Category: A Rock and a Roll

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (October 4, 2024)

The Starbenders are back in all their glory with a new single and a new drummer Qi Wei.

The band Austin Gold has a rocking new record brewing.

The Hot Damn is one of the glam-static new bands on the plant and “Fizz Buzz Crash” is a banger.

But let’s not bury the lead here, there are five top notch records that have been unearthed this week.

Leon – Leon

Rising from the remnants of his last excellent record, Gold Diggers Sound, his latest self titled new album provides a glimpse into the Texas places that helped to shape Bridges musical life.

“Panther City” provides a first hand account of his early life, “Peaceful Place” seems to level sit his career and life, and “Ghetto Honeybee” could have been a Motown classic.

With much of the record record in Mexico City’s studio El Diserto this record takes the listener on a spiritual journey well worth taking.

D-A-D – Speed of Darkness

D-A-D, the abbreviation for Disney After Dark, has released their 13th record of ’70s rock glam-inspired blow-pop good times music.

The opener “God Prays To Man” roars like an AC/DC 45 inch sung by Steven Tyler slowed down to 33rpms, “The Ghost” attempts to out Bon Jovi Bon Jovi, and “Strange Train” carries a bong hit of Black Sabbath.

These Danish rockers never fail to deliver on their musical soundscape that those of a certain age and musical acumen will find to be quite fulfilling.

Bobbie Dazzle – Fandabidozi

One of the more groovy releases of the year, Bobbie Dazzle rides with the Silver Surfer on a wave of Slade, The Sweet, and T-Rex.

The opener “Lightning Fantasy” sets the table for what you can expect with slightly more amped-up Suzi Quatro vocals fast riffs, and yes, cowbell.

There is nothing square about this hip-to-be-cool record. Glam in all of the right places, sprinkles of Bowie with an ELO accent throughout, and pure excessive ‘70s over-the-topness is the order of the day.

Hayes & The Heathens – Hayes & The Heathens

Americana legend Hayes joins forces with The Band Of Heathens on a pairing that we didn’t realize that we sorely needed.

8 songs were collectively penned that range from the whimsical “Nobody Dies From Weed,” a song that reflects the bunch of guys playing hooky vibe carried on throughout the record.

This one is so loose that even the Proclaimer’s “I’m Gonna Be (5000) miles perversely works.

Kasey Chambers – Backbone

With songs mostly culled from her upcoming book, Just Don’t Be A Dickhead, her latest, “Backbone,” is a collection of stories detailing her upbringing and painting her stories of a life well lived.

The song “A Love Like Springsteen manages to name-check the Boss’ songs “Glory Days,” “I’m On Fire,” “My Hometown,” and “Dancing In The Dark” among others, while not turning into a shlock-fest, and “Silverado Girl” takes the listener on the open road of an artist that may have painted her own personal masterpiece.

Five Cool Ones – Five New Records Released This Week (September 27, 2024)

With just a few blockbusters set for release later in the year, there are still a few diamonds to be mined this week.

Dutch masters DeWolff are back with their ‘70s style organ-drenched rock with “In Love.”

The semi-stripped-down reincarnation of Dawes is prepping for an album later in the year.

And, The Darkness, one of the best new bands to come out in the last 10 years, is out with another Queen-inspired operatic wonder.

But fear not, there’s more. Here are five more pieces of dust in the wind to savor this week.

Nick Lowe – Indoor Safari

Nick Lowe along with his cronies in Los Straitjackets with Indoor Safari have crafted what is sure to be one of the cooler albums of the year. Starting with the opener “Went To A Party” the Tiki-surf noir is dialed up to 11. “Crying Inside” comes across like a long-lost Roy Orbison tune, and “Lay Ot On Me” is classic vintage Nick Lowe.

Never straying far from his sweet spot, this one sounds classically vintage and contemporary at the same time.

Sam Millar – Virtual Summer

A bit late for the peak-summer beach vibing, Virtual Summer is hands down the best summer anthem meets power ballad record of the year.

Millar himself has said that releasing these gems now will give the listener something to hold on to when winter sets in allowing them to create their own virtual summer.

Bon Jovi-adjacent highlights abound including the 80’s stolen jam “Chardonnay” and the Duran Duran vibing “Deja Vue.”

This one stands on its own merit as the best back-to-the-future record of the year.

Billy Strings – Highway Prayers

Billy Strings is quickly morphing himself into the best live performer, in any genre, on the planet. Somehow finding the time to release a proper long-player right in the middle of his hectic tour schedule.

On this one, Strings has somehow managed to channel the Americana magic of Stapelton and Sturgill while maintaining his unflinching bluegrass ethos.

A bit on the longer side, this one weighs in at about one hour and 15 minutes, the 20 original songs represented here are a great way to experience the pure musicianship of one of the best virtuosos to come around in the last several decades.

JD McPherson – Night Owls

JD McPherson is front and center with his Duane Eddy stylings on his first proper non holiday album since 2017’s Undivided Heart and Soul.

With one foot in the Rockabilly ethos and the other in vintage ‘60s surf guitar McPherson has created a deliciously eclectic wonderment of a record.

The title track carries a Cars Mantra, and the instrumental “The Phantom Lover Of New Rochelle” is an aggressive surf guitar throwback.

This one is a brilliant return for a sorely missed artist.

Pale Waves – Smitten

Buoyant exuberance, anthemic propulsion, and layered production are the touchstones of this excellent record from the Manchester-based band Pale Waves.

Led by the effervescent Heather Baron-Gracie, the band sashays their way through a solid set of arena-ready misses that bring to the minds ear The Corrs by way of Stevie Nicks.

The closer “Slow” is a slow-burn stunner from a band that seems to be reaching the peak of their powers.