Category: Indie Pop

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 (March 21, 2025)

The dynamite is definitely going boom this week.

Hannah Cohen is bringing back ‘70s folk-pop.

Bryan Ferry teams up with Amilia Barratt on a new single, “Loose Talk”.

And, The Counting Crows have some new music in the pipeline.

But, that’s not all fellow muso’s. Here are five fresh off the presses playyers to enjoy this week.

The Damn Truth – The Damn Truth

This Canadian quartet operates on a planet of revved-up modern rock with a classic rock twist, and with this, their fourth proper long-player, their reputation that has been building as festival forces to be reckoned with should be permanently solidified.

Produced by Bob Rock, the same Bob Rock who twirled the knobs for Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, and The Offspring among many others, the sound is crisp, vocally energetic, with all of the top 40 panache you would expect with the hand-in-glove partnership of artist and producer.

“The Willow,”’a song that highlights the back of the arena pipes that belong to lead singer Lee-La Baum, is Zeppelin “stairway” worthy, “Addicted” bangs the head phones like a Beth Hart banger, and the anthemic “All Night Long” features AC/DC riffage alongside classic Bob Rock artistry.

This is a next-level record for a next-level rock and roll band.

Foxy Shazam – Animality Opera

This one tickles that G-spot between the flower-power psychedelic vibes of Jellyfish and the operatic bombast of the early Queen records.

A bit chaotic at times, less than cohesive for most of the album, this 11-track journey quite nicely puts the ethos of Foxy Shazam into a capsule that while being less accessible than its forebearers, is all the more of an interesting listen for it.

Tito & Tarantulas – !Brincamos!

Widely known as the house band in Quentin Tarantino’s From Dusk Till Dawn, Tito Larriva and his tarantulas have been mainstays of the Los Angeles punk and roll scene for decades with their genre-bending mix of rock, punk, Tejano, and surf music.

And now, with !Brincamos! the band has delivered a masterpiece of Latinx punk rock with raw ballads and energetic anthems leading the way. The opener “X the Soul” would have been perfect in the hands of Tom Waits, if Waits ever let things fly that is, 99.9 sounds like an Alejandro Escovedo garage rant from the nugget days, and “Sneer At The Drummer” could have been a Willy De Ville classic.

This is a real rock record from a real rock and roll band.

My Morning Jacket – Is

With this, their 10th record in 30-plus years of existence, the jam band-adjacent My Morning Jacket has entered into a new phase of their career for the first time in a decade, for them, an outside producer is in charge, Brendan O’Brien who has worked with Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, and Phish.

Every song on this record is melodic, transcendental, and perfectly executed. The spirit is uplifting and “Everyday Magic” as well as “Time Waited” remind us of the underrated genius that is Jim James when it comes to crafting a love song.

This might not be the album of the year, but it will certainly be on heavy rotation on our turn tables for the rest of the year.

Brian D’addario – Till The Morning

When is a record really/not really a solo album? The answer is nuanced but in this case with the latest from Brian D’Addario, one-half of the Lemon Twigs twins, both answers may be correct.

The first release on the brothers new label Headstack Records, most of the songs were recorded with brother Michael who is also credited as co-producer.

Self described as country- baroque the entire record is full of Donovan-worthy gems. “Nothing On My Mind” would have been a perfect early Kinks single, “Only To Ease My Mind” is Brian Wilson-worthy, and if “This Summer” is not your summer anthem of the year you should have your ears examined.

It is too early in his career to say that Brian D’Addario has created his own Pet Sounds, but when all is said and done you might not be wrong.

Song of the Day: Sorrows – Out Of My Head

If you have ever wondered what a band that featured elements of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who, all by way of Cheap Trick, would sound like, no need to phone a friend. The answer is “Out Of My Head” courtesy of the sorrows, the leader in the clubhouse for Rock is the New Roll’s 2025 song of the year.

The album Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow on Big Stir Records is available now.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (February 14, 2025)

The year is zooming along with great new releases all over the place.

“Lady On Fire” is the over the top third single from glam-prog rocker Bobbie Dazzle from her latest record Fandabidozi.

Robert Jon and the Wreck are “Sittin’ Pretty with their high-octane single from their upcoming long player.

And, Elton John and Brandi Carlile are set to release a proper great album in April.

But don’t stop there. Here are five really cool albums put forward for your listening pleasure.

Crazy Lixx – Thrill Of The Bite

With a slightly revamped band following the departure of drummer Joel Cirera leaving only one original band member since their debut in 2007, Crazy Lixx is out with their latest long player of unflinching, never wavering Sunset Strip sleaze rock. And it’s glorious.

