about this record.

If your jam is Jellyfish, Hall and Oates, Badfinger, Beach Boys, Beatles, The Hollies or the Raspberries, this one demands some ear space.

Album of the year?

GospelbeacH – Wiggle Your Fingers

The L.A. band GospelbeacH is one of the few bands in business today that dream-weaves Psychedelic Pop, Rock, and Americana into a gumbo of immensely Cathy melodies that will have you walking the 60’s hipster streets of London one minute and the beaches of California the next.

“Losin’ Patience” goes down smooth like a Tom Petty tune, “I’ll Close My Eyes,” drips Neil Young, and “The Dropouts (Parts One and Too) could have written on The Replacements Let It Be roof.

Multiple listens of this one will yield multiple cool vibes.

King Congo and the Monkey Birds – That Delicious Vice

Scaling down to a trio, King Kong and the Pink Monkey Birds break down their night desert Blues Rock sound with echoing drums, fuzzy guitar, and the ambiance of a Morricone soundtrack.

Think Leonard Cohen if he fronted a proper rock band on “Wicked World,” a night at the Titty Twister with “Silver For My Sister,” and a last call, one more before another Tarantino noir instrumental to close things out after a night of music and mescal with Nick Cave and Iggy Pop.

Josh Homme and Queens of the Stoneage would definitely want a piece of this one.

Five Cool Ones – Five New Records Released This Week (April 5, 2024)

Here in the hallowed halls of Rock is the New Roll our ears are literally on fire from listening to all of the new music coming out this week.

The world has been waiting for a collaboration with Orville Peck and Willie Nelson, and the time is right here, right now with “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond Of Each Other.”

The Devo inspired coolly named Wine Lips are front and center with their single and video, “Stimulation.”

And, the goth-noir that envelopes Witch Fever captivates with this live performance of “I Reflect The Sun.”

Old 97’s – American Primitive

With that ramshackle sound that meanders somewhere between The Replacements and the Drive-By Truckers, 30 years and 14 studio albums in, Rhett Miller and the rest of the band haven’t lost their mojo. And, their latest, American Primitive blends the whimsical and the profound with equal aplomb.

The performances all have the in-studio authentic touch that could only come from a band that has been generally intact over three decades. The addition of R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey on select tracks only adds to a record that is already an embarrassment of riches.

Marcus King – Mood Swings

Should there be any doubt that Mood Swings, the latest from Americana Shape Shifter Marcus King is a break-up record, one needs only to pay attention to the song titles “Fuck Up My Life Again,”Soul, It Screams, and “Save Me” to understand that this record is a breakup record for the ages.

Mellow, reflective, and a marked departure from 2020’s El Dorado, this time around King’s soulful voice is featured front and center. The title track “Mood Swings” could have been a Motown classic, “Bipolar Love” has a Stapleton by way of Isbell feel to it, and the organ accented “Me Or Tennessee” with its church revival glow could gave been recorded at Muscle Shoals.

A more than solid effort that looks ahead to an exciting future for an artist that does things on his own terms.

Black Keys – Ohio Players

One of the consistently great bands doing business today, The Black Keys continue to play outside musical boundaries with their latest record, Ohio Players giving a nod of the chapeau to both their home state and the 70’s Funk scene in a record that integrates Rock, Soul, Funk, Blues, and dance floor groovy into a sound that us uniquely Bkack Keys.

Beck provides an able assist with a co-write on “This Is Nowhere,” the band’s deep blues roots are showing on the cover of William Bell’s “I Want To Be Your Lover” a classic slinky Soul groover, and Becks presence is consistently hovering about as he sings on seven of the songs on the record. The song “On The Game” would have been a hand-in-glove addition to any of the late era John Lennon albums.

Not their best, but a solid addition to the catalog of a band that continues surprise and delight without turning stale.

Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us

The best thing about Only God Was Above Us, the latest album from Vampire Weekend is that it sounds like Vampire Weekend. Gloriously so.

From the erratic jangle pop of “Classical” to “Connect” a song that the band the band calls psychedelic Gersheyn, there is a Pirates of the Caribbean vibe at play here with a surprise around every corner and gold dubloons hidden about waiting to be discovered.

