A Rock and a Roll – Page 45 – Rock Is The New Roll

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (March 20,2020)

Picking’s are a bit slim this week as many artists are delaying their releases for a bit, at least until they can actually tour to play their new songs in front of their fans. That being said, current Queen frontman Adam Lambert has a new one out as does Morrissey. Even Gordon Lightfoot makes an appearance this week with his new record, Solo. Here are five nice ones we have culled for you.

Mapache – From Liberty Street

This one has so many Laurel Canyon vibes wafting all over it the record might as well have been recorded on Joni Mitchell’s couch. This, their sophomore record is a breezy harmony-ladened gem.

James Righton – The Performer

The debut solo record from The Klaxons frontman will take you back to the days of ’70s rockers Bryan Ferry and Todd Rundgren with a side order of Nick Lowe thrown in for good measure.

Mike Mattison – Afterglow

Recently, mostly known for his work in the Tedeschi Trucks band, he is the lead singer, Mike Mattison steps out on his own with a highly likable set of Americana, Rock, and Blues influenced songs.

Kelsea Ballerini – Kelsea

It seems that Kelsea Ballerini has been bubbling just under the surface of stardom for some time with this latest record, Kelsea, quite likely serving as the springboard to mainstream stardom. Having been nominated for a Grammy in 2017 for Best New Artist, be ready to hear this Pop Country star pretty much everywhere you go in 2020.

Carla Olson – Have Harmony Will Travel 2

Known for her recent collaboration with The Byrds Gene Clark, Carla Olson, this time, calls on a bevy of her famous friends to add texture and flavor to a great musical set of cover songs as well as original material. Terry Reid takes it gritty jumping in on “Scarlet Ribbons,” Timothy B. Schmit does what he does so well on “A Child’s Claim To Fame,” and don’t sleep on Carla classing this up with Percy Sledge on “Honest as Daylight.” There is something for everyone on this one with Peter Noone and Gene Clark also joining in on the fun. The spectacular “Del Gato” is worth the price of admission alone.

Five Cool Ones: Five (More) Reasons Why Rock Is Not Dead

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Rock music is back and better than ever. look no further than the Mongolian Rock band The Hu or the fact that Wishbone Ash released a new album in 2020. We are in crazy times folks, and there is no time like the present to treat our ears to Rock and Roll the way it is supposed to be played, loud and proud. Here are five new Rock and Roll bands that are making the scene.

Gorilla Riot – Peach

Besides sporting a name that is one of the more kick-ass monikers in Rock and Roll, these guys are the real deal. If you consider a five-piece Dirty Blue Rock band from Manchester with a three-prong guitar attack to be the real deal that is. And, we certainly do. Part Grunge, part MC-5, turn the volume up on these guys and feel the noise.

The Claws – No Connection

These boys represent the best of the L.A. Rock Throw-back scene. The Stonesy riffs are front and center as is the subtle yet in-your-face Nicky Hopkins piano. Just sit back and savor “Little Glimmer,” the opening track from their 2020 release No Connection and you will feel the vibe of a top album of 2020 album in the making.

Slander Tongue – Slander Tounge

The New York Dolls by way of the Stooges. These boys from Berlin spew out a massive sprawl of early ’70s Flintstone Rock with the late ’70s skinny-tie Pogo-Rock. Whatever happened before or since it doesn’t really matter.

The Night Flight Orchestra – Aeromantic

If there is such a thing, The Night Flight Orchestra is an immensely approachable Progressive Rock and Roll band. Their orchestral arrangements put those early ELO records to shame, and this band continues to push the boundaries of Classic Rock.

Buffalo Summer – Isolation Blue

Pound for pound, Isolation Blue, The new record from Buffalo Summer is one of the most anticipated records of the year. For us, anyway. Some sort of freak hybrid of Bad Company, Free and Thin Lizzy, this one has our hair on fire.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (Mar 13, 2020)

This week we come to realize that everything is simply a placeholder while we wait for the new Jason Isbell record to be released in May. Here are five choice cuts that our ears are warming up to this week.