The opener “Highway Hurricane” is AC/DC on steroids complete witj just the right nuance of cowbell, “Midnight Rebel” could have been a great call and response early era Bon Jovi song, and who can argument with the sentiment expressed on “Who Said Rock And Roll Is Dead”

If you are looking for a less than nuanced guilty pleasure listen that will take you back to the good time freewheeling days, the swinging Swedes in Crazy Lixx will scratch that itch.

Honey Crisp – Yesteryears

Hailing from Helsinki Poland, Honey Crisp draws from the melodic side of the singer-songwriter esthetic that was popular back in the day.

Wandering from a less vocally talented Brian Wilson to a lower register Leo Sayer and a Greg Kihn clone, the record carries a bit of nostalgia about it while still maintaining a certain freshness.

Thankfully, just when the waters are starting to venture into yacht-rock territory the course is triangulated into a smooth ride of 60’s crooner proportions that would make Peter Noone blush.

The Altons – Heartache In Room 14

The Altons, and their latest record Heartache In Room 14, just might be the salve that is needed to cure all of the negativity swirling around the world right now.

With a blend of a Soul and Jazz infusion, it is somewhat incongruous to believe that this record was birthed in 2025 and not in the back of a dimly lit Soho Jazz bar with a drugged-up Niba Simone commanding the smoke-filled room.

The musicianship here is on point. The production is not pristine but is perfectly tuned to the retro vibes that the record is going for.

This one is a refreshing listen meant to be heard in one sitting.

The Delines – Mr. Luck Ms. Doom

The Delines, courtesy of Willy Vlautin, crown prince of the dour, disenfranchised, and the down-and-outers, are back with another set of vignettes that give you a glimpse of what it looks like on the other side of the street. If you don’t already live there that is.

With Amy Boone providing the world-worn vocals, the listener is presented with a woman who is on the lam after robbing a drug operation in “Maureen’s Missing,” a failed criminal and a housekeeper in the title track, and “Nancy & The Pensacola Pimp,” where a woman takes revenge on her pimp.

Listen to this live-affirming set of Raymond Chandler-noir short stories set to music in a leather chair with a good whisky and a cigar.

Spiders – Sharp Objects

There is a freshness about the Swedish rock band Spiders that is contrary to its classic rock roots. Drawing inuences from 80’s Sunset Strip, British New Wave, and Garage rock scenes, their latest record rides the rails with the smoothness of a bullet train.

“What’s Your Game (Miss Insane) could have been an Adam Ant B Side, Opener “Rock ‘n’ Roll Band” has a bit of Faces by way of Boston about it, and “Fun In The Sun,” courtesy of front-woman Anne-Sofie Hoyle’s vocal prowess is The Go Go’s on steroids.

Spanning era’s genres, and styles, this is a band that 13 years in may just be hitting their stride.

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (January 31, 2024)

We’re in the waning hours of the first month of the year, and for those that say that there is no new music released anymore we at Rock is the New Roll say: nay nay.

If you don’t believe us, The Darkness is out with their latest single “Rock and Roll Cowboy Outlaw,”

Skunk Anansie is prepping up a new record, and if An Artist is An Artist” is any indication, the record is going to be a banger.

And, after retiring from his main gig as bass player for Aerosmith, Tom Hamilton is out front and center with his new band Close Enemies.

And now, strap on those earbuds, plug in that Marshall stack, and envelope yourself in these Five new records released into the wild this week.

Thorbjorn Risager – House Of Sticks

Dutch Blues Rock is a pretty big deal these days and Thorbjorn Risager and the Black Tornado are the torchbearers.

Blasting a high-energy blend of Swamp Rock, cinematic Blues-Rock, and Soul Ballads, “Already Gone” is a great way to gain an introduction to the band. “Light of You Love” mourns along like Robert Cray’s best single, and the closer “Fine Summer Night” resonates like a later Day Eric Clapton album.

As eclectic a record as you are sure to find this year, this one has everything you would want in a blues rock record.

Bonnie “Prince” Billy – The Purple Bird

Recorded in Nashville, Purple Bird, the latest record courtesy of Will Oldham under the Bonnie “Prince” Billy moniker, is a country-adjacent record in the John Prine mold.

Working together with Nashville OG songwriting veterans along with a wrecking crew of talented musicians, the resultant song set includes the rambunctious “Turned to Dust,” the spot-on Prine delivery on “One Of These Days (I’m Gonna Spend The Whole Night With You),” and the forlorn “Boise, Idaho.”

The songs presented here, with the lap steel guitar and electric mandolin, play to the old school soul of country music and can be compared favorably to the Johnny Cash American series.

For some artists relocation to Nashville signals the beginning of the end with the artist getting caught up in the machinery. For Oldham, the rebirth is refreshing, and if this one is any indication, there is hope for the Roger Miller, Tom T Hall, and Don Williams patois than the Post Malone and Beyoncé oeuvre that is all the rage today in country music.

