The weather is cooling but the music is getting even hotter.
The Rolling Stones are alive and kicking better than they have in the last 10 years with the release, “Angry,” from their soon to be released record.
Relative newcomer Creed Fisher Ouija boards Merle Haggard and Alan Jackson with “This Ain’t The Hamptons.“
And, Paul Cauthen goes old school drinking song laying down “25 Tequilas.“
But, don’t call for that Uber just yet, here are five new albums to wet your music whistle.
The Bites – Squeeze
With Sunset Strip back in the day vibes emitting from every pore of their Rock and Roll soul with with their debut record, Squeeze, courtesy of Earache Records, the Bites are inviting you to a party that you don’t want to miss.
From the opening salvo of “Knockin’ On The Door” to the sleeze glam of “Pretty Boys,” a trip to the Whiskey and a late night hang with Lemmy at The Rainbow followed up by breakfast at Canter’s Deli just might be in your future.
Willie Nelson – Bluegrass
Does the world need another Willie Nelson album in general or a Bluegrass record in particular? Probably not, but we will take them while we can still get them.
Basically, Willie’s greatest hits with a banjo, “Bloody Mary Morning” seems to sparkle, and there is never a bad version of “Yesterday’s Wine.” Give this one a whirl, then cleanse the palate with Willie and Family Live.
Ashley McBride – The Devil I Know
Seeming to play the little sister role on the women in Americana scene, Ashley McBride should put her stamp on the certificate as a legitimate star with her latest, The Devil I Know.
With plenty of tear in your beer ballads to help you through your latest misery including the George Jones shadow of “Whiskey and Country Music” and the hangover lament of “6th of October“ the songwriting presented her is legitimate old school Outlaw Country.
You will be drawn in by the bouncy title track, but you will stay for the “Coldest Beer In Town.”
This one might be the Honky Tonk record of the year.
Brian Setzer – The Devil Always Collects.
The template hasn’t changed in 40 years, and if you think I’m wrong go back and listen to the Stray Cat’s Built For Speed. Otvstill holds up.
And, thankfully Brian Setzers latest, The Devil Always Collects, is raging Rockabilly coolness. Jump in the car and crank up “The Girl on The Billboard” to lose yourself in what might be the driving song of the year, and “Rock Boys Rock” is “Rev It Up And Go” on steroids.
Mitski – The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We
Ever the shapeshifter, Mitski is back with her second album in two years. Shedding her pop roots that were starting to show on her last record, Laurel Hell in favor of this more acoustically sparse orchestral approach, Mitski is proving that she is her own artist living in her own world.
From the mini-epic opener “Bug Like an Angel” all the way to “I’m Your Man” there is a spiritualness inherent in this record that will cleanse the heart and heal the soul.
Rock Is The New Roll 