Category: Artists We Like

Five Cool Ones: Five Bands we missed in 2018

As per usual, once we close the books for one year, a bunch of new records grab our attention and demand some ear time. It was an outstanding year for Rock and Roll with The Record Company, DeWolff, All Them Witches, and many more delivering the goods and then some. Here are 5 more bands that you need to know about that you may have missed.

Roxanne

Not only is Roxanne a perfect band name, their new record, Radio Silence, is pretty much a perfect album. Released 30 years after their self-titled debut look for shades of Warrant, Queen, Foreigner and Night Ranger.

Dorothy

Classy L.A. Rockers fronted by a powerhouse singer Dorothy Martin. 28 Days in the Valley is a scorcher of an album.

Station

Vintage 80’s hair metal vibing at the finest level. If you like Def Leppard, Skid Row, or Swedish darlings H.E.A.T. you will love this band.

Joyous Wolf

Having appropriately teased us with a single in 2018, Mississippi Queen/Slow hand, we can only wait and wonder what is in store for us. If their hair on fire version of the Mountain classic is any indication, we are in for a Rock and Roll treat.

The Cold Stares

One of the best Blues Rock duos in the game today. Fusing smoky Southern Blues with Alternative Rock, all systems go for this band if the new record Mountain is any indication. Just hope you make it out alive.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Albums That Should Have Been On Our Year End List

As happens after year, after a bit of reflection, there end up to be a lot of worthy, highly listenable records that somehow miss our top album list. This year Paul Simon, Soccer Mommy, The Tuneyards, Belle and Sebastian all could have made our list. Here are five notal records that probably should have made the cut.

Gruff Rhys – Babelsberg

The Super Furry Animals front man jumps out front and center with his first record in four years. A timeless beauty that features a 72 piece orchestra, these are all great tunes that would have fit quite nicely on your 80’s playlist right alongside Yes and The Alan Parsons Project.

Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

Somewhat a deliberate omission, that decison is beginning to feel very regreatable after a couple of post New Year spins of this one. The vibe is very different from your standard Monkey’s fare, Bowie goes to the moon. Pure dancing on the ceiling bliss.

Shame – Songs of Praise

One heck of a live band, London Post Punk rockers Shame deliver an arena-ready set of tracks that will set your hair on fire. Enter at your own risk.

Spiritualized – And Nothing Hurt

We should have known this one was going to be a cracker, all of his records are great. “Let’s Dance” and “The Morning After” are melodic stunners with a definite Brian Wilson influence.

Tracyanne & Danny – Tracyanne & Danny

Camera Obscura’s Tracyanne Cambell returns with a set of sweet sounding pop nuggets with partner Danny Coughlan. Full of lush strings and 60’s Nancy and Lee vibes, this one is a gently euphoric listen.

 

 

Playlist of the Day: Putting the Muscle in Muscle Shoals

playlist

In listening to a lot of diverse styles of music it is amazing how many of the albums that are the soundtrack of your life have been recorded at 3614 Jackson Highway, Muscle Shoals, Alabama. There have been so many albums record in the iconic studio from Dylan’s Slow Train Coming, Willies, Phases and Stages, and even Paul Simon’s There Goes Rhymin’ Simon, that this playlist is probably more notable for what has not been included than for what I have selected here. I am contractually liable to keeping the playlist at the mandated 15 songs. Mixing it up a bit with the new school “Call Me” courtesy of St. Paul and the Broken Bones, the Jimmy Cliff classic “Sitting in Limbo,” and J.J. Cales “Lies” are also included. The Muscle Shoals band plays on most of these songs. “Hey, Jude” is worth the price of admission alone.

It is guaranteed that you will have many “of course it was” moments any time you find out one of your favorite tunes was recorded in Muscle Shoals.

Spotify Playlist

01. Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty – Herbie Mann

02. Brown Sugar – The Rolling Stones

03. I’ll Take You There – The Staple Singers

04. Hey Jude Wilson Picket

05. What’s Your Name – Lynyrd Skynyrd

06. Call Me – St.Paul and the Broken Bones

07. Tell Mama – Etta James

08. We’ve Got Tonight – Bob Seger

09. Sitting in Limbo – Jimmy Cliff

10. Dorothy Monroe – Misty Blue

11. Lies – J.J. Cale

12. Gotta Serve Somebody – Bob Dylan

13. Take A Letter, Maria – R.B. Greaves

14. Sweet Soul Music – Arthur Conley

15. Yeah Man – Eddie Hinton

 

Playlist of the Day: Afterthoughts and Complicated Scenes

playlistThis playlist features cover songs performed by prominent Country artists. You might find many of these artists under the Americana genre, but be careful, most of them hate to be classified that way. They prefer to be called Country artists. Here we have a mix of new school and old school including Waylon Jennings, Amy Helm, newcomer Kirby Brown, and many more.

Spotify Playlist

01. Romeo’s Tune – Nicki Bluhm

02. Baker Street – Waylon Jennings

03. Mandolin Wind – Amy Helm

04. My Fathers Gun – Miranda Lambert

05. Mona Lisa’s and Mad Hatters – Maren Morris

06. Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – Kirby Brown

07. Wish You Were Here – Cody Jinks

08. Come A Little Closer – Willie Deville

09. Purple Rain – Dwight Yoakam

10. Right Down The Line – Bonnie Raitt

11. Dark End of the Street – Ry Cooder

12. Before The Next Teardrop Falls – Linda Martell

13. Cry Like a Baby – Hacienda Brothers

14. You Got Lucky – Blackberry Smoke

15. Abraham, Martin and John – The Band of Heathens