Rookie – Rookie

From the first couple of guitar chords that jump from the speakers on “Hold On Tight” the lead-off track from the band Rookie’s self-titled debut record, you can tell that you are in for a Rock and Roll swagger sort of listen. Part Slade infested Glam, Part Greg Kihn Band with a side order of The Replacements thrown into the milkshake, this Bloodshot Records release is spectacularly delicious.

Sam Doores – Sam Doores

With a moody atmospheric vibe that could very well be the soundtrack of some hipster New Orleans dirge after-hours party, Sam Doores uses strings, vintage organs, marimbas, vibraphones, and even an autoharp to create a moody, psychedelic vibe. This eclectic record also includes a stellar guest turn from Alynda Segarra from Hurray for the Riff Raff.

Early James – Singing For My Supper

It almost seems that we are contractually required to like any record that comes from Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound record company, but we have no problem with that. From Yola, Dee Smith, on to Kendell Marvel and beyond everything that they touch seems to turn into ear-pleasing gold. And the new one from Early James, Singing For My Supper, is certainly no exception. From the opener, “Blue Pill Blues” we are treated to a semi-lengthy instrumental solo before the song turns into some sort of 70’s inspired warp zone that floats somewhere between Jefferson Airplane and Jethro Tull. As it turns out, the opener simply opens the door to the time travel portal that is fully realized with “Gone as the Ghost” and beyond.

The Mahones – Unplugged

From the had us at hello moment when we discovered that a Canadian Celtic Punk band actually existed to our first listen of their latest record, Unplugged, we are pushing all of our chips to the center of the table and are going all-in on these guys. An overnight success 30 years in the making, they were formed on St. Patricks Day (of course) in 1990 and haven’t missed a beat yet. Comparisons to the Waterboys would be an obvious touchpoint here but on songs like “The Night Train To Paris,” “Cocktail Blue,” and “Will Ya Marry Me” the Americana paintbrush that makes them different is fully realized. “Stars,” a song that features Simon Townshend, sounds like a Drive-By Truckers song, and the band’s cover of the Johnny Cash cover “Hurt” is worth the price of admission alone.

Grouplove – Healer

If there ever was a band specifically made for an outdoor festival, that band would be Grouplove. Their 90’s influenced sound is as hook-laden as an episode of Dangerous Catch and every song seems to be more arena hand waving ready than the last. The Dance Anthem “Deleter” may be the first single out of the box, but it is on the more delicately subdued tunes like “Places” where the band really shines.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (March 6, 2020)

The year is cranking right along quite nicely. Caroline Rose has moved from her Americana roots to come up with a highly excellent Pop record. Mandy Moore is taking a break from her turn on This Us Us to put out a record, and even the venerable Swamp Dogg is front and center this week. Here are five choice morsels that we like this week.

Rose Tatoo – Outlaws

We are cheating a bit here as this album is essentially a re-recording of an earlier Rose Tattoo album, but what the hell, this is Faces, Stones inspired Rose Tattoo in all its Rock and Roll glory.

Cornershop – England Is A Garden

Sure, these guy are generally thought of as a one hit wonder band with the hit single “Brimful of Asha”, but the reality is that they are a solid Rock and Roll band. With their first release in five years their British Pop sound is as bouncy and joyful as ever.

Jonathan Wilson – Dixie Blur

The hills of Laurel Canyon are well represented on Dixie Blur, the latest record from Pop artist Jonathan Wilson. From the wistful throwback vibe of “’69 Corvette” to the rollicking Bob Wills inspired “In Heaven Making Love” there is a new gem to be discovered around every turn.

Swamp Dogg – Sorry You Couldn’t Make It

The original D-O double G having held the moniker decades before Snoop Dogg, cult icon Swamp Dogg blends Country, Blues, and Soul for the most accessible record of his career. The two John Prine collaborations are really special and hearing “Don’t Take Her (She’s All I Got) sung by the guy that wrote it is truly next level.

