Category: Americana

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (June 6, 2025)

The heat is on as the summer is in full swing. The planes are circulating and ramping up to land some real rock and roll bombshells over the next couple of months.

Thunder guitarist Luke Morley is prepping for a proper record later in the year with this Mellencamp banger.

Sweet Desire comes to us via a 70’s time machine.

And, believe it or not, there has never been a video for The Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer.” until now that is.

The Cold Stares – The Southern Part 2

8 records in, Evansville’s own The Cold Stares have carved out a religion as one of the best Blues Rock outfits in the game today.

There is a whole lot of Johnny Lang by way of ZZ Top buried in the DNA of “Evil Eye,” Stevie Ray ghost haunte the moody “Hurting Side Of Love,” and “Can’t Call That Love” slides into the moody side of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

With this, a follow-up to last year‘s The Southern, it is inspiring to see a band striking while the iron is hot, releasing an album every year with groovy singles in between.

This one will be in the top half of rock record of the year lists when December rolls around.

Jesse Daniel – Son Of San Lorenzo

With a dedication to the Bakersfield sound, this time coming to your ears from San Lorenzo, California, Jesse Daniel weaves a blend of Western Ballads, Bakersfield Swing, Buck Owens swagger, and Merle Haggard songwriting on his latest record, Son of San Lorenzo.

Having been homeless and recovered from addiction Daniel mixes personal reflection, most notably on the title track, ” Son Of San Lorenzo,” ruin and redemption on “One’s Too Many (And A Thousand Ain’t Enough),” along with addiction on “Crankster,” a bit of a rocker that delves into the darker sides of self-destruction.

Finally, with “Jodi,” a love letter to his wife, we get the sense that there is a rainbow at the end of the tunnel, the demons have been exorcised, and we the listeners are all the better for taking the ride with an artist that is not afraid to be vulnerable on what might be a breakout record for Jesse Daniel.

Monkey House – Crash Box

Monkey House, a Canadian band with a name inspired by a Kurt Vonnegut book, plays in the gene pool of Jazz Pop very much in the Steely Dan mold.

With sophisticated jazz rock melodies and a breezy vibe that would make Christopher Cross come back from the sea, the production value along with the musicianship on this record are both best in class.

“Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘em” could have been the B-side of “Dr. Wu,” “Sundaying” is the perfect cure for what ails you on a lazy, breezy weekend, and “Friday Night Jam” is another yacht rock adjacent breezer that displays the tight as the skin of the skin on an apple synchronistic cohesion of the band in fine fashion.

Do your ears a solid and crate dig deep into the back catalogue of this band that has been doing business since 1999.

The Doobie Brothers – Walk This Road

Clearly a money grab to have some new songs to drag out during their supporting act gig with ELO this summer, there is not a real reason for this record to exist.

With this watered down mostly Michael McDonald, (who has ruined more doobies than wet rolling papers) led ensemble the band that brought you the splendor of “China Grove” has somehow morphed into Hootie and the Blowfish and The Little River Band right before our very ears.

Credit should be given for uniting core members Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, and John McFee for one last trip around the song, and the title track “Walk With Me,” with an assist from the mighty Mavis staples, would be almost listenable were it not for the previously mentioned Michael McDonald chipping in on vocals.

For those of you that are fans of Toulouse Street era Doobie brothers, your ship has hit an iceberg. For those that are fans of Michael McDonald, seek help.

Pulp – More

Incredibly, More, the last record for Jarvis Cocker and the boys, is Pulps first proper record in 24 years since their breakup in 2002, and it’s a banger.

The opener, “Spike Island” provides a David Bowie background against classic Jarvis Cocker vocals, “Got To Have Love” is a disco treat that comes the closest on this set to rolling out vintage Pulp, “Grown Ups” is a throwback to the Brit Pop glory days, and “My Sex” is Barry White shag-funk.

