Category: Indie Rock

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (September 20, 2019)

Brittany Howard – Jaime

The Alabama Shakes front-woman steps out with her powerful solo record. Combining Rock and Soul along with contemporary beats, her debut record goes low Nina Simone Slow one minute, James Brown Funk the next with a lot of Janelle Monáe flair thrown in for good measure. Named after her sister who passed away from retinal cancer when Brittany was 9, this album is a stunner.

Samantha Fish – Kill or Be Kind

Six albums in, and her first on Rounder Records, Samantha Fish is still somewhat of an unknown quantity. Whether she is laying down a greasy blues riff or belting out a Soul screamer, Samantha is a Swiss Army knife of talent. And, and if there is a musical God, her new record should land her on the music radar right alongside Beth Hart and Bonnie Raitt.

Zac Brown Band – The Owl

For some, The Zac Brown band jumped the Jimmy Buffet, Kenny Chesney shark some time ago. For others, what the heck. They are a good-time band with a fan friendly vibe that only serves to increase their popularity. Let the good times roll with more of the same from The Zac Brown Band.

Beth Hart – War in My Mind

Beth Hart has never been one to bury her darkest secrets, and on her latest record she continues to peel away the layers of her soul. This is one of those rare artists that you feel you really know and appreciate simply by listening to her songbook.

Robbie Robertson – Sinematic

For his first new record in 8 years, Robbie Robertson draws inspiration from his friend, Martin Scorsese, performs a duet with Van Morrison, and memorializes the old-time radio serial, The Shadow. The former leader of The Band even waxes nostalgic for his former band mates on “Once Were Brothers.”

What We’re Listening To Wednesday (September 18, 2019)

King Corduroy – All Right

Deep in the recesses of Rock is the New Roll H.Q. we have been going down more than a few Southern Rock rabbit holes. He calls his music Cosmic Southern Soul Music, but we just call it cool. There is more than a little 70’s Leon Russell swagger bandied about with this guy.

Raphael Saadiq – This World is Drunk

His new record, Jimmy Lee, is dedicated to his deceased brother. This triumphant return by an artist that consistently delivers thought provoking music that never fails to sooth the soul.

Yola – It Ain’t Easier

Most followers of Rock is the New Roll already know we are HUGE fans of pretty much any record that comes out of Easy Eye Sound. Yola’s new album, Walk Through The Fire, is a strong contender for song of the year.

Conway Twitty – Southern Comfort

With the current trend of contemporary Roots Americana artists reaching back to the classic outlaw artists of the day for their influences it is always good to go back to the barrooms in search of the originals. Here is a later day Conway Twitty gem that sounds like it could be a Chris Stapleton song.

The Wild – Playing With Fire

Canadian rockers, The Wild, throw it down like a more melodic Motörhead.

Lee Aaron – Watcha Do To My Body

And, speaking of Rock Chicks, the 30th anniversary of Lee Aaron’s Bodyrock is upon us.

New Music Friday (June 13, 2019)

The Who – Ball and Chain

Press for the new record is starting to leak out. Due in November. Pete is still in top form and Roger is along for the ride.

The Dead Amigos – Hold Out

Lots of Garage Blues swagger from this band of Aussies. A gut punch of Blues, Rock, and Soul.

The Cold Stares – Any Way The Wind Blows

These Indiana Rockers play a Garage brand of high energy Rock and Roll.

Grace Potter – Back To Me

Grace is back. After a few years off to start a family, Grace Potter has reinvented herself a bit if this first single is any indication.

The Weeks – Believe Whatever

Their 2017 release, Easy, was one of the best of the year, and their latest, Two Moons, is looking like a top contender in 2019.


Mercury Rev – Louisiana Man (feat. Erika Wennerstorm)

This one sounds like it is from one of the sessions from their Bobbie Gentry covers record, The Delta Sweete Revisited, from earlier in the year.

Best Albums of 2019: The Limboos – Baia

The Limboos – Baia (Rating 5 out of 5)

limboos

The Limboos are pretty much the very definition of a genre defying band. A bit soul, retro in all the coolest of ways fusing together Soul, Rumba, Jazz, Blues, Funk, and a bunch of others we are probably skipping. On songs like “Till The End Of Town” you would bet your last dollar this was a Stax single from the 60’s.

When the sax kicks in on “Where Did She Go,” the first single from the album, there is a sense that you should be in some sort of Jetsons hipster go-go bar. The vocals are front and center and the production value is first rate with no single instrument overpowering another. And yes, they have a female drummer, as if they needed anything else to add to their coolness.