Brandy Clark – Your Life Is A Record

Having written hits for the likes of Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, and Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark does her best work when she steps out on her own. The warm ’80s Ladies texture of this record goes down as smooth as Tennessee whiskey.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (February 28, 2020)

After a couple of hit or miss weeks, the eclectic mix of music reaching our ears this week has a little bit for everyone. The Outlaws, yes the “Green Grass and High Tides Outlaws” have a new record out that is decidedly good despite the absence of many original band members actually playing on the record, Sergio Mendez without the 66 has one out that will be a great poolside jam one the weather gets warmer, and even the famed 70’s pr0g-lite Wishbone Ash are still alive and well.

Feel free to ignore the James Taylor languid set of standards, but definitely jump on “Marathon” and “Get Off The Stage” two fantastic tunes released into the wild from Chuck Prophet that will be included on his new record set for a mid-summer release.

Here are five really good ones for your ears to peruse.

Robert Cray – That’s What I Heard

Not overly prolific in recent years, this is only his 5th set of original material since 2005, he none-the-less is still as blues-crisp and brilliant as ever. As the artist that is often hailed as the savior of Blues from commercial extinction with his album Strong Persuader in 1986, with this one he may have just done it again.

The Orielles – Disco Volador

Having released in 2018 the best album of the ’90s twenty years too late with their debut album Silver Dollar Moment, now, with their latest record, the band has quite simply outdone themselves. Bright and bouncy in all the right places there are influences of ’60s as well as ’80s girl group, Bossa Nova Jazz, Funk, and Disco all rolled into a melting pot of what is sure to be one of our best albums of the year.

Cascade Lakes – Cascade Lakes

If Scott Walker fronted The Beach Boys the band just might sound like Cascade Lakes. Indie Rock with a definite Pop sensibility this record combines wide soundscapes with intricate storytelling. The ’80s Dream Syndicate vibe is an appealing touch to a record that offers rewards with multiple listens.

The Undercover Dream Lovers – It’s All In Your Head

The Undercover Dream Lovers is the psychedelic indie rock band whose name speaks for its smooth dreamy sound. The Los Angeles, Ca based project blends vibrant synth melodies grooving bass lines accompanied by the falsetto of Matt Koenig. This one is a full absorption sort of listen.

Sunny Ozell – Overnight Lows

It stands to reason that a musician that has such diverse musical influences as Bonnie Raitt, David Byrne, and Aretha Franklin would come up with an album that brings to mind Bobbi Gentry and Dr. John in the same musical breath. A native of Reno, Ozell currently works out of Brooklyn and Los Angeles.

This record has a funky soul groove that could have easily been a number one hit in the ’60s with a Dusty Springfield meets Nancy Sinatra coolness on just about every song. With her day job as Mrs. Sir Patrick Stewart, this is an artist to keep your ears on.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released Today (February 21, 2019)

A banner day on the new release front if only for the appearance of Bethany Cosentino and Best Coast, a member of the Rock is the New Roll Rick Chick Hall of Fame.

Best Coast – Always Tomorrow

Hard to believe it has been five years since the release of their highly excellent L.P., California Nights, but this one was definitely worth waiting for. Rocking it a bit more than we are used to from this band, every song is a shimmering gem. “For The First Time” is one of the more buoyant break-up songs you might hear this year and “Everything Has Changed” has a bit of a Joan Jett “I Love Rock and Roll” vibe to It.”

Yacht Rock Revue – Hot Dads in Tight Pants

Don’t be misled, these guys are not some sort of AOR Steel Panther. They are serious musicians and are in it to win it, taking that giant leap from being essentially a Yacht Rock cover band, think Rupert Holmes “Escape” and The Little River Band,” and Toto, to writing their own similarly veined songs. These Dads are also great businessmen. They actually own and have trademarked the term Yacht Rock, so in effect, they own their own genre of music.

Greg Dulii – Random Desire

Greg Dulii made a name for himself as the frontman for The Afghan Whigs. Now, he steps out with his first record under his own name and does it in fine style. Dark and intense, Nick Cave would not be a bad comparison and according to Pitchfork “The album deftly mediates between guitar-slashing catharsis and candelabra-lit elegance.” The entire record is an atmospheric gem and it will have you returning back to the Afghan Whigs catalog for further listening.