Sure, Jarvis Cocker’s solo efforts have been good, sometimes great, but what the hell man, where have you been, and welcome back to a band that we didn’t realize we sorely missed. Until now, that is.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (April 18, 2025)

The summer is close and things are heating up across the world, but there is a cool breeze blowing on the album front. So grab a Mai Tai and settle in.

Pearl Charles is quilting her Nancy Sinatra vibes prepping for a new record to be released later in the month.

Silver Synthetic released a new record, Rosalie. Think Big Star if they spent more time at Joshua Tree.

And, for fans of Queens of the Stone Age, the band HIMALAYAS will scratch your desert rock itch.

But, that’s not all. As per usual here are five new players to spin on your turntables.

Valerie June – Owls, Omens, and Oracles

With her genre bending music that flows through the veins of Americana, Soul, Pop and Blues her latest Owls, Omens, and Oracles is a life-affirming record with plenty of earworms throughout.

Produced by pop master M. Ward the record channels ‘70s pop on “Trust The Path,” Phil Spector wall of sound on “All I Really Wanna Do,” and Amy Winehouse vibes on “Endless Tree.”

This record is a ray of optimism in desolate times.

Those Damn Crows – God Shaped Hole

Straightforward rock and roll is the order of the day on God-Shaped Hole, the latest from Nashville-based Those Damn Crows.

From the opening salvo of “Dancing With The Enemy,” your ears are treated to some sort of Devil’s hybrid combining The Hu, U2 in their prime, and Metallica. Interesting stuff indeed.

Word of caution, don’t listen to “Let’s Go Psycho” when driving, and “Night Train” burns the soul much like a Pearl Jam ballad in the “Jeremy” mold.

Don’t sleep on this one as the leader in the clubhouse for the rock record of the year.

Cold Specks – Light For The Midnight

Just listen to the first two minutes of “How It Feels,” the initial salvo from Cold Specks on her latest record Light For Midnight, and we dare you not to have Carole King ear worms drilled into the minds ear.

The musical project of Laden Hussein, Cold Specks floats on a cloud of atmospheric synths, delicate piano, and deep R&B to create her own vision, a sort of doom soul.

“Venus In Pisces” has a certain ‘Till Tuesday lilt to it, “Lingering Ghosts” harkens back to darker times when she was misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia, and “Endlessly” is a study in stellar songwriting.

A record that would not seem out of place it was released in the early ’90s, this one represents an artist coming out of a dark tunnel and delivering what might be the best album of her career.

Turnpike Troubadours – Price Of Admission

You would be hard pressed to find a more legitimate roots country band over the last ten years than Stillwater’s own Turnpike Troubadours.

Ignoring the glitter of Nashville, the band instead has chosen to stick to their Oklahoma roots and imbed themselves in a state, a town that is as hardscrabble as it gets with an everyman ethos that is palpable.

Produced by Shooter Shennings, the new record meanders from pensive to rowdy in the blink of a hot steel guitar solo.

Critics might call out the semi-slick production, one of the hazards of hiring a big-time producer, while others will revel in the honky tonk ethos.

Come for the poignancy of “Forgiving You,” but stay for the heartbreak of “A Lie Agree Upon” with this one.

Little Barrie – Electric War

Mutch like you get with virtually every Easy Eye Sound release, The latest Little Barrie collaboration with drummer Malcolm Catto, is an exploration in eclectic sounds and textures.

With a distinct raw, analog feel, the record, with its groove-centric pulse takes on a jazz feel that seems to be vintage and refreshingly contemporary at the same time.

With elements of funk, psychedelia, rock, and jazz permeating the air, this one is an eclectic listen that will educate your ears.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (March 28, 2025)

With summer only a couple of fortnights away, the time is right for dancing in the streets.

Be very careful putting the pedal to the metal on this high-octane barn burner from Josh Todd and the Buckcherry boys.

De’Wayne is a newcomer on the scene and an artist to watch out for. The vibe here is Prince fronting the killers. Never before has Indie Rock and Classic rock blended so seamlessly.