Looking back while stepping forward, “The Surfer” is a sweeping wonderment, “Mary Boone” takes things back to their New York days with a children’s choir providing an eerie backdrop on a song about a gallery owner imprisoned for tax fraud, and the closer, “Hope” where singer Ezra Koenig finally admits, “Our Enemy’s Invincible, I had to let it go” is as life-affirming as it gets.

Don’t let your ears down. Listen to this one multiple times, it just might the album of the year.

Pernice Brothers – Who Will You Believe

Over the span of 12 songs and 40 minutes one thing is certain after several carefully curated listens of Pernice Brothers’ Who Will You Believe is that Joe Pernice is a brilliant songwriter with a keen eye for the earworm.

With the Americana ambiance of “I Don’t Need That Anymore” a song that features Neko Case, Pernice channels early-era Nick Lowe, and the anthemic “Hey, Guitar” would be a welcome addition to any 2024 Road trip playlist.

Make sure you get your tissues out when listening to the closer “The Purple Rain,” a perfect reminiscing work of art that will have you reaching out for far-flung friends.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week ( March 29, 2024)

The rock is certainly rolling this week as summer is a mere fortnight away. Beth Hart is giving us a preview of her upcoming record with “Little Heartbreak Girl.”

Painted Fiction has released “Nameless Horse” not to be confused with “A Horse With No Name.”

And, if that is not enough, Rock is the New Roll favorites The Sheepdogs are out with a new French-speaking single. In any language these are one of the best retro-rock bands in the game.

But don’t put the phone down just yet. Here are five new platters released this week that are very worthy of your ear time.

Sarah Shook and the Disarmers – Revelations

Despite the name change to River Shook (The band name stays the same) with her latest record, Revelations, Shook continues her badassery and maintains her title as the queen of the underbelly.

The title track is an ode to depression with the lyric “Hey baby I’m barely getting through each day” as a case in point, River seems particularly cranky as she declares “Mind your own damn business and keep your opinions to yourself” on “You Don’t Get To Tell Me,” and is downright pissed when it comes to “Motherfucker” and the declarative statement “You’re going to get what’s coming to you.”

Clearly, River Shook and the band has a lot to get off of their collective chests.

Mission accomplished.

Thee Sinseers – Sinseerly Yours

With a sound that combines ’60s Soul, think Leon Bridges meets Charles Bradley, and Chicano Soul in the Malo mold, the bands debut record is a soul-stunner.

The ballad “Hold On”’ could have been a Sam Cooke classic, “Talking Back” is an instrumental groover reminiscent of James Brown’s “Night Train,” and “As I Can Give” takes things low and slow on a song that could have been on any Temptations record.

One only needs to listen to the Motown Meets Latin Soul blending on “Can’t Do That To Her” to come away smitten with this record which is a shape-shifting wonder.

Scott H. Biram – The One & Only Scott H. Biram

With a DNA lineage that goes all the way back to Dale Watson, Waylon and Willie and the rest of the 70’s outlaws, with his latest almost self-titled record, Scott H. Biram has stepped up his songwriting almost to the John Prine and Shel Silverstein level.

The smoke of Willie Nelson is all over “Inside A Bar,” and “Easy Rider,” the sole cover song in the set, is pulled off with its own panache.

This one will definitely take you back to the barrooms again.

Alejandro Escovedo – Echo Dancing

For a man that follows his own musical muse to include rock, punk, Americana, and singer songwriter fare, with his new record, Echo Dancing, Alejandro Escovedo takes a stab at giving his own songbook a punk infused touch up.

Combining the more well-known tracks, “Sacramento & Polk” and “Swallows of San Juan” with the real deep cuts, “Inside This Dance” and “Wave,” the result has a cohesive feel to it with a familiarity that we have grown to love since the early days before Escovedo decamped from Austin and set up shop in Dallas.

Dent May – What’s For Breakfast

With a pleasant A.M. Radio esthetic that has a Captain and Tennille by way of Cheap Trick feel if produced by Jeff Lynne, stopping just short of yacht rock, Dent May is establishing himself as a power pop star in the making with his latest release, What’s For Breakfast.

A perfect listen for a lazy afternoon with “Coasting On Fumes” holding water for Fleetwood Mac, and “Cactus Flower” playing forward early pre Pet Sounds Beach Boys.

Take this one to the beach with you.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (March 22, 2024)

The sun is shinin’ and the beats are frying’ this week as the new releases roll along in fine fashion.

