Category: Americana

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released January 25, 2019

The month has been pretty crackin’ so far, and the really cool releases seem to be hitting their stride. From old timers like the Dandy Warhols and Conor Oberst and even Santana on to the relative newcomers Mike Krol and Ratboy, as Jack White would say, “It’s getting ready to get loud.”

Rival Sons – Feral Roots

Before Greta Van Fleet stole a lot of the buzz Rival Sons were the latest band that was going to save Rock and Roll. Our money is on these guys. With a lead singer that soars somewhere between Jim Morrison and Paul Rodgers and rhythm section that is Double Trouble worthy, this is the Rock and Roll record of the year. We are calling our shot now.

Trapper Schoepp – Primetime Illusion

When you listen to Trapper Schoepp for the first time you will reminisce back to the first time you heard Whiskeytown, Wilco, or The Old ’97s in their prime. Enough gloss to keep the toes tapping but just enough ramshackle to keep things interesting. The Gram Parsons comparisons might not be exactly on the mark, but not far off either. There is a bit of a replacements vibe in the mix as well.

Rosie Carney – Bare

This one goes from a really pleasant listening to stunning with multiple listens. With a voice that brings to mind the late Eva Cassidy and songs that will make you forget that she is barely 20, this one is headed to chart topping territory come the end of the year. Just let this one envelope your soul.

Better Oblivion Community Center – Better Oblivion Community Center

You probably know these guys better by their real names, Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers. Oberst’s boyish croon meets Phoebe’s anguished ethereal vocals for a listen that will bring you bake to the Bright Eyes Days. Bridgers is pretty much everywhere these days with her Boygenius record with Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker having been released only a few months ago. Coming a bit out of the blue the band announced themselves on the late show with Stephen Colbert

Santana – In Search of Mona Lisa

This beauty of an e.p. by Santana was recorded after, during a day off in the middle of a concert tour in France, the band stopped by the Louvre in Paris and Carlos was so inspired he stopped into a nearby studio and laid down 3 tracks with the band accompanying him. “Do You Remember Me,” “In Search of Mona Lisa,” and “Lovers From Another Time.” And that’s not all. Look for a new Rick Rubin produced album to be released towards the middle of the year.

 

Video of the Day: Blank Range – Radio

Yet another of the really cool bands to come out of Nashville. A Rock band with an Americana bent to their vibe, “Radio” is the first single to be released from these guys that just finished touring with Tyler Childers, Margo Price and Nicki Lane. Look for the new record, In Unison, scheduled to be released on February 1.

 

Song of the Day: The Delines Cheer Up Charley

“Cheer Up Charley” is one of the character sketches that the Delines deliver up with their latest Gem of an album, The Imperial. Charley is a day drinker trying to recover from a wife that has left him and a dead end job on the docks. Willy Vlautin really knows his way around a song. Singer Amy Boone wrings every bit of emotion out of a song that have fight right in on a Tom Waits record.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Americana Roots Rock Records You May Have Missed

5Kirby Brown – Uncommon Prayer

“Gimme a week and a ride to the downtown station with a dollar to my name, I don’t much care where it’s going, just anywhere that’s gone.” With your introduction to a new musician that you have never heard before jumping right out at you between your ears like it does on “Gimme a Week” from Kirby Brown’s highly excellent 2018 release Uncommon Prayer there is cause for celebration. Don’t sleep on his cover of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”. It is worth the price of admission alone.

Ruby Boots – Don’t Talk About It

If you are looking for a place to find really cool new music you could not go wrong wandering over the Bloodshot Music site and searching through any of the number of artists in their stable. Ruby Boots and her latest, Don’t Talk About It, look forward to meeting you there.

Kevin Gordon – Tilt and Shine

The musicscapes created here all first rate and read like a Cormac McCarthy novel. Whether it’s “Drunken Man In Town,” “One Road Out (Angola Rodeo Blues),” or “Gatling Gun” Kevin Gordon has captured the short story in a three-minute song.

Larkin Poe – Venom & Faith

These young girls take Country Blues to the next level. The songs are all gritty, down in the gutter with Tom Waits. If you don’t believe it, just check out “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues”.

Sam Morrow – Concrete and Mud

Outlaw Country is alive and well and his name might be Sam Morrow.

 

Yet another Nashville act that is tragically under the musical radar, Goodbye June features a trio of cousins that are quietly trying to carry the Rock ‘N’ Roll torch in the 21st century. Forgive them for their Budweiser commercial, everybody needs to make a buck, and listen to their Southern-fried blues and Gospel soul.