Category: A Rock and a Roll

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (May 3, 2019)

img_1144During a week of comebacks of sort, Post Punk divas L7 have unleashed their terror on unsuspecting ears with a record release, Vampire Weekend is back after a 6 year absence, and even Leo Sayer feels like dancing again with a new record called Selfie. Here are 5 albums that have caught our ear this week.

Filthy Friends – Emerald Valley

Pretty Much an Indie Rock super group featuring Peter Buck, formerly of R.E.M., Scott McCaughey, and Corin Tucker taking a break from Sleater-Kinney. Emerald Valley is the second release from this collective. The songs touch lightly on the political climate of the day but don’t quite go overboard. Picture Chrissie Hynde fronting R.E.M. with the jangle tuned down a notch or two with more of a blues rock touch and you will get the general vibe of this band and this album.

The Wildhearts – Renaissance Men

Showing that you just can’t keep a good kick-ass rock and roll band down The Widhearts are back with most of the original line-up intact. Ginger Wildheart is singing as wild as ever and the entire band cranks the levels up to 11.

Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride

The shift from the right to the left coast and Los Angeles  seems to have mellowed the band without slowing them down. The Jangle Power Pop feel is still there but the songwriting seems to be more focused. There is a bit of a 70’s era Rolling Stones haze wafting through the air on a couple of these songs and the West coast Rock of the Doobie Brothers from the “Long Train Running” era shows up on “Sympathy.” We are not saying we want another 6 years to pass before we get another album, but this one was definitely worth the wait.

Bobby Oroza – This Love

Sounding much like a Motown deep cut, this soulful singer from Finland brings an old school analog sound to an album of funky low-fi arrangements thgat will mellow your soul.

Caroline Spence – Mint Condition

No giant American steps are taken here, just another solid set of mid-tempo story songs that mix rockers with some fine guitar work on the opener “What You Don’t Know” and travel songs detailing here journey to Nashville. There is more of a bit of Emmy Lou in the air on this one.

 

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (April 26, 2019)

In what might be the best release Friday of the year Bruce puts out a new single, George Benson pays tribute to Bo Diddley, Walker Lukens releases a very Adult album, and The Cranberries pay tribute to their late singer. Here are Five Cool Ones that have caught some of our ear time.

Josh Ritter – Fever Breaks

Superbly backed by Jason Isbell’s 400 Unit, this record just might be Ritter’s best yet, easily his best in several releases. Every song is a cracker with Josh easing into each song like a hand in a glove.

Nils Lofgren – Blue With Lou

The E-Street sideman has released a set of songs 5 of which were part of a collaboration dating back to the late 70’s with Lou Reed. The album has a laid back Lou Reed meets JJ Cale Vibe. “Attitude City” is pure Lou Reed. And, the title track is a love song to a hero along the lines of “Keith Don’t Go.”

Foxygen – Seeing Other People

Inching forward a bit from a 60’s and 70’s vibe to a 70’s and 80’s sound Foxygen’s Sam France and Jonathan Rado seem to be getting a lot more serious in their lives and in their music. In what might be their Rock and Roll record, “The Thing Is” shares DNA with Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart,” and “Flag At Half Mast” rolls along like Tattoo You era Rolling Stones.

BAILEN – Thrilled To Be Here

If you are a fan of the Laurel Canyon multiple harmony sound and groups like The Milk Carton Kids or the new Cactus Blossoms record then Thrilled To Be Here will be your new jam. Featuring fraternal twins Daniel and David Bailen along with their younger sister Julia , there is a First Aid Kit meets Dawes aura going on here with this impeccably produced record. There is even a dusting of Fleetwood Mac on “I Was Wrong.”

Randy Rogers Band – Hellbent

The Randy Rogers Band is Country in all the best senses of the word, still rolling with the original line-up 20 some odd years down the road. No new red dirt is broken here, just good old Texas Roadhouse Country Rock and Soul.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (April 19, 2019)

Don’t adjust your ears just because The O’Jays and Bananarama both release two albums in the same day doesn’t mean it’s 1994 all over again. Cage The Elephant also stages a welcome return, and The Cranberries release “In The End” in anticipation of their latest record. So, let’s get to it.

