Culled from Orville Peck’s Latest E.P., Stampede Vol. 1. This (sort of) cover version of “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” is one of the best on record. Granted, there haven’t been many. The rest of the record is no slouch either with collaborations from Midland, Allison Russell, and Nathaniel Ratiff.
Category: A Rock and a Roll
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.
Cover Song of the Day: DeWolff – Everyone’s A Winner
The mighty Dutch retro-rockers DeWolff deliver on a rambunctious version of the Hot Chocolate one-hit wonder classic.
Cover Song Of The Day: Slash (feat. Chris Stapleton) – Oh Well
This cover of the early Fleetwood Mac song is the second to be released from the upcoming star studded set of classic Rock and Roll covers to be released later this year.
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.
Best Songs of 2024: Total Strangers – Watermarks
“Watermarks” is the wonder-child of “Echo Park” Jimmy Petrillo and Mike Wagner, two close friends that came together in their respective home studios to create this musically-eclectic wonderment of a song.
From the opening Bootsy-worthy funk grooves to the mid-song drum sonata and mid-era Santana – era evoking guitar riffage, there is literally nothing not to like here. EPJ’s strong vocals are perfectly complemented in the professional mix making this a wonderful listen from a set of stellar musicians on this song that will be bring joy to the ears with several nuanced listens.
Stay tuned for their first proper record to be released in early April. It’s shaping up to be a banger.
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.
Rock Is The New Roll 