Category: Country

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (March 14, 2024)

Rarely has there been a cooler week of music than our ears were hipped to last week, but don’t worry, this Nantucket sleigh ride seems to be in full bloom once again.

The Violet Mindfield has an organ freakbeat nuggets feel about the band.

The Blusterfields have a popiness about them that belies their Kiss sensibilities.

Jason Boland and the Stragglers – The Last Kings of Babylon

Blending Country, Rock, Pop, and sometimes even Punk muses Jason Boland and his red dirt henchmen seem to be going back to their roots with original producer Lloyd Maines at the helm of their latest record, The Last Kings Of Babylon.

Showing off all aspects of this eclectic band, “Next To Hank Williams” could have been on a mid-era Johnny Cash record, “Drive” is just what you thing it might be, a get out of Dodge travelogue sort of song, and “High Time” could have been on any Little Feat album.

Should you be anywhere near a Texas or Oklahoma honky tonk where Jason Boland is playing do your ears a solid and slide on in.

Ricky Warwick – Blood Ties

Already keeping the spirit of Thin Lizzy and Phil Lynott alive with his band The Black Star Riders as well as his solo work and other projects, Ricky Warwick carries the torch even higher with his latest record, Blood Ties.

This one is a corker, “Rise and Grind” with Blackberry Smoke,’s Charlie Starr is a straight-up rocker, “ The Crickets Stayed In Clovis” is “Boys Are Back in Town” special, and “The Hell Of Me And You” packs a proper MC-5 wallop. A proper rock and roll record that once again proves that rock is not dead.

Tobacco City – Horses

With echoes of Gram, Emmylou, and The Flying Burrito Brothers, the psychedelic country of Tobacco City has a certain timeless quality that is both inspiring and soul-affirming.

The opener “Autumn” has a certain John Mellencamp other side of the street and very Delines-like in its dramatic storytelling, and the frolicking “Buffalo” sounds lie an REM goes country barn raiser.

Look for these guys coming to a honky tonk near you.

Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter

This just, in Charlie Crockett, with a voice that makes Johnny Cash sound like a soprano, is rapidly rising to the top of the Mount Rushmore among the current crop of country crooners.

Recorded in just 10 days at the legendary Sunset Sounds Studio in LA with knob twirling assistance from Shooter Jennings, the record has a certain live feel to it with many songs recorded in one take.

With touch-points-a-plenty the musical influences make themselves known with Waylon Jennings, Bill Withers, and Woody Guthrie all making themselves known.

Lonesome Drifter might not be his best record, Welcome To Hard Times would likely take that honor among aficionados, it will lkely garner high honors when the end-of-the-year polls are gathered.

Silver Synthetics – Rosalie

Floating in a nexus of euphoric cosmic cowboy haze, Silver Synthetics stand on the shoulders of Rose City Band, Beachwood Sparks, and Poco. Every song on this charcuterie plate of a record that sounds like Neil Young fronting Big Star.

“Rosalie” will have you searching for a campfire and a bottle of whiskey, the opener “Age Of Infamy” is hot tub time machine worthy ‘70s smooth country rock at its finest, and “Right Time” carries the freshness of The Sheepdogs and the slick pop of early-era Eagles.

There is nothing not to like about this record.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (May 17, 2024)

As we are driven kicking and screaming into the heat of the summer the record release parties seem to be thinning out a bit. But, we, as always, are doing the work so you don’t have to.

Joe Bonamassa’s side-piece band Black Country Communion is bubbling up with their new single, “Enlighten” in advance of a proper record.

Carol Hodge paints with a brush of a gothic Fleetwood Mac by way of Queens of the Stone Age Cover band.

And, Isobel Campbell meanders gently into your head-space with her latest, ‘4316.”

But wait, don’t get those beach chairs out just yet. here are five new records to throw in the fire pit to bask in the glow of a friendly flame.

Caldwell – Caldwell

With just a couple of salvos into track number one “No Flowers Today“ and on to “Love Confession” you will be kidnapped and will find yourself aboard a pirate radio ship somewhere between Austin Power’s bachelor party and a mushroom-infested evening with Donovan.

This one is a post-British invasion extravaganza that will have you reaching for those Dave Clark Five, Herman’s Hermits, and Gerry and the Pacemakers records that you have stashed in the attic.

Prisoners – Morning Star

The Prisoners are a mod-revival band from the early 80’s, and by the listen of things, with their latest Morning Star, they haven’t missed a beat in the intervening years.

With the Booker T Jones vibe of “Save Me” and the Badfinger influences shining through on “Morning Star,” the mod father time machine is tuned up, all systems go with the cool setting cranked up to high.

Kings Of Leon – Can We Please Have Fun

The Kings Of Leon, twenty years in now, are one of those rare bands that have been able to maintain the core joie de vie of their soul center while, at the same time keeping the arrow trending towards hip, relevant, and cool.

From the opener, “Ballerina Radio” from their latest effort, Can We Please Have Fun a song that envelopes you in the night swimming atmosphere that we have come to know and love from this band.

With the ripped from the headlines lyric, “There’s a war outside, we should all get high, as Caleb Followill recommends on “Nowhere To Run, and the apocalyptic energy of “Nothing To To,” yesterdays darlings have become today’s prophets.