Dianne Coffee – Internet Arms

If Prince and David Bowie had a love child he probably would sound like Foxygen drummer Shaun Fleming and his swaggering odd ball alter ego Dianne Coffee. Mining the the same Glam Psychedelic territory that he favors with his main gig, Internet Arms feature mostly mid-tempo synth numbers with “Stuck In Your Saturday Night” a real banger, and “Like A Child Does” turning of the beats a bit on a thoughtful dance tune. This record is one to put on when you are ready to go out on a Saturday Night.

Joyous Wolf – Place In Time

All you really need to know to understand the vibe coming through from these L.A. rockers is that their first single available for public consumption was Mountains guitar epic “Mississippi Queen.” Full of riffage and swagger this one will be up for Rock Album of the year on a lot of year end lists.

Jade Bird – Jade Bird

One of the British shining stars on the Americana Folk scene, on her debut record there are soaring pop epics the likes of “Side Effects,” introspective slow burners with “My Beauty” where she sounds like Melissa Etheridge in her prime, and on the low and slow “Does Anybody Know” her songwriting talents really shine. This one will be on heavy rotation for quite a long time.

The Yawpers – Human Question

If you could only listen to artists from one single record label then Bloodshot Records should be your jam, and The Yawpers are right up there as show horses in their stable. A little more on the Rock and Roll Side than their last album, “Earn Your Heaven” will Rock your ears off and on “Dancing on My Knees” the rhythm section shows the musicianship and energy worthy of Stevie Ray’s Double Trouble.

Will Kimbrough – I Like It Down Here

When you are working with the likes of Shemekia Copeland, Mary Gauthier, and Hayes Carll just to name a few collaborators Will Kimbrough has had over the last couple of years, it is no surprise that his own career has been put on the back burner. Now, he is front and center with this great bluesy, swampy, purely honest record. This somewhat short set of 10 songs portrays an artist at the peak of his writing career.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (April 12, 2019)

The year seems to be pretty much hitting its stride with some major developments on the digital scene. The mighty Slade is now available on all of the digital and streaming platforms. More Glam all of the time is a very good thing. As far as the rock and mortar releases, it has been a crackin’ week as well. Bruce Hornsby is back, this time without his noisemakers, Norah Jones announces her welcome return and retro blue-eyed Blues belter Eli “Paper  Boy Reed” makes his triumphant return. And Yes folks, there’s more.

Big Search – Slow Fascination

If you are a fan of the Laurel Canyon Beach Boys West Coast vibe then the new record, Slow Fascination, is definitely your jam. Big search is the solo moniker for Matthew Popieluch who when he is not sitting in as a sideman for bands like Papercuts and Fools Gold is creating lush Indie Pop orchestrations. Pianos and acoustic guitars blend delightfully with blended harmonies and intricate arrangements.

Shovels and Rope – By Blood

The opening salvo on this set, “I’m Coming Out,” sets the sonic stage for this one. With a sound palette that is much more out front than their past more introspective affairs. By Blood rocks a bit more than 2017’s Busted Jukebox, Vol. 1, but no worries, the skin-tight harmonies are still front and center and the energy is satisfying.

Aaron Lewis – State I’m

Somewhat stepping through the Waylon Jennings-Noir door opened by Chris Stapelton, Cody Jinks, Jamey Johnson, and Whitey Morgan  Aaron Jennings borrows heavily from Waylon and the “Possum” George Jones on this set of Honky Tonk style tunes.

John Paul White – The Hurting Kind

Three years removed from his first post Civil Wars album, Beulah, a somewhat dark affair, John Paul White is back with an eclectic blend of Americana and Country that should go far in moving his star forward. With a voice that travels between Roy Orbison and Ray Price, this record has a classic sound with a modern feel.

Band of Skulls – Love Is All You Love

This British three-piece Rock band mixes electronic and live instruments on their fifth album. Propulsive and full of energy, “That’s My Trouble” is sexy, Cool Your Battles would be a great selection for your 2019 driving tune playlist, and “We’re Alive” has a bit of an 80’s Brit Rock tinge to it. Emma Richardson is the real star here, but the entire band shows a diversity that can be rare in the Rock and Roll world.

 

 

 

 

 

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (April 5, 2019)

It is pretty much a reboot week with Brooks and Dunn along with Mike + The Mechanics delivering some of their reimagined hits, and Country Queen Reba McEntire makes a glorious nuanced return. It’s a busy music week, so let’s get cracking.

Lee Fields – It Rains Love

Lee Fields delivers another master class of grit and Soul on this collection. More Wilson Picket or Bobby Blue Bland On this one than James Brown there is not one miss step or note that is not delivered directly from the gut.