The Treatment lays down their own brand of AC/DC boogie with Let’s Wake Up This Town.

The Irish duo Dea Matrona are in perfect brooding form with their Fleetwood Mac evoking “Black Rain.”

And, Jesse Dayton is returning to his rock roots with this latest single in advance of his new record.

And if all of this awesomeness doesn’t float your boat, here are five tasty nuggets to tickle the lobes and sweeten the senses.

Ted Russell Kamp – California Sun

With his third post-pandemic release Ted Russell Kamp seems to be solidifying his position as the hardest working artist in Americana.

His latest, California Son, serves as a love letter to his native state as well as a biography of sorts. The title track lays out the story of his trek from New York to California by way of Seattle in search of his dream. Just him and his guitar in his Chevy van.

From “The Upside to the Downslide” to “Ballad of the Troubadour” the melancholy werewolf kind of life that a working musician endures is chronicled with intimate detail.

If Jim Croce grew up on the West coast he might have been Ted Russell Kamp.

Cody Jinks – Change The Game

A shining star on the independent artist scene, Cody Jinks is likely the best outlaw country artist that you have never heard of. Jinks deserves to be right up there with Chris Stapleton, Jamey Johnson, and Charley Crocket on the pantheon of present-day Country artists.

“Wasted” could have been a mid-career Merle Haggard “The Bottle Done Me Wrong” classic, and on his ode to the everyday American “Working Man,” there is more than a little George Strait timber to his voice.

If this is your first exposure to Cody Jinks, where have you been? If you are already one of the many flockers, settle in for a whiskey-soaked listen and a life-affirming experience.

Sam Morrow – On The Ride Here

Sam Morrow straddles the “Americana or Rock” ethos with the skill of a Wallenda. His whiskey-soaked smooth vocals will bring to mind Chris Stapleton, and once he starts playing you will swear that you are listening to Leon Russell sitting in Lynyrd Skynyrd.

“Medicine Man” might be the leader in the clubhouse for driving song of the year, “Thunderbird Motel” could have been a ZZ Top classic, and “High-Class Woman” is an ode to the random pick-up.

Positioned as a trilogy behind Concrete & Mud and Gettin’ By On Gettin’ Down, this one is a perfect blend of the Rock and Country worlds that should stand the test of time.

Fast Eddie – To The Stars

Rock and Roll the way it is meant to be played, loud, real, and with passion. Produced by Tuk Smith this ones combines The Strokes with a little plenty os Sunset Strip sleaze thrown in for good measure.

This tidy 8 song set includes outright rockers, case in point, the opener “Stepping Stones,” crisp anthems with “In Too Deep,” and Green day evoking bangers as evidenced by “No More Neon Nights.

Every song presented here is a sacrifice to the Rock and Roll Gods.

Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood

Katie Crutchfield, also known as Waxahatchee, is on a serious roll. Having released 6 albums over the last 10 years or so, her latest, Tigers Blood just might be her best.

With a Country-Adjacent 10,000 maniacs vibe, the overall arch of the record is a reflection of the importance of spending time around people that make you better. The porch-side banjo on “Right Back To It” with MJ Lenderman is a salve to the soul, “Burns Out At Midnight” celebrates the joy of staying home and staying sober, and “Bored” will remind you of the best of Sheryl Crow.

A solid best of 2024 topender, this one is Grammy worthy.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (March 15, 2024)

The rock continues to roll this week with plenty of prime choices. Rock is the New Roll favorite Blues Pills is out with their Fleetwood Mac meets Black Keys single, “Birthday.”

London-based rockers The Karma Effect deliver on a cloud of Foreigner with a sprinkle of Blackberry Smoke,

and, the best thing to happen to Southern Rock since Lynyrd Skynyrd is front and center with Blacktop Mojo and “As The Light Fades.”

And, on top of all that here here are five all killer no filler records released the week.

Wesley Fuller – All Fuller No Filler

With is his second proper record, Wesley Fuller announces himself with a solid set of Psych-Power Pop Aussie style.

The opener, “Back To Square One” has a definite Beatles flair, and “Jacandara” could have been a long lost Elvis Costello B-side. “The House of Love” is a boogie down banger, and “Look No Further” could have been the theme song for a 70’s sitcom.

