Another band that should be high on your radar. This Australian Alt-Punk band has a Replacements meets The Smiths vibe that is contagious. “An Airconditioned Man” is the latest single and video from their new record, Hope Downs.
Category: Artists We Like
Best Albums of 2018: Devil Makes Three – Chains are Broken
Right of the bat, the addition of producer Ted Hutt who has knob twirled for Dropkick Murphy’s, The Gaslight Anthem, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones is paying major dividends. The production value is top notch as the band sings of redemption and ruin against a Western Noir backdrop that captives and sucks you in. There is an early Byrds echo throughout the record with some heavy Ryan Adams influence.
The song “Paint My Face” is a song that captures all that is good with this band and their own unique style of Americana. The 60’s jangle guitar flows effortlessly into three piece harmonies that caress the song perfectly, and “All Is Quiet” is a slow burn stunner of a song.
The new record represents a bit more of a sophisticated approach for the band with the addition of Stefan Amidon to make them an official three piece band, hence the name. The change and more polished sound may not put the band in favor with some of their ardent fans that are used to their ramshackle live shows, but heck, even The Replacements had to grow up.
The real beauty of this record is the way that the band weaves different styles and tempos into eleven songs that fit perfectly as a whole and also stand individually as individual artistic entities. Just listen to “Castles” and you will see the light.
Video of the Day: The Launchers – Stop Don’t Listen
The launchers are a band that is a bit hard to qualify. They don’t have a proper record out and they have only released a few singles. The group Madness is about as close as you might come for comparison purpose. They are a fun band with a bit of Ska thrown into the mix.
Video of the Day: Jake Shears -Big Bushy Mustache
For those of you that are lamenting the demise of the Scissor Sisters, lament no more. The head man of the Glam Rock band Jake Shears has released his first solo record and it is a fun one. Full of pomp, circumstance, and bravado this one is next level glamerific. Somewhere Freddie Mercury is smiling.
Video of the Day: William Elliot Whitmore
William Elliot Whitmore is one of the more unusual voices you will here on the Americana trail. The gravel voiced singer comes across like a 20’s gospel preacher on steroids. “Busted,” a song made famous by Ray Charles fits his voice perfectly. Look forward to a new full length record later in the year.
Five Cool Ones: Five Southern Rock Bands We Like
Whether it is Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchett, Blackfoot, Marshall Tucker, The Allman Brothers or anyone in between, the Southern Rock flag is waving loud and proud in 2018. Here are some bands that are on our radar.
Blackberry Smoke – Run Away From It All
It helps that these guys very much look like a Southern Rock band, and they definitely have the chops to prove it. They have been around forever and are just now coming into their own. If you are new to this band you are in luck. They are six albums into a career that is going on almost two decades now. Holding All The Roses from 2014 is probably their best, but they are all good.
Black Stone Cherry – Me And Mary Jane
Definitely veering more to the Rock Side of the Country Rock equation, but don’t sleep on these guys. No guts, no glory.
Dolly Shine – Spinning My Wheels
This band from Stephenville, Texas is a bit under the radar, but none the less a real cool band worth checking out. They can turn it loose on a Saturday night, and can turn a tear jerker tear in your beer song with the best of them. They really should be more famous than they are.
Grady Spencer & The Work
We are going deep Texas here with Grady Spencer & The Work. Their 2016 album The Line Between is a gem of a record. Early Steve Earl with a dose of Tom Petty with these guys.
The Cadillac Three – Dang If We Didn’t
I kind of worry about these guys. Their songwriting is so damn good and they seem to be entrenching themselves into the Nashville establishment. I don’t want them to lose their mojo.
Video of the Day: Aaron Lee Tasjan – Hearts Slow Down
The latest single and video from Aaron Lee Tasjan.
Rock Chick of the Day: Mitski – Nobody
The new record, Be the Cowboy, is highly superb. The vibe with Mitski is part Cat Power part Jenny Lewis, and all cool.
Live Video of the Day: Aerosmith – Mama Kin (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon)
Steven Tyler Joe Perry and Company are in good form getting their chops together in advance of their Vegas residency in 2019.
Video of the Day: Greta Van Fleet – When the Curtain Falls
The video from their latest release. The “It” Rock and Roll band of the moment lays it down with the best of his Classic Rock influences. They still haven’t put a real record out, but when they do, look out.
Rock Is The New Roll 