Sonny Landreth – Blacktop Run

Recorded in a studio just south of Lafayette, Louisiana this collection of songs has the “King of Slydeco” in superb form. Whether he is ripping it up with his intricate slide guitar playing like he does on the scorching instrumental ” Lover Dance With Me,” a tune that would make a perfect soundtrack for a highway drive, or, he is showing his less laid back J.J, Cale inspired vocal prowess with “Mule” everything goes back to his roots playing with Clifton Chenier’s Red Hot Louisiana Band.

Sweet Lizzy Project – Technicolor

At first listen, you might find Sweet Lizzy Project and their debut record Technicolor somewhat difficult to wrap your ears around, but when you do it will be an enchanting moment for all involved. This five-piece hailing from Cuba was brought over to America with the sponsorship of Raul Malo and The Mavericks. After moving to Nashville the band recorded the album at Blackbird Studios.

Don’t try to pigeon hole these guys, you would find it a frustrating endeavor, and in this case, that is a very good thing. Swaying from soaring Indie Rock inflections on the title track to the more rocking “Turn Up The Radio” it makes sense that this band would have found themselves opening for Heart.

“Ain’t Nobody to Call” throws a curveball on everything with an honest to goodness cowbell and a bit of a “My Sharona Vibe.” Things get lower and slower when lead singer Lisset joins forces with The Mavericks on the lilting 80’s Country painted “The Flower’s In The Seed.” The tempo and Genre hopping inherent everywhere on this record makes Technicolor one of the best records to be released in this young year.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (February 14, 2019)

Now we’re cranking things up. A busy week on the newbie front with Huey Lewis coming out with what might be his last one, Justin Bieber is back and lame as ever, and Dave Alvin gives us a most interesting record with his new side-piece Supergroup The Third Mind causing a psychedelic stir.

Ballroom Thieves – Unlovely

Come for the lushly beautiful opening track, “Unlovely,” an early song of the year candidate that features Darlingside on back up harmony vocals, but stay for the equally excellent “Don’t Wanna Dance” and “Roll the Bones” later in the set.

Huey Lewis and the News – Weather

News flash, Weather, the first new record from The News in over 10 years sounds pretty much like the Huey Lewis we all grew up with. Sadly, this may be the swan song as Huey is rapidly losing his hearing due to Meniere’s Disease.

Polished within an inch of its Stax soul loving life, this record is more then a pleasant nostalgic listen. With the upbeat blues beat of “Hurry up Baby” and the bouncy 60’s boardwalk vibe of “Pretty Girls Everywhere” there is no doubt that these guys are going out on a very high note.

Puss N Boots – Sister

That other Country/Roots supergroup that is not Highwomen, here, we have Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and ex Grace Popper bass player Catherine Popper with their second full length record since forming in 2008. Here, there is a bit of a Western-Noir groove on pretty much every song with the expected next level harmonies complementing the typically understated vocals that Norah Jones brings to every party. If you liked the recent Case/Lang/Viers collaboration you will love this one.

Beach Bunny – Honeymoon

This Post-Pop debut record courtesy of Lili Trifilo and her four-piece Beach Bunny is a fun and bouncy romp through a garden inhabited with ABBA and Go Go’s soundtracks abounding.

Tami Nielson – Chickaboom

A full-tilt badass, Tami Nielson is some crazy rockabilly hybrid of Wanda Jackson, Shirley Bassey, and Amy Winehouse. From her foot tall bee-hive hairdo to the sass and brass bravado of her lyrics along with a voice that would make Beth Hart blush, it seems that there is a new sheriff in town.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (February 7, 2020)

You are going to be hearing this refrain for a bit, but this is the best week of the young year on the new record front. My boys Green Day from the Bay Area are front and center with a new one, and it is excellent. The Stone Temple Pilots are out with another surprisingly cool effort, and Leon Bridges and Houston Psyche Rockers Khruangbin hit you between the ears with their collaboration. Here, are five worthy candidates for more of your valuable ear-time.