This one is an overall feel-good record that will get your feet moving and your soul soaring with subsequent listens.

The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards

The first set of new songs since 2009’s Warpaint, their latest, Happiness Bastards has the Robinson brothers and the rest of the Crowes performing at their absolute best, so much so that several Crowe’s aficionados are calling this one their best output since The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion released in 1992.

From the Stones doppelganger opening salvo of “Bedside Manners” next to the urgent festival-ready anthem “Rats and Clowns” the message is clear, The Black Crowes, despite their absence, might be the best guitar band in the game today.

Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well

A redemptive record coming out of a divorce chronicled on 2021’s Star Crossed, with Deeper Well, Musgraves may have just painted her Masterpiece.

From the hushed Americana undertones to the next level songwriting the entire effort represents the maturation of an artist that continues to be genre defying.

Whether it’s the poignant retelling of a recently deceased friend visiting her in the form of a cardinal, and calling out getting rid of the people who are wasting your time, this record is best consumed with a single malt and a lyric sheet.

Tucker Woods – Sunshine Blues

A rock and rollover, Tucker Woods applies their trade alongside the Likes of Oasis, The Who, The Kinks and Tom Petty. And with this their sophomore release, the should be about to slip into the mainstream.

With pop-centric melodies and Americana-tinged landscapes particularly on the Oasis evoking “Somersault.” “Are You Glass” takes on the shapeshifter of a Jesse Malin single, has a Whiskeytown flair.

A in all, this is one of the most enticing roots-rock record of the year so far.

Armchair Boogie – Hard Times And Deadlines

We likely have Billy Stings to thank for our recent foray into banjo-based Americana and the New Grass phenomenon. Here, with the latest from Armchair Boogie a solid set of clever songwriting, exquisite musicianship, and old-school sawdust dancehall tunes is presented with accesible flair.

The title track is not your grandpa’s Hee Haw where all you have is a cheap old car and a bottle of gin, and “Liquor Store” goes emotionally deep in describing one too many visits to the Liquor store.

Having been dragged to this release kicking and screaming we have moved all of our chips into the middle of the table in support of Armchair Boogie and Hard Times & Deadlines.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (March 8, 2024)

The rock is beginning to roll in fine fashion as the freeze starts to thaw and summer is right around the corner. Rock is the New Roll Favorite Tuk Smith has released a freshly minted video from what his upcoming record that is certain to be a candidate for rock record of the year.

The mighty Gems have released a new video in support of their debut record, Phoenix.

And, The Quill delivers on a soundscape of Black Sabbath – Adjacent riffage.

But, that’s not all. Here are five more ear pleasing morsels to savor this week.

Sawer Brown – Desperado Troubadours

With their first proper record since 2011, Sawyer Brown, under the tutelage of Blake Shelton, is back and better than ever with Desperado Troubadours.

This time around with a bit more swagger and a lot more honky Tonk in their vibe, the band has morphed from an ‘80s love ballad band to a proper outlaw country force of nature in the blink of a decade.

From the opening driving – tune worthy “Under This Ole Hat” the stage is set, this is not your daddy’s Sawyer Brown. “Nashville Cat” is yet another ode to the music city and the closing title track is a perfect night cap to a solid effort from a band that had forgotten we missed.

Norah Jones – Visions

It seems to be ear-boggling that it has been over 20 years since Norah Jones released the stellar Come Away With Me. And now, with her L.P. Visions Jonesbhas somewhat distanced herself from her standard piano-driven love ballads having replaced them with a mix of folk, Americana, pop, and psychedelic soul vignettes.

Written and produced with collaborator Leon Michels, this 12-song cycle seems to be nostalgic while at the same time demonstrating the firm hold that Norah Jones has on her career. “Staring At The Wall” has a Jenny Lewis flair to it, “Queen of the Sea” is vintage Norah and highlights her delicate vocals, and “I Just Wanna Dance” sums up all of her emotions released with this effort quite nicely.

The Northern Belle – Bats In The Attic

The band Northern Belle is part of the growing Nordicana scene. Taking inspiration from letters she found after 60 years in her grandmothers attic, Stine Andreassen, singer and songwriter for the band, crafted the new record around transcontinental missives between her grandmother and grandfather separated during the war.