“Big Shot” the second single to be released as well as the opening track, sticks the groove and never let’s up. Swinging organ, silky sax, hip vocals all are the order of the day. This one is a timeless classic

limboos

Operating out of Madrid, most of the media about the band is in Spanish, which is somewhat perplexing since all of the songs are in English. There is not a bad tune to be had on this record. It is a great party record with ebbs and flows that make it a textured masterpiece.

 

Five Cool Ones: Five New Albums Released This Week (August 23, 2019)

Jason Hawk Harris – Love & the Dark

Another stellar artist from Blood Shot records. He sounds a bit like Jason Isbell, carries with him a Lyle Lovett swagger, and composes a song with the best of them. I will stand on Steve Earle’s coffee table and call out Love & the Dark as one of the best Americana records of 2019.

Tanya Tucker – While I’m Living

Somewhat unbelievably, this is Tanya Tucker’s first set of original songs in 17 years. With production help from Brandi Carlisle and Shooter Jennings on tunes like “Bring My Flowers Now,” a song where Tanya sounds a bit like Lucinda, and “The Wheels of Laredo” that give us all hope that we might be seeing a Johnny Cash/Rick Rubin type career resurrection right before our very ears.

Vince Gill – Okie

When Vince Gill settles into his vocal pocket on a song like he does here over an entire album, the results can be glorious. Stepping out from his Eagles gig, the Oklahoma roots are showing on just about all of these 12 stellar tunes. Highlights abound, but “A World Without Haggard” and “Nothin’ Like A Guy Clark Song” stand above the rest. This Okie has still got it!

Sheer Mag – A Distant Call

From the opening salvo of “Steel Sharpens Steel,” the first song out of the chute here, you are hit between the ears with a Rock and Roll steamroller of a singer that roars like the devil spawn of Suzi Quatro and Joan Jett fronting Thin Lizzy. And yes, this much awaited album is as much of a brilliant guilty pleasure as you would think it would be.

Midland – Let It Roll

The agony of having to wait for the full album after the release of several ear enticing singles is finally over. Think Glen Campbell Rhinestone Cowboy era Country Style with this band of stellar musicians out of Dripping Springs Texas. We have tried very hard not to like this band and are failing miserably.

New Music Friday (August 9, 2019)

Rodney Crowell – 56 Fury

The new Texas-centric record comes out next Friday. In the meantime we are grooving to this one that features ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbens.

Pat Green – Trip Through Your Wires

Another Texas troubadour, Pat Green is putting together a highly anticipated record himself. Here he teams up wit Joe Ely.

The Darkness – Rock and Roll Deserves To Die

Justin Hawkins and The Darkness are experiencing somewhat of a comeback. Their latest song has a bit of Zeppelin mystery with Ronnie James Dio bombast thrown in. Fun stuff.

Modern Nature – Footsteps

Shoegaze Krautrock is the order of the day on this propulsive second track from their latest album, How To Live.

Shannon Lay – Death Up Close

One of Ty Segall’s sidekicks in his Freedom Band, so she must be good. And she is.

Rosalie Cunningham – Ride On My Bike

The ex front woman from the band Purson, Rosalie Cunningham commands the stage with this opener from her latest album. Queen meets Jefferson Airplane on this one.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums Released This Week (August 9, 2019)

We’re just chilling waiting for the new Struts album to hit the shelves. But in the meantime here are five Cool Albums massaging our ear lobes this week.

Jesse Dayton – Mixtape Vol. 1

This covers record is a lot more than a slap-dash between albums mail-it-in effort. This is a seriously eclectic and cool set of songs arranged to perfection with a lot of thought going into the song selection. If Elton’s deep track “Country Comfort” or ACDC’s “Whole Lot of Rosie” isn’t good enough for you the Cars Power Pop gem “Just What I Needed” will have your head spinning until Jesse’s love of Punk comes crashing through on the Clash tune “Bankrobber.” Great stuff indeed.

The Regrettes – How Do You Love

Their Pop driven Punk songs are a must hear. If the Go Go’s were actually cool they might have sounded like The Regrettes. Their sophomore record is full of Ramones worthy ear blasts.

Fionn Regan – Cala

There is a certain calming Zen quality to Fionn Regan’s music and this album, sort of a cross between Cat Stevens and Donovon. Easy like a Sunday Morning.

P.P. Arnold – The New Adventures of P.P. Arnold

Her first album release in decades P.P. Arnold channels her inner Mavis Staples with this new release that features collaborations from Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene’s Steve Cradock, and The Specials among others.

Half Alive – Now, Not Yet

This Long Beach trio blends Pop, Funk, Soul, and a bit of Indie Pop under the glow of a disco ball.