Little Feat – Sam’s Please

While Little Feat has always been entrenched in the deep blues, a cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Forty-Four Blues” was included on their debut record, this is their first platter that is solely dedicated to the genre.

The opener, “Milkman” roams the back alleys like a sleazy Robert Cray love on the dark side of town tune, and “You’ll Be Mine” duck-walks across the stage drenched in a Chuck Berry riff. And, if you want some good old OG Little Feat just rest your ears on “Can’t Be Satisfied.”

With long-time conga player 74-year-old Sam Clayton handling the vocals, once you enter Sam’s Place you might just be walking into the home of blues album of the year.

The Mavericks – Moon & Stars

One of the best singers of his generation, Raul Malo brings his band and his velvet croon back to a time and place that will remind you of those glory “Dance The Night Away” days.

“Live Close By (Visit Often”) is classic 90’s Mavericks dance fever, the title track, “Moon & Stars” has Sierra Ferrell providing an assist channeling her inner Linda Ronstadt, and Roy Orbison makes a spiritual appearance on “A Guitar And A Bottle of Wine.” “Turn Yourself Around”’ even rides a Holland-era Beach Boys wave.

This one is a wonderfully typical Maverick’s record blending Latin music, Country, Tex-Mex, Classic Pop, Big Band, and 60’s noir into one of the best top-shelf margaritas that you will ever savor.

Song of the Day: Charlie Overbey – Champagne, Cocaine, Cadillacs, and Cash (feat. Marcus & Jaime Wyatt

This one could have come right from the Armadillo World Headquarters, Saxon Pub, or Horseshoe Lounge back in the ‘70s Austin Outlaw heydey. Lemmy once described Charlie Overbey as the punk rock spy in the house of honky-tonk.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Records Released This Week (September 15, 2023)

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.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (July 14, 2023)

Back from hiatus, we are back and better than ever, doing the work so you don’t have to.

The band Sweet, yes, the group that brought you “Ballroom Blitz,” “Fox On The Run,” and “Love is Like Oxygen,” is back with a new single, “Changes.” More E.L.O. or Boston than Glam, but it is still very cool.

Sunset Strip Wonderboys, The Bites, are scorching the earth with their mulleted masterpiece, “Heather Leather.”

And, if that is not enough, Eric Clapton teams up with the late Jeff on a very Jeff Beck version of “Moon River.”

And now, without further ado, here are five new records to tickle the senses and bathe the ears.

Kool and the Gang – People Just “Wanna” Have Fun

Editors note, this is not an album that will get much airplay outside your pool or the hippest house party on the block. It is what it is, a set of highly danceable tunes that will have you getting down like you were one of the dancers on soul train.

The opening song, “Let’s Party,” will have you tapping your toes, the title track is pure ’70s disco pleasure, and “VIP” would have made Prince proud.

So touch up the afro, get those bell bottoms out of the closet, and dance like it’s 1979 all over again.

Lukas Nelson & Nelson and Promise of the Real – Sticks and Stones

Continuing to veer to the hippy side, Lukas Nelson and his band offer a solid set of blues boogies, barroom stompers, and campfire singalongs.

Since writing drinking songs is almost the family business, Lukas has composed his own “Whisky River” courtesy of “Every Time I Drink” and The anthemic Alcohallejula,” and there are not many songs written this year better than “More Than Friends, a song that features Lainey Wilson.

Unlike previous efforts, there is no real message on this one. This time delivering a set of loose good-time, bar-centric tunes is the order of the day, and to that, we say bravo.

Night Beats – Rajan

A Psych Rock lovers dream much in the mold of King Grizzard, Rajan, the latest from Night Beats, combines Turkish psych, Morricone Western Noir, and Funk into a blend worthy of a Tarantino soundtrack.

The mood is firmly set on “Hot Ghee,” where you don’t know if you are in an ashram outside of Tibet, a teepee in Sedona, or at a party at Donovan’s house with Austin Powers, Cheech and Chong, and Willie Nelson. The smokey swirl of “Blue” will remind you of that last time you were on mushrooms, and the more conventional “Moving Pictures” would have been spot-on playing over the credits in a Fellini movie.

A mood-setting record, this one is worth spending time with, if nothing else, to see what might be lurking around the next corner.

Colter Wall – Little Songs

With the best country baritone on this side of Charley Crockett, Colter Wall is back with another traditionist set of Steve Earle and Townes Van Zandt-worthy storytelling. 

With vivid imagery and concise arrangements, spending time with Little Songs is like walking along a Canadian prairie walking along with the cactus and the coyote. 

“Standing Here” is a James Hand-worthy track with a simple message, you can accomplish a lot just by hanging out and standing there. “Honky Tonk Nighthawk” is as fine a honky tonk song as you will hear all year. Just give me a buckskin beer and a lap steel guitar.

Almost a decade in the making, the next in the line of great country stars may have just arrived.

Duane Betts – Wild & Precious Life

Another card-carrying member of the Allman Brothers and scion of Dickey Betts, Duane Betts partners up with Marcus King, Nicki Bluhm, and Derek Trucks on a Southern rock-centric album of Allman-worthy jams, double shot blues rockers that would make SRV blush, and Duane Allman proud.

“Waiting On A Song” is pure rambling man splendor, “Cold Dark World” sets the roof on fire with Marcus King front and center, and “Circles in the Stars” that Duane has a songwriting talent that can stand fret for fret with any Allman Brothers band member past or present.