Their is a distinct cardigans and First Aid influence throughout the record and virtually every song has the misty ebb and flow of the sea with “Japanese” a highlight detailing a particular letter her seafaring grandfather wrote to her grandmother.

Nordic Americana doesn’t get much better than this.

Dion – Girlfriends

Dion is one of the few legacy acts that seems to be enriching instead of diminishing his legacy with each subsequent release. Maintaining the perfect vocal range fitting for a singer in his age bracket, his latest song set pairs him with female singers across multiple genres ranging from Country, Soul, Blues, and beyond.

Susan Tedeschi lends a fret on the opener, “Soul Voice,” Carlene Carter assists on the somber, made-for-these-times “American Hero,” and Joanne Taylor Shaw helps to scorch the earth with the closer “Just Like That.”

There is nothing not to like about this record, and that says a lot coming from an artist who has been applying his trade for this long and is still going this strong.

The Hanging Stars – On A Golden Shore

With a sound that Channels The Birds, Big Star, and The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Hanging Stars just might be your new favorite band.

Their latest single from their fifth album, On A Golden Shore, blends pedal-steel and Lou Reed guitar into a smooth Americana oasis, “Happiness Is A Bird” is Lately Canyon wonderment backed by The Beach Boys, And, the opener, “Let Me Dream Of You” takes the stage like a redux version of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

This one is an infectious joy from stem to stern.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Records Released This Week (March 1, 2024)

Rolling into the ides of March, the music is still boppin’ and the tunes are still hoppin’ as the rock continues to roll.

Indie-Poppers Automatic Shoes are out with a new single, the soaring “This Car,”

Troubadour Sierra Ferrell applies her trade somewhere South of Dolly and North of Emmylou on her new single, “Dollar Bill Bar.”

And, Joanne Shaw Taylor lays down Jeff Beck familiar, understated guitar work on the soulful blues of “A Good Goodbye.”

The Gems – Phoenix

Rising from the ashes of Thundermother, newly formed Swedish rockers The Gems combine the “Barracuda” version of Heart with a Van Halen vibe that is at once powerful and melodic.

“Domino” is a propulsive gem, “Running” would have been a banger on any of the early Van Halen records, and “Like a Phoenix” aptly describes the formation of the band when Guernica Mancini was kicked out of Thundermother and drummer Emlee Johansson along with bassist Mona Lindgren quit the band and joined The Gems.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=HdoM3cXEYk8%3Fsi%3DjBPtjdIB_6NH6p8Q

Smoking Snakes – Danger Zone

One of the cooler band names to come around in quite some time, Smoking Snakes, is a flash to the past to a time when Ratt, Dokken, and Kiss roamed the sunset strip.

Full of hair metal swagger, the opener “Soul Survivors” will transport you to Wayne and Garth’s Wayne s world couch while “Rocking To The Morning Light” will have you doing just that while reaching for your old Krokus CD’s.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=LIB2z2V-vNo%3Fsi%3DPk194plU26seXvtu

Sheer Mag – Playing Favorites

With this, their Third Man Records debut, Sheer Mag has delivered their most satisfying Rock and Roll record to date. With their deep seventies influences that run the gamut from Eddy Money, Cheap Trick, and on to Foreigner, the band stops short of being derivative while at the same time displaying their retro vibes with pea-cocking glory.

“All Lined Up” is vintage CBGB Blondie, “Don’t Come Lookin'” is The Pretenders meets early Doobie Brothers, and “Golden Hour” could easily have been a Jackson Five B-side.

Put this one on your list of the best Rock and Roll records to released so far this year.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3m1HG5EEcpY%3Fsi%3DTBInALc-FShQTMyb

Hillbilly Moon Explosion – Back In Time

Any Swiss rockabilly combo that combines Lounge, Punk, Neo-Country, Ska, and Lounge-Pop to their eclectic mix will always garner play time on the turntables at Rock is the New Roll H.Q.

Vintage Lee Hazlewood production will come to the minds-ear on “Summerlove,” “Knocked Down” is the Stray Cats stuck in Stephen King novel playing over the ending credits in a Tarrantino movie, and the ZZ Top inspired “Jet Fuel Rocket Rock deserves an immediate addition to your latest driving tunes playlist.