The Cadillac Three – Country Fuzz

This one is already declaring itself as the party album of the year. Somewhat of a guilty pleasure listen, the debauchery inherent in just about every song will remind you of your late high school and early college years.

It has everything, from driving around in your El Camino with a long-legged girl in the passenger seat with her bare feet on the dash to an old flame coming back in town and showing up in your dive bar. If that’s not enough to wet your whistle, there are girls shaking what God gave ’em, and Happy Hour shenanigans thrown in for good measure. Color us in for the thrill ride. It’s got all the makings of a Saturday Night.

Brent Cobb – No Place Left To Leave

We jumped squarely on the Brent Cobb bandwagon with his highly excellent 2018 record, Providence Canyon. Letting you in on the secret that Brent Cobb is super-producer of-the-day Dave Cobb’s cousin, the talent apple does not fall far from the family tree. This latest record is quite simply, in a word, stunning.

Walking the Country Music tightrope between Outlaw Country, Americana Country, and Laurel Canyon Roots Rock, there is a head-spinning moment when you can’t figure out if this record was made in 1975, 1982 in the Garth and King George era, or if this was made 7 years ago with Brent and his band backing up the Black Crowes. This one has moved right up there as an album of the year candidate. And, oh yeah, there is more than a little Tom Petty going on here as well.

William Prince – Reliever

Laying our cards on the table William Prince is a new artist to our ears. Heck, even Jeremy Wren our resident Americana/Singer-Songwriter major-domo who also happens to have an office right next to mine in the halls of Rock is the New Roll had never heard of him until we received an advanced copy of this record. Hailing from Manitoba, Canada, this record, his sophomore effort, just might be a coming of age moment for this young artist.

His vibe and deep baritone are reminiscent of The White Buffalo without the annoying Sons of Anarchy tie-in. There is a delicate sparseness to this record that addresses father and son dynamics, the interplay that takes a relationship from stranger to lover, and places where real connections seem to happen. And if that is not enough, this is a Dave Cobb (See Above) produced gem.

Christopher Paul Stelling – Best of Luck

Placing this one delicately on the stereo, at first listen, the first song, “Have To Do For Now” has a dusting of Paul Simon about it, and that’s never a bad thing. Produced by Ben Harper this is a bit of a genre-defying record. The hints of Americana are sometimes washed away with the scent of folk and some good old fashioned Rock and Roll.

This finely crafted record as he comes to a crossroads with himself and music as a friend and as a person seems to meet at the intersection where folk and soul meet.

Nada Surf -Never Not Together

Having been sitting on the sidelines since 2016 Nada Surf is back, and it’s like they never left. The Jangle Pop, bouncy sound has not changed even a little bit and their writing has become more sophisticated.

The record has a 90’s Power Pop shimmer that sets a place in your ears and in your soul that is wholly pleasing. From folk confessionals to Psych Rock dream weaver goodness this is a sweet sprawling record that will soothe the soul in a time when this type of record is desperately needed.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released Today (January 31, 2020)

The year is really cranking up on the music front. Drive-By Truckers are weighing in with an important record, Kesha is back and bolder than ever, and there is even a new Def Leppard single out in the universe. Here are five choice morsels that we think deserve some of your ear time.

Drive-By Truckers- The Unraveling

One of those very rare bands that loses a key member, in this case, Jason Isbell, and continues to be a tour-de-force of a band while the departing member is equally great. With The Unravelling, sort of a sister record to 2016’s American Band, the truckers continue to put their beliefs up front and center and continue to be one of the more relevant bands on the planet. Patterson Hood and Jay Gonzalez don’t spare the ink on what might be one of the more important records in this early decade.

Thorbjorn Risage & The Black Tornado – Come On In

This outfit is 12 records in and, if you are like us, you have likely not heard of these guys until very recently. But, as Joe Cocker would say, “It’s high time we met.” With a unique brand of Blues that includes two guitars, bass, drums, a pair of saxophones, trumpets, and keyboards, the gravel voice of lead singer Thorbjorn is equal parts, J.J. Cale, Ray Charles, Billy Gibbons, and Leon Redbone.

