If you listen really closely to Trigger Hippy’s excellent new release Full Circle & Then Some you can catch a scent of The Black Crowes, which makes perfect sense as the Crowes stick man Steve Gorman is one of the co-founders of Trigger Hippy. Here, the ’70s Laurel Canyon vibing band led by Amber Woodhouse on vocals sound like they could have been sitting on Joni Mitchell’s couch.
The Textones, a group consisting of music lifers, has been around since the late ’70s. Led by Carla Olson, the group was influenced by Classic Rock and Country Rock of the ’60s as well as Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, giving them that perfect mixture of Heartland Rock and West coast Laurel Canyon. Formed in Austin by Olson and Karen Valentine who went on to join the Go Go’s, this is one of those groups that were very much critically acclaimed and criminally ignored. The debut album after Valentine left the band and the addition of a saxophone player, 1984’s Midnight Mission, is a Roots Rock, Stonesy lost masterpiece.
The Wild Feathers are one of our favorite Americana bands going today. Their latest single celebrates the joys of being in a band and life on the road for a touring musician.
Whoever said that the only good music comes out of Austin, the left coast, or New York, has obviously never heard of The Reconstructed, the best thing to come out of Southern Maine since the lobster. Their latest record, Great North Wind, is a melodic stunner of an album with delicious hooks, sweet vocals, and enough of a Power Pop sensibility to make Alex Chilton jealous.
The opener, “Cross Talk” is what the stork would have delivered if the parents were the Bands Crazy Horse and The Bodeans, and the title track shares some DNA with Jason Isbell and the 400 unit. “Wrapped” sounds like it could have been a R.E.M. B-side, “50 Minute Records” features next-level songwriting, and “Talking With Your Ghost” rhythmically carries a bit of a John Mellencamp torch. In “Something Came Over Me” your mind’s ear will be able to detect a bit of pre-Phil Genesis on a song that vitally demonstrates the intricate songcraft and Prince level musicianship delivered on this album.
In short, while bits, pieces, and resemblances of other great bands might be salted here and there on this record, don’t be mistaken, this album and this band is a wholly unique unicorn that should be reaching more ears.
This terrific semi-live video for his latest single might be the most fun you will have all week.
Easy Eye Sound with Dan Auerbach at the helm is by far our favorite record label in the business today. Here, is one of their more recently signed artists Americana Roots artist Kendell Marvel.
The last song on their 2011 release Nothing is Wrong “A Little Bit of Everything” tells the story about a desperate man who is about to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. As he hoists his first leg over the rail his journey is interrupted. Spoiler alert, it ends well on this gripping version of a song that should savored with multiple listens.
The theme song for the recently released documentary about the last days of Robbie Robertson and the band, this song from his latest release, Sinematic, features Citizen Cope and J.S. Ondara on backing vocals.
One of several really good songs from their latest album, Desire Path. These guys are S.F. Psychedelic, Allman Brothers by way of the Grateful Dead should you be scoring at home.
Black Star Riders – Another State of Grace
With a more than solid follow up to 2017’s album Heavy Fire, this band born from the ashes of Thin Lizzy continues to place themselves on the mount Rushmore of bands that are saving Rock and Roll. The song “Don’t Let Me Down” is a distant cousin to Lizzy’s “Dancing In The Moonlight and is worth the price of admission alone.” The title track is Thin Lizzy meets Dropkick Murphy’s.
Crystal Gayle – You Don’t Know Me
Her first new record in 16 years, Crystal Gayle goes back to her country roots covering classic country tunes the likes of “Walking After Midnight,” “Crying Time,” and “Hello Walls.” “Put it Off Tomorrow” with Tanya Tucker and Peggy Sue Wright lending their voices is a highlite. Extra credit is given for not including her mega-hit “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” on this set.
Iggy Pop – Free
These days it seems that Iggy Pop is trying to channel his inner David Bowie, and truth be told, this is a bit of a miss-step for the godfather of Punk. This record is an odd patchwork of free-form jazz, poetry, ambient sounds, and beat poet musings and it does not quite hit the mark. It seems he has lost his lust for life a bit. But, If you are an Iggy fan you have another era in his storied career to savor.
The Highwomen – The Highwomen
A somewhat hipper spin on the Highwaymen since Brandi Carlile Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby are all pretty much in the prime of their careers, unlike their semi-namesakes that were already on the other side of the hill. Here, the songwriting is crisp, the chemistry is electric, and even though this record was put together pretty quickly there is no sense that this is a one and done project.
Paul Cauthen – Room 41
His 2016 album My Gospel was a terrific record, and this one is even better. Written mostly in room 41 in artist haven that is The Belmont hotel in Dallas, Cauthen’s voice has been said to sound like all four of the Highwaymen combined.
Rock Is The New Roll 