And, while their ska influenced cover of the Toussaint McCall classic “Nothing Takes The Place Of You,” any rendition with the lyric “I moved your picture, off my walls. And I replaced them, both large and small. And each new day, finds me so blue. Nothing, Takes the place of you” has got to be compelling, and this one is no exception.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=50D-S2jwids%3Fsi%3DHfocizU2KtirF9b5

Silveroller – At Dawn

Allow this 6 song E.P., At Dawn, to be your initiation into the rock and roll world of Silveroller. Contemporary references would be in the Rival Sons by way of Blackberry Smoke territory, but for these guys with the motto, “The Future is bright and it’s patchouli-scented” the touch stones Bad Company, The Black Crowes or the Rolling Stones would be better comparisons.

Rootsy and rollicking, if this mini record is any indication great things should be in store for this band with the kind of swagger that you just don’t find these days.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=msLN4XxtPXw%3Fsi%3D_8q3vSAUtwiKjOb2

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Records Released This Week (January 26, 2024)

The weather may be cold, but the music is hot this week as many artists are scrambling to give us a morsel of singles in advance of a proper release.

Blackberry Smoke shows that they can go mellow low and slow when they are not putting out barn stompers with “Azalea.”

Circles Around The Sun delivers on a psychic Laurel Canyon mushroom cloud with “After Sunrise.”

And, Joe Bonamassa and Peter Frampton burn the house down with their version of Humble Pie’s “Four Day Creep.”

But wait, don’t put up those winter jackets just yet. Here are five records to keep you warm this week.

Ty Segall – Three Bells

Ty Segall, renaissance man, Swiss army knife, and bell weather cow of the indie rock scene is out with Three Bells, another monstrous record by a monstrous artist.

Song after song our ears are treated to the sonic wizardry that is Ty Segall. Not known to be especially user-friendly to the ears, oftentimes bathing in a foggy haze of fuzz, this time out he delivers a one-hour set of intricate guitar chords, Jimi Hendrix-worthy riffage, and Seagall-ist production that is not only accessible, but also provides a texture to the proceedings that is both refreshing and sorely missed in today’s musical landscape.

If this record was a Jazz album it would be John Coltrane’s Giant Steps record with the melodic frenzy of “Giant Steps” morphing with the tempo-changing “Countdown.”

Impressive accomplishments, indeed.

Gurf Morlix – Melt Into You

The first thing that will hit you between the speakers is that Gurf Morlix, on his latest record, Melt Into You, sounds an awful lot like Ray Wylie Hubbard which makes perfect sense since he has been twirling the knobs for both Ray Wylie and Lucinda Wiians for the last several years.

Morlix tackles old age and lonely travels on “Melt Into You,” as well as the self-reflecting “Last Days of the Dinosaur,” wrapping things up with a sentiment all of us experience at one time or another on “A Meaningless Life.”

Stop at three shots of bourbon if you listening to this one in one sitting.

Sarah Jarosz – Polaroid Lovers

With the essence of 80’s ladies and Garth Brooks-era country, this Sarah Jarosz gem of an album covers all of the touchstones.

With her deft songwriting and classic Americana-centric vocal stylings the multi-instrumentalist, multi-Grammy winner apples her trade like a slightly less cool Jenny Lewis.

The opener, “Jealous Moon” could have been a K.T. Oslin hit from back in the day, closer “Mezcal and Lime” is a last-call woozy sort of affair, and “Runaway Train” will transport you back to a simpler era when the women ruled the country radio dial.

Katy Kirby – Blue Raspberry

With this, her sophomore record, Katy Kirby comes out strong chronicling new discoveries and first-time lesbian experiences on the exquisitely cool, Blue Raspberry.

The crystalline vocals pushed forwar in the mix means you will not need to consult a lyric sheet to ascertain the lyrics that highlight the little things women recognize in other women.

Listening to this record in total within the confines of a serious listen lends itself to a revelatory stroll in a forest of reflection as it surely does in the string-subtle “Party of the Century.”

You will be a better person for listening to this record.

The Umbrellas – Fairweather Friend

The Umbrellas, an Indie Pop band that brings to the minds-ear the classic sounds of bands like The Go-Betweens, The Bats, or even The Cranberries.

With jangle guitars and layered harmonized vocals, each song has a nostalgic feel to it that scantily varies throughout the song set. The lyrics, poetic in their simplicity, along with the alternating vocals are delivered with the honesty that should serve the band well as they continue on the path to critical acclaim and more.