Molly Tuttle – When You’re Ready

Comparisons to Alison Krause aside, Molly Tuttle is stepping out from her family band The Tuttles and is emerging as a star in her own right. Americana-Country kissed Pop of the highest order, Jason Isbell adds harmonies to “Million Miles,” a song originally started by Jewel and finished by Tuttle, and “Made My Mind Up” will bring to mind Kacy Musgraves.

Martha – Love Keeps Kicking

With more hooks than an episode of Greatest Catch, the band Martha explodes with intricate, melodic Indie Rock. Evoking the best of the 90’s bands, the songs on this set are all high energy guitar driven monsters.

Big Eyes – Streets of the Lost

Another on of those “Rock Is Not Dead” torch bearers that is not Greta Van Fleet. With the twin guitar attack of Kait Eldridge and Paul Ridenour you will be bathed in a the same vibe you w0uld have experienced if Joan Jett had fronted Thin Lizzy back in the day.

Sarah Bareilles – Amidst the Chaos

The T Bone Burnett production gives Sarah Bareilees’ new record a more subdued and subtle texture that we may be used to from her, but there is a certain beauty in the sparseness that helps to bring out the full measure of this strong set of songs.

 

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (March 29, 2019)

This week is getting a bit crazy. There is a new, never seen the light of day, Marvin Gaye record out. The fabulous Glam queen Suzie Quatro has a new record, and the jam bam O.A.R is representing. On top of all this, here are five records we really like.

Steve Earle – Guy

I guess when Steve Earle stood on Bob Dylan’s coffee table and proclaimed Townes Van Zant the best songwriter ever that Guy Clark must have been a close second. This collection of songs is nothing short of terrific. With his band playing just the right notes at just the right times, the song “Old Friends” with cameos from Terry Allen, Jerry Jeff Walker, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, and Jo Harvey Allen is worth the price of admission alone.

Mekons – Deserted

Their first proper set in 9 years and it is exactly what you would expect from Jon Langford and company. A solid set of songs that at sometimes will seem to go off the rails, and at other times will make you think. The songs are all smart, energetic with a bit of a political bent seeping in without coming across as too overbearing. After two spins, this one is moving into top 10 territory.

Marvin Gaye – You’re the Man

for some strange reason, this album never saw the light of day when it was originally recorded in 1972. Billed as the “Lost” album, this one was recorded between Marvin Gaye’s masterwork, “What’s Going On” and 1973’s “Let’s Get It On.” A mostly disjointed affair, which explains  why it never reached proper release standards, when you stack it against what we are exposed to on the present day music scene, it is a top of the pops effort.

George Strait – Honky Tonk Time Machine

This is a classic Country record in all the best of ways. Sure, it harkens back to the ’80s Hat-Country era of Garth Brooks and George Strait, but there is nothing wrong with that. There are high lights aplenty here including the title track, “Two More Wishes,” “Codigo,” and the escape to the beach  tune “Blue Water.”

Edwyn Collins – Badbea

Most of us are not hip to the oeuvre of Edwin Collins, but we should be. He could probably could be described in the same vein of Marshall Crenshaw and John Hiatt on the underrated scale, but after spending some time with this record you will be ready to explore his back catalog. It goes much deeper than “A Girl Like You.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Dirty Honey – Fire Away

There is a whiff of Rival Sons to these guys but Stone Temple Pilots might be a better jumping off point. Either way these guys from L.A. are poised to take their game to the next level.

Palace – Binary Music

This one floats and soars like we haven’t heard since Be Bop Deluxe was spinning their magic,

Daxx and Roxanne – Ticket To Rock

These guys can flat out rock and they won’t apologize for it. Tooth and Nail testosterone Rock and we are all that much better for it. Pretty good for four Swedish dudes now living in London.

Bad Marriage – Old School Stereo

Pure Sunset Strip vintage Rock and Roll. These guys are so legit they are opening for Tesla.

Dead Daisies – We’re An American Band

These guys absolutely slay the Grand Funk classic.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool New Releases This Week (Mar 21, 2019)

This was a week for the ladies with Ex Hex, Jenny Lewis, Emily Wells, and Lucy Rose all coming out with a new record. On the Americana front, Terry Allen is back after a long absence, and Luther Dickinson leads an all star cast on his new one Strawberry Moon. All in all, it’s a great week to be a music fan.