The Hellacopters – Overdriver

Let there be Rock! And if the Swedish band Hellacopters have anything to say about it, 30 years in, good, pure rock and roll is back, and here to stay.

Burning down the highway, these retro-riffers deliver on a swagger of early-era Aerosmith, prime Stooges, and accessible Ramones.

“Don’t Let Me Bring You Down” is the best tune on the record and should be the leader in the clubhouse for rock song of the year, and “(I Don’t Wanna Be) Just A Memory” is the best song Cheap Trick never wrote.

This one is quite simply a great rock and roll record.

Lilly Hiatt – Forever

As the daughter of Americana legend John Hiatt, the talent apple doesn’t fall far from the talent tree for Lilly Hiatt as supremely demonstrated on her latest record, Forever.

A jaunty blend of rock and country with a voice that is both vintage and sultry Hiatt also demonstrates her songwriting chops on the Wilbury worthy “Ghost Ship” and the simplistic subject matter of “Evelyn’s House.”

Overall, this may not be her best, Walking Proof to our ears takes that honor, but this one is certainly a worthy record that our ears can get behind.

Circa Waves – Death and Love, Pt. 1

More than 10 years now into their Indie Rock career Circa Waves have evolved into a Vampire Weekend worthy band of evolving expectations and emotionally powerful offerings.

Given the mortality reckoning that the lead singer Kieren Shudall experienced following his diagnosis in 2023 of a heart condition, it makes sense that this record would be a sort of soul-soothing mantra grappling with the fragilities of life.

“We Made It” is a perfect festival-ready wave your hands in the air Indie Rock anthem, and “Let’s Leave Together” is as buoyant a pop song as you are likely to hear all year.

Ultimately, this is a record that extolls the virtues of living in the moment because it’s all we have.

Five Cool Ones – Five New Records Released This Week (September 27, 2024)

With just a few blockbusters set for release later in the year, there are still a few diamonds to be mined this week.

Dutch masters DeWolff are back with their ‘70s style organ-drenched rock with “In Love.”

The semi-stripped-down reincarnation of Dawes is prepping for an album later in the year.

And, The Darkness, one of the best new bands to come out in the last 10 years, is out with another Queen-inspired operatic wonder.

But fear not, there’s more. Here are five more pieces of dust in the wind to savor this week.

Nick Lowe – Indoor Safari

Nick Lowe along with his cronies in Los Straitjackets with Indoor Safari have crafted what is sure to be one of the cooler albums of the year. Starting with the opener “Went To A Party” the Tiki-surf noir is dialed up to 11. “Crying Inside” comes across like a long-lost Roy Orbison tune, and “Lay Ot On Me” is classic vintage Nick Lowe.

Never straying far from his sweet spot, this one sounds classically vintage and contemporary at the same time.

Sam Millar – Virtual Summer

A bit late for the peak-summer beach vibing, Virtual Summer is hands down the best summer anthem meets power ballad record of the year.

Millar himself has said that releasing these gems now will give the listener something to hold on to when winter sets in allowing them to create their own virtual summer.

Bon Jovi-adjacent highlights abound including the 80’s stolen jam “Chardonnay” and the Duran Duran vibing “Deja Vue.”

This one stands on its own merit as the best back-to-the-future record of the year.

Billy Strings – Highway Prayers

Billy Strings is quickly morphing himself into the best live performer, in any genre, on the planet. Somehow finding the time to release a proper long-player right in the middle of his hectic tour schedule.

On this one, Strings has somehow managed to channel the Americana magic of Stapelton and Sturgill while maintaining his unflinching bluegrass ethos.

A bit on the longer side, this one weighs in at about one hour and 15 minutes, the 20 original songs represented here are a great way to experience the pure musicianship of one of the best virtuosos to come around in the last several decades.

JD McPherson – Night Owls

JD McPherson is front and center with his Duane Eddy stylings on his first proper non holiday album since 2017’s Undivided Heart and Soul.

With one foot in the Rockabilly ethos and the other in vintage ‘60s surf guitar McPherson has created a deliciously eclectic wonderment of a record.

The title track carries a Cars Mantra, and the instrumental “The Phantom Lover Of New Rochelle” is an aggressive surf guitar throwback.

This one is a brilliant return for a sorely missed artist.

Pale Waves – Smitten

Buoyant exuberance, anthemic propulsion, and layered production are the touchstones of this excellent record from the Manchester-based band Pale Waves.

Led by the effervescent Heather Baron-Gracie, the band sashays their way through a solid set of arena-ready misses that bring to the minds ear The Corrs by way of Stevie Nicks.

The closer “Slow” is a slow-burn stunner from a band that seems to be reaching the peak of their powers.

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.