And, finally, Rock is the New roll favorite, Luke Spiller is prepping for his April 25 release, Women Will Kill Me Before Cigarettes And Wine.

And if this rock and roll splendor doesn’t tickle your fancy enough, here are five new morsels for your ears to digest this week

Dawn Brothers – Cry Alone

All the way from the Dutch city of Rotterdam, The Dawn Brothers produce a refreshing blend of Rock, Americana, and Memphis Soul. Sort of like Hall and Oates teaming up with the Travelling Wilburys. If you did not know the band’s origin, with just one door-to-ceiling listen of their new record, Cry Alone, you would be hard-pressed to tell if they were from Rotterdam, Memphis, or Los Angeles.

The opener, “Do Me Wrong” sets the hook with a funk-driven backbeat and a Memphis Soul Stew vibe, “Can’t Let You In, Can’t Let You Out” is perfect Travelling Wilburys fare, and “I Cry Alone” would have been a perfect addition to the Hall and Oates Abandoned Luncheonette record.

Much like The Little River Band from back in the day, there is a timeless appeal to this record that will soothe the soul.

The Darkness – Dreams On Toast

For those not previously in the know, The Darkness, with their flamboyant frontman Justin Hawkins, is a U.K.-based rock and roll band that combines the over-the-topness of Sheer Heart Attack era Queen, Jellyfish, and for a more recent vintage touchpoint, Luke Spiller and the Struts. Glam energy, bombast, glass-breaking falsetto’s and more is the order of the day.

From the opening blast-off of “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy” the DNA of the band’s eighth album, Dreams On Toast is on full display. No-holds barred party like its 1975, good time, rock and roll played like its meant to be played, loud and proud.

Lead-off single “Longest Kiss” is pure Jellyfish vibing, and “Hot On My Tail” is the Darkness’ version of Queen’s “Seaside Rendevous,” deliciously operatic and bombastic with a bit of whimsey thrown in for good measure.

A welcome addition to the canon of one of the best rock and roll bands to come around in the last decade.

Lucy Dacus – Forever Is A Feeling

As one-third of the indie rock supergroup that includes Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and an album that was rewarded with three Grammys, lucy Dacus steps out on her own with an understated record of hushed harmonies, warm shades, and gentle, close-to-shoegaze, instrumentation.

“Ankles” has Laura Nyro in its DNA, “Talk” is a slow-burn pastoral epic, and “Limerence” could have done well in the hands of Karen Carpenter, if she was just a little hipper.

This one belongs on your Sunday chill playlist as if that’s such a bad thing.

W.E.T. – Apex

If AOR-adjacent, 80’s rock in the Def Leppard and Night Ranger mold is what you are into, then W.E.T.’s latest, Apex, is going to be your jam.

“Where Are The Heroes Now” is pure peak-era Bon Jovi, “This House Is On Fire” is Journey by way of The Scorpions, and “The Believer” is a stadium-ready anthem.

Don’t think with this one, just listen.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Bobby Rush – Young Old Fashioned Ways

You can feel the feel the energy and the chemistry bursting from the speakers on this old-school meets younger gun collaboration between Bobby Rush and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Giving a respectful nod to Rush, his vocals and his harp throughout, Rush provides the vocals as well as a killer harp on all ten of these tracks. Holed up in a Memphis studio, the pair launches into a stripped-down set that leans into the blues half of their respective blues-rock resumes.

4 of the songs displayed here are Bobby Rush tunes with an additional 5 co-penned, with a Willie Dixon song thrown in for good measure.

Whether the pair goes low and slow like they do on “G-String,” or the alligator stomp of “Hey Baby) What Are We Gonna Do),” the playful comradery between the two is infectious and palbable.

Rush sings with the vigor of a singer half his age and Shepherd delivers one of the best performances of his career.

The leader in the clubhouse for blues album of the year, for sure.