Jenny Lewis – On the Line

Finally, On the Line, the new record from Jenny Lewis is out and it is definitely worth the wait. With a guest turn from Beck and Ringo Starr on drums for a couple of songs how could things get any cooler. Jenny Lewis using the piano that Carole King played on Tapestry, that’s how.

Ex Hex – It’s Real

Ex Hex is Mary Timony, Betsy Wright and Laura Harris, all veterans of the Indie Rock scene over the last decade or so. Sort of a more punk version of the Pretenders, the crunching guitars and the glittering sheen that is filtered throughout the record will have you spinning back to those days when Rock and Roll was nothing but fun.

Strand of Oaks – Eraserland

Strand of Oaks is singer songwriter Tim Showalter. This, his latest album, features members of My Morning Jacket on a set of songs that will make your head swoon in all the best of ways.

Keren Ann – Bleue

Exclusively in French, Bleue, the eight record from Keren Ann is a beauty. The record is deep and captivating much in the mold of Serge Gainsbourg and Francois Hardy.

Matt Andersen – Halfway Home By Morning

This melting pot of a record has it all. Gritty Muscle Shoals Soul, Heart felt Americana, Gritty Blues and good old Country. Recorded live in Nashville in the same studio that Jerry Lee Lewis and Emmylou Harris made magic, this one is leaps and bounds better than his also excellent 2016 release Honest Man.

 

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (March 15, 2019)

As it was a pretty slow week for new releases it took a bit more research to come up with the cream of the crop. Here are five of our favorites.

Tom Russell – October in the Railroad Earth

Tom Russell is at his best when he is not sticking to a specific theme but rather lets each song stand on its own as he does here. Russell is at his storytelling best here with many high lights including “T-Bone Steak and Spanish Wine,” a song that is an early contender for song of the year, and “Highway 46” name checking Spade Cooley and Merle Haggard.

Lauren Jenkins – No Saint

Combining Pop, Country, and Americana No Saint is about as impressive a debut record as we have heard all year firmly placing Lauren Jenkins on the “Ones to Watch” list for 2019.

The Picturebooks – Hands of Time

A Blues Rock band in the mold of The Black Keys. “You Can’t Let Go” is a standout here with a stellar assist courtesy of The Pretenders Chrissie Hynde.yfd

Tesla – Shock

If your record is produced by Phil Colleen you are going to pretty much sound like Def Leppard, and that is never a bad thing.

Renée Wahl – Cut To The Bone

With a spaghetti western Quentin Tarantino vibe courtesy of her Cracker Jack band The Sworn Secrets, this one sounds like a cross between Melissa Etheridge and Nicki Bluhm.

Five Cool Ones: Five More Reasons Rock Is Not Dead

There are a lot of new bands that are worth your attention doing business in bars all across the country. Given today’s musical landscape and the amount of really hard rocking, kick-ass bands that are applying their trade it is not easy to separate the cool from the lame. Here are five more reasons that Rock is definitely alive and well.

Sons of Kong – Cold Hearted Woman

Not technically a new band, they released a smokin’ E.P. SHAG in 2016, this Wisconsin based Blues Rock band is on the brink of much more acclaim. Look for their first proper L.P. to be released sometime towards the end of 2018.

Babylon Shakes – Making A Million

Some sort of devil spawn hybrid of Sleaze, Glam, 70’s Rock and Roll and 80’s Sunset strip, these guys are thrashing their way deep into your ears with an infectious brand of Rock that you haven’t seen since Guns ‘N’ Roses ruled the world.

Liliac – Chain of Thorns

Liliac is a band of hard rocking Los Angeles based with none of them over the age of 16. And guess what, they are good. Even bordering on great. Expanding beyond their weekly appearances on the Santa Monica Pier their debut album, Chain of Thorns, was released on January 25th. Stewart Copeland heard the band and was impressed enough with drummer Abigail Cristea to take the band under his wing and help sponsor them to the next level.

Denman – Alive In Overdrive

The Nashville cats Denman are ready to take their Heavy Metal Metallica inspired vibe to the big time with their latest record, Raw Deal. Here, we have another band that has been living the dream in small bars and clubs and just maybe will hit the big time with their polished new record of pure Rock and Roll.

Massive Wagons – Tokyo

Massive Wagons with their 2018 release Full Nelson is already on our radar, but with more and more listens this band is rocketing to the top of our listening charts. From the U.K. the vibe is straight ahead Rock and Roll with strong hooks, mighty choruses, and radio friendly songs. And yes, there is cowbell.