This is an extremely eclectic listen. This Danish band mixes it up on the jaunty “Come On In,” our early candidate for song of the year along with the J.J. Cale by way of Nic Cave somewhat dark “Two Lovers.” This record kicks it with noir-ish jazz, swampy rock, sultry R&B, uptown funk, and house-rocking blues. We are three listens in with this thing and continue to be stunned.

Tre Burt – Caught It From The Rye

Only the second artist to be signed by John Prine’s Oh Boy record label if that tells you anything. Tre Burt’s distinct Lo-Fi aesthetic definitely has a Bob Dylan vibe to it that is a far stretch from this Sacramento natives days busking on the streets of San Francisco. Careful listens will yield glimpses of Van Morrison’s songcraft combined with a poets language all his own.

Smoke Fairies – Darkness Brings The Wonders Home

Deliciously dark in places with graceful harmonies in others, there is a Patti Smith by way of Annie Lennox atmosphere swirling around this entire record. By the time the closing Track “Super Tremelo” rolls around you are ready to get back to the guitar swirl by hitting the replay button.

Blackie & The Radio Kings – King of This Town

One of Canada’s leading Roots Rock Bands, sort of a north of the border version of the Bottle Rockets, this time around the band plays it pretty straight with a solid set of songs that will bring to mind, Tom Petty and John Mellencamp. “North Star” Could have been an early Tom Waits track. After several listens, we also can’t help shake the deep essence of The Bodeans.

Five Cool Ones – Five Cool New Grass Artists That We Like

Much like the bagpipe 0r an overenthusiastic tuba, while we like bluegrass music, a little of it can go a long way. There is no denying the musical mastery of a banjo and a stand-up bass when done right and consumed in the right setting, can bear ear-boggling and soul cleansing, and we are beginning to see the light. While we are not as yet fully converted, our banjo repertoire has at least advanced past the theme from Deliverance and Roy Clark on Hee Haw. And you know, after checking out some of the New-Grass bands that have emerged over the last year or so, and coming to the realization that bluegrass music goes well beyond the banjo, color us converts.

Billy Strings – Dust In A Baggie

With a moniker like Billy Strings, you had better bring the banjo and guitar goods and this up and coming artist definitely lives up to his name. Already being hailed as the future of bluegrass transcending the genre with his high-velocity picking technique. His new 2019 record, Home, is one of the best of the year, genre be damned

Molly Tuttle – Don’t Let Go

Molly Tuttle is about as gifted an acoustic and banjo player as you will find in the game today. Growing up playing in her father’s bluegrass band her flat-picking and cross-picking skills have made her a much-in-demand session player. Her 2019 Record, When You’re Ready, shows off her string virtuosity as well as her songwriting skills.

Mandolin Orange – The Wolves

There is a real intimate feel in the music that North Carolina duo of singer-songwriter Andrew Marlin and multi-instrumentalist Emily Frantz makes collectively as Mandolin Orange. There is a real Appalachian vibe on many of their songs which adds to the purity of their instrumental interplay.

Lula Wiles – Nashville Man

A real up-and-coming new band, this Boston-based folk trio made up of Isa Burke, Eleanor Buckland, and Mali Obomsawin make traditional Folk-Roots music serving it up on a plate of contemporary subject matter, millennial angst, and semi-subversive undertones. Keep your ears poised for these guys to hit the mainstream in 2020.

Old Crow Medicine Show – Wagon Wheel

Ok, we get it, Old Crow Medicine Show has been around a very long time so one would ask why we are featuring them in a piece that is bringing to light newer Bluegrass bands. You know. like the sign says, New-Grass. Well, the answer is we liked everything about their 2019 release, Live at The Ryman, and yes sad to say, this band was new to us. Everything about the album sparkles. The Darius Rucker cover of “Wagon Wheel” sparkles, their version of “CC Rider” is best played loudly, and their own song “Methamphetamine” is stellar. For us, this year, this is one of those where have you been